Do you have a hard time making your dog's dental hygiene a priority?  You're not alone.  Plenty of pet owners balk at the idea of brushing their dog's teeth.  Perhaps you simply don't think it's necessary to brush your dog's teeth.  Maybe you find it challenging to make time or muster the energy for regular brushing, especially if your dog makes the job difficult.  Although taking good care of your pet's teeth can seem like a hassle, your dog's oral hygiene is more important than you might think. Without regular dental care, dogs are likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease from food particles and bacteria creating a build-up of plaque along the gum line.  In fact, veterinarians estimate that most dogs will develop some degree of gum disease by the time they are a few years old.  Most pet owners fail to notice oral health problems in their dogs until gum disease advances enough for obvious symptoms to occur, which can often be too late to easily correct the problem.  Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, abscesses, or even worse problems.  Studies have shown that oral bacteria can cause spread systematically, creating issues including heart and kidney disease.  Fortunately, just like in humans, regular dental care can help prevent gum disease in dogs.  If you haven't done much for your dog's pearly whites in the past, make sure to have him examined by a veterinarian.  If gum disease is already present, a professional cleaning or other treatment may be required.  If not, you can begin preventative care by routinely brushing your dog's teeth.  Ideally, a dog's teeth should be brushed daily, but if this is unrealistic for you, aim to brush them a few times a week, or at the very least, weekly.   Brushing can be supplemented by giving your dog special chews and toys that promote dental health.  There are a wide variety of these items available at most pet stores, so ask your veterinarian which options are the best for your dog.  Let's see those pearly whites! Image credit Before you begin a routine of brushing your dog's teeth, acquire the proper tools.  You will need to use a toothpaste created specifically for dogs, as ingesting human toothpaste is harmful to your pet.  There are several varieties of dog toothpaste available, including fresh-smelling minty flavors.  If your dog isn't keen on having his teeth brushed, you might try an enticing meaty flavor instead.  You should also use a toothbrush designed for dogs.  Long-handled models with soft bristles that look similar to human toothbrushes are great for use on large dogs or those who might  bite.  Finger brushes made of soft rubber are another popular choice, but remember that they don't provide much protection in the event that your dog should bite down on your finger. Use whatever model will be the easiest for you to work with on your dog. To brush, apply your dog's toothpaste to the bristles and brush the outside of his teeth in a gentle, circular motion.  Be sure to do this on all of this teeth, from his front teeth to his molars.  If your dog protests, be sure to go slowly and speak to him in a soothing tone.  You can have a friend help by gently holding or petting him, and you can even pause to reward your dog with treats as you work.  Each time you brush his teeth, make sure to check for any signs of bad breath, redness, swelling, or bleeding.  Let your veterinarian know if anything in your pet's mouth looks different or unusual.  Putting in the effort to brush your dog's teeth on a regular basis might be a challenge at first, but you'll find it's worth the trouble.  Not only will you prevent your pet from having future oral health problems, but you'll also save yourself from heartbreak and having to pay bigger vet bills.  Be gentle but persistent with your routine, and you'll find that brushing your dog's teeth may not be as difficult as you'd imagined.

