Keep Your House Clean and Your Pets Healthy

Your pet’s health and the cleanliness of your home should be important to you. In the home you want to stay healthy, and a good clean environment goes a long way to protecting the health of you and your family. Did you know that the cleanliness of your home can impact the health of your pet? Here are some things to consider when cleaning your home so it’s safe for your pet.

Remove Hazards to Pets

If your home is dirty, you increase the hazards that your pets come in contact with. Pets are naturally curious and they will sniff and even eat dirt if they find it in the home. They can potentially swallow small objects such as paper clips, bottle caps, papers, and other debris if these are left within your pets reach. It’s important to reduce choking hazards by removing dirt and debris from your home and keeping it clean with a good weekly vacuuming. Pets can leave a lot of mess so it’s critical that you keep things clean so they stay healthy.  You don’t want their curiosity to make them sick.

Food Poisoning and Pets

You may think it’s fine to leave food on the stove and forget about it, but your pet will pay attention to it. If you’re not careful, they may find a way to get to it and eat it, no matter what that food may be. Many foods that we eat everyday are toxic to pets and can make them quite sick. You need to ensure that the kitchen is kept clean and that all food is put away as soon as you’re done with it. Food scraps that end up on the floor as a result of cooking can easily be digested by your pet and may require a trip to the vet. A clean kitchen is an essential step to ensure the safety of your pet.

Hazardous Chemicals

We clean around the house and use all sorts of chemicals. These chemicals make our home smell nice and they clean up spills, but the contents can be deadly to pets too. Once you use these chemicals they should be kept in a safe area where pets can’t reach them. One idea is to have a cupboard where you store your household cleaners that you’re able to lock up so your curious pet can’t get inside and make themselves sick. Your pet could find a way into your cleaners if you don’t secure them properly in the home.

Fleas, Ticks and Other Insects

A dirty home invites insects into it especially fleas and other small insects. The first host they look for is your pet. By keeping your home clean, you reduce the chances that your pet will get sick from insect bites and that they won’t become the host for the eggs of small insects such as fleas. A good bath for your pet will help, but keeping pests out of the home in the first place is essential and a dirt environment just invites them to breed.

Clean Your Home and Keep Your Pet Safe

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to ensure they live in a clean environment. If you value the health and safety of your pet you need to keep the home as clean as possible. It doesn’t take much to ensure that your pet is safe and you owe it to them to make house cleaning a top priority for the safety and well-being of both you and your beloved pet.

Emily Watson of A Polished Touch-Maid Service & House Cleaning

www.apolishedtouch.com 404-975-4050

Why dental care is important for your pet.

Dogs don’t get cavities the way humans do, but they do get plaque, tartar, and gingivitis — all of which can cause foul breath and tooth problems. Trips to the doggie dentist can end up being costly, and your dog will have to be put under anesthesia, because no dog ever “opens wide” for any dentist or vet.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is important, but how often you do it depends on your dog and your motivation factor. Poor doggie dental care, however, can lead to dental infections that can travel to your pooch’s heart, causing major problems and even death! If you’re unable to brush your dog’s teeth at home, try letting your groomer take on that hassle for you. A good teeth brushing during each grooming visit can greatly help slow down the tartar build-up process. Here are a few tips for at-home doggie dental care:

Tips for Good Doggie Dental Care

1. Get your dog regular exams and cleanings. Good oral care doesn’t start and stop with tooth brushing. It should include regular dental exams, including X-rays and a professional cleaning under general anesthesia.
2. Start young. If you’ve got a puppy, now is the time to include brushing in his good-manners training. But have no fear, even pets in their teens can learn to love a good brushing — if you take it slow.
3. Brush gradually and gently. Start by putting a little doggie toothpaste on their brush and let your dog lick it off. Then try touching the toothbrush to your dog’s teeth. After that, brush for a few seconds. Now, your dog is ready for a real brushing, raise her lips to expose teeth and gums. Then brush from the gum line to the tip of the tooth. Avoid opening your pet’s mouth, which can lead to panic and struggling.
4. Use toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Toothpastes for humans contain certain types of fluorides and detergents that are meant to be spit out after you brush. Your dog will swallow toothpaste, so buy a product meant for pets. Pet toothpaste can come in a host of flavors, including poultry, beef, seafood, malt, peanut, and vanilla-mint.
5. Use a pet-specific toothbrush. The heads of brushes made for people are too wide for a pet’s mouth, and even soft bristles are usually too hard. Talk to your veterinarian about the best toothbrush for your dog. Your vet may suggest a soft power brush. Or some vets suggest a finger brush that slips over your finger like a thimble. But avoid finger brushes if you have a small dog; your finger is just too big to be a comfortable fit for your pet’s mouth.
6. Brush in back. For pets, dental problems are often most severe in the back, upper teeth.
7. Chew on this. Dogs benefit greatly from chewing every day on something that helps keep teeth clean.

