Fleas and ticks are out for blood! These pesky parasites live on an animal’s skin and can cause a wide range of skin diseases. They may even cause systemic (whole-body) illnesses by transmitting worms, protozoa, and bacteria to your pet’s vital organs, leading to chronic to acute disease that can kill your beloved furry family member.

Doesn’t it feel like flea and tick season never ends? That’s because in a sense, it doesn’t. Outbreaks—triggered by factors including temperature and humidity levels—affect most parts of the United States throughout the year. Here’s a quick primer so you’re prepared. 

Adult fleas are not picky about their hosts; they can easily jump from one dog to another. Dog parks, boarding kennels, and anywhere else dogs congregate can be a place for fleas to play “musical hosts.” Dogs can also catch fleas from other animals, such as outdoor/feral cats, or any wildlife passing through your yard or recreation areas. 

Your dog is scratching… shaking his head… biting himself… then scratching some more. If you notice this behavior, your dog may have fleas. Here’s the proper way to check your pet.

If only it were easy to treat pesky flea problems and prevent future infestations at home! Fortunately, now it is. Adams^™ is proud to introduce the Infest Stop^™* ingredient, which treats fleas by disrupting their growth cycle.

Eliminating fleas can take patience—sometimes involving weeks of established treatment routines. But knowing where they hide can make the process easier.

Lyme disease is one of the most commonly transmitted tick-borne diseases. It was first reported in the United States back in 1975 in Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut, where an uncommon number of children experienced symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis. These children had all been bitten by ticks. Experts later determined that Lyme disease is specifically caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, carried by the deer tick, and can be transmitted not only to humans but to pets as well. Lyme disease can be found in cats, but it is much more common in dogs.

Getting rid of fleas is a three-step process — you need to treat your dog, home, and yard.

Any pet owner knows the dangers of fleas and ticks, but there’s another pest threatening our pets’ lives that is talked about much less — mosquitoes. Before a backyard barbeque or a weekend camping trip in the mountains, we humans arm ourselves with sprays, candles, and incense to repel mosquitoes, but we often forget to take the same precautions for our four-legged companions. 

Tick populations have been steadily increasing, and experts are predicting even higher than normal numbers in most areas of the country. Migratory birds and white-tailed deer acting as carriers have expanded the range of many tick species, while conservation efforts such as decreased reliance on insecticides and the preservation of open space have helped them thrive. These are causes of concern for pet owners, since ticks aren’t just a nuisance to pets—they can be downright dangerous to their health.

Recognizing when your pet is most at risk is important – such as knowing the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs and cats --because knowledge is power—and the more you know, the more prepared you and your furry friend will be.

Tick populations have been steadily increasing, and experts are predicting even higher than normal numbers in most areas of the country. Migratory birds and white-tailed deer acting as carriers have expanded the range of many tick species, while conservation efforts such as decreased reliance on insecticides and the preservation of open space have helped them thrive. These are causes of concern for pet owners, since ticks aren’t just a nuisance to pets—they can be downright dangerous to their health.

The holidays are fast approaching, and you’re likely thinking about your resolutions for the new year. But what about your furry friend? Here are 7 manageable resolutions that you can make to keep you and your dog happy and healthy throughout the year.

There is an endless variety of costumes available for your pooch, from hot dog costumes for Dachshunds to princess dresses for Chihuahuas to superhero costumes for Border Collies—this is the chance for your pup to play dress-up! You can even make a doggie costume yourself with a little imagination. If you have two dogs, try dressing them up as a bride and groom – a basic veil and white dress for the bride and a tuxedo for the groom will have passersby throwing kibble and wishing luck to the happy couple. And Pugs seem to look funny in any costume, but a Pug in a pink tutu is a slam-dunk for Halloween hilarity!

The holidays bring us hallowed traditions, treasured time with family and friends, and that special seasonal joy. But these happy occasions can really stress our pets, as well as place many unfamiliar and potentially harmful objects in their domain. Here are some tips to keep your beloved pet from experiencing unnecessary anxiety, a decidedly unfestive accident, and even pesky bug bites in the night.

Half the fun of having dogs in our lives is sharing various activities with them, including play dates at the dog park, camping, and hiking. Most dogs have lots of physical and mental energy—even saying the word “outside” can send them into a tail-wagging tizzy—so you’ll want to channel that energy into safe, fun activities you can both enjoy.

Sunny summer temperatures lure us outdoors, and our dog’s or cat’s companionship makes those long, light-filled afternoons even brighter. However, we caretakers must protect our pets from warm-weather hazards! Whether you’re planning outdoor activities for dogs, make a cross-country road trip, or garden in your backyard, a few minutes of planning can keep you and your pet healthy and safe.

Take a moment to consider these “top 10” ways to support the dog who plays such an important role in your life.  

