Creative exercise tips that can get you and your pooch in shape

Now that spring is here, you may be thinking about getting into the swing of things and embracing your workout routine. However, there's no reason that you should leave your dog at home while you're working on your beach bod. According to the ASPCA, there are far more engaging activities out there that can improve dog wellness and help your furry friend lose a few extra pounds. Here are a few suggestions that can shake up your workout routine and help your canine get in on the act.

1. On-leash biking. Going for a long bike ride with your dog in tow is a wonderful way to let off some steam. While this can work if you're biking through a park or a traffic-free suburban area, it can be difficult when you're dealing with high levels of traffic. As a result, many pet wellness companies now manufacture bike leash holders that elevate the leash a foot or two away from the bike frame. This will allow your pooch to run alongside you without having the leash or your pooch getting tangled up with you.


2. Obstacle courses. Whether you create your own using furniture and boxes in your yard, or explore a course in your community, this is a wonderful way to improve your dog's agility, reports Total-German-Shepherd.com. Whisking your dog through one of these courses will give you a surprising amount of exercise and it can help your canine release a bit of pent-up energy.


3. Fishing line. Start by removing the hooks from your fishing pole and then attach one of your dog's chew toys on the end. You can then go in the front yard and practice your cast, while your dog races back and forth trying to chase after the toy.


4. Swimming. On an especially hot day, nothing will make you or your pooch happier than going to take a dip in the nearest lake. Bring along a tennis ball that your dog can chase into the water and bring back to you to help him increase his heart rate.


After a long winter, you and your canine may need to lose a bit of weight, but now is the best time to amp up your fitness level. Using these fun activities, you can create many warm memories and finally get back in shape when it's time to hit the beach.

To get detailed information on every Hartz flea & tick products, visit www.hartz.com

Smoking can pose a huge risk to the health and well-being of your pet

If you smoke, you know for a fact that it's a nasty habit that's an extreme detriment to your health, but have you ever thought about what it's doing to your pet? According to the ASPCA, dogs and cats who live in a smoking household are at risk for myriad health problems, ranging from cancer to respiratory problems to skin issues. If you've been on the fence about quitting smoking and need that extra push to make a change in your life, ensuring animal wellness in your household should be one of the chief reasons to kick the habit for good. The following health problems could force you to finally take action and make a change for your furry friend.

1. Mouth cancer. This is particularly prevalent in cats, that have far more stringent grooming habits which could lead to problems. Since cigarette smoke can release many carcinogens and poisons into the air, these materials could begin to collect on your feline's coat. As he cleans himself, these cancer-causing agents could lead to the development of mouth cancer. Recent studies back up these claims and it could pose a huge risk to your cat's overall well-being.

2. Secondhand smoke. According to the USA Today, recent research has found that secondhand smoke plays a much larger role in the health of pets than previously thought. The toxins that are released by this smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs. Being constantly exposed to these nasty ingredients will dramatically increase your pet's chance of developing a tumor and experiencing all the pain and life-threatening developments that come along with it.

3. Ingesting cigarettes. If you leave ashtrays lying out in your living room, this is a poison hazard that is just as bad as a block of chocolate for your dog. PetPlace.com warns that only two to four cigarette butts can lead to nicotine poisoning in canines, which can result in vomiting, upset stomach and even death in some cases. This is just another reason to kick your smoking habit for good to ensure that your pooch doesn't have a chance to eat any of these nasty butts.

Smoking is doing irreparable damage to your health, but it is also coming at a cost to your pet's wellness as well. By finally kicking this nasty ritual, you can breathe easier and ensure that you're doing everything you can to improve you and your pet's well-being.

To get detailed information on every Hartz flea & tick products, visit www.hartz.com

Top 5 health issues for U.S. dogs that you should keep an eye out for

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to keep your canine healthy, and knowing the most prevalent diseases and conditions is vital to preparing for any situation. Recently, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. released its Top 10 Most Common Causes of Veterinary Visits between dogs and cats, and the results were quite telling. To ensure dog wellness in your household, knowing the most common dog ailments and how to prevent them is essential to avoiding them in the future.

1. Ear infections. These ailments come from a variety of sources, ranging from diet to exposure, so it's vital that you keep a close eye on his ear canals. An overgrowth of yeast production in your dog's ears can be directly traced to diet, so consider giving him a food consisting of more natural ingredients. Additionally, ear infections can arise from an excess of moisture, so be sure to dry off your pooch's ears after going swimming.

