Wag Reflex

Potty Training Puppies and Kittens

Bringing home your new pet for the first time is very exciting but, along with the excitement, comes the daunting task of house training. For some young pets (most kittens) housetraining is almost instinctual, but if your new kitten does not take to the litterbox, there are a few things to check. Be sure to have the litterbox in an easily accessible, quiet location. Also, your kitten’s sense of smell is sensitive and your kitten may find scented litter too strong. Switch to an unscented litter and, to keep the litter smelling fresh, use a litter odor remover like Hartz Nodor.

Puppies need a little more training. Some things to remember when starting:

1. Do not leave a puppy without access to a potty area during the day for longer than your pup’s age in months plus one (in hours). This means a 2-month-old puppy should not be left for more than three hours without a chance to relieve itself. Puppy training pads can provide a suitable area when your puppy needs to be left alone.
2. When you are at home and awake, take your puppy outside at least once per hour. Watch your puppy for signs that once per hour is too long; some young puppies cannot wait this long. Puppy training pads can help while your puppy is loose in the house.
3. Give lots of praise when your puppy potties in the right area.

With a little guidance, you can have your new companion house-trained and a welcomed addition to your family.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

How to Keep Your Cat's Litterbox Smelling Fresh

The joys of cat ownership come with one major downside--the litterbox. While there is not much one can do to get away from this necessity, there are some things you can do to help keep your home odor free.

Litter Choice
Using a good quality clumping litter will not only help you during cleaning but will help trap odors. Know that some cats do not like heavily perfumed litter. Other litter varieties have surfaced recently; pine, wheat, and corn litters as well as crystal litters are available. Trial and error may be in order to determine which works best for you and your cat.

Keep It Clean
In addition to daily scooping, litter (even clumping litter) needs to be dumped periodically and the litterbox needs to be scrubbed with bleach and water.

Keep It Fresh
After scooping (between cleanings) remember to top off the litter with new litter. Not only will this keep the litter “fresh” for your cat, but also will keep odors down. A litter deodorizer can also help in-between scrubbings. A product like Hartz Nodor will eliminate the odor without covering-up the odor with a heavy scent. Remember that a cat’s nose is a sensitive organ.

With a little effort on your part, your house can remain odor free.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

How Do You Know if Your Pet Has Fleas?

The easiest way to tell if your pet has fleas is to see the live insects on your pet. Pay close attention to the flea’s favorite spots (on the face and chin, on the rump by the tail, and in the more sparsely haired areas on the belly). Sometimes, though, there may not be many fleas and they can hide while you are searching for them. In this case, a flea comb is helpful in determining your pet’s flea status. A flea comb will pick up two things--fleas and flea dirt. Flea dirt (tiny black specks about the size of poppy seeds) is actually flea feces composed of digested blood. If you find small black specks and are not sure if you are finding "flea dirt" or just plain dirt, place the specks on a damp paper towel--if you see red then it is flea dirt.

Other signs range from scratching and biting at the skin to more severe dermatitis. Your pet can be highly allergic to fleas (flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in pets) and although you may not see fleas, they may still be present so check your pet any let’s stay flea free this year.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

How to Keep Your Pets Cool During the Summer

As the dog days of summer approach, it is important to remember that your pet feels the heat too. Dogs and cats only have sweat glands on their paws--not all over as we do. Therefore, the only way for your pet to eliminate excess heat is through their paws and through panting (dogs more than cats). Panting is not enough when temperatures climb. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help keep your pet cool during the summer:

• Do provide clean water at all times for your pet; consider adding additional water bowls or an automatic waterer in the summer.
• Do provide shade or an area in which your pet can get out of the sun.
• Do keep exercise to a minimum during the hottest part of the day.
• Do keep an eye on your light colored pets for sunburn--especially on the tops of noses and ears.
• Don’t be afraid to shave your pet in the summer; not only is it a great way to keep cool but you are better able to look for fleas and ticks.
• Don’t ever leave your pet in an unattended car; summertime temperatures can cause death.

With some planning, you can avoid heat related emergencies. Have fun and stay cool!

Photo of Charlie the hot dog from Eric Mayville's photostream.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Traveling with Your Pet

Traveling with your pet can be stressful, but with some careful planning, you can keep the stress to a minimum. If you are flying and taking your pet “in-cabin”, the carrier and your pet must fit completely under the seat. Usually soft sided carriers work best and your pet should not be larger than what would comfortably fit under the seat (usually around 15lbs). You need to make a reservation with the airline to take your pet with you--not only is there is an additional fee for pets traveling with you, but also a limit to the number of pets that can be on the plane. Don’t forget to call ahead. You are required to remove your pet from the carrier at the security checkpoint, so be sure to have a collar (or harness) and a leash for this purpose. If your pet is traveling in the cargo hold, check to see if it is climate controlled--some airlines have temperature restrictions when your pet cannot fly.

