Prepping Your Pooch Against Fleas And Ticks Before The Onset Of Camping Season

The mild winter temperatures and the onset of spring have many campers eager to start the season a bit early this year with their canines in tow. Unfortunately, the balmy weather of winter in many parts of the country has made this one of the worst flea, tick and mosquito seasons in years, so you'll have to make sure that your canine is protected from the many risks that come with camping in the wilderness. Before you make it to your favorite outdoor locale, keep the following health concerns in mind.

1. Heartworm prevention. Mosquitoes are the leading cause of heartworm infection in canines, and the early spring is when swarms of these bugs will be biting you and your canine. Topical drops like Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs should be a major step in your spring regimen. These drops are placed at the skin level between a dog's shoulder blades and down the length of his back to the tail. This will kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days. Additionally, you should also look into tents with adequate netting to keep any of these pesky intruders out of your living quarters.

2. An emergency kit. Along with your standard first-aid kit, be sure to pack a bunch of dog-related medical supplies that will be available in the event of any mishap. According to the ASPCA, this should include everything from bandages, an extra leash, extra food, blankets, bottled water and a copy of your canine's medical history. This will allow a veterinarian to give your furry friend optimal treatment, no matter the severity of his injuries.

3. Visual checks. Even with the best flea and tick prevention, it's still extremely important that you inspect your canine's skin and coat after each hike into the wilderness. There are a whole host of insects that can hitch a ride on your dog's fur, so be sure to check the area around his neck, stomach and the base of his tail. This could be an easy way to spot a problem before it becomes a major issue.

Camping with your dog is a fun and rewarding experience, but it comes with its own share of risks. Make sure you keep these tips in mind before you and your four-legged friend spend quality time at the campsite.

For more information about Hartz Flea Control products for pets, log on to http://hartzfleacontrol.tumblr.com/

Hartz® UltraGuard® Efficacy

At Hartz, our mission is to enhance the relationship between you and your pet, and we pledge to make this relationship more rewarding and fun for both of you. We are committed to providing you with effective and affordable products that eliminate fleas, ticks and mosquitoes to keep your pet pest-free. Hartz® UltraGuard® is committed to offering you flea and tick protection for less.

Hartz UltraGuard® products offer the most cost effective protection against adult fleas and ticks. However, to protect your pet and home environment against flea eggs, flea larvae and reinfestation, use Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® and Hartz® UltraGuard Plus products. These products contain insect growth regulators ( IGR) that not only kill fleas and ticks but also stop the flea life cycle by killing flea eggs and larvae. Insect growth regulators (IGR) halt current infestations and prevent future reinfestations. These products help to protect your pet and home environment from the nuisance of fleas and ticks.

For every visible adult flea there are many more flea eggs, larvae and pupae in the surrounding environment that you do not see. Treating infested areas as soon as the problem is recognized is vital in stopping the flea life cycle. Products like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea and Tick Carpet Powder, Home Spray and Foggers quickly kill fleas and ticks and stop the flea life cycle, halt current infestation and prevent future infestations.

Did you know that female fleas start producing eggs within 24-48 hours after taking their first bloodmeal and can lay 40-50 eggs per day. These eggs drop off the host onto carpeting, flooring, pet bedding, etc. and can quickly infest the home. Flea eggs and larvae are the first 2 of 4 stages in the flea life cycle. If these two are not terminated, the larvae will easily molt into pupae. Insect growth regulators (IGR) in Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® Hartz® UltraGuard Plus products kill flea eggs and larvae halting the flea life cycle.

The UltraGuard® Commitment

We are committed to providing the latest science to effectively eliminate fleas, ticks and mosquitoes and prevent them from biting or infesting pets and their surroundings.

We believe in affordable pest prevention for every pet. That is why Hartz® UltraGuard® Flea & Tick products are broadly available in your local stores. Convenience and affordability with uncompromised quality is our ongoing mission.

We recommend an integrated and complete approach to pest management. Our expertise in parasite protection ranges from on pet topical drops, shampoos, and collars to in-home sprays, carpet powders, full room foggers and in-yard sprays. Treating the whole problem is key to a pest-free environment.

At Hartz, we are committed to providing you with the necessary information to make educated, objective decisions about pest treatment products for your pet and home environment.

Top 3 Tips To Protect Your Canine From The Risk Of Heartworm

This winter's mild temperatures have made the coming spring and summer seasons look like a nightmare for dog owners, as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes will be out in droves. While infestations are certainly on the mind, many pet parents are far more concerned about the risk of heartworm. This potentially-deadly ailment is a parasite spread by mosquitoes that can reproduce in a canine's bloodstream and can cause blockage in the dog's heart. According to DogChannel.com, there are various ways to protect your canine from the risk of heartworm to give you peace of mind throughout the season.

1. A monthly heartworm medication. Even during the winter months, dogs should be given a monthly heartworm medication that can eliminate the larvae in the bloodstream that can gradually mature into a full-grown worm. Thankfully, most of the products on the market are in tablet form, so you can give it to your furry friend at the same time you apply a flea treatment to ensure that he's fully-protected.

2. Make regular veterinary visits. This spring is expected to be one of the worst years in recent memory in terms of parasites, so make an effort to regularly visit the vet and perform blood work. It is far easier to treat a potential heartworm infestation if the worms are caught early in their life cycle, and vets can catch these changes in a routine blood sample, according to PetMD. This is also a great chance to go over the many heartworm medication options that are out there to find the ideal choice for your canine.

3. Flea and tick treatments. Since heartworm is transferred by mosquitoes, using an effective topical treatment is another weapon in your arsenal. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs can help to eliminate fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days. The topical drops are placed at the skin level between a dog's shoulder blades and down the length of his back to the tail to provide superior protection.

Heartworm is one of the most dangerous parasites that can afflict your furry friend, and this year looks to be one of the worst in terms of mosquito populations. Thankfully, there are plenty of quality topical products and medications that can prevent heartworm and keep your companion healthy and happy throughout the season.