o keep mosquitos away from your dog, and regular heartworm testing is also a good idea to be sure that there has not been any exposure.
In Colorado, I recommend heartworm prevention only during the warm summer months of June, July, and August. In my experience, finding a heartworm positive dog that lives in Colorado is extremely rare. In other parts of the country, where mosquitoes are more prevalent and the temperatures are warmer, the risk will be much greater. If you live in, or travel to other areas of the country, your dog should be on prevention for more of the year.
I recommend choosing your pet’s prevention based on its risk of exposure. If you do not see the bugs, then there is no need to use potentially harmful pesticides. If the problem is mild, you can try one of the natural repellent sprays.
Have a happy and hopefully bug-free summer!
Summer is just about here, and many of us are planning our adventures for the season. But what about the pets? As an alternative to boarding or using a pet sitter, many pet parents choose to travel with their pets. This can be a feasible option, but you will want to take some time to prepare first. Here are some things to consider:
1. Before you decide to take your pet along on a trip – consider how you think it will handle the traveling. Many pets get stressed when they are away from home and dealing with a constantly changing routine. You may enjoy the peace of mind in having your pet accompany you on vacation, but does your pet feel the same?
2. Consider where you are going and what activities you will be doing – are they pet-friendly? City trips will require your pet to be left alone in a strange place for hours at a time. Your pet must be well house-broken and not prone to excessive barking. Many National Parks do not allow pets in certain areas, and only a few have kennels in which to leave your pet as you enjoy exploring the park.
3. Remember the heat. Even a 70 degree day can create excessive heat inside a vehicle and leaving your pet inside on a 90 degree day can be lethal. Even with the windows cracked, most summer days will be too warm to leave your pet in the car.
4. Things to take with you:
Water and food dishes
Food – or research stores along the way that sell the food your pet is used to. A sudden diet change may bring on unwanted diarrhea or vomiting.
Water – keep a supply in the car so your pet can have a drink at any time
Extra leash in case you misplace one
5. Remember to stop every few hours to allow your pet to eliminate and stretch its legs. Pets get stiff in the car just like we do.
6. If you are interested in having your pet transported for you, here is a link that may help:
7. This site will help you find pet-friendly lodging:
Traveling with pets can be fun, just remember to be prepared so that you pet receives proper care during your journey.
Have a wonderful and safe summer!
Have a wonderful and safe summer with your pets.
In my recent pet on feeding your cat I talked about the important essentials of feeding a diet that is 85% meat and 70% moisture. You can provide added benefit to your cat by adding in fresh food, either lightly cooked or raw.
Fresh food comes with enzymes, co factors and digestive aids that are often destroyed during the processing of commercial foods. Eating food in its natural state also provides natural protective and healing mechanisms found in nature. Vitamins and minerals ingested in their natural state can provide more benefits than those in the chemical form.
You can start by finding out which fresh foods your cat will actually eat. Cats are carnivores and it is rare that they will relish dining on fresh fruits and vegetables, but you can offer them and see how your cat responds. Try different types of meat proteins to see which you cat favors. Animals often know what is best for their constitution, so don’t worry about forcing any particular ingredient – feed your cat what it likes!
Always make diet changes slowly, so start by adding in about 10% fresh meat, either raw or lightly cooked to be sure there is no digestive ups