Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital’s Blog

Last week, as you may recall, we wrote about the importance of keeping your pet active during the winter months and gave you pointers on pet-friendly winter activities. This week, we wanted to follow up with some encouraging reasons as to why dog walking has health benefits for both dog and owner alike.

Here are a few of our favorite reasons to enjoy a walk with your pet. January was National Walk Your Pet Month and we are motivated to inspire you to grab your pet’s leash and head outside for some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. Continue…

Humans have an average global lifespan of 70 to 75 years, but our pets pack their life into a much shorter time. It might be no big deal for you to miss a yearly doctor’s appointment. But for your pet, missing a yearly visit to the vet is like us forgoing a checkup for five years. Yikes! 

If you are like most dog owners, it takes patience, time, and repetition when you begin to train a puppy or even an adult dog. The challenges of cleaning up accidents, the constant struggle to redirect your pet from spraying the couch, and the ongoing time and skills to teach basic commands are the things that you deal with. Without a doubt, house training your dog is not for the faint of heart!

But once you and your pet have established the basics of house training, the positive effects can last a lifetime. This is why your team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to give you the tools and techniques for house training your dog. Let’s begin!

You take super good care of your pets, anticipate their every need, and yet, you have a nagging sensation that you could be doing something better. Perhaps it’s because they give so much to you and your family, it seems like you’ll always come up short in repayment. Don’t worry. There are always little things that pet owners can do that have a big impact on their pet’s well-being. If you want to improve your pet’s health in the new year, we’ve got you covered. 

The temperatures are kicking into high gear, and in our neck of the woods, that means seeking shade, a cool dip in the pool, or an ice cold treat. What does it mean for our pets, though?

Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is revisiting summer heat safety for pets, and we have a few tips for best practices indoors, as well as when outside. Plus, a few bonus recipes for yummy summer pet treats that won’t add inches to your pet’s waistline. This is going to be fun!

First Thing’s First

First, a bit of awareness: pets don’t sweat the way we do to dissipate excess heat. It’s important not to let them get overheated in the first place. Dogs and cats have fur coats to boot, so taking precautions on warm days is definitely in order. When it’s hot outside for you, it’s even hotter for your pets.  

Your quarters may be cramped, but your heart is overflowing with love to spare, so why not adopt a puppy? While your desire to add a furry companion to your environment may be strong, there are some important aspects of raising a puppy in an apartment that you need to consider before taking the plunge.

At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital, we completely understand the joy and companionship that pets bring to our lives. We want you and your puppy to live happily ever after, so here are some tips that can help. 

Fleas are the bane of a pet owner’s existence. These creepy crawly creatures can elicit a shudder in even the bravest dog or cat parent. If your pet has the unfortunate experience of getting fleas, Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to help you get rid of them as quickly as possible:

You pay the bills in your home, but if your dog thinks he’s the boss, it may not feel like you make all the decisions. A bossy dog might be the one setting your schedule, getting first-choice when it comes to where to sit, and pushing their noses into all of your business (literally). If you are tired of bowing down to your dog boss, Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital has some tips to help you take back control in your home:

People who love to care for pets often love to care for plants. Although these caregiver instincts are pure, not all plants and pets can coexist peacefully and safely. Unfortunately, there are certain plants that are poisonous to our four-legged friends. There are indoor and outdoor toxic plants for pets, which means it is important to do some research before adding some flora and fauna to your home decor.

Knowing what plants you have in your home and yard is a crucial step to avoid an accidental pet poisoning. Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to help you eliminate the risk to your pet while still satisfying your green thumb. Keep reading to check out our tips on avoiding these dangerous plants.

Most pet owners get used to their pets eating weird stuff. Between sticks, socks, rotten food, and waste, we can hardly be surprised by their odd cuisine choices. Of course, we want to be sure that nothing they ingest can cause dangerous intestinal obstruction, or increase choking or poisoning risks. What happens when your pet starts chomping on grass?

But when a pet eats grass as a hobby or habit, does a pet owner need to be concerned?