Hairball Remedy

If you own a cat, then you have more than likely experienced the unpleasant nature of hairballs. If a cat is throwing up food, coughing, or spitting up hair, hairballs may be the cause. Cats lick themselves constantly, and therefore they swallow a lot of hair. Hair is very hard to digest and stays in the stomach, forming what we call hairballs. The Natural Defense Hairball Remedy can help eliminate hairballs in cats. Most cats will readily eat this product, but if not, a dab can be placed on the cat's food or nose and the cat will most likely lick it off. The hairball remedy will dissolve the hair allowing it to pass through the digestive system. If vomiting or hacking continues, consult your veterinarian. There are also treats or cat food available that can also assist your cat in eliminating hairballs.

Wild Bird Questions: Hummingbirds

What feeders work the best to attract hummingbirds? What should be placed in these feeders? What food should be avoided? How often should the hummingbird food be changed?

Feeders that work to attract hummingbirds the best are those that are made with lots of red colored parts, as hummingbirds associate the color red with their natural food, nectar, that they get from flowers. So, the brighter red a feeder is, the better it will work at attracting hummingbirds.

Sugar water, whether sold as hummingbird nectar or made at home should be placed in these feeders. The advantage of the prepackaged hummingbird nectar is that it will, in many cases, include other ingredients, such as vitamins, to give a more balanced diet than just plain sugar water would.

The food that should be avoided in hummingbird feeders are the mixtures that have been colored red. Although the color attracts the hummingbirds, it also means that the red dye must be broke down constantly by the birds internal organs which can cause damage over time. It is best to use a clear solution and have the feeder itself be red. Hummingbird food should be changed at least every other day in cooler weather and everyday in hot weather or the food will go bad. Hummingbirds will not go to feeders if the food is not fresh.

Ear Mites - What are they & What you can do about them

Ear mites are small parasites that can't be seen with the naked eye. However, they usually cause a coffee colored crud in the ear and are very itchy to the pet. Ear mites are extremely contagious, so if you have a pet with ear mites, it is best to keep it away from your other pets. This includes cats, dogs, hamsters, ferrets, rabbits, gerbils, etc. Most pets will scratch their ears or shake their head very frequently if they have ear mites. Unfortunately, ear mites can also live on other parts of the body on your pet as well.
If you suspect your pet has ear mites, it is best to first clean your pet's ears with a pet ear cleaner. There are many common pet cleaners that help aid in killing the mites. Be sure to choose a cleaner with an insectidide or else it will not kill the mites. It is generally a good idea to use to cleaner for at least 4 weeks, as this is the usual life cycle of an ear mite. Make sure you wash your pet in a flea & tick shampoo, especially the feet and tail, as this is where most ear mites reside when not in the ear. Although ear mites are contagious to other pets, humans do not have to worry about getting these bugs on them. Be sure to check with your vet if you are not sure if your pet has ear mites.

Sago Palm Plant- Dangerous or Fatal to pets!

Certain plants can be very dangerous to many pets. For example, the poinsettia plant that you usually see during Christmas time can cause pets to have an upset stomach or gastrointestinal problems. However, there are also many other plants that can be deadly to pets. The Sago Palm plant is a popular house plant with dark leaves and a hairy trunk and is extremely dangerous to pets. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure, so be sure to keep your pets away from this plant. Many pet owners are not aware of certain plants that can cause their pets to be sick, so it is extremely important to keep all plants away from pets until you are sure if the plant is safe or not. It is always a good idea to check with your veterinarian to see which plants are harmful to your pets.

Pet Question of the Day

Question: Can an owner use a human shampoo on a dog or cat? Why or why not?



Answer: No. Human shampoos should not be used on pets. Human shampoos have a different pH and contain substances that can cause skin irritations or dry out the pet's skin. Use a pet shampoo, and preferably use a shampoo made for that specific pet, i.e. use cat shampoo on a cat.

We have a variety of pet shampoos here. Our Crazy Pet product collection comes in various great smelling, long-lasting scents! We also carry flea and tick shampoos, as well as shampoos for dogs with dry skin.

Featured Product: Wahl Chromado Cordless Pet Clipper

Introducing the easy way to groom your pet! The Wahl Chromado takes the hassle out of grooming your pet. With its sleek, innovative design, the Wahl Chromado pet clipper has 5 adjustable sized blades to give you control over the length of your pet's hair. The battery LED indicator on the front of the clipper shows you when you are low on battery power.

Also, check out our New Items section, where we've added dog & cat beds, dog shampoos & more! We add new items frequently, so be sure to check back with us often!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Did you know that an astounding 80% of pets experience some type of oral disease by the age of three? Sad, but true. This is because most pet owners don't take the time to care for their pet's teeth like they should. Or, it could just be because pet owners are not aware that their pet's teeth need just as much attention as their own. However, it IS important to give your pet daily brushings and yearly dental check ups. Poor dental health can lead to serious ailments such as kidney, heart, and liver disease.

We offer dental products on our website specially formulated for your pets. It is important not to use a human toothbrush on your pets, as the bristles can do damage to the gums. Human toothpaste is also not good for your pet, as many human toothpastes make pets sick. Along with daily brushings, there are also many pet products that can aid in the prevention of tartar build up. Products such as dental chews/bones, rawhide, and also, as previously stated, Greenies. The greenies are an excellent way to keep your pet's teeth healthy. The texture of the greenies help to reduce plaque, while also massaging your pet's gums. Healthy gums lead to healthy teeth.

Since February is Pet Dental Month, many veterinarians are offering discounts or coupons for pet dental care. So taking care of your pet doesn't have to put a big dent in your wallet. Check with your local vet and see if they are giving any specials this month for pet dental checkups.