Scratch… scratch… scratch. Do you have an itchy pet? Sometimes, allergies and skin conditions can be to blame, but it is often the tiniest little pest that creates the biggest problem for households with pets. Fleas can cause intense itching, skin infections, intestinal parasites, and are a total drag. Without a yearly hard freeze to mitigate their numbers each year, fleas are rampant among wildlife, farm animals, and domestic pets in our area. Immune challenged, older, and sick pets will
Most people would get very tired of eating the same food day in and day out. Imagine having to eat the same exact food your entire life (maybe with a few treats thrown in!) This is essentially how most people feed their pets, not realizing there is a different way to handle their furry friends’ nutritional needs. “Rotation feeding” or “feeding a rotational diet” is all about offering a variety of foods in a manner that won’t upset a pet’s system. Varying both proteins (chicken, beef, bison,
If the topic of heartworms makes you squeamish, here’s a quick summary of what you need to know: heartworm disease is very serious and potentially fatal. It is highly prevalent in many areas of the country (ours being one of them). All cats and dogs should be on heartworm prevention medication, including those that stay indoors. Please consult with your veterinarian about which medication is right for your pet. Heartworm medication requires a prescription from a veterinarian. If you’d like to
If you’re on social media (and we hope you are, find us @leoandluckys !) brace yourselves: it’s time for “new year, new me” messages to take over your feed. A New Year is a nice, clean slate that can be used as a catalyst to adopt some major modifications into your family’s life. Don’t forget about your pet – they can also benefit from some fresh, positive changes, too! Here are some easy ways to incorporate your pet into your
All dog fanciers will agree that a tired pup is a better-behaved pup. With tight schedules, most of the time, a walk is a mission: purely for exercise, physical and mental. If you’re without a fenced yard, some walks are very brief, potty-specific operations. Maybe you’ve heard that you should always be the leader on walks, and not let your dog “be the boss” while on a leash. Believe it or not, it’s actually vital to allow dogs go on a
It’s that time of year again! While you’re making your holiday list, and checking it twice, don’t forget your furry friends! There are so many cute and useful gifts for pets – fill their stockings with things they’ll love. Dogs Our most faithful companions are usually fairly easy to shop for, since we know the way to their hearts is through food, and fun! A reasonable amount of treats can be given throughout the day without disrupting a balanced diet, and mini-treats
‘Tis almost the season for mischievous mutts to taste the turkey, meddle with the mashed potatoes, and gobble the gravy. (Jokes aside, table scraps are almost always a bad idea and can even lead to health emergencies like pancreatitis!) After episodes of indiscriminate eating or holiday stress, otherwise healthy dogs can experience an occasional episode of loose stool or diarrhea that resolves within 12 to 24 hours. Usually, these tummy troubles can be resolved at home. During gastrointestinal episodes, you can
Halloween is such a fun time of year for humans and animals alike. While it’s fun to dress your four-legged friends up for the occasion, there are several concerns about safety when it comes to pets. The Pet Poison hotline says they receive a 12 percent increase in calls during Halloween. Read on to learn how to protect your pets! Safe Storage / Unsafe FoodsPet owners should store all candy in a safe place, well out of a dog’s
All pets age differently, depending on size, breed, lifestyle choices, diet, and environment. Even though she may seem young in your eyes, your dog aged 7 and older, or your cat aged 11 and older, is considered a senior. To keep your senior pets vibrant into old age, consider the following steps: Fine tune their dietEvery pet needs a wholesome diet, but aging pets need more care than youthful ones. Elderly pets need more protein than younger pets. The more digestible
As summer break winds down, vacation suitcases are unpacked, and the kids start stuffing their backpacks with supplies for a new year, you may notice your pet acting differently – what’s the deal? It’s not your imagination: this season can trigger behavioral issues. We often see an increase in training and behavioral questions from our customers right around when school is back in session. When children suddenly aren’t around to shower their favorite furry friend with attention, pets can feel lonely
