Posts in Category: Pet Safety

The holidays are upon us, which means lots of cheer, lots of delicious food, and for some of us, lots of holiday travel to see family and friends far and near. If you’re a pet parent and you want to bring Fido or Kitty along, you might feel stressed about how to handle holiday travel for pets.

Never fear! The team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital has the tips you need for a successful trip. 

While the Halloween season is full of tricks and treats that can be fun for the whole family, it also comes with plenty of hazards for our furry friends. Practicing Halloween pet safety is a great way to avoid an accident before it happens. With the following tips from Bowman Veterinary Hospital, you can minimize hazards and ensure a fun season for everyone.

It’s summer in California, and at Bowman Veterinary Hospital, we know that means fun in the sun for people and pets alike. Part of keeping things cool, though, is minding the heat and keeping everyone safe. If you are wondering about how to recognize heat stroke in pets or about other high temperature hazards, be sure to keep reading for our best summer pet safety tips. 

The Fourth of July holiday season is a fun and festive one, but for many of our four-legged friends, it can be a bit stressful. Noisy gatherings and loud booms can raise pet anxiety and put our July 4th pet safety skills to the test. 

Calming Pet Anxiety 

Pet anxiety tends to peak in the summer months. Backyard parties, summer travel, thunderstorms, and fireworks can all make the world a little less predictable for our animal friends.

Help your pet to feel a little less anxious by:

• Keeping their routine as predictable as possible
• Not changing their diet
• Giving them a safe, quiet sanctuary to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed
• Using anti-anxiety supplements such as plug-in pheromones or over-the-counter solutions
• Trying an anxiety vest 
• Offering enriching activities like a puzzle toy to keep their mind focused
• Engaging in physical activities such as walks with them

Be aware of potential toxins like unattended food and drinks, lighter fluid, insecticides, glow jewelry, and even unattended bags or coats that may contain human medications, vapes, or inhalers can also pose holiday risks to pets.

It is also worthwhile to check your pet escape-proofing measures. Be sure window screens and fence gates are secure in case a scared pooch decides to make a run for it. It is also important to check that your pets are microchipped and their registration accurate. 

Comforting Pets During Fireworks

Many pets (mostly dogs, but some cats, too) have noise phobias that are tested tremendously during loud events like fireworks or storms. The good news is that when we know that they are going to happen, we have a better chance to comfort our pets.

For pets who have anxiety about loud noises:

• Move them to an interior room with no windows
• Play soft music or other white noise
• Allow them to spend time in a safe, comfortable place that they are used to
• Try a Thundershirt
• Try to not leave your pet alone during this time (you may need to arrange a pet sitter)
• If you must take them outside, be sure that they are on a secure leash and stay with them
• Contact us for information about anti-anxiety medications

Ideally we will want to try an anti-anxiety medication before a scary day to see how it affects your pet. Don’t give more than the recommended amount or share amongst pets without consulting our team first. 

The Fourth of July can be a very fun holiday, but if your pet doesn’t agree, that is okay. They don’t have to love it, they just need to stay safe, and these tips can help you keep them that way.

Creating a pet-friendly yard can be a great way to provide some environmental stimulation for your animal as well as to bond with them in the great outdoors. To be sure that everyone can enjoy themselves, though, Bowman Veterinary Hospital thinks that it is important that animal lovers understand outdoor pet safety and how to make sure that their outdoor oasis is a safe and enjoyable space for all. 

At Bowman Veterinary Hospital, we understand that keeping your pet hydrated is as crucial as providing them with a nutritious diet. Hydration is the cornerstone of good health for your pets, just as it is for humans. This seemingly simple aspect of pet care is pivotal in ensuring your furry friends lead happy, active, and healthy lives.

Thanks to advancements in modern veterinary medicine, pets are living longer, healthier lives. But at some point, in spite of the best senior pet care, our older pets will start to show signs of slowing down, and it’s up to us to help them age gracefully and comfortably in their familiar surroundings.

Senior pets hold a special place in our hearts at Bowman Veterinary Hospital, and our team has put together suggestions for creating a pet-friendly home using simple modifications geared toward enhancing pet mobility and pet comfort.

Summer is here, at last! Hot, sunny days mean trips to the water, long, lazy walks, and outside volleyball games. Your pets want to go where you go (except for cats who might want to stay put). Your pets need to stay hydrated so, should you bring your pets with you for summertime excursions?

There’s a lot to love about summer, but a pet’s noise anxiety isn’t usually on the list of favorite things. Long stretches of beautiful, sunny days, time spent on the water, or going camping can quickly spiral into a frightening experience for a pet unaccustomed to thunderstorms or fireworks (both of which occur with some frequency between May and September). Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with some effective strategies to keep your pet’s noise anxiety at bay. 

Bringing a puppy home is quite an adventure. As the cute little fluff adapts to his new home, it is important to set him up for success. Beginning with proper nutrition is important, and once your pup gets home, you may notice that he gobbles up his food like there is no tomorrow. Eating too quickly can be a choking hazard for your pup, can cause pain and discomfort, and can even cause severe gastrointestinal conditions like volvulus, or stomach twisting.