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Pet owners walk the line between wanting to provide the best care to their best buddies – and spoiling them rotten! Just like the choices we make to treat ourselves may not be healthy in the long run (like ice cream every day), the goodies we give our pets to make them happy or feel extra special can have similar consequences. To keep them at their fittest, we have some ideas for healthy pet treats that tick all the boxes.

November is National Pet Diabetes Month and the team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center wants to give our pet owners pertinent education and awareness around this disease. Diabetes in both dogs and cats (although, rare in felines) is on the rise in the United States. Without the proper treatment and at home care, it can cause devastating effects in our four-legged friends. The good news is that we have a better understanding of the disease and options for treating it for a better life for pets diagnosed.

It is important to understand the early signs of diabetes, so that you can get your pet on the correct treatment right away. Let’s take a closer look at pet diabetes.

If you have ever been close to your pet’s feet, you may have gotten a whiff of something unusual. Did the aroma remind you of something? Like a favorite corn chip snack? Yes, that’s right. Many dog owners ask us why their pets’ paws smell like Fritos or corn chips. There are some reasons for this case of Frito feet.

If you have wondered why your dog’s paws smell weird, you are in luck. The team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center is here to explain this strange l scent phenomenon. 

There are times in everyone’s life when we are uncertain or have financial constraints. This reality, however, shouldn’t keep your pet from having the good health and happiness they deserve. 

Your team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center understands that veterinary care can come at a significant cost. We want to work with our pet families by creating a better awareness of payment options and wellness plans that are affordable and work with every budget. Ensuring that all of our beloved patients get the right care and treatment necessary for them to thrive is our top priority!

Keeping Your Pet’s Wellness a Priority Through Payment Options

Whether there is a job loss or other financial set-back, the unfortunate reality is that pet veterinary care is put on the back-burner. But this can harm a pet’s general health, especially if they already have an illness or condition that impacts their life.

There is nothing better than the weather come spring in Sacramento; unfortunately, the bugs think so, too. Just as soon as we are ready to grill, go camping, or do yard work, do we find ourselves fretting about the insect world. And for good reason. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can be the bane of time spent outside.

But these pesky ones can also be harbingers of disease and illness, as well as infestation, when they are able to thrive. Learn more about these parasites and ways you can keep you and your furry one protected.

The Tiny Flea

The flea is a small, flightless insect that is a part of the order Siphonaptera. Fleas transmit illness through their bite. They feed on warm-blooded hosts, which includes the family pet. Fleas may be small, but they are one of the most prevalent carriers of disease across the world. And once you have them, the infestation is hard to get rid of without resorting to chemicals. 

Pets don’t exactly have to be camera ready, but when it comes to their teeth, good habits do matter. That’s because plaque and tartar can lead to much bigger problems for them. In fact, dental disease is the most common health condition in pets, bar none. 

The good news is that a simple plan of routine oral health at home coupled with regular dental exams and cleanings is extremely effective at preventing dental problems. And when you think about avoiding a painful mouth, tooth fracture and loss, and bacterial infections that can lead to organ failure, it’s so worth it. 

With East Sacramento Veterinary Center’s simple tips for how to brush your pet’s teeth, you can start building a habit that can give your pet a lifetime of good health. 

Kittens are among the cutest animals out there, but they are also the most vulnerable. They need a lot of help in the first few months in order to eventually grow into healthy, strong adult cats.

While a kitten’s cuteness goes a long way toward ensuring they get the support they need, not everyone knows how to go the distance. When it comes to kitten care basics, we got you covered.

Why Kitten Care Is So Important

Kittens are usually adopted from shelters or foster homes between 6-8 weeks of age. If you adopt a kitten younger than that you may need to meet their special feeding requirements.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting experiences there is, in our humble opinion. Just as with a new baby, there are joys and happiness, and also may be a few bumps in the road as your new puppy joins your family.

Each puppy comes with its own personality, characteristics, and challenges each day. But regardless if this is your first puppy, or another addition to your crew, there are some things that should be kept in mind across the board when it comes to puppy care. 

Your East Sacramento Veterinary Center veterinarians and staff are with you every step of the way as you navigate the pathway of puppy care!

It’s an all too common scene: you arrive home from work, tired, but happy to relax and unwind with your favorite furry friend. But what greets you instead is a couch chewed to smithereens, or a fresh urine spot on the carpet. Welcome home! 

It can be natural to think that your dog is angry with you or that your cat is trying to teach you a lesson when they exhibit these behaviors, but in reality, it’s likely that fear, anxiety, and stress are the root causes. 

Fear and anxiety are common contributing factors in behavioral problems in pets. Learn how to spot the signs of pet anxiety and steps to take to help your furry best friend.

A normal part of your pet’s wellness exam involves looking at the condition of the teeth and gums. The presence of tartar, cracked teeth, or reddened gums can definitely lead us to suspect that bigger problems are at play. Because the damage caused by periodontal disease occurs below the gum line, however, a pet dental exam gives us greater access to understand the extent. 

Starting Early

Young animals lose their baby teeth when adult teeth grow in. A pet dental exam can be helpful to ascertain if the teeth are growing in normally. At this point, we can also help owners establish good practices at home. We can also look closely for any of the following: