Letting the indoor animals stay outside and lay on the grass often leads to a well-known problem – fleas.

What are fleas?

Fleas are small insects with mouth parts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. They are external parasites living on mammals and birds. Flies do not have wings, and move by jumping on their long legs. A flea can jump vertically up to 7 inches and horizontally up to 13 inches, which makes it easy for fleas to get on your cat.

The cat flea is one of the most abundant and widespread species of flea on Earth. It’s about 1-2 mm long and is usually a reddish-brown color, which makes it really hard to see it on your pet’s coat. The cat fleas can also spread out on the dogs and humans.

Does my cat have fleas?

If your cat’s coat  is long and  dark,  it may be very difficult to see the fleas on it. The fleas bite their host all the time, and the cat begins scratching constantly. If you let your indoor cat go outside, and notice an unusual behavior, such as scratching, take it to the vet immediately!

Flea prevention.

There are many products to prevent your cat from getting fleas. Remember to use them when letting your cat go outside, these flea preventing products can help to keep your cat and your house flea free.

Visit  www.carealotpets.com for the latest pet care products.

My closest friend had a German Shepherd – the friendliest dog you would ever hope to meet. When I first came to their home, Biscuit was already advanced in years, but still alert. My friend worried about her health and age, and hoped she could make it through his daughter’s college year. Unfortunately, that did not turn out to be the case, for Biscuit had become too ill and needed to be euthanized. My friend was the only one with her at the time because he didn’t want the rest of the family to become too upset.

Watching my friend grieve over his lost friend inspired me to want to do something to help, but I had to admit at the time I didn’t know how to respond to his grief. While my friend appreciated the gesture, I wanted to do more, which is why I hope this article will help people who have lost a beloved dog or cat come to terms with their losses. Those who have not had pets in their home may not understand the need to grieve, but when a dog, cat, bird, or other pet becomes part of the family it can be difficult to accept.

First thing to remember: it’s okay to cry. It is okay to feel sad and angry and emotional over this loss. You may deal with guilt and denial and wonder if you could have done anything to help your pet, and if you feel the need to vent or talk with somebody you should do so.

If you are able to find a counselor who deals with this type of loss, see about an appointment, or you may talk with your veterinarian to see what they recommend. Well-meaning friends who have not owned pets might suggest getting another dog or cat in order to help you cope, and your first instinct may be to become angry. Your pet was unique, with a personality and charm that endeared you to him. You may consider another pet in the future, but you know the one you lost can never actually be replaced.

If somebody suggests this to you, simply offer a thank you and nothing more. You may be inclined to berate friends and family, but this will do nothing to resolve your grief. If people persist, you might say that you do not wish to make plans at the moment.

Ultimately, the one thing that will help you get through the loss of your pet is time. Remember the good times enjoyed with your four-footed or winged friend, and wake each day knowing that you are grateful for the time you did have. Take care.

1) Never leave your pet in the car. No matter how long you’re going to be gone or how cool you think it is outside, the temperature inside the car can raise to 120 degrees F in a matter of minutes. This can be extremely dangerous for animals, so play it safe and leave them at home when you run errands!

2) Keep your pet leashed. Letting your dog run free could create problems. He/she could end up getting lost, in a fight with another animal or ingesting something dangerous.

3) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. This could be the number one summer pet care safety tip and goes for humans as well-whether you’re indoors or outdoors, both you and your pet must consume plenty of water during the summer. If you leave the house, be sure to bring water bottles along with you and your pet.

4) Don’t forget to groom. Protect your dog from the sun by keeping him well groomed. This will help him to be more comfortable and insulated from the heat. Dogs with thick hair should have it trimmed regularly during the summer.

5) Never leave them unattended. Some animals are left outside for the majority of the summer. However, when it gets very hot, it’s not safe to keep them outdoors for a long period of time. You may want to keep your pets inside during the hottest part of the year to prevent illness and dehydration.

