New Year’s Resolution: Doggy Weight Loss

Humans aren’t the only ones that gain a little weight over the holidays! Between Christmas and Thanksgiving, it’s a lot more likely that Fido will find a tasty treat on the floor (or one of your extended family members will slip him a piece of turkey!) As much as we want our pets to celebrate the season with us, it’s more important than ever not to let them overindulge.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), each pound of weight on a dog is equivalent to 5 to 7 pounds on a person and each pound of weight gained on a cat equals to 7 to 10 pounds! Did you know a 14 pound cat is equivalent to a 237 pound man? Yikes! Their website has a handy list of pet-to-human weight equivalents so you can tell just how much your fur friend would weigh if it walked on two legs!

In addition to weight gain, remember that every time you suddenly change your pet’s diet, you can cause gastrointestinal upset – the dreaded vomiting and diarrhea. Fatty and rich foods can also lead to pancreatitis like with poor Buddy and the $10,000 burrito! If you do decide to slip Fido a little extra something, make sure you avoid foods that are toxic to pets (like grapes, raisins, some nuts and chocolate.

We know from experience that sometimes, despite our best efforts, pet weight gain just happens. If that was the case for you this holiday season, put your pet to the test with its own New Year’s Resolution! Have your pet resolve to go for a run five days each week or give diet pet food a try. Who knows — giving your pet a goal for the New Year might even help you reach your own!


For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Cat owners need to be extremely vigilant with flea care during the winter

Cats are known for their cleanliness, which can cause some real problems when it comes to keeping an eye out for fleas. Even during the winter months, fleas and ticks can be a problem for felines, especially those that are allowed outdoors. Thankfully, by using a combination of Hartz products and performing a visual inspection of your feline's coat, you can protect him from any problems throughout the season.

Getting into the habit of visually inspecting your cat's coat after he comes indoors is a wonderful regimen to get into. Be sure to check the area around his neck and on his belly to see if any fleas or ticks have decided to take a ride. If you're not always present when your cat comes inside, get into a daily brushing regimen. This is not only a wonderful way to bond with your companion, but it can help to remove small bits of dead skin and loose hair that could be ending up on your furniture. It is also a perfect chance to give your cat's skin a quick visual inspection to see if any fleas, eggs or the filth they leave behind is present.

The easiest way to protect your feline from parasites in any season is to use a monthly flea treatment of topical drops. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Cats are placed at the skin level at the base of a cat's neck to provide 30 days worth of protection against fleas, deer ticks and mosquitoes. These drops will kill these pesky insects on contact to stop them from infesting your cat and the rest of your home.

If you do happen to spot one of these insects on your feline's skin, it may be time for a bath with Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea and Tick Cat Shampoo! This can be a harrowing experience with a cat, so be sure to fill up the tub slow and get him used to the sensation of the water. Be sure to let the shampoo sit for a few minutes to the allow the active ingredients to do their job. This will leave your feline smelling clean and fresh, and you won't have to worry about creepy critters infesting your home in the middle of winter!

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com