Top 5 Green Pet Tips

1. Adopt from a shelter
   Why buy when you can adopt one of the 70,000 puppies and kittens born every day in the United States?

2. Spay or neuter your pet
   Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating the possibility of uterine, ovarian, and testicular cancer and decreasing the incidence of prostate disease.

3. Rein in your pets; protect native wildlife
   Always keep your dog on a leash when outside and confine your mangy feline indoors.

4. Swap out the junk food
   Most conventional pet-food brands you find at the supermarket consist of reconstituted animal by-products, otherwise known as low-grade wastes from the beef and poultry industries. Natural and organic pet foods use meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones, minimally processed, and preserved with natural substances, such as vitamins C and E.

5. Clean up their poop
   Scoop up your doggie doo in biodegradable poop bags so your buddy's No. 2 isn't immortalized in a plastic bag while deep-sixed in a landfill somewhere for hundreds of years. Cat owners should avoid clumping clay litter at all costs. Not only is clay strip-mined (bad for the planet), but the clay sediment is also permeated with carcinogenic silica dust that can coat little kitty lungs (bad for the cat). 

Source:http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-pets.html

Today is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

When was the last time your cat visited us at Valencia Animal Clinic? Did you know that all cat’s should see us at least once a year, and sometimes more often if they’re considered seniors? Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day, so please, call us and ask us when your cat had their last visit…and schedule the next one today!

Pets & Truck Beds

Did you know that letting your pet ride in the bed of your truck can be extremely dangerous, even if you’re traveling at low speeds? Dogs are known to jump and run after things or animals that appeal to them, and jumping from a moving vehicle can cause serious injury. We ask that you NEVER let your pet ride in the back of a truck, but always inside where they are safely secured.

Pets & Camping Safety

Are you taking your dog with you on a family camping trip this summer? Don’t forget to be prepared for pet care! It’s important that your pet is up-to-date on parasite prevention and has plenty of food and fresh, filtered or sanitized water to drink at the campground. Also, be prepared for safety by ensuring that your campground of choice allows dogs to visit, and that your dog has a place to sleep, preferably inside the tent where they won’t be bitten by insects or pestered by wild animals! Be safe, and the trip will be that much more fun!

Over-the-Counter Medications & Pets

It’s important to keep your medicines out of your pet’s reach at all times, because human medication can be toxic to your pets! When your pet feels sick or is acting under the weather, never give them a human medicine, but bring them in for veterinary care instead. Even if you mean well, a dose of human medicine could be fatal to your pet.

Cleaning Pet Toys

Your dog's favorite toy doesn't have to be thrown away when it's dirty. Make sure that the toy is still safe to play with and then try cleaning it. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the toy has a foul smell or does not get clean after washing, it IS time to throw away. Nylon and rubber toys can be cleaned by hand with soap and water and can even go in your dishwasher for cleaning, but run them through on the hot cycle with no detergent. Softer toys, like ropes, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, so consider sanitizing them by wetting the toy and microwaving it for a full minute. For stuffed animal toys, try throwing them in the washing machine when they are dirty. Throw away any toys with dangling parts, stuffed animal eyes, etc. and any toys that your pet is actually eating...unless it is a treat toy, your dog should not be eating it.

Pets & Cookouts

The weather is getting warmer and many people are firing up their grills for burgers, hotdogs, steaks and ribs. Dogs love the smell of meat, and some dogs will do anything to get some for themselves. Knowing this, it's important to use extra caution around the grill during cooking. Remember, your dog won't use caution about which part of the meat he eats if he grabs a piece, and swallowed bones could mean injury, or even death. It's just not worth it! Keep Fido inside during the grilling festivities.

Pets & Easter Chocolate

Chocolate is delicious to most of us, but for your pet, it's a different story. Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and methylxanthines ( a caffeine-like ingredient), which can cause flu-like symptoms in your pet if eaten. Some of these symptoms could include vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, seizures and in severe cases it can be fatal. Avoid endangering the life of your pet...give them pet-safe treats instead!

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'

Avoid Pet Dentistry Without Anesthesia

A veterinary teeth-cleaning must be done under general anesthesia, and many pet parents are rightfully concerned about subjecting their pets to these medications. However, trying to clean pets’ teeth while they’re awake is inefficient and dangerous. When pets are squirming, it’s impossible to get a good enough look to examine their teeth, and what can’t be seen won’t get cleaned properly. Imagine how painful the dentistry would be without anesthesia. Who would want to subject their pet to that?

Amazing Dog Trick

This courageous canine is able to perform amazing acrobatics. What is the most incredible trick your pet can do?

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

November is National Senior Pet Month

November is Senior Pet Month. Do you have an older cat or dog sharing your home? If so, you know the joys of pets who might have less spunk but more soul. Here are five reasons to love a senior pet.

1. Distinguished look
You know how as we age, we are said to look distinguished? The same is true for our pets. I think senior cats project an air of peaceful dignity. And who can resist the precious gray muzzle of an older dog?
2. Laid-back lifestyle
For kittens and puppies, most any time is play time. Older pets, however, don’t need to release all that youthful energy. They are quieter and often content to just watch what’s going on in the living room or outside the window. Cuddling next to you takes precedence over most anything else.
3. Fewer demands
Older pets still need love and attention, but they don’t require babysitting like a frisky puppy or curious kitten. Some older pets have special medical needs, but after all they’ve given us through the years, it’s an honor to take care of them in return.
4. Wisdom of the ages
When I look into the eyes of a senior dog, I see a world of experience and wisdom. Older pets know what to expect, and are generally reliable and even. They require little training since they already know the rules.
5. They might be just like you!
As we get older, our needs and routines change. We might prefer quiet evenings at home rather than going out on the weekends. We still like to exercise, walk, or even run—but sometimes we go at a different pace. We might even nap in our chair occasionally. If you have a senior dog, you might find that he’s just like you!

Happy Cat Month

The CATalyst Council has declared September as Happy Cat Month. This month is dedicated to finding ways to keep our feline friends happy, healthy and purring all year long. Click the link below for the top 10 ways to keep your feline friend happy.

Acupuncture

Sam I am for acupuncture. Started out being very painful from a back injury and after only 6 treatments he is now walking and doing great!!! Sam I am is the acupuncture success story of this year!

Now is a wonderful opportunity to have fun and frolic with your pets…but be careful. While exercise is important for pets, overexertion during hot weather can commonly cause heat stress. Make sure your pet has an ample supply of fresh drinking water at all times and a shady spot to retreat to for protection from the midday sun and heat.

Trucks and Pets

Did you know that riding in the back of trucks is not safe for your pet and in some states it’s actually illegal?  While any dog would love the wind blowing through its fur, other things are blowing through that wind too.  This increases the risk for you dog to get hit with flying debris which might cause injury that you might not even be aware of.  Keep your pet in the cab of the truck, preferably in a crate that will not slide around with sudden stops.  

Senior Pet Care

We would like to remind you to never leave your pet alone in a car during hot weather. Even if parked in the shade with a window open, temperatures can quickly soar to 120 degrees. This type of heat can result in heatstroke and severely harm your pet. Signs of heatstroke include panting heavily, staring, anxious expression, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and collapse. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet. Bring them inside where it is cool and be sure to provide access to plenty of fresh, clean water.