Posts in Category: The Great Outdoors

Bringing your pet with you on a trip can definitely make the experience more fun and memorable. There’s a lot to get excited about, but as with anything related to your pet’s health and safety, there’s a substantial checklist that requires time and attention. We have some planning advice, essential details, and helpful tips to help you arrange the best summer pet travel itinerary.

Who doesn’t love summer time? We’ve waited all year for hot, sunny days, endless blue skies, and loads of recreational activities to keep us fit, happy, and entertained. The best part is that many pets find themselves immersed in all the season has to offer. It’s important to remember that a pet’s level of fun is directly related to how well they are protected from risk. We’ve put together a few reminders for summer pet safety to keep everyone healthy and safe. 

As we head back into the warmer months of the year this spring, The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center wants to be sure that you and your furry family are set up to enjoy it. Keep reading to learn our favorite ways to enjoy the weather and our top spring pet safety tips to avoid unplanned trips to see our staff. 

Dogs who spend any amount of time outside in areas where ticks are present are susceptible to a myriad of illnesses that can affect everything from their digestive tract to their cardiovascular system.

 Without monthly preventives, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases in dogs are serious threats that could significantly impact overall health and wellness. Keep reading to learn about the diseases ticks might pass onto our pets and how monthly preventives can help protect them.

With all of the attention on how harmful most pesticides are, many of us have switched to organic and eco-friendly products for the lawn and garden. But when those biting, itchy pests arrive, it’s all too easy to grab some pesticides to keep them from invading our homes and bodies. Unfortunately, many pest control products are also harmful to other animals, including pets.

Several pet owners have asked the team at the Whole Pet Vet and Wellness Center about some pet-friendly insect control options and we are happy to help! Here are some of our favorite solutions to pet friendly insect control.

In order to effectively identify wild roaming bison, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implants them with inert microchips. In fact, various types of animal research use similar information gleaned from these chips. They do not transmit GPS or have an internal power source, but these biocompatible chips have likewise been instrumental in the identification of loads of species – especially lost or missing pets. 

From llamas to parrots, ferrets to frogs, pets are routinely microchipped. It might not ever get scanned, but a pet microchip can facilitate a swift return home.

Most pets and their people never cross paths with apex predators in the wild, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. In fact, habitat loss and navigable road systems make the possibility of an encounter even more real. Skunks, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes can be threatening, but what about rattlesnakes, bears, cougars, and birds of prey?

Undoubtedly, there are wildlife dangers to pets here in California. When owners are prepared to handle the risks and results, pets have a much better chance.

Pet ownership is a big responsibility, but we sign up for the opportunity because of the enormous payoffs we receive from this special relationship. Indeed, owning a pet is a type of insurance against loneliness, isolation, and possible boredom. They keep us engaged, connected, and best of all, active. Walking with your pet is one of the best assets of the relationship – for both you and your pet!

Envision it now…a rolling green hill, sunny skies, and a game of frisbee with Fido and some friends. Maybe there’s a new and challenging trail you’ve been wanting to hike the past few months, or, possibly, you’ve decided that sitting on the couch when it’s nice outside is no longer an option, especially if you (and your pup!) have added a few extra pounds this winter.

There are many ways to get out there and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer while giving ourselves and our fur pals the added gift of fitness and good health. The team at The Whole Pet Vet has a few suggestions for outdoor activities with your dog to help boost endorphins and enjoy a little fresh air.

Take a Hike!

If you and your dog prefer the trail to the pavement, there are plenty of amazing hikes you can enjoy within a day’s driving distance. Some of our favorites include: Continue…

Does the jingling of Fido’s collar, as he scratches his ears in the middle of the night, keep you awake? Have you noticed that your normally calm pet is obsessively licking her paws? Do those red sores on your pet’s skin give you cause for concern? If any of these scenarios sound like you, your pet may be suffering from allergies.

Allergies in pets is one of the most common problems we diagnose in our patients. Just as for humans allergy symptoms can cause significant discomfort for our pets, and wreak havoc on their quality of life. The team at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center wants to increase awareness of allergies in pets and make sure pet owners have the information they need to make their pets more comfortable.

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