The Wet Nose Press

April 18, 2013
by Kat Sherbo
0 comments

The Best Flea and Tick Medicine for Dogs and Cats

finding-flea-treatments

If you’re a pet parent, spring means being bombarded with warnings about fleas and ticks, and the dangers they pose to pets.

Your vet, your pet store, and your favorite blogs and pet websites may be telling you again and again how vital it is to protect our pets from these pests.

(If you’re not convinced yet, take a look at this video on what happens in a home flea infestation. Yuck!)

“Okay, okay,” you say, “flea and tick prevention is important. But which medicine is best? What will protect my pet from the problems in my area, and keep my family safe?”

We hear you! There are lots of options out there, which is a good thing since there are plenty of pet parents out there with unique situations. But when you want to cut to the chase and find your best bet, we’ve got the information you need.

Breaking Down Flea and Tick Prevention Options

Learn the difference between spot-ons, oral medications or chewables, sprays, and more. Find out how to control fleas and ticks in your yard and around your home, and keep your pet ever safer.

Comparison Chart of Flea and Tick Meds

Use this handy chart to quickly decide which prevention method protects against the pests in your area. You’ll find the best flea and tick medicine for your dog or cat in a snap.

Oral Flea Control Options

Not a fan of spot-ons? Learn what pills and chewables are best for oral flea control, and how you can avoid potential skin irritations that some pets may get from spot-ons.

If your pet does get fleas, take heart! Check out our infographic on How to Get Rid of Fleas in 8 Steps.

April 17, 2013
by Emily Pope
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Fan Photos from National Pet Day!

Last week we wrote about National Pet Day and asked fans to share photos of their pets on our Facebook wall in celebration of the joy they bring to our lives. We received so many great submissions, we wanted to share our favorites with you!

Fluffy enjoying a beautiful spring day

Jasper with his new foster sister, Crystal

Missy catching some rays

Blackfoot showing off his best asset

Mahalo posing for the camera

Thanks so much for submitting your beautiful photos on our Facebook page. We love to see your pets, so keep the pictures coming! Want to see the whole National Pet Day album? View it here.

April 16, 2013
by Ryan Gellis
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Get Safer for National Pet ID Week

National Pet Identification Week is a big deal for pet parents. Your curious cats and dogs are not impervious to wandering off and losing their way. The ASPCA recently found that only one-third of pet parents put tags on their loved ones. We can do better than that!

We are always told to plan for the worst when it comes to our family and our home, and rightly so. A little bit of preparation in the form of a thoughtful first aid kit, some extra canned food, or an evacuation plan can make a big difference.

Easy, and So Effective

Putting an ID collar on your pet is the single best way to ensure their safety when they get lost or separated from you.

Microchips are becoming more popular as an electronic method of keeping track of your pet, but don't forget that a good, old-fashioned ID and collar can serve a very similar purpose. The important thing is to allow helpful bystanders or trusted organizations like humane societies in your area to get the information that will help them return your lost pet.

We know how much time you spend caring for your dogs and cats and loving them. Don’t forget to take this simple step to help ensure their safety. Now go out and enjoy some time with your dog at the off-leash park, and don’t worry about a thing.

PLUS - Want to see something truly heartwarming? Check out this video on DogWork.com of a dog who finds his way home!

April 15, 2013
by Kat Sherbo
2 Comments

Tax Day 2013 for Pet Parents: 4 Ways to Budget Better for Pets

tax-day-pet-parents

Are you getting a hefty tax return this year? Then you may be planning a sun-filled vacation. Not getting much back, or have to pay this year? Then you may be wondering how to cut some costs.

Whatever your situation, Tax Day is that time of year when we realize how effectively we’re spending our money… or not.

Where our pets are concerned, of course we all want to provide them with the best possible care. But when times are tough, many Americans choose to skip vet visits or recommended medications like flea prevention for their pets. It’s completely understandable, of course, when food and medical costs for our family come first. But are there ways to budget better for our pets, and get more out of our hard-earned cash?

Here are 4 ways to budget better for your pet this tax year.

1 – Get Pet Insurance or Start a Pet Emergency Savings Account

Pet insurance is relatively new in the US, and is fast catching on as a useful way to protect pets from unforeseen issues. Just be sure to shop around for the right policy, and check out our Pros and Cons of Pet Insurance before making a purchase.

