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Protecting pets from fleas, ticks, and heartworm

Protecting pets from fleas, ticks, and heartworm

With the critter season just around the corner, it is natural for pet parents to grow cautious. We do all we can to prevent the infestation of ticks, fleas, heartworm, and other disease-causing parasites. One of the best ways to avoid any of the blood-sucking parasites being home guests is to opt for regular vet appointments. However, there are some natural remedies that can be implemented while waiting for the appointment date to arrive.

Fleas
Fleas cause excessive itching, scratching, and overall annoyance once they latch on to a dog’s fur. If left unresolved, they start laying eggs all around the house, causing a greater nuisance to every resident. Here are certain natural ways to control a flea infestation.

Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar sprays and baths work to repel fleas by balancing the pet’s pH levels. This helps make the environment unsustainable for fleas and healthier for our furry friends.

Essential oils
Essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, citronella, rosemary, and peppermint are all capable of repelling fleas. Diluting a few drops of one of these essential oils in water and regularly spraying it onto the pet’s coat is a convenient way of avoiding any flea infestations.

Ticks
Ticks are small parasitic creatures that can find a home in the fur of our pets. Their ability to cause diseases is something that should not be taken lightly.

Topical spray
There are numerous products in the market that help prevent and get rid of the existing ticks on pets. Topical insecticides in the form of creams, ointments, and sprays are easy to use and highly effective. There are a variety of products that the vet can help choose from.

Tick shampoo
Products like tick shampoos and bath gels are designed to eliminate the parasites effectively with minimal or no irritation in the pets. Regular use of these products, especially during the tick season, can come in handy in preventing infestation. Therefore, looking for products that have a long-lasting effect between uses is ideal for achieving the desired results.

Heartworm
Heartworm are parasitic worms that can grow and live in the heart, blood vessels, and lungs of our pets. They can cause severe damage to these organs, leading to heart failure, lung diseases, and even proving fatal.

Give them garlic
As strange as it sounds, adding garlic to your pet’s food helps prevent heartworm and subsequent infections. This natural prevention tip works well against parasitic invasion. However, it is prudent to consult the vet before starting regular garlic intake. They might even be able to help you out with the right amount of garlic that needs to be used.

Use preventive treatments
You can try to avoid heartworm in pets is by using preventive treatments. Albeit obvious, it is also an underused tip. Consulting the vet for appropriate options based on the pet’s age and size is the right way to go about it.

One of the surest ways of ensuring your pets aren’t infected with any diseases caused by fleas, ticks, and heartworm is by taking them for monthly vet visits. Younger pets might need more frequent visits for vaccinations. After that, it is crucial to follow the doctor’s suggestions. Some commonly prescribed treatments for fleas, ticks, and heartworm include Nexgard® and Heartgard®. Heartgard® prevents heartworms and other intestinal worm infections in pets. It can be safely used in dogs aged six weeks and above. Nexgard® is a beef-flavored chewable that comes in handy in the treatments of three types of ticks.

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Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Black Friday will be here soon, presenting pet parents an opportunity to stock up on food for their feline friends without spending a lot. There will be plenty of discounts from the top pet food brands, including Royal Canin and Purina. But if you cannot wait until then, check out these ten fantastic deals that are available right now. Take your time researching well and pick the healthiest options for your cat! Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Cat food This grain-free recipe ensures your pet gets the proper nourishment and maintains a healthy weight. Besides promoting weight control, it supports the muscles and improves digestive health. The product is already available at a discount of 7% on Chewy, but you can expect a better deal during the year-end sale. Wellness Healthy Indulgence Gravies Grain-free Variety Pack This variety pack makes mealtimes quick and easy. Created by nutritionists and veterinarians, the recipes are enriched with the finest ingredients to promote your cat’s well-being. Petco is offering a discount of 5%, but you can get it at an even lower price by opting for repeat delivery. Tiki Cat Queen Emma Luau Variety-pack Grain-free Canned Cat Food You can save 10% on this variety pack from Tiki Cat at Chewy. It contains unique recipes to boost your cat’s hydration and provide essential vitamins and minerals. The product is excellent for cats with allergies and comes in various flavors, ideal for even the pickiest of eaters. Solid Gold Katz-n-Flocken Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe This delicious dry cat food option from Solid Gold has pearled barley. Your pet will love its taste while benefiting from high-quality and nutritious whole grains. Get it for a discount of 7% at Chewy. Wysong Archetype Burgers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog & Cat Food If you are looking for healthy raw cat food in large quantities, a great option is Wysong Archetype Burgers. It uses high-quality meats and can be fed dry. Save 16% on the 20-oz canister at Chewy. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food If your cat is a fan of salmon, consider this option. It has real salmon as the main ingredient, combined with wholesome brown rice, vegetables, essential vitamins, and minerals. Originally priced at $13.49, you can get this cat food for $11.72 at Chewy. Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food This adult dry cat kibble uses a holistic formula to support your pet cat’s digestion and nutrition needs. It has the taste of real chicken, thanks to the use of certified quality ingredients. Get this dry cat food from Chewy at $28.85 and save 15%. Whiskas CATMILK PLUS Drink for Cats and Kittens After a discount, Walmart sells three counts of this product for $7.53. This protein-rich milk is easy to digest and has essential nutrients for healthy teeth and bones. A lactose-reduced formula makes it suitable for pets with sensitive stomachs. Purina Beyond Mixers+ Immune Support Variety Pack Wet Cat Food Purina is among those cat food brands that use natural ingredients to provide complete and balanced nutrition. This variety pack offers extra support for your furry friend’s immune health and is available in two delicious recipes. Get a discount of 5% at Chewy. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Dry Food for Young Kittens Originally priced at $41.99, you can get this dry food for young kittens for $34.99 at Petco. This easy-to-chew cat kibble from Royal Canin uses an innovative mix to support your kitten’s developing immune system. These are some of the best deals on cat foods ahead of Black Friday 2022. The offers will get better in the coming months, so plan wisely to save the maximum!

