Fleas and ticks are a very real problem not only for pets, but people as well.  Both fleas and ticks feed by biting and drinking the blood of their hosts and—being parasites—they can be passed on to other animals, including people. Unfortunately, they can also carry disease and the eggs of internal parasites such as worms, making them not only irritating but potentially harmful to the health of their host. Fortunately there are many flea and tick prevention tips for pets to help keep them safe.

Medicated Treatments & Prevention

The most effective method of flea and tick prevention is to use a medicated spot-on treatment. These are available from licensed pet shops, veterinary clinics and online pet stores.  Before you choose a medical treatment or preventative, talk to your veterinarian to find out which products best suit your needs and the needs of your pets.

Natural Remedies

One useful tip to prevent fleas and ticks from pets is to use natural remedies such as brewer's yeast, crushed garlic, or diatomaceous earth.   Brewer’s yeast mixed with garlic can be an effective substitute for dogs, however garlic is considered toxic for cats therefore it should be omitted from any natural treatments.  When ingested, these substances are purported to raise blood acidity and repel pests.

Diatomaceous earth, also called fossil shell flour, is mineral dust produced from fossilized diatoms—small, ocean-bound creatures.  The fine dust is non-toxic and highly absorbent, killing fleas, ticks, bed bugs and other insects by dehydrating them.  It can be applied topically to kill pests.

Grooming

Keeping pets well groomed is another tip for preventing fleas and ticks, as it gives the owner the opportunity to find the first signs of a parasitic invasion and put a stop to it before it becomes a problem.  Using a fine-toothed comb can not only help to remove the adult fleas, but any eggs that have become attached to the hair.

Hygiene

Many people don't realize that only the adult flea lives on the pet.  Eggs and larvae are found within the fibres of furniture and carpets, meaning it is important any bedding used by the pet is washed on a regular basis, and carpets are vacuumed often.

Avoidance

Along with treating pets, one tip to prevent fleas and ticks is avoiding situations where they may be transferred to the animal. Ticks are often found in areas with long grass such as fields and forests. By keeping to the path when exercising dogs, owners reduce the risk of ticks hitching a ride on their canine friends.

Keeping the lawn short will also help to prevent ticks finding a home nearby to where your pets live. Unfortunately where cats are concerned, there is not much that can be done to avoid ticks as they will roam and investigate long grass and bushes. They may also pick up fleas and ticks from prey animals such as mice and shrews.

Fleas and ticks are part and parcel with being a pet owner, and while there are many flea and tick prevention tips for pets, occasionally they will find their way into the family home.  The best way to keep your pets flea and tick free is to invest in some quality preventative medication.  By keeping a good standard of hygiene, and regularly checking the fur and hair of pets by grooming, it is easy to catch the early signs and evict these hitchhikers before they become a problem.

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Like most mammals, cats require good dental health in order to live a long, healthy life.  Unfortunately, your cat isn’t likely to start brushing his or her teeth anytime soon and without your help, the likelihood of your cat developing tooth decay is fairly high.  In fact, periodontal disease is among the most common illnesses diagnosed in cats, because most pet owners do not invest in proper dental care.

The risk increases if your cat eats mostly soft food.  Lacking the abrasiveness of a dry diet, your cat’s teeth may be more prone to plaque build-up, which can result in tooth rot. However, once you learn how to use a finger toothbrush for cats, the whole chore of good dental hygiene becomes a whole lot easier.

Finger toothbrushes are rubberized toothbrushes meant to fit over your index finger. This makes it easier to control the brush inside your pet’s mouth and provides added comfort to your cat. Design innovations aside, there will probably still be an adjustment period before your cat readily submits to a daily teeth cleaning.

What You Will Need

The most important tool is the finger toothbrush itself; however some good pet toothpaste and a tasty tooth-healthy treat with which to reward your cat after you’re done are recommended. When it comes to the toothpaste, make sure you choose something specifically designed for pets.  Human toothpaste is not only less digestible but many also contain the sweetener, Xylitol, which may be poisonous for your pet.

Thankfully, pet toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors that may appeal to your cat including beef, chicken, salmon and peanut butter.  The best way to choose a flavor is to let your cat choose, by putting a little toothpaste on your finger for your cat to lick off.  You can also ask your veterinarian what flavour they use and what tends to work best.

Brushing Basics

Your cats abrasive tongue helps keep the inside of the teeth clean, so the focus of your brushing activities will be on the outer teeth and gums.

Start by letting your cat sniff a little toothpaste on your finger.  You want your cat to associate a little routine tooth brushing with positive experiences so move slowly and be sure to incorporate lots of pets and scratches!  If your cat is uncomfortable with you touching around the mouth, you might want to start with gentle “dental exams” followed by a dental treat so your cat associates you hands in that area with a reward.

