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Snakes move. That’s pretty much all it takes to attract a cat. Unlike, say, a squirrel, they don’t stop moving if they fear a predator. No. They keep slithering along their snaky way. The enticement of a snake can be too much for Fluffy to resist, so how safe is this?

What Harm Can a Snake Do to Your Cat?

Your cuddly kitty is a predator, a skilled hunter, and a killer. That’s a cat’s true purpose in life. If your pet comes in contact with a snake, its predatory instincts will kick in. Cats will circle their prey to keep it from escaping while they strike its hide with its sharp kitty claws. Snakes have instincts, too. They strike and bite their enemies if they are cornered.

Yay! There’s a new puppy or kitten at your house! Maybe multiple puppies or kittens are squirming about in your home. Unless you are a responsible breeder, these youngsters will need to be spayed or neutered soon enough, but when?

You’ve veered from the hiking trail. There’s no one around, so you let them off the leash. There may not be any people around, but there could be poisonous snakes ready to strike and bite your pet. You hear your excited dog rushing through the brush and then you hear a yelp. Has your pet been bitten by a venomous snake? Our veterinary staff is here to help!

Which Snakes Are Venomous Snakes? 

Your pets can easily encounter snakes when they’re out for a walk or in tall grass or brush or around rock piles, especially in Northern California. Most of us cannot distinguish a venomous snake from a harmless one, which means we need to be extra vigilant about snake safety for our pets. The veterinarians at MarkePlace Veterinary Hospital are here to help you learn a little more about how to keep your pets safe outdoors this season.

With average temperatures ranging from the high 70s to the high 80s, many people might not realize that even a Northern California summer can quickly become too hot for an animal. It’s dry and dusty outside, which exacerbates the problem. Before you spend all your time outside with your furry friend, MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital wants you to consider these summer pet safety tips:

How Hot Is Too Hot for My Pet?

They try to hide in your shirt, and you don’t know why they’re so clingy. Wait for it: yep, here comes a thunderstorm.

Younger dogs are generally not affected by the sounds of a storm. As pets age, they may learn to expect scary loud cracks and rumbles from lightning strikes. When they hear thunder or see flashes of light from lightning or fireworks, the anticipation of what’s to come can set up an anxiety response.

You are the safety captain for animals in your house. They look to you when they’re scared. If you jump, they’ll jump. Sometimes you just can’t help but react to loud noises, and neither can they. Understand that the fear is real and learn how to help calm your pet’s anxiety.

Microchipping is just one element of pet ownership that gives pet owners a semblance of control in unexpected situations. Not a substitute for physical identification tags, microchips add a layer of protection in the case of a lost or missing pet. If you’ve ever wondered about microchipping your pet, we’ve got all the answers for you here:

Pets on the Run

Undoubtedly, many cats and dogs will not willfully take off on their own. Unfortunately, it does happen occasionally.Pets get curious about something they see, hear or smell and take off in hot pursuit. Their intention isn’t to stay away from home, but sometimes they get picked up, or become disoriented about their location. If the right opportunity arises, even a strictly indoor cat might just feel the need to explore. How do you begin to find your pet once they’ve left your property?

The goal of pet wellness is, of course, to keep your pet well. There are many things that go into this regiment, such as pet wellness examinations, parasite prevention, and screening testing. Of course, another large part of keeping our patients at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital healthy is pet vaccines.

Just as in people, though, not every vaccination is needed or even recommended for every pet. Our veterinary staff works to assess each individual patient to come up with personalized recommendations based on lifestyle and other risk factors. One of the pet vaccines that is most variable is the rattlesnake vaccine. Understanding why we might recommend it can help you to make the best decision for your furry friend.

Wellness care is the foundation of a lifelong of health and well-being for your pet. It encompasses a range of routine care such as examinations, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and much more. Preventive care helps to catch disease or problems early to prevent them from becoming serious and focuses on the complete health of your pet.

Since we are all about wellness at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital, we offer affordable and comprehensive wellness plans for cats and dogs. This is why we want to spotlight them, so you and your pet can take advantage of these great plans.

Having a pet insurance policy is one of the best ways you can cover unexpected veterinary experiences. Most pets experience an illness or emergency in their lifetime that cannot be anticipated. Having pet insurance can save you the heartbreaking decision of whether or not to pursue a life-saving surgery or treatment that otherwise is not in your budget. 

But choosing a pet insurance policy is something not to be rash about. Doing research and asking a lot of questions can inform you on the right policy for your furry friend. The team at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital is here with some insight on pet insurance and all of the aspects to consider to find the right option for you.