ECO DOG NYC: March 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

Remember to Recycle!

Please remember to recycle old toys your dog doesn't play with anymore. Look at Diesel's tug toy given to him by a friend. Passing on old toys keeps them out of landfills.(Nice teeth Diesel!)

Monday, March 22, 2010

Be Prepared for Flea and Tick Season

Fleas are a common problem for dog owners during the warmer months. The problem starts in late spring, continues through summer and is often at its worst in September and October. Fleas thrive in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees and in conditions of high humidity. Fleas live both on your dog and in your environment. Pre-adult fleas live in your home and yard and represent over 90% of the flea population. This immature form is more resistant to treatment than the adult flea.

Some dogs may be heavily infested with fleas but will show no signs of them, while a flea-allergic dog may scratch continuously from the bite of a single flea. Many animals will scratch and bite themselves causing irritation of the skin, open sores and even fur loss. The best place to look for fleas on your dog is over the back by the tail base and on the abdomen between the hind legs where there is less fur. Frequent use of a flea comb will show any “flea dirt” present on your pet.

Ticks, like fleas, are a concern for every dog owner during the summer. The bite of a tick is irritating and may cause an allergic reaction. Ticks can carry and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks are parasites that must attach to a dog or human being in order to survive and mature. They are found outside in areas of low brush and shrubs. Although susceptible to the drying effects of heat and sunlight, ticks can hibernate and survive through winter.

The best way to check for ticks is to brush your dog daily. They are commonly found in the ear canals, at the base of the ears and on the feet, and in between the toes. Ticks can be removed from your dog by grasping the head of the tick where it attaches to the skin with tweezers and gently pulling back. A tick must be attached to your dog for anywhere from five to twenty hours to transmit any of these diseases. Therefore, the best prevention is to comb through your dog’s coat daily and remove any ticks.

Our friend Holland is soaking up the weekend sun:) Thanks for the snap, Skye!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Quote of the Day.....

"When you leave them in the morning, they stick their nose in the door crack and stand there like a portrait until you turn the key eight hours later."

Erma Bombeck

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Green Paw Print Tip #3: Consider switching to natural or organic pet foods.

PetSmart - Catherine Mabe/PetSmart

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These days, there’s a great choice of humanely-produced pet foods from manufacturers who support sustainable production. Many natural pet foodsare made from whole ingredients and do not contain artificial preservatives.Organic pet foods are made from ingredients that are raised or grown without manufactured pesticides and fertilizers, drugs or hormones. These issues don’t just affect your pet—they impact the environment on a much larger scale and can aid in the conservation of soil and water. Pesticides and fertilizers also take their toll on the earth and switching to a natural or organic food could benefit not only your pet, but also the future. Just remember to check with your vet when changing pet foods.

The same goes for treats—go natural or organic. And think about growing your own catnip!