Myths about fleas and ticks

Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because winter is approaching you no longer need to be worried about fleas and ticks.  They’ll stick around as long as they can.  Also, just because they can’t live outside doesn’t mean they haven’t already made a comfy home in YOUR home or on your pet.   Treating your home, yard and pet in late fall is always a good idea.   Read on for several more myths about fleas and ticks.

#2: A lyme disease vaccination doesn’t mean you don’t need tick protection.

Ticks carry other diseases besides Lyme’s disease.  Besides, do you really want your poor pet walking around with a parasite attached? Those ticks can still enter your home on your pet and then move on to YOU if you aren’t careful. Be sure to always protect your pet against ticks and Lyme’s disease.

#3 You don’t need flea and tick protection for your cat.  Cats are just as vulnerable as dogs if they’re outside at all.  Even if they stay inside all the time they’re still candidates for fleas and ticks brought in by other pets or people.

#4 We live in the city; our pets don’t need protection because there’s very little grass.  Your pets can still be victims of fleas and ticks when they visit the park, visit other pets or when you travel with them.

#5 We have hardwood.  Fleas only like carpet.  Fleas will live wherever they think they can find a host. While hardwood floors might not be their first choice, they’ll do in a pinch.

#6  I’ve only seen a few fleas so I probably don’t have a serious flea problem.  Seeing a few fleas is like seeing a few roaches.  Seeing even ONE means there are lots of baby ones hiding elsewhere. If you see fleas in your house it’s best to treat your house, yard and pet as soon as possible!

#7 The fleas are gone! No more treatment.  Do not fall for this.  Prevention is important! Continue to treat your pet to avoid having to start all over with home treatments.

 

Some facts about spaying and neutering

Unless you want a houseful of kittens or puppies, it’s best to get your cat or dog spayed or neutered early in life.  Typically this is done between 5 and 8 months of age, those there are some studies suggesting that you should wait until your pet is a year old.  (Then there are other studies saying that that causes OTHER problems…so as always, it’s best to check with your vet.)

Spaying removes the uterus and both ovaries from female cats and dogs.  Neutering removes the testicles from male cats and dogs.  Though both obviously have the desired effect of stopping any chance of reproduction for you animal, they also have other positive outcomes.  Females who are spayed won’t go into heat each month, which means they also won’t try to escape your house or yard in search of a mate.  Likewise, males who are neutered won’t be affected by females in heat and therefore won’t be as hard to control and won’t have the tendency to roam that un-neutered males have.

In addition to behavioral changes spaying eliminates the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer for your pets; neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.  Both decrease the risks of other cancers like mammary or prostate cancer.  Not spaying your cat on the other hand can cause her to develop urinary problems like pyometra and in general not spaying or neutering your pet can lead to unwanted pregnancies, lost pets and even cancerous tumors later on.

Talk to your vet to see when the time is right to spay or neuter your pet.

Tips for helping your pets and children bond

When it comes to pets and kids, there are several steps you can take to make sure your puppy or even older dog learns to socialize well with children of all ages.

The dog

• Begin socializing your pet as soon as possible.  If you’ve got a puppy, then between 5 weeks and 5 months is the best time to really begin introducing your pet to children.  This chart from the ASPCA shows the best times to introduce your puppy to a variety of people, places and things:
• Even with older dogs, you can still help them to become more used to children by slowly introducing them to kids and various child-based situations.  Try taking them to a soccer field to watch children play or take them to a friend’s house where children are present. Introduce them to children of various ages.
• Teach your dog the “pack” order and how to be comfortable as a pet in a human society by making sure he knows his place: make sure the dog gets fed after people do; make sure that you or your child enters the house or leaves the house before the pet does so that the pet sees who is in charge.
• Don’t force your dog into a situation that he or she isn’t ready for and make sure not to allow the dog to play roughly with children.
• Be sure to supervise all pet/child encounters!

The children

• Make sure your children know that pets are real creatures, not toys.  They should always be gentle with pets.
• Children shouldn’t grab toys away from pets.  Teach your child how to coax the toy (if playing fetch) from your pet and how to reward the pet with treats for a job well done.
• Make sure children know to leave dogs alone while the dogs are eating and make sure that they know not to run up to strange animals.

Children and Cats

Cats are quite tolerant of children.  From my own experience it seems every time cats are around children they seem to just lie there while kids do their best to “gently” pat the kitty.  Still, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind when helping your child and cat bond:

• Make sure that children approach cats from a sitting position so as not to seem threatening.
• Remind children that cats are alive and need to be treated gently and with care.
• Perhaps reward your cat for his good behavior with a favorite treat or some catnip.

Puppies and Kittens: 5 essentials

When you bring home a new puppy or kitten, there are several great items you should have on hand to make life easier for everyone.

For puppies
1. Piddle Pads – when house training your new puppy, piddle pads can come in handy.  If you have to be gone for an extended period of time, having a pad your dog knows is an “ok” place to go will make life easier for both of you.  Young puppies have bladders that are still developing and may not be able to hold it if you’re away for a while.

2. Treats – The best way to teach your dog what behavior is acceptable is by rewarding him or her with a treat.  Kind words and a little bit of a treat after using the bathroom outside, coming when called or sitting will go a long way towards getting your young puppy to obey.

3. A good leash – Taking your puppy on walks is a great way to get him or her used to a leash, and also used to the world around him.

4. Name Tags / Collar – Make sure to get your puppy a collar and a name tag with his name, address and phone number.  If he ever escapes from you, you’ll be glad to know that information is there for someone if they find him!

5. Gates – If you want to confine your puppy to one room of the house while you’re at work, having a gate to close off certain rooms of the house is the way to go.

For kittens
1. Spray deterrents – there are lots of pet-safe sprays available that will help keep your new kitten from clawing on furniture or curtains.

2. Treats – Kittens don’t really understand punishment, but they DO understand rewards for good behavior.  When your kitten does what you want, like coming when called or using the litter box, have a small treat handy.

3. Litter box and litter – a new litter box will be necessary for your new kitten. If you already have a cat at home, make sure to bring home at least one extra box and maybe 2.

4. Furniture and/or toys – kittens need places to play and things to play with.  Make sure to get a good scratching post and perhaps even a tower or two for your cat to climb on.  Small toys to chase will also keep your kitten’s mind active and alert.

5. Carriers – when transporting your kitten to the vet or anywhere else, a good carrier is essential for its safety!

Find all of these items and more at J&M Aquatics and Pet Center, 2851 North Avenue, Grand Junction.