Cat Hospital of Petaluma

07/03/2025

Courtesy post for one of our patients. Please contact David directly with any info.

06/27/2025

Keep Your Cat Safe from Fireworks: Tips and Advice

Bring your cat indoors & keep them indoors during the fireworks!
Cats when outdoors during fireworks can become injured by fireworks including poorly disposed of fireworks.
They can become scared and run into traffic or other hazardous situations. They can become frightened and lost.

Make sure their microchip is up to date. Even indoor cats can get scared and run outside or bust through a screen window when frightened.
Make sure anyone going in and out of the house knows to not let the cat out and to be careful when going in and out of the house. Scared kitty might bolt!

Create a Safe Space for Your Cat
As fireworks season approaches, it’s essential to create a safe and comfortable space for your cat to retreat to. A quiet room or area can be their sanctuary from the loud noises and flashing lights that often come with firework displays. Consider setting up a soundproof room or crate in a separate part of the house where your cat can escape the chaos. To make this space even more calming, try using pheromone diffusers specifically designed for cats. These devices mimic natural feline scents to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. Read the directions carefully as some of these diffusers take time to work. Do Not use human essential oils in diffusers. Many essential oils are deadly to cats. You can also play calming music, TV show or white noise in the background to help mask any external sounds. Some cat owners swear by nature sounds like rain or ocean waves to create a soothing atmosphere.
When creating this safe space, remember to make it comfortable too! Provide your cat’s favorite bedding and toys to reassure them that everything is okay. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect combination of calming aids for your cat, so be patient and observe their behavior to determine what works best for them.

Distract Your Cat from the Noise
When the fireworks start booming, it’s natural for your cat to become overwhelmed. Distracting them from the noise is crucial to prevent stress and anxiety. One effective way to do this is through playtime. Engage your cat in a fun activity like chasing a laser pointer or playing with feather toys. The excitement will shift their focus away from the fireworks, and they’ll be too busy pouncing on the toy to notice the noise.
Another excellent distraction technique is using treats. Fillable puzzle toys filled with their favorite kibble can keep them occupied for hours. You can also try hiding treats around the house or under cardboard boxes, encouraging your cat to search and sniff out the goodies. This mental stimulation will divert their attention from the fireworks and provide a much-needed break. To keep your cat engaged during firework season, make sure to rotate toys regularly so they don’t get bored with the same old ones. You can also try introducing new textures or smells to stimulate their senses. Remember, every cat is different, so experiment with various distractions to find what works best for yours.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your cat’s stress during firework season, there are prescription medications such as Gabapentin that may be helpful. Your cat would need to prescribed that by your veterinarian. This may involve an exam if they have not been seen by the doctor recently. appointments may not be available immediately so plan ahead.

06/27/2025

Cat Hospital of Petaluma will be closed on Friday
July 4th.

If you have an emergency during this closure we recommend calling TruVet (in Petaluma) at 707-787-5340 or
P.E.S.C.M (in San Rafael) at 415-456-7372
We wish everyone a safe and wonderful Holiday.

06/18/2025

Cat Hospital of Petaluma will be closed on Thursday June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.

If you have an emergency during this time we recommend contacting TruVet at (707) 787-5340 (on Lakeville) or
P.E.S.C.M at (415) 456-7372 (San Rafael)

06/16/2025

Don't be a scardey cat be a prepared-y cat. ( sorry, couldn't help myself)

Preparing your family for emergencies includes making sure your four-legged members are ready to roll, too.
Build a pet disaster preparedness kit with food, water, medications, ID tags, leashes, and comfort items. Because when it’s GO time, you won’t want to paws. Start your kit meow. 🐾

06/15/2025

Cats know who you are and they're probably judging you.

06/15/2025

Current, former employees discuss impact of widespread layoffs, uncertainty

05/14/2025

Hello everyone!

Anyone have anyone they would recommend for weekend yard maintenance? If so please let us know.

Thank you!

04/05/2025

And now a good thing :-)

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has published its inaugural “2025 World of the Cat Report,” as the company moves to become more feline-focused.

04/05/2025

Not a good thing :-(

The FDA has reportedly halted the Interlaboratory Comparison Exercise for Detecting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, an interagency program set to launch this month aimed at improving testing of dairy products and pet foods.

03/28/2025

A note about "Kit-napping" from our friends at Forgotten Felines.

03/28/2025

Pet Emergency & Specialty Center ( PESCM ) has moved to a new location. They are still in san Rafael but are
now located at 1 Thorndale Drive, SanRafael, CA
( near Northgate mall )

They are still open for emergencies 24/7 and can be reached at (415) 456-7372 for questions or specially appointments.

They are also operating a community blood bank for dogs & cats.
Donors are needed. Check out their flier, scan the QR code or give them a call for questions.