If you are driving or flying, remember to pack some things for your pet: food and water, your pet’s medications, paper towels or baby wipes, favorite toys, cat litter, litter pan, and waste bags to dispose of accidents. Lastly, a visit to your veterinarian is in order before you go: airlines (and many states) require a health certificate when traveling and you should have a copy of your pet’s vaccination schedule and health records with you. With a little preparation, you can ease the strain of traveling with your pet.

Photo of El Guapo from shweri's photostream.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Worms--How Do We Protect Our Pet?

There are several intestinal parasites that infect your pet--commonly found are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Your pet can be exposed to infective roundworm eggs from the environment or their mother. Roundworms are a common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in young animals and can lead to poor health and a pot-bellied appearance. Hookworms pose a special threat to your puppy, as these parasites are bloodsuckers. The worms can infect your pet through ingestion, the skin, or from their mother and can cause diarrhea and severe blood loss. Products containing piperazine or pyrantel are effective against roundworms in cats and dogs and pyrantel also works well against hookworm infection in dogs. Both roundworms and hookworms pose a health hazard to humans.

Your pet can be exposed to whipworm by consuming the eggs--usually by grooming. Large numbers of whipworms can cause bloody diarrhea. Lastly are the tapeworms. Your pet becomes infected with tapeworms by eating infected fleas. They also can be infected with other types of tapeworms by eating infected small rodents and rabbits. Pets with tapeworm infections usually are not sick and do not lose weight but this worm is highly visible to you because tapeworm segments--which appear as small white worms that may look like grains of rice or seeds--are seen on the rear end of your pet, in your pet’s stool, or where your pet sleeps. Whipworms and tapeworms require different medications--such as fenbendazole and praziquantel--available from your veterinarian. Prompt treatment of worms lessens your pet’s discomfort and decreases intestinal damage and the chance that your pet will infect humans or other animals.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

What You Need for A New Pet

Adopting a new pet is exciting and wonderful--a little planning can make it a smooth transition for the both of you. Here are some must-have items for either a dog or a cat:

• Food and water bowl
• Collar
• Identification tag
• Carrier (cats and small breed dogs)
• Bed
• Grooming supplies (comb/brush/shampoo/clippers)
• Toys
• Name of a veterinarian
• Pet-stain cleaning and odor remover products
• Flea/Tick preventative
• Treats
• Vitamin supplements

In addition to the above, your new dog or puppy will need puppy pads (for house training), chew toys (for teething and staying occupied during the day), a good quality dog or puppy food, a pooper-scooper, a leash, and training treats. Your new kitten or cat will need litter and littler box, a high quality cat or kitten food, a scratching post, and hairball remedy (if your new feline is long haired). Don’t forget to take lots of pictures--your new pet will grow quickly!

Cute photo from timpossible's photostream.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

February is Oral Health Care Month

February is oral care month--but oral care is a year-round job! In fact, an alarming 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three. It can lead to bad breath, swollen and bleeding gums, tooth loss, difficulty eating, and even more severe problems such as heart, liver, and kidney disease.

The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends a full dental cleaning every six months for your pet, just the same as your dentist recommends for you. Still, there is between-dental-visits home care that you can do to help your pet’s mouth stay healthy.

Just as with your own teeth, nothing beats brushing. Use a special toothbrush made for your pet--the bristles are softer and the brush is smaller. Finger brushes are also available for puppies and kittens. Be sure to use only toothpaste made for your pet--human toothpaste can cause an upset stomach.

In dogs, research has shown that daily rawhide chewing can be almost as beneficial as brushing because the mechanical action can scrape plaque off the tooth. In addition, there are several dental biscuits and treats that are specially formulated to mechanically remove plaque and some, such as Hartz Crunch ‘n Clean™ Cat Treats and Dog Biscuits, can block tartar from forming. Sometimes, your pet needs a little boost in his home dental care so your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic dental diet. Remember--a healthy pet has a healthy mouth!

Do's and Don'ts of Dental Home Care

• DO try to perform home dental care at least once daily.
• DO give dental treats or chews as part of your home dental care regime.
• DO examine your pet's teeth monthly - look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gum; it is time for a professional cleaning.
• DON’T consider dental home care as an alternative to full dental cleaning – have regular veterinary examinations.
• DO take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice bad breath, difficulty eating or drinking, drooling, broken teeth, or weight loss as these can be signs of oral disease.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth

When your cat’s teeth are neglected, his overall heath will suffer as well.Your cat’s teeth should last a lifetime. Just a minute or two a day spent brushing your cat’s teeth can keep him healthy and save you time and money at your veterinarian’s office. 