Many breeds of dogs are infamous for their tendency to eat anything and everything in sight. Whether you might think of a plant as edible or not will have no bearing on your pup's attitude. While most plants are harmless, however, many are actually poisonous to dogs, and you should do everything you can to keep Fido away. Here is a look at seven very common offenders that you may have in or around your home.   1. Dieffenbachia - Also known as Dumb Cane, the dieffenbachia plant is toxic when ingested by both dogs and cats. A tropical plant naturally, the dieffenbachia contains a chemical that is meant to deter animals away from eating it. If your dog ingests the leaves, be on the lookout for oral irritation and swelling of the tongue and lips. Later symptoms may include vomiting, problems swallowing (due to swelling of the esophagus), and increased salivation.   2. Asparagus Fern - This common houseplant doesn't need to be ingested to be bad for your dog. Repeated rubbing up against it can lead to allergic dermatitis (skin irritation). The asparagus fern also produces berries that are toxic to dogs. Ingestion can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and upset stomach.   3. Castor Bean - Though you may not be familiar with the castor bean plant, you could have it in your garden without knowing its name. A favorite among landscapers, this tropical plant is also very common in parks. When ingested, the leaves of the castor bean can burn your pup's mouth and throat. You may notice excessive thirst, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea in the hours that follow. The seeds of this plant are the most dangerous part, and consumption is often lethal.   4. Daffodil - A cheery addition to your flower garden, daffodils contain poisonous chemicals that could cause diarrhea, vomiting, and increased salivation when consumed by your dog. The worst toxins can be found in the bulb of the daffodil plant, and ingestion can lead to much more serious symptoms, including low blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, and tremors.   5. Aloe Vera - Soothing to human skin, aloe vera is often kept as a houseplant so that people can take advantage of its medicinal properties. Unfortunately, when consumed by dogs, the saponin and aloin toxins found within the plant cause it to be moderately poisonous. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, ingestion can lead to depression, tremors, and a change in the color of your pet's urine.   6. Corn Plant - Easily recognizable by their ribbon-like leaves, many people have corn plants either inside or outside their homes. No one knows exactly why this plant is poisonous to dogs (and cats), but it is thought to contain a steroidal toxin related to saponin. If eaten by your dog, be on the lookout for vomiting (with or without blood), diarrhea, weakness, depression, and anorexia.   7. Baby's Breath - Though it's included in most flower bouquets, you shouldn't let your pup nibble on baby's breath. The gyposenin found in abundance within these flowers can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. This plant is less likely to cause serious side effects than some others, but its abundance around the house makes your dog much more likely to come across it.

Is your feline friend beginning to look more like a pot-bellied pig than a cat?  It might be time to start a weight loss regimen.  Helping a cat lose weight will take patience and persistence, but will improve the overall health and well-being of your pet. Cats lose weight the same way humans do.  There’s no secret science for either species.  Overall, your pet will need to eat less and exercise more.  If your cat currently controls the amount of food they receive, you’ll need to take note of how much food they eat in one 24-hour period.  If they are just overweight and don’t appear to be gaining or losing any weight, then the amount of food they are currently eating is considered their maintenance diet.  It’s just enough food for them to maintain their current weight. To change their weight, you’ll simply need to begin controlling the amount of food they eat by decreasing the amount of food they are given each day to below their maintenance level.  If they currently eat 2 cups per day of cat food, then try feeding them only 1.75 cups.  While this is likely still too much food for the average adult cat, you will be able to gradually step them down to a healthy weight.  While they are on a reduced calorie diet, you will notice their weight drop initially then level off to a stable weight.  It may take up to a month between feeding reductions for their weight to stabilize.  Continue to reduce their food intake a quarter cup at a time each time until they are a more healthy weight.  Most cats will need 5-6 ounces of wet cat food per day.  For dry cat food, the feeding recommendations are typically listed on the outside of the packaging. Image credit Since different brands and types of cat food have different nutritional values, the amount of food they’ll need is brand-dependent.  Simply switching brands and feeding them the same amount can cause a cat to lose weight.  Some cat foods are high in fats and filler material while others are mainly lean meats.  While quality cat food is often more expensive, you’ll find that you don’t need to feed them as much of it to get the same nutritional value. Aside from feeding habits that take in calories, you’ll also need to be aware of your cat’s overall calorie expenditure.  How active your pet is will play a big role in how much of that food they consume gets used in running around and climbing things and how much will go to fat storage.  If you have a house cat that spends all of their time indoors and much of it sleeping, then they will need at least 20% less food than the average cat.  Outdoor feral cats that hunt for food and are very active need much more food than the average cat to maintain their current weight. As both calorie intake and export play a role in shaping the figure and health of your cat, you can manipulate one or the other to see positive results.  Increasing your cat’s time spent exercising has the same effect as decreasing their amount of food.  The only thing that is important at the end of the day is that the overall difference between the amounts of calories they take in and calories they use up is less than it was when they were overweight.  If you follow that simple formula, you’ll see positive results in your feline friend, and they’ll be on their way to a happier, healthier life.

