Getting (and Keeping) the Upper Hand on FAD
Healthy Dogs | September 20, 2022
For more information about cats and fleas, click here.
For more information about dogs and fleas, click here.
Anyone who has pets knows what a scourge fleas can be—they’re easy to get, hard to eliminate once entrenched and can make life miserable for afflicted animals and their owners. Today, we’re going to focus in on one particularly pernicious side-effect of flea bites: Flea Dermatitis.
Flea allergy dermatitis (or flea dermatitis or FAD) is a disease which causes a hypersensitive reaction in a host animal after being bitten by a flea. A protein in the flea’s saliva that is injected during the bite is what actually causes flea allergy dermatitis. An animal (or person) who has become sensitized can experience symptoms all over their body—even parts that have had no contact with fleas—after just one bite. This sensitivity can also remain for weeks, long after the original flea contact has passed, and become instantly active again following another exposure.
Symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis include redness, swelling and itching, both at the site of the bite as well as all over the skin, sometimes with a distinct focus along the back and at the base of the tail. A pet’s scratching and chewing because of itchiness may lead to hair loss, skin abrasions, scabbing, and hot spots.
The key to beating flea allergy dermatitis is as simple sounding as eliminating any contact with fleas. In reality, that can be a complex issue. Two ways to consider a plan are: first, protecting the animal from fleas that may be encountered outside; and secondly, making your home a “safe zone” from any type of flea presence.
Personal Protection for Your Pet
For pets who go outdoors—especially in warmer months—some type of flea prevention or repellent may be a necessary step. Mud Bay offers several options of topical preventatives and repellents, consisting of natural products as well as those containing chemical pesticides. When considering what solution would work best for you and your pet, it is ideal to consult with your vet, as different animals have different needs. As a general rule, natural remedies will need to be reapplied with greater frequency, which could be a consideration, especially when camping, hiking or engaging in other outdoor activities.
A very important thing to keep in mind is making certain that whatever treatment solution you select is appropriate for your dog or cat. There are some treatments for dogs that are extremely toxic to cats, so make sure you read the label carefully to be certain what you are using is safe for your animal.
Creating a Safe Zone in Your Home
With flea allergy dermatitis, even one flea bite can trigger a lingering response, so the ultimate goal is zero opportunities for your pet to have any flea contact. Making your home a “Safe Zone” from fleas is paramount in protecting your pet.
Start with brushing and grooming your pet, and checking for any fleas or flea dirt (or “frass”). Frass is the small red or black specks that look like pepper flakes or dark dandruff. If you see either frass or fleas, then you know that you still have work to do to eliminate the flea problem. It is important to continue regular grooming until your dog or cat is completely free from these signs of fleas.
Then, it’s time to look around the house and see where your pet likes to hang out. Beds (human and otherwise), couches, favorite chairs and those special places where your pet likes to jump up or lay down are all candidates for flea activity. First, wash any fabrics or linens and vacuum areas clean. Then, apply a flea repellent of your choice.
Because fleas have several life stages—eggs, larvae, adults—you will need to be vigilant, especially if they have established a foothold in your house. Failing to eliminate all of the flea life stages and break the cycle will mean that the fleas will reappear. Groom, clean, apply repellent and repeat. It may take several weeks or even months before the flea issue is completely resolved.
A vitally important thing to consider is if you have a multi-pet home that whatever treatment type you select is safe and appropriate for all of your animals. We discussed before how some dog treatments can be toxic to cats, and, similarly, some pets may have different conditions that make a treatment that works well for one animal inappropriate for another resident.
With a little forethought, effort and patience, you can help your pet avoid the scourge of flea allergy dermatitis —and keep your home flea-free. As always, it is important to work with your veterinarian, both consulting on what products to use in your home and on your pet, and also if your pet is showing any signs of distress from flea bites or flea allergy dermatitis.
Furvor bone 🦴 broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine.
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
🐾
It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
🐶
Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
🐈
Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
🐈
You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
🐈
If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
⚽ 🐕
With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
⚽ 🐕
Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
🐕 🐶
The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
🐾 🐕
Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
🐕 🐶
Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
🐕
Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
🐾
A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
🐕
Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
🐕
We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
🐈
The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
🐾
Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
🐕
All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
🐈
You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #mealtime #pnwpets #mudbayairdriedtoppers
💫 New at Mud Bay!
🥥 🐕
CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
🥥 🐕
Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
🥥 🐕
Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
#mudbay #cocotherapy #trainingtreats #dogs #healthypets
🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
🐾
We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
🐕
New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
🐈
Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
🐶
To enter:
👍 Like this post
😃 Tag us and tag a friend
🤝 Follow us
We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
🦑
Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
🐕
We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
🐠
Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
🐕
The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
🐾
We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
🐾
Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
🐕
Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
🐾
Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
🐾 🐕
The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
🐾 🐕
The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
🐾 🐕
Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
🐾
Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
🐕
Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
🐾
Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
#mudbay #mudbuckets #dogs #treats #healthypets