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6 kitchen ingredients to manage ticks and fleas on dogs

Parenting pets, such as dogs, is a wonderful experience. However, tick and flea infestations could become every owner's and canine's nightmare. Luckily, there are ways to eliminate and prevent such critters. You could visit a vet to seek prescriptions, flea collars, or for other treatments to rid your dog of these infestations. You could also consult with the vet about using these six kitchen ingredients to reduce ticks and fleas. Apple cider vinegar The combination of apple cider vinegar and salt is the most common kitchen ingredient to ward off ticks and fleas. Using a diluted solution of this combo could help balance your pet's pH levels to make it optimal for their health while making it unsuitable for fleas. To create the solution, mix six cups of apple cider vinegar with four cups of water. Next, add a dash of sea salt, then spray directly onto your dog’s coat. But ensure that you avoid contact with your pet's eyes. Baking soda This ingredient does not need to be applied to your pet's fur; instead, sprinkle it onto the carpet. Once you do this, sweep it from side to side so the powder settles deep within the fibers, which could keep fleas away. The properties of baking soda dehydrate fleas and their eggs, which helps in eliminating them and preventing the recurrence of such infestations. Leave the baking soda on the carpet overnight so that the formula can take proper effect, and vacuum it to ensure the carpet is free of such tiny critters. Lemon juice Lemon juice isn't just a great addition to meals and drinks but also works as a preventive method for ticks and fleas. You need to boil a thinly sliced lemon in water and let the mixture cool down overnight. The next morning, fill a spray bottle with the mixture and lightly dampen the carpet and other furnishings with it. You could also apply the lemon juice directly as a rub for your pets. But ensure your pet does not ingest the juice because it contains limonene - a property that may cause skin irritation and even damage their liver. Lavender oil Lavender oil is one of the most common kitchen ingredients to prevent ticks and fleas in dogs. You must add a few drops of the solution to water and put it in the spray bottle. Shake the mixture and apply it to the pet's coat for an easy and natural flea spray. Apart from bringing down the number of ticks, the essential oil solution could also help keep your pets cool and refreshed and give them a lovely fragrance. Almond oil The oil derived from almonds contain sulfur, which has natural tick-repellent properties. You must put some oil on your palms and massage it directly into your dog's skin and coat. Doing so could help to keep the annoying tiny critters away. Furthermore, almond oil could also help moisturize, condition, and reduce skin inflammation in pets. Yeast Brewer's yeast is highly acidic, which makes it suitable against fleas and ticks. The ingredient also contains vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, B vitamins, and antioxidants. While you could include brewer's yeast in your pet's meals, you must avoid adding excessive amounts as it could cause gas. About one tablespoon per day for a 50lb dog is recommended.

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Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Black Friday will be here soon, presenting pet parents an opportunity to stock up on food for their feline friends without spending a lot. There will be plenty of discounts from the top pet food brands, including Royal Canin and Purina. But if you cannot wait until then, check out these ten fantastic deals that are available right now. Take your time researching well and pick the healthiest options for your cat! Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Cat food This grain-free recipe ensures your pet gets the proper nourishment and maintains a healthy weight. Besides promoting weight control, it supports the muscles and improves digestive health. The product is already available at a discount of 7% on Chewy, but you can expect a better deal during the year-end sale. Wellness Healthy Indulgence Gravies Grain-free Variety Pack This variety pack makes mealtimes quick and easy. Created by nutritionists and veterinarians, the recipes are enriched with the finest ingredients to promote your cat’s well-being. Petco is offering a discount of 5%, but you can get it at an even lower price by opting for repeat delivery. Tiki Cat Queen Emma Luau Variety-pack Grain-free Canned Cat Food You can save 10% on this variety pack from Tiki Cat at Chewy.
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Foods to avoid for managing Crohn’s disease

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