If you have a dog, then you need to check it for fleas on a regular basis. Fleas can be found in almost every area of the country, especially during the spring and summer months. Just because you keep your home clean and tidy does not meant your dog won't get fleas. Fleas are tiny parasites that can jump huge distances, which means that they can attach themselves to your dog by jumping on it from another animal with fleas. Because fleas are parasites, they can cause severe discomfort to your dog. Fleas will spread quickly throughout your home if you do not find a way to eliminate them immediately; otherwise, they will cause severe discomfort to you and your family. The following are five ways to check your dog for fleas:   ? Check to see if your dog is behaving oddly - If your dog is behaving oddly; for example, its more restless than normal and is chewing, licking or scratching itself more than it usually does, then there's a good chance it has fleas. Other behavioral signs of fleas include scratching at its ears or shaking its head on a regular basis. ? Check your dog's fur coat - If you dog has become infested with fleas, then you should be able to spot fleas jumping around in your dog's fur coat. However, if your dog only has a few fleas, they may be hard to spot by just checking the fur. ? Check the groin and armpits - These two areas are two of the warmer areas as well as most protected areas on a dog, which makes them some of the favorite locations for fleas to feed off of. Look carefully in these spots for fleas or for signs of fleas, such as hair loss or red and irritated skin, which may have been caused by excessive scratching. Image credit ? Run a flea comb through the fur - Flea combs have very fine teeth, making it easier to pull out fleas. Run a flea comb through your dog's fur. If there are any fleas in the area that you are combing, they should be caught within the teeth. When using the comb, make sure that you get close to your dog's skin. Be sure to have a bowl of water with soap in it nearby so you can dip the comb in it if you have caught any live fleas. ? Check your dog's bed - The fleas won't just stay on your dog - they will often move to the environment that your dog lives in. If they haven't spread to your furniture yet (at which point you'll probably realize that you have fleas), then check your dog's bedding for fleas or for signs of flea dirt, which are black specks.   These are five ways that you can check to see if your dog has fleas. If your dog does indeed have fleas, then you need to get rid of them as soon as possible before they begin spreading throughout your home and you have an infestation on your hands.

It can be hard to tell when your dogs require veterinary attention. If you brought them to the doctor every time they had a little sniffle, you'd spend more time in the vet's office than at home. However, there are a few symptoms that could have a serious underlying cause. Let's take a look at five symptoms that you must consult your vet about. Lumps Most lumps that develop on a dog are completely benign. However, a lump could potentially be cancerous. Cancer is the most common fatal disease in pets. The earlier you treat it, the more likely it is that you can save your dog. Your vet should be made aware of any new lumps or growths that develop on your pet. Unusual Body Odors Although dogs can get smelly from playing in the yard or wrapping themselves up in hot blankets, unusual body odors are an important warning sign to be aware of. Bad breath can be a sign of cancer or dental issues. Excessive flatulence can be a sign of clogged anal glands. Smelly ears might indicate an ear infection. Unexplained Weight Loss Unexplained weight loss is a very serious symptom in a dog. You should be particularly alarmed if this weight loss is accompanied by a change in appetite. These symptoms could be a warning sign of cancer. They are also associated with a number of digestive and glandular issues. Image credit Coughing Coughing is a symptom that can be an indicator of a variety of serious illnesses. It could be a symptom of lung cancer or another respiratory disease. Small dogs are at an increased risk of damage to their esophagus, which can lead to coughing and choking. Limping and Jumping If your pet is limping or jumping, you must seek immediate attention from a vet. This symptom is a sign of pain and can be an indication of a broken bone or serious physical trauma. It can also be a symptom of arthritis, which is painful but treatable. Certain types of cancer will also lead to obvious signs of pain. Not every symptom requires the attention of a vet, but these particular symptoms are sometimes indications of serious underlying health conditions. If your pet experiences any of these warning signs, bring them to the vet as soon as possible. You should also schedule regular checkups for your dog in order to catch and treat any less obvious illnesses.

