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.

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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/