Welcome to Petfinder.com! The virtual home of 363,147 adoptable pets from 13,662 adoption groups

Search for a Pet

[See All]Breed

Location*

Ex: Des Moines, IA or 50301

Find Animal
Welfare Groups

[List by State]

Check us out on:

Download our iPhone app
Petfinder at Myspace
Petfinder at Facebook
Petfinder at YouTube

Petfinder Blog

Subscribe to feed Subscribe to this blog's feed

Five disgusting things you need to know about fleas

By Drew, Petfinder intern

Posted August 1, 2011 8:50 AM |
| Comments | Share on Facebook

Flea infestations can drive you and your pets up a wall -- and pose serious health risks. Steve Dale of Steve Dale's Pet World sat down with Dr. Michael Dryden, a veterinary parasitologist from Kansas State University, to talk about how you can protect yourself and your pets from fleas. (Watch the video of the interview above.)

ON375.19945570-1-x.jpg
Flea-free Chihuahua/Maltese mix Gibson is adoptable at London, ON's Canine Connect a Care.
Here are some fast facts about fleas you should know:

  • One flea can create an infestation: A single female flea can lay 40-50 eggs a day, Dr. Dryden says. So once a flea is in your home, the population can explode quickly and be hard to get rid of.

  • Indoor-only pets can still get fleas: "We see permanently indoor cats with fleas all the time," Dr. Dryden says. Fleas can travel into your house on the bottoms of
    shoes or on other animals, such as vermin. Petfinder staffer Jane Harrell's indoor-only cats once got fleas from a neighbor's cat who roamed her apartment building's halls. "He used to sit outside our door, waiting for scratches and treats," she says. "When he got fleas, the fleas came under the door and went straight to my cats."
Continue reading Five disgusting things you need to know about fleas.

Five disgusting things you need to know about ticks

By Drew, Petfinder intern

Posted July 28, 2011 8:00 AM |
| Comments | Share on Facebook

Ticks can cause a number of serious health problems for you and your pet. They can also be difficult to spot and remove. Dr. Michael Dryden, a professor of veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University, sat down with radio host Steve Dale of Steve Dale's Pet World to talk about the dangers ticks pose, and how to prevent them. (Watch the video of the interview above.)

NJ84.14782904-1-x.jpg
Storm is a healthy, special-needs Retriever mix at Jersey Animal Coalition, Inc. in South Orange, NJ.
Here are some tick facts every pet parent needs to know:
  1. Ticks can infect you and your pet with serious, possibly deadly illnesses. According to Dr. Dryden, ticks are the No. 1 disease vector in the U.S. They carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and many other serious illnesses.

  2. Tick populations are growing across the U.S. The past several years have seen a spike in the tick population. The spread of white-tailed deer (a tick carrier), climate change and changes in agricultural practices have all contributed.

  3. Cats are at risk too. Indoor-outdoor cats can catch cytauxzoonosis, a disease which is most often fatal, from ticks. For this and many other reasons, it's best to keep cats indoors. If your cat has access to an outdoor enclosure or takes harnessed walks with you, talk to your vet about protecting him from ticks.

  4. Different tick species live in different regions. "There are at least nine different tick species in North America that routinely get on dogs and cats," Dr. Dryden says. "You have to talk to your veterinarian and ask: What ticks [is your pet] going to be exposed to? What disease are they going to be exposed to? And what product is going to be most effective?"

  5. Ticks can do harm when you least expect it. Even if you're not seeing ticks, they can still pose a threat -- so be sure to talk to your vet long before "tick season" starts. Because vets see a large number of pets in your region, Dr. Dryden says, "your veterinarian is going to pick up that ticks are active long before you may."
Tell us: Have you ever taken a tick off of your dog or cat?

Continue reading Five disgusting things you need to know about ticks.

