Q. My Sheltie has flee’s, we have tried all over the counter options along with some “Natural” remedies she still has them.

ANSWER : A. Only 5-10% of the flea burden is present on your pet at any one time with the remainder present in her environment/bedding as eggs/larva/pupae. Treatment will not be successful without addressing both aspects. The house can be treated with a specific spray effective against all stages in the house and I would recommend a long acting oral tablet for treatment of fleas which must be repeated every 1-3months depending on brand for at least 6months total in order to break life cycle. Your local vets office can advise on reputable products suitable for her size

ANSWER : A. Although many natural flea control products don’t have to go through EPA-mandated tests, because they aren’t classified as pesticides, this doesn’t mean they don’t work.

There are several natural flea control products that are safe for your home and your pets: repellants, sprays, squeeze-ons, shampoos, flea tags and powder. Also garlic and B-vitamins seem to make blood less attractive to fleas, so many guardians supplement with garlic and brewers yeast during flea season. However, sensitive animals can develop an allergy to brewer’s yeast, so I suggest you monitor your pet to guard against worsening itchiness.

Many people use the natural approach to flea control effectively and, although it is not always as easy as using chemicals, it’s generally safer for your pet and your family. Regarding chemicals, the US Environmental Protection Agency recently completed an in-depth investigation due to the hundreds of reports of illness and death in pets and serious adverse effects were reported for every product EPA assessed. EPA is in the process of increasing restrictions on their use. You can read more information about this report here: http://www2.epa.gov/pets/epa-evaluation-pet-spot-products-analysis-and-plans-reducing-harmful-effects

Besides, most chemicals, including bombs and sprays, kill only adult fleas or adults and larvae. That leaves thousands of tough little eggs and cocoons just waiting for the proper conditions, when they’ll renew their assault once more.

That said, you must keep in mind that a product labeled as “natural” or “organic” could still be not suitable, or even harmful, for your pet. Therefore, I recommend consulting with your veterinarian or trying to find a holistic veterinarian who can offer you guidance about natural flea control products.

ANSWER : A. If the medication you are currently giving your cat is the same as an over the counter medication, you may be able to ask your veterinarian for the correct dosage amount to give of the over the counter medication. Many vets will happily let you know if that can be done, especially if it makes things much easier cost-wise. You can also look on sites such as DrsFosterSmith and 1800PetMeds if a specific prescription is needed as they often carry medications for much cheaper than your vet does. It does require your vet to fax over the prescription, however. For natural remedies of acid reduction, adding in a beneficial probiotic such as plain yogurt to meals may help give the gut good bacteria and prevent acid reflux. Switching diets to one that has less allergenic ingredients (avoiding wheat, corn and soy products) may also help reduce symptoms without extra medication.

ANSWER : A. I have not had much success with natural options to prevent flea and tick attachment and disease transmission.

There is not a lot of data to support the effectiveness of products such as brewer’s yeast, garlic and diatomaceous earth. The latter is thought to destroy the exoskeleton of fleas leading to their demise and removal. In addition, you must keep in mind that a product labeled as “natural” or “organic” can still be unsafe or harmful to your animal.

Always be careful with any new product you introduce into your pet’s immune system. I would further suggest consulting with your veterinarian before utilizing a natural remedy.

ANSWER : A. Have him seen by your vet to rule out medical causes. To rule out UTI, submit a clean urine sample or have your vet collect a sterile sample for urinalysis and culture. Blood work may be able to diagnose kidney disease or diabetes. Once medical causes have been ruled out, you can focus on behavioral issues. If you have multiple cats, the general rule of thumb is to have a litterbox for each cat in the house plus an additional litterbox. Try different types and brands of litter. Your cat may prefer one to another. Try litterbox attractants. Search www.pet360.com for options. If your cat is stressed or feeling anxiety, try to determine and reduce or eliminate the offending stimulus. If that isn’t possible, calming pheromone collars or sprays may be effective.

ANSWER : A. I would recommend Natural Balance at your local Petco store. Call the store and ask if they have a Natural Balance Brand rep who comes to the store and see when they come. Make sure the brand rep brings free samples with them. Normally they bring samples of the different flavors to the store and you should ask for some to try to see what your dog likes best. Offer the dog the different kibble and see which they prefer by holding them out in your hands and switch out the flavors. My dog prefered the Salmon based Natural Balance Synergy bag the best from all the flavors. I also found out he doesn’t care for the Bison Natural Balance even though a lot of dogs love it. The Petco may have free samples already so ask if they do. The pet store associates should be able to also assist you in finding the right food for you. The reason you want to go with a high quality high protein food vs the cheaper brands because they are grain free, no by products, and no corn. The cheaper brands have corn in it as the main ingredient and by product which is also very bad. When our dogs are forced to eat the cheaper brands they have to eat more to get the energy they need from the food resulting in more bowel movements and without the proper nutrients this can hurt their health later in life. The higher quality brands will be more cost per bag but you will be buying less because the dog eats less so you will be saving money that way and it comes out about even in the long run. Petco has a great Rewards Program so make sure to sign up and ask about the details on it. Every $100 you spend you get $5 in your email with the Pet Pals Reward Program.

ANSWER : A. Clean the vents with a 1:10 dilution of household bleach and water. Try to determine the culprit and have him/her seen by your vet to rule out medical causes. To rule out UTI, submit a clean urine sample or have your vet collect a sterile sample for urinalysis and culture. Blood work may be able to diagnose kidney disease or diabetes. Once medical causes have been ruled out, you can focus on behavioral issues. If you have multiple cats, the general rule of thumb is to have a litterbox for each cat in the house plus an additional litterbox. Try different types and brands of litter. Your cat may prefer one to another. Try litterbox attractants. Search www.pet360.com for options. If your cat is stressed or feeling anxiety, try to determine and reduce or eliminate the offending stimulus. If that isn’t possible, calming pheromone collars or sprays may be effective.

ANSWER : A. It is possible that your dog is just not satisfied with his current food, or may be a picky eater. There are several things you can try to encourage your dog to eat.

The first step is to remove any additional treats or people food that may be more enticing to your dog than his own meal. If you feel you must give him some form of treat, be sure to place them directly in his food bowl and mixed with his regular diet. This allows him to get some snacks while also “forcing” him to try out his current meal to get the reward.

Enticing your dog to try his food by adding a pet-safe gravy or even a few treats of plain boiled chicken mixed in can help. Be sure to mix the foods thoroughly so he must explore his own food before getting the treat.

Some small breed dogs may also have a hard time with certain bowls and their collars. If there is a metal name tag on the collar and a metal bowl, the clinking sound can sometimes scare off dogs and make them not want to eat from their bowl. Using a bowl of a different material, or removing the collar prior to a meal may help with this issue.

Your dog may also just not be into his current food and may like another variety better. You can try a new variety by gradually switching over a period of 7-9 days, slowly adding in more new food and removing old until it is switched. This change may encourage him to try out meals again, and the slow changeover will allow his body to adjust to the new diet without digestive upset.