Season’s Eatings: Offer Healthy Pet Snacks to Your Buddy During the Holidays

Dog sniffing snacks.

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.

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Festive Thanksgiving Fare that is Safe for Pets

Thanksgiving pet safety.

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!

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Fitness for Fido: How Much Exercise Does a Pet Really Need?

how much exercise does a pet really needAs the winter months come to a close, we look ahead to the coming spring. Uh-oh. It’s that dreaded time when the shorts and swimsuits come out, and many of us will be back out the gym, aspiring for that bikini body and working on our fitness goals.

Along with your own exercise plans, you may also begin to wonder about your couch potato cat or pup. Should they be getting more exercise? What’s enough? What’s too much?

The team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital can help answer the question: how much exercise does a pet really need?

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Cheers to Good Health: Senior Pet Wellness in the New Year

senior pet wellnessYour senior pet has been with you through good times and bad. They’ve seen you at your best, worst, and everywhere in between. And, they still love and adore you!

The deep connection and satisfying companionship of a senior pet is incomparable, and wanting to give them the absolute best in their golden years is commendable. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take a discerning look at senior pet wellness and implement ways to encourage a great quality of life for your furry friend.

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A Healthy New Year: Tackling Pet Obesity in 2018

A dog looking at a treat on a countertopIt probably comes as no surprise that the most popular New Year’s resolution is to get healthy or lose weight. Many of us could stand to eat a little better and move more, and the same could probably be said for our animal companions.

The rise in pet obesity rates over the past several years have corresponded to an uptick in health concerns, namely heart disease, high blood pressure, joint/mobility issues, cancer, and reduced life expectancy. At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital, we are committed to helping you every step of the way as you strive to keep your pet at a healthy weight.

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In With the New: New Year’s Resolutions for Pets

new years resolutions for petsHave 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.

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Safe At Home: Introducing Your Pet And New Baby

For parents, welcoming a new baby into the family is one of life’s greatest moments. Unfortunately, this wonderful milestone in our lives may be a confusing and upsetting one for our four-legged family members.

Introducing a pet and new baby can be tricky, but with the right attitude and plenty of preparation, the transition can be a smooth one. Let your team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital pave the way!

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posted in:  You & Your Pet

Human Medications: Common Culprits of Pet Poisonings

Certain pharmaceuticals have the potential to bring us great relief. From headaches and allergies to congestion and depression, human medications ease symptoms and eliminate pain. But when half of all pet poisonings are related to them, it’s time for drastic measures to protect your pet.

Script or Not

Prescription medications aren’t necessarily more toxic to pets than over-the-counter ones. The basic rule to prevent pet poisonings is to keep pets and all medications separated. Some animals will tip over a bottle and try out the flavor of whatever spilled out. Others might sniff out the trash and find discarded medication. Please take extra measures to ensure that your curious or bored pet doesn’t ingest human medications.

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posted in:  Pet Toxins

Just in Time for Spring: Choosing Non-Toxic, Pet Safe Plants

If the warmer weather has you itching to get out into the yard for some lawn and garden prep, you’re not alone. This is the season when many of us choose to beautify our yards with an array of plants, shrubbery, and other vegetation.

For pet owners, however, there are more decisions to be made beyond simply where to plant that new shrub or which flowers to grow. Choosing pet safe plants takes planning and knowledge of plant toxicity.

The Big List of Plant No-No’s

Even for those with a green thumb, figuring out which plants are best for a fur friend can be tough. After all, some of the most popular plants and shrubs are poisonous to pets.

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posted in:  Pet Safety

Are We There Yet? Enjoying Spring Break With Your Pet and Kids

A sheepdog in a convertible with its ownerStaying home over spring break can be the perfect recipe for familial happiness, but if everyone is bouncing off the walls for a solid week, you might need an alternative. No, we’re not talking about shipping the kids off to Grandma’s or boarding your pet. Instead, we offer realistic solutions to spending spring break with your pet and the kids. On your mark, get set, pack your bags!

Road Trip!

If your family is going nuts at home, hit the open road! We’re lucky to live in a state that offers so much variety. You could hit the beach, scale the Sierra Nevada’s, gawk at the Sequoias, or enjoy some peace in the desert.

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