Eagle Hardware Farm & Ranch will be open on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day.  We will open at our normal time, 8 am but close early at 3 pm, so our employees can enjoy the holiday with their friends and family.  Thank you to all of our military men and women for your wonderful service to our country.

DE is almost pure silica (with some beneficial trace minerals); under a microscope, it looks like shards of glass (glass is made from silica). On any beetle-type insect that has a carapace, like fleas and cockroaches, the DE works under the shell and punctures the body, which then dehydrates and the insect dies. DE is nontoxic. There is no buildup of tolerance like there is to poisons because the method of killing is PHYSICAL, not chemical.

Lethal to fleas, it’s harmless to humans.  In fact, farmers use “food-grade” DE in grain bins to keep bugs out of their grain.

If you have a flea problem stop by the Eagle Hardware and pick up some D.E.

As a responsible pet owner, you can take a few simple steps that will go a long way toward keeping your pet healthy and happy. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests these practical tips that can ensure your pet’s health and happiness.

Make your home a safe environment

Unfortunately, making your home pet safe often is a job that is overlooked. Pet proofing your home can lower the risk of a serious pet accident occurring. A pet owner needs to be aware of several potential dangers. Poisons in the home that can kill or seriously injure your pet include some kinds of house plants (dieffenbachia, philodendron, hyacinth, and mistletoe), pesticides, and medications. Low electrical cords are extremely hazardous when chewed. Keep harmful objects out of your pet’s reach. A little prevention may be just enough to avoid a pet tragedy from happening in your home.

Make sure your pet receives a complete check-up

“A regular physical is the most overlooked pet health need today,” says Dr. Bill Swartz with the American Animal Hospital Association. “Most people only take their pet to a veterinarian when a health problem already exists or for routine vaccinations. Preventive vaccinations and early detection of diseases are the keys to successfully treating your pet,” he added. Your veterinarian can conduct a comprehensive exam that includes a lab analysis, heart check, and dental exam.

Design a diet and exercise plan to meet your pet’s specific needs

Obesity leads to serious dog and cat health problems such as heart disease. Exercise is important, but a pet will only exercise if there is an incentive to do so. Your veterinarian will consider what stage of life your pet is in, the amount of activity your pet enjoys, and the time of year before outlining a specific plan. The right kind of food and physical activity can add to the quality of your pet’s life.

Following are ten general pet care tips:

Mmm… all that chocolate! None for your pets, please! Chocolate contains a toxic substance, theobromine, which is harmful to pets. So, just say NO!

Is it an emergency? A pet exposed to bitter cold that becomes lethargic, depressed, and weak, could be hypothermic. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Did you know that by shivering, a pet that is cold or recovering from anesthesia is trying to warm its body back to normal temperature?

The sweet, lovely green pool of antifreeze on the driveway is an often deadly drink for dogs and cats. Even a small lick by a small pet is enough to poison it. Clean up those spills fast!

Did you know that some caged birds are afraid of the dark? Try a night light or leaving the front of the cage uncovered.

Before traveling with your pets, make sure they have all required vaccinations and health papers. If they are on medications, have enough to last through the trip.

When traveling by air, be aware of airline restrictions regarding outside temperature and number of animals allowed per flight. Someone may have already booked a pet and there are no more allowed. Check with the airline reservationist or travel agent.

Remember that even the most gentle and trusting pet may bite when in pain. If you must muzzle, use a soft towel or cloth strips and remove it as soon as possible so the pet can breathe more easily.

If you must transport an injured or ill animal, a blanket, vinyl mat, and even a door make excellent stretchers. The trick is to immobilize the animal to avoid further stress.

Moving from a cold climate to a warmer one? Don’t forget to have your dog tested for heartworm disease BEFORE beginning preventive medicine. Ask your veterinarian for more information about heartworm disease.

Source: The American Animal Hospital Association.

Grooming your pets doesn’t mean that they have to be made-up and untouchable; it simply means that you’re taking good care of their health by keeping a watchful eye on their hygiene. Pets, like humans, are more likely to remain healthy when they are clean and well groomed. Contrary to popular belief, dogs and cats are not wild animals; they require regular grooming attention to keep them healthy in their domestic environments. One of the major benefits of a regular grooming regimen is that you will become familiar with your pet’s body. This allows you to quickly recognize problems with his health, so you can bring them to your veterinarian’s attention sooner. Remember that you should seek help from your veterinarian if you think that your pet will be difficult to groom alone.

Basic brushing

Brushing your furred friend removes dead hair and skin, spreads out natural oils in their coat, and helps keep them from developing an odor. It is one of the simplest things you can do for your dog or cat, but it is also one of the most necessary. A variety of brushes and combs are available-make sure that you use one appropriate for your pet’s coat. How often you brush them depends on whether they have long or short hair. For animals with short hair, a weekly brushing may be enough to keep their coat in good order. Critters with longer locks require more frequent sessions with the brush. And some breeds require daily attention to keep their tresses in good condition.

