Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital’s Blog

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 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. 

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. 

If constant head twitching and ear scratching has the fur flying in your house, ear mites could be to blame. These teeny weeny creepy crawlies feast on ear wax (ew!) and are highly contagious between dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets. Your pet can pick up this pest outdoors, at the kennel or groomer, or from another pet in the house. Read on for the nitty gritty on ear mites, plus treatment tips from our team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital. 

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.

While it’s certainly convenient to simply purchase commercially made pet pill pockets, it’s not always economical for pet owners–or tasty for pets. Solving the problem of masking medication has never been easier than making your own pet pill pockets customized with your pet’s health (and taste buds) in mind.

The Grand Design

Pet pill pockets are, by design, very simple, but store-bought versions can add up fast for pet owners that need to give daily, or multiple medications, throughout the day (think $8-13 for 30 pockets). Similarly, pets that depend on medications for life can be keen on spitting out the required dose when it comes via a tasteless pill pocket.

As humans, dental hygiene is pretty important. Daily brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and periodic dentist visits are on most of our to-do lists. When it comes to our canine companions, though, dental care seems to fall down the list of importance. Contrary to popular belief, bad doggy breath is not the norm! Dog dental care is essential, and Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to be sure your pup has primo care. 

Why Dog Dental Care?

When an adult dog and a puppy are introduced, the results can be devastatingly cute. 

Much like human children, puppies are often unencumbered by normal social cues and norms. This endearing quality can cause problems, however, especially among dogs who do not have a lot of patience for puppy behavior .

When allowing adult dog and puppy interactions to occur, Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants you to know what is normal, what’s not, and when it’s time for you to intervene.

The Normal Order of Things

Puppies are playful, and they can be a whole lot of fun to watch. Normal puppy body language may include play gestures such as:

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.  

Most, if not all, pets enjoy their food and relish meal times. This doesn’t mean that they savor every bite, however. Instead, a common reaction to a bowl of food is to simply inhale it without appearing to chew even a morsel of it. This is true for pets of all ages, but if your puppy eats too fast, he could actually face serious health consequences.