Understanding Heartworms

With mosquito season upon us, it’s time to think about heartworm disease. Transmitted through mosquito bites, this is a serious parasitic disease that can do major damage to your pet’s heart and other internal organs. Most veterinarians now recommend that you administer heartworm preventatives all year long. However, these toxic medications aren’t benign and, scientifically, they are not necessary for more than a few months per year in our area. With a better understanding of the disease, how it is transmitted and prevention options, you will be able to make an educated, healthier choice for your pet.

Fortunately for our pets, heartworm is not so easy to contact in the Northeast. However, with rescue groups bringing so many dogs from the South to this area now, it has become more prevalent. Per “The Heartworm Handbook” by Melinda Miller, Hospital Director of Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, the mere presence of mosquitoes isn’t enough for a pet to be infected with the parasite. Heartworms have a very complex lifecycle that requires specific species of mosquito and precise timing as the mosquito has to have bitten previously infected animals in order for it to pick up and transmit larvae. Even more important: the larvae picked up by the mosquito can’t mature inside the mosquito and be infective to other animals until there are at least 8 to 14 continuous days of temperatures above 57 degrees day and night.

Since our temperatures in the Northeast limit the potential for exposure to heartworm, is it imperative to treat your pets every month? Heartguard and other treatments are not harmless. They are systemic pesticides. To eliminate unnecessary doses of toxic chemicals for your pet, Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, an integrative veterinary practice in South Salem, NY, recommends the following protocol:

In May of each year: run a SNAP test. If the test is clear, begin administering a heartworm preventative such as Heartgard or Interceptor. These preventatives are proven by research to be 100% effective when given every 45 days. The drug manufacturers convinced the FDA that the public couldn’t remember to administer the preventatives unless it was on a 30 day schedule, despite the fact that they are effective for 45 days (and beyond). That’s the only reason they are labeled for 30 day use. So, as long as you fully comply with the schedule below, the Smith Ridge preventative recommendation for this area is:

June 1 – dose 1 (will kill infection that began between April 15 and May 31)
July 15 – dose 2 (will kill infection that began between June 1 and July 15)
August 31 – dose 3 (will kill infection that began between July 16 and Aug. 31)
October 15 – dose 4 (will kill infection that began between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15)

As you can see above, heartworm preventatives don’t actually prevent infection, they just prevent larvae from maturing into adult worms. It’s the adults that cause harm. These drugs “reach back” to kill off any larvae that may be present. If there is no infection present, your pet is getting toxic chemicals it doesn’t need. The start date of June 1 is actually very conservative as typical April and May temperatures aren’t usually above the 57 degree mark for 8 to 14 days on a 24 hour, continuous basis. And infective transmission won’t occur until that happens. While the use of these toxic chemicals may be a necessary evil, the above schedule at least allows you to minimize your pet’s exposure to them.

Important Note: if you travel with your pet to areas of the country where there are warmer temperatures during the year, this protocol must be adjusted.

There are pet owners who want to eliminate the use of preventatives completely. That can be done, though it does require using 2 different tests and testing twice during the year – and there is still some risk. We recommend you work with a veterinary practice like Smith Ridge if you want to avoid administering preventatives completely.

Think through your options and choose wisely for your pet.

Understanding Vaccines

Spring is here and all of the postcards from your veterinarian start showing up with vaccine reminders. As your pet’s advocate it is important for you to understand vaccines. There is an incredible amount of information and research about vaccines and their side effects. Once considered harmless, benign, and the right thing to do for our pets every year, now we are aware of just the opposite. There is great research that supports limiting vaccines with new guidelines designed to protect our animal companions. Not all veterinarians will agree with limiting vaccines. It is difficult for people to change, even in the face of good information and research. Profit and established beliefs can get in the way of what is best for pets.

Vaccine reactions do occur and are not as uncommon as your veterinarian might lead you to believe. Here is a partial list of vaccine reactions:
Fever, diarrhea, vomiting
Anaphylactic reactions such as: swellings, respiratory distress, hives
Lethargy
Vaccine site swellings, abscesses, granulomas
Autoimmune diseases
Vaccine site cancers
Seizures
Post vaccine induced encephalitis and/or meningitis
Paralysis
Lymphoma
Deterioration of existing illnesses either known or unknown at the time of
the vaccinating.

