Preventing & Eliminating Pet Fleas

Summer is just around the corner and the weather is starting to warm up. As the warm weather rolls in, the annual battle against fleas, ticks, and parasites begins. Fleas can cause discomfort for your pet and infest your home. Prevention and treatment methods vary with each pet’s breed, age, and size. At Pet Health Market we want to help you treat and prevent your pet’s itchy enemies!

Flea Prevention:
It’s always best to stop a problem before it starts. There are several different types of prevention products on the market, with each providing a different effect and reaction for your pet. Some of the different flea prevention products that Pet Health Market offers are:

• Adams Plus Pyrethrin Dip

This liquid drop applied medication kills any existing fleas, ticks, and parasites. The drop continues to work after all the bugs have been killed. These drops are applied every 7 days (once a week) if the flea problem persists.

• Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar

The collar is an easy, no-hassle solution to your flea problem. The Adams collar not only kills existing fleas, but also protects your pet for up to 5 months. With this collar you don’t have to worry about continuous applications and baths. The collar even works if your pet decides to take a swim to cool off.

Flea Treatment:
No one wants their pet to get fleas, but it happens to even the most careful owners. When this day comes, it’s best to be prepared with knowledge and treatment options. There are several different ways to treat your pet and get rid of this itchy, even dangerous, problem. A few of your options include:

• Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

This flea and tick shampoo provides a safe, pain free rinse for your cat, kitten, dog, and puppy. The shampoo kills the fleas and ticks that are already on your animal and prevents pre-adult fleas for 28 days. Let your pet be bug free while restoring the natural shine of their fur.

• Flea Comb

Softly remove adult fleas with a flea comb, which traps the fleas in its teeth. Great for use while traveling and easy to use with the long handle design.

• Fleabuster RX

Fleas escaping your animal and setting up camp in your carpet can be a nightmare but we have a solution! Fleabuster RX is a fine powder that is used for fleas that have made themselves comfortable in the carpet of your home. The statically charged powder clings to the flea larvae and is safe for a carpet.

Fleas and ticks can not only ruin your day, but can be harmful to you and your pet’s health. Prevent and treat this serious problem with our line of flea and tick products. If these flea and tick prevention products aren’t what you’re looking for, please browse our selection of other flea prevention and treatment supplies. All items sold by Pet Health Market are guaranteed to be the highest quality, so shop today and find exactly what you need.

Celebrate National Pet Week with Pet Health Market

This week veterinary clinics, classrooms, communities and pet owners all over the country are celebrating National Pet Week. National Pet Week is recognized from May 5-11 and celebrates the human/animal bond with local fundraisers and fun events aimed to better educate owners about responsible pet ownership. The slogan for National Pet Week, “Love Your Pet, See Your Vet,” highlights the fact that routine physical exams is important to the long term health of pets and that too few animals receive regular exams. In this post, Pet Health Market has outlined actions and products that will help you and your furry friend celebrate National Pet Week.

Visit the Vet
Taking your pet to receive regular veterinary exams is one of the most important actions you can do for the health of your pet. Much like yearly physical checkups and routine dental appointments for humans, yearly vet visits help detect a pet’s health problems in its early stages. Catching a pet’s health issue sooner rather than later usually results in less expensive treatment and a higher success rate. To find a veterinarian in your area, visit MyVeterinarian.com or you can ask you friends or pet neighbors for a veterinarian referral. Before committing to a vet you should visit the clinic in person, without your pet. Ask to take a tour of the facility and take note of how the employees interact with the pets and the human owners. Consider if the office hours and location work with your schedule, if they accept pet insurance and your preferred form of payment. After doing your research and taking a clinic tour, we recommend using your gut instinct when making the final decision.

A well groomed pet is a happy pet
Keeping your pet well groomed and clean not only benefits their physical appearance and health but also impacts the way a pet feels about themselves which affects behavior. Whether you have a pet groomer or care for your pet at home, frequent grooming of your dog or cat will have them looking their best and make them easier to love! Bathing your dog with medicated dog shampoo helps to relieve dry and irritated skin resulting from allergies and parasites. Daily brushing of your pet’s coat with a comb that reaches the skin will help clean them and remove loose hair. Don’t forget to brush your pet’s teeth, clip their nails and to clean their eyes and ears. For more information on pet grooming and grooming products visit the site.