When it comes to feeding your dog, you have a lot of options to choose from.  You know that table scraps won't provide the nutrition your pup needs, but you may not realize that certain dog foods can actually contain potentially harmful ingredients as well.  Even the pricier, organic brands may not be all they're cracked up to be.  If you're confused about what should and shouldn't be in your pet's food, understanding a few simple guidelines can help you make a choice that will be both nourishing and tasty for your dog.  Let's take a look at what you should look for and what you should avoid when purchasing dog food: 1.    Make sure a specific meat is at the top of the list.  When you're reading the label, meat should be the first ingredient listed.  This means that there's more meat in your dog's food than anything else.  However, it's important for the label to list a specific type of meat.  A lean meat like chicken is best, especially if your dog has weight issues.  While beef may not be quite as healthy, it's still an acceptable protein option as well.  On the other hand, you'll want to stay away from dog foods that just list something generic like "meat meal" or "animal byproduct meal."  This can include anything from horse meat to pig hooves and everything in between.  Stick with basic "chicken" or "beef" so you know exactly what's in that bag you'll be pouring or scooping from daily. 2.    Be wary of certain fillers.  Most dog foods are going to contain at least a few grains.  However, you don't want those grains to be too high on the ingredient list.  Many manufacturers skimp on the meat and instead use high levels of fillers like corn meal, oatmeal, rice and soybean meal.  High levels of these ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.  They can also be a bit difficult for their digestive systems to process, particularly for pups with tender tummies.  Don't be fooled by popular brands that proudly tout organic ingredients.  Just because they use organic fillers doesn't necessarily mean those are the foods your dog should be eating.  Choose a primarily meat-based brand with ingredients like chicken and chicken meal listed first.  Anything else will mean too many carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain and sluggishness in your dog. Image credit 3.    Keep things simple.  When it comes to your dog's food, simplicity is key.  It's best to avoid dog food that uses artificial colors, flavors or other additives.  Those brightly-colored bits and pieces may look appetizing, but there's no point in giving your dog something artificial if you don't have to.  Dogs don't perceive colors as vividly as we do, so those bright hues are really there for your benefit anyway.  You should also examine the ingredient list carefully to be sure that it doesn't include any kind of sweetener, whether it's real or artificial.  Things like sugar, corn syrup, molasses or brown rice syrup have no place in your pet's food.  In addition, steer clear of ingredients like butylated hydroxysanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene.  The bag will typically list these as BHA and BHG.  They've actually been banned in some countries because they've been linked to cancer in some pets.  Other preservatives like ethoxyquin and propylene glycol should also be avoided.  The former has been used in pesticides while the latter is related to antifreeze.  Bottom line, if you can't pronounce it, it probably shouldn't be in your pet's food.  Go with a brand that only has ingredients you can easily identify. You probably consider your dog an important part of your family.  If you want your pup to stick around for many years to come, you need to make sure he or she is getting the nutritional benefits his or her body requires.  Selecting the right dog food will help you do that.  By following the guidelines on this list, you can make sure Fido's food has all the proper nutrients he or she needs and none of that potentially harmful fake stuff.  Remember to read the ingredient label carefully so your dog can stay healthy and live a long, happy life!

