the cat / dog log

Your Pet and Fleas

2012-01-31T09:22:00.000-05:00

Today we have a guest post from Ciara Black of the Dog Help Network entitled "Your Dog and Fleas," however the information can be applied to cats as well as dogs. I hope you find it helpful as flea season will be upon us all too soon here in the U.S.

Your Dog And Fleas

About Dog Fleas

Dog fleas are known as Ctenocephalides canis. There are over 2,000 different species of fleas present in the world today. Fleas are capable of jumping from 14 to 16 inches and can spread at a very rapid rate. Female fleas can begin to lay eggs after only 48 hours of feeding. Females can also lay up to 50 eggs in a single day! It is very important to treat your dog for fleas as soon as possible and rid your home and yard of fleas to avoid a serious problem. Fleas have a lifespan of between 6 to 12 months. Dogs can contract fleas from their environment, so if your dog frequently visit dog parks or kennels, lives in a humid, warm climate, it is important to check regularly to see if your dog has fleas. It is important to understand how fleas work and what to look for before starting a treatment. A veterinarian will also be able to help you with treatment options and recommendations for ridding your house of fleas.

Symptoms Of Fleas
Fleas cause itching and discomfort in your dog. Not only are they annoying, they can cause serious health problems. There are a number of different symptoms to look for when dealing with a possible flea infestation.

Itching and biting the fur; a flea’s saliva will cause your dog to itch and scratch his skin. Similar to a human reaction to a mosquito bite.

Allergic reaction. Look out for swollen areas where the flea bit.

Hot spots. Hot sports are are red, open wounds caused by licking and biting the skin.

Flaky skin. This may be similar to dandruff, caused by excessive scratching.

Flea debris. Flea debris look like coffee grounds. Flea debris is feces or dead fleas that fall off of your dog when brushed or stroked.

Natural Remedies For Fleas
There are a number of ways you can reduce, prevent, and repel fleas from your dog and your home. Most home remedies are simple and effective, but may require patience and time to see results. Flea infestations can be a task to control, but should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Avoiding the use of chemicals around the house is the best alternative for you and your dog when it comes to getting rid of fleas. Some natural remedies for fleas include:

Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar is best to use when helping to repel fleas. Mix 2 parts apple cider vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Soak your dog’s fur with this spray outdoors ( as the fleas may jump off your dog) and comb through. This remedy lasts up to four days.

Lemon - Cut one lemon into four pieces and place into boiling water. Let the lemon water sit overnight. Use a spray bottle and spray your dog with the lemon juice mixture. Be cautious around the face and ears.

Rosemary - Rosemary can be used around the house as well as on your dog to help repel fleas. Grind up rosemary leaves into a powder. Sprinkle in areas your dog sleeps and in areas he frequently plays around the house. Rosemary is an anti-inflammatory and can help relieve itching and scratching from fleas. Soak fresh rosemary in 2 cups of boiling water for 30 minutes. Add the mixture to one gallon of warm water and soak your dog with the liquid. It is best to let your dog dry naturally.

Garlic - Garlic will not kill fleas but act as a repellent. Add a few drops of garlic oil or a bit of garlic clove to your dog’s food.

Neem - Neem oil has been around for a long time and is highly praised for natural flea control. It doesn’t kill the fleas immediately, but helps to repel them and affects the flea’s growth. Neem shampoo is available for helping treat dogs with fleas.

For more information about dog fleas, causes, treatment options and more home remedies, please visit www.dogfleashelp.com

Looking for a new pet?

2012-01-28T06:01:00.002-05:00

The following is a guest post by blogger Kelly Marsh on how you can adopt a pet with little or no cost. I hope you find it interesting.

How To Find Free Pets
A person who is on a lookout for a pet to include into the family is familiar with the expenditure part of it, as breeders ask for several hundred dollars, even for the smallest pets . However, finding a free pet service would be a great idea, considering all the pets in the world that are currently homeless and living in animal shelters without anyone to look after. Looking out for free pets is not only a reasonable option but also a good act of kindness.

Whilst there are a number of animal rescue organizations and pet-shelters which are working around the US to adopt a pet, there is only one reliable resource which does charge some fees, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA and the Humanitarian Society of the US also offer listings of trustworthy shelters and adoption homes which can help you adopt a pet absolutely free. It is also possible to find a free pet by searching through the classified advertisements in newspapers or online sites where owners regularly post free pet advertisements, but when you are planning to adopt from these sites you need to be careful and follow a few important guidelines like the reasons for giving away the pet, health of the pet, etc. A good general rule in this case would be to get it examined by a veterinarian to make sure all is right with the pet.

The local shelter is also a popular place to find free pets easily. Many shelters do not charge any fee to adopt a pet but there are some exceptions. The charges are usually very nominal and are mainly utilized for covering basic expenses. You can walk through these shelters and choose the pet you like for the adoption process. This process may include a screening procedure, economic background, and area where the pet is going to live to ensure that the pet is safe with you.

Benefits of adopting pets from a shelter
Adopting a pet from a pet-shelter has many benefits; you can spend time with the pet before deciding to adopt and get to know the pet’s behavior and observe how it interacts with people and other pets. You don't have to adopt the pet right away. If you don't find the pet you want then you can take a look at other shelters, or ask to be put on a waiting list. Adoption fees vary at these shelters and you will also have to pay for any additional services required. The pet shelters even help you with training, veterinary care and behavior counseling.

From ASPCA
The ASPCA is an association which helps to promote animal shelters and rescue organizations and also takes excellent care of animals across the country. At the ASPCA Adoption Center you will also be provided with listings of hundreds of pets which need a home. The benefits of adopting through ASPCA are:

Assistance provided to help bring the pet home.
Free vet care for 2 weeks.
Free neutering, micro chipping, vaccinations, and registration, all built- in the adoption fee.
Literature to educate you about the pet behavior and pet-care.

Pets are always a wonderful addition to family and anyone who is interested in getting a free pet needs to be aware that you need to give it full care.

About the author: Kelly is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently an article on baby gear attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on skin tags.

Dog and Cat breeds

2012-01-26T06:42:00.000-05:00

The following is a guest post written by Grayson Nance which might be helpful if you're planning to add a pet to your household, especially if you're thinking of a purebred.

Finding the best in dog and cat breeds

Getting a new pet starts with deciding what kind of animal would be best for you, which can be a big and sometimes difficult decision. Every pet owner has a different personality and circumstances, that are suited for different kinds of pets. Many people turn to the internet to find information on what kind of dog or cat to get for their next pet. FindTheBest is a valuable resource for unbiased information on the best dog breeds and cat breeds for anyone. It is a great reference for information on 198 different dog breeds and 68 cat breeds, comparing temperament and breed standards as well as physical features like size, coat and color. This reference will help people to select the right pet and prevent animals from ending up in unfitted homes.

This reference presents the facts in easy to use tables and allows for side-by-side comparisons of different breeds and consumer products so that you can find the best. This is a great reference for anyone that needs to make a quick and informed decision.

Compare All Dog Breeds

Grayson Nance is a recent graduate of UCSB and now works with FindTheBest where you can compare anything from cat breeds to the best espresso machines.