Hartz - Selecting the Right Vet for Your Dog

Next to you, your vet is one of your pet’s most important caretakers. Finding and establishing a relationship with the right vet can be critical to the long-term health and well-being of your dog. Whether you’re new to pet ownership or just need to switch vets, here are some key points to consider during your search.

Solicit Recommendations
Start by asking friends, family or neighbors – preferably those who own a dog – for recommendations. Inquire about their own experiences with their pet’s vet. Is he gentle with their dog? Is he a good listener and easy to talk to? Does he communicate in easy-to-understand terms? Remember, that you are your dog’s best advocate – if you’re not comfortable with the vet’s bedside manner, it’s unlikely that your dog will be either.
Chances are, if you purchased your dog from a local breeder or animal shelter, they have an established relationship with the local vet community and can refer you to a trusted practice. Even with a recommendation, however, be sure to double-check references yourself!
If you’re moving into a new area, ask your current vet if he can give you the name of a trusted colleague or clinic, or refer you to someone who can.
If possible, choose a vet that is close to home. Short car rides will help minimize stress for your dog, especially if she is sick or injured.

Conduct a phone interview
Make an initial screening call to the vet’s office to ask some basic questions about the vet and his practice.
Check credentials:Hone your list down to a few reputable doctors who have graduated from a veterinary program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and holds a current state license. Also check your state’s veterinary medical board website to see if there are any formal complaints filed against them.
Schedule an office visit:Once you’ve narrowed your list to two or three possibilities, ask to schedule a meeting with the vet and have a tour of the facilities. If you already have a dog, bring her along to see how she and the staff interact.
Office hours:Make sure they are compatible with your own. Find out the average wait time for a non-emergency visit.
Fee/rate structure:Vet care can be expensive. Ask what they charge for office visits and annual exams, as well as standard care items such as vaccines, heartworm tests and spaying/neutering.
Insurance:Make sure they accept your coverage if you have or plan to buy pet insurance
During your visit, take note of the general clinic environment. Is the waiting room spacious, clean and organized? Is the building free of strong or unpleasant odors? Is the staff friendly to you and at ease with your dog?

Some items to discuss with the vet may include:
Multi-practice:If the clinic has more than one vet, find out who will care for your pet if he is unavailable. Some practices rotate and share cases; if this is the case, be sure to meet and evaluate his colleagues.
Emergency availability:How does the office handle daytime and after-hour emergencies? Is there a vet on-call 24/7? Can they provide night-time coverage if necessary?
Specialties:What types of injuries or diseases is the staff trained to treat? Do they consult with a wider veterinary network to treat cases outside of their specialty? Do they utilize the services or facilities of a local animal hospital?
Staff turnover:How consistent are staffing levels for vets, technicians and office staff? Low turnover usually indicates a positive work environment and can mean a better experience for you and your pet.

Careful Planning Pays Off
Trust your instincts. Even if a vet comes highly recommended they may not be the right one for you or your dog. Take time to research and ask questions before you need a vet’s services; it will help you establish a positive rapport with the right doctor and ensure a better experience for your dog.

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to http://hartzflea.blogspot.com/

Hartz – Caring for feral cats in the winter

While you have your own feline at home to worry about, you may be starting to notice that the feral cats in your neighborhood could struggle with the onset of winter. It’s only natural to want to help these felines and bring them to a shelter to find a good home, but they are feral and the outdoors is essentially their home year-round. Worse yet, if you did happen to bring a feral cat into a shelter, they would probably euthanize it since it wouldn’t be able to be socialized with humans.

This also applies to bringing a feral cat into your home – he won’t be able to adjust and actually belongs in the outdoors. According to CatChannel.com, there are a few cat wellness steps that you can take to give a helping hand to the less fortunate furry friends in your community and give you peace of mind that you’re doing something to help. Feeding the cats is probably one of the easiest ways you can help, but you need to be sure that bringing food to the felines won’t cause them to be a problem with people that may live in the neighborhood.

Bring the food to a spot that is away from traffic and other people, and try to bring it every day at a scheduled time. While some cats will learn to catch food for themselves, you can ensure that they have a steady supply of food throughout the winter. If there’s a large family of cats, they probably need a shelter to be able to get through the winter. You can build one yourself or ask around at animal shelters for a kit that will work for your purposes. This will provide a dry and warmer place for the cats to get through the season – just be sure to ask the person who owns the property if it is allowed to provide this kind of shelter for the cats.

Feral cats are a fact of life in rural and urban areas, and it can break your heart to know that you can’t provide a good home for them. However, there are some simple animal wellness improvements you can look into that will improve their lives throughout the coldest months of the year.

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

Our confidence in Hartz topical flea and tick products is based on facts, science and data.