How do you sort through all the information about what vaccines are really necessary? It really is fairly straight forward. As determined by the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are three core vaccines:
Distemper
Parvo virus
Rabies

The following vaccines are considered non core vaccines by the American Veterinary Medical Associations. The incidence of the diseases is generally low, and some of these are treatable diseases. The Lyme vaccine is highly controversial. Several are generally not protective or only offer a limited amount of protection for only a few strains of the disease.

Non Core Vaccines:
Leptospirosis
Adenovirus
Para
Lyme
Giardia
Corona
Bordetella


Vaccine Guidelines
• Only vaccinate a HEALTHY pet. Never vaccinate a pet when they are about to undergo surgery. Never vaccinate a pet that is fighting cancer. Never vaccinate a pet that is still recovering from an illness or surgery. Any pet with allergies should be considered compromised and vaccinating is not advisable.
• Consider the age of the pet – vaccines are especially hard on senior animals.
• What is your pet’s previous medical and vaccine history?
• Consider your lifestyle and the possibility of your pet’s exposure to disease.

There is no doubt that modern vaccine technology has improved the quality of pet’s lives. Today, with new research and information, the old approach of annual vaccines needs to be questioned and new regimens that offer safe and effective alternatives, needs to be adopted. For many veterinarians, annual vaccinations have been the main reason their clients bring their pets into the practice. Adopting more “wellness visit” programs could take the emphasis off over vaccination; and contribute to our pet’s living longer, healthier lives.

The following link offers an adjusted, minimal vaccine schedule:

http://www.doglogic.com/Dr.Dodd-VaccineSchedule2005.doc

New Years Resolutions for Pets

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pets

Is there anyone out there who is the perfect pet owner? There are always things that can be done to improve our animal companion’s lives. Perfection may not be possible, but there are certainly things to do that will help your pets. Take time to reflect about the important role pets play in your family’s lives. What can you do to make your animal companions happier and healthier? These simple resolutions can add years to your pet’s lives.

Here is our list of New Year’s Resolutions for your pets:
• I resolve to feed the healthiest food possible to my pets. Pet Pantry Warehouse offers a wide variety of quality foods with a range of pricing. Come in and speak with our trained staff about your choices. If you’ve been feeding the same food for over a year, it’s time to switch!
• I resolve to take walks with my dog every day – rain or shine, snow or ice. Your dog will never say “no” to a walk. Dogs crave new scents and sounds so mix it up everyday – explore new routes and find new dog-friendly parks.
• I resolve to learn more about vaccines so I can make better, educated decisions when faced with the “Vaccine Reminder” postcards from the vet.
• I resolve to teach my dog and my cat new tricks. Mental stimulation is so important for your pets. Search online for easy pet tricks. Youtube is loaded with videos of fun tricks, all being taught motivationally. Cats are as trainable as dogs with reward-based training techniques.
• I resolve to play with my pets. Dogs love toys. Pick up all the toys around the house and introduce something new or different each day. Get your cat up and moving. There are so many good interactive cat toys that will put your cat into “hunting” mode.

2011 is going to be a great year. Enjoy and appreciate your pets all year.

Your Cat is a Carnivore

Cats are obligate (true) carnivores. What that means is your cat was meant to eat other animals, not plants or grains. If your cat had the opportunity to hunt for food, he would choose rodents, insects and birds with this prey having high levels of water, protein and moderate fat levels. Cats are designed to utilize fat and protein for energy, with only a nominal requirement for carbohydrates. Putting thought into your cat’s food choices can result in a longer, healthier life. It will yield huge rewards over the lifetime of your cat; helping to avoid life-threatening, painful and costly illnesses.