Alternatively, some families have found that putting the money they might have spent on a pet insurance plan every month into a saving account reserved for pet emergencies works out better than buying an insurance plan.

2 – Look for Deals from Veterinarians and Humane Societies

Spaying and neutering services and vaccines are some of the most important health care services we can provide our pets. Spaying or neutering pets can prevent health issues when animals age later on, and vaccines, of course, protect against dangerous viruses and illnesses.

To cut down on the price tag of these services, search in your area for a deal from a veterinarian or your local humane society. Many will host low-cost service fairs throughout the year.

Additionally, a number of veterinarians are getting in on the game of offering package deals. You can purchase a year-long plan, for instance, that covers check-ups and some incidental costs, and make small monthly payments during the year. This can help you fit your pet’s health care costs into your regular budget, as opposed to finding yourself in a situation where you have to come up with a large sum.

3 – Consider Keeping Cats Inside

Indoor cats can live years longer than outdoor cats, and dodge issues from parasites and disease to cars and aggressive wildlife. Take a look at our considerations for deciding if it’s time to bring an outdoor cat inside.

4 – Catch Issues Early with Periodic Pet Health Checks at Home

Most health concerns for pets can be best handled — quicker, cheaper, and more effectively — if they’re caught early. Capitalize on this by doing a few quick health checks at home about once a week. Check your pet’s teeth, ears, eyes, paws, and skin for signs of irritation, insect bites, inflammation, sores, or anything out of the ordinary.

April 12, 2013
by Kat Sherbo
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Law Counts Pets as Property, You Might Be Surprised Who Agrees

pets as property

The Texas Supreme Court last week ruled to uphold a standing precedent that pets are considered personal property in the eyes of the law. The court rejected claims for emotional damages put forward by Texas pet parents Jeremy and Kathryn Medlen. The case concerned their dog Avery, who was euthanized in 2009.

The couple decided to head to court that year when their dog escaped their home and ended up accidentally euthanized. The dog was picked up by animal control and taken to a shelter, where Jeremy Medlen went to reclaim the dog. He didn’t have the money to pay the release fee, and was told he could return by a certain date with the money and reclaim his dog. Four days before the agreed-upon date, a shelter worker mistakenly placed the dog on a list to be euthanized, and Avery was gone when the Medlens returned.

The couple sued for emotional damages based on Avery’s intrinsic and sentimental value, but the judge dismissed the case, holding that pets are to be treated as personal property. Just as one can’t claim emotional damages from the loss of a toaster, for example, emotional damages can’t be claimed for pets.

While any pet parent can sympathize with the couple’s plight, not everyone disagrees with the court ruling. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association supported the decision in a press release on April 5th, saying, “Veterinarians devote their lives to caring for and preventing the suffering of animals and without a doubt understand the deep bond that develops between people and their pets. They sympathize with families over the losses of their animals, but they were also aware that such a dramatic change to the way that courts in Texas apply the law would have had vast unintended consequences.”

A similar ruling was made recently in New Jersey, but in California, an appeals court upheld $50,000 in emotional damages for the loss of a pet in a trespassing case.

Clearly, emotions run high where pets are involved, but just how should the law respond? Do you think pet parents should be able to claim more than the property value of a pet in a case of negligence like this? What about where veterinary care is concerned? Could there be unintended consequences to allowing for emotional damages?

Sound off in the comments below.

April 12, 2013
by Emily Pope
0 comments

PetCareRx Deal of the Week: Bully Stick for Just $1.99!

Don’t miss out on this delcious deal from PetCareRx! Bully Sticks on sale for just $1.99! Shop now!

willtreatsbeprovided

Hickory Bully Sticks have it all. Both an interactive toy and tasty treat, Hickory Bully Sticks are a long lasting, healthful delight that dogs love. They even promote oral hygiene! As dogs chew the stick, they are cleaning their teeth and massaging their gums. Due to the stick’s rigidness, each one will last for days, if not weeks.

Hickory Bully Sticks provide a source of high quality protein in the form of fully digestible beef. They contain no preservatives, are minimally processed, and are low in fat. Yum!