Nine ways to keep your dog cool and safe during the heat wave

By Drew, Petfinder intern

Posted July 20, 2011 8:00 AM |
| Comments | Share on Facebook
On Monday we brought you five ways to keep your indoor cat cool. Today, we're going to the dogs. Help keep your dog safe and healthy during the heat wave with these tips:
MI429.9883666-squarewtags.jpg
Pugs like Daniel Robert are especially sensitive to hot weather.
  1. Watch out for heatstroke. Symptoms include panting, lethargy, drooling, fever, vomiting and collapse. If you think your dog may have heatstroke, get the vet ASAP -- the condition can cause permanent organ damage and death.

    Breeds with shorter noses (such as Pugs, Shi Tzus, Pekingese, Bulldogs and Boxers) as well as very young and senior dogs are especially vulnerable. Learn more about heatstroke in pets.

  2. Give your dog extra water. You will need to refill your dog's water bowl more often than usual on very hot days.

  3. Offer your dog several ways to cool off. Leave a fan on in a place where your dog can sit in front of it, add some ice cubes to his water or offer him a cool treat. (A Kong that's stuffed with wet food or peanut butter, then frozen, is cooling and a great way to keep your dog entertained.)

  4. Never leave your dog alone inside a car. Even with the windows cracked, the inside of a car can heat up to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes on a warm day. And leaving the air conditioning on is no guarantee that your dog will be safe. Watch this PSA about pets in hot cars.

  5. Take your walks in the morning or evening. The intense heat of midday can overwhelm your dog during a walk. Exercise your dog during the cooler hours and, if your dog is in the sun for an extended period of time, apply doggie sunscreen. Learn more about sunscreen for pets.

  6. Don't leave your dog outside for more than a few minutes. Even in the shade, a dog exposed to extreme heat and humidity is at risk for heatstroke.

  7. Avoid hot sidewalks. Your dog's paws can easily become burned on hot surfaces, including pavement, blacktop and sand.

  8. Brush your dog regularly. A clean, untangled coat can help ward off summer skin problems and help your dog stay cool. If you want to give your dog a haircut, and your vet thinks it will help him cope with the heat, keep his fur at least one inch long to protect him from the sun. (Shaving down to the skin is not recommended.)

  9. Be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle. Dogs are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant, and just a small amount can make your dog sick -- or even cause death. If you believe your dog may have ingested coolant, take him to the vet right away.
To learn more about keeping your dog healthy and comfortable during these hot months, check out our Summer Pet Safety section.

Continue reading Nine ways to keep your dog cool and safe during the heat wave.

Five ways to keep your cat cool during the heat wave

By Drew, Petfinder intern

Posted July 18, 2011 11:00 AM |
| Comments | Share on Facebook
The temperature is soaring, and it's only going to get hotter. Make sure you know how to keep your cat safe in the summer heat.
    IL406.19685235square.jpg
    Bunny, a DSH, is keeping cool at Virtually Home Cats in Chicago.
  1. Watch out for heatstroke. Symptoms include panting, lethargy, drooling, fever, vomiting and collapse. If you think your cat may have heatstroke, get the vet ASAP -- the condition can cause permanent organ damage and death. Learn more about heatstroke in pets. 

  2. Offer your cat several ways to cool off. Leave a fan on in a place where your cat can sit in front of it, add some ice cubes to her water or offer her a cool treat (check out our recipe for catsicles.)

  3. Let your cat find cool spots in the house. Your cat will seek out the cooler parts of your home, so make sure she has access to areas with tile floors or rooms that don't get much sun.

  4. Play in the morning or evening. Any exercise should take place during the cooler hours of the day. This is especially important for young kittens and seniors, both of whom are very vulnerable to heatstroke. (If your cat has just eaten, make sure you give her some time to digest before you begin playtime.)

  5. Brush your cat often. A well-groomed, tangle-free coat will help keep your cat cool. (Learn more about grooming your cat.)
To learn more about summer pet safety -- including how to put sunscreen on your cat! -- check out our Summer Pet Safety section.
 
Continue reading Five ways to keep your cat cool during the heat wave.
« Disaster Response Team | Blog home | Archives | Dr. Lauren Brickman, author, PetSide Q & A »

Search

Categories

Tag Cloud

Authors

Monthly Archives