2. Skin Allergies/Infection. Skin allergies and infections come in at two and three on the list, and these can come from a variety of sources. During the first sign of hot spots, a dull coat or dry skin, take your dog into the vet. You can then begin an exclusionary diet to find out what he's allergic to and get to the bottom of his skin problems.

3. Non-cancerous skin growth. Skin growths are a scary thing to spot on your pooch and they can come from a variety of sources. By regularly brushing your dog and bringing him into the groomer, you can keep an eye out for these growths and find them before they become a problem. This is a simple procedure that can be performed at the vet's office and your pooch will be back in tip-top shape.

4. Upset stomach. Most vets who deal with a dog's upset stomach are dealing with something that the canine ingested. Keep small items in your home to a minimum that your pooch may want to eat, as well as foods like chocolate, sugarfree gum and certain types of flowers that could cause him discomfort.

Owning a dog is often like taking care of a child, and you have to constantly be on top of his overall well-being. By knowing the most common pet maladies out there, you can plan for any contingency and improve your pet care standards year-round.

To get detailed information on every Hartz flea & tick products, visit www.hartz.com

Eliminate fleas at first sight with these handy products - Hartz flea & tick

This spring is looking to be one of the worst flea seasons in recent memory, and due to the season's extremely mild temperatures, the parasites are already a threat to your furry friend. If you happen to spot a few of these insects in your home, there's probably many more that you're not seeing. In this event, there are a variety of Hartz products that you can use to treat your home against the risk of an infestation and keep the pesky bugs from coming back.

Keeping a quality flea shampoo in your home is a great idea for these kinds of situations, and it is one of the easiest ways to remove fleas and their larvae from your canine's skin. Hartz Flea and Tick Dog Shampoo will fill fleas and their eggs and keep them from reappearing for up to one month. Along with proven parasite-fighting ingredients, the shampoo also contains coconut extract that can help moisturize and nourish your canine's coat. This is your front line defense against fleas, but you'll need to treat the rest of your home for the products to remain effective.

At the first appearance of fleas on your carpets or near your furry friend's pet bed, you should use Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea and Tick Home Spray. This solution will kill fleas, ticks, eggs and larvae on your carpets, furniture and drapes and keep them from coming back for up to seven months. This product makes use of an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), which inhibits the life cycle of the flea and prevents it from reaching adulthood. This can dramatically help to reduce your chances of a flea infestation and keep your home clear of these annoying insects.

Of course, before the height of flea season hits, you should be sure to bring your four-legged friend for an annual checkup. You can then discuss with your veterinarian about the many flea and tick products on the market and find out which one is right for your pet. Most importantly, making sure your dog is happy and healthy will improve his resistance against these parasites, since they usually prey on animals with weak immune systems. By taking these steps and investing in a few Hartz products, you can make this year's flea season far more manageable for you and your pet.

For more information on Hartz flea & tick control products, please visit the website at http://www.hartz.com/

Hartz launches SAFE program to spread flea and tick awareness

Veterinarians have seen their fair share of flea and tick infestations over the years - they are one of the most stubborn problems that a furry friend can face. Worse yet, even with regular visits to the vet, some owners just don't understand the breadth of the problem and just how detrimental it can be to the health and well-being of an animal. Luckily, Hartz has launched the SAFE program, a series of brochures, pamphlets and posters that will give pet parents a visual representation of the problem and helpful tips on how they can improve their companion's flea and tick prevention.

These products are available through www.hugprofessional.com so vets can get a first-hand look at these useful visual aids. SAFE stands for Selecting the right product for your pet, Asking your veterinarian for advice, Following the directions on the label and Enjoying happy times with your parasite-free furry friend. If everyone followed this advice, veterinarians would have far fewer flea and tick problems to deal with!

This selection of pet owner education tools could be a boost for a veterinarian's clinic and help their owners better understand the risks of these parasites. First, Hartz has released a series of informational brochures for dogs and cats about proper flea and tick control. These pamphlets will help pet parents choose the best flea and tick preventative for their animal and learn a wide range of safety precautions. Everything from proper application to how frequently the medication should be administered is detailed in the brochures.

