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Fleas are pesky little bugs that can cause worms, disease, and itchiness for your dog — and if they are in your yard, it’s no fun!
You can control fleas the natural, organic way with flea nematodes. These are beneficial bugs and one of the most prolific multicellular animals on earth. Just a small bit of soil naturally contains thousands of the microscopic worms, many of them parasites of insects, plants, or animals. Flea nematodes control fleas by killing them in the larval and pupal stages in the soil.
Flea nematodes should be applied to your lawn when the soil temperature is 42 degrees or above. Just follow the instructions on the package. And the best part: They will control fleas in your yard forever!
Leslie May and Johann (the dog) are the founders of Raise a Green Dog, an online portal for all things green and healthy for your dog.
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Fleas are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Equipped with spiny hairs to anchor in a dog’s coat, they are armored and resistant to crushing or scratching. They serve no purpose in the great chain of being, except to cause discomfort and spread disease.
One safe way to remove a sudden infestation is to shampoo your dog well with Lemon Joy or Dawn dish soap. These grease-cutting shampoos will kill existing fleas by swiftly destroying the cuticle on their exoskeletons, but you will have to act proactively to prevent further attacks in the immediate area. Special thanks to Buttercup and Miss Dixie Monroe for this great tip!
Helen Fazio and her dog, Raja, are world travelers. Visit their blog and follow them on Twitter.
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At the start of fall, your dog’s coat can look a little worse for wear if its summer activities included one too many plunges in chlorine pools or saltwater at the beach.
Here’s a safe, simple coat refresher recipe: After shampooing your dog, rinse its fur slowly with three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and two drops of essential food-grade lavender mixed into six cups of warm water. Don’t rinse out, but dry gently and comb carefully.
Helen Fazio and her dog, Raja, are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter.
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The recently increased summer warmth and rain means that, now we’ve reached early fall, fleas have reached a peak of late-season biting. Even if you have protected your dog against fleas, any bites incurred before the stricken fleas die or jump off can lead to an itchy condition called flea bite dermatitis.
If you see excessive scratching, get your dog to the vet — fast. Your dog may have no fleas, but the itching and scratching can lead to raw, scabby, and infected skin; hair loss; and even diminished health.
Helen Fazio and her dog, Raja, are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter.
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Winter is finally gone and with it the threat of cracked or salt-burned paws. Unfortunately, summer brings with a new set of risks to your dog’s feet. If you have a dog that has long hair in between the paw pads, it’s a good idea to very carefully trim the fur there. This hair can be a magnet for all kinds of things, including burrs, foxtails, mud, thorns, sharp rocks or glass and debris. Examine your dog’s feet immediately after a walk, and then clean them with a wet cloth. Much like salty sidewalks can burn your dog’s feet in the winter, hot blacktop or asphalt in the summer can hurt your pet. During the summer, consider walking your dog very early in the morning or well after the sun sets. Before your walk, place your hand on the walking surface for a minute. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pup’s paws!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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Spring’s on the way, but the drying effects of overheated houses and dry outdoor air may already have made your dog’s skin dry and flaky. Canine Omega 3 capsules taken during this time of year can stop dry skin flare-ups and help your dog ease that winter coat into the lighter summer coat without excessive scratching or hair loss. Consult your vet for dosage based upon weight and to make sure there are no dietary restrictions.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers.
href="http://www.traveldogbooks.com">Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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As canine dental health is often neglected, February has been designated National Pet Dental Health month. Periodontal disease is very common and often leads to more serious issues including heart, liver, kidney and respiratory diseases. Although it is not likely to be the highlight of your dog’s day, regular brushing is the best preventative measure. Be certain to use toothpaste made specifically for dogs as human toothpaste may contain ingredients harmful to pets. In the wild, dogs keep their teeth clean by chewing and gnawing at their food and on bones. Although not a substitute for brushing, this type of natural cleaning can be accomplished with natural bones and specially-made dental chews.
D.P. Hesano is co-founder of FidoDogTreats.com |
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Dog skin is really sensitive and you want to avoid any chemical solvents – they can burn the dog’s skin, are flammable and if he licks his skin they are toxic if ingested. With a long-haired dog you have to cut out the area or clip the dog. With a short-haired dog use Goo-Gone or another product, but only if you are ready to give an immediate bath with dog shampoo.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Young dogs and very sensitive ones cannot tolerate long grooming sessions. The path of least resistance is to groom half of the dog at a time! Do one side or end of the dog in the morning and the other one at night.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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If ice gets between your dog’s paw pads after a winter walk, you might have to melt it. Place the foot in a bath of warm water (which also removes any salt if you’re in an urban environment) and dry it thoroughly afterwards. If warm water won’t do it, a hairdryer on the lowest setting is the best way to melt ice that may have caked between your dog’s pads or toes.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the
author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
