On the Ready: Disaster Preparedness for Pet Safety and Peace of Mind

Auburn CA safe dogs in car

If you have lived through any natural disaster, you know that every second counts when evacuating or sheltering in place. Each disaster, whether it be a hurricane, tornado, forest fire, or the like, has its own manner of getting to safety. You may even have a disaster plan for your family in place. We have certainly had our share of wildfires this year that have devastated California and the Pacific Coast, as well as the West.

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Orange, Glowing Skies: When Pet Fire Safety Must Be the Rule

Pet Safety for Auburn CA Dog on Couch

In this age of unpredictability, it makes sense to prepare for the worst. For those of us in the west, this means getting ready for wildfire season every year. Between packing up necessities in case of an evacuation and planning the quickest escape route, we can easily overlook the effects of smoke inhalation. 

A wildfire doesn’t have to be in our backyards to suffer from dangerous side effects. As a result, pet fire safety should be one of our highest priorities.

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How Can You Keep Your Cat Safe From Snakes

Auburn, CA cat on a fence.

If the title of this blog sounds a bit like “how can you stop the rain from falling”, we get it. Snakes are instantly captivating (from a distance), but cats cannot help messing with them. 

Many cats find it endlessly amusing to swat at and pounce on them, and their super special owners are “lucky” to get a snake trophy from time to time. It might seem impossible to train cats to distinguish venomous snakes from harmless ones. A better strategy would be to reduce (or eliminate) any snake encounters. 

So, how can you keep your cat safe from snakes? 

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When It Comes to Pet Hydration, How Much Water Is Enough?

Thirsty dog in hot summer day. Labrador retriever drinking water from metal bowl.

Summer evenings in Auburn are absolutely lovely, but we have to go through a lot to fully enjoy them. Slogging through the super hot days of August is not easy (or pleasant), but that’s what air conditioning is all about, right? 

We could all stay indoors until the sun goes down but that’s not always an option for pets. Dogs have to go outside to relieve themselves, but many other pets find themselves outside during the hottest times of the day. Don’t forget: Pet hydration is the key to their health and safety this summer

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Best Practices to Keep Your Pet Safe From Snakes

Dog near snake.

Equipped with extra joints and mobile jaws to swallow prey larger than their heads, snakes have earned the reputation of terrifying predators. While many varieties aren’t venomous, and some aren’t longer than 10 centimeters, snakes generally inspire dread and fear.

Unless you live in a place where they don’t exist, such as Hawaii, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, and other small islands throughout the world (which we don’t), it may be a challenge to keep your pet safe from snakes at home.

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Summer Safety for Cats and Dogs

Puppy outside in the sand.

It’s high time for all of us to be outside enjoying the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. Our cats and dogs also enjoy this season to embrace the sunny days and outdoor recreation. Yet, summer poses some risks to our pets that you may not consider, until there is an emergency

To avoid having a scare, the team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital is here with some tips for summer safety for cats and dogs. Let’s take a closer look!

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Creating and Maintaining a Pet-Safe Garden

Dog in a pet-safe garden.

Depending on where you stand, yard work can either be incredibly rewarding or super draining. Either way, it has to be done and the spring season is the perfect time to get a head start. Weekend warriors have already begun waking up their garden beds, opening up the shed, and taking an inventory of all the products piled up in the garage. 

For pet owners, the safety of their furry loved ones should take top priority when it comes to gardening. The good news is that it’s not only possible to provide a pet-safe garden for your furry friend, when they have a variety of plants and flowers around them they are likely to be at their happiest.

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Holiday Pet Safety Tips for Your Festivius

Auburn, CA cat getting in the holiday spirit.

The holiday season is upon us, and the days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s promise to hold many celebrations with family and friends – and, of course, our pets. That’s because a full 70% of American pet owners consider their pets to be family members – making holiday pet safety a must this holiday season.

The holidays can present some very real risk for our pets. From rich holiday foods to seasonal decorations, visitors, parties; it’s important to be aware of how to keep our pets safe this time of year. 

Bowman Veterinary Hospital shares some of our best tips for holiday pet safety, and how to avoid a trip to the animal emergency room this year. 

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Gobble This, Not That: Having a Pet Friendly Thanksgiving

Auburn, CA dog having a pet friendly Thanksgiving.

Are you ready for the big feast and festivities this Thanksgiving? What about your pet? Pets are definitely family and the holidays are something we love them to be a part of. There are some concerns, though, when it comes to Thanksgiving foods, decor, and other items your little fur friend may get in to without precautions taken.

Here are some of Bowman Veterinary Hospital’s favorite tips for making Thanksgiving safe and happy for your pet companion.

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It’s Time to Make Halloween Pet Safety a Priority

Auburn, CA dog dressed up for halloween.

The holidays we celebrate throughout the year bring us a lot of joy, but because of the potential hazards to pets, some pet owners may have to participate on the sidelines. There are ways around feeling like this, and with a quick and easy approach to Halloween pet safety, pets and people alike can enjoy the spookiest time of the year together.

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