Is Your Pet Ready for Outdoor Weather?

(Family Features) When the weather’s nice, many people like to head outdoors – and their pets do, too. Before you let your pet go outside, make sure you’ve taken steps to prevent pests, care for their skin, and know how to spot signs of allergies. Fleas and Ticks: Pets are susceptible to a variety of bugs and pests – especially fleas and ticks. Both should be avoided as fleas can trigger allergies and dermatitis in pets as well as infectious diseases in people and pets. Ticks may also carry diseases that can be harmful to pets. However, in a survey by the American Pet Products Association, only 64 percent of dog owners and 41 percent of cat owners purchased a flea and tick product for their pet last year. Be sure to purchase preventative topical treatments like K9 Advantix® II for dogs only or Advantix® II for dogs or cats to protect your pet. And after pets go outdoors, inspect them carefully for ticks and other insects to ensure their safety. Grooming: A winter indoors often leaves pets with dry skin, tangled fur and a thick undercoat, which begins to shed when the weather warms. A professional grooming salon, like … Continue reading →

Helpful Tips for First Time Pet Owners

(Family Features) For years, research has shown that having a pet can be very beneficial to a person’s health. In addition to warming your heart, a cute and cuddly friend can also help protect it by helping to lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve your overall mood. From online websites to local drives, the opportunity to adopt is abundant. Millions of dogs and cats are looking for their forever home. With the many joys associated with pet ownership, there are also many things to consider. Here are several tips to be mindful of regardless of whether you are a first-time or seasoned pet parent: Visit the Vet: Get your new buddy checked out at your local veterinarian’s office. While many pet adoptions include a complete medical check-up with the adoption fee, it’s still important to ensure they are up-to-date on all shots and preventatives. The vet is also a valuable resource to answer any questions you may have about the proper care of your new companion. Get to Grooming: Many people think it’s only “for the dogs,” but both canines and felines need to be groomed on a regular basis. Though this task may seem uncomfortable for your … Continue reading →

Kissable Care for Your Dog

(Family Features) Dogs love stealing a smooch or two from their owners, so Valentine’s Day is a good reminder for dog owners to take care of their pooches’ oral health. “Dental problems are the number one health issue veterinarians see in dogs. According to research from The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, bad breath is a sign of those potential oral care issues, including gum disease,” said Dr. Tiffany Bierer, Health and Nutritional Sciences Manager, Mars Petcare US, the makers of PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Fresh Treats for Dogs. “That’s why we make it a priority to offer a variety of products for dogs that have oral care benefits, which help reduce plaque and tartar build-up and minimize any ‘unkissable’ moments.” Here are a few quick and easy oral health care tips for your dog:      Feed your dog one DENTASTIX treat a day, either the original DENTASTIX or new DENTASTIX Fresh variety, to help keep your furry pal’s breath fresh. They taste great and their chewy texture helps clean down to the gum line. Look for the patented X-shaped treat. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly and check your dog’s mouth for signs of gum disease-like bad breath-or red, swollen gums. Notify your … Continue reading →