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  • Does heartworm prevention and flea prevention need to be given year-round?

    One of the most frequently asked questions that many veterinarians get is whether heartworm and flea prevention should be used year-round. The resounding answer is, “Yes.” Regular flea and heartworm prevention are essential for keeping your dog healthy and happy. Read on to learn more.

    Fleas Pose a Year-Round Threat

    Contrary to popular belief, fleas aren’t a seasonal pest. While freezing temperatures can kill fleas, it often isn’t enough to eliminate the problem altogether. These perennial pests have found ways to survive in even the chilliest climates.

    One of the most common ways that fleas survive in cold weather is by living on wild animals such as raccoons to stay warm. These animals unknowingly host numerous flea eggs, waiting to boom again when temperatures warm. Barns, garages, outdoor kennel bedding, nooks underneath decks and home foundations are also popular places for fleas to hide during the cold.

    Heartworm Disease on the Rise

    Testing positive for heartworms is a diagnosis that no pet parent wants to hear. Unfortunately, the disease is found in all 50 states and is currently on the rise. Some of the increased risks for infection can be attributed to:

    • More and more people are traveling with their dogs, particularly to and from areas with heavy mosquito populations, like the southern United States.
    • Mosquito populations are increasing with environmental shifts such as increasing temperatures.
    • Fewer dogs are receiving monthly heartworm preventive medicines.

    Caused by the deadly parasites that it’s named for, heartworm disease can be transmitted by a single bite from a mosquito. There are often no outward signs of the disease until it is in the advanced stages. The resulting treatment to cure heartworm disease can be costly and, in some cases, the disease proves deadly. 

    Fortunately, monthly heartworm preventives combined with regular testing are easy ways to protect your dog’s health.   

    Talk to your veterinarian to develop a flea and heartworm prevention plan that works for you and your precious pup. 

  • All About Dog Teeth

    Have you always wondered about your puppies’ teeth? How about your adult dog and how to make sure that they have the right at-home dental care? Here are 5 interesting facts about doggy teeth, from puppies to adults. 

    Fact 1: Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth. Deciduous teeth, or milk teeth, are the first set of teeth that puppies get. These teeth start to erupt (or grow in) at around 3 to 5 weeks of age. After about 4 to 5 months, they start losing their deciduous teeth and their adult teeth start to grow in. 

    Fact 2: Once the deciduous teeth start to fall out (don’t freak out, this is normal!), their adult teeth start coming in As the dog gets bigger their mouths will start to grow more as well. By the time all of their adult teeth have grown in, adult dogs will now have 42 permanent teeth. This transition from milk teeth to adult teeth is pretty rapid and takes only a few weeks. 

    Fact 3: While adult humans have 32 teeth, adult dogs have 42 teeth and they use them differently than humans. The chemical structure and the makeup of dogs’ teeth are similar to humans, how they use them is where the biggest difference lies. Their pointy canines are used for ripping, grabbing, and defense. Further back in a dog’s mouth, the molars are used for slicing and shearing their food whereas, in humans, our molars are mainly used for grinding our food.

    Fact 4: Cavities are a real pain for humans, but for dogs, they are quite rare. Making sure that you provide the right foods and regular dental care, your pooch will rarely have any issues with periodontal disease. That’s mainly due to the species of bacteria in a dog’s mouth. Since bacteria loves sugar, as do us humans, and our bacterial makeup in our mouths are different than dogs, dogs don’t get cavities. However, that doesn’t mean that you can ignore your dog’s mouth. 

    Here are some signs that you have some dental problems in your dog’s teeth that you should look out for. 

    • Red gums
    • Bleeding gums
    • Plaque
    • Bad breath
    • Blood in water or food bowl
    • Dropping food while eating
    • Facial swelling
    • Rubbing their face with their paws or on the floor

    If you see any of these symptoms, make sure to call your vet right away and make a dental appointment for them.

    Fact 5: Doggy toothpaste? Really? Yes, really and it should be a part of your dog’s regular dental routine. Just don’t use human toothpaste, please. Why? When was the last time you saw your dog spit something out that they put in their mouth? You can’t teach Fido to swish, rinse, and spit, so there is special toothpaste just for pets. 

