The Ranch Pet Resort

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Pet Health and Safety Tips

Keep Your Dog or Puppy Safe this Holiday Season by Managing their Diet

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The holidays are quickly approaching, and while those delicious and tempting dishes may be a treat to us, not all food is safe or suitable for dogs and puppies.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa loves your dogs and puppies, and we want them to remain safe, happy, and free from any dietary issues.

Here is a list of just some of the food items dogs and puppies should avoid during the holidays and any time of year according to the ASPCA:

  • Alcohol
  • Avocado
  • Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
  • Citrus
  • Coconut and Coconut Oil
  • Grapes and Raisins
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Milk and Dairy
  • Nuts
  • Onions, Garlic, Chives
  • Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
  • Salt and Salty Snack Foods
  • Xylitol
  • Yeast Dough

Symptoms to Look For in Your Dog or Puppy Who May Have Eaten Forbidden Food

It’s not always easy to keep an eye on our furry friends or manage our friends and relatives who mean well by sharing holiday delights with our pups. As pets owners, it’s our responsibility to be aware of the signs and symptoms that may affect dogs who ate something he or she shouldn’t have.

The typical behaviors exhibited by canines who ate or drank something forbidden include:

  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Impaired coordination
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Tremors
  • Coma
  • Panting
  • Excessive thirst and urination
  • Depression
  • Hypothermia
  • Choking
  • Fever
  • Bloating

These visible indicators could also have underlying conditions that may affect the dog’s blood, organs, skin, and coat, so it’s best to get your dog or puppy checked out as soon as you notice your pet is not acting normally.

Contact Your Veterinarian Immediate or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

If you think your pooch ate or drank something he or she shouldn’t have, try to calculate the amount of food or drink ingested, call your vet immediately, or contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Reserve Your Dog’s Staycation at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa this Holiday Season

If the idea of a second pair of eyes on your dog or puppy is too much during the holidays, we have the perfect pup solution!

Our professional dog day care and boarding facilities offer state-of-the-art care for your best fur baby. We have a brand new doggie playground and water park complete with friends to romp with, play with, wrestle with, and chase. Did we mention the toys we have to tossle and tug? All of this fun is supervised by our humans who can’t wait to spoil your bestie with love, hugs, pets, and lots and lots of attention!

We are quite proud to be the number one veterinarian-recommended dog boarding facility. Your dog or puppy will feel right at home with spacious outdoor play yards, hospital grade cleaning systems, and a staff that loves them like their own. Located in the heart of wine country, our views are remarkably the best in town!

Contact us to make your holiday reservations.

Bringing Home a New Dog or Puppy 🐶

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Dogs and puppies are so darn cute and irresistible. Add your own mini person to the mix begging for a dog or puppy and, depending on your answer, you either become the world’s best parent or the most evil parent on the planet.

Promises of “I will clean up after him,” “We will walk her every day,” or “She can sleep in my room!” combined with the whiny and unrelenting questions of, “PULEEEZE can we get one?” make even the most practical parent give in.

Congratulations! You have a new dog or puppy.

Tips for the Parent Who Gives in to a New Dog or Puppy

The first tip to abide by as a new dog owner is to recognize that the promises made by your unrelenting child will not last. But the responsible parent knows that. You will become the primary care owner, trainer, poop picker-upper, walker, and master of all canine needs.

New dogs and puppies are fun at first, but their needs do not often meet the timelines of a child who truly meant what he or she said when you got the pooch but didn’t realize it would interfere with sleep, fun with friends, or laziness.

Tip two: dogs and puppies live a long time. Responsible pet owners choose to have these animals as part of their family through their entire lifetime; so plan accordingly. Some smaller breeds can live well into their late teenage years.

Third tip to consider: dogs and puppies are expensive. They need to go to the vet, some might need grooming or teeth cleaning, others require medication, and all need healthy, nutritious food and treats! Don’t forget the toys, bedding, collars, leashes, microchipping, and crate

Fourth tip: dogs and puppies all need exercise to stay fit and trim! Come rain, shine, snow, and wind, dogs need to roam, walk, run, play! Keep this in mind when choosing your dog or puppy. Some dogs and puppies have higher exercise needs than others, but playtime with your pooch is an absolute must.

Exercise is a must!

Tip five: Dogs have many of the same emotional needs as people. Dogs are pack animals. If they do not have another canine friend in the family, or even if they do, they depend on their human friends to be part of their pack. Dogs and puppies count on you to be part of their family and need companionship. Nothing makes them happier than to spend much of their waking moments with you.