At Hartz, we’re pet people - it’s all that we do and, as such, we are dedicated to providing pet parents with effective and affordable products that eliminate fleas, ticks and mosquitoes to keep their pets pest-free. At Hartz, we aim to provide you with the necessary information to make educated, objective decisions about pest treatment products for your pet and home environment.


1.All flea and tick topical products, including those manufactured by Hartz, are registered in accordance with the standards established by the EPA. These EPA registration numbers can be found on all Hartz flea and tick products


2.The EPA requires all flea and tick topicals, including those manufactured by Hartz, to undergo efficacy studies for their effectiveness in controlling flea and ticks

3.Almost all flea and tick topical products sold by veterinarians are actually over-the-counter (OTC) products that are held to the same EPA regulations and standards as Hartz topical flea and tick products


4.All flea and tick product manufacturers, including Hartz, are required by law to report any and all claims of adverse reactions related to the use of their products, to the EPA. Additionally, consumers can report adverse reactions to the National Pesticide Information Center. The EPA publishes all reports of adverse reactions on their site


5.Hartz only makes flea and tick drops that carry the Hartz brand


6.When applied as directed, Hartz topical products do not enter an animal's bloodstream


All flea and tick topical products, including those manufactured by Hartz, are registered in accordance with the standards established by the EPA. These EPA registration numbers can be found on all Hartz flea and tick products

Flea and tick product registration is the process through which the EPA reviews the formulation; how it is to be used, the amount, frequency and timing of its use, and effectiveness

The EPA classifies active ingredients used in spot-on flea and tick treatments by categories of Acute Oral Toxicity

The active ingredients in Hartz® UltraGuard® topical treatments for dogs (d-Phenothrin), and Hartz UltraGuard® topical treatments for cats (Etofenprox) both have the lowest EPA Oral Toxicity Classification, Class IV

Before they can be sold to the U.S. public, test results for finished formulations for all flea and tick topicals have to demonstrate a margin of safety even when applied at five-times the recommended dose. This is for the protection of animals in the event that excessive product is applied in error


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

Be proactive and prevent a problem

Fleasandticks expose your dog to numerous parasite-borne diseases. Of course, the best way to solve a flea and tick problem is to prevent one in the first place. Being proactive is the best practice.
Always make it a year-round practice to use flea and tick topical drops or a collar on ® Dog collars. Just because these parasites are more prevalent during the hot summer months does not mean you can’t develop a problem in the winter. Additionally, use Hartz® UltraGuard® Yard Spray to minimize exposure to fleas and ticks.
Treat it quickly

If unfortunately you find yourself with a , act quickly as this can turn into a full-blown infestation in no time. Here is a handy solution check-list:

First take care of your pet with a flea and tick shampoo like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Foaming Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs or an on pet spray like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs. This will bring immediate relief to your pet.
Next, be sure to treat your home with products that contain active ingredients that kill both adult fleas plus flea eggs and flea larvae, breaking the flea life cycle. Don’t ignore areas such as your rugs and pet beds. These can easily be treated with Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Carpet powders and Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Home sprays
Should you find a wide spread infestation, use a product such as Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Home Fogger to alleviate the problem

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

Holiday Treats for your Dog

The holidays are a tempting time to treat your dog. As always, you need to be careful with what you give him.
The holidays are a time of giving. This joyful spirit can be carried over to your canine companion as well, but make sure you know what you’re doing before you welcome your pet fully into the holiday festivities. Feeding the following treats to your dog could ruin both of your holidays.
Chocolate
Chocolate is often plentiful during the holiday season and it can be very dangerous for dogs. It can cause problems in your dogs urinary, circulatory, digestive and nervous systems. It can also be potentially fatal. Additionally, dogs love the taste of chocolate, so you should take extra care to keep it away from him.
Other Candies
While chocolate is the most dangerous, a number of other candies and treats are potentially threatening to your dog. Raisins and grapes are toxic, as are macadamia nuts. Furthermore, many candies contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is harmful for dogs. You should also make sure you pick up after yourself – the foil wrappers on candies can be harmful if swallowed.
The Main Course
Table scraps from a holiday feast are not an ideal food source for your dog. Many table foods can cause digestive problems especially if greasy or fatty. Though it may seem appropriate, dogs should not be fed animal bones unless the bones have been properly treated.
Drinks
Popular drinks that may be present during the holidays, like coffee and tea, can be very harmful for dogs, because of the Xanthenes they contain. Alcoholic drinks should not be given to dogs and can be fatal.
Since human foods and drinks are often harmful and sometimes deadly for your dog, you should give him treats designed for canines. Pet stores sell many treats appropriate for these occasions. Just remember, human treats aren’t the same as dog treats

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