6) Be aware of heatstroke. Heatstroke is a dangerous condition and requires veterinary attention immediately. Signs of heatstroke include:

a. Panting
b. Staring
c. Anxious expression
d. Refusal to obey commands
e. Warm, dry skin
f. High fever
g. Rapid heartbeat
h. Vomiting
i. Collapse

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. In the meantime, attempt to lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Heatstroke can be fatal, so take every step you can to prevent it from happening. You can also use a product like IntelliLyte Electrolytes for Dogs, just think Gatorade for dogs.

Following all of these summer pet care safety tips should keep you on the right track for keeping your pets safe during the summer. Remember that if your pet is very young, elderly, or ill he may have a harder time regulating his body temperature. You will want to keep a special eye on him/her if that is the case to prevent problems.

We love pets! Probioticsmart.com knows your pet deserves the very best care possible, and we’re here to help. Visit our site for more information, tips and stories on all things pet health. See you there!

Emmy E. Bill

Stress isn’t ever fun to deal with. There are several ways to reduce it, including improving diet, getting more sleep, exercising and medication. However, have you ever thought about the fact that pets reduce stress and anxiety? Pets, in fact, are one of the best stress relievers and provide their owners with a number of other health benefits, including reduced blood pressure and improved allergies. Here are five ways that pets can help to reduce stress:

1) Pets Help Decrease Blood Pressure.
Pets have been known to reduce blood pressure better than medications. They can sense tension and have a natural ability to keep us calm. When humans are stressed, their blood pressure tends to increase which intensifies the health effects of being stressed.

2) Pets Encourage Exercise.
It’s sometimes difficult to get ourselves to work out, but when the health of a pet is in your hands, you’re pretty much forced to! Pets encourage us to go on walks, jogs, and to play fetch in the backyard. Exercise is good for stress management and overall health, so owning a pet can be credited with increasing these benefits.

3) Pets Help With Social Support.
Dogs and cats can make us more approachable and give people a reason to stop and talk. This gives people an opportunity to increase their network of friends and acquaintances, which also has great stress management benefits.

4) Pets Improve Your Mood.
For those of us who love animals, we know it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood with pets in our lives. Some studies have shown that people who own pets are less likely to suffer from depression.

5) Pets Prevent Loneliness.
Animals can be there for you in ways that people can’t. They don’t judge and they definitely won’t ever cancel plans. They offer love and companionship and keep our secrets, no matter what. It may sound silly, but pets can be even better listeners than humans can be! In this way, pets reduce stress that may come from social isolation.

If you don’t already have a pet, hopefully reading this article encourages you to go out and get one! And if you already own one, you’re probably appreciating them more than you did before. Remember that if you’re constantly feeling stressed and anxious, even with a pet around, it would probably be best to see a doctor to discuss other options to relieve your stress.

Emmy E. Bill

When fighting fleas, I like to start with the big guns. That would be your vacuum cleaner. Fleas have four life stages, 3 of which are fairly immobile. The eggs, larvae and pupa stages are unable to jump away from the vacuum cleaner the way adults can. Their populations will be close to where pets sleep. A good thing to remember is that the eggs are not sticky. They can roll off the dog easily during a good scratching session and end up in the carpet. A thorough vacuuming will pull the eggs out of the carpet, eliminating the next generation of vermin. During the warmer months of the year, eggs hatch at a higher rate than in winter. So new generations can spring up quickly. If you find yourself in the middle of a flea infestation, daily vacuuming is a must.

My low tech choice for flea removal is the humble flea comb. I have two cats that turn to “pudding” when I start to comb them. They seem to know that they’ll feel so much better when the fleas come off. They relax and go limp letting me turn them every which way. The other two cats believe the flea comb is a torture device and run and hide. The way I do the combing requires two hands, one to comb and the other to cover the fleas to get them to the water.

The flea comb works well for my “pudding” cats, but for the other two I found the flea zapper a little easier. The zapper is a small battery operated comb that zaps the fleas as you comb the cat. If you have to hold on to the cat with one hand, zapping with the other is more effective than a regular comb. It works well on pudding cats too. They recognize the sound it makes and will come and wait their turn to be combed with it. If your cat enjoys being combed, getting used to the zapper doesn’t take long at all.