So many of the diseases plaguing our cats are nutrition related. To name a few:
• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Skin and coat problems
• Chronic vomiting
• Heart disease
Food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease are becoming epidemic in cats. By feeding a diet that closely mimics a natural prey diet, our cat’s bodies are better nourished and healthier. Many of the above listed diseases may be avoided or eliminated

Start checking out labels and look for quality protein and fat. The Pet Pantry Warehouse staff is well trained in label reading and can help you sort out the good stuff from the bad stuff. If you want to start exploring labels, check the first ingredients on the label. Cats have a strong need for high-quality protein. Does the ingredient list start with a specifically named animal protein, e.g. chicken and chicken meal? Or, does it list poultry-by-products as the source of protein. There’s a big difference. Chicken and chicken meal offer high quality protein. Poultry-by-products are the leftover bits (beaks, feathers, and feet) that are swept off the slaughter house floor. Labels beginning with all grains are even more problematic for our cat carnivores. Cats have no dietary need for grains and their bodies are lacking the necessary amino acids and enzymatic pathways to utilize the nutrients.

Fortunately, for cats, the more progressive food companies are offering quality, grain free diets in a variety of formulas and types of food. There are grain free formulas available in raw diets, freeze-dried diets, canned foods and dry foods. Let our staff help you find the best possible food for your carnivore. Many foods may sustain your feline companion’s life. But Pet Pantry wants your cat to thrive, not just survive?

Itchy Dogs-understanding allergies

Just like humans, dogs can have allergies when their immune systems begin to recognize everyday substances, from food to pollen to grass, as dangerous allergens. Any dog can develop allergies at any time of their life. “Allergies are one of the most common problems presented at our vet hospital” says Melinda Miller, hospital director of Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, South Salem, NY. The environment is filled with common allergens that will be innocuous to most animals. But a dog with allergies may react with a variety of symptoms. Allergens may be ingested, inhaled or contact a dog’s skin. As the dog’s body struggles to get rid of the allergic substances, skin, respiratory and digestive issues may occur.

“My own approach to allergies begins with the premise that an allergy isn’t the root cause of the symptoms it manifests. It’s the symptom itself, which flares up when a dog’s immune system has become sensitized to an allergen. This is usually secondary to a buildup over time of toxicity that has affected the immune system. Genetics may be involved: a pet with a family history of allergies is definitely likelier to have them.” Martin Goldstein, DVM.

Here are the general symptoms of allergic dogs:
 Chewing on feet
 General itching and scratching
 Red, flakey, crusty, scabbed skin
 Runny, itchy eyes
 Gunky, itchy ears
 Recurring yeast and bacterial infections
 Chewing the base of the tail
 Sneezing
 Diarrhea and general digestive upsets
 Vomiting
 Constantly licking

If your dog is suffering with any of the above symptoms, pursuing a diagnosis is a worthwhile endeavor. Often this process is easier said than done. Even though allergies are a very common problem, a definitive diagnosis can be evasive. Consult with your vet regarding the types of testing available for determining allergies. Some of the more common allergens are:
 Food
 Pollen from trees, grass and weeds
 Mold
 Dust
 Dander
 Feathers
 Flea and tick products
 Cleaning products
 Pesticides and chemicals sprayed in yards
 Fabrics
 Rubber and plastics

There are steps you can take immediately to help your dog’s body deal with allergies. Getting your dog’s body detoxified would be the first step towards a healthier immune system. Pet Pantry Warehouse offers a wide range of quality foods with a simple ingredient profile that will help to build a stronger immune system. Our staff will take a complete look at everything your dog ingests – from food to treats to chews. Integrative veterinarians also recommend minimizing vaccines and pesticides to aid the detoxifying process.

Dog School-How to choose a good trainer.

It’s that time of year when everyone is thinking “back to school”. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, training is important. The joys and benefits of training your dog are numerous and far outweigh the investment of time and resources. Training builds respect and trust and deepens your relationship with your dog. But how do you choose a good trainer and what are the types of classes available for you and your dog?