April 11, 2013
by Emily Pope
1 Comment

National Pet Day: A Celebration!

PCRxNatPetDay

National Pet Day is all about celebrating the joy pets bring into our lives, and bringing awareness to the plight of the millions of companion pets who do not have forever homes.

At PetCareRx, we started the celebration early by asking our fans to submit photos of their furry friends to be featured on our Facebook page!

We’re also giving our customers a special treat! Shop now to get 10% off toys and treats! Use code VIP993 at check out!

Happy National Pet Day from PetCareRx

April 10, 2013
by Kat Sherbo
0 comments

Three Ways to Clean Your Dog When You Don’t Have Time for a Bath

quick-dog-bath

Spring means dogs running around outside, letting out all that pent up energy and rolling the in the grass… and the mud.

If your dog is truly muddy, it’s time for a bath, but if your pup just keeps getting dirty during their backyard excursions, and you don’t have the time to bathe them as quickly as they want to go out again, here are some spring-time tips for keeping your dog clean!

Use a dry dog shampoo

Dry dog shampoo is a handy product that just needs to be applied to your dog, worked into their coat, and then brushed out. No rinsing or water necessary. Just place your dog over a towel to catch any falling hair and dust, and you’ll be done in no time.

You can buy dry dog shampoo or make homemade dog shampoo.

Get the hose and make it a game

If your dog insists on getting dirty outside, turn the tables on them and get them clean outside too. They’ll probably love it just as much!

Make a game out of letting your dog run through the hose, then quickly lather them up, being careful to avoid eyes, ears, and mouth, and then rinse. An outdoor dog kennel or fenced-in area can be handy at this point to let them dry off outside in a contained space where they can’t get messy all over again.

More quick brushes

“A stitch in time saves nine,” the old saying goes — meaning a little work now can save you from having to do more later. When it comes to keeping dog coats clean, think of it like your own hair. You wouldn’t wait for it to get completely tangled before tackling it in an hours-long project. You do a little upkeep every day.

When your dog comes in from playing outside, take one minute to quickly brush their coat, and then use a damp towel to collect the extra loose hairs and dirt. You’ll keep your pet and your home cleaner, and will avoid having to invest the time in giving your dog a full bath as often.

When you are ready to go all-in for bath time, take a look at our picture-filled instructions on how to groom a dog.

April 8, 2013
by Kat Sherbo
2 Comments

Virbac Recalls 6 Lots of Iverhart Plus Chewables

March 29, 2013 - Virbac has issued a voluntary recall of six lots of IVERHART PLUS Flavored Chewables.

What: The lots involved in this recall are IVERHART PLUS Flavored Chewables:

Lot 120076 (LARGE 51 to 100 pounds)

Lot 120086 (LARGE 51 to 100 pounds)

Lot 120856 (LARGE 51 to 100 pounds)

Lot 120202 (MEDIUM 26 to 50 pounds)

Lot 120196 (SMALL up to 25 pounds)

Lot 120844 (SMALL up to 25 pounds)

You can find the lot code on the box of medication.

Why: According to Virbac: “While these lots met all specifications at the time of release into distribution, product testing has determined that the ivermectin potency has failed to meet stability specifications during the life of the product.”

Threat Level: Low. This product is not dangerous for pets to eat. The issue is that the product will not protect against heartworms and other internal parasites as well as it should.

According to Virbac: “A potential consequence of this failure is that these lots of IVERHART PLUS Flavored Chewables may not fully protect dogs in the upper third of each weight range against heartworms. No heartworm-related adverse reactions or illnesses have been reported to date with any of these lots of IVERHART PLUS Flavored Chewables.”

What Should I Do?: Contact Virbac, your vet, pet store, or wherever you bought the product. Some distributors will offer a refund, credit, or a replacement. Otherwise simply dispose of the product. Talk to your vet about keeping your pet protected from heartworm with another product or unaffected lot of Iverhart Plus.

If your PetCareRx purchase has been recalled, please call our pet specialists at 1-800-844-1427, and they will answer your questions and help you find an alternate product for your pet. We can refund your order or help facilitate an order of TriHeart Plus with your vet.