Trapping fleas is another way to get rid of adult fleas. You can buy traps or make one yourself by plugging a nightlight into a low wall outlet and setting a pan of water underneath. Be sure to put a drop or two of dish washing liquid in the water. I use Dawn. Fleas are attracted to the light and jump toward it falling into the water to drown. Without the dish soap, they will crawl up the side of the pan and escape. If the nightlight isn’t bright enough, you might try a desk lamp on the floor. I’ve done that when I didn’t have a low outlet in a room.

Dealing with fleas is the price we pay for keeping our furry friends comfortable, happy and healthy.

They say that people who keep pets tend to live longer, healthier and happier lives. This may be because keeping pets means that we have something to talk to that responds happily to cuddles and strokes, something that loves us back and listens to us, and (if we keep dogs) something that will make sure that we go for regular walks. However, pets can also come expensive. If some experts are to believed (usually the experts who are trying to sell us something, it should be said), pets need top-quality food, regular treatment for worms and fleas, vaccinations, special toys, treats to train them with, special beds, coats to keep them warm… The list just seems to go on and on. Even humble goldfish seem to have an extensive list of things that they need to keep them healthy and happy. It almost seems as if the price tag that comes with pets outweighs the stress-beating benefits of owning a pet.

This isn’t quite true. Quite a few of these things can be done on the cheap without any ill effects on your pet. This article will look at some of these for cats and for dogs, as this is what the writer is most familiar with.

First of all, it is important to state that you should not cut costs by avoiding desexing cats (especially female cats) or by skipping annual vaccinations. Also, you should see your vet if your pet is obviously in pain or unwell. However, you don’t need to race to the vet for every little scrape, bump or cut – cats are easily able to sleep off a cut or abscess (see the vet if your cat goes off his/her food), and dogs also heal up pretty easily from cuts, as long as they do not become infected. Dogs are easier to restrain, so you can get away with not desexing them, although an on-heat bitch will be a bit messy indoors. Keep up a regular worming schedule, but you can use over-the-counter worm pills, which are cheaper than getting the vet to do it (crush them and add them to food, or wrap them in something tasty to get a pet to eat them).

First of all: food. Dogs are pretty omnivorous – scavengers, even – and they do not need fancy brands of pet food to be happy and healthy. Dogs are very good at eating the fat you trim off meat, not to mention bones left over from roasts, chops and stews. It is said that you should not give a dog chicken bones. However, our dog used to nick them off the compost heap or out of the rubbish with no ill effects, so now we give them to him directly. Dogs eat all sorts of leftovers – any meat, dairy or starch product will be wolfed down gratefully, plus the occasional bit of leftover potato or pumpkin. Dairy products in particular seem to give a dog a nice glossy coat. If you don’t get enough leftovers from the bottoms of saucepans, rejected (or dropped) crusts, fat, bones and other unwanted bits, kids who have eyes bigger than their stomachs, and stuff scraped off plates at the end of the meal prior to washing, then cheap dog sausage or dog biscuits can fill the rest of the way. Beware of giving a dog too much starchy food if he/she spends time indoors, as this will make them break wind frequently.

For cats, bear in mind that cats need a higher amount of protein in their diets than dogs do, so don’t try to feed them on leftover porridge too much. However, leftover meat and trimmed off fat is always appreciated. Cats can be fussy about their food and only accept certain brands, so start on the cheap and buy cut-price or home-brand cat food so you don’t have the problems of trying to get a cat to switch off a high-class brand if you need to save a few pennies. If you put a collar on a cat (which you don’t really need to), don’t put a bell on it – your cat will then be able to supplement his/her diet by catching mice and birds. Don’t be squeamish about this – a cat is a predator by design and instinct, so let them hunt. Do not try to cut costs by feeding a cat on dog food – dog food has a higher starch/carbohydrate level than cat food and won’t meet their needs. You can, however, give a dog cat food.

When training your dog, don’t buy proprietary doggy treats – cheap cat biscuits are usually appreciated, and so are bits of “human food” – my dog does tricks for hot chips.

Pennyroyal deters fleas quite effectively and without irritating your cat or dog too much, and it grows easily in the garden. Grab a handful and rub it on your pet’s coat (they won’t like this, but persevere), and put a few sprigs in your pets bed. It works.