    Even though there are toothbrushes made for pets, any small, soft-bristled toothbrush will do just the trick Make sure that it will fit between your dog’s teeth and his cheek. Brush at least once a day and change the toothbrush every 3 months or whenever the bristles look like they have had better days. 

  • Dog Skin Care Tips For Spring

    Spring sunshine is here and you will want to enjoy time outside with your dog. Just as you protect your skin from nature and sun exposure, you should do the same for your pup. We want to share a few skincare tips to help your dog stay happy and healthy in the sun.

    ·Dogs can suffer from sunburns especially if they have thin coats, light-colored noses, or white fur. You can protect your dog from sunburned skin by keeping them out of the sun during the hottest part of the day typically from 12-3PM.

    ·Apply pet sunscreen or human baby sunscreen if you have to be outside during the hottest part of the day. Read the ingredients and never buy sunscreen with zinc oxide as an ingredient as it can be toxic to dogs.

    ·If your dog happens to get sunburned, you can soothe it with cool water, and by applying aloe vera gel. We also suggest consulting with your vet to determine if additional treatment options should be used.

    ·Hot weather invites all species to come out and play. Fleas, ticks and insects are more likely to bite your dog during the spring and summer months. Keep your dogs up to date on all vaccines and flea and tick medications.

    ·If you notice that your dog is scratching excessively examine his skin and look for fleas and flea dirt. Flea dirt is dried blood that looks like coffee grounds. Don’t panic if your dog has fleas, contact your vet to find out the best flea medicine to use this season. Fleas can become resistant to certain brands of medicine which is why its best to consult with your vet.

    ·If you plan to spend time outdoor, make a habit of checking your dog’s skin regularly and look for bug bites and bumps. If your dog’s skin is irritated and red, limit sun exposure and outdoor time until the irritation subside. If the irritation gets worse after a few days you’ll want to visit your vet. 

  • 5 things you must know about Heat Stroke in Dogs

    When exposed to the hot sun for long periods of time, dogs can suffer from a serious condition called heat stroke. It’s important that you know the signs and understand how to prevent your dog from suffering from heatstroke. Here are five facts that you must know.

    1. Normal body temperature in dogs is 100.5-102.5 degrees. Heatstroke will occur when a dog’s body temperature reaches 107-109 degrees. Dogs don’t sweat through their skin the same way that humans do, instead of dogs sweat through their nose and footpads. This means it can take a dog’s body much longer to cool off after prolonged exposure to heat.

    2. Certain breeds have a higher risk of heatstroke. This includes short nose breeds, large heavy coat breeds, and dogs with respiratory problems.

    3. Since our dogs can’t talk, it’s our responsibility to know the signs of heatstroke. These signs include:

    • heavy panting
    • difficulty breathing
    • excessive thirst
    •  thick saliva
    • vomiting
    • staggering
    • lethargy

    4. Prevention is a far better alternative because in most cases by the time that symptoms are visible it is often too late. The best method to prevent heat stroke in your dog is to avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you live in a hot climate, don’t leave your dog outside for more than 10 minutes at a time. Do not leave your dog in a car unattended while you run errands. Even with the windows down the car can reach a temperature over 110 degrees, putting your dog at risk for heatstroke.

    5. If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, there are a few actions you can take.

    • Move your dog out of the heat or direct sunlight immediately
    • Use cool washcloths and apply them on the footpads and the head
    • The cool process should be gradual, avoid using ice water or ice
    • Offer your dog water but don’t force her to drink
    • Visit an emergency vet as soon as possible

  • Why is my puppy’s energy so high?

    There are actually a lot of possible reasons that your Puppy is being so energetic. Here are a few.

    It needs more exercise

    Many different types of dogs are bred to do energy-intensive tasks for hours on a daily basis. Because of this, they require a lot of exercises to be properly stimulated. If they don’t get it then it can cause them to become more hyperactive since they will be looking for ways to vent their excess energy.