Keeping your Pets Entertained
While stressing the responsibilities of pet ownership this National Pet Week, we don’t want to lose sight of the fact that pet ownership is fun and rewarding! Find activities and events that both you and your pet find enjoyable. Whether it’s heading down to the local dog park, going on hikes or bringing your pet on vacation, spending time with your pet is a great bonding activity. If your pet prefers to remain inside there are many toys that will keep your pets entertained and out of trouble. For aggressive chewers we recommend Kong dog toys, which are made of natural soft rubber and are nearly indestructible. Cats will love the Kong Wubba toy which is specially designed to appeal to a cat’s stalking instincts and desire to capture prey. Cats will find the natural catnip and the crackle sound the tail makes irresistible and will keep them entertained for hours!

We hope National Pet Week has increased the awareness of responsible pet ownership and the tips covered in this post become habits you incorporate into pet care over the years. For more information on responsible pet ownership and pet supplies visit Pet Health Market.

Control Your Pet’s Allergies this Spring

Now that spring is upon us, you and your pets are able to enjoy the warmer weather and extended hours of daylight together. Evening walks, trips to the park and weekend road trips are activities many pets and their owners cherish and look forward to. Just like humans, your dog or cat may be sensitive to allergens in the air that cause discomfort, including, inflammation, skin and ear infections and itching. Common allergens include grass, trees, mold, dust, dander and pollen. The good news is there are products at Pet Health Market to alleviate a pet’s itching and allergic reactions.

Many of the same skin care and allergy relief products can be given to dogs and cats. Pet allergy products are available in different forms, including liquid water additives, edible chews and shampoos. One of the more popular skin and itch remedies is HomeoPet Skin & Itch Relief. HomeoPet liquid is added to your pet’s daily drinking water and works as a detox and promotes skin health and hair growth. Another allergy and itch relief treatment is called NaturVet Septiderm-V Skin Care Bath. As the name suggests NaturVet Septiderm-V is a shampoo that is used during regular bathing and helps to relieve itching caused by hot spots, flea bites, rashes and skin allergies. If your dog or cat prefers a topical treatment we recommend Pramosoothe Spray. The long-lasting soothing formula provides relief from itching, flaking and irritation by restoring moisture in the skin.

If your pet avoids baths at all costs look to ingestible solutions to your pet’s allergic reactions. For dogs we recommend ALLER G-3 fatty acid capsules, containing omega-3, vitamins A, D and E. The capsules help stop itchiness of the skin by hindering production of the inflammatory substances that contribute to itching. Feline Greenies SmartBites are a delicious treats your cat will love eating! These edible treats contain natural ingredients that will nourish a cat’s skin and coat. They also taste great and are available in both salmon and chicken varieties.

For birds in discomfort we suggest using a lower dose of HomeoPet Digestive Upsets. When dosing small animals and birds just add 3 drops of the solution into the pet’s drinking water. If you, the human, struggle with the dust and powder from your bird’s feathers you can try Allerpet B Solution for Birds. Allerpet is a fine mist strayed on the bird’s feathers, away from the head, and helps to reduce allergens created by the birds.

Don’t let allergies hold you or your pet back from enjoying the outdoors this spring! Stop by Pet Health Market for skin and allergy care products for cats, dogs and birds!

Change Your Dog’s Behavior in 2013

Owning a dog can bring joy, fun, and relaxation to you and your family, but just like their owners, dogs can experience times of stress and illness. If your dog has recently suffered an injury or some other trauma, there are several different strategies you can try to help them relax and stay calm. You may try using a dog behavior aide to help them stay calm and heal more quickly.  Here are some of our most popular and effective dog behavior aids to help your pup in times of stress or injury.

