Fall Pet Allergies: As the heat and humidity of the summer begins to wane, many of us look forward to the cooler, fall weather and, at least in the northeast, the beauty of the changing foliage. For many of us including our pets, this change of season is the start of fall allergies.

Cats and dogs have seasonal allergies (atopy or allergic dermatitis) to mold and pollen just like we do.  The main difference is the way in which they show it.  Allergies are a hypersensitivity or immune system overreaction against common, otherwise harmless substances in our environment.  These allergens get in through the skin because of abnormalities in the skin’s protective barrier and/or abnormalities to the matrix between skin cells. Similar to the way water seeps into a brick wall with crumbling mortar.

Common Causes and Symptoms:

Tree, grass, and plant pollens or mold commonly cause seasonal allergies.  In pets that have year-round environmental allergies, indoor allergens are likely to be the cause because they are exposed to them continuously.  In fact, 75% of dogs with year-round allergies are allergic to house dust mites, an indoor allergen.  Food allergies can also be the cause of year-round allergies, but that is a topic for another time.

Most dogs and cats typically begin showing seasonal allergies in the first one to three years of life.  The symptoms may initially be mild but may get worse over time.  Any dog can become allergic. Certain breeds are overrepresented (because there is a hereditary component).  They include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, West Highland White Terrier, Bulldog, Boxer, Pug, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and the Chinese Shar-Pei.

The most common symptoms include licking, scratching, chewing, and rubbing at the feet, face, hind end, armpits and abdomen.  In cats, they may present as a raised, crusty skin lesion called milliary dermatitis. Allergies can also present as recurrent skin and ear infections which can cause hairlessness, redness, thickening and pigmentation of the skin.  Bacteria causes these infections. As well as yeast which live naturally on the skin. When present, they can make the itching associated with atopy more intense.

The diagnosis of seasonal allergies is most frequently based on clinical signs and age of the patient.  A positive response to low-dose steroids can also aid in the diagnosis.  The specific allergens that your pet is allergic to can only be determined by a blood test or intradermal skin testing.

Treatment of environmental allergies is centered on controlling the itch or decreasing the immune system’s overresponse to normal allergens found in the environment.  Discuss treatments with your vet. They may include:

Avoiding allergens: 

This is usually not entirely possible.  Brushing the hair coat can help remove allergens from the fur and skin, reducing exposure. Wearing a t-shirt and/or foot protection may also limit exposure and absorption through the skin.  For dust mite allergies, washing beds frequently or using dust mite covers may help to limit exposure.  Avoiding stuffed toys can also help.  Using an air conditioner in the summer or a HEPA filter can reduce allergens.  Keeping pets indoors when mowing the lawn and stirring up allergens may help.  Frequent bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo and using a conditioning rinse or spray to moisturize the skin is beneficial for many pets.

Medications:

Many medications are available to reduce the signs and symptoms but they do not get rid of the allergy.  They include antihistamines such as Benadryl® and Claritin®, omega 3 fatty acids high in EPA and DHA, steroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone, immune modulators such as cyclosporine, Janus kinase inhibitors such as Apoquel®, and a new soon to be available Interleukin-31 antibody.

Allergen Specific Immunotherapy: 

This treatment regimen is dependent upon allergy testing.  Once your pet’s allergens are identified, a specific “allergy vaccine” can be made to desensitize the immune system to specific allergens.  This is effective in about 70% of dogs and is most beneficial when started at a young age. Desensitization is injected. Oral therapy under the tongue is another option. It may require six months to two years to see a benefit.

If you think your pet may have fall allergies, speak with your veterinarian, so together, you can make the best treatment choice for you beloved companion.

To treat your pet to healthy food and/or toys, visit Kissimmee Valley Feed! Check out our dog/cat selection here.

Article Source: Nutrena

Puppy Adoption Guide: Puppy adoption can be the best time of your life and certainly the best time (so far!) of your puppy’s life. But the process isn’t without stress. Questions and uncertainty abound, especially if this is your first time adopting a puppy. What kind of puppy food should you get? Is puppy food actually that different from adult dog food? When should puppy potty training happen, and how do you handle the inevitable messes? What about leash training and socialization? You’ll likely have dozens of questions about puppy adoption, which is why we’ve assembled a number of tips for puppy adoption to help you and your new pal get off on the right…paw.

THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF YOUR PUPPY’S DIET:

One of the more important things you need right away is a solid understanding of puppy food nutrition. An often-raised question is “Do I really need puppy food?” and the answer is always “You really need puppy food,” or at least an all-life-stages food that is appropriate for puppies. So, when choosing a recipe, make sure you look for a “puppy diet” food or that the bag or can is very clearly labeled as “for puppies.”

Building the right nutrition into their diet now will set your puppy up for long and healthy journey into adulthood. Protein and fat are absolutely vital to your pup’s growing body, so look for those levels specifically before making your choice. But how much protein does a puppy need? There’s no exact answer to that question, since puppies vary wildly in size from breed to breed and age to age and so do their needs regarding puppy food nutrition. VCA Animal Hospitals recommend that the protein range for optimal puppy growth is 22–32 percent for dry puppy food.

To make things a bit more confusing, small breed and large breed puppies have their own specific requirements, partly because small breed puppies tend to have a higher metabolism and need more calories to keep up with their higher energy levels. Long story short: Consult with your veterinarian before choosing your puppy food.

IT’S GO TIME: CLEANING UP WHEN POTTY TRAINING YOUR PUPPY

Puppy potty training. It isn’t always easy, and it will most certainly be messy at times. Every puppy is different, so every puppy potty training timeline will be different. Your pup goes on their own schedule, especially at the beginning of their potty training.

