Posted by admin on May 16, 2013 – 8:20 am
If you’ve had to deal with fleas on your dog or cat, you’re probably already familiar with the common topical products used to control these pesky parasites. Maybe you even feel that the fleas in your area have become immune to all the standard treatments. Now there’s something new: Activyl and Activyl Tick Plus. According to the manufacturer, Merck Animal Health, it’s the first and only flea product to use metabolic activation or “bioactivation.” This new technology available only in Activyl uses the enzymes inside the flea itself to activate the flea-killing power. Read More »
Posted by admin on May 2, 2013 – 8:30 am
Some families have a casual attitude about allowing the four-legged family member join them on the furniture, while other households have concerns about this practice. It can be hard to refuse that furry face and the big eyes silently pleading to join you, and most dogs want nothing more than to be curled up beside you at all times. Allowing your dog to join you on the sofa allows you to share companionship and snuggle time, but there are drawbacks to consider. Read More »
Posted by admin on April 26, 2013 – 11:00 am
As you may know, at PetMeds we are pet owners but we’re also lucky enough to have kids in our lives, whether they are our own or through relatives. Since today is National Kids & Pets Day, we wanted to share a few pictures of our employee’s children (or relatives) featuring the pets that adore them.
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Posted by admin on April 25, 2013 – 8:20 am
Did you know that this Saturday is World Veterinary Day? Established in 2000 by the World Veterinary Association, this day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. The idea behind the day is to celebrate the veterinary profession and highlight the global accomplishments of veterinarians. Each year a different theme is selected, with this year’s topic being “Vaccination to prevent and protect.” The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinations for disease prevention. World Veterinary Day is an international day, and the theme of vaccinations focuses on protecting both companion animals and livestock, which also helps protect people from zoonotic diseases. Veterinarians are crucial to the success of vaccination programs around the world.
While some countries are working to raise awareness of the need for pet vaccinations, here in the United States there is ready access to pet vaccinations and education about the importance of proper vaccinations for our pets. In fact, now there are growing discussions about the possible risks associated with vaccinations and optimal frequency of vaccinations. The position of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) regarding vaccinations is:
The vaccination needs of dogs and cats should be assessed at least yearly and, if appropriate, vaccination schedules should be modified on the basis of changes in the patient’s age, health status, home and travel environment, and lifestyle. Vaccinations should be considered just one component of an individualized, comprehensive preventive health-care plan based on the age, breed, health status, environment (potential exposure to harmful agents), lifestyle (contact with other animals), and travel habits of the dog or cat.
We recommend you work closely with your veterinarian and discuss your pet’s vaccination needs to establish a plan that’s optimal for your own dog or cat.
Posted by admin on April 18, 2013 – 8:20 am
While not everyone agrees with the concept of feeding a raw food diet to their pet, the popularity of raw-food diets is certainly rising. Supporters feel that a high-quality raw food diet most closely mimics what your dog’s wild ancestors would have eaten in the wild. This type of diet is usually fresh, free of grains and fillers, and is nutrient dense. Many pet parents notice their dog has cleaner teeth, a shiny coat and healthy skin, more energy, and smaller, less smelly stools after switching to a raw food diet.
Raw food diets for pets come in many forms that can range from homemade meals prepared fresh each day to prepackaged frozen meals such as Nature’s Variety Instinct raw frozen diet. In fact, one of the drawbacks that keep some pet parents from switching to a raw food diet is the inconvenience, whether the time it takes to shop for and prepare, locating a nearby source to purchase frozen raw foods, or just finding the space to store the fresh or bags of frozen raw food.
Another option to consider is a raw food diet in freeze-dried form. This allows your pet to get the benefits associated with a raw food diet, but in a convenient form that’s easy to purchase, store and serve. Now available at PetMeds, Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Dinner is an all-natural, healthy raw food that’s minimally processed and made without grains or fillers, hormones, artificial ingredients, sugar or salt. Just store the bag in a cool, dry place and rehydrate by adding warm water before serving. It’s available in five different flavors: Stella’s Super Beef, Chewy’s Chicken, Duck Duck Goose, Dandy Lamb, and Surf N’ Turf.
