Tag Archives: pet health

With October being National Pet Wellness Month, let’s take the opportunity to absorb some helpful tips on keeping our beloved pets healthy and happy this season (and year-round, too!). The simple preventatives below can help you know what to look for as a pet-owner and make sure your pets are around for years to come.

Wellness exams and vaccines

Are you taking your pet for a wellness exam at least once a year? Regular checkups are essential to a healthy, happy pet. Pets are genetically wired to hide illness and disease, so let your veterinarian detect and prevent things such as ear infections, dental disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. Making sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date is not only good for their overall health, but also yours. Ask your veterinarian about the vaccines your pet needs to prevent contagious diseases and illnesses. A vet visit can be scary, so be sure to hold their paw during the shots!

School and home project supplies

School is in session and it’s easy to avoid putting the supplies into the appropriate storage after use. School glues, permanent markers, and pencils can all cause upset stomachs for curious pets. Heavy-duty glues can cause serious blockage in the digestive tract and may even lead to pricey surgeries. Dogs in particular like the flavor of glue. To avoid a mess on the carpet and unwanted vet bills, make sure your family is cleaning up after those fun projects.

Look out for mushrooms

Although appetizing in warm fall meals, mushrooms can be toxic to our pets. Fall is the prime season for mushrooms, and pets cannot determine the difference between a toxic and non-toxic mushroom. If a dog consumes a mushroom and you are unsure of its toxicity, take them to the vet right away. They can experience some pretty awful side effects and will need to be treated immediately to avoid potential liver and kidney failure.

Check for fleas and ticks

Deer ticks are responsible for spreading Lyme disease, and the number of adult deer ticks is higher in the fall than it is during any other season. Fleas also transmit diseases and cause a painful itch for you and your pets. During the wellness exam, check with your veterinarian for flea and tick preventatives, and be sure to contact your local Mosquito Joe for an extra layer of protection for you and your pets from those pesky insects.

Nutrition and exercise

I’m sure your pet would LOVE to share that last slice of pizza with you, but you should reconsider. Providing your pet with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise is important for their quality of life. Consider adding pumpkin, apples, and carrots to your pet’s diet – these are tasty treats that are abundant during autumn months and they come packed with lots of nutrients! This time of year provides the perfect weather for a long walk or a game of fetch, but don’t forget to provide them with calories to account for the energy they’re expending. Your pet will love spending time with you and enjoy activities in the crisp, fresh air!

Although it’s officially fall, outdoor pests will remain active until temperatures consistently stay below 50 degrees.  Getting a Mosquito Joe spray now will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space longer while adding another layer of defense against ticks and fleas for your pets. Contact your local Mosquito Joe for more information, and let us help you make outside fun again!

Feeling creative this fall? Check out these adorable DIY Pet Costume Ideas for Halloween!

The first day of August is here! I can’t believe this summer is flying by as quickly as it is. Last week I took my dog in for her annual checkup at the vet, and I noticed a big poster on the wall about the dangers of leaving your pet in the car during the months that are hot. As we make our way into one of the hottest months of the year, it got me thinking about other things in the summer that can be harmful (and irritating) to our pets.

When the temperature goes up, the insects come out. That’s not new news, but the amount of fleas and ticks that summer brings could be. The ideal temperature for these pet problems are between 70-90 degrees. That’s generally a typical summer day for most parts of the country. Fleas and ticks also require high humidity level around 70% which increases the chance for large amounts of the insects in areas like the Southeast of the US.

Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals´ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat and moisture, all of which are upped during the summer months and fleas, well…they’ll jump to find you. You get the picture. Hot = fleas and ticks. To make sure your pet is safe this summer here are some tips to keep them cool, hydrated, and and itch free this summer.

• If dogs or cats must be outside, make sure they have an adequate supply of water.
• If they are tied to a unmovable object, make sure shade is in their reach.
• Never leave your dog alone in the car (even with the windows down) during the summer months. 
• Make sure you have your cats and dogs on a flea and tick prevention program year round.
• Mosquito Joe barrier treatments help protect against fleas and ticks and set up a perimeter around your yard, keeping them out.

We love seeing pictures of our customers (two legged or four legged) so if you have plans that involve getting out in your yard with your pet this weekend, we’d love to see pictures. Send them to marketing@mosquitojoe.com and you may be featured on our Facebook page or in a future blog post! We hope you enjoy your weekend!

We all know what today is. It is a glorious day where pranks are allowed, encouraged, and that some of us fall victim to. It is April Fools Day. I can remember in high school thinking it was hilarious to call my parents (who had graciously added me to their insurance policy) to tell them I had just received my third speeding ticket. That April Fools Day joke was a huge fail, and thankfully my need for speed has slowed with age. Probably because I pay my own insurance now!

One thing that we don’t joke about around Mosquito Joe is the health issues that come along with mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Normally we’re discussing ways to keep you humans safe, but what you might not know is that we’re looking out for your four legged friends too. Did you know mosquitoes, fleas and ticks can cause all of the following in dogs and cats?

• Allergies
• Tapeworms
• Heartworm
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Skin Infections
• Lyme
• Tick paralysis
• Ehrlichia

Mosquito Joe offers you the best offense to these diseases, and that’s a good defense. Protecting your yard with our barrier sprays eliminates fleas and ticks keeping your pets safe and healthy. Spring time should be a time of fetch, chase, and wiggles in the grass, so make sure you contact your local Mosquito Joe and get on the schedule. If not for you, do it for your pets! Outside can be fun again for them, too. And that’s no joke.