If you don’t closely follow flea treatment instructions, your dog could get sick and even die. The EPA receives over 44,000 complaints a year about “spot on” flea treatments for dogs. These are usually liquids packaged in small tubes that you squeeze out and onto your dog’s skin. Some of these flea treatments for dogs contain a chemical called “amitraz” which has been proven to cause neurological damage, especially in children. Since dogs usually weigh even less than a child, the harmful effects could be even worse.

Adhere to the following tips when using flea treatments for dogs in order to minimize the chances of a harmful side effect and attain maximum flea prevention.

Always be sure you consult with your veterinarian before and after using any chemical based product.

Only use flea treatments that are specifically made for dogs. Some people use products made for cats on their dogs and have run into trouble.

Avoid any flea treatment for dogs with the following harmful chemicals in the “active ingredients” listing; tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl, propoxur and amitraz.

Make sure to follow the usage instructions exactly as they are written on the package. This will provide the best flea prevention and potentially minimize side effects.

If your furry friend has a bad reaction to the treatment, give him a bath as soon as possible and call your veterinarian immediately.

Finally, one of the major reasons that dogs get flea infestations in the first place is because they have a weak immune system. Canines can get a weakened immune systems by environmental chemicals and, more importantly, from an unhealthy diet. I know you probably think you are feeding your dog a healthy dog food, but he sad fact is that the majority of the food on the market today is actually very unhealthy for your dog and weakens his immune system. Once you start feeding your dog a truly healthy diet, using chemical filled and potentially harmful flea treatments for dogs will be a thing of the past.

So what I would suggest is to continue using the flea treatment for dogs while you change your dog’s unhealthy dog food to a healthy dog food. Once you’ve been feeding your dog a truly healthy dog food for a while, you can take your dog off of the flea treatment and use more natural methods for flea prevention.

Robert Riley is an investigative pet health researcher and the Author of the Dog Food Doctrine which is the most downloaded pet health PDF in history. The Dog Food Doctrine reveals the exact reasons why the health of the dogs we love has declined so much since the 1960’s. For a limited time, ArticleBase readers can download it for free at by clicking on this healthy dog food link now. Robert just completed his next book, The Dog Food Code.
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From time to time, the need arises to take your pet to see a veterinarian. These vet visits are very important for your pet’s health, but getting them there can be a bit tricky sometimes. Knowing the best way to transport your little loved one can be very helpful in getting them to their vet safely and easily. One of the best ways to transport a pet is in a carrier.

Know the best type of carrier for the short transport first, though. Also, a pet seat belt can be purchased and used if your pet is too large for a carrier in your vehicle. However, keep in mind that safe transport is your number one goal.

Transporting your furry friend back and forth to the vet can become somewhat difficult. To do this, it is recommended that you use a pet carrier belted into the back seat of your vehicle to safely transport you and your pet. The best pet carrier for travelling in a vehicle is a hard plastic carrier. This is very important as it will protect your pet should you have an accident. Make sure that your pet carrier is well padded and there are no sharp edges on the inside of your carrier that can cut or snag your pet.

To get the correct pet carrier you will need to know the height and length of your pet. It will need plenty of room to walk in, turn around, and lie down in the carrier. If you have a dog, it may be important to take your pet with you when picking out the correct size. Using pet beds, or some kind of padding inside the carrier will keep the pet comfortable.

Make sure that the pet carrier can be dismantled to clean in case your pet has an accident in the carrier. Noting the size of the carrier is also important because if it is too big to fit into a car, then you may need to find an alternate method of transporting your pet. You can use the larger crates in the back of a truck; however, you will need to strap it down so that it will not be thrown from the vehicle if you are in a car accident.

If you do not own a truck, then there is another alternative to the pet carrier. It is a pet seat belt. These seat belts are usually adjustable to the size of the animal that you are wanting to transport. However, they are meant for larger dogs and can actually be purchased to fit any model of vehicle.

Never transport a cat without a proper carrier. This can cause the pet serious harm if you are in an accident. Also, if you do not put your dog in a carrier, strap them in using a seat belt in the back seat of the vehicle to ensure their safe transportation. It is also important that you never let any animal stick their heads out of car windows. This is actually quite harmful to them as dirty and debris can get in their eyes and ears. Also, the wind from the drive can burst the dogs ear drums and cause them to go deaf. A dogs ears are not connected to their sinus cavity like a human, so they cannot decompress as easily.

Getting your pet back and forth to the vet is very important. Using the proper carriers and techniques for transporting your pet will ensure that they stay healthy between visits. Also, some towns have very strict laws regarding the transport of pets. Know these laws and help keep your pet safe from harm when travelling by car.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For competitive pet insurance, he recommends Healthy Pets, a specialist pet insurer.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-safest-way-to-transport-your-pets-to-the-vet-in-your-car-1754146.html

Home Remedies for Ear Infections in Dogs

When we are growing up, our Mothers’ always tell us to make sure our ears are clean. This is because it is very easy for harmful bacteria to get into the ear canal. Dogs are really no different, and since they are usually outside a large portion of the day, may also have bugs or insects that have managed to get inside the ears.

If your dog shakes his head often, scratches at his ears, or rubs them along on the ground, it is possible this is a sign of and ears infection. Infected ears may also have a foul smell, and a yellowish or black discharge may be produced. Redness of the canal and flap of the ear is also a common sign.

If you decide to take your canine to the veterinarian, he will probably prescribe some drops that will have to be administered over at least a few weeks to solve this problem. If he sees that insects are the problem, your dog may have to be sedated while this taken care of.

Some veterinary offices may be practitioners of holistic or homeopathic medicines. While it is always wise to consult your vet before trying some new method, it is possible he can tell you of natural herbs that can be bought at your local grocery store that may help with the problem, and how to use them.

There are many natural substances that have great benefit to animals suffering from inflammation, pain, and irritation. Marigold, Tea Tree Oil, Myrrh, and Chamomile are often used because they have natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Some of these also have uses to include topical pain relief, and some have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Most of these substances can be combined to have a positive result in helping with your pets’ pain and discomfort.