by  http://www.petparents.com

Choosing the right day care/pet boarding facility is paramount in providing pet owners with peace of mind while on vacation. You wouldn’t just drop your child at daycare without touring the facility. It should be the same with your pet. First and foremost – take a tour of the facility.

During your tour, ask yourself:

• Do the dogs coming into the kennel seem excited to be there?
• Do the pets look happy/seem well cared for?
• Does the staff seem knowledgeable and caring?
• Does the facility look and smell clean (not like wet dog)?

Know the right questions to ask:

• Are dogs required to be current on vaccinations and parasite (flea/tick/heartworm) preventative product?
• Are pets checked for fleas upon drop-off?
• What veterinary services are available?
• How often do they clean cages, exercise animals?
• How do they handle pet emergencies?
• How often are pets fed? Can the owner bring a pet’s special food?
• Are other services available such as grooming, training, bathing, massage?

Walk away from any facility that doesn’t:

• Ask for your veterinarian’s name and contact information
• Ask about your pet’s vaccinations or parasite control products
• Have a plan for what to do in case of a pet emergency
• Smell or look clean

Here are some tips for preparing yourself and your pet for the separation:

• Leave behinds. Favorite toys or blankets can be lost during playtime or as the facility’s laundry is being done. So, if you do leave something with your pet, make sure it is something you or your pet can live without.
• Do a trial run. Consider short, overnight stays at the kennel prior to an extended boarding stay to help your pet get used to boarding.
• No pre-board binges. Don’t overfeed your pet right before going to the kennel. The extra food is not really necessary and the result might be an upset stomach.
• Parasite protection. Make sure your pet is current on parasite control treatments (such as K9 Advantix® flea, tick and mosquito control for dogs or Advantage® flea control for dogs and cats).
• Don’t overcompensate. Prior to boarding, show your pet a bit less attention than usual. That may be painful for you in the short-term, but if you start overcompensating for your coming absence with lavished affection, your loss will be more keenly felt by your pet.
• Stay cool. Don’t get over-emotional at the drop-off or pick-up. The scene you cause can really stress out some pets since they can sense and reflect our emotions. If any family members won’t be able to control themselves, leave them at home.

Before you bring your pet home from the kennel, consider the following tips to make their return home as happy as your own:

• Settle in first. Unpack and get everything settled at home before going to the kennel. Open up the house, get back the familiar smells, and relax for a bit if possible. You want your pet to come home to the house he remembers.
• Remain calm. Don’t go crazy when you pick your pet up. If you don’t stay calm, your pet may pee all over you when he mirrors your excitement. Act as though nothing has happened and it’ll make future boarding easier.
• Give them the once-over. Upon pick-up, make sure your pet looks okay. Also, visually inspect your pet for fleas, ticks, cuts and scratches.
• No bingeing (again). Limit the intake of food and water for the first 24 hours. Pets (especially dogs) given the opportunity will eat and drink everything in reach.
• Zzzzzzzz. Pets may sleep a lot for several days because they have been up all night barking and partying with all their friends.
• Don’t worry, be happy. If your dog is depressed and not happy to see you, it’s probably just because he’s had a good time at the kennel. Try not to take it personally.

All pets including cats, dogs and horses are at risk for dehydration, especially in the warm months. Pets at higher risk include older or very young ones, pregnant, nursing or sick animals. Dogs may overdo it when exercising with you and physically drain themselves, leading to a problem. Keep an eye on the animals to prevent it. If you do suspect dehydration, then try these suggestions.

Look for visible signs. These symptoms include sunken eyes, exhaustion or dry mouth.

original acticle from: http://www.cesarsway.com

Socializing is an important part of any dog’s routine. With summer upon us and longer, warmer days ahead, you and your dog will have endless opportunities to get outside and make new friends. There are some friends, however, you don’t want your dog to make: fleas and heartworms.

Fleas

Fleas may be tiny, but they’re no small problem. A single adult female flea can lay up to 1200 offspring in one month and can lay up to 2000 eggs in her lifetime (up to 170 days).[2] These eggs are smooth, and they fall off your dog, landing all over your home. They eventually hatch and develop into adult fleas that then lay eggs of their own, and the cycle continues.

