Getting ready for flea season

You have heard that old saying that summer is flea season. Well I have got some news for you. Since our homes are generally heated year round then flea season is when the warm and dry season is here and that could mean warm and dry indoors a well as outside. Fleas love it dry and warm. If it is wet then they move on to where it is dry or at least drier.

With the advent of those spot on flea products for our dogs like Frontline Plus our dogs don't have to suffer the agony of flea dermatitis or scratching themselves raw. As owners we also don't have to worry about flea bombing our homes because those spot on products also serve a double duty. What happens when a dog has a spot on chemical on them, fleas are killed usually within 30 minutes to and hour and any fleas that jump on the dog from their environment are also killed. Fleas that are dead do not reproduce and you end up breaking the flea cycle.

Controlling fleas that way sure does beat washing the dog once a week, shampooing the rugs, flea bombing the house every 30-60 days and using indoor flea powders, sprays and other chemicals. A word of warning, if you use those products be careful about washing your dog. There are shampoos that are made just to be used when dogs are using those flea products. Regular water from rain does little to affect the chemical but washing the dog will.

Flea season doesn't have to be a pain in the butt anymore.

When is a dog fully grown?

I bet you were told that a dog is considered to be fully grown at the age of 2 years old. That is like saying that every person has stopped growing at the age of 17. Like the human growth hormone, the dog's growth hormone is based on their individual genetic makeup. It is also a fact that different dog breeds develop at different rates. So next time someone tells you that dogs take 2 years to become fully grown just smile inside and know that it is not always true.

More wrinkled dogs

Oh my, this dog does have some extra skin folds around those jowls. Cleaning that doggy up after it takes a long cold drink of water must be a mess. I wonder if that breed has any eye problems? Will somebody fetch me some anti wrinkle cream for that dog?

Worms and your dog

A fact of dog ownership is monthly worming. Worms in dogs range from tapeworms, roundworms to the deadly heartworm. My vet gives us a chewy monthly wormer for our dogs, sort of a doggy colon cleanser, if you will, that not only takes care of the intestinal worms but heartworms as well.

Make sure your dog is on a monthly worming plan. You will prevent many health related problems later.