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Filtered by tag ('health and wellbeing')

How to Keep Fleas and Ticks at Bay

 by jaime on 19 Oct 2018 |
3 Comment(s)
No matter what type of dog you own or what other pets you have in the home, you need to make sure those animals are protected from fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks are more than a mere annoyance - they can cause serious health problems as well. Taking the time to shop for the best flea and tick products is the best way to make sure all your animals are protected and healthy. Use Flea and Tick Products    Frontline  Frontline is one of the most popular flea and tick protection products for dog owners. This once a month protection is applied directly to the animal's skin, generally between the shoulder blades.    One of the advantages of Frontline protection is that it kills not only adult fleas and ticks, but flea and tick eggs and larvae as well. If you have cats in the home, you can purchase Frontline for cats and protect them as well.   K9 Advantix K9 Advantix by Bayer Animal Health is one of the most popular flea and tick protection products on the market as it's very accessible and affordable to dog owners.    K9 Advantix kills fleas and ticks, but it also kills mosquitoes - an important consideration for pet owners in many parts of the country. K9 Advantix is a spot-on program, with dog owners applying it in three or four spots along the animal's back, after first parting the hair so that the protection is applied directly to the skin. Maintain Good Hygiene   Flea Shampoos In addition to using flea and tick protection products, using natural flea shampoos is another option dog owners have for keeping their pets ticks and fleas at bay. In order to work effectively, the dog must be bathed regularly with a medicated shampoo that repels fleas and ticks. This topical treatment should be combined with regular vacuuming of the home to remove flea eggs and larvae.    Be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner bag immediately after cleaning the house to make sure the flea larvae and eggs are not inadvertently returned to the home. Using flea brushes and flea combs on a regular basis is important as well, and using flea shampoos, careful vacuuming and flea combs is an excellent way to keep those parasites at bay.   By using these products and practicing proper animal hygiene, you can keep those creepy crawlies at bay and increase the comfort level of all the pets in your home. Treating all of the pets in your home with quality flea and tick products is the best way to protect yourself and your four legged friends. Want to protect your furry friend from nasty fleas and ticks? Our online store stocks heavily discounted (up to 50% off) flea and tick products, including Frontline and K9 Advantix.   Image credit

Know Your Enemy (The Flea)

 by zack on 19 Oct 2018 |
No Comment
There is an unbreakable rule of war: Know Your Enemy. Know them inside and out, what their weaknesses are, their schedules, where they sleep, what they eat, and their greatest fears. To establish true mastery over a foe, one must become intimately aware of all that they are. Make no mistake, if you wish to win the war against parasites your greatest weapon will always be knowledge.  Knowing how a flea operates is the quickest and surest way to lead your enemy to an untimely and immediate end. Some Strange Facts about Nature’s Tiniest Vampires To know your enemy, you must first know what they do and where they do it. For example, did you know that most fleas spend nearly 80% of their time off of their host? They really only bed down on a playful pup or curious cat at meal time. Furthermore, once they’ve reached full maturity, they can survive up to 2 years between meals. That means treating your pet and its surroundings is the best way to keep flea bites at bay. The basic facts about fleas are obvious: excellent jumpers, they suck blood, flea bites are itchy, etc. However, there is much more to these insectoid Draculas than a shallow evaluation would suggest. There are over 2000 different varieties of fleas. These varieties are classified mostly for the type of hosts they inhabit. Strangely enough, fleas are like connoisseurs. They only go for one kind of prey, a sort of interspecies brand loyalty that even Apple executives would have to envy. Flea Bites Flea bites can significantly lower a pet’s quality of life. A flea bite has its obvious effect: a swollen itchy bump that can leave a pet tearing out chunks of hair in frustration. However, the damage it can do isn’t limited to an itchy inconvenience. Flea bites have been known to cause allergic reactions due to flea saliva, significant hair loss sometimes leading to Hotspots, and in rare cases even Anemia. Inhumane Treatment for Bloodsuckers There are two main types of treatment for eradicating fleas: Tablets and Topicals. Topicals are the preferred method of flea control for most pet owners due to the ease of application and overall efficacy. One drop of a topical will translocate across a dog or cat’s skin via the sebaceous system, (these are the glands that secrete oil in mammals,) and circulate through the animal’s blood stream as well, often killing intestinal or arterial parasites as part of the bargain. Tablets work by interrupting the flea life cycle. The prevent flea eggs from hatching into larvae. Once you’ve determined the best method for your pet you only need to point and click your way to a purchase at a reasonable price. Now that you know your enemy, it’s time to stop flea bites in their tracks and unleash the hounds, if you catch my drift. Pick up the spot on topical or tablet that best suits your pet today.  