Dog training has greatly evolved over the last several decades. Choosing a good, qualified dog trainer can be confusing and challenging. There is no official licensing or certification for dog trainers, although there is one organization that has risen to the top for trainer certification – APDT – American Pet Dog Trainers. They are primarily an educational organization for trainers, with the goal of exposing all types of those enrolled to “humane, science-based training methods.” Additionally, they have a directory of trainers available on their website, www.apdt.com. The website would be a good place to start. There are so many companies and organizations claiming to certify dog trainers. Some are individual trainers offering certifications while others are companies offering franchises to individuals. When considering the hiring of a trainer, it is strongly advised that you check their reputation and their credentials – it can have a large impact on the quality of your relationship with your dog.

Here is a checklist:
• What is the trainer’s reputation with local pet stores, veterinarians, and groomers?
• What is the trainer’s experience and knowledge: how long have they been training? Where did they receive their education and continuing education? Have they earned titles on their dogs?
• How are the trainer’s communication skills – both human and dog?
• How would they describe their training methods? You want to hear terms like: positive, motivational, treats, toys, clicker. If they start trying to sell you an electronic collar for your 8 week old puppy – you may want to look elsewhere as that type of training can have detrimental results.
• You are looking for a training philosophy that is compatible with your personal philosophy, your training needs and your dog’s temperament.
• Training should enhance your relationship with your dog, not damage the trust. You don’t need to dominate a dog to train a dog.

Once you have done your homework and found a trainer you like, your next decision is whether to take private lessons or attend a group class. There are both positives and negatives to the different types of training situations. Private lessons will be more expensive but customized to your dog. Often a focused hour with a good trainer can be more productive than weeks of group classes. It will also depend on your dog. A timid, re-homed rescue may learn much more with a private lesson at home than having to cope with lots of other people and dogs in a strange setting. If you are working out serious behavioral problems, private lessons would be the best.

If you have a new puppy, a group “puppy” class may be your best choice. The class should have strict limits on how old a dog will be accepted into the class. The class should consist of all puppies! This is a great opportunity for your puppy to socialize with other puppies and their people. With all of the distractions of a group class, your puppy will learn to focus on your instructions in spite of all the sights and smells and sounds.

Helpful hints for training your dog:
• Be prepared with the correct style of collar and leash, specified by your trainer.
• Lots of training treats! Your dog defines what a “treat” is – just because the package says it’s a treat, does not mean your dog considers it a reward. It’s your job to find good things your dog loves.
• Make certain your dog has had the opportunity to eliminate before beginning the training class or session. It can be hard to concentrate if he has to go!
• You may want to feed a light meal before your training session.
• Practice, practice, practice. But. . . keep your practice session short and fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re teaching sit, down, come or high five. They are all dog tricks as far as the dog is concerned.
• Train with a smile on your face. You and your dog will enjoy the process more if you’re happy.

The Hazards of Pesticides & Pets

“I think it’s a good idea to minimize pesticide exposure of any sort, not only because of what we know, but because of what we don’t know.”
Donald Weston, University of California-Berkley, February 2010

Contrary to what lawn care companies, veterinarians and chemical companies would have us believe, herbicides (weed killers) and pesticides (bug killers) can be harmful to our pets and to our family. So many products in the marketplace these days are broad spectrum biocides, and by their very nature can harm organisms other than targeted species. This includes you and your family, neighbors, pets, and all other forms of life.

Despite the level of care you may be giving your pets, animal companions are at high risk of being poisoned by home, garden, and pet maintenance practices. Pesticides and herbicides are the culprits. The smaller bodies of our pets make them more susceptible to chemicals, and their behavior patterns make them more likely to be exposed to toxic chemicals. Chemicals that may seem harmless can be a real life and death matter for cats, dogs, birds, horses, rabbits and other pets. Pets are more vulnerable to pesticides and herbicides because they walk through chemically-treated areas, unknowingly and absorb pesticides through their mouth, nose, and eyes. Pets are also susceptible to secondary poisoning from catching, and eating, poisoned prey. Both dogs and cats eat rodents, mollusks, and bugs – all considered undesirable species often controlled through the use of pesticides.

Flea and tick products that are designed to kill are another known risk for pets. Most people assume the products applied to the back of the dog and cat’s neck stay on top of the animal’s coat and repel, and, therefore, are safe. Quite the contrary. The reality is, these products are absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. The main active ingredient in most spot-on products is a pesticide known as permethrin. It kills insects by paralyzing their nervous system. The product, however, cannot distinguish between an insect’s nervous system, a dog’s nervous system, or a human’s nervous system. If the applied chemical can be absorbed through your pet’s skin, it can also be absorbed through you and your families’ skin when you pet the dog or cat.