Keeping you dog’s teeth clean goes a long way in keeping your dog healthy.

Tanera Swan Owner of Strutt Your Mutt Grooming

www.struttyourmutt.org Two Locations to serve you!

2077 Beaver Ruin Road, Suite 90-1

Norcross, GA 30071 678-691-7151

5550 Lawrenceville Highway Suite #4

Lilburn, Georgia 30047 470-395-7701

Why is it important to keep your pets nails trimmed and what happens if you don’t?

There are many different reasons to keep your pets nails trimmed. For example, if your dog’s nails get too long, they can break, which can be painful and sometimes results in infection. Long nails can also cause an irregular gait or walk that leads to skeletal damage.

Despite the importance of keeping your pets nails trimmed to a safe length, many people can’t or don’t like to trim their dog’s nails. It can be a daunting and scary task to tackle. It’s a task that can make both people and the animal anxious. How do you know exactly where to cut the nail? What if you trim the nail too close and cut the sensitive quick? What if your dog seems worried? Although it can seem daunting, if you keep a few guidelines in mind and maintain a consistent schedule, nail trimming doesn’t have to become a stressful chore.

It is important to start of teaching your pet that nail trimming doesn’t have to be an awful, scary task. Playing with your pets paws at an early age, on a consistent basis, will help give them the confidence they need! Most people do not feel comfortable with trimming their pets nails because trimming too close, can cause the nail to bleed. If you don’t feel comfortable with trimming your pets nails at home, then bring them to the professionals! We’d be happy to trim your pets nails or even show you how to properly do it. We offer two nail trimming services: the basic nail trim (which cuts the nail bluntly) and nail dremeling or nail filling (which cuts the nail smoothly).

When you fail to trim your dog’s nails as frequently as needed, the quick grows along with the nail. Quicks are soft cuticles in the center of the nail that have blood vessels and nerves. If you accidentally cut the quick when trimming the nail, it will cause the nail to bleed. It is important to note that sometimes it is very difficult to get the nails as short as you would like, in a safe manner. As shown in the picture, if your pet has long quicks, because of infrequent nail trimmings, then there isn’t much of the nail that can be taken off without cutting the quick in the process.

Nail trimming is an essential part of maintaining your pets healthy lifestyle. And should be done often, whether at home, with your groomer, or with your veterinarian.

Tanera Swan,  Owner of Strutt Your Mutt Grooming can be reached at 678-691-7151 or www.struttyourmutt.org  2077 Beaver Ruin Road, Suite 90-1, Norcross, GA 30071

By: Tanera Swan

With nearly 2,000 species and subspecies, fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, and feed on the blood of their hosts. Dogs play host to the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), whose dark brown or black body is usually one to three millimeters in length.

Why Are Dogs Susceptible to these tiny creatures?

Hearty, nimble and searching for a host, these little guys can jump 10,000 times in a row (the length of three football fields). Three pairs of legs make for excellent leaping capabilities (up to two feet), and a laterally flattened body allows for quick movement in a dog’s fur.  With a complete life cycle ranging anywhere from 16 days to 21 months, depending on environmental conditions, fleas are most commonly found on a dog’s abdomen, the base of the tail and the head. With heavy infestations, however, these tiny creatures can thrive anywhere on the body. They feed once every day or two, and generally remain on their host during the interim.

What Are Some Signs of Fleas in Dogs?

– Droppings or “flea dirt” in a dog’s coat – Flea eggs on dog or in dog’s environment
– Allergic dermatitis
– Excessive scratching, licking or biting at skin
– Hair loss
– Scabs and hot spots
– Pale gums
– Tapeworms

What Are Some Complications of Fleas in Dogs?

Since fleas can consume 15 times their own body weight in blood, they can cause anemia or a significant amount of blood loss over time. This is especially problematic in young puppies, where an inadequate number of red blood cells can be life-threatening to some dogs. Signs of parasitic anemia include pale gums, cold body temperature and listlessness.  When a dog has a heightened sensitivity to the saliva of fleas, just one bite can cause an allergic reaction. This condition is known as flea allergy dermatitis and causes intense itching and discomfort for your dog. Signs include generalized hair loss, reddened skin, scabs and hot spots. Flea allergy dermatitis often leads to skin infections.

Please make sure your pet is on a monthly flea preventative. It is very easy to catch fleas, but extremely difficult to get rid of them once an infestation is present. Be aware, if your pet comes into our salon with an infestation he/she will be given a “medicated bath” at the owners expense. However, for the month of September, we will be offering FREE FLEA BATHS with the purchase of a full groom!