Dog Joint Health

 by lucy on 12 Jun 2017 |
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As dogs age, they can encounter joint problems just like their human owners. Arthritis, a catch-all term for abnormal joint change, is common in older dogs but can occur in dogs of all ages when there are complications in bone and joint growth, congenital defects and infection. While not life-threatening, arthritis might cause your canine companion discomfort that ranges from mild to debilitating. If your pooch is limping, obviously stiff, less keen to exercise, has trouble getting up from sitting or lying down or seems to be in pain when moving, he or she might be suffering from some kind of joint problem, the most common being arthritis. Other symptoms might include increased pain or stiffness during bouts of cold or damp weather, or gentle licking at painful joints. These symptoms might not be obvious at first, but it is important to look out for them in order to treat arthritis in its early stages to avoid it worsening so your dog can still enjoy pain-free walks, playtime, and naps. Joint disease in dogs has many potential causes: 1) Fractures that affect or involve the joint in question 2) Congenital, metabolic and developmental disorders 3) Dietary and hormonal disorders 4) Degenerative and inflammatory disease Fortunately for your furry friend, there are lots of options when it comes to treating joint disease. Weight management, exercise and providing warm, soft sleeping areas are all effective ways of reducing your pooch’s pain, but there are many effective oral treatments to treat joint disease. These treatments are used in treating both human and canine arthritis - they might have different names, but they work the same way! The active ingredients promote cartilage regeneration in damaged areas and prevent enzymes from unnecessarily dissolving cartilage, alleviating pain and promoting smoother joint movement in order to reduce the effects of arthritis.   Fortunately, pet bucket now stocks a variety of excellent supplements for doggy joint pain and stiffness, from major leading brands. Click here to see our stock from your trusted supplier

Revolution Possible Side Effects for Dogs

 by zack on 02 Jun 2017 |
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Revolution has earned itself a reputation for providing quick acting and long lasting pest treatments for canines of all kinds. Revolution protects your dog from fleas, heartworms, scabies, ticks and ear mites, which makes it a powerful monthly pest treatment.   And because Revolution is so powerful, it's important that we as caring pet owners, do our part to check on the side effects and possible adverse reactions that some dogs might experience with their first use of Revolution, or with a possible overdose.   Thankfully, most of our homework has been done for us, by the FDA and the scientists and canines who dedicate themselves to testing products like Revolution, to make sure they are safe and effective.   Before we move into talking about the side effects, it's important that we go over some precautions mentioned by the FDA and Revolution themselves:   - Prior to using Revolution for your dog, make sure your canine has been tested for existing heartworm infections. If they have one, the parasite treatment can adversely effect your dog's health, and you'll want to stick with a vet's advice for what medications to use to help them get rid of the heartworms before you get proactive with Revolution.   Some of the common side effects noted with Revolution for Dogs:   Drooling Inflammation Mild Lethargy Mild Hair Loss Digestive Upset Appetite Changes Hyperactivity/Agitation   Side effects that warrant a vet visit:   Ataxia Anorexia Dehydration Hypertension Bloody Stools Tremors/Seizures   Most of these side effects occur in less than 1% of Revolution protected dogs, though they can still happen, and in some very rare cases, using Revolution can also lead to death.