Until recently, most experts would say that cats did not get heartworms.  Over the past few years, research has begun to show that heartworms are much common in cats than was previously thought.  Prevalence of Heartworm in Cats There have been laboratory confirmed cases of heartworm in cats in all 50 U.S. states. One researcher who presented at a 1998 heartworm symposium performed random blood tests in cats and found that heartworm disease was more common than feline leukemia (FLV) and FIV or feline AIDS.  Anywhere that dogs are at risk for heartworm, cats are now also considered to be at risk.   This apparent increase in feline heartworm infection is actually a sign of better detection and understanding of the disease.  Cats may develop only one or two adult worms and, as a result, older heartworm tests that worked on dogs may not be sensitive enough to identify a heartworm infection in a cat. In addition, heartworm disease in cats may be misdiagnosed due to the lack of awareness of the prevalence of the disease as well as the different symptoms that cats develop. Symptoms of Feline Heartworm Disease Heartworm in cats often presents differently than in dogs.  Respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and difficulty breathing, are common in cats with heartworm and may be misdiagnosed as asthma.  These symptoms, along with vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and loss of appetite, may become a chronic disease.  Heartworms can also cause neurological symptoms, seizures, fainting, and death in cats. Treatment of Heartworm Disease in Cats Heartworm treatments that work on dogs are dangerous in cats. As many as 70% of cats will die if canine treatments are used.  The best practice for cats with heartworm is to treat the symptoms and allow the adult worms to die a natural death over the course of a couple years. In some cases, the inflammation that occurs when the heartworms die may be life threatening for the cat.  Image credit Prevention of Heartworm There are medications available that can prevent heartworm in cats.  If you have a dog and your veterinarian recommends seasonal or year-round heartworm protection, ask about prevention for your cat too.  Heartworm is extremely common in the southeastern U.S. year round and many other parts of the country have a risk of heartworm, especially during warm months.   If your vet is not familiar with the risks of feline heartworm disease, there are guidelines put out by the American Heartworm Society that can help you and your vet make an education decision. Heartworm and Indoor Cats It is not just outdoor cats that are at risk of heartworm.  One study found that about 28% of cats that were diagnosed with heartworm were indoor-only cats.  Some researchers theorize that indoor cats may actually be at increased risk since they do not have a built up immunity.  Cats may particularly be at risk if they lie against window or door screens as many indoor cats enjoy doing.  If you live in an area that has a high risk of heartworm disease, consult with your veterinarian about the need to treat your indoor-only cats.  Heartworm disease in cats is still not completely understood and more research is needed into the prevalence, symptoms and treatments.   In addition, many veterinarians are not aware of the latest research and may not regularly recommend heartworm preventatives for cats.  

Dogs, like people and many other animals, get depressed. Major change, a substantial loss, or even the weather can create prolonged, intense sadness in canines. Fortunately, dog depression symptoms are easy to recognize and solutions are usually evident and simple to implement. Care must be taken, however, not to inadvertently reward the dog for sad behavior. Instead, there are easy ways to encourage happy behavior and uplifting activities.   Although dogs live for the moment, this doesn't mean that whatever happens will not affect them in the long run. Consider how important a dog's human and animal companions are to him. His people provide not only food, water and shelter but also attention and love. They provide him with endless interesting ways to fill his waking hours. Other pets in his household enrich his playtime, downtime, and provide moral support and security within his family environment. In short, his human and animal friends are the highlights of his each and every day. When one of these companions leaves him, permanently through death, or temporarily as through a long hospital stay, his world turns upside down. His loss can be tremendous. Just like people, dogs need help to fill this void.   