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.

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.

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:

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?

Whether they’re strictly indoor-only cats or allowed to roam, felines are stellar hunters. Equipped with primal instincts, even spoiled, domesticated felines can hunt like their big cat cousins. Rodents, birds, and various insects are no match for your cat’s predatory skills, but what about snakes? 

Just because they can hunt snakes, it doesn’t mean that cats should. Obviously, venomous snakes have no place in your home but what is it going to take to keep your cat safe from snakes in the yard?

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!

It goes without saying that cats are safer indoors, but every neighborhood has cats that live both indoors and outside.

Outdoor cats certainly enjoy more freedoms than their indoor counterparts, but that freedom comes at a cost, especially for those being let out overnight.

What Are Outdoor Cats Doing All Night?

Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk hours. Cats will naturally want to spend the evening outdoors, leaving their owners wondering what it is they’re doing out there all night.

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.