The Ultimate Flea Prevention Guide When Facing An Infestation in Your Home

 by ben on 19 May 2017 |
1 Comment(s)
We’ve seen dogs with fleas covering their entire bodies and cats that suffer from tapeworms caused by flea bites. Not only will these tiny pests torment your pets, they will also spread around your home and affect other family members too. Armed with the ability to multiply rapidly (up to 50 eggs per day!), you’ll have a hard time getting rid of them. While some pet owners are ill-equipped to deal with flea infestations, others simply don’t understand the urgency. Some of the common questions we get from our customers are: what do fleas look like? what problems or diseases will they cause? do they pose a problem to affect humans? how to check for fleas on my dogs and cats? where do they hide around my home? what are the best flea treatments? how to prevent another flea outbreak in the future? According to a pet health report done by Banfield Pet Hospital, fleas are the most common form of external parasites (even more than ticks). Since 2006, there has been an increase in flea infestation cases and they are concentrated in the south-eastern states. Besides potentially causing allergic reactions in the furry hosts, these nasty bugs can also pass on harmful diseases with zoonotic risk. Imagine how much you will have to pay for medical bills (vet & hospital) and pest control! That’s why we have gathered some of the best free resources around the web to answer your questions, and keep your pets (and yourself!) safe from flea infestations. Introducing The Ultimate Flea Prevention Guide This ultimate guide is a curated collection of blog posts, articles, and reports for any pet parents. You’ll learn what fleas are, problems they cause, how to identify them (in various places), how to remove and prevent them. Just click on the chapter you are interested in reading and the page will scroll to that section.   Contents Part 1: Fleas Essentials Chapter 1: Fleas and Their Life Cycle Chapter 2: The Danger Lurking Inside Fleas Part 2: How to Check for Fleas Chapter 3: Recognize the Symptoms on Your Family Members Chapter 4: The 411 on Fleas and Your Canine Companion Chapter 5: How to Spot Fleas on Cats Chapter 6: Where Do Fleas Hide in Your Home Part 3: Treating and preventing fleas Chapter 7: Treating Your Family Members Chapter 8: Flea Treatment and Prevention for Dogs Chapter 9: Flea Treatment and Prevention for Cats Chapter 10: Indoor, Outdoor, and Car   Part 1: Fleas Essentials Image Credit Chapter 1: Fleas and Their Life Cycle Do you know only 5% of fleas live in the environment as adults? The rest are in various stages of their life cycle. To avoid a relapse of infestation, you’ll need to understand their life cycles: What do fleas look like? | Orkin What’s the difference between fleas and ticks? | Pet Guide Types of Fleas | Ehrlich The life cycle of a flea | R.I.P Fleas The flea life cycle and how it guides effective flea control and prevention | Pet Informed Chapter 2: The Danger Lurking Inside Fleas Although flea itself is not lethal, its ability to host diseases is. Throughout history, fleas have been the main catalyst for major plagues, such as the infamous Black Death which devastated Europe during the 13th century: Dog flea diseases | Pet Basics from Bayer The Dangers of Fleas in Dogs | Pet Place Flea-associated illnesses in cats | DVM360 Fleas: A source of torment for your cat | Cornell University Diseases transmitted by fleas | Ehrlich What are the dangers of flea infestations to an infant? | Livestrong Plague: Ecology and Transmission | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Part 2: How to Check for Fleas Image Credit Chapter 3: Your Family Members Aren’t Safe Either Just as your pets are vulnerable to flea bites, so are your family members. Although humans are typically not flea’s natural host, they’re more than happy to feed on us. Keep an eye out for the symptoms: Can people get fleas from their pets? | The Bug Squad Can fleas live on people? | ThoughtCo Flea bite symptoms | Fleabites What does a flea bite look like on human | Fleas Be Gone Chapter 4: The 411 on Fleas and Your Canine Companion Dogs are one of the most common victims of fleas. Your canine companion may encounter them in the yard, on walks, at the groomer, or even in the house. It’s important to know how to check your dog and his environment for signs of infestation: How do dogs get fleas? | Animal Friends 5 ways to check your dog for fleas | PetBucket 3 simple ways to check your dog for fleas at home | Puppy Leaks What is flea dirt and what does it look like? | Petsho Chapter 5: How to Spot Fleas on Cats When people think of flea infestation on pets, they usually think about dogs only. Well, as the name suggests, the cat flea loves to feed on kitty cats just as much as they love to snack on dogs. This section will teach you how to check for fleas on your felines: How did my indoor cat get fleas? | Petcha How to tell if your cat has fleas | PetBucket Physical signs and symptoms of flea infestation on cats | Delightibles How to check cats for fleas: 13 steps (with pictures) | wikiHow Chapter 6: Where Do Fleas Hide in Your Home Fortunately, fleas leave behind a trail of evidence in their wake. From bites to flea dirt, there are many signs to look out for around your home: Where do fleas hide? | Long Time No Flea Do fleas live in grass? | Flea Science How can you detect a flea infestation? | Beaphar Flea inspection guide | DoMyOwn Part 3: Treating and preventing fleas Image Credit Chapter 7: Treating Your Family Members If you know what you’re looking for/at, it’s easy to spot flea bites on yourself or your family member. Take a close look at some pictures and detailed profiles of symptoms to ensure that you’ll be ready to remove and prevent fleas: Flea bites on humans: Symptoms and treatment | Den Garden Pictures of flea bites on humans: Symptoms and treatments | Get Rid Pests Flea bites on babies: Symptoms, causes, and home remedies | Flea Bites Info Chapter 8: Flea Treatment and Prevention for Dogs When it comes to prevention, we stock some great flea treatments (from popular brands) that can help keep your dog safe. We also included some natural preventive methods below as an alternative. A word of warning, you should always speak to a veterinarian before giving any treatments to your dog: Flea treatments for dogs | PetBucket Fleas: detection, treatment, & prevention | Cesar's Way Puppy flea treatment – Best practices | My Sweet Puppy Flea and tick medicine for puppies | American Kennel Club 6 ways to naturally prevent and get rid of fleas on dogs | Everyday Roots Chapter 9: Flea Treatment and Prevention for Cats We offer a wide range of flea treatments for feline too! Just as the case is with canines, there are alternative methods available for treating fleas on your cat. Again, always speak with a vet before making any final decisions: Flea treatments for cats | PetBucket Fleas on your cat? Here's how to handle the problem | The Spruce Pets Fleas and flea control in cats | International Cat Care How to safely remove fleas from kittens | Petful 5 natural ways to prevent & get rid of fleas on cats | Everyday Roots Chapter 10: Indoor, Outdoor, and Car Not sure how to go about getting rid of fleas in problematic areas outside of the house? We’ve got you covered. From the car to the dog bed, and back out into the yard, we’ve found you a comprehensive list of resource information on how to spot, remove, and prevent fleas in and around your home: Best ways of getting rid of fleas: A complete guide of effective flea control | Stop Pest Info How to de-flea your home | PetBucket Controlling fleas and ticks around your home | Environmental Protection Agency How to kill fleas in a home: 13 steps (with pictures) | wikiHow Your backyard wildlife habitat: Begin in spring to control fleas | Patch How to control fleas and ticks outside | WebMD Outside flea removal: In 4 easy steps | Fleas B Gone How to kill fleas in a car | Advantage Pest Control We hope our guide to flea prevention for your home. What did you think of the guide? Or maybe you still have an unanswered question. Feel free to let us know by leaving a quick comment below right now. Feature image credit