Signs of feline dental disease: Symptoms of dental disease include bad breath, red or inflamed gums, yellow-brown tartar and drooling. If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, take him to his vet immediately. 

At-home dental care: When it comes to caring for your cat’s teeth at home, veterinary dental specialists say brushing every day is the best way to avoid dental disease. Plaque forms daily on your cat’s teeth and if you do not remove it as it builds up, it can mineralize and turn to concrete-hard tartar. 

Once tartar forms, it cannot be loosened with a toothbrush, so your veterinarian will have to put your cat under anesthesia to remove it. Tartar can lead to periodontal disease and gingivitis. Worse still, an oral infection can spread to other organs, including the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys.

What You’ll Need

Toothbrush: You cannot use a regular toothbrush or toothpaste. Your toothbrush, even a child’s size brush, will be much too large for your cat’s mouth.

Toothpaste: Your toothpaste contains fluoride which can be toxic to your cat and the flavor may be far too strong for his sensitive mouth. Toothpaste for cats is available in a variety of cat-friendly flavors such as beef, seafood, malt or chicken. 

Rules for Smart Tooth-Brushing

Start early: You must get your cat accustomed to brushing when she is very young so that dental hygiene will be natural part of her life.

Start slowly: The first few times you brush your cat’s teeth, you may find it a bit tricky. Approach your cat slowly and calmly. It usually takes about a three-week training period for your cat to adjust.

Follow these steps when you are ready to begin:
1. Begin by simply massaging your cat’s neck and mouth area. 
2. The next time you approach your cat, massage his gums with the kitty toothpaste or let him lick it off of the toothbrush. 
3. Once your cat becomes comfortable with this procedure, advance to brushing her front teeth with your finger and then moving on to using the cat toothbrush. 
4. It should only take about a total of 40 seconds to brush your cat’s teeth; the key is to be gentle and quick.

Your cat’s overall well-being will be greatly enhanced if you take these simple steps to tend to his dental health needs.

Giving your cat hard, crunchy treats helps to remove plaque and tarter. It is a good idea to use a product specially formulated to provide additional dental benefits such as Hartz Crunch ‘n Clean Cat Treats with the patented ingredient, DentaShield. DentaShield is clinically proven to block tartar and keeps your cat’s teeth cleaner, longer.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Dog Toy Maintenance

Some dog toys can be easily cleaned while others should eventually get thrown away. Keeping your dog’s toys all together in a single place will make it easy for you to keep track of them. It will also make it easier to go through them on a regular basis and decide which need cleaning and which should be thrown away.

What to Discard
- Toys that have missing parts or have been heavily chewed.
- Any toys with dangling bits, stuffed animal eyes, etc.—all of which can be choking hazards
- Toys that your dog is “eating.” Unless it is a treat toy, your dog should not be eating his toys. If you see him doing so or if the toy is much smaller than it initially was; throw it away.

Cleaning Plastic/Rubber/Hard Toys
Nylon and rubber toys can be cleaned by hand with soap and water. These toys can easily go in your dishwasher for cleaning. Run them through on the hot cycle with no detergent. The heat and water pressure should kill most germs and remove dirt and grime.

Cleaning Rope Toys
Softer toys can become breeding grounds for bacteria, so consider sanitizing them. A study by the US government found that microwaving household cleaning items, like sponges, killed everything from bacteria to yeast to molds. To clean rope toys, wet the toy and microwave it for a full minute. Microwave wattages vary so keep an eye on the toy while heating it. Take care when removing the item as it could be quite hot. The second best choice is to run your toy through your dishwasher on the hot cycle with no detergent. This kills almost as much bacteria, yeast, and mold as the microwave method.  Just cleaning your rope toys under really hot water isn't enough if you want to sanitize them; the water gets significantly hotter during a dishwasher cycle.

Cleaning Stuffed Animals
As with rope toys, these soft toys can harbor all sorts of microbes. Try throwing these toys in the washing machine when they are dirty. Some toys survive the washing machine better than others, but if the toy is well made, it should maintain all of its original appeal to your dog after washing. Similarly, most should also survive the drying process.

Cleaning Treat Toys and Chews
Any natural products such as rawhides and pig ears can not be washed and should only be used under the owner’s close supervision. This is to prevent the dog from eating too large a piece or from gulping it down too quickly. Your dog’s favorite toy doesn’t have to be tossed into the garbage bin when it is dirty. Make sure that the toy is still safe to play with and then try cleaning it. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the toy has a foul smell or does not get clean after washing, it is time for the garbage bin.

On a sidenote, to help maintain your dog’s interest in his toys, rotate them and make only two or three available a day.

--Lance Hemsarth, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Lance is an animal health expert for Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.