Don’t bother with special toys for pets – look at what you already have. Sticks and ropes work well as chew toys for dogs, although my Staffordshire Bull Terrier likes to chew a 4×4 tyre suspended from a tree branch. Cats will play chase with all sorts of things like string, balls of paper, handkerchiefs, even large marbles – one cat I owned used to chase cricket balls.

A pet can bed down quite nicely on old clothes and tatty blankets that are unfit for human use. A dog will appreciate having its own spot, such as a kennel or a basket, but a cat will sleep anywhere it feels safe and comfy – some spots that my cats have chosen to sleep include the linen cupboard, the dust sheet on a printer, the end of the bed (a winner with most cats), a toybox full of teddies and a drumkit.

Looking in newspapers, on the TV and internet it seems there is a large increase in missing pets although it is difficult in most cases to decide if the pet has wandered off or what I am sure is an increase in pets being stolen for the money that can be made being resold particularly for certain pedigree or wanted pets.

I have even noticed on Facebook that there are pictures of pets that are missing asking people in their friend groups to help find these missing dogs and cats. My neighbour has signs up on lampposts and has spoken to most of his neighbours to try to locate his missing cat, this cat is Persian looking and I worry that it may have been taken as we his neighbours have searched everywhere in our gardens and outbuildings and this cat does not wander far.

Pets can be people’s sole companion, a part of the family and can be very therapeutic and when they go missing this can cause undue upset and worry. I think the thought of not knowing where they may be or if they are hurt can be in cases more upsetting than dealing with a sick pet that at least you can make comfortable and treat.

There are many things that we can do to help if our pets go missing such having electronic tags fitted or ensuring each of our pets has an ID tag attached to its collar and lots of companies offer great services which when you register your pet they will aid in your search for them doing practical things such as contacting local vets and animal shelters and also sending the owners kits to aid in their search containing things such as leaflets to hand out in the local area, this can be as great especially as you are likely to be upset and won’t be thinking of the obvious.

I have always been a cat owner since having my own home and have had to deal with this myself, the first cat I had went missing a couple of months after I had got him and at that time I panicked didn’t know what best to do and never did end up finding him. One other cat did also go missing several years later my lovely fluffy ginger Roxy, this time I had help and when a neighbour received my leaflet they contacted me immediately to state they had found her covered in mud and as she had no tag had taken her to a local vets. I will never know what happened in the 24 hours that she went missing but the relief to have her back is indescribable and I could not thanks my neighbour and vet enough for the care they had taken of her.

That said cats do roam and as I know I often struggle keeping collars on them, this is a lot easier with dogs and with dogs and the fact they are not allowed to roam freely if you do spot one that is on its own you are more likely to either contact via numbers on a dog tag or contact the local council or police to collect the dog where they will try to trace the owner but again this does not cover the unscrupulous people who steal animals for profit.

I think that we all need to be more aware of the pets we see and protect our own in the best ways we can with it is with a pet identity tag or even keeping them as a house pet.

The love of our pets is a well known aspect of family life and having them taken care of while we work or vacation has become a big industry. With dog walkers, doggie day cares, and overnight boarding, the idea of leaving our furry family members in unknown environments can cause great stress to both owner and pet.

Pet sitters are becoming a less expensive alternative to animal boarding. Having someone come into your home to take care of your pet in its own environment is a great way to have the best of both worlds. Your pets have less stress and suffer less separation anxiety and it eliminates worry from an active owner’s life.

What does a Pet Sitter Do?

Pet sitters care for your animals just as a caregiver would care for your children. While pets do not require the same degree of care as a child, a certain degree of supervision and physical and social requirements for the health and safety of all animals.

Depending on the animal your sitter may simply walk your dog and make sure its physical needs are met. Replenishing food and water is mandatory for all sitters and often socializing with attention and affection for 30 minutes can help keep pets happy.

Pet sitters also provide specialize care by following schedules and administering vitamins or medicine at specific times. There are even sitters who will stay at your home to provide an easier transition when you are away.

