Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital’s Blog

Household flies are a nuisance for many of us, especially in the summertime. But when it comes to our pets, these sky raisins are particularly interesting.

You have probably seen your cat or dog swat or chomp at flies, and, of course, gobble them up like they are a tasty snack. Since cats and dogs are instinctual hunters, this tiny prey may seem like an easy bit of nutrition for them, even though it is gross to us.

The question we at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital often get from pet owners is why pets eat flies and is it safe for them to do so. You are in luck. We are here to explain this airborne fixation for your best friend.

Like other chemical-containing products found around the house, vaping devices should be kept out of reach of pets. E-cigarettes contain chemical concoctions that may include nicotine, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, glycerin, and THC (the active compound found in marijuana)—and the inhalation or ingestion of these substances can be extremely harmful to animals. 

To some, it simply comes naturally to proactively meet the needs of a pet. For others, the process is more of an “on the fly” kind of approach. Either way, there’s a willingness and an awareness that communicates what a truly responsible pet owner looks like to the world. How else can you identify a responsible pet owner? We’ve got 10 traits that are easy to spot.

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.  

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.

The holiday season is not known as a time of year where many of us lose weight. Between the buttery, sugary desserts and rich, savory meat dishes, we’re lucky if we keep weight gain to a solid five to ten pounds. Pets are no exception to this trend, but with some healthy pet snacks waiting in the wings, you can keep them satisfied and safe all season long.

Despite their reputation, snakes contribute to our ecology in important ways like helping to control rampant, disease-carrying, crop-destroying rodent populations. Fear and inexperience drives our perceptions of snakes, however, this doesn’t mean that snakes aren’t deserving of our consideration and respect. With natural snake repellents, pet owners can subtly drive snakes away while protecting their pets from potentially dangerous interactions.

We are no strangers to danger noodle encounters at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital, and we want to make sure you know how to keep your pets safe from their hurt juice. Although we see many different types of sneks in the Rocklin area, danger noodles are the ultimate bad tube dudes. They slither, rattle, and tell you to back off with their teeth first. If you and your pupper or meow meow come face to face with a danger noodle, be sure to do the following:

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and your home is starting to have a layer of winter dust that might be making you itch to reach for the cleaning products. Spring is in the air and so is the need to clean your home to welcome the new season. Unfortunately, there are a lot of ingredients in common cleaning products that are dangerous for animals. Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to help you learn about spring cleaning pet safety so you can have a spotless home without harming your furry friends.

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.