Pet Flex No Chew Bandage

Injuries can be difficult for dogs and their owners. Not only does the dog need time to heal from the injury itself, but oftentimes bandages or casts can bring the dog additional irritation. This can lead to the dog trying to bite or chew off the very supports helping the healing process, which can be very frustrating for concerned owners.

Enter Pet Flex No Chew Bandages. These bandages are flexible and sturdy and are designed to stay in place without sticking painfully to your pet's hair or skin. The bandages tear off easily by hand so you can apply them quickly and easily to sprains, sore spots, or even to cushion scratches and other surface abrasions. Most importantly, these bandages have a bitter taste designed to prevent your dog for biting and tearing the bandage off. This allows your dog's injury to heal on its own, preventing you and your dog from further stress.

Anti-Barking Behavior Aides

Unwanted barking can be a nuisance for many different reasons, especially if you live in a high-occupancy neighborhood. In addition to your regular training routines, you may want to try some behavior aides specifically designed to stop or reduce barking. Sentry Stop That! Noise & Pheromone Spray employs a patented combination of sound and pheromones to stop barking and aggression in your dog. Simply spray 12-18 inches from your dog's face at the first sign of barking. The spray will make a hissing noise while releasing Interomone, a powerful chemical that will calm your dog instantly. This combination has been proving to work on 97% of pets tested, making it a sure choice for your dog.

For a slightly more hands-on approach, consider the SpraySense Anti-Bark Collar With Citronella. This gentle, yet effective collar releases a burst of natural citronella scent when your dog begins barking. The unusual smell will distract your dog from barking, allowing you to take control to calm and direct your dog towards more appropriate behavior. The citronella is totally harmless, but be sure to test your dog's sensitivity to possible allergies before use.

When your dog is hurt or stressed, take control and calm them with firm but gentle guidance, and the use of behavior aides. For more generalized anxiety and misbehavior, be sure to check out our full line of orally administrated anti-anxiety drops and chews, which can be especially helpful during periods of routine change, like a household move.

Planning Tips for Pet Travel

Taking your furry friend on a vacation can be a great experience for both you and your pet. It allows you, as an owner quality time with your pet outside of the normal home environment and helps save money on expensive pet boarding, which itself can cause stress for your pet. Pet Health Market has put together a list of pet travelling tips to make for an easier and less stressful adventure with your pet!

DO: Pack a Pet Suitcase

Your companion’s packing list may not be as long as your own but if you pack a pet bag the trip will go a lot smoother for all parties. First, bring your pet’s normal food and water supply. Your pet’s digestive system is accustom to their normal food and changing a diet can cause some messy consequences. When travelling, your pet might get sick drinking from unfamiliar and unsanitary water sources. Starting with a robust supply of water from home and replenishing with sanitary water over the trip will gradually introduce the new water to your pet in a safe way.

When travelling away from home, a pet’s packing list should also include the following items: familiar bedding and blankets, toys, plastic bags, grooming supplies, health records, any medications and treats. Pet Health Market carries a chewable ProQuiet Calming Supplement that helps maintain a healthy nervous system and attitude in dogs and cats. The flavored tablets are perfect for anxious and stressed travelling pets and can be taken before or during travel. You wouldn’t go on vacation without a bag, so don’t forget your pet’s luggage, either!

DO: Buckle Up

Now… we don’t mean that your dog or cat should be using the human seatbelts but all pets should be properly secured. To keep pet and human passengers safe while in motion, all pets should be secured in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. These will keep the animals in one safe place and limit distractions to a human driver. All pet carriers should be large enough for the pet to sit, stand and comfortably turn around. If using a crate or pet carrier you should familiarize your pet with the enclosure before the trip, perhaps even making shorter drives to build your pet’s confidence in the carrier.

DO: Have Up to Date Pet ID and Vaccinations

Having your pet equipped with accurate identification tags should always be a priority. This is even more important when travelling away from home where you and your pet are unfamiliar with the surroundings. Make sure your pet wears a collar with an imprinted tag containing a home address but also a travel tag including cell phone numbers and other relevant destination information.