“Of course, as bad as these products may be for pet owners and caregivers, they often are worse for the pets themselves. Based on the very limited data available, it appears that hundred and probably thousands of pets have been injured or killed through exposure to pet products containing pesticides. As with small children, pets cannot report when they’re being poisoned at low doses.”
Natural Resources Defense Council

Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products
The good news. . . Pet Pantry Warehouse offers many natural products that will safely control and repel fleas and ticks. Come in and check out our selection of herbal/essential oil dips and sprays for repelling ticks and fleas. Ask our staff about “Tick Tubes” by Damminix. The tubes are self-contained and may be distributed around your yard to attract the mice that carry deer ticks. We have many healthy options for your pets.



Signs your dog or cat is having an adverse reaction to a flea/tick control product:
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling
• Lack of coordination
• Labored breathing
• Increased excitability
• Elevated body temperature
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
If the symptoms continue, contact your vet immediately.

Swimming with your Dog

When it is summertime, enjoying the water with your dog can be great fun. Swimming is as good for dogs as it is for people – a health promoting sport with great fitness benefits placing minimal wear and tear on joints. Just like people, most dogs can handle the physical demands of swimming. Some dogs are more proficient than others. They come hard-wired with more energy and efficiency in the water and better equipped with webbed feet! However, with the help of a quality life jacket, a pug can enjoy the water as much as a lab.

If you want swimming and water fun to be a part of your dog’s life, think carefully when first exposing your dog to water. Before starting a swimming program think about how your dog responds to water. Does she splash in every puddle; play in every water bowl and run to any large body of water? Even with a naturally water loving dog, never use compulsion to force your dog to enter a body of water. Just placing a puppy in a kiddy pool can create fear. Always let your dog choose to play in water.

The best way to create a water loving dog is to insure their safety with a quality life jacket. Even a dog with natural swimming ability can benefit from a good life jacket. The jacket promotes water confidence and will increase swimming time by reducing fatigue. When fitting a life jacket, buy the smallest jacket possible as long as the chest straps fit comfortably.

Choose your dog’s swim locations with care. If you wouldn’t swim in the water, don’t allow you dog in the water. Check for any swimming hazards; submerged junk, fishing hooks or equipment, broken glass, wildlife that may harm your dog. Remember, a pool with steps is always more difficult for a dog to negotiate than a body of water with a gradual entry.

To start your dog on a lifetime of fun in the water, pick a warm sunny day, a clean, safe body of water with a gradual entry, take lots of floating toys and treats for rewarding water confidence. Pet Pantry Warehouse is fully stocked with quality life jackets, fun water toys and healthy, natural treats. Come in and have our trained staff help you properly fit your dog’s life jacket.

The Good Dog Foundation and Pet Pantry Announce the June 2010 Therapy Dog Search!

The Good Dog Foundation will host a Therapy Dog Search at Pet Pantry in Greenwich, CT on Saturday, June 19th. After evaluation, the dog and handler may attend a training program and go on to join more than 800 other Good Dog volunteer teams who offer animal-assisted therapy to health care, social service, educational and community facilities in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

WHEN: Saturday, June 19th, 2:00-4:00 p.m. *
WHO: Any dog and handler pair who is interested in becoming a Good Dog volunteer team may attend. Dogs must be at least six months old. The handler needs only to have the desire and availability for volunteering with one or more facilities or programs.
WHERE:
Pet Pantry
290 Railroad Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
INFO: For more information call 718-788-2988.

*First come, first serve. There may be a short wait depending on the numer of dogs in attendance.

Pet Therapy search this Saturday in Rye!

Saturday June 5th, at Pet Pantry in Rye, NY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Good Dog Foundation and Pet Pantry Warehouse announce the June 2010 therapy
Dog Search!