Get your cat used to you lifting his lips and checking around his mouth.  When you’re both ready for the real thing, put the finger toothbrush in place with a small amount of pet toothpaste.  Brush all over the outside of the teeth, massaging the gums.  Focus on being gentle and efficient and follow up with a dental treat.

Once your cat gets used to the idea and the handling, he will probably begin to look forward to his daily reward!

Troubleshooting

Most cat owners are probably looking at the instructions for how to use a finger toothbrush for cats and thinking how their own cat will never submit to such a process. It’s true that most cats won’t like having their teeth brushed at first and will need to be introduced gradually.

Start with very short brushing sessions every day, working closer to the gums and the back of the mouth each session. Reward your cat immediately after brushing. Hard treats are a great choice because they help fight plaque, and treats containing parsley help reduce bad breath.

If a normally docile cat repeatedly fights against having its teeth cleaned, or if bad breath is detected and persists, then a visit to the vet may be in order to make sure there aren’t any existing dental issues. Cats can have gum disease or hidden tooth rot just like any human and those problems can render the use of a finger toothbrush unpleasant or painful. Make sure to watch your cat’s teeth for any changes in color or any visible flaws, and keep up on regular checkups to make sure they are staying healthy!

I recently read an article announcing that a Wisconsin cat was diagnosed and tested positive for H1N1, commonly known as "swine flu."  Although this is not the first case of a household pet contracting swine flu, instances are few and far between.  

However, cats are susceptible to certain viruses with symptoms similar to the human common cold and flu.  Viruses such as feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) can degenerate into much more serious upper respiratory disease and pneumonia, eventually causing death.  Here are some of the common signs and symptoms and preventative methods to boost your cat's immunity to a serious cat cold!

Symptoms

Similar to a human cold, the first visible symptoms of “cat flu” are coughing and sneezing followed by runny eyes and nose.  These symptoms can run for four to seven days without further incident, or devolve into a more serious condition.  Loss of appetite, labored breathing and inflammation in and around the eyes are signs of a more serious problem.

Another common symptom of serious infection is "corneal ulceration" leading to a loss of the outer corneal layer of the eye.  In appearance, the eye appears cloudy and opaque.

The best course of action is always to book an appointment with your veterinarian at the first sign of an infection, especially in the case of multi-cat households.  Waiting to see if symptoms disappear or worsen will only put the life of your cat in jeopardy.  Your cat could also develop a chronic or asymptomatic condition that might affect other cats in the future.

Prevention

A large part of prevention includes all the steps we take each winter to prevent ourselves from being sick! Keep your cats up to date on their FHV and FCV vaccines--although they do not guarantee immunity, they can help reduce the severity of an infection.

Cleanliness is also important.  FCV tends to be hardier than FHV but neither can stand up to a strong solution of bleach, some household detergent and a good scrub.  Be aware that both are contagious, especially FCV, so if you plan on socializing your kitties ensure that newly introduced cats are up to date on their own vaccines and not previously diagnosed FHV or FCV positive.

Most importantly, give your cat the benefit of a healthy immune system by opting for a top quality diet.  A healthy immune system is intrinsically tied to a healthy body--one that receives a balanced diet replete with the nutritional vitamins and minerals your cat needs.  More and more pet owners are switching to premium pet foods with human-grade natural, organic and even raw ingredients with added vitamins, probiotics, and prebiotics.

Although it may seem like an expensive decision, a premium pet food diet for a healthy immune system will not only help reduce veterinary expenses, but improves the quality and life of your beloved cat!

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While your veterinarian is doubtless the best source for everything you need to know about heartworm medicine for dogs, it’s a good idea for every pet owner to stay informed about the essentials of their dog’s health. Heartworms can be deadly for both dogs and cats, and depending on where you live, the majority of viable hosts would contract it without protection. Symptoms of heartworm disease are often not apparent until the later stages, and even then, only those people who pay close attention to their pet’s behaviour may notice.  Your dog will likely develop a cough and become lethargic at which point is may already be too late to treat the dog.  For these reasons, preventative treatments are essential.

Methods of Prevention

Heartworms are relatively easy to prevent, yet difficult to treat successfully once they’ve infected your dog.  Prevention ideally starts with the first round of puppy vaccinations and then continues periodically throughout the dog’s life. Different types of medications have different dosing frequencies, so consult your veterinarian for the best heartworm prevention schedule for your dog.

Oral prevention medication is typically administered once a month during heartworm season.  This occurs during the warm weather months, although depending on where you live that could be all year round.  Dogs in constant contact with other dogs should be provided year round protection.

Heartworm Medications

Heartworm medicine is typically given orally or through an injection by the veterinarian, though topical treatments are now available as well. Though these external treatments have to be re-applied more often than other types of medicine, they are usually formulated to kill and prevent other common canine pests, such as fleas, ticks, mites and mosquitoes.

