Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital’s Blog

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and if you’re still stumped for the perfect present to give your pet, let the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital help! We’ve put together some of our picks for best selling pet products as well as trending pet products and services.

Whether you’re gearing up to celebrate Christmas or other seasonal holidays, we’ve got gift suggestions for your pet companions. 

Summer is the time for relaxing in your yard, hosting BBQs, and marveling over fireworks. Unfortunately, it’s also a time of year when pets tend to go missing after they escape from their homes or yards. It only takes a split second for your pet to scoot out a gate left open by the gardener, or to dig under (or jump!) a fence when scared by fireworks.

For these reasons and more, we’re going to explore the world of pet microchips, and give you some tips to make them even more effective if your pet already has one.

Lost Pets

Surveys show that one in three pets will go missing in their lifetimes, and The Humane Society of the United States estimates that only 2-5% of lost cats and 30% of missing dogs are ever reunited with their owners. But these numbers increase if the pet has a microchip because microchipping works.

Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness and sharing the seasonal harvest, and the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital has some tips to help you include your pets safely in the celebration. Just be sure to mention to your guests that food sharing with Fifi is a no-no and that you already have a tempting, pet-safe platter prepared!

When we think of the season, gratitude is a word that comes to mind. We are grateful for all of the things we have and the love we have in our lives. Our lives, as well as our pets’ lives, are full. We have shelter, food, warmth, and all of the things to make a happy, contented life. But for shelter and rescue pets, this may not be their story.

Animal charities rely on area pet owners to help cover the basics of pet care and to raise money for much needed pet services. They rely on volunteers with a big heart like you to give neglected pets a chance at a new life. The team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital want to spotlight the need for holiday pet food drives and other charitable ways to help homeless pets.

Even a cursory Google search for ‘pet gifts’ will produce over 800 million possible results. No wonder finding the right gift for your pet can feel nearly impossible! 

Luckily, you have two things working for you. Number one, is that most pets are pretty happy with just about anything. Number two, is that your friends at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital have culled through piles of research to suggest just the right pet gifts this year. And, they’re all just a click away…

Gifts for Dogs 

No matter the age or breed, you have an adorably smart pup. They may have everything everything they need, but there are likely things out there they’d go crazy for. We recommend giving any of these a try this holiday season:

• Furbo Dog Camera & Treat Dispenser
• Wooly Snuffle Mat
• Hyper Pet Interactive Toy
• Nerf Dog Ball Blaster
• Tire Flyer
• Neater Feeder
• Pet Umbrella
• Buster Activity Mat
• RuffWear Harness
• Cooling Memory Foam Dog Bed
• Doggie Life Jacket (great for next year’s camping trips!)

Be sure to rotate pet toys out of circulation when signs of wear and tear arise

Gifts for Cats

The best pet gifts for the sweet cats in your life answer to their environmental needs and predatory instincts. They also sleep a lot, so having a comfy, supportive bed can make all the difference. Any of the following options make great pet gifts this winter:

• Shag Cuddler
• Cool Cat Gym
• The Ripple Rug
• Cat Scratcher & Lounge
• Cat Roller Case/Backpack (good for some small dogs, too)
• Water Fountain
• Cat Fort
• Cat Camera & Laser Pointer

What They Really Need

If your cat or dog already has enough toys or gear, we encourage you to consider the more abstract gifts they could benefit from. 

Your pet’s health is one of life’s greatest gifts, and you probably take their safety and wellness very seriously. A microchip may not seem like a present, but it really is one of the best pet gifts. Likewise, having a dental cleaning and exam paid for in advance is a terrific incentive. Lastly, consider pet insurance as a way to provide for your pet when they need it the most.

From our veterinarians and staff members, have a safe and happy holiday season with your best friend!

You can go ahead and try, but each fall it gets increasingly harder to escape “pumpkin spice”. It’s everywhere! People definitely go crazy for pumpkin spice lattes, but you can find the flavoring in baked goods, air fresheners, and even personal care products. 

While unsweetened, cooked pumpkin is generally considered a safe food for pets, the high fiber content can cause some disruption in the GI tract. Is there a way to safely share the wonder that is pumpkin spice with our best buds? Absolutely, and your friends at Rocklin Ranch have some ideas that feature pumpkin spice for pets. 

There’s no question that a high-quality, nutritionally balanced, life-stage appropriate pet food is the ideal diet for any pet. Although our companions don’t need quite the same range of foods and nutrients that we do, adding some variety to their diet can be fun and easy (and healthy!).

While pets and people food are generally a recipe for disaster, there are some foods that are just fine for animals to eat. The trick is knowing which ones are safe and which ones to avoid. Let the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital offer some guidance!

As busy veterinary professionals, dedicated to constantly improving our skills, we take our jobs seriously. It is an honor and privilege to care for our community’s pets, and we strive everyday to make a difference in the lives of our furry patients. The best part? We have fun doing it!

We are committed to the highest level of veterinary professionalism. However, in order to maximize our efforts, the value of balance must be recognized. To truly work well together (and deliver the best possible care), we design opportunities to balance the serious nature of our workplace with a little folly, like our monthly Dress Up Day. And now, you get to play along with us!

Continue…

Have you made your new year’s resolutions yet? With 2017 winding down, many of us turn to the coming year with new energy and ready to tackle new goals. Why not set aside a few new year’s resolutions for your pets, too?

If you haven’t thought about this yet, have no fear! We’ve got 5 ideas to add to your list before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Continue…

Adorning our homes with lights, bells, baubles, and greenery is a beloved holiday tradition for families all over the world. But if there’s a pet living in your home, there’s more to consider than just where to hang the mistletoe.

Holiday pet safety is an important part of our seasonal planning, and certain decorations can put pets at risk for illness, injury, or worse.

Continue…