Before travelling, make sure your pet is up to date with all shots and vaccinations. Aside from the legal requirement of regular rabies shots, some vacation destinations may require additional vaccinations for safe pet travel. Pet Health Market’s inventory of pet vaccines are great choices for pet owners not squeamish around needles. A visit to your local vet can also save you time and frustration of dealing with an unfamiliar veterinarian should a medical issue arise when on the road.

If you are making a cross country trip with your best buddy or just spending a weekend at the in-laws, we hope the pet vacationing tips will make for a more enjoyable and less stressed adventure for you and your pet!

Bone and Joint Health: A Major Issue for Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets

While more commonly associated with afflictions like osteoporosis and arthritis in humans, joint health is actually a much larger concern for household pets and animals in general. In the same way that it's easy for humans to suddenly find themselves less flexible and mobile, pets can easily begin to feel the effects of age when their joints become a bit painful, less flexible, and more of a burden. Their activity levels may suffer, and the problem may compound itself as they gain weight and place more stress on their joints. There are a few common causes of joint problems in pets, and a number of great remedies for those problems in most cases.

The Common Causes: Why Do Pets' Joints Suffer Health Problems?

One of the most common conditions to affect dogs and cats that have been domesticated is arthritis. This largely genetic disease causes joints to become increasingly less flexible and mobile, and the cat or dog will show a noticeable decrease in activity. Arthritis can also have a rather negative impact on the pet's quality of life, inflicting near constant pain as their joints become less and less healthy.

Other issues that can have a negative impact on the joint health of domesticated pets include frequent exercise and overeating. These might sound as though they run counter to each other, but both, in fact, can become problematic depending on the animal’s lifestyle. In cases of excessive exercise, repetitive stress can actually weaken joints or make them more susceptible to the effects of arthritis.

Overeating has a number of negative side effects, not the least of which is a form of diabetes that uniquely affects pets. Diabetes can seriously weaken joints, and it can lead to arthritis in many pets. Furthermore, overeating leads to pets that are overweight, and that means placing more stress on joints during every movement.

Treating the Problem: Choosing the Right Supplements and Treatments for Joint Issues

Just like their human owners, pets have access to a number of great treatments and supplements that can help get rid of joint problems - or stave off future issues with joint health. For cats, a number of soft chews are available to help promote joint health and strength. Best of all, they're basically treats. That makes it a great way to promote great health and a great relationship with the cat. Other supplements are available, too, like GlycoFlex nutritional supplements and NaturVet joint support gel.

Dogs can also avoid joint problems by being fed a few simple treats and supplements. PhyCox Small Bites for Dogs allows man's best friend to enjoy a treat while supplementing the vitamins and minerals that promote healthy joints. NaturVet and Greenies both make extensive lines of pills, treats, and other supplements, that can ensure the integrity of a dog's joints from their youngest days right through old age.

Owners of large animals can also help their pets from experiencing the pain resulting from decreasing bone and joint health. Horses and other large animals can be treated with LubriSyn, a joint supplement that helps flexibility and overall health. Kinetic Conquer and OsteoChon both produce joint care and cartilage health options that keep larger animals in good health throughout their lives. And a number of other companies offer extensive lines of gels, powders, and treats, to keep large animals like horses in great health throughout their lives.

Great Care Can Avoid Great Pain

Paying attention to a pet's activities and diet, as well as their likelihood to develop arthritis, can make all the difference in attempting to these health problems. With the right activities, diet, treats, and supplements, good bone and joint health will come easily to pets of all types and sizes.

Product Review: Cat Pheromone Collar

One of the top selling products at Pet Health Market, this pheromone collar helps ease cats’ anxiety, modify behavior and much more. The way the pheromone collar works is that the collar releases pheromones similar to those a mother cat would produce to calm down her kitties. As recognizable scents, this emission reassures the cats through tense situations (like storms, loud noises, new visitors or when experiencing separation anxiety). Let your kitty lead a stress-free and happy life throughout times of trouble with an effective pheromone cat collar. This collar is just $10.76 online from Pet Meds Supplier, Pet Health Market. You and your feline will love it!