The
Good Dog Foundation will host a Therapy Dog Search at Pet Pantry
in Rye, NY on Saturday, June 5th. After evaluation,
the dog and handler may attend a training program and go on to join more than
800 other Good Dog volunteer teams who offer animal-assisted therapy to health
care, social service, educational and community facilities in New York, Connecticut,
New Jersey and Massachusetts.

WHEN:Saturday, June 5th, 2:00-4:00 p.m. *

WHO:Any dog and handler pair who is
interested in becoming a Good Dog volunteer team may attend. Dogs must be at
least six months old. The handler needs only to have the desire and
availability for volunteering with one or more facilities or programs.
WHERE:
Pet Pantry

259
Purchase St.
Rye, NY 10580
INFO:For more information call 718-788-2988.
*First come, first
served. There may be a short wait depending on the numer of dogs in attendance.

Spring Time and Canine Conditioning

Spring is here and we all want to get outside and have fun. It’s a great time to have our canine companions join us for a run, a walk in the woods or a swim at the lake. You may have been working out at the gym throughout the cold winter months, but has your dog been keeping fit? Or has he been home on the couch, with only the occasional trot around the backyard for exercise? Before you take a 3 mile jog with your dog, on a beautiful spring day, it is your responsibility to view and respect your dog as an athlete. Is your dog in good condition? What is your dog’s structure? Are you feeding a nutritionally balanced diet?

Before starting any exercise program with your dog, your dog should be given a thorough physical examination by a competent veterinarian. It is important to determine if there are any pre-existing conditions that may compromise your dog’s ability to exercise. Dogs with physical conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia that can result in arthritis should be given only moderate exercise throughout their lives. The best exercise for these dogs is swimming, because it is a non-weight-bearing exercise. (See caninewatersports.com for great information on teaching any breed of dog to swim).

Any exercise program you start with your dog should begin gradually and should be worked on consistently. Exercise and conditioning is not just a weekend activity. Your dog’s exercise program should include general conditioning exercises, such as swimming, retrieving, walking or running. Retrieving is a wonderful method to exercise a dog, but it has a high potential for injury. The use of frisbees as a retrieving toy should be used cautiously and only thrown low to the ground to prevent the dog from twisting on landing. Pet Pantry recommends the Chuck-It for those handlers that have trouble throwing a ball. It can help the handler throw the ball further and avoid handler injury from the repetitive motion of pitching a ball.

Mental conditioning is also essential for your dog’s well-being. Play with your dog! Frequent play periods are the best way to mentally condition a dog. Play is an important part of a dog’s emotional make-up. Tug-of-war and hide-and-seek are great games to relieve your dog’s stress while increasing the focus on the owner and strengthening the human-canine bond. Pet Pantry carries many safe tug toys that will stimulate a dog’s play drive.

A healthy diet is crucial for your dog’s long term health and longevity. Come into one of our locations and speak with our nutritional experts. They will help you choose a great food for your canine athlete.

Take the time to appreciate your dog’s marvelous athletic ability and use common sense before beginning any exercise program. Remember – just like you, your dog needs one day off a week.

Grand Opening THIS SATURDAY!

The Pet Pantry Warehouse cordially invites you to join us this Saturday April 10th for the Grand Opening celebration of our newest location at 2444 Boston Post Rd. in Larchmont, N.Y.! We are extremely excited to have an opportunity to serve Larchmont and the local surrounding community Healthy, Holistic and Natural selections of products for your pets.

Stop by Saturday where we will be offering a raffle for a free one year supply of Pet food, a gift certificate raffle, free T-shirts to the first 500 customers, FREE face painting for the kids from 12-3, a meet and greet with local dog trainer Ken Berenson from 11-1, as well as tons of other free giveaways....

In addition to the free products and fun stuff, we have 2 wonderful groups that will be joining us Saturday: Adopt-A-dog (http://www.adopt-a-dog.org/) is a local non-profit pet adoption organization that will be by with some wonderful pets that will be available to good homes. Additionally, the Good Dog foundation (http://www.thegooddogfoundation.org/) will be on hand to recruit and educate about their program that is dedicated to all aspects of animal assisted therapy.

Coffee and donuts will be served.