Any dog can develop an allergy. Dogs can be allergic to foods, molds, or pollens, just like people. Usually, these allergies cause itchy skin. However, because many allergies share the same symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose what your pet is allergic to.

When looking for a veterinarian, the sooner the better. Even if you’re getting ready to purchase or adopt a dog, choosing your veterinarian before you bring your buddy home is a great idea. When your dog is sick or hurt, you will feel relieved to get the help he needs right away rather than spending important time searching for a veterinarian.

Keeping your dog safe from injury is one of the priorities of dog ownership. Despite all your precautions, sometimes the inevitable happens and your dog sustains an injury. Are you prepared to give him the best emergency assistance that you can? 

Your dog is your family—so you’ve likely already noticed if he has gained weight over a relatively short period. But it may be a bit more difficult to recognize the extra bulk if he’s been slowly packing on the pounds over a longer period. Here are two ways to determine if your pup is at the correct weight.

Owning a dog or cat is a big responsibility, but it can also be a big expense. Knowing when you should rush your pet to the emergency clinic, schedule an appointment with your regular vet, or solve a problem at home can make all the difference in being able to pay the vet bill when a visit is indeed necessary.

West Nile virus resides inside the carrier mosquito’s salivary glands. The mosquito transfers the virus when it feeds on the blood of your dog, cat, or horse—or even you. Mosquitoes are by far the most common transmitters of WNV to humans or their companion animals.

Ants invade homes, usually in search of food and water. These close relatives of bees and wasps are social insects that divide duties among different types of adults. Queens lay the colony’s eggs and sometimes participate in feeding and grooming larvae. Most of the colony is comprised of sterile female workers that gather food, build tunnels, and defend the colony. The odorous house ant, imported fire ant, and black carpenter ant are among North America’s almost 1,000 species of ants

Bedbugs invade even the cleanest homes, hitching a ride on luggage, clothing, bedding, or furniture. These pesky parasites then spread throughout your home when you move bug-infested furniture or clothing, or as your pets wander.

Cockroaches are some of the world’s oldest insects, and their success relates to their ability to adapt to changing environments. Because they are scavengers, these insects eat whatever is available, although they prefer starch, grease, sweets, meats, and meat byproducts. They will even live on decaying organic matter, book bindings, and glue!

The nighttime chirping sounds of crickets herald spring and summer in many areas of the United States. What you don’t necessarily hear is the chomping of these insects on plants, paper products, and fabrics such as linen, silk, wool, and cotton.

Earwigs are one of the least attractive insects that live around, and sometimes inside, homes. The most common species is about 3/4 inch long, appears reddish-brown in color, and has prominent pincers, called cerci, which protrude from the abdomen. They also have long antennae on their head. The cerci are used for defense, to capture prey, and as sensory organs to identify what is going on in their environment. Male earwigs have curved cerci, while the pincers on female earwigs are straight.

Fleas are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking the blood of their hosts. Why should I worry about fleas? Many dogs and cats are allergic to their saliva, and a single flea bite can cause severe itching or even hives. Fleas also carry the Diplylidium caninum tapeworm and other diseases, including the plague virus.

The merciless mosquito thrives in warm, humid conditions and lives and breeds in standing water. Any pool of water that has been stagnant for three days is a prime habitat for this dangerous parasite. Female mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs at one time, and their offspring usually stay within 300 feet of where they hatched. This means that most mosquitoes you see in your yard were actually born in your neighborhood!

Ticks generally drop off your pet when they’re full of blood, but it can take several days for this to happen. During this time, they can transmit several diseases to pets (and their humans!), including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis.

The wasp measures up to an inch long, and depending on the species, is reddish-brown to dark brown in color. Some species have yellow markings on the head. They possess a narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen, and their dark wings fold along the body at rest.

You’re getting ready for work. Grabbing the keys, drinking some coffee, heading for the door. When you get halfway there, your keys jingle and your dog appears, doing everything he can to make a ruckus. Barking is only the beginning. He’s circling your legs, pawing at your briefcase. When he starts howling, you consider staying home, but there’s a lot to do today. And besides, this happens every morning.

One of the best ways to protect dogs from fleas and ticks—and the menacing illnesses they can cause—is to stay on top of grooming. Performing simple tasks like brushing and bathing regularly will help you identify these tiny yet dangerous pests that can lurk in your dog’s coat.

Many training methods can be used to teach your dog basic obedience, but positive reinforcement—using verbal praise, treats, toys, or petting—is most effective. For the best results, always have fun while using any training method. Vary your training sessions and treats, and add little challenges along the way so that your dog looks forward to training with you.

As smart pet owners, we are always on the lookout for things that can endanger our beloved animals. Before heading out the door for a walk, we grab our dogs’ leashes. When taking our cats for well visits with their veterinarian, we use pet carriers. Simple steps like these help to keep our pets safe. But what about the dangers that threaten our pets’ well-being when they are at home?