Be careful with flea treatments

Hints from Heloise
Published: Friday, March 28, 2008 12:51 a.m. MDT
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Dear Heloise: I read your article about flea medication and the adverse reaction a cat had to it. I wanted to share a couple of other things that pet owners need to be careful about when applying flea-and-tick-control products.

• Separate multiple dogs in the same household after applying so they don't groom each other.

• Use only one product, and never put one on top of another.

• Read labels to see what animals the product is to be used on — don't use dogs' on cats, etc.

Hope this can be of help to pet owners! Thanks a bunch. — Laura Liggett, Omaha, Neb.

I can't stress enough the importance of reading the complete product label before using — this is true on any product, really. So read, and then apply.

Treating dogs for fleas and ticks is important, especially with the danger of Lyme disease. — Heloise

Dear Readers: Babs Greff of Rapid City, S.D., sent a photo of her two Shih Tzus, Norton and Alex, in their "prom" outfits. She says: "As my three daughters have graduated from high school, prom season was kind of sad (no more prom dresses to buy). So, the secretary where I teach sewed prom outfits for my cute little dogs. Thought you might get a kick out of this." — Heloise

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Dear Heloise: I have three cats and buy a lot of cat litter in those plastic-jug containers. Here is how I reuse them:

• Cut off the tops and use them as funnels. I have bird feeders that they fit perfectly; no more spilled seed.

• Clean and dry thoroughly and use to store dry cat food. Mark the outside as to content with a marker, or tape the label from the cat-food bag to the jug. Kitty can't spill the contents, and it is easy to pour.

• Cut off the top and use the bottom to store stuff in the garage or basement. Label the outside with a marker: tape, screws, electrical cords, etc.

• Use the jugs to carry water, without spilling, to water plants that are not near the hose. I often put a jug in my car, water the plants at the foot of the driveway, and then go on to shopping or whatever. — Joyce, Roxboro, N.C.

Dear Heloise: I have a black cat with no identifying marks. He is just totally black! So, before I take him to the vet or to be boarded, I paint one of his toenails white. This way, I know he doesn't get mixed up should another black cat be at the same facility. — Joanne in Pennsylvania

This is a good hint! Collars can slip off, and mix-ups can occur even when people are careful. Be sure to show the vet or boarding personnel your marking. — Heloise

© King Features Syndicate Inc.

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Babs Greff of Rapid City, S.D., said she thought readers might get a kick out of this photo of her two Shih Tzus in their "prom" outfits.
Babs Greff of Rapid City, S.D., said she thought readers might get a kick out of this photo of her two Shih Tzus in their "prom" outfits.