Making Veterinary Visits Less Stressful For You and Your Cat

 by michele on 30 Sep 2016 |
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Most owners and cats alike, dread the thought of a visit to the vet. Not only will the cat have to be placed in a carrier, it may also have to travel by car and encounter unfamiliar places, people and animals. Here are some simple tips to make the experience less stressful for both you and your feline friend. Image credit   Socialise your cat Being familiar with only you or other members of your household may make your cat fearful of strangers. Introduce your young kitten to as many people as possible. Also try to get your cat used to being handled as they would during a vet examination. Gently touch your cat’s paws, look into its ears, open its mouth, and run your hands over its legs and body similar to what they may encounter during a vet visit.   The cat carrier Cats generally do not like cat carriers but they tend to be the easiest way to transport them. Choose a carrier that is sturdy and secure but also easy for you to carry. Keep a carrier out and open in your home so your cat can investigate it or even play in it, allowing them to develop a positive association with the cage. Put some food and treats, their favourite toys, or blankets inside to entice them into the carrier.    Image credit   The car Take your cat on short trips in the car to get it used to travelling and make sure the destination is not always the vet clinic. Drive slowly without braking hard and seat-belt the carrier into the car to reduce the bumpiness of the ride. If possible, do not feed your cat for several hours prior to travel to decrease the chance that your cat will get carsick.   The waiting room The vet’s waiting room can be a pretty scary place for a cat, so cover the carrier with a towel or blanket to help reduce visual stimulation. Try to sit away from dogs and if your cat is showing signs of stress, ask if there is another room that you and your cat can wait in. Cats can sense our anxiety and frustrations so try to keep calm despite any stress or delay.    Image credit   Mobile vets If your cat is extremely unwell or stressed, another option is to find a mobile vet. Ask your vet if they offer or can recommend a mobile vet that can come to your location.         

