Posts in Category: Pet Safety

Halloween is just around the corner, and for many of us in Santa Cruz County, this is the favorite holiday of the year. You can tell by all the Halloween decorations that have been up for weeks! For children and adults alike, the costumes, treats, and parties surrounding Halloween can be great fun. But this holiday can be particularly spooky for our pets. Felton Veterinary Hospital cares about pet safety as much as you do, so let’s explore some ways to make “Fright Night” safe and fun for pets and the entire family.

Summer and fall in our valley are prime times for construction projects, but with all the maintenance required for our mountain homes, other times of year are likely filled with drilling, concrete mixing, or hammering. Although these projects are necessary, they pose a particular safety risk for pets, not to mention the aural assault on pet’s sensitive hearing. As you don your hard hat, Felton Veterinary Hospital gives some tips for how to keep pets safe during remodeling.

Balanced nutrition is vital for pet health and can prevent a whole host of health problems. Water is also a critical component of a healthy pet and is the main component of healthy cells. Without adequate water, your pet can become dehydrated and lose vital body organ function. 

We know that providing drinking water daily to our pets is essential, but what else should we be aware of? With a bit of preparation and awareness, you can ensure your pet drinks enough water and prevent dehydration in your pet. July is National Pet Hydration Month, so Felton Veterinary Hospital thought it would be an excellent time to explore the importance of water for pets.

Indoor cats have a pretty good life. They stay safe from the elements and are protected from neighborhood predators and speeding cars. Still, the indoor cat life can be…shall we say, boring? Although your indoor kitty loves attention from you, they get far less activity overall than their outdoor counterparts. 

Unfortunately, a lack of activity can affect indoor cat health. Obesity is one of the most common conditions affecting cats, and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to being overweight. In addition, a lack of social interaction, destructive behavior due to boredom, and overlooked health issues are all side effects of an indoor lifestyle. 

Luckily, enriching the lives and environment of indoor cats has become top of mind recently for pet owners, veterinary professionals, and all those who love cats. In this post, we share ways to give your indoor cat the best of both worlds – safety, and well-being. 

Record-breaking rainfall, flooding, power outages, and road closures are just a few of the weather-related tribulations our communities have experienced in the past year (and some the past month!). Each time we read the news, a different natural disaster affects one or more parts of the country. And, as you may have learned from Scouts or a first aid course, being prepared is your best line of defense in an emergency. Yet, fewer than half of U.S. households have a disaster response plan, and fewer still have one that includes pets.

Today, Felton Veterinary Hospital includes some tips and guidance for caring for your pets should you lose power or need to evacuate. 

The Fourth of July often means backyard parties and BBQs, friends and family, and fireworks. It’s natural to want to include our pets in the celebration, but for them, these same events might mean anxiety, fear, and even a pet medical emergency. Here, we share a few simple tips to keep your pets safe this holiday.  

Planning for the Fourth of July

According to the American Humane Society, the day after July 4th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, which take in hundreds of lost pets who have escaped their yards trying to get away from fireworks noise. With a little planning and preparation, you can help avoid this for your pet family. Continue…

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but can also be stressful if you’re not prepared. From puppy-proofing your house to starting potty training the right way, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with your responsibilities in order to make your puppy’s transition a success.

With all the excitement and anticipation around welcoming your puppy home, it’s easy to forget important steps. But, preparing your home and your family for your new arrival can put you on track and ensure a happy dog for years to come. We’ve asked experts across the country, from Orlando, FL to Portland, OR, to share their best tip for bringing home a puppy.

Anyone who has pets knows the pain of resisting puppy dog eyes at the dinner table. As cute as they are, our pets often win the battle on that one. But when it comes to Thanksgiving safety for pets, it’s important to understand the risks and repercussions of giving in. 

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

May 23 is National Heat Awareness Day, and humans aren’t the only ones who can become sick when it’s hot outside. Pets can suffer from heat stress, too. Keep your dogs and cats safe from the heat –  stay cool on hot summer days.

With the summer season upon us, the Centers for Disease Control has started to issue warnings about sun safety to help protect Americans against sun-induced tumors such as melanoma. Since pets don’t sunbathe or go to the tanning parlor — both risky behaviors when it comes to skin cancer — and are covered in fur, how could that dark spot on your Fluffy or Fido be a melanoma? Melanoma in dogs and cats does not look like it does in people, but it can still be deadly. Here’s how you can recognize the dreaded disease in your best friend, despite its resemblance to other problems.

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