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Whether you are chilling with your dog poolside or heading to the beach with your four-legged friend, water safety is a must for everyone. Many dog owners make the mistake of assuming their dogs are adept swimmers naturally, but this is not always the case. Accidents around bodies of water are common, and this is prime season for these incidents to occur.

Swimming with your fur pal can be safe and enjoyable with a little planning. The team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center is here with some dog swimming safety tips for you to dive into.

Get to Know Your Dog’s Ability in the Water

Even if your pet is a Labrador Retriever, you should never dunk your dog in a pool or body of water before knowing they are comfortable. Acclimate your pet to water first by starting in a shallow body of water, getting in with them to make them feel safe. Splash around together and throw something they want to retrieve, like a floatable toy, and observe how they swim.

We definitely seem to be lacking in certainty these days; but some things do seem to persist no matter what. Most notably (in this instance, at least), is pet anxiety – especially during the summer months.

All but guaranteed to spike around the Fourth of July, a pet’s fear, doubt, stress and yes, anxiety, can have serious health ramifications for your floofer. Be prepared to reduce potential triggers and minimize long-lasting effects so you can better soothe your pet until the threat passes.

Fireworks and Your Pet

The unpredictability and ear-splitting loudness of fireworks can have disastrous consequences for pets. Since pets cannot make sense of the noise, they tend to fear the worst. Again, be sure that your pet cannot escape or run away in fright, or hide in hard to reach places. 

The long, hot days of summer can take a toll on everyone, including our animal friends. As the temperatures rise, it’s important to understand how to protect your pet from heat, humidity, and intense UV. In areas that are prone to occasional power outages, this can become a dangerous mix. 

Summer, however, is also a great time to get out and enjoy fresh air and sunny days with your four-legged friend. That said, the team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center is here to provide some tips on keeping your pet safe during the summer. 

The Basics of Summer Pet Safety

There are few key elements of summer safety that can be implemented by any pet owner. Using some caution, you can continue to exercise, play, and enjoy some relaxation outdoors  with your best friend. Keeping your pet cool is a matter of following these simple tips.

The spring season is definitely something to celebrate, especially for those of us who like to hike with our dogs. Getting out into nature with our pawed pals is something we cherish when the weather warms. And no doubt, it is great for our health and the health of our pets. But there is also something else that comes with the season – snakes.

This is the time of year when most wildlife emerges, including baby critters, and of course, cold blooded reptiles who thrive in the sun. This season sees a spike in the number of animal emergencies related to snake bites, about 150,000 bites to cats and dogs each year. To keep your pet safe this season, we are here to give you the snake safety and rattlesnake vaccine information you need.

From the cupboards to the garage, there are many possible pet poisons that can be intriguing to a curious pet. Things we may think they would never investigate, they will. In fact, each year there are more than 180,000 pet poisonings. The effects of a pet poisoning can range from mild symptoms to critical, but even the mildest of toxicity is still frightening (and potentially expensive to treat).

March is national Pet Poison Prevention Awareness month and your friends at East Sacramento Veterinary Center want pet owners to be informed about pet poisonings and potential toxins. Through education, awareness, and vigilance, our hope is to decrease our beloved fur friends’ exposure to poisons.

Marijuana, cannabis, pot, weed… whatever you want to call it, if you live in California, it’s legal. With recreational and medical marijuana use becoming more and more mainstream, there are an increasing number of pets who are being accidentally or intentionally exposed to the stuff. 

Part of responsible marijuana use is knowing what risks it may have for you and your family. East Sacramento Veterinary Center would like all of our readers to understand pot and pets and how they mix.

When Pot and Pets Mix

When pot and pets mingle, the results aren’t always for the best. Whether Fido finds your edible stash, decides to eat a discarded roach on the ground outside, or you give him something to help with his arthritis (please always call us before giving medicine or supplements to your pet!) there can be some serious consequences.

Whether it’s a special skill one consciously works on, or it’s simple, dumb luck, getting through the holiday season without getting sick or hurt is critical. While this way of thought definitely applies to people, it’s of equal importance for the pets in our care. 

Since a pet’s wellness isn’t accidental, their overall health utterly depends on an owner’s approach to holiday pet safety. Don’t worry, your friends at East Sacramento Veterinary Center have you covered.

…And Other Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

Anyone who has pets knows the pain of resisting those puppy dog eyes; but when it comes to Thanksgiving safety for pets, it’s important to understand the risks and repercussions of giving in. 

Letting your pet partake in your Thanksgiving feast is not the only risk to their health around the holidays, however. Keep reading for East Sacramento Veterinary Center’s best tips for Thanksgiving pet safety, and avoid an emergency room visit on this, the most festive of holidays.