Pets

Our pets can bring many great things into our lives: fun, loyalty, affection, companionship and much more. Unfortunately, one other thing they can bring in with them is the less pleasant companion of fleas. No matter how well you care for your pet and how clean you keep it, a chance encounter with another infested animal can lead to your own animal becoming host to some very unwelcome visitors.

Once established on your pet, then the fleas will quickly begin the process of reproducing, and laying eggs that might not necessarily stay within the fur of your pet. In today’s warm houses, flea eggs can quite happily develop and hatch within the fibres of our carpets and upholstery, and so it’s easy to see how a simple infestation of your pet can lead to extremely undesirable consequences for the cleanliness of your home.

There’s no need to worry though about animal fleas jumping onto humans and infesting them, as the species involved are quite different. While, say, a cat flea may jump onto a human, attracted by the heat, it will soon leave when it realises that it hasn’t met with its favoured feline host.

So how can you tell if your pet has fleas? Signs of itching such as excessive scratching and nibbling are an obvious indicator, and if you encounter these then it’s probably time to investigate further. Special flea combs are available which you can use to check the fur of your pet for the fleas themselves, as well as the telltale waste deposits that they leave behind.

Any fleas that the comb uncover need to be dealt with decisively. Unfortunately for squeamish pet owners, fleas need to be dispatched quickly or they’ll jump to their escape, only to relocate themselves to your pet once again. Easy methods include squeezing in a tissue or throwing onto an open fire – fleas are hardy creatures, so don’t be tentative.

Once you’ve established that you have an infestation problem, you need to tackle the situation from all directions. Not only should you treat your pets with the sprays or powders available from your vetinery surgeon, you need to treat your carpets and upholstery to kill any eggs that have been deposited there. Sprays for this purpose are readily available, and safe to use, although it’s always wise to keep your pets and children out of rooms that are being treated in this way.

Even if you’ve never had cause to treat a flea infestation, prevention is better than cure. For cats, flea collars are widely available which will discourage flea infestation, although they won’t prevent it completely if your pet regularly comes into contact with a heavily infested neighbour or stray. Drops, sprays, and even pills are also readily obtained either from your vet or pet store, and most products are generally effective. Even so, some fleas can get past all preventative measures, so you still need to keep an eye open and take action if necessary.

Finally, if reading this article has left you scratching, then don’t worry. You probably haven’t got a flea problem – it’s usually just a natural reaction to reading about them!

If you have a petite pooch, your collar should also be petite. That does not mean it has to be boring. You can get pink for the girls and blue leather dog collars for the boys. There are also a large selection in browns and blacks that are available in a wide range of prices.

Jewels decorate many of the collars. Most are glass beads, but you can actually find diamond studded if you choose. Just be sure the beads are securely fastened to the collar so your dog does not wind up with them in their tummy. There are also metal studs that you can find. It gives a manly look to a boring strip of leather.

Personalized collars with metal plaques can be ordered in many places on line or at your favorite pet store. This does not have to be just your dogs’ name. It can also include emergency information such as the address of your home and your phone number. Dogs may wander and get lost. If someone finds them, it will be much easier to relocate them to their rightful owners if the information is handy. The last thing any conscientious dog owner wants is to lose their beloved pet.

Many times owners of large sized dogs feel the need to have metal collars draped around their dogs’ neck. They feel this gives them more control. Training collars, chain collars are meant for training, not for everyday use. If you train your dog when it comes into your family, they won’t be necessary except for the purpose for which they were intended.

Leather dog collars for that big baby can give a sign of your personal taste or the character of the dog. The cartoon image of spike the bulldog with his spiked collar can be overshadowed by the pretty large pink collar with the name plaque for the queen of your home. The king can have studs to exhibit his manliness and be just as imposing as one with chains that choke.

The leather dog collars are not just for the little pooches. There are companies that specialize in large dog collars that feature conchos and equestrian style deacutecor. You can also get them padded, which is great for the shorter haired big dogs or embellished with turquoise or other stones.

The endless choices are at your finger tips. A web search will yield more sites than you can check in a day. It depends on what you are trying to say with your collar and how much you are willing to spend.

One of the most important aspects of any collar is the ability to put identification tags either on the collar itself, or with the rabies tag hanging from the collar. The many choices are yours and it is fun to shop all of the great sites and your favorite pet store for quality leather collars.

If you have a new puppy or kitten, you are embarking on a long and cherished relationship. Healthy pets can live well into their teens. But good health is not a given. Pet owners must take steps to ensure that their companions live long and healthy lives. Even if youve had your pet for some years now, it isnt too late to start promoting your pets wellbeing.

Healthy weight equals longevity
The biggest favor you can do for your cat or dog is to help them maintain a healthy weight. Never feed your pet from the table. Instead, give her a high quality pet food. Choose pet foods that list protein as a top ingredient. Keep in mind that animals should have a visible waist. Cats and dogs who maintain a healthy weight tend to live longer.

Cats need lots of water
One of the most preventable problems for cats are urinary tract infections. By giving your cat plenty of fresh, clean water to drink you can avoid a costly vet bill and much unnecessary discomfort for your pet. Occasionally feeding them wet cat food can also help keep kitties well-hydrated.

Regular brushing goes for your dog too
The next time you are ready to toss your old toothbrush into the waste bin dont. Use that old brush to clean your dogs teeth every day. Regular brushing not only sweetens doggie breath, it also prevents cavities and gum disease, situations which can lead to further health complications. Healthy pets have clean mouths.

Lumosity for your pet
Perhaps you are familiar with the popular website offering games to stimulate the brain. Healthy pets need mental exercise too. Playing active games with your dog and getting her outdoors daily can help to keep her sharp. Indoor cats will reap great benefit from interactive toys or chasing the beam from a laser pointer. By contrast, bored animals often chew or destroy property and wont be as bright-spirited as mentally alert pets.

The schoolhouse not the doghouse
Help your dog develop positive social skills by taking her to a local doggie training school. Many animal shelters and pet shops offer such classes free of charge. While the biggest beneficiary of these classes tends to be the owner, your dog will come away knowing how to behave properly in the presence of other dogs and small children. This is vitally important if you want to be able to take your pet with you to the park, the beach or public venues crowded with other pets and families. Keep her out of the doghouse by taking her to the schoolhouse.

One other important way to ensure years of enjoyment with healthy pets is to treat them with quality pet products. ProLabs is high-quality pet company where you can find the very best in supplements and pet care treatments.