SPAY/NEUTER AWARENESS MONTH

Celebrate February’s “Spay/Neuter Awareness Month” by spreading the word about the importance of spaying and neutering. With so many unwanted animals ending up in shelters or homeless, it is important that pet owners do what they can to help control the homeless animal overpopulation.

Even if you do not normally let your pets outside unattended, accidents DO happen. One unfortunate escape of an unspayed/unneutered pet can result in an entire litter of unwanted kittens or puppies. The spaying and neutering of our pets not only helps reduce the number of abandoned animals, but also provides our own pets with a variety of medical benefits. Spaying our female pets helps prevent uterine infections and cancers. Neutering males significantly lowers the risk of prostate problems and eliminates the chances of testicular cancer all together. Spayed and neutered pets typically live healthier, longer, and happier lives.

Behaviorally, both male and female pets benefit from spaying and neutering by reducing a number of undesirable behaviors. Excessive aggression and territory marking (urinating/spraying) are significantly reduced when pets are spayed or neutered. Spayed females will no longer go through their heat cycle, which will cease the discharge of menstrual fluids and the clean-up associated with it.

This February, help spread the word about the MANY benefits of spaying and neutering. If we all do our part, we can greatly reduce the number of homeless pets in our community and ensure healthier lives for our own pets.

TIPS ON FIGHTING THAT ITCH!

Dry itchy skin is a common problem for both people and pets during the cold winter months. The cold dry air of winter combined with the warm dry air in our homes leads to one thing – Itchy, dry skin. While we have the luxury of lathering on the lotion, our canine friends are not so lucky. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help your dog with the constant itching.

Providing your pet with plenty of water is one of the best ways to help relieve dry skin. Although it seems very basic, we don’t always monitor their water consumption during the winter. Dogs should drink at least one ounce per pound daily. Keeping an eye on their water bowl for cleanliness and monitoring the amount of water they consume will help you determine if your dog is drinking enough. Using filtered water or an automatic water fountain can be helpful in increasing their water intake.

In addition to getting more water into our pets, it is also helpful to get more water into the air. Humidifiers put moisture back into the dry air; helping both pets and people with dry skin. You may try running it at night in the bedroom where you sleep.

Adjusting your pet’s brushing and bathing routine in winter is also important in combating dry skin. The simple rule: Brush more, bathe less. Brushing your pet helps remove dead skin cells and stimulates the hair follicles to release natural oils in the skin. Bathing your dog strips the body of the natural oils that keep the skin hydrated. In the winter, keep baths to a minimum and use moisturizing shampoos with ingredients like aloe vera and oatmeal. •