    You might be surprised at just how much exercise your puppy might need in order to be properly stimulated. So, if you want your Puppy to tune down the energy then the first thing for you to do would be to make sure that it is getting exercise daily and to try giving it a lot of exercise in one day to see how it responds. You’ll often find that it takes a lot to calm it down.

    Attention seeking

    The reason that it is acting in such an energetic way could be because it is looking for attention. If you don’t give your puppy lots of attention throughout the day, perhaps due to work, then it can cause your puppy to try to get it from you.

    If you react to it when only to mischievous behavior, then it might have learned that behaving that way is an effective way to get attention from you.

    Instead of reacting to it when it gets crazy try ignoring the behavior if you can and then giving it your attention when it is behaving the way that you want it to.

    Bored

    It could be that your Puppy is bored. This can go hand in hand with not getting enough exercise or attention. So, it’s important to make sure to give your puppy lots of exercise, training, attention, and toys to play with to keep it occupied.

    It needs more training

    If you have been struggling to get your Puppy to listen to you then it could be that it is not getting enough training. Puppies do not naturally understand what words mean.

    So, when you tell it to “come here” despite not having previously taught it what that means then it’s not going to know what you mean.

  • Is a dog walker right for you?

    Daily walks are essential to our dog’s happiness and wellbeing. Your dog could require up to 3 walks per day depending on its age, breed, and energy level. With the daily hustle and bustle of work, school, and social activities, making time for your dog’s walk may feel like a difficult act to balance. Recently many cities have seen the introduction of dog walking services who can help bridge the gap for individuals like yourself with busy schedules. How can you determine if a dog walker is right for you?

    1. Your dog is comfortable and friendly with strangers

    If your dog is friendly and greets strangers with enthusiastic energy, then your dog would benefit from dog walking services. If your dog becomes aggressive or territorial around new humans, then you may want to reconsider. Also, keep in mind that your assigned walker could change so your dog may have to adjust to new people on the fly. You know your dog’s temperament best when it comes to strangers. The walking experience should be comfortable for your dog and the walker so don’t force your dog into an uncomfortable experience prematurely. Work with your vet to get advice on how to ease your pup into being more comfortable around strangers. 

    2. Your dog is comfortable and friendly with other dogs

    Dog walkers usually balance a small group of dogs. This can be problematic if one dog is aggressive towards the others. If you notice that your dog barks uncontrollably around other dogs, or attempts to chase after other dogs, you may want to reconsider using a dog walking service. Dogs who are calm and friendly toward other dogs are the best candidates for dog walking services.

    3. Your dog is comfortable with a stranger entering your home

    Since you will most likely be using the service when you aren’t home, it is important that your dog doesn’t become aggressive or territorial when a stranger enters your home. The dog walker will enter your home using the key provided, and you want to be sure that your dog can be easily transitioned from the home to the walk. 

  • 4 Super Helpful Dog Bathing Tips

    Life is crazy enough without wrestling your wet dog in your bathtub, so here are 4 helpful tips you can use right away to help make doggy bath time better at your house:

    Bathing once a month should be enough for most indoor dogs who have normal healthy skin. Do so with dog shampoo or baby shampoo to ensure that no harsh chemicals affect their skin.  

    For dogs who need more than the monthly bath, make sure to reduce the amount of soap or shampoo that you use on them unless it has moisturizing properties. Much like human skin, your dog’s skin can dry up if constantly exposed to soap.

    Unless absolutely necessary, avoid giving your dog a bath multiple times a week. If you’re using a topical treatment to treat your dog from fleas, those work better if your dog’s natural skin oils are present to help speed up their effect.

    To make bath time easier, train your dog to stay calm during baths from the beginning. Allowing them to panic and hide at the slightest indication of a bath would only prove detrimental for both of you in the long run. Instead, make bath time something enjoyable that your dog will love doing.

    The question of how often to bathe a dog can puzzle a lot of pet owners, but luckily the answer’s quite simple. As frequently it is needed. No matter how frequent that is, using our 4 super helpful tips should make bath time better at your house.