Among the most popular preventative treatments are Heartgard and Advantage.  Heartgard Plus comes in chewable “treat” form.  It is among the most widely prescribed heartworm preventatives and the drug of choice for both prevention and treatment of heartworms. Advantage Multi is a topical solution that offers comprehensive protection from heartworms and various other parasitic worms, as well as fleas.  There are also herbal remedies available for pets that are sensitive to traditional medicine.

Treatment of Heartworms

The earlier heartworms are diagnosed, the better chance your dog has of being returned to full health.  Most veterinarians will check for heartworm during mosquito season and regular checkups can help ensure that any heartworm infestation is detected early, before symptoms appear.

If your dog tests positive for heartworms, treatment must be started immediately to eliminate parasites before they advance far into their life cycle. Treatment for heartworms is poison-based and therefore toxic for your dog’s overall health meaning an infected dog will have to undergo a thorough evaluation to determine the strength of internal organs including the heart. Two rounds of treatment will ensue, one to kill the adult heartworms and the other to kill larvae and eggs.

Post-infection treatment can be very hard on the dog; the medicines used are derived from arsenic, and dead heartworms may clog up arteries and veins in the heart and lungs. Once a dog is infected, a prescription treatment from your veterinarian is the only proven method for destroying the parasites.

The Bottom Line

Heartworms can appear in dogs in any part of the world, and there is little difference in risk between indoor and outdoor dogs. Stray dogs should always be taken to a vet for heartworm tests and prevention, and you should always ask about the heartworm status of any dog before adopting or purchasing. Of all the things that you can do to ensure that your dog lives a long, healthy life, keeping up on their heartworm prevention is a top priority.

With flea season just around the corner it's time to start thinking about flea medications!  If you are a first-time pet owner, or simply seeking to understand which flea product is right for your dog, here are a few pointers to help you make an educated decision. 

With so many different flea control options available, it’s imperative that every dog owner knows how to compare flea control products for dogs to make an informed decision about their dog’s flea treatment.  Flea control is not “one size fits all,” and the best treatment for your dog will depend on your dog’s age, health and what it is habitually exposed to. Here are a few of the basic considerations you need to keep in mind while shopping for flea control.

What does it kill?

The first step, when learning how to compare flea control products for dogs, is to know what your dog is exposed to.  Are fleas the only problem or will the dog be exposed to ticks, mosquitoes or other pests?  Some medications can tackle multiple pest problems all at once.  Are flea eggs a concern or would eliminating the adults be sufficient for control?  As a preventative method, an adulticide may be sufficient to prevent your pet from contracting a flea infestation.  However, if your dog has already been exposed to fleas, you may need to approach the situation from both angles to cure your pet and halt the spread of fleas in your home.

How and when is it administered?

Flea control products are generally applied in two different ways: orally or topically. Oral flea medications are made for ingestion and, when instructions are followed properly, are less likely to cause harm to your pet.  Many oral medications also have the benefit of killing ticks and mites.

Topical treatments, such as shampoos, dips, sprays, and powders can be hazardous for your dog if ingested while grooming.  This is also something to consider if you share your home with small children that may touch your pet and put their hands in their mouths.  Dips in particular are strong, chemical concoctions that leave substantial chemical residue—these tend to be a last resort!

Another topical treatment is the “spot-on” method of flea control. Popular spot-on flea products include Frontline and Advantage.  This is typically applied on a monthly basis between the shoulder blades of your dog.  The ointment is either absorbed systemically or rapidly distributes throughout the animals fur.  Most spot-on treatments kill adult fleas although some also inhibit the maturation and release of larvae.

Some flea collars work the same way, releasing a medication that is absorbed into the animal's body.

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If you have a busy lifestyle, the frequency of dosing or application is another key consideration in the comparison. Some treatments are administered only once, while others may require re-application every month.  Also bear in mind, which treatments are available to you either as prescription or non-prescription, and consult your veterinarian about the best choice for your dog.

Which animal is it for?

Not every flea control product is for every animal, so when learning how to compare flea control products for dogs it’s important to pay attention to which animals can and cannot use the product.  Different products are deemed safe at different ages and weights, some are not safe for dogs that are pregnant or nursing, and some can only be used if the dog has already been treated for heartworms.

Also bear in mind that not all treatments are waterproof (although many exist), excluding some options for dogs that love to swim. Flea control products approved for both dogs and cats are generally less toxic if ingested, so these might be a good choice when there are small children in the home.  This is because cats tend to be far more sensitive to chemicals than dogs.

Active Ingredients

Finally, while learning how to compare flea control products for dogs, it is important to look at and research the active ingredients. These ingredients vary in levels of toxicity, and some may be harmful to very small animals, very young animals or animals with sensitive skin. Each active ingredient also has different purposes so learning about them can help you crosscheck product manufacturer claims.

Effective flea control is essential for pet health. Fleas can cause severe irritation, infection and spread diseases to all pets and humans in a household. When in doubt about a particular flea control product, ask your veterinarian about the best choices for your pet.