To avoid puppy messes as much as possible, here are some tried-and-true puppy potty training tips.

• Start early. You can “officially” start potty training your pup as soon as you bring them home. Invest in some pee pads and get to work!
• Be positive. That old “rub their nose in it” method has no place in any civilized puppy home, and it probably never should have been used. This is because it simply doesn’t work! Scolding, yelling or rubbing their nose in the spot only breeds confusion. “Am I not supposed to poop at all?” Instead, praise your pooch for doing what they need to do while immediately taking them outside, or wherever the desired target location is.
• Set an indoor location. Unless you are on a 24/7 vigil, your puppy will go indoors. But you can control where they go and set expectations that there are designated puppy potty zones. This is where pee pads come in handy. If they know that they can go only on a pee pad, soon that pee pad will become “the grass,” and they’ll understand.
• Crate training is puppy potty training. Dogs really try to avoid going to the bathroom where they sleep, so crate training doubles as potty training. This isn’t to say that they won’t have accidents in their crate; but most pups will hold it as long as they possibly can while crated.
• Stick to a routine. Dogs are creatures of habit, so turn puppy potty breaks into a habit. If you take them outside at random, they won’t learn when it’s time to go. Eliminate the time variable and eventually they’ll eliminate…on time!

No matter how thorough your puppy potty training methods are, there will be accidents. And that’s OK! When it’s go time and they don’t make it to the pee pad or to the front yard, you’ll be prepared, thanks to our puppy potty training cleanup tips. We’ll tell you how to block smells and stains from your temporarily thwarted puppy potty training methods, and offer up some tips and tricks for easy cleanup.

There are plenty more bases to cover, like leash training and safety tips. You can read the more in depth puppy adoption guide here.

Visit us at Kissimmee Valley feed to get all the puppy treats and toys.

Snuffle Mats for Dogs: Dogs love to sniff and explore the world around them. It’s super cute to look at them figuring stuff out! It can be great to encourage this behavior as it helps with their doggy senses. However, sniffing and foraging can cause some issues if they’re pawing at your garden or at your carpets inside. This is where snuffle mats for dogs come in. Read on to find out how they might benefit your dog!

Kissimmee Valley Feed is hosting a “Sniff N Search” at Store #2 where you can make your own snuffle mat on Saturday, April 22nd from 10-12. Join us for a morning of fun and create your own. It is free of charge! All we ask is for interested parties to Pre-register by April 19 so that we may have enough supplies!

What is a snuffle mat?

A snuffle mat is designed to encourage dogs to sniff and forage and to really use that doggy sense of smell. Most dogs love to use snuffle mats because it lets them use their noses to hunt for food and encourage their natural instincts.

How do dogs snuffle mats work?

Snuffle mats for dogs are usually made up of fleece strips attached to a plastic base with holes in it. This allows for spaces where dog treats can be easily hidden. As they’re hidden, they encourage the dog to really use their noses to ‘hunt’ and forage for the treats.

Are snuffle mats good for dogs?

Snuffle mats for dogs are considered to be good for dogs. They encourage healthy dog behaviour and encourage their natural canine instincts, all within a safe and controlled environment. There are a few ways they benefit dogs, so read on for more information.

What are the benefits of snuffle mats for dogs?

Snuffle mats for dogs are the perfect way to provide physical and mental enrichment. They’re perfect for dogs of all ages! They help to slow down fast eaters, encourage them to use their sense of smell, reduce anxiety and burn energy.

• Aids their sense of smell:
  Your dog’s sense of smell is highly important because it’s one of the main ways that they discover the world! With a snuffle mat, the treats are hidden so it encourages your dog to use their sense of smell to find out where the treats are.Not only does this help them with their sense of smell, it’s super fun for your dog too!
• Helps reduce anxiety:
  Dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, or they can become restless or even develop problem behaviours. As we mentioned before, their natural foraging instincts help them find the treats which is really fun for them. Because this is so stimulating, it can eliminate boredom and reduce dog anxiety.
• Burns energy:
  Because snuffle mats are so stimulating, your dog can burn energy as they eat and play. Sniffing and foraging can produce happy hormones, allowing your dog to focus.
• Slows down eating to avoid stomach pain and bloating:
  Some of our dogs are fast eaters, which can cause issues like regurgitation, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and bloating. Because snuffle mats for dogs increase the length of time it takes them to eat, it can reduce these risks.

Are there any risks with snuffle mats for dogs?

Currently, there aren’t necessarily any risks associated with snuffle mats for dogs. However, there are some things you should just keep an eye on.

Like with any dog toy, they should be used in moderation. Especially when treats are involved, you should keep a track of how much they eat, because it is important to not overfeed them.

Knowing when your dog is overstimulated and might need a break from the snuffle mat is imperative.

Make sure you supervise your pooch. There is a risk of choking, like with any dog toys, so keep an eye on your dog whilst they use the snuffle mat.

How do I use a snuffle mat for the first time?

Snuffle mats for dogs are simple to use but it might take some getting used to. Put three to five delicious dog treats on top of the snuffle mat and loosely in the fleece.

Supervise your dog and watch whilst they sniff out the treats. At first, your dog might lift or pull up the mat whilst looking for the treats. In this case, ask them to ‘sit’ or ‘leave it’.

How often should you wash a snuffle mat for dogs?

Your snuffle mat is bound to get a bit slobbery whilst your pooch is searching for those treats. They might also start to smell of dog treats! To keep it hygienic and clean for your dog, wash it once every two weeks, or more often if necessary.

Now that you know all about snuffle mats for dogs, we hope that you see how beneficial they can be for your pooch’s development! Next, check out some other great dog toys for your pup to use!

Article Source: Purina UK