Tanera Swan, Owner of Strutt Your Mutt Grooming

678-691-7151 www.struttyourmuttgrooming.org

2077  Beaver Ruin Road Suite 90-1 Norcross, GA 30071

Best Veterinarians in Gwinnett County

Do you know a good veterinarian?

I get asked that a lot. Absolutely I say! Depending on where you live I have a great connection to some very special veterinarians. My top picks for veterinarians in Gwinnett County are as follows (listed alphabetically )…

Baycreek Mobile Veterinary Services–Dr. Kristen Arp 678-863-9408  www.baycreekmobilevet.com                                                                                                        This is a great service for many people especially those with pets who are especially stressed while riding in a car or at a vet office. Or if you just like the convenience of the Doctor coming to you! Dr. Arp is warm and caring and will make your pet feel calm and safe.  During her house calls she offers a variety of services such as administering immunizations, tests, microchipping, well care and more. If a service such a surgery or spaying/ neutering are necessary she will refer her client to the appropriate animal hospital.

Dekalb Animal Hospital-Dr. Wayne Rush 770-938-3900    www.thedekalbanimalhospital.com  (Ok they are in Dekalb county but we just had to mention them because we’ve heard great things from our clients in their area!) If you live in the Tucker area  stop in at Dekalb Animal Hospital where their goal is to help your pet live a longer healthier life. Dr. Rush and his team provide state of the art medical and surgical services that give your pet the best possible care in Dekalb. Stop in, say hello and tell them we sent you.

Lawrenceville Suwanee Animal Hospital–Dr. Lee Pope 770-963-0184 www.lsah.net  If you live in the Lawrenceville Suwanee area their office is located just off of Lawrenceville Suwannee Road near 316, close to Petsmart & Home Depot. Dr. Lee Pope is a graduate of the University of Georgia which is where he received his doctorate in veterinary medicine. He recently purchased Lawrenceville Suwanee animal hospital although he has been a veterinarian for some time. Dr. Pope is a great point of reference when it comes to choosing the right diet for your pet as he has extensive knowledge in animal nutrition among other things. His office staff is warm, friendly and will welcome you right away. They are up to speed on many new treatments and products. It’s always and education to chat with these folks.

Snellville Animal Hospital–Dr. Richard Craine & Dr. Rudy Cerjan 770-972-3838 www.snellvilleanimalhospital.org                                                                                If you live in Snellville, Lilburn, Grayson or Loganville their office is conveniently located right off Hwy 78(Main Street) not far from the intersection with Scenic Hwy. Two great veterinarians along with their staff, of whom, many have been with them for a very long time. That says a lot right there if you ask me. When you visit their office you will be greeted by smiling faces and people who make you feel right at home (shout out to Shannon & Debra!). They will answer all your questions and put your mind and your pet at ease. Their mission is to provide up to date veterinary care with old fashioned concern and they do just that.

Value Vet -Dr. Cathy Fish 770-686-3010 www.valuevet.net                                        If you live in the southwest area of Lawrenceville or even the northern part of Lilburn their office is located just off of Lawrenceville Hwy. Dr. Fish and the staff are ready to care for dogs, cats and some exotics. Like the name implies their goal is to keep veterinary care within reach of everyone. Their $33 office visit makes it easy and affordable to keep your pet healthy. From annual wellness exams, vaccines, lab tests, flea/tick preventatives and dental care to low cost spay and neuters they are there to help.

Veterinary Referral Surgical Practice (ok they are not in Gwinnett but I had to include them) along with Atlanta Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness (AARF for short). 770-424-6663 www.veterinaryreferralsurgery.com                                                No matter where you live, if you need great orthopedic specialists or rehabilitation for your dog this is the place to go. Three locations: Roswell, Marietta and Woodstock and a team of doctors ready to serve you and your pet. For over 30 years they have been providing exceptional orthopedic, neurologic and soft tissue surgical care for their pet patients in a caring and compassionate environment. Our dog Cole experienced their service first hand when she had to undergo a surgery to her knee last year. Their attention to detail and instructions for care left no question as to how we should handle her in those first few weeks postoperatively. We had an excellent experience and Cole came away as good as new!

So if we missed your area and you know of a great veterinarian near you, let us know! We’d love to hear from you and be able to share them with others. One of our goals is to be a point of contact for our clients and contacts for any needs they may have pet related or otherwise! Need something? Contact us for veterinarians and more!

Terie Hansen, Professional Dog Trainer, Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Owner at Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care-may be reached at 404-422-9832 info@gooddogcoaching.com  www.gooddogcoaching.com