After a balmy beginning to the season, it seems that Old Man Winter has finally shaken off the rust and is bringing severe weather to many parts of the country. As a dog owner, you have more than your fair share of dog wellness concerns to look out for during this time of year, as some of the run of the mill winter products that we all use could pose a problem for your furry friend. By making the following pet care changes, you can ensure that your companion gets through the season unscathed.

1. Use sand instead of salt. If you've been using salt and other forms of ice melt on your steps and walkways, this could be posing a significant risk to your canine. These products contain their fair share of harsh chemicals that could cause digestive trouble or many other significant health problems. With this in mind, opt for sand around your home instead - it may not be able to completely melt the ice on your walkways, but your canine will be safe!

2. Space heaters. For large spaces like sunrooms and living rooms, using a space heater can be an effective way of improving the comfort level. However, the surfaces of these devices can be extremely hot, and even a tail brushing up against the side of one of them could cause extreme discomfort. If you're going to use a space heater, look for a model that emits heat from the top of the device and doesn't become extremely warm on the sides of the device. Now your pooch can curl up next to it and you won't have to worry about him getting hurt.

3. Invest in proper winter clothing. While it may seem frivolous at first, a dog's skin is just as sensitive to cold as ours, so if your canine has a shorter coat, this could be a wonderful way to improve animal wellness. Invest in a small sweater to keep his torso warm, and you can also keep an eye out for booties. These paw coverings will protect him from the buildup of salt and sand, which could pose problems if they are ingested.

Winter comes with its fair share of risks, but knowing is half the battle. By making a few advanced preparations, you can ensure that your canine is happy and healthy throughout the season.

To know more details about Hartz Flea Drops  and other flea control products, visit www.hartz.com

Cat owners are in a unique positionduring the holiday season - felines are not the best traveling pets, so theywill need a place to stay while you're off visiting family and friends.Ideally, you can find a pet sitter who will look after your companion and helpyou avoid the stress of taking him to a new location, but sometimes there isn'ta person available. If you have to take your feline to a boarding facility, theworkers' cleanliness standards may be up to par, but the other felines couldpose a flea infestation risk to your own furry friend. Luckily, you can takethe following steps before and after your trip to avoid the risk of fleas inyour home.

 

Topical drops are one of theeasiest ways to safeguard your feline when he is in a strange place. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Dropsfor Cats are a quick and easy application that will kill fleas, deer ticks andmosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days. The drops are placed at the skin levelat the base of your cat's skull, so be sure to part his fur so that theapplicator can penetrate deep down where it will be most effective.

 

When you bring your feline home,it's better to be safe than sorry, so give him a flea bath with HartzUltraGuard Rid Flea and Tick Cat Shampoo. If you've never bathed your catbefore, it's best to start the process in a bathtub and fill it up withlukewarm water so he can get used to the sensation. Wet his fur and rub the fleashampoo into his coat starting with his head, while being sure not to get anyin his eyes. Ideally, you should let the lather sink in for about 5 minutes andthen promptly rinse him off. You should also cradle him in a towel for tenminutes or so to make sure that he is properly dried and end a potentiallystressful experience with a calm period.

 

The risk of flea infestations isstill present during the winter weather, especially in warm indoor areas withan abundance of animals. These treatments will help spare your home from apotential flea problem and keep your companion happy and healthy throughout theseason. 

 

To know more details about Hartz Flea Drops  and other flea control products, visit www.hartz.com