We hope to see you there!

Spring Check Ups for Pets

Spring is coming and those reminder postcards from the vet’s office start piling up in the mail. It’s spring check up time. What should and shouldn’t you do for your animal companions?

Just because you have a postcard stating your pet needs a long, laundry list of vaccinations, doesn’t mean it’s true or necessary. As your pet’s guardian, it is important that you do your homework and understand what they do and don’t need. Vaccine protocols have been changing dramatically over the last few years; fueled by research being done at the University of Wisconsin, by Dr. Ronald Schultz. There is increasing evidence that immunity provided from most vaccinations lasts longer than one year. And repeatedly vaccinating every year has been associated with immune-mediated disorders in dogs and certain types of cancer in cats. “Why, when you know from personal experience that life-long immunity exists for many human vaccines, do you have great difficulty believing a canine vaccine can provide life-long immunity?” Dr. Ronald Schultz

There are many good reasons for a spring check up beyond vaccinations. You and your vet can discuss your pet’s overall health. Your veterinarian can examine your pet’s teeth, ears, eyes, skin and coat condition, heart, and weight. Parasite issues can be discussed. Remember, many products used for controlling parasites are pesticides and should be used judiciously. Come in to Pet Pantry and discuss healthy alternatives for controlling pests.

“Yuck, dog breath!” is not really a laughing matter. If your cat or dog has really foul breath, it indicates there are problems with either teeth or tummy - definitely not something to be ignored. Part of a good spring check up should be a really thorough examination of the mouth. Infected teeth and gums aren’t just a mouth problem – the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria that can ‘seed’ to other parts of the body.

It is important to keep a careful eye on your animal companions and visit the veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms:
• Excessive thirst
• Increase or decrease in eating habits
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Changes in behavior
• Vomiting
• Any lumps or bumps
• Bad breath
• Lethargy
• Cough, labored breathing or shortness of breath
• Increase in temperature, pulse or breathing rate
• Changes in litter box habits, constipations, diarrhea, frequent
urination, straining to eliminate, blood in feces
• Abnormal discharges containing pus or blood. These often have an offensive odor. Watch for discharges from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, penis or vagina.
Prompt veterinary attention should be sought if you notice any of the above symptoms. It is very important for your pets to have regular check ups with the vet, even if they appear to be healthy. Early detection can ward off many potentially serious problems.


Please note:
The articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian. While great care has been taken in the creation of these posts, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. They are being provided for informative purposes only. Please see your veterinarian for any health problems with your pets.

Why Feed the Good Stuff?

There are many good reasons for feeding your pet good food. Long term good health, longer lives, lower vet bills, to name just a few. What constitutes a good food?

When we choose a food to carry in our store, we look for quality ingredients and a caring manufacturer. Because we are feeding carnivores, good quality protein should be the first thing on the label. Look for a specifically named protein – chicken and chicken meal – not poultry meal or poultry by-products. If grains are present in the food, look for whole grains – oats, barley, brown rice. The fat should be specifically named like the protein source, and preserved naturally. When you see by-products, chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT, artificial flavorings, dyes and sweetners, keep looking for a better food.

Our shelves are stocked with natural, quality foods. Each animal is an individual. There is no one perfect food. Speak with our staff to determine a food to try with your pet. Then observe your animal companions for the next 2 months. Do they have a glossy coat? Is their skin healthy and itch free? Are their eyes bright? Are their ears clear? Do they have a happy, alert attitude?

When you want to make a healthier food selection for your pet, come in and speak with our trained staff. We will help you sort through ingredients, formulas, manufacturers and price. Our goal is to find the best food for you and your animal companion.

We want your pets to thrive!

Does Your Dog Need a Coat?

Does Your Dog Need a Coat?

There’s lots of high fashion out there for dogs, but does a dog really need a coat? Not all dogs need a coat, but many benefit from wearing a coat when the weather turns bitter cold. Most of our dogs live in the comfort of a heated home. Most dogs will adjust to gradual, seasonal changes of temperature. But many dogs will welcome help when the weather becomes extremely cold and wet.