The Cost?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $12 -15 for a daily visit which normally would include a short walk. The cost for multiple animals is often several dollars more and if your sitter needs to come twice a day, there may be a reasonable package fee.

If you require overnight services, expect to pay $50 per night and there may be additional charges for major holidays throughout the year.

Most often any overnight fee will include collecting mail and watering plants, which can provide peace of mind for the safety of not only your animals but the security of your home while you are away.

Locating a Pet Sitter

The best way to find a pet sitter is through referral or word of mouth. You can also check your veterinarians office or your groomers for advertisements in their offices. It is in your best interest to interview your sitter and check all references as you would for anyone you allow in your home.

A good pet sitter will offer to visit with your pet to allow the animal to bond with them before they are signed on. If your sitter does not make the time, then they are not right for you.

Any time we bring someone into our home to take care of someone we love, there is a level of trust we must extend. By taking the time to get to know your pet sitter you can find the best fit for your pets that will keep both pet and owner happy.

Let’s take a brief look at ten of the more popular family dog breeds:

Basset Hound – The droopy personality of the Basset may not inspire many active trips to the park, but this lovable hound is rather low maintenance.

Beagle – Beagles have great dispositions and are often high-spirited. Many love to play, and they are very loyal.

Collie – The active Collie is a good choice for a family with older children, and active families that like to spend time outdoors.

Dachshund – The well-known “weiner dog” is a popular breed with families and singles. Some believe they are easier to care for than other breeds, and they are quite loyal and friendly despite a tendency to bark.

Golden Retriever – A popular breed among families, the Retriever is arguably also one of the friendliest types of dogs.

Irish Setter – Known for their gorgeous long russet coats, Irish Setters are easy to train and amiable around families.

Labrador Retriever – Whether it’s a Black or Golden Lab, you can be assured of many fun memories with this loving breed.

Newfoundland – Hardy and playful, the Newfoundland can grow to be a rather large dog, so if you have a good-sized yard or access to a dog park this may be the breed for you.

Papillon – “Papis” are adorable and very smart, and good if you live in an apartment. They are also quite delicate, and therefore is recommended for homes with older children.

Pug – With it’s scrunched-up face and inquisitive eyes, the Pug may not win beauty contests but the breed is very active and able to keep up with your kids.

Of course, there are many other breeds of dog to consider for your family as well. It is important, regardless of breed, to choose the right one for you. Take your time and get to know potential dogs before bringing one home.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on dog supplies and pet supplies.

According to Banfield Pet Hospital, the top 25 dog names of 2011 were as follows:

• Bella
• Max
• Buddy
• Daisy
• Bailey
• Lucy
• Molly
• Coco
• Charlie
• Rocky
• Chloe
• Maggie
• Sadie
• Princess
• Sophie
• Lucky
• Roxy
• Jack
• Lola
• Harley
• Toby
• Bear
• Sasha
• Jake
• Ginger

All appear to be rather good dog names, suitable for any breed and color. You may have considered any of the above yourself to name your new pet, even your new black and white dog. What if, however, you want a name that is better suited to your dog’s looks? Black and white dogs in particular have a unique, striking look that attracts attention, and when you call your dog over to you after playing at the park you want a name that best represents your pup.

Here is just a sampling of possible names you could give your dog:

• Bandit – Particularly if you have a dog with a darker face and white body – especially around the eyes – Bandit is an appropriate name. Your dog might have an appearance of wearing a hood or mask, not unlike the stereotypical bandit.
• Checkers – Checkers is a good name for dogs with dark and lights spots on his body, somewhat resembling a checkers board. Checkers is also a presidential name – it was the name of Richard Nixon’s pet.
• Oreo – This popular cookie is a black and white, and a fairly common name among black and white furry friends.
• Spot – A more obvious choice for dogs with spotted fur.
• Chaplin – Actor Charlie Chaplin is known for his distinctive look, including his mustache and black and white suit. If you have a dog with that “tuxedo” style coat this might be a good name to use.

Other suggestions include names of other black and white animals – if your dog resembles a zebra or panda by color, those may make for interesting names. Whatever you decide to name your dog, know that you’re in for a lifetime of memories.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on dog supplies and pet supplies.