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Protecting from Fleas | Tips for Cats | Tips for Dogs | Pet Resources
San Diego Pets News
Think Blue: Pet Cleanup
Protecting Your Pets and Home from Fleas
Fleas can become a big nuisance during the summer months for those living in San Diego. Here are some tips and information on how to keep these pesky insects out of your house and away from your pets.
Disease Spread by Fleas
- Plague: A bacterial disease transmitted from rodent to rodent that is spread when you are bit by a flea that has been infected. Worldwide, there are 1,000 to 2,000 cases each year (CDC).
- Tapeworm: An intestinal parasite obtained by swallowing an infected flea. The adult tapeworm inside the pet can be a half a foot or more long.
- Murine Typhus: A disease spread by the bite of a rat flea. Symptoms include abdominal pain, backache, dull red rash, extremely high fever (over 105), hacking, headache, joint pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Flea Prevention
- There are many products you can purchase for your pets to prevent them from getting fleas. The most effective products stop growth and the reproduction of fleas. Also, be sure to bathe and brush your pet regularly.
- Vacuum floors every other day. Be sure to vacuum the hard to reach places as well such as corners and under furniture.
- Vacuum and wash the area where you pet sleeps. This is the most common place to find fleas. When disposing of your vacuum bag, be sure to put it in a sealed plastic bag so that fleas that may develop inside the bag do not escape.
- Outdoor sprays are usually not necessary unless you think there is a large number of adult flees. Apply sprays where pets rest outdoors.
- Sometimes pets build up immunity to flea medications. If you have done everything describe above and are still having flea problems sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax (Not Boraxo) on your carpets and use a broom to work it in.
Helpful Pet Tips for Cats
Never scold or punish your pet. Instead, concentrate on making your relationship fun and interesting. Pets have their own unique sense. Reward your pet for positive behavior. This gives them opportunities to succeed.
Stop the Meow Meows
Cats have the habit of meowing – a lot. Try NOT to respond to the cat’s habitual meow by feeding or playing with it; instead, respond to its needs when the cat is quiet. This will train it to behave the way the cat owner would like to see. No more meow meows!
Prevent Your Car from Waking you up at Night
Many cats have a nighttime state of mind, with a tendency to sleep in the day and remain lively at night. If this is not the pet owner’s type of schedule, train your cat to be on YOUR clock. Do not tend to your cat’s wants in the middle of the night. Instead, try a different pathway. Keep your cat busy in the day, and feed it a little later on in the evening. This will train your cat to feel tired and ready to catch up on its sleep at night.
Stop Cats from Scratching your Furniture
Try placing double-sided tape on areas that your cat seems to scratch, like specific places on furniture that is within their reach. Cats have sensitive feet and most likely will not enjoy something consistently sticking to their feet. Instead, guide them to a scratching post. Prevent your cat’s habit of walking over counter tops: Place objects that may cause a loud noise on the counters, like pots and pans. Even line up areas with aluminum; cats prefer not to feel metal on their feet.
Helpful Pet Tips for Dogs
Barking Becoming a Problem?
Humans speak and dogs bark. That is what they love to do. However, there comes a time when the barking can be too excessive, and it should have some limitations. Teach your dog a “Go To Your Spot” rule. It should be comfortable and easily attainable. A great example can be their doggy bed. When you’re at home and perhaps company is over, or there is inappropriate barking, tell your dog to go to its spot, and in no way is this a punishment. Just like cats, when you reward the dog for its excessive barking, you are plainly reinforcing the problem. Reward them when the barking is helpful. For instance, when you as the pet owner or other household members may be in danger and your dog barks to alert them, your dog should be rewarded.
Prevent your Dog or Puppy from Biting
Dogs don’t have hands, so it’s common nature for them to use their mouths, especially as young pups. A good way to teach the puppy what is playful biting and what is dangerous is by giving them opportunities to socialize with other puppies. While playing with other pups, they learn through these interactions when the playful biting is too rough, inhibiting their biting through experience. It is quite natural for puppies and dogs to want to chew. It can come from boredom, the need for entertainment or attention and the fear of separation from its owner. The fact is, chewing can be dangerous for pets, and there are certain things that pet owners do not want chewed up! Remember, positive reinforcement.
- If you catch your dog chewing on something valuable say, “No!” but replace it with a chew toy instead.
- When you are away from home, you can keep your dog in a safe, confined area with appropriate chew toys to keep your dog preoccupied.
- When at home, keep your dog busy. Play with it to exercise them. This will help both physically and mentally to prevent your dog from chewing.
- Dogs and puppies are attached to their owners and therefore attracted to their scent. Be sure to hide or keep things out of reach like socks, shoes, and clothes that would entice them to chew.
Follow these simple tips, and your pet will look up to you as their firm but fair owner and will be eager to please you in any situation.
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