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. 

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.  

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!

Heat and humidity make it hard for most of us to stay cool and hydrated, especially when we are outdoors and exercising. It’s no surprise that many of us don’t get enough water each day to adequately stay refreshed and hydrated. 

Proper hydration is also a need for our four-legged friends. Drinking enough water keeps them cool and allows the body’s internal systems to function well. Unfortunately, our pets, too, often don’t get enough water to keep them cool and healthy. 

You may wonder if your pet is drinking enough water each day. Your team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to give you some tips on how to keep your pet hydrated this summer, and all year long!

For people, it makes sense to trim long hair during the hottest months of the year, but this is not the case for dogs. Instead of adding to their safety and comfort, shaving their coats too close to the skin not only exposes them more severely to the elements, but provides little defense against the heat. 

It’s counterintuitive at best, but if you’re wondering if you should shave your dog this summer the answer may be a resounding “no”.

Special Fur Features

Dogs have especially thin skin, a fact that necessitates the importance of a clean, mat-free coat of hair. Their coat actually keeps them warm all winter long and cools them down when they get hot. In other words, when you shave your dog down to their skin, they actually have less protection against the heat, not more. 

Gardening is on most people’s minds right now. While always a wonderful hobby with plenty of life-sustaining impact, planting seeds and starts is now a way toward food safety and stability. Luckily, our plant hardiness zone (9b) allows for a long growing season, full of sunshine and warmth. 

But beyond food, we all need pops of color to brighten the front porch, landscaping beds, and the backyard. With our guide to pet-friendly flowers, your house will not only make your neighborhood a happy place to be but will keep your pets healthy and safe.

So.Much.Sniffing.

Pets just cannot help themselves when it comes to their own yard and garden (and let’s face it, your neighbor’s properties, as well). They simply revel in the scents and sensations that abound in spring and summer.

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. 

The holidays are long-gone, but that doesn’t mean seasonal liberation is on the horizon. Instead, we must endure short, overcast, chilly days until the trees and flowers begin to bloom in 2-3 months.

Like kids, pets can start to feel a bit antsy this time of year. Luckily, there are some worthwhile winter pet activities to keep their paws moving and minds working.

When the weather outside is frightful, most everyone is tempted to snuggle up in the warmth of our homes. Pets are no different, and there may be no sight so sweet as a beloved pet curled up in a toasty place while the wind howls all around.

Indoor and outdoor pets alike can enjoy a little extra warmth, but if you choose to provide a warm spot for them to hunker down it is very important to ensure that there are no hazards. Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital knows that a cozy cuddle spot is just the thing this winter, especially when you keep these heated pet bed safety tips in mind.

Few things can ruin a holiday meal or celebration faster than a pet emergency, and easy access to the many foods, decorations, and other potentially dangerous seasonal items can put your pet at risk this time of year. That’s why the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital has put together some helpful tips for holiday pet safety.

Too Many Temptations

Big meals and gatherings centered on food are a given during the holidays. This also means food-related pet emergencies are common this time of year. While it can be easy to slack off when it comes to supervising your pet around people food, it’s important to make sure all food is kept out of reach and stored securely. Also double check that garbage bins are covered to prevent any post-meal snacking.

Resist the temptation to feed your pet table scraps, and ask your guests to do the same. Even small amounts of fatty or greasy food can lead to a dangerous and painful condition called pancreatitis.