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Dogs bring us immense joy and companionship, and we naturally want them to live happy and healthy lives. However, a hidden threat lurks in the shadows, capable of jeopardising the health of our furry friends: infestations of fleas and ticks. These tiny parasites, barely visible to the naked eye, pose a significant danger, requiring our vigilance and prompt action to protect the ones we love.
To effectively protect your dog, it's crucial to understand the lifecycles of these parasites.
Fleas have a four-stage life cycle:
Ticks, while different in their lifecycle, pose a similar threat. They follow these stages:
Early detection is key in managing these parasites.
Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of dogs. They can cause various problems for your dog, including:
Ticks are larger than fleas and have eight legs. They latch onto your dog's skin and feed on their blood. Ticks can transmit various diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Here are some signs of ticks on your dog:
Once you've identified an infestation, prompt and effective treatment is essential.
When dealing with fleas on dogs, a multi-pronged approach is often necessary. Here are some effective options:
Consulting your veterinarian is crucial when choosing a flea treatment, as they can recommend the most appropriate option based on your dog's age, breed, and specific needs.
If you find a tick attached to your dog, it's essential to remove it promptly and safely. Here's how:
Monitor your dog for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or fever. If you notice any concerns, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Important tip: Avoid using home remedies like petroleum jelly or matches to remove ticks, as these can cause the tick to release more saliva and potentially increase the risk of disease transmission.
A proactive approach is the best way to protect your dog from these pests.
Protecting your dog from fleas and ticks is crucial for their health and well-being. By implementing a regular prevention routine, combining medication with vigilance and proper hygiene, you can keep your furry friend safe and comfortable. Remember, consulting your veterinarian for personalised advice is the best way to ensure the most effective approach for your dog's specific needs.
Dogs can get fleas from environments where fleas are present. This includes outdoor areas (like parks or gardens), other infested animals, or contaminated objects (like bedding or carpet). Fleas jump onto dogs from these sources, starting an infestation.
Yes, dogs can get fleas from other dogs. Fleas are adept at jumping from one host to another. When dogs interact or play together, fleas can easily transfer between them, especially in close quarters like dog parks or kennels.
Yes, ticks on dogs can be harmful. They attach to the dog's skin and feed on blood, potentially transmitting diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The bite site can also become infected if not properly treated.
To remove ticks from your dog, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Fiber is important to your dog's health, providing bulk to move food through his intestinal tract. Some types of fiber can be fermented (broken down by bacteria) in the intestinal tract. This process creates short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are a key energy source for the cells lining the intestinal tract.
Most people are aware of fiber and its role in their diet. The beneficial effects of higher fiber levels in humans influence the way many people think about their own food—and their pets’ food. As a result, some pet-food manufacturers began to think like human nutritionists and make high-fiber diets for dogs. But high-fiber diets and the shorter digestive tracts of dogs don't always mix well. High fiber levels in dogs can cause digestive problems and interfere with proper nutrient absorption. Unlike humans, dogs are carnivorous, meaning their nutritional needs are better satisfied with meat rather than with plant materials.
For more than 60 years, pet nutritionists at IAMS™ have been studying diets to better meet the special nutritional needs of dogs. IAMS research shows that the optimal crude-fiber level for healthy dogs ranges from 1.4 to 3.5%. At these levels, nutrient digestibility is maximized.
An important characteristic of fiber is its fermentability, or how well it can be broken down by the bacteria that normally reside in the dog's intestine. This breakdown of dietary fiber produces SCFAs that provide energy to the cells lining the intestines. Different types of fiber vary in fermentability.
Fiber sources used in pet foods include cellulose, which is poorly fermentable; beet pulp, which is moderately fermentable; and gums and pectin, which can be highly fermentable.
Research has shown that moderate levels of moderately fermentable fiber, such as beet pulp, provide the benefits of energy for the intestinal lining and bulk without the negative effects of excessive stool or gas.
High levels of poorly fermentable fiber are used in some weight-reduction pet foods to dilute the calories in a serving. IAMS research found that this is not a good practice because high fiber levels can decrease the digestibility of other nutrients in the food and, therefore, can reduce the nutritional quality of the diet. You might also see more poop piles in the yard because of the indigestible fiber.
The key thing to remember about dietary fiber is that your dog's needs are not the same as yours. A moderate level of moderately fermentable fiber, such as beet pulp, provides proven nutritional benefits for dogs. Diets containing high levels of poorly fermentable fiber to dilute calorie content do not provide these nutritional benefits.
All IAMS products, including IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Adult MiniChunks, are formulated with optimal levels of moderately fermentable fiber to promote a healthy intestinal tract and enhance the well-being of your dog.