All About Feline Periodontal Disease

 by alexandra on 10 Mar 2015 |
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Sounds very medical and scary doesn't it? Periodontal disease! But what exactly is it? Put simply, it is a form of gum disease and is one of the most common diseases in cats these days. Your cat can be affected by this if food particles and bacteria accumulate in the gumline to form plaque and if not cleaned can transform into claculus. This causes irritation and gingivitis which can make the gums infected and puss-filled. This will cause stinky breath and much pain and irritation for your kitty. Gum disease starts with an inflammed tooth which develops into gingivitis. You may notice that the gum will also recede slowly to expose more tooth and root. You will need to see your vet if the whole rooth and tooth is exposed but try and treat the problem beforehand.   Your vet will need to x-ray your cat as the disease tends to hide under the gums. Up to 60 percent of the symptoms are hidden beneath the gum line. X-rays will reveal loss of density and sharpness of the root socket. In more advanced stages, it will reveal loss of bone support around the root of the affected tooth. The treatment for gum disease depends on the cat and how advanced the periodontal disease is. Early stages of the disease will mean controlling plaque and preventing bacteria from making a home in your cats mouth. A more vigilent dental care routine may be given to you by your vet. This can be achieved by brushing teeth daily with pet toothpaste, a professional cleaning and possibly even prescribed flouride. In later stages treatment can involve a professional cleaning the space between the gums and the teeth plus the application of antibiotics. However if the gum disease is in the advanced stages you may have to concider bone replacement, splinting and even tissue regeneration treatments. However it is important to remember that prevention is always better than treatment or a cure so ensure you are on top of your feline friend's dental health. A daily brush, a healthy diet and regular vet check-ups will go a long way to prevent getting periodontal disease. Feature Image Credit  

Dealing With Dogs With Incontinence

 by alexandra on 04 Mar 2015 |
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Most people assume that dogs become incontinent with age and while some senior dogs may lose control of their bladders, age is not always the cause. It is important to diagnose incontinence properly so to do this you will need to go to your vet and allow him or her to examine your pooch. This may involve some urine and blood tests, however if the tests come back free of bacteria or infection the cause may be behavioural. Dogs who urinate when they are fearful are NOT incontinent. This behaviour is called submissive urination and most dogs outgrow this behaviour. However older dogs may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction which is when the pooch simply forgets his or her toilet training. This is not incontinence but part of a dementia diagnosis. If particular cultures grow in the tests done by the vet, they can then treat the incontinence. The most common cause of canine incontinence is a bladder infection and there are several types of treatments and antibiotics to treat this to get your pooch feeling happy and healthy again. Remember that just like us, when prescribed a course of antibiotics in order to work effectively the course needs to be completed, regardless of whether the symptoms have disappeared. If treatments have not been successful your vet may suggest surgical intervention in the form of a colposuspension and cystourethropexy. In laymans terms the surgery repositions the bladder neck in female dogs in the intraabdominat cavity so that the wall muscles can work on the bladder and the urethra, this enables your dog to control when she urinates. The Cytourethropexy is the male version of the surgery. They have about a 50 per cent success rate in patients but relapses can occur with time. It is important to discuss whether or not these are good options for your dog.

Dogs And Their Stinky Breath

 by alexandra on 02 Mar 2015 |
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We've all experienced that absolutely horrible stinky breath after being given a big wet one by our dogs. And of course our instinct is to gag and then tell Fido just how aweful that smelled. However bad breath can be an indicator that something is not going right in your dogs belly or inside his or her mouth. Bad breath is the result of odor-producing bacteria in your dog's mouth, lungs or even their gut. If the smelly breath is ever-present then it may be a warning sign that your pooch needs better dental care or that he needs a check-up by the vet to ensure nothing more sinister is going on in his stomach, liver or kidneys. If you've tried to improve your dog's dental health by brushing their teeth and giving them dental bones to help aid their pearly whites then it might be time for your vet to start his or her investigation. Don't succumb to the old school way of thought that dogs just have smelly breath. A simple physical exam may find the cause, however in some cases some extra lab work may be needed in the form of a blood test, a swab of his or her mouth or even a stool sample. These will determine just where the problem is and how to treat it. Treatment will depend on what your vet diagnoses. If plaque is the cause your pooch may need a professional teeth cleaning which most vets offer. Sometimes diet may be the cause and you will need to change your dogs diet to suit. A balanced diet of quality meats and grain and filler-free dry kibble will help keep his or her insides happy. But if these aren't the treatments rest assured that your vet will give you the best advice on how to tackle this stinky problem. Here are a few preventative tips to help avoid another stinky kiss from your pup: Get regular check-ups with your vet. Brush your pet's teeth frequently using doggy toothpaste. Feed your dog grain and filler-free food to make digestion easier. Give your pooch hard and safe chew toys to help clean their teeth. Choose dental specific treats that will help your dogs dental health Feature Image Credit

WATCH: Assistance Dogs Four Legged Carers

 by alexandra on 27 Feb 2015 |
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Many people know about Guide Dogs or Seeing Eye Dogs but not many people realise that there are some very special pups being trained to help the physically disabled, the elderly and even those who suffer from autism. That's a huge job for these gorgeous labs but they are definitely up for the challenge. The things they achieve and the freedom and independence they give their owners is priceless.  Have you heard of Assistance Dogs before?
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