Part of being an effective pack leader is taking care of your dog’s physical health and doing all you can to help protect him or her against fleas. Help protect your pack by treating them every month with FRONTLINE® Plus.

Keep in mind that treatment won’t hinder your dog from enjoying all that summer has to offer. FRONTLINE® Plus is actually waterproof and remains effective even after swimming. It also helps protect dogs against ticks, and it’s approved for puppies as young as eight weeks old, which is important because fleas don’t discriminate against age.

Learn more about fleas.

Heartworms

Mosquitoes don’t discriminate either, which is why every dog is at risk of contracting heartworm disease – one of the most dangerous diseases a dog can contract. Unlike other worms, heartworms are spread by mosquitoes that carry heartworm larvae, which means that all dogs are at risk, especially in summer.

Heartworms stay in the body, so signs of an infection may be invisible to you. The only way to determine if your dog has heartworms is to take him or her to your vet for a heartworm test. Treatment can cost a thousand dollars or more, and it can take months of arsenic-based shots, close observation, and crating. Sadly, even after treatment, some dogs don’t survive.

Talk to your vet about helping to prevent heartworm disease with HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel). HEARTGARD® Plus is easy to give because it comes in the form of a tasty, Real-Beef Chewable that your dog will actually look forward to receiving.

1 MDI Data
2 Dryden, M.W., The cat flea: biology, ecology and control. Vet parasitology. 1994; 52:1-19.

HEARTGARD is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Following the use of HEARTGARD, digestive and neurological side effects have rarely been reported. For more information, contact your veterinarian or visit www.HEARTGARD.com. Product Information

by the American Animal Hospital Association

Fifi comes prancing out of the groomer’s, one delicate paw in front of the next. Blue ribbons tied to his ears, his tail cut into a tidy little pompom. He’s perfectly pretty-maybe too perfect to be playing fetch in the backyard, you worry.

Grooming your pets doesn’t mean that they have to be made-up and untouchable; it simply means that you’re taking good care of their health by keeping a watchful eye on their hygiene. Pets, like humans, are more likely to remain healthy when they are clean and well groomed. Contrary to popular belief, dogs and cats are not wild animals; they require regular grooming attention to keep them healthy in their domestic environments. One of the major benefits of a regular grooming regimen is that you will become familiar with your pet’s body. This allows you to quickly recognize problems with his health, so you can bring them to your veterinarian’s attention sooner. Remember that you should seek help from your veterinarian if you think that your pet will be difficult to groom alone.

Basic brushing
Brushing your furred friend removes dead hair and skin, spreads out natural oils in their coat, and helps keep them from developing an odor. It is one of the simplest things you can do for your dog or cat, but it is also one of the most necessary. A variety of brushes and combs are available-make sure that you use one appropriate for your pet’s coat. How often you brush them depends on whether they have long or short hair. For animals with short hair, a weekly brushing may be enough to keep their coat in good order. Critters with longer locks require more frequent sessions with the brush. And some breeds require daily attention to keep their tresses in good condition.

Cats are well known for their exemplary grooming habits, but even they need a weekly brushing. In fact, brushing your kitty is great for his health because it helps prevent hairballs, keeping his digestive track healthy. During shedding seasons, increase your brushing frequency as needed to remove the excess dead hair.

Exceptional ears
Ears are a prime place for infection-keeping your little buddy’s ears clean is a great way to prevent illness. Regularly pick up his ear flaps and examine the inside. Make sure that they are a healthy pink color. If everything looks good, wipe the outer flap of the ear with a cotton ball, being careful not to touch any part of the ear that you cannot easily see. If you notice any symptoms (sensitivity to touch; brown, black, or yellow discharge; foul odor; shaking or continuously tilting head; or circling in one direction) take your pet to the veterinarian to have his ears examined. Another option for cleaning the ears is to use a liquid ear cleanser. But never use an ear cleanser on your pet if you have noticed what could be a problem. The cleansers could cause severe damage if your pet has an inner ear infection or if something has damaged his ear drum.

