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A GUIDE TO PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND TREATMENT OF FLEAS What are fleas? Fleas are small, hearty insects, varying from 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch in size. They are known for their impressive jumping abilities and their ability to reproduce rapidly; an adult flea can jump seven inches high or 13 inches horizontally, and can jump several thousand times in a row! Fleas have an exceptionally long life cycle which can last as few as 14 days to as many as 21 months depending on environmental conditions (unfortunately for those of us living on in BC’s lower mainland, the conditions are...

Let’s talk desensitization and husbandry. Dogs don’t come to us being comfortable with handling, we can’t verbally tell them what we’re doing and why, so we need to go slow and build trust by listening to their body language and creating positive associations. We’ll be using counter-conditioning, which means pairing something bad with something good, to slowly change your dog’s association with the “bad” thing. The first step is to figure out what is triggering the fear response, for example with nail trimming, does seeing the trimmers make them back away? Or are they okay until you pick up their...

If your dog has recurring ear infections, there is likely a lifestyle or diet change that will help prevent them. Food sensitivities, environmental allergies, wax buildup, and moisture all contribute to chronic ear infections, and can be managed at home. Remember that only a vet can diagnose and treat an infection. If there seems to be pain, your dog is walking in circles, the ear canal is hot and inflamed, get them checked out by a vet. Other factors include autoimmune disorders, and endocrine disorders, which can be aided by diet switch but should have the guidance of your vet....

Confused by all the brush options out there? Wondering which brush to use for your dog? Here is a non-exhaustive list of the different types on the market, what they're used for and which breeds benefit the most! Comparing Pet Brushes Slicker brushes (1) have fine metal bristles spaced closely together, often with little bobbles at the end to protect the skin. They work great for detangling, removing dead fur, and preventing mats in long, medium and/or curly fur. We don’t recommend them for dogs with short hair as you could scratch the skin. Breeds: Retrievers, Westies, Huskies, Poodles The Pin...

Have you noticed probiotics seem to be showing up everywhere lately? Increased studies, mostly in humans, have shown the positive effects of probiotics in various functions in the body, from digestion to immune function. The same has been studied in dogs, with promising results! Recently the studies have ventured into the first step of the digestive system: the mouth. Initial studies suggest that the right probiotics improve oral microbiomes, and in turn have a positive effect on the overall health of the mouth, from reducing plaque to improved breath and decrease in gum disease. One way this seems to work...