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Responsible pet owners have plenty of safeguards in place to protect their pets. Fenced-in yards, microchipping, vaccinations, and parasite preventives top the list of ways to keep our companions safe and sound. However, even the most cautious owner can overlook potential sources of pet poisoning that may be found in or around the home.

March is National Pet Poison Awareness Month, and our goal is to raise awareness about common pet poisons that may be lurking right under your nose!

If you’ve cuddled up with your pet recently and noticed their breath is less than fresh, it might be tie for a pet dental exam. Bad breath is one of the first signs of pet dental disease, a common but preventable condition.   

So common, in fact, that by the time a pet is 4 years of age, there’s an 85% chance that there is some form of dental disease present. A pet dental exam is the first step in treating and preventing the disease, and Bowman Veterinary Hospital shows you the value of this important step in your pet’s health care routine, here.

We brush our teeth twice a day, and the result of this effort (however minimal it may seem) is nothing short of astounding. We also benefit from regular professional cleanings, exams, and x-rays because the truth is, daily at-home care positively affects oral health and long-term wellness.

Applying the same principles to your pet might seem challenging at first, but the benefits to their health are incredible. With this in mind, let’s take a deeper look at why pet dental health is so important.

This time of year, it seems like everyone is concerned with warding off illness and staying healthy – but we’re not the only ones in need of a little extra TLC. Pets also benefit from our vigilance and protection during these damp, chilly months. With our winter pet safety tips, you can avoid certain seasonal risks and keep your companion happy and healthy throughout the new year.

Smart Decisions

Low temperatures are probably the most common concern for pet owners. A good rule of thumb: if it’s too cold out for you, it’s too cold out for your pet. However, some pets actually enjoy the cooler weather and beg to be let outside; usually, they won’t come back in for extended periods of time. As long as they have access to dry, insulating shelter and plenty of fresh water, they’ll be much better off.

The holidays are upon us, and if you’re decking the halls, we’re sure your pets are right there with you! It’s fun to celebrate the season with our best fur pals, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can leave room for a pet accident or injury, and land us in the emergency clinic – the last thing anyone wants.

So, let’s spend a moment talking about how to have a safe and fun holiday with your pet!  

When it comes to our pets, knowing what is or is not an emergency situation can be difficult. Sometimes, it’s obvious, but in so many cases, the signs can be subtle and easy to miss. Understanding what constitutes a pet emergency is key when it comes to staying calm and acting quickly in times of trouble.

Warning Signs of a Pet Emergency

Some situations are always considered a pet emergency, no matter what time of day or night they may occur.  

Thinking about adding a pet to your household? Why not consider adopting from a shelter? Shelters and rescues are filled with animals waiting to be adopted. Dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds—purebred and mixed—can be found in shelters.

Choosing the right breed

The characteristics of different species and breeds can vary widely. Before you adopt, you should consider:

Even though the chance of earthquake damage is much lower in Auburn compared to other parts of California (it’s actually lower than the national average), every family should have an emergency preparedness plan in place in case disaster strikes. And, if you’ve added a furry friend to your family, be sure to update your emergency plan so everyone stays safe.

Making an emergency plan

When creating your emergency plan, prepare for the worst. Disaster can strike at any time and in any place. While some areas of the country are more susceptible to hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or wildfires, other emergencies, like house fires and power outages, can occur in any state. Prepare for a potential disaster by completing these tasks:

No one likes visiting the doctor. Adding a needle poke to your pet during her annual wellness exam may seem rough, but it can provide a lot of useful information to your veterinarian. That needle prick can be used to draw a blood sample to obtain baseline blood work on your pet, and it could help us to identify any disease processes we’re not able to see during the physical exam.

In addition to annual blood work, we may recommend a urinalysis and a fecal test so we can keep tabs on your furry friend’s kidney function, bladder health, and the presence of any parasites. Remember, our pets age much more quickly than we do, so an annual checkup is crucial to identifying diseases early and preventing them from progressing.