Intermountain Pet Hospital Blog

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge here in the Treasure Valley, it's time to think about what this Christmas is going to look like for you, your extended family, and even your pets.

For anyone who has hiked in the Boise Foothills, or any of our forests, you’ve come across cheatgrass at some point in your journey, whether you realized it or not. Cheatgrass covers an estimated 7% of Idaho, and the dangers of the grass is a topic that we have covered before.

Cats eat grass. It’s a known fact. And if you are a pet parent to a frisky feline, you’ve probably wondered why bother buying organic or premium cat food if they’re going to turn and eat the grass you mowed yesterday. Okay, most of us don’t buy the gourmet stuff, but even well rounded diet from a reputable company will put a small dent in most budgets.

Bleeding Heart is one of the most beautiful and unique flowers blooming right now in the Treasure Valley. It’s what’s in those tear-drop shaped blooms that you need to be concerned with for the sake of your pets. But first, let’s answer the question of why dogs and cats eat plants in the first place.

Spring is finally here! The trees are blooming, birds are chirping, and all-around town mowers are firing up for the first time this year. Treasure Valley springtime is incredible!

Have you ever been walking through the woods with your dog and suddenly realized she’s enthusiastically eating a mushroom? Dogs love wild mushrooms, so this isn’t an uncommon occurrence. But if your first thought is panic, you’re not far off. Wild mushrooms can be highly toxic and even fatal to dogs and humans. Here’s the fungus 411 you need to keep your dog safe.

If you look around the Treasure Valley right now, one of the things you’ll notice is how beautiful our area is now that everything is in full bloom. Trees, plants, and shrubs are showing off as we head into summer, and it’s certainly enjoyable to see. But there are some plants and flowers you should be wary of if you have a furry friend in your backyard: the popular Bleeding Heart plant is one of them.

It’s a beautiful time of year in the Treasure Valley when the tulips, lilies, and daffodils start popping up in your garden and yard. You’ve probably been getting outside more already with your pets to enjoy the warming weather and do a little digging in the garden—or maybe your dog has done most of the digging so far. But did you know that two of your favorite things—bulb plants and your dog—don’t mix?

Maybe you've had an experience explaining some of the hazards of Idaho living to out-of-state friends and relatives—or maybe you just told someone who doesn't live here that there are goat heads alongside the road everywhere this time of year. To their shocked stares and confused questions, you've probably answered, "Oh, not actual heads of actual goats… stickers or thorns. You know, goat heads."

You may or may not have heard that poinsettias are highly toxic, even deadly to pets and children. If this is news to you, you maybe worried about bringing these popular plants into your home during the holidays since it's "common knowledge" that they could be fatal when ingested.