It would be the rare occasion that a husky or a malamute would require a coat. Most of the northern breeds are naturally well equipped for a cold winter day. However, many other breeds and individuals will welcome the help of an extra layer of warmth.

So who does need a coat?

•Older and in firmed dogs that struggle with maintaining their body heat. By adding an extra layer you can help your dog preserve his physiological resources for the maintenance of general health and vitality.

•Dogs with hair and not fur are vulnerable to cold – especially windy, wet days. Without thick undercoat or water resistant fur, dogs can get frostbitten from the wind and soaked to the skin from rain and snow.

•Without any fat layers for protection, very thin dogs can certainly benefit from a coat.

•Even a short-haired hunting dog will appreciate a coat on a cold day.

•Small dogs, especially those with short legs, need extra help maintaining their body heat.

•Puppies being house trained in winter are also great candidates. It becomes very de-motivating for a puppy to eliminate outside when they freeze every time they go out. Choose a coat that is very easy to get on and off for those frequent, quick trips outside.

When choosing a coat, look for quality materials, good workmanship, and ease of laundering. Come into the store and try the coats on – fit is everything! A good quality coat can last the lifetime of a dog.

We look forward to seeing you!

Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Owners

Halloween can be lots of fun for human family members, but it can be a very scary and stressful holiday for the family pets. Here are a few suggestions to make the spooky holiday less stressful:

• If children in costumes are weird looking to us, just imagine how strange they appear to our pets. Consider excluding your pets from the festivities. The chaos that can accompany trick-or-treaters can be daunting for a good natured animal, think how upsetting it could be to the shy or sensitive cat or dog.
• If you must take your dog trick-or-treating, go only during daylight hours and only if your dog enjoys squealing, costumed children. Supervise your dog at all times and watch for signs of stress (panting, showing the whites of the eyes, yawning, and avoiding eye contact ).
• A normally good-natured dog or cat may be very frightened of children in costumes. Do not allow any child to tease, harass, trick or startle your animal companions.
• Don’t leave any of your pets outside and unattended during Halloween.
• Chocolate in all forms and candy containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be dangerous and poisonous to pets. Even the candy wrappers pose a threat. Keep all Halloween goodies well away from your pets.
• Some dogs are very good sports about being dressed up, but others are not so easy-going. Be sensitive to the comfort level of your dog. Be aware of the potential for your dog to overheat in a costume. Never have your dog wear a costume that blocks vision or makes it difficult to walk.

4th of July: Red, White and Pet Blues

Did you know. . .

• Animals' ears are more sensitive than ours.  Humans understand the concept of fireworks, animals may think their world is coming to an end.
  
• There are several safe, natural products that can help calm your pet during fireworks.
  

For the fun of it. . .

• Pet Pantry has a collection of red, white and blue leashes, collars and t-shirts for the patriotic pooch.
  
• If you're invited to your neighbor's house for a 4th of July barbecue, take their dog some red, white and blue dog biscuits as a hostess gift! 
  

Road Trip Tips: Keep Your Dog Safe and Comfy

Did you know ...

• Every year, dogs still die in cars from over heating.  Don't leave your dog shut in the car on a hot  summer day.
  
• Always travel with plenty of cold water in case other water sources are not available.
  
• Stop every 2 hours for exercise and a small meal.  Give the main meal at the end of the day.
  
• Dispose of canned food that can't be refrigerated.
  
• Check pet's ID tag, make sure it's current, legible,and securely attached.
  

Helpful products for summer trips. . .

• Leash and/or wireless, portable "instant fence" for rest stops and campsites.
  
• First-aid kit for people and pets.
  
• A cooling pad for your dog to lie on.
  

Flea-Free Summer

Did you know. . .

• Fleas start showing up in the Northeast in August.  Their numbers begin to diminish with the first frost.
  
• Most dogs or cats pick up fleas from a host.  Unlike ticks, they are usually not prevalent in the environment.
  
• One of the best places for your dog or cat to pick up fleas is the vet.
  
• Most flea treatments are not harmless, but rather, contain toxic pesticides.
  
• There are safer, natural alternatives for controlling fleas.