February! For a short month, there is a lot going on when it comes to caring for the pets in our lives. February is National Cat Health Month, Spay Neuter Awareness Month, and Pet Dental Health Month!
There is a lot going on at Rainbow too. Spring is on the way and it is our favorite season of the year. Get out the gardening supplies, start attending those 4H meetings and plan for a summer of fun activities. Spring clothing is arriving at the stores – be ready when the warm weather gets here. Don’t forget that Rainbow has the largest selection of Outdoor Power Equipment in the area – Stihl, Husqvarna, Milwaukee, Honda and more – to make your spring outdoor chores easy. There’s always something new at your local Rainbow. See you soon!
Dental health is as valuable for our pets as it is for us. Dental problems can cause other health problems so it is important to check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly. Bad breath, abnormal chewing or dropping food and swelling in the areas around the mouth are just some of the symptoms that your pet has a problem. Although cavities are less common in pets than in people, there are many issues that are quite similar to human dental issues. One of the most common, especially in dogs and cats, is periodontal disease. By the time our pets are 3 years old, they likely have early evidence of periodontal disease, which worsens as your pet grows older. Advanced periodontal disease causes pain for your pet, and is also associated with kidney, liver and heart muscle changes due to the inflammation. Thorough dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity, because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can’t see it.
Prevention of advanced dental disease includes removing plaque and tarter building up on the teeth. Regular brushing of your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. There are a variety of products to help including special foods, treats and chews and additives for water and food. Check out the complete line of dental products for both dogs and cats at Rainbow. Dental care goes beyond chew toys. There are specially formulated food such as Science Diet Oral Care for Cats, additives for your pet’s drinking water – Tropiclean offers teeth and breath cleaning gels, sprays and drops – and special “finger” tooth-brushes, interactive treat toys, and dental chews. This month, save on one of the most popular products – 20% off Greenies for dogs or cats, with the February Subscriber Coupon!
A new partnership of animal welfare organizations are bringing more low-cost spay-neuter clinics to Lake County this year. Pet Fix – Lake County is the result of coordination between Clearlake Animal Association, SPCA of Lake County and Dogwood Animal Rescue Project. Their first clinic was held over 3 days, from January 31 to February 2 and over 200 pets were “fixed” by the volunteer-driven effort. In addition to the spay or neuter surgeries, each pet was vaccinated and microchipped. Three veterinarians, six registered veterinary techs and over 50 volunteers participated. Pet Fix – Lake County has four more clinics scheduled and hope to fix 1000 pets in Lake County this year, greatly reducing the number of unplanned puppies and kittens. For more information about Pet Fix – Lake County, see their Facebook page. Donate to this most worthy project on the Dogwood Animal Rescue page.
In Mendocino County, SNAP – Spay Neuter Assistance Program – offers assistance to rescues and TNR for feral cat colonies in the county. To learn more about this all-volunteer organization or sign up for assistance, see the Mendo SNAP website.
Let’s not forget the third most popular pet in the USA – Chickens! If you want to get into the fun of raising chickens and enjoying fresh eggs, mark your calendars for Chick Day, March 22 at all Rainbow stores. Cheerful chicks are in the stores now, and on Saturday March 22 Rainbow will party with all things poultry! Save on feed and supplies, learn how to care for your flock during the educational seminars and have some fun with the ever-popular Egg Toss! Start your flock, or expand the one you have, with chicks and supplies from Rainbow.
Trivia! Win a $15.00 Rainbow Coupon!
Last month, we asked, what is the recommended bedding for a feral cat shelter? Straw is the preferred bedding, as it stays dry and warm. Our winner is Kat Demartini.
The February question is, Pet Fix –Lake County has the goal of spaying and neutering over ______________ pets in 2025.