Tip-top teeth
Routine dental care is essential to your pet’s overall good health. Approximately 80 percent of all three-year-old cats and dogs show some sign of periodontal disease, characterized by a build-up of plaque and tarter on their teeth above and below the gum line. This disease can lead to gum infection and tooth loss. Your pet’s poor dental hygiene is much more serious than his embarrassingly bad breath-infected gums and dirty teeth have been linked to kidney and secondary heart disease in pets. For information on cleaning your pet’s teeth, consult your veterinarian. In addition to your home care, your veterinarian should perform yearly dental check-ups on your pal; she will let you know when you need to have your pet’s teeth professionally cleaned.

Fantastic Feet
Many of our four-legged friends prefer not to have their paws handled, making nail trimming especially traumatic for them. Like it or not, it still must be done. Try touching his ears or paws when you praise him, and before you know it, your little buddy will love to be handled in those sensitive spots. Indoor cats should have their nails trimmed occasionally whether they use a scratching post or not. Your dog’s claws should not ever extend so far that his nails come in contact with the ground when he’s standing normally on a flat surface. Nails this long place unneeded stress on your pooch’s paws, which in turn can lead to foot problems. Be careful not to trim your critter’s nails too far down; you could cut into the quick (the part of their nail which contains the blood). If you should cut their nails too close, apply pressure or use clotting powder to stop the bleeding. Make sure you use nail clippers designed especially for animals. Cats, for example, have brittle nails that can shatter easily, so it is best to use tools that are designed for them. Here’s an excellent strategy for those who hate the clippers: only cut a nail or two in one sitting. Who said you have to do it all at once? Spread it out over a few days and you’ll lower the stress level immensely.

Extraordinary eyes
Examine your pet’s baby blues often to make sure that everything looks good. You want to ensure that any abnormal conditions are noticed as soon as possible so that your veterinarian can begin treatment immediately. Be extremely careful with your pet’s eyes during all parts of the grooming process. You might consider applying protection, like sterile ophthalmic ointment or drops, to your little buddy’s eyes before bathing. Dogs and cats have very sensitive eyes, and soap-even “tearless” soap-can damage their corneas. Also, trim away any hair that is falling into your animal’s eyes so that it doesn’t inflict damage. Make sure to use blunt scissors (children’s safety scissors are great) when trimming the hair close to their eyes to minimize the chance of injury. If tear staining is a problem, you might consider looking at some of the products available commercially to help you care for your pet, or ask your veterinarian or groomer for advice.

Serious suds
The ever-popular “B” word-few animals feel that bath time is something to celebrate. In fact, the majority of our pets probably dread a bath more than anything else. Nevertheless, sometimes it is a necessary evil. On the bright side, the more often you brush your friend, the less often you will have to subject him to the dreaded bath-time experience. Here are some basics to cover before putting your pet in the water. First, always brush your critter thoroughly before bathing him. Any mats and tangles that your pet may have will only get worse during the bathing process, so take care of those problems in the beginning. Second, protect your pal’s ears by placing cotton inside them. This will avoid getting soap in his ears which could be painful to him. Make sure you have everything you need where you can reach it. After your pal is wet and unhappy, it will be much more difficult to leave him to retrieve the shampoo. And finally, close off all escape routes. This will help you avoid chasing a wet pet around the couch. You may consider putting a towel or screen on the bottom of the tub or sink-if your furred friend has a secured footing he will not be so upset.

Now you’re ready to let the fun begin! Always use shampoo designed especially for your animal. Human shampoo is not made for dogs and cats; it can be harmful to their skin, drying it out and destroying their natural oils. Lather him thoroughly, leaving his face until the end. After you have washed him well, make sure that you rinse him just as well, as leaving soap in his fur can irritate his skin. Towel your little buddy off and rub him down. If he’ll accept it, you can blow dry him. And then finish him off with a good brushing.

Though it might sometimes be a struggle to keep your furry pal in clean condition, it’s well worth it. Not only are you improving his health, you’re bonding with him in the process. He’ll appreciate the attention he’s getting, and you’ll appreciate the lack of fur stuck in your ice cube trays. Good grooming habits are a must for any happy household!

Content provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Visit the AAHA pet owner Web site at www.healthypet.com for more pet care advice and to find an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital near you.