Tip six: Dogs need training! Much like a child, a dog turns to you, their Alpha pack leader, to correct their behaviors in a loving, patient manner. They will have accidents, chew, destroy if left unattended, and may cause utter mayhem.

Be prepared for this and take measures to train your dog. Look for advice from your neighborhood trainer, get referrals from friends and neighbors, look online, or read books. No two dogs are alike, so have an open mind to your dog or puppy’s needs.

Seventh tip: Your dog or puppy needs a time out. It sure is fun to play with your new puppy or dog, but they truly do need their own downtime. Allowing them to feel safe and secure without having to be with you 24/7 creates a secure dog who will not have anxiety when you are gone.

Eighth tip: Dogs and puppies are den animals and like crates. Contrary to the thought that crating a dog for a short period of time while you are gone or crating him at night is mean, dogs adapt well to a crate when introduced slowly over time.

Train the dog early to go in the crate; put toys or treats in the crate; leave the door open for her to go in as she pleases. All of these exercises will make having friends over more enjoyable, will keep the dog out of trouble, and will make for a happy pooch.

Tip nine: Dogs needs’ change as they age. Be prepared for a lifetime of adjustment. Changes in diet, activity level, and temperment are common. Dogs can’t show distress or pain, so watch behaviors carefully no matter the age.

Tenth tip: Dogs are the most loyal pets, and if given a lifetime of love and patience, training and care, they will reward you ten-fold. Constant companions who never judge or show disappointment in you, dogs and puppies will always be happy to see you.

They provide you with an excuse to get out of the house, meet new friends (often with dogs), and opportunities to explore. You just might find that dog or puppy your kids begged you to get will comfort you when those kids turn into adults and start their own lives.

Be prepared for your new dog or puppy to soften your heart and experience an unconditional love you never knew existed!

Good luck with your new dog or puppy!

Tips to Keep Your Canine Buddy Comfortable During the Hot Weather

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The hot weather, mixed with our current poor air quality, requires some extra special pooch attention this summer. Even though your dog may want to run, jump, play, and go for a walk like normal, be mindful that they are very susceptible to heat stroke when temperatures rise above average.

Avoid Canine Heat Stroke with these Five Tips

Heatstroke can overcome a dog in minutes, so it’s important to take precautionary measures to make sure your best friend stays cool and hydrated in warm temperatures.

Dogs don’t sweat through their skin, rather, they regulate their body temperature and keep cool by panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and noses.

For a happy, healthy fur buddy, avoid heatstroke in hot weather with these tips:

  • Have clean, fresh water available to your pooch at all times.
  • Avoid exercising in the heat of the day, usually between 11 am – 3 pm. If the sidewalk is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for the pads of your furbaby.
  • NEVER leave your buddy in a car unattended, even with the windows down.
  • Place a t-shirt or non-toxic, waterproof human or dog sunblock on dogs with lighter coats. Dogs with fair-colored fur are susceptible to sunburn on their ears, noses, and sparsely-furred areas.
  • Be particularly mindful of overweight dogs or those with short noses, as they can easily get heatstroke with the slightest bit of exercise.

Signs of Heatstroke in Your Dog

If your dog shows any of these signs, take them to a cool place, wet their coat with cool water, and call your vet immediately, as they could be suffering from heatstroke. It’s always better to be safe and cautious.

  • Excessive panting
  • Drooling or salivating excessively
  • Collapsing
  • Irregular behavior after having been in the sun
  • Restlessness or agitation
  • Increased heart rate
  • Pale or bright red gums or tongue
  • Trouble breathing
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Playtime Ideas During the Hot, Summer Temperatures

Changes in their exercise pattern due to hot weather doesn’t make sense to a dog who is used to playtime, walks, and tugging on their favorite toy.

Some fun, healthy activities during hotter weather can still take place! If your pooch is bored and you are stumped thinking of new ways to keep him entertained during the heat, consider these alternatives!

  • Go swimming! Dogs love to swim, and it’s healthy for them. Check your areas for safe waterways with clean water for you and your dog to romp, splash, and swim! Be patient if your dog has never been near water as it’s a new adventure. Some dogs might just be happy splashing in waves or trotting along the shoreline where their feet still touch the land.
  • Make Ice Pops for your dog to enjoy and stay entertained! Freeze treats or stuff a Kong with treats and freeze it.
  •  Lie under a shady tree and bring a spritzer bottle filled with water. Some dogs love to “catch” the water as it cools their fuzzy faces.
  • Turn on the sprinklers and encourage your buddy to chase a toy or you as you both indulge in some cool fun!
  • Stay in an air-conditioned home and roll a ball or tug on a favorite toy with your bestie.

No matter which activity you choose, all your dog really craves is time with you!