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Celebrate the New Year by taking care of your dog or cat with a healthy start. A beginning of 2009 should include new resolutions to keep for you and your pet throughout the year. Follow this checklist and see just how good of a job you are doing to keep your pet at his/her best!
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| Is arthritis causing pain to my pet? |
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Arthritis in dogs is often shown with stiffness, limping, or favoring a limb. Often times, arthritis originates from age, lack of proper exercise, or poor nutrition. Joint supplements can be used to help prevent and ease pain caused by osteoarthritis. Joint MAX and Cosequin are reliable brands for joint and arthritis supplements.
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What are obvious signs of allergies? |
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In general, dogs that lick their paws, scratch their ears, rub their face, have watery eyes, and lose large amounts of hair, suffer from allergies. Fleas or hormonal diseases can also cause these problems. Specially formulated treats like the Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits "Original" Veggie Madness and devices like the Doggles Wearable Ionizer are available to help alleviate allergies. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
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Are fleas and ticks dangerous? |
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Fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), tapeworms, hair loss, skin irritations and anemia - due to blood loss. Ticks transmit Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Many manufacturers like Frontline and Advantage specialize in monthly flea and tick medications to keep your pet protected.
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When should heartworm preventatives be administered? |
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Heartworm medications are effective when administered on a monthly basis as they protect your pet against intestinal parasites. Dogs at 2-3 months old and cats as early as 7 months should start using heartworm medications. Heartgard and Sentinel offer high-quality heartworm medications.
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What can I do to prevent my dog from eating his/her feces? |
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Pets that eat their feces (Coprophagy) suffer from poor quality diets. The daily portion of high-quality foods can be divided into smaller, more frequent meals. Food additives like Nixit Anti-Coprophagy Supplement and FOR-BID Stool-eating Preventative are effective in eliminating and preventing this problem.
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What major contributors cause stress and anxiety upon my dog? |
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Thunderstorms, fireworks, visits by strangers, or moving to a new home can cause stress to dogs. Products like Storm Stress and Bach Rescue Remedy - Natural Stress Reliever work well to restore a sense of calm and control to your pet.
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What causes bad breath on dogs? |
| Bad breath is primarily caused by plaque that results from bacteria, saliva and food particles in the mouth. Plaque can develop into gingivitis and periodontal disease. Halitosis can also signal towards serious medical conditions. Treats and water additives are available to help promote good oral hygiene. Regular visits to your veterinarian can help prevent severe oral problems. |
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