Ruff Day Veterinary Acupuncture and Rehabilitation

10/06/2025

It's National Pet Obesity Awareness Week! Did you know Ruff Day helps with dietary and exercise management of obesity? We emphasize Natural Nutrition, provide regular check-ins to monitor progress, and celebrate your wins with you! While our formal Natural Nutrition service is planned for launch this Winter, obesity management is something we can help with right now!

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Veterinarians dedicated to preventing and treating obesity in dogs and cats through nutrition, exercise, and medical weight management. Resources for healthy weight and overweight pets.

10/02/2025

💔 When a pet receives a tough diagnosis, it can feel like hope is lost. But we're here to show you that's not true!

Meet Kiwi, a courageous dog diagnosed with Lysosomal storage disease. His original prognosis was bleak, but through our specialized approach—including acupuncture and rehab—Kiwi gained years of wonderful, high-quality life!

We don't just treat conditions; we redefine life for pets with chronic and neurological issues.

Click to read Kiwi's incredible journey and discover our philosophy on making every moment count:

Discover our unique approach to canine neurological conditions. We offer a 'perceptual break' from pain, providing tools for a better life and social support.

07/31/2025

July 31 is National Mutt Day! Chloe is Ruff Day Vet's very own mutt! Help us celebrate by showing us your mutt in the comments!

07/11/2025

😎Happy Friday, friends! It's supposed to be pretty warm in our area this weekend!

😛Tongue out with relaxed panting is normal.
😛Tongue starting to curl at the tip means we're getting a little warm, best to get out of the heat.
🥵Tongue curling in waves all along the sides, or sticking way out and flattened like a blade or a spatula, means we're overheating, start cooling measures immediately.

Remember not to walk your dog in the heat of the day, and if you're working on a home exercise program assigned by us with your pet, make sure they stay nice and cool, or just skip it entirely. If they're a short-nosed breed like a Frenchie, practice extra caution this weekend!

07/09/2025

Did you catch Adam's new blog post last week about common myths surrounding pain in pets (based on information from human medicine)?

Learn how to spot the subtle signs of pain in your dog and why common pain myths can harm your pet’s well-being. Discover expert insights on canine pain, how dogs express discomfort, and holistic approaches to pain management from Ruff Day Vet. Improve your pet’s quality of life by understanding...

07/02/2025

The Fourth of July is almost here, and while that means fun for us, it can be a really stressful time for our beloved pets. 🐾 The loud booms and bright flashes of fireworks can cause a lot of anxiety for many furry friends.

If your pet gets anxious around loud noises, consider desensitizing them before the fireworks start. A great way to do this is by using YouTube! There are many channels with fireworks videos and sounds you can use.

Here's how to help your pet:

Start by playing the video at a very low volume.

Slowly increase the volume over time, always watching for your pet's comfort.

If your pet loves food, try playing these sounds during their meal times or when they're relaxed. The goal is to help them associate those scary sounds with positive things like treats or food!

Let's make sure our pets stay calm and safe this Fourth of July! ❤️
Photo by Josh Hild: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-standing-on-white-dock-watching-fireworks-during-nighttime-2681818/

07/01/2025

🐾 Hidden signals your dog is hurting:

• Hesitation before a jump
• Tiny shift in gait
• Less interest in dinner

These whispers of discomfort often go unheard until pain is severe. In this installment of our Pain Awareness Series, we decode the “language” of animal pain and explain when to see your primary‑care vet vs. when chronic pain needs a specialist.

👉 Read the full post or book a pain consult today.
www.ruffday.vet/the-ruff-writer/the-hidden-language-of-pain-what-your-dog-knows-that-you-dont-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think

Learn how to spot the subtle signs of pain in your dog and why common pain myths can harm your pet’s well-being. Discover expert insights on canine pain, how dogs express discomfort, and holistic approaches to pain management from Ruff Day Vet. Improve your pet’s quality of life by understanding...

06/19/2025

June is National Cat Adoption Month! Before bringing a new kitty home, make sure you and your family are prepared! Check out this brief information sheet from the Humane Society.

And a side chuckle, from Reddit this morning: "You don't own a cat, they own you. You are their slave. But it will be the happiest, most loving dysfunctional and emotionally abusive relationship of your life."

Make your cat adoption a success! Explore our checklist for must-know tips on care, safety, and making your new feline feel at home.

06/14/2025

Our cat Wesley recently went in for dental work and had 4 painful teeth removed. He's 11 and we just thought he was aging, but now he is playing with toys again, not attacking the dog, not hiding through the daytime hours, and he's back to his vocal, demanding self at mealtime!

In case you missed it, check out our latest blog post on how to detect pain in dogs and cats!

https://www.ruffday.vet/the-ruff-writer/how-can-i-tell-if-my-pet-is-in-pain

06/14/2025

🐾 How do you know if your dog or cat is in pain—especially when they can't tell you?
Most pets don’t cry or whimper unless pain is severe. That’s why subtle signs—like licking, hiding, posture changes, or sudden aggression—can be just as important.

Understanding your pet’s behavior is the first step to helping them feel better.

📘 We’ve just released the first post in our Pain Awareness Series to help you recognize signs of pain and know when to act.
Learn how to recognize pain in your pet — before it becomes an emergency. 👉 https://www.ruffday.vet/the-ruff-writer/how-can-i-tell-if-my-pet-is-in-pain

🩺 If your pet is experiencing an emergency, your primary care veterinarian is the first stop.
But if your pet is stable and you’re worried about chronic or unresolved pain, that’s where we come in.

🐶 Is your dog slowing down, limping, or just “not themselves”?
🐱 Is your cat grooming less or refusing to jump?

👉 Let’s work together to get them feeling better.

Pets rarely cry out in pain like humans do—so how can we tell when they’re suffering? Learn the science behind pain, why it matters, and the surprising behavioral changes that may indicate your pet is hurting. A must-read for every attentive pet parent.

04/26/2025

Friends! We have been nominated for best Vet clinic in this year's Community Votes Tacoma! Only the businesses with the most nominations will go on to the voting stage in June. Please consider following the link to vote for us! Users can submit up to one nomination per day.
Thank you for your support!

Official 2025 Community Voting Awards Platform for Tacoma, WA. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

11/25/2024

Some veterinary visits are more than just check-ups – they're transformative journeys of trust, healing, and hope. Today, I want to share the incredible story of Griffey, a dog who went from being anxious and fearful to becoming a confident, happy athlete with the help of our amazing team at Ruff Day Vet + Pet Gym.
This is a testament to the power of patience, compassion, and truly listening to our four-legged friends. Dr. Heather and the team didn't just treat Griffey's physical challenges – they earned his trust, step by step, creating a healing environment where he could thrive.
Who else believes our pets deserve healthcare that sees them as whole, unique individuals? 🐾❤️
(Full story in the comments below!)