In fact, since dogs are animals of habit, major changes of any sort can upset them immensely. A move to a bigger, better home can leave them without their favorite shade tree or familiar living room picture window view. The friendly children next door he'd run along the fence and play with may now be replaced with less friendly people or with nothing at all. Potentially as upsetting as a change in environment is a change to a dog's daily schedule. A dog can be overcome with loneliness if his owner is working longer hours or a different shift, leaving him with one less long walk per day. This type of separation anxiety is also common when there's a change in the dog's family dynamics. A new spouse, new baby or even a new pet may leave him feeling left out, insecure and insignificant. Image credit   Just like people, dogs can simply get the blues. A change of season, extended bad weather, or even just the shorter daylight hours of winter can leave dogs with less happy time outdoors, less trips with their owners, and basically with much less to do. What's important to remember is that dogs pick up the emotions of the people around them. A person who's depressed about the weather, or anything else, is likely to have a dog that mirrors the emotion. In determining what's causing a dog's depression, it's crucial to rule out medical problems first. For instance, a dog that's eating less and inactive may be stiff and sore from arthritis. Depression without another medical or environmental cause may actually be due to a chemical imbalance. Only a veterinarian can determine this conclusively and treat it accordingly.   One of the most common signs of dog depression is a decrease in both food and water consumption. Depending on how much less a depressed dog is eating, there can be a corresponding loss of weight. The weight loss can be drastic and sudden if the dog virtually or totally abstains from food. Depending on how little the dog is drinking, varying levels of dehydration can occur. Occasionally, depressed canines markedly overeat and this can be as dangerous as not eating enough. Sleep patterns may also be altered, with depressed dogs either sleeping excessively or having trouble sleeping at all. They may be restless and anxious. Some shake and abnormally shed. But basically, if a dog becomes listless, inactive or lethargic, depression should be a concern. Some dogs get excessively clingy while others become withdrawn, even hiding to avoid contact and to avoid doing the things they previously enjoyed. Any distinct personality change can signal depression but only a veterinarian will know for sure.   Fortunately, once depression is diagnosed, treatment is usually simple and based directly on the cause. For example, a dog mourning the death of his dog companion will benefit tremendously from interaction with other dogs. Dog parks or long walks in a dog friendly neighborhood work wonders if it isn't feasible to get another dog. Lonely dogs whose owners must suddenly work longer hours can benefit greatly from the addition of a new family pet they'll enjoy. In general, depressed dogs need lots of extra affection and attention. More exercise and activity is best given doing the things they most enjoy. Herbal supplements may work wonders as can anti-depressants for chemical imbalance but these must be prescribed by a vet. Drugs should be a last resort, however, as they may cause unpleasant side effects. Whenever possible, depressed dogs should be cheered up in natural ways. Since rewarding sadness encourages it to continue, hugs and treats should be given only once a dog's been coaxed into happier behavior.   The good news is that dogs suffering from depression are usually back to normal within a few months, sometimes even in just a few days. Unlike humans, long term depression in canines is extremely rare. Because dogs are more present-day oriented than their human companions, treatments employed for whatever is causing their blues are more readily accepted and their resulting uplifted mood and behavior are more easily retained.

All of us want our dogs to be healthy and happy, but it can be quite a struggle to resist the temptation to give your furry friend table scraps. While a special treat on occasion may not be cause for concern, there are several common foods that can be quite dangerous for dogs. In order to prevent tragedy from occurring, avoid these 5 foods your dog should never eat. 1. Onions & Garlic Regardless of the form these foods come in, onions and garlic are a huge no-no for dogs. These foods can actually compromise a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. If your dog accidentally ingests a small amount, he will probably be okay. However, repeated exposure to these foods can spell serious trouble for your companion. If you are worried your dog may have ingested large quantities of onions or garlic, keep an eye out for symptoms of anemia which include weakness, vomiting, disinterest in food, and breathing difficulties. 2. Grapes/Raisins Many dog owners have used grapes and/or raisins as dog treats, but these foods are dangerous for your pet’s health. While scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause, grapes and raisins are known to cause kidney failure in dogs. Even the smallest amount can make your dog ill. To prevent this tragedy, keep grapes and raisins away from areas your dog can reach. Repeated vomiting is a sure sign your dog has eaten these foods, and within a day he will become lethargic and unlike his normal self. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice these warning signs. Image credit 3. Candy Many types of candy and gum are sweetened with an ingredient called xylitol. While we may be able to safely consume this ingredient, it can wreak havoc on your dog’s system. Xylitol can actually increase the amount of insulin in your dog’s body, which can cause blood sugar to drop and liver failure to set in. Loss of coordination, vomiting and lethargy are early warning signs your dog has consumed xylitol. He may also experience frequent seizures. If you notice any of these warning signs, head to the veterinarian immediately. 4. Macadamia Nuts Macadamia nuts can be fatal to dogs, and should never be given as a treat. Even a miniscule amount of these nuts can lead to illness and poison your dog’s system. Symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness/paralysis, vomiting, fever and a rapid heart rate. When combined with chocolate, macadamia nuts can make symptoms worse and may cause death. Keep these nuts and any foods containing them well out of the reach of your furry friend. 5. Avocado Avocados contain persin, which can be toxic to dogs. While you may love guacamole, your dog’s system can’t handle large amounts of this substance found in avocados. While a small amount isn’t likely to cause lasting harm, it’s still a good idea to keep your dog away from them. If you are growing avocados at home, keep them away from areas your dog plays – persin can be found in the seeds, leaves and bark in addition to the fruit itself. While it can be tempting to feed your dog a special treat now and then, many common foods are dangerous to dogs. In order to keep your pet happy and healthy, avoid feeding him these five dangerous foods.

There are several types of worms that dogs can become infected with including tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and heartworms. Dog owners might assume that as long as their dog is kept indoors or in a fenced yard away from other dogs, their dog cannot catch worms. This is a common misconception, especially if there are cats wandering the neighborhood. As all of these worms can also infect cats, your dog may be at a bigger risk than you are aware of from worm infestations. Consider the cats that live in your neighborhood. Fences do not keep them out, and they are more likely to leave hidden feces that you don't see but that your dog will quickly find. A worm-infected cat can easily contaminate your property or any area that your dog walks through. Even for an indoor dog, taking him out to potty can put your dog in contact with worms which are left behind by cats. Worms are spread in a variety of ways. Tapeworms are spread by fleas and by contaminated feces. Your dog can catch fleas that are carrying tapeworms from an infected cat who drops a few fleas as he passes through your property. If your dog eats or comes into contact with feces from a cat with tapeworms, he will likely catch tapeworms. Hookworms are even easier to transmit from animal to animal. Both dogs and cats can catch hookworms through the pads of their feet and then contaminate the soil and grass with their feces. There are three species of hookworms that infect dogs and they can live in the soil even after you've removed any infected feces. Your dog can catch hookworms by eating, walking on, or laying on contaminated dirt or grass. Image credit To compound the worm problem even more, you cannot count on cold weather to wipe out the worm eggs. Both whipworm and roundworm eggs are transmitted by feces and can live in the soil. Whipworm eggs can survive for up to seven years in the soil, even in freezing temperatures. By eating dirt with eggs in it, your dog can catch hookworms and whipworms. Heartworms are not transmitted in the same way as the other worms. They are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. If a mosquito bites an infected dog or cat and then bites your dog, he can catch heartworms from the infected mosquito unless he is on heartworm prevention. Thus, if any dogs or cats in your neighborhood are infected with heartworms, it is possible for mosquitoes to carry the heartworms from the infected animal to your dog. Not only can dogs catch worms from cats, they can transmit worms to cats, which in turn can spread the worms to other dogs that live nearby. A single wandering cat can spread worms from one dog to another, even if the dogs have no direct contact with each other. While you cannot fully protect your dog from exposure to worms, you can take steps to minimize exposure. 1. Promptly scoop all poop on your property including that left behind by cats and other dogs. 2. Avoid walking your dog through areas where other dogs and cats have deposited feces. 3. Keep your dog on heartworm prevention. 4. Control the mosquito population by not leaving standing water for mosquitoes to breed in. As some worms can also be transmitted to humans, you'll want to ensure that your dog is treated for worms if he does become infected. Have your dog's feces checked by a veterinarian at least once a year. While this won't catch all worm infections, it will increase your odds of catching an infestation in the early stages.