Posted by admin on April 11, 2013 – 8:30 am
Most people have heard about the health benefits of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for dogs, such as supporting a healthy immune system, reduction in allergy symptoms, improved heart health and less joint stiffness due to its anti-inflammatory effect. When your dog is on a high-quality fatty acid supplement, you will be able to see the visible results in your pet’s healthy skin and shiny coat, along with reduced shedding and itchiness. However, there are different types of omega 3 fatty acids and not all sources of omega fatty acids are equally good. Read More »
Posted by admin on April 5, 2013 – 8:30 am
Bravo! has issued a voluntary recall of three of its raw frozen foods for dogs and cats due to potential contamination with Salmonella. According to the company, “…the products involved in this recall all tested negative for pathogens by an independent third party prior to being shipped, but they were run on the same or next day of a product that tested positive for salmonella.” The products involved in the recall are:
- Item #21-405 – 5 lb chub (tube) of Bravo! Chicken Balance frozen raw diet with a “Best Used By” date of 3-6-15 or 3-12-15.
- Item #21-102 – 2 lb. chub (tube) of Bravo! Chicken Blend frozen raw diet with a “Best Used By” date of 3-21-15.
- Item #51-508 – 5 lb. bag of Bravo! Beef Blend Burgers with a “Best Used By” date of 3-21-15 or 3-22-15.
No other products or sizes are involved in the recall and to date, there have been no reported Salmonella-related illnesses in people or pets associated with the recalled products. However, the affected product should not be fed to pets. If you have any unopened packages, dispose of them safely or return them to place of purchase for a full refund. Opened packages should also be safely disposed of (in a receptacle that pets cannot access), and then contact the place of purchase for a refund.
You can find more information about the recall on the Bravo! website, or call them at 866-922-9222 Mon – Fri, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET.
Posted by admin on April 4, 2013 – 8:25 am
The secret all cat owners know is that you don’t really have to “train” your new cat to use the litter box. Cats are naturally fastidious, so training usually consists of simply providing a clean litter box and litter and then making sure that your new cat or kitten knows the location of the litter box. While teaching your cat to use the litter box is easy, unfortunately it is not uncommon for cats to stop using the litter box and identifying and correcting the problem is not quite so straightforward. Litter box problems are frustrating and in fact, inappropriate elimination is a top reason that cats are surrendered. Compounding the problem, there are many possible reasons a cat may stop using the litter box, so there is not always an obvious solution to the problem. Read More »
Posted by admin on March 28, 2013 – 8:30 am
Most of us here at PetMeds are pet parents, too. Watch as we try out a variety of products on our own pets and provide feedback that may help you decide if something is right for your own dog or cat. First up, our CFO Bruce lets his dog Macy sample our new Blue Buffalo Bones dog treats:
Macy just loves Blue Bones, they’re her favorite treat. After an evening stroll outside I will reward her with the Blue Bones. She will grab it right out of my hand and start to dig in her bed, place it in on the bed and then she makes it disappear. Macy will chew it for at least 20 to 30 minutes before it is gone. According to Macy it tastes great, but I think they’re great because I know these treats are good for her. Read More »
Posted by admin on March 22, 2013 – 10:32 am
This Saturday, March 23rd, is National Puppy Day! But let’s be honest, we don’t need one day to celebrate the wonderfulness that puppies bring to the world, do we? (No.) On a serious note, the unofficial holiday was created to bring awareness surrounding puppy mills and to help provide loving forever homes for homeless puppies across the nation.
We hope you enjoy some of the photos below! Also, if you consider getting a puppy, please seek out your local animal shelter first instead of puppy mills. A great resource to use is PetFinder.
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