Hartz has also released a series of informational posters that will be right at home in a veterinarian's office. Each of the four posters brings a unique set of information to the table to highlight just how important flea and tick prevention is. The company offers a flea and tick control for canines or cats comparison poster, which lists all of the EPA-approved flea and tick medications that owners can use. Additionally, Hartz is debuting a tick incidence map of the United States and an illustration of the tick and tick-borne disease life cycle. Both of these pieces of media are extremely informative and can give pet owners a visual representation of the scope of the parasite problem.

The SAFE program and www.hugprofessional.com are just a few examples of how Hartz is doing everything it can to educate veterinarians and pet owners about the year-round risks of fleas and ticks.

For more information on Hartz flea & tick Control Products and flea prevent, visit http://www.hartzultraguard.com .

Top 3 tips to prep your home for flea season

Spring is on the horizon and it is one of the most dangerous times of the year for pet parents in regards to preventing parasites. Worse yet, with the mild weather becoming a factor in many parts of the country, flea and tick populations are still at high levels, so you shouldn't waste any time preparing the inside and outside of your home against these pesky insects. Before it gets any warmer outside, take these steps to protect your furry friend against a potential flea infestation.

1. Treat your yard. Eliminating fleas and ticks at the source is one of the most effective ways of safeguarding your dog or cat during the spring. Hartz UltraGuard Yard and Kennel Spray can attach directly to your hose and treat an area up to 8,000 square feet. This will kill fleas and ticks in the areas of your yard where your dog spends the majority of his time. Be sure to mow your lawn a day or two beforehand so the active ingredients can do their job.
2. Stock up on flea shampoo. If you happen to spot any creepy critters on your pet's skin, one of the most effective ways of treating them is with flea shampoo. Hartz offers a full range of shampoos for dogs and cats that can kill fleas and ticks on contact and keep them from coming back. This product can wipe out these insects at any stage of their life cycle and includes nurturing ingredients that make it safe for their skin.

3. Take your furry friend to the vet. Parasites are known to prey on animals with weak immune systems, so make sure to bring your companion to the vet before spring. Ask your vet to perform blood work to spot any changes from his last visit and pick his brain about the best course of action to protect your four-legged friend from fleas and ticks. These simple steps can go a long way to improve your pet's overall health.

Flea and tick populations are expected to reach the highest levels in recent memory, so you'll have to stay on top of your dog or cat's parasite prevention methods throughout the warmer months. Thankfully, if you follow these steps and plan for the worst, your companion should be able to get through the season unscathed.

For more information on Hartzflea & tick Control Products and flea prevent, visit http://www.hartzultraguard.com .

Tips to protect your family from the risk of ticks this winter

With an extremely mild winter becoming a factor in many parts of the country, the deep freeze that usually eliminates most of the fleas and ticks has allowed these pesky insects to hang around much longer than usual. As a result, if your canine happens to bring one of these bugs indoors, it could put your family at risk of Lyme disease and many other potential ailments. Thankfully, there are a few preventative methods and regular practices you can incorporate into your regular routine to keep these pests at bay.

According to WDBJ7.com, canines who have been bitten by a tick won't contract potential germs from these insects right away.

"In order to get tick diseases the tick has to be attached for six to eight hours to transmit it so it doesn't happen right away," veterinarian Dr. Erika Henson, told the news source. "If you catch it early and remove it then they won't get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme disease."

When your dog goes outdoors to do his business or taking a walk, get in the habit of giving your dog's coat a quick inspection. You may just find a tick who has attached himself to your companion's skin that could pose a risk to your family. If you happen to see one, be sure to use a pair of tweezers and remove the insect while lifting from the top of its head. Since the bug can become impacted in your dog's skin, this is the only reliable way of removing it intact.

Along with a change of habits, using a monthly flea and tick preventative can drastically reduce your canine's chances of bringing one of these pests indoors. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs are the ideal solution that will kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact for 30 days. These topical drops are placed at skin level between your dog's shoulder blades down the length of his back to the tail. This will kill common parasites at any stage of their life cycle, so you'll have peace of mind, even during one of the mildest winters in recent memory.

Ticks are looking to be a major concern for much of the winter, but you can keep your furry friend and your family safe by using a flea preventative and being mindful of his skin health.

For more information on Hartz flea & tick Control Products and flea prevent, visit http://www.hartzultraguard.com .