Affordable Pet Care at Home

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(Family Features) Dogs and cats provide “parents” so much love and affection. So, it’s only natural that pet parents want to return that love by taking care of all their pet’s health and wellness needs.  Fortunately, now top-of-the-line routine care can easily be provided at home using veterinarian-quality pet health products, which will help save money and possibly a trip to the vet.

When shopping for pet health products, it’s important to look for products that have the same active ingredients as the leading veterinarian brands, such as the new VetTrust line from PetArmor. Taking the extra time to read the labels and compare ingredients can provide significant savings.
Try This at Home

Help your pet live a longer, happier life with the gift of good health. Providing basic health care and picking the right vitamins and supplements can be easy with a little know-how:

  • Supplemental care. The diets of cats and dogs can benefit from vitamin and mineral supplements. A high-quality supplement helps support immune health.
  • Support joint mobility. As pets get older, they may start to slow down and have trouble with stairs. Joint health products, such as VetTrust Joint Health Chewable Tablets and Soft Chews, contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM for maximum cartilage support to help pets maintain a normal, active lifestyle.
  • Time for a trim. Nail trimming is an important part of a regular dog grooming routine. Long nails often break, leading to pain and infection. Purchase nail scissors from your local pet store then gently trim the tip of your dog’s nail. Take care not to clip too far down, or you could cause bleeding, then file nails, if necessary.

Brush up on Routine Care

Many pet parents already provide routine care to their cats and dogs. Savvy owners know grooming is a great way to shower extra attention on pets. Using vet-quality products also helps let the caring begin.

  • Clean up their act. Proper grooming is essential to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of both dogs and cats. Brush long-haired breeds at least twice per week. Those with shorter hair may not need to be brushed as often. Baths should be given if dirt or odor becomes noticeable. Cats usually don’t need regular bathing, unless something unusual happens, as they tend to groom themselves. However, dogs should be bathed at least once every three months.
  • All about the ears. Regular maintenance of the ears is essential for both cats and dogs. In fact, ear infections are the second most common veterinarian diagnosis. Products, such as an Ear Wash, clean away debris while hindering the buildup of bacteria. Medicated Ear Rinse will kill both yeast and odor-causing bacteria while gently cleaning away dirt and wax.
  • Beware of burnt paws. Prevent burns and blisters on pet paws by avoiding walking your pet on hot pavement or sand. If you notice irritation or redness, apply a conditioning lotion with colloidal oatmeal to moisturize and restore healthy paws.  

People love to spend time with their pets and caring for basic needs at home provides extra bonding time. It can also ease any pet anxiety or financial strain extra veterinary visits may cause. Of course, an annual visit to the veterinarian is recommended for a nose-to-tail checkup and vaccinations. Good care with quality at-home products can mean many more long, happy years together.

Find out more about products to care for your pets, visit www.petarmor.com/vettrust.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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PetArmor



Frankly Francine! Exploding Margarine

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Francine GlassesDear Francine,

I have so many recipes that call for melted margarine. I’ve tried to melt the margarine as quickly as possible. But I haven’t found a good efficient way to have the butter melted when I need to add it to the recipe. The last time I tried to melt it in the microwave, it exploded all over the inside of the microwave oven. It took me an hour to clean that mess up. I went through an entire roll of paper towels in the process.

Can you tell me what the best way to melt margarine or butter would be?

Dynamite Cook

 

Dear Dynamite,

You tested the heating properties of oil and the expansion qualities it has when heat is applied.  There are several ways you can melt butter that would be less messy.

First thing you could do is place the butter in a small pan on the stove top burner. Heat it on low and wait patiently.

The second method you could try involves the microwave and the defrost button. Set the defrost time for 20 seconds at a time and watch closely.

The third and probably safest method is to let the butter set on the kitchen counter for several hours. Once the stick is at room temperature, you should be able to incorporate it to your recipe easily.

As for cleaning that microwave now. Forget all the fancy cleaners you have stashed under the kitchen sink. Pull out some white vinegar. Pour about a half cup in a saucer and heat in the microwave until it boils. Leave it set in the microwave until cool enough to touch. Using a soft towel, dip it in the vinegar and use that corner to wipe down the inside of the oven. Wipe down a second time with water and leave the door open while it dries.

Frankly Francine Signature