Aussie Pet Mobile – Summer time means flea season

Just like the ringing sounds of the neighborhood ice cream, the start of the swim season and the last days of school, the hot summer days also bring the dreaded flea season to our pets and subsequently our homes. Even an usually warm spring or the steamy days of an Indian Summer in the months of October or November can also start or sustain the flea season.

While it can be expensive, a year-round monthly maintenance of topical application is necessary, especially here in the deep South, to stay ahead of the game. Major brand names include Advantage, Advantix and Frontline and are available by prescription from your vet.

Unfortunately, even with the best of intentions and topical maintenance by a pet owner, I still get the frantic call, “Maureen, I think we’ve got fleas!” Fleas can be nasty little buggers for our furry friends (and us, too, for that matter – we humans can be just as delicious!). Licking and chewing at spots where there are raised pink dots (often in clusters) are often symptomatic and a sign there are indeed fleas, larvae and/or eggs on the skin. I will use an appropriate flea shampoo or dip to disrupt the reproduction cycle of fleas and kill adult fleas which are present. Additionally, the fur will be combed out to help release any fleas that are present at the time of the bath. I get the relatively easy part. You, the pet owner and unknowing host to the second half of the infestation? Well there will need to be patience, diligence and commitment on your part. I’m more than happy to talk you through it.

For every flea found on your pet, there are more developing in the home. A fogger or spray insecticide will be needed to kill eggs and pupae that are lurking in your carpets, bedding, upholstery… anywhere your furry friend has been laying around. Change your pet’s bedding regularly – need I say yours as well if Fido or FiFi are so lucky and fortunate to sleep with you? Vacuuming will be key. While it’s not quite 100% effective, it will remove a fair amount of the flea population. But you will need to remove, seal and throw away the vacuum bag after each and every use of your vacuum during this flea removal exercise. Additionally, a dehumidifer will aide your effort. Fleas thrive in warm temperatures and humidity so a little AC and a dehumidification system, in addition to your repeated vacuuming, will pose a fatal triple threat to the flea enemy.

Additionally, if your furry friend is both an indoor and outdoor resident, you will need to also treat the outside property. Outdoors, you need to treat only flea breeding sites such as bedding areas, the ground under decks and shrubbery, and wherever pets spend a lot of time. Well maintained lawns in sunny sites are unlikely to harbor many fleas.

So don’t ignore the symptoms. Fleas are a nuisance to their hosts, causing an itching sensation which in turn may result in your pet attempting to remove the pest by biting, pecking, scratching, etc. the vicinity of the parasite. Give us a call at Aussie Pet Mobile, and together let’s get started in busting out these fleas and get an enjoyable summer back on track!

Why we don’t you use “Human” shampoos to wash your pets and neither should you

Being in the pet grooming business, I am asked that question right after I answer the question: “How often should I bathe my dog?” . The short answer is this: For a quick fix, human shampoo is fine to use. If Fido just rolled around in the yard and is covered in mud, a washing is in order. After all, a clean dog is a happy dog and a happy dog makes for happy owners! In a pinch, do what you must.

The better answer to the question is this, NO. No, you should not use human shampoo or conditioner on your dog or cat; and here is why:

1. For starters, dogs are just plain different from humans. One of the differences is that dogs do not sweat, while humans do. Dogs release their toxins through their kidneys and bowels. You and I release ours through our kidneys, or bowels and when we sweat. Think how good you feel after you get out of the steam room?
2. Our ph balance and a dog’s ph balance are completely different. Our ph balance is about 5.5 while your dogs ph balance is more along the lines of 7.5. A dogs skin has more alkaline so the shampoo used should have a ph balance between 6.5 and 7.5. The more acidic your shampoo is, the more likely it will cause your dog’s skin to dry out making him or her spend the day itching. When this happens, it only makes the problem worse because of the open sores that can and probably will result.
3. Dog’s skin is more sensitive than ours. We all know every-time we wipe our arm or scratch our side, we lose layers of skin. In addition, we also have microscopic mites that help eat our dead skin. This is ok in a human because our skin is 10 – 15 cell layers thick. A dogs skin is only has 3 – 5 cell layers thick. Bottom line, your pets skin can become irritated easier than ours.

At Aussie Pet Mobile, we use different shampoos based on the condition of the dog or cat. We most often use shampoos and conditioners by a company called Quadruped Pet Care. Quadruped services the professional pet grooming industry. The Quadruped Product line is designed, developed, tested, and use by pet care professionals.  Product bases are derived from natural ingredients and are performance-enhanced by use of botanical blends with an emphasis on utilizing the unique benefits of the Mojave Yucca plant. We like this product because Yucca extract is an anti-fungal, has superior moisturizing properties and possesses antibacterial qualities.

Aussie Pet Mobile only uses the best products on the market to care for your dog or cat. For more information or to contact us, please go to our website at Aussie Pet Mobile.