Posts in Category: Pet Safety

It is quite unfortunate that the same things that bring humans joy also have the potential to imperil our pets. The good news is that the ability to recognize Halloween hazards for pets helps to shield them from illness, injury, or separation/loss. We’ll help you get to the bottom of the most common dangers associated with Halloween, and give you tips that prioritize pet safety this time of year. 

No one likes unwanted houseguests, and pet parasites like fleas and ticks are low on the list of critters that you might invite in. Are flea and tick medications dangerous for pets, though? Thankfully, there are great options for pet parasite prevention available, and Sky Canyon Animal Hospital is happy to help you sort through choosing. 

With so many trails to roam and beaches to bask on, California is a sun-lover’s dream. And if you plan on taking your pet to your next outdoor adventure, make sure you bone up on sun safety for pets.

Most pet owners understand that summer’s hot sun can lead to heat exhaustion or even heatstroke if pets aren’t provided with adequate shade and clean drinking water, but it might surprise you to know that our pets—in spite of being covered in luxurious fur—need sunscreen just like we do.

Read on for tips on sun protection for pets so you can keep your cats and dogs safe and healthy during summer fun. 

Does your dog howl, chew your shoes, or dig holes in your yard every time you leave the house? Do your cats vomit or stop eating altogether each time you spend a night away? Separation anxiety in pets is no fun for you or your furry friends. The team at Sky Canyon Animal Hospital would like to share ways to understand and solve the common behavioral issues we see in anxious pets. 

Long, floppy ears definitely add to canine cuteness, but they are partially responsible for chronic ear infections in dogs. Without adequate air flow and drainage, the dark, moist, warm inner ears become vulnerable to bacteria. In addition to breeds predisposed to ear infections, pups that suffer allergies and those that swim are at higher risk. 

If only there was a way that you could defend against permanent loss of separation of your pet. Wait: there is! Microchipping offers an extra layer of protection if your pet ever goes missing. Microchipping can facilitate a safe return home if your pet is ever picked up by animal control, shelter personnel, or a well-meaning individual. It is not, however, a replacement or substitute for a proper collar and ID tag. If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is about, we offer a few great reasons to microchip your pet.

Your pet’s musculoskeletal system, composed of bones, muscles, and tissue, stimulates and eases their body’s movements. Sometimes, however, the connections between the spine, the body’s structures, and the nervous system need to be restored. Veterinary chiropractic care focuses on manipulating the spine as a way to treat disease, reduce pain, and increase mobility. In essence, chiropractic adjustments can improve a pet’s quality of life.

No animal should have to endure pain, especially if we can treat it. Whether you have a pet that deals with chronic pain and inflammation, or is in a post-op recovery, cold laser therapy can help. Both non-invasive and highly effective, cold laser therapy for pets can be used alone or in conjunction with medication or other therapies to deliver fast results. 

If you had to run out of the house in an emergency, do you know what you would save first? Your pets are, of course, likely to be priority number one. In addition to your furry friends, however, there are some basic items you need to take to ensure they are safe and comfortable. Pre-preparing a pet emergency kit means you and your pets can be ready to go. 

If you prefer to build your own pet emergency kit, the staff at Sky Canyon Animal Hospital compiled a list of necessary items to have.

Most cat owners are painfully familiar with hairballs. An occasional sight of a cat hunching over, making wheezing sounds, and coughing up an elongated pile of stomach bile and fur isn’t always a cause for concern, but breathing difficulty is definitely alarming. Asthma in cats can sneak up on owners, so it’s best to be prepared for what it looks like and when it requires you to seek help.