BudgetPetCare.com Monthly Newsletter February 2011

Click the titles to read recent pet-related news stories over on our BudgetPetCare blog.

Be 'in the know' about fleas

Fleas are a nuisance that you are likely to have encountered before if you own cats or dogs, but how much do you know about these pesky parasites?

Fleas are small, usually between 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, dark colored, wingless insects. Their legs are long with the hind pair specially adapted for jumping. A flea can jump vertically up to 7 inches and horizontally up to 13 inches. These lengths are around 200 times their own size, making the flea one of the best jumpers of all known animals. The robust body is able to withstand great pressure, which means they can survive your pets' attempts to kill them by scratching with their back legs.

Fleas pass through a complete life cycle consisting of egg, larva, pupa and adult. A typical flea population consists of 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae and 5% adults.

Adult fleas cannot survive or lay eggs without at least one blood meal, but may live for one year without feeding after the first meal. After a blood meal, the female flea lays about 50 eggs per day, up to 600 in a lifetime. Eggs are loosely laid in the hair coat and roll off and drop out anywhere, especially where the pet rests.

Most fleas overwinter in the larval or pupal stages, their best growth and survival period is during warm, moist winters and spring. There is often an increased need for flea treatment after a family has returned from a long vacation. When the family and pets are gone, flea eggs hatch and grow. The family returning from vacation are immediately attacked by hungry masses of fleas.

Fleas can become a problem in homes because most homes allow pets to reside indoors and their bedding is often neglected when it comes to cleaning. Additionally wall to wall carpeting, large items of furniture and central heating can provide a undisturbed, warm environment for fleas to develop.

Regular topical or oral flea treatment is required to treat the pet and prevent future infestations.

Summer is on its way, meaning tick and flea infestations are too. Protect your pets with our genuine brand name flea and tick treatments. Order in advance ready for the Spring and Summer months and save $$'s with BudgetPetCare. We offer great savings and free shipping on all orders!

Flea and tick treatments for dogs

Flea and tick treatments for cats

FREE Doses of top brand Flea & Tick products

Our latest special offer on top branded Flea & Tick products means that you can buy more for your money, making us the cheapest on the market!

December Ask A Vet $100 Competition Winner

Congratulations to Cathy Goolsby, who is the December winner of the Question of the Month.

Cathy asked us...
Is there a safe product to give dogs to calm them when it is storming? Lady is terrified - she walks every step with me, jumps on the bed if it is night, and shivers. Thank you for your help.

Our vet replied...

Your dog suffers from noise phobia which means she expresses an intense response to loud noises like the ones from storms. To treat this kind of problems you have to be very patient. There are several groups of medicines which can help...

January Ask A Vet $100 Competition Winner

Congratulations to MITCH C. DE SEVRN JACQUET, who is the January winner of the Question of the Month.

Mitch asked us...
What is the difference between hair and fur? I was told that dogs that are hypoallergenic like Poodles and Lhaso Apso's have hair as opposed to fur. We seem to be more sensitive to our Golden Retriever than our Lhaso Apso.

Our vet replied...

Chemically there is no difference, hair and fur are from the same chemical ingredient called keratin. The only difference is how we people have learned to use the two words; we call it 'hair' if it is growing on us and on animals that do not have dense follicles, such as pigs and elephants. We usually call the dense hair that grows on animals such as bears, lions and tigers 'fur'. As our cats and dogs have similarly dense hair, it is commonly referred to as 'fur'.

Ask A Vet - Your Questions

Thank you for your questions that you've submitted on our Ask A Vet section section.

Once again our mailbox has been full with questions that you've wanted answering, and our in-house vet has been busy answering as many as possible for you.

Here are a selection of your questions that we've received. Click through to our website for the answers:

Question from Regina Andrews

What is the best method for a cat owner to pill their cat without getting clawed or bitten? I’ve bought a piller (does not work, at least for me). My cats hate pills and fight to keep from taking them.

Read our vet's answer

Question from George Vickers

How long after I give my cat a dose of Capstar, should I give the Programe flea control?

Read our vet's answer

Question from Linda Hansen

Good Day, Can I safely use Malaseba shampoo (sp) in conjunction with Frontline spray and/or spot -on treatment? Thank you in advance.

Read our vet's answer

Question from Adrienne Stein

Anything for barking? Nothing has worked so far. They think spray bottles are fun. The bark off thing didn’t work. I have 3 siblings that bark at other dogs. They are really sweet but they can sound viscous. Thanks if you can suggest anything.

Read our vet's answer

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Be 'in the know' about fleas

Flea and tick treatments for dogs

Flea and tick treatments for cats

FREE Doses of top brand Flea & Tick products

December Ask A Vet $100 Competition Winner

January Ask A Vet $100 Competition Winner

Ask A Vet - Your Questions