How To Check Your Pets for Ticks and Fleas
Keeping your pet healthy and comfortable means being proactive about potential pests like ticks and fleas, especially if they are outdoors often.
Pet-related fleas and ticks are common parasites that live on animals like dogs and cats, feeding on their blood. Fleas can cause itching, skin irritation, and allergic reactions, while ticks are known for transmitting diseases. These tiny parasites can cause big problems if left unnoticed, so knowing how to check your pet regularly is essential.
Supplies:
Tick Remover (left) and Flea Comb (right)
Flea Comb
Tick Remover/Tweezers
Magnifying glass (optional)
Gloves (optional)
Container/Bags (to place tick after removal)
Check Skin:
Ticks often attach themselves firmly to the skin.
Gently feel through your pet’s coat with your fingers, then run a flea comb through your pet’s fur, especially in thick or long areas. Fleas can get trapped in the comb’s teeth, allowing you to remove them. This will not only help you spot them but will also give you a chance to see any signs of irritation.
Fleas: Look for small, deep brown or black specks moving in the fur. You might also see "flea dirt," which are tiny black specks that look like ground pepper.
Ticks: Ticks are larger, often gray, or brown, and can be the size of a sesame seed or larger when engorged with blood. They might be found attached to your pet’s skin, typically around the ears, around their eyes, underarms, bellies, or between the toes.
NexGard is a once monthly chewable supplement that prevents and protects dogs from ticks, fleas and parasites.
Removing Fleas and Ticks:
For Fleas: If you find fleas, use a flea shampoo, or consult your vet about the best flea treatments. You can also use flea medication or collars as a preventive measure.
For Ticks: Use a pair of tweezers or a tick-removal tool to grab the tick close to your pet’s skin and pull it out gently, placing it into a sealed bag/container so that it does not escape. Avoid twisting the tick to prevent leaving parts of the tick behind. Dispose of the tick properly and monitor the bite site for any signs of infection.
After handling ticks, fleas, or anything your pet may have been exposed to, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
References:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/how-check-dog-ticks
https://www.banfield.com/Wellness-at-banfield/Skin-and-coat-care/How-to-check-for-fleas
Rainy Days Don't Have to be Ruff!
With the right essentials, you can turn a gloomy stroll into a splashy adventure and keep tails wagging through every raindrop!
We humans can easily throw on a raincoat and grab an umbrella, but it’s up to us to keep our furry pals protected when the downpour strikes. Grab your umbrella and let’s dive into the must haves for walking your furry friend in the rain!
Here are some essentials to pack for your rainy day walk:
Raincoat: Your dog will appreciate it! Not only will a waterproof raincoat help keep them dry, but it will also keep breeds with fur that mats easily (like poodles and bichons) safe from tangles. For smaller dogs, raincoats can keep them warm on chilly, rainy days.
Booties: Boots help keep your pup’s paws dry, and safe from bacteria, sharp objects and toxins that may be lurking in puddles.
Reflective Leash/Harness: Visibility can be compromised in rainy weather; therefore, a reflective leash adds an extra layer of safety on the sidewalk for passing cars. Any small glimpse of light will reflect on the leash and make the pup at the end of it more visible.
Absorbent Towels: Prepare absorbent towels at the door for when you return. It will help absorb as much moisture as possible compared to a regular towel!
Brush: After toweling off, a quick brush can help prevent knots and matting, especially for breeds with longer fur. Make sure to dry them thoroughly afterward!
Remember, on a rainy day, your pup might need some extra love and attention if they can't get their usual outdoor time. Be sure to offer plenty of snuggles and playtime inside until those clouds clear!
References:
Why Do Dogs Circle Before Lying Down?
You've undoubtedly observed the routine of scratching, pawing, and meticulous circling your pup performs before settling into slumber. But what lies behind this endearing quirk? Let's dig into the intriguing motivation behind your dog's nighttime or nap-time antics.
You've undoubtedly observed the routine of scratching, pawing, and meticulous circling your pup performs before settling into slumber. But what lies behind this endearing quirk? Let's dig into the intriguing motivation behind your dog's nighttime or nap-time antics.
Getting Comfy: In the wilderness, your dog's ancestors precisely customized their sleeping spots by carefully flattening grass and leaves, eliminating any trace of items that may prick them during the night.
Ensuring Safety: This behavior is also a dance of vigilance and preparedness for the unknown. Through their circling ritual, they position themselves strategically against potential threats. They also align themselves to capture any sensed dangers the wind may carry as a warning. Moreover, these circular movements present an opportunity to scan for potential predators one last time before settling in for sleep.
Assessing the Pack: Circling is a tool for pack leaders to evaluate the group's arrangement and survey the surroundings, ensuring that no individual has fallen out of sight. Interestingly, sleeping in a close dog pile where each touches the other facilitates the pack's communication, signaling wakefulness amongst the pack in the face of danger; when one wakes, it wakes the rest of the pack to potential danger.
Regulating Temperature: Temperature regulation is another skill embedded in this ancient behavior. In warmer environments, the scratching motion unveils cooler soil, while in chillier regions, dogs curl up, conserving warmth. Nature's thermostat, choreographed by instinct!
Too Much Twirling? But what if your dog's twirls transform into an all-night performance? This could be a sign of discomfort or pain. Excessive circling might point to issues like arthritis or neurological challenges such as dementia. In such instances, seeking a veterinarian's guidance becomes essential to ensure your pup's well-being and the restoration of bedtime tranquility.
So there it is—every twirl, every scratch, and each pawing motion creates a bridge to the past, connecting our four-legged comrades with their untamed lineage. As you observe your dog's nightly ritual, remember that beneath the cozy blankets lies a narrative spanning generations—a tale of survival, comfort, camaraderie, and timeless rituals.
References:
VCA Animal Hospitals
Live Science