Flea prevention and control are needed all year round in California for all animals, especially kittens and puppies. According to Dr. Kristina Hansson, a veterinarian with North Bay Animal Hospital, a Diamond Certified company, small animals are more at risk.  Dr. Hansson warns, “With the chronic ingestion of blood by the fleas, it can actually lead to anemia and stunted growth because the animal is not growing as fast as it normally would with the nutrient loss from the blood.”

Flea collars aren’t recommended for prevention. They often contain toxic chemicals that can irritate your pet’s skin, and they’re uncomfortable. Flea combs are useful to check whether your pet has fleas and whether your flea control is adequate, Read more

A number of foods that we eat can be toxic for dogs if ingested. You may already know that chocolate is bad for them, especially chocolate with a high cocoa content. You should also make sure that you keep Macadamia nuts, rising bread dough, onions and garlic out of reach, according to Dr. Kristina Hansson, a Diamond Certified veterinarian with North Bay Animal Hospital. Fatty turkey and chicken skins are a no-no and may cause gastrointestinal disturbance or pancreatitis.

The last 2 items on the list of toxic foods may surprise you. Dr. Hansson says that grapes and raisins are extremely dangerous for your pet. “Many people aren’t aware that these are very toxic to dogs and can result in kidney failure. Read more

When my black Labrador got up in years, she would occasionally have accidents inside the house on the wall-to-wall carpeting. Don’t procrastinate when your pet accidentally urinates on your carpets. According to Matt Cole, owner of Cole’s Carpet and Upholstery, a Diamond Certified company, the crystals in the urine can create an alkaline stain, which can give off a bad odor, discolor your carpets and even damage your hardwood floors.

So here’s what to do. Mr. Cole says you blot up the urine contamination with a wet terry cloth towel until all the yellow comes up. You don’t want it to spread further, so remember to blot, not rub the area. You can also use paper towels for blotting. Read more

Flea control all year round in California is important for your pets, especially puppies and kittens. Dr. Kristina Hansson, a Diamond Certified veterinarian with the North Bay Animal Hospital told me why. “So what can happen is with the chronic ingestion of blood by the fleas, it can actually lead to anemia and stunted growth because the animal is not growing as fast as it normally would with the nutrient loss from the blood.” Dr. Hansson doesn’t recommend flea collars for flea prevention. She suggests talking to your vet about which flea maintenance product, the kind you apply once a month, is best for your pet. Read more