Alternatives to Iverhart Plus: TriHeart Plus and Heartgard Plus are alternate products that use the same active ingredients, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate. Unless your prescription says “dispense as written,” you do not need a new prescription to change to one of these alternatives. Iverhart Max, another potential alternative, has the same active ingredients as well as an additional one, praziquantel, so you would likely need a new prescription to change to this medication.

April 8, 2013
by Kat Sherbo
12 Comments

The Best Mobile Apps for Pet Parents

Search your favorite app store for pet-related apps, and you’ll be served up an enormous list of games, social networks, tools, and more that claim to be the best, the most fun, or the most useful. But how do you know which ones will really bring the most smiles to you and your pet?

Well, we’ve rounded up the most addictive and most useful apps for pet parents to make your mobile experience more pet-friendly. Take a look at these apps and try some out with your pet!

The Addictive

PetsNextDoor – For iOS and Android. This large-scale and popular pet parent social networking app lets you create profiles for your pets, upload photos and info, and share as much about your pet’s day as you like. Browse by area for other pet parents and follow the lives of their pets, enter your pet in contests to see who is the most adorable, and join groups to discuss your favorite pet topics. Once you start, we bet you won’t want to stop.

Kloof – For iOS. This app is best described as Pinterest for pet parents. Upload pet photos, share, like, follow, and bask in the constant feed of beautiful, cute, and downright adorable pics of other people’s pets. It’s like having a fleet of photographers in your pocket, all delivering snapshots of what you love the most — pets!

You vs. Cat – For iOS and Android. This app is made for iPads and large tablets, and will have you and your cat addicted in no time. Pit your reflexes against those of your cat as you fire cat-food-shaped playing pieces at the “goal” on their end of the screen. If they catch the piece before it hits the goal, the point is theirs. Check the World-Wide Leaderboard of people vs. cats, and see if you can’t tip the score in humanity’s favor. Either way, you’ll have tons of fun.

PLUS – Find out how to safety play electronic games for cats.

The Useful

iCam – For iOS and Android. While this app can be used to keep tabs on anything from a baby in the other room to a new babysitter, the benefits to pet parents are obvious. Keep an eye on your pooch while you’re at work, or make sure your cat is comfortable while reigning the empty house for a few nights. Whether you just miss your pet’s big eyes while you’re gone for the day, or you want to keep tabs on them for a longer period, iCam lets you keep them in your sights.

Pet Minder - For Android. Pet Minder Pro is an app for the pet parent with a busy lifestyle. Every time you do something with your pet you’ll want to track, like giving them medicine, feeding them, going for a walk, or going to the vet, tap a button on the app and it’ll record the date for you. Use it one-handed while playing with your pet, and get back to the good stuff. Set up reminders and notifications, and never forget a dose of medicine, playdate, or appointment again.

SlimDoggy - For iOS. This app breaks down the math and takes the mystery out of helping your dog lose weight and stay fit. Using a calories in vs. calories out setup, you track what your dog eats and their activities, and the app will let you know if you’re on track to get your dog to their ideal healthy weight. With a database of over 1,800 brand name pet foods, the app already knows the calorie content in a cup or two of your dog’s food.

Honorable Mentions

MapMyDogWalk – For iOS and Android. This app is great for finding walk suggestions in your area and mapping the distances you travel with your pup. It goes in the Honorable Mentions category because most of the info is more human-related than not. For instance, there’s a nutrition section that’s all about your own fitness and healthy eating. It’s a great app for those looking to get fit and take their dog along for the ride.

iKibble – For iOS. This app goes in the Honorable Mentions group mostly because the name is a bit misleading. It doesn’t help you shop for dog food or contain information about any brands, but it does have a comprehensive list of human food and what is and isn’t safe for dogs. So if you have some leftovers you’re thinking of scraping into the doggie bowl, this is the app to have to hand. It ranks food on a health scale so you’ll know what’s “healthy” versus what’s “okay for occasional treats” and also what’s poisonous or toxic.

WeatherPuppy – For iOS and coming soon to Android. Basically this is just a normal weather app, but it shows the daily stats on top of pictures of puppies. Each day refreshes with a new sweet face, and you can buy packs of themed pics like Glamour, Puppy Love, and Holiday Pups. It may not be more useful than any old weather app, but it sure is cuter!

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