  • 4 Things that happy dogs do

    1. Make Eye Contact

    Dogs will focus on things that they like and are interested in. If they are intimidated or scared of something, they won’t want to look at it, much the same as a person may cover their eyes if they were to see something scary!

    Regular eye contact with your dog is a sign that they love and trust you, so hold their gaze from time to time, to show that you love and respect them too.

    2. Snuggling in Your Stuff

    As a dog’s sense of smell is so acute, they use scent to communicate feelings of love and attachment. Dogs who are happy and well-attached to their owners often enjoy snuggling up to the scent of their owner too. This goes a long way in explaining why you may often find your beloved pooch nestling in the dirty laundry or chewing on old shoes.

    3. They Listen to You

    If your dog responds to you when you call, it is a strong sign that they are happy and secure. If your dog obeys your commands and listens when you speak, it shows that they have a strong bond with you.

    4. Engage in Play-time

    A happy dog regularly displays playful behavior. Playful behavior may be shown as jumping and leaping about. Some dogs may also bow to you by stretching out their front legs, receiving a bow from a dog is a sure sign they are happy with you and in a good mood.

    A playful pup may also lean into you, enjoying any attention you give them. It’s also a great sign if your dog pushes into your hand when you go to pet them, or rolls onto their back for you to tickle their tummy.

  • 5 Things You Do That Your Puppy Loves

    Dogs are man’s best friend, and this special bond can be strengthened when we go the extra mile to understand the things that our pups love. Here are 5 things that you do that your puppy can’t get enough of.

    1 Touch – Most dogs love to be touched by their human best friends. Whether it’s a scratch behind the ears or a pat on the head touch your pup is a special way to speak your pup’s language of love. Just as babies benefit from skin to skin contact, your puppy connection with you will strengthen simply through regular touch.

    2. Eye contact – Puppies love to study our facial expressions and learn our emotions. Eye contact is important to help your puppy learn your individual facial expression. Don’t be shy about looking your dog in the eyes, you are helping him learn about all the things the human face can do!

    3. Smile – We express happiness through our smiles. Similar to eye contact out smiles help out pups to understand the subtle nuances of human non-verbal communication.

    4. Speak – Just because your pup doesn’t speak English doesn’t mean he can’t understand. Speaking to your pup is a great way to improve his ability to learn commands faster. Repetition is key so practice using the same tone when you use a command to help your puppy learn faster. We recommend that you don’t raise your voice at your dog as this can trigger fear and anxiety.

    5. Exercise – Movement is playing for pups. Your puppy loves when you exercise and wants to join in. Whether it’s a just a walk around the block, or hike up the mountain, exercising with your dog is a great way to make your furry friend happy, and to burn off extra energy. 

  • Uber Pet the newest Rider Option

    Your dog is your best friend and uber is your favorite app, so what do the two have to do with each other? Well, Uber recently introduced its newest travel option, Uber Pet.  Here’s how Uber Pet is changing rideshare.

    Uber Pet allows you to bring a pet on your Uber trip. Before the introduction of Uber Pet, rideshare applications only allowed service animals to accompany riders. A service animal is defined as an animal that is trained to work or perform tasks for an individual. Riders with service animals don’t have to use the Uber Pet option as Uber drivers cannot lawfully deny service to riders with service animals under any circumstance including, allergies, religious objections, or fear of animals. 

    If you don’t have a service animal and decide to use the Uber Pet option, you will need to select the option for Uber Pet after you enter your pick up and drop off location, and only one pet can travel with you per trip. Uber Pet allows small pets such as cats or dogs to travel, but there is no breed or size restriction.

    The Uber Pet option will cost more than the other ride options, and a cleaning fee could be assessed if your pet leaves waste, sheds excess hair, or causes damage to the vehicle. Uber suggests being a small blanket or towel for your pet to sit on while in the car, this can help to minimize or prevent the being assessed the cleaning fee.

    Uber offers a few more tips for Uber Pet tips. They suggest keeping your pet restrained with a leash, harness, or crate. In consideration of the safety and comfort of the driver Uber suggests that you don’t leave your pet unattended and ask the driver if they have a preference of where your pet should sit.