1. Keep your pet cool. Provide fresh drinking water, leave air conditioners and fans on low temperatures and give outdoor pets proper shelters to protect them from the summer heat.

2. Maintain monthly heartworm, flea and tick control programs. Once a month medications and applications are effective in fighting parasites.

3. Prevent them from wandering off. Make sure fences and gates are in good repair and that holes are filled in the garden. Do not allow pets to roam around the neighborhood possibly scaring or biting children, getting hit by a car or becoming injured from wild animals.

4. Replace faulty equipment. Throw away worn leashes and collars because it only takes one time for your pet to become frightened. With one pull, your pet can snap their leash and run away from you.

5. Update identification tags. Address and telephone numbers should be legible should your pet become lost.

6. Maintain grooming habits in the hot weather. Brush debris and dirt out of your canine or feline’s coat on a regular basis. Regular grooming will help reduce pollutants such as dander and keep your home clean for allergy sufferers.

7. Warm weather means more outdoor activity, be careful. Watch out for glass, chicken bones, rat poison and leaking automotive coolant. In case of emergency, have a first aid kit accessible with your vet’s telephone number. If your pet ingests something on the street, call your vet immediately.

8. Never leave your pet alone. In the car, your pet could suffer heat stroke. By the pool, they could drown. Left outside in the yard or outside a store, they could be stolen. In a room with an open window, they could escape or fall to her death.

Massaging your dog brings balance to your dog’s physical life while creating a special bond between the two of you. You probably give your dog the touch of massage just by the nature of your daily interactions, but it is good to take those hand motions a step further into a methodical sequence to bring them through stages of relaxation and to promote overall well-being. It is also a good opportunity for you to do a body check of your dog; for example, discovering ticks if he or she goes outdoors, finding evidence of lumps, or identifying grooming needs.

Your dog will benefit from massage because it:

• Promotes caring touch and bonding.
• Increases relaxation and rejuvenation.
• Reduces pain and chronic conditions.
• Can enhance athletic performance.
• Helps in preventing injuries.
• Increases comfort levels in geriatric animals, especially if they have lost their hearing.
• Aids the musculoskeletal system in maintaining good physical condition.
• Promotes overall well-being.

How to Begin

• Choose a quiet spot. Place a blanket or dog bed on the floor.
• If you have a very small dog you can do apply the massage techniques while holding your dog in your lap.
• Relax by taking three or four deep breaths.
• Start to play Pet Acoustics Relaxation Music for Dogs CD to bring a feeling of calm to the room.
• Let your dog choose a comfortable position. If this is the first session, he or she may not lie down or may walk away. That’s okay. Quietly beckon your dog to return to the mat.
• Massage requires that you manipulate your body around the pet, so try to be aware of your posture. This not only preserves your body muscles, but also helps to ensure that your technique is rhythmic.

The benefits of massage are not only good for your dog but it serves as an education about the full health of your dog every time you partner in a massage session. Massage is the beginning awakening for a dog owner to learn what is possible for their dog. Your dog will move better, sleep differently and have increased range of motion like the instinctive wild animals they really are.

With the show only a few weeks away, we wanted to give you the inside track on some of the trendiest products that will be at the show. Here are the three top trends to be on the lookout for at this year’s NYC Pet Show so you and your pet can be in the know!

Pet Products A La Natural

Fashion Meets Function:

Products for the Urban Pet Owner

City living is getting more pet friendly than ever! Smaller yards and living spaces are no longer a problem for the urban pet owner with a variety of products that accommodate pet’s needs. Products like Pet Play, City Kitty and Worlds Best Cat Litter are just some of the key items you can find to make sure your pad is free of pet odors! The urban pet owner also is aware of the importance of their pet’s well being. Pet Acoustics and Tribeca Pet Wellness are sure to make sure your pets are happy and healthy in the city.

For a full list of exhibitors at the show check out the Exhibitor List. We look forward to seeing you there!

A.Most dog-owners have heard or think, that early neutering or spaying may result in a smaller "under-developed" dog! Some studies have shown, however, that dogs who are spayed or neutered before sexual development may have a prolonged period of growth of the long bones of their upper and lower legs. More than likely, this would result in a longer-boned, lankier appearance, although the difference would be negligible, most likely not even noticeable and of no health concern. Even so, most physical traits that are related to full sexual development will be reversed, in time, after neutering. Lastly, it is felt that the benefit of avoiding breast cancer in female dogs (by spaying prior to the first heat period ) far outweighs any benefit of delayed spay surgery, or not spaying at all. There are various other positive and negative health considerations to weigh before deciding to neuter your pet. Ask your veterinarian to discuss them thoroughly with you.

A.In the spring, many dog breeds shed their coats. To best deal with this situation, especially if you live in a smaller space, keeping your dog on a regular grooming schedule is key. A grooming routine can help reduce shedding and keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. Most grooming salons offer a de-shedding treatment, which consists of special shampoo and conditioner followed by a thorough brushing and undercoat removal. Having your dog professionally groomed as well as your regularly brushing him at home can drastically reduce the amount of hair you have to clean up.