Cats are well known for their exemplary grooming habits, but even they need a weekly brushing. In fact, brushing your kitty is great for his health because it helps prevent hairballs, keeping his digestive track healthy. During shedding seasons, increase your brushing frequency as needed to remove the excess dead hair.

Exceptional ears

Ears are a prime place for infection-keeping your little buddy’s ears clean is a great way to prevent illness. Regularly pick up his ear flaps and examine the inside. Make sure that they are a healthy pink color. If everything looks good, wipe the outer flap of the ear with a cotton ball, being careful not to touch any part of the ear that you cannot easily see. If you notice any symptoms (sensitivity to touch; brown, black, or yellow discharge; foul odor; shaking or continuously tilting head; or circling in one direction) take your pet to the veterinarian to have his ears examined. Another option for cleaning the ears is to use a liquid ear cleanser. But never use an ear cleanser on your pet if you have noticed what could be a problem. The cleansers could cause severe damage if your pet has an inner ear infection or if something has damaged his ear drum.

Tip-top teeth

Routine dental care is essential to your pet’s overall good health. Approximately 80 percent of all three-year-old cats and dogs show some sign of periodontal disease, characterized by a build-up of plaque and tarter on their teeth above and below the gum line. This disease can lead to gum infection and tooth loss. Your pet’s poor dental hygiene is much more serious than his embarrassingly bad breath-infected gums and dirty teeth have been linked to kidney and secondary heart disease in pets. For information on cleaning your pet’s teeth, consult your veterinarian. In addition to your home care, your veterinarian should perform yearly dental check-ups on your pal; she will let you know when you need to have your pet’s teeth professionally cleaned.

Fantastic Feet

Many of our four-legged friends prefer not to have their paws handled, making nail trimming especially traumatic for them. Like it or not, it still must be done. Try touching his ears or paws when you praise him, and before you know it, your little buddy will love to be handled in those sensitive spots. Indoor cats should have their nails trimmed occasionally whether they use a scratching post or not. Your dog’s claws should not ever extend so far that his nails come in contact with the ground when he’s standing normally on a flat surface. Nails this long place unneeded stress on your pooch’s paws, which in turn can lead to foot problems. Be careful not to trim your critter’s nails too far down; you could cut into the quick (the part of their nail which contains the blood). If you should cut their nails too close, apply pressure or use clotting powder to stop the bleeding. Make sure you use nail clippers designed especially for animals. Cats, for example, have brittle nails that can shatter easily, so it is best to use tools that are designed for them. Here’s an excellent strategy for those who hate the clippers: only cut a nail or two in one sitting. Who said you have to do it all at once? Spread it out over a few days and you’ll lower the stress level immensely.

Extraordinary eyes

Examine your pet’s baby blues often to make sure that everything looks good. You want to ensure that any abnormal conditions are noticed as soon as possible so that your veterinarian can begin treatment immediately. Be extremely careful with your pet’s eyes during all parts of the grooming process. You might consider applying protection, like sterile ophthalmic ointment or drops, to your little buddy’s eyes before bathing. Dogs and cats have very sensitive eyes, and soap-even “tearless” soap-can damage their corneas. Also, trim away any hair that is falling into your animal’s eyes so that it doesn’t inflict damage. Make sure to use blunt scissors (children’s safety scissors are great) when trimming the hair close to their eyes to minimize the chance of injury. If tear staining is a problem, you might consider looking at some of the products available commercially to help you care for your pet, or ask your veterinarian or groomer for advice.

Serious suds

The ever-popular “B” word-few animals feel that bath time is something to celebrate. In fact, the majority of our pets probably dread a bath more than anything else. Nevertheless, sometimes it is a necessary evil. On the bright side, the more often you brush your friend, the less often you will have to subject him to the dreaded bath-time experience. Here are some basics to cover before putting your pet in the water. First, always brush your critter thoroughly before bathing him. Any mats and tangles that your pet may have will only get worse during the bathing process, so take care of those problems in the beginning. Second, protect your pal’s ears by placing cotton inside them. This will avoid getting soap in his ears which could be painful to him. Make sure you have everything you need where you can reach it. After your pal is wet and unhappy, it will be much more difficult to leave him to retrieve the shampoo. And finally, close off all escape routes. This will help you avoid chasing a wet pet around the couch. You may consider putting a towel or screen on the bottom of the tub or sink-if your furred friend has a secured footing he will not be so upset.

Now you’re ready to let the fun begin! Always use shampoo designed especially for your animal. Human shampoo is not made for dogs and cats; it can be harmful to their skin, drying it out and destroying their natural oils. Lather him thoroughly, leaving his face until the end. After you have washed him well, make sure that you rinse him just as well, as leaving soap in his fur can irritate his skin. Towel your little buddy off and rub him down. If he’ll accept it, you can blow dry him. And then finish him off with a good brushing.

Though it might sometimes be a struggle to keep your furry pal in clean condition, it’s well worth it. Not only are you improving his health, you’re bonding with him in the process. He’ll appreciate the attention he’s getting, and you’ll appreciate the lack of fur stuck in your ice cube trays. Good grooming habits are a must for any happy household!

Source: American Animal Hospital Association