Check your furry friend’s chin area…cat acne appears on the chin or muzzle as a skin rash, itchy or painful red bumps, pimples, blackheads, scabs or a swollen chin. The exact cause of cat acne is unknown but does not appear to be hormonal or confined to their adolescent years! It likely involves overproduction of oils, irritation or trauma to the skin and bacterial skin infections. Easy at-home treatments include Epsom salt soaks followed by application of human acne cleaning pads (benzoyl peroxide).

Fatty acid supplements for cats help improve healthy oil secretion to clear up cat acne. Prevent cats from rubbing their chin against you, the furniture or the floor to avoid unnecessary trauma to the area. Make sure your cat is eating out of metal or ceramic bowls. Even with the best cleaning, plastic bowls harbor bacteria in their nooks and crannies which can rub against the chin during mealtime. If your cat’s acne does not improve, see your veterinarian for a full exam.

Reference:
Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology, 5th Edition, Danny Scott, William Miller Jr., Craig Griffin, W.B. Saunders Company, 1995.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

We’ve all had days where the dogs just don’t seem to want to eat. You set that can of food out and receive a look that says, “This again?’ You can’t say you blame them; I mean, really — you know you get tired of the same old, same old too. So, why not check out a homemade dog food recipe to give the pups a new treat that, with a few tweaks, you can share as well? Being a fan of chicken salad, as well as the owner of two finicky dachshunds, I’ve found that this one satisfies the whole family.

For the dog (serving size 1/2 cup):
1 cup deboned organic chicken, cooked and cooled
1 cup mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons red clover sprouts
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
In a small bowl, toss and combine the chicken, salad greens, sprouts and olive oil. Transfer to serving dishes and top with the yogurt before serving.

Once you’ve finished serving the dogs, add these ingredients to make a tasty treat for yourself:
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup apples, cut in chunks
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of ground pepper
You may also want to add a bit more yogurt for your serving. Mix all ingredients well, sit back and enjoy your lunch with the pup!

Be sure to check out more dog food recipes at Halo Pets!

We heard from one of our readers with the following question:

“I have a female Lhasa Apso, 17 months old, and her name is Maggie. We found out two weeks ago she had bladder stones, many of them. She had surgery a week ago and had them removed. She is doing great and acts like a new puppy. The vet called today with the lab report on the kind of stones they were. He said we will be trying to treat her with a change in her diet rather than with antibiotics. Can you tell me if Halo Natural Dog Food would be considered a good food to keep her from getting more stones?

Thank you. I love my two dogs so much. I think we (you and I) must be kindred spirits!!”

Answer: You can learn more about Dog Bladder Stones in the Pet Education area of our site.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

“Tis the season for your dog to get into trouble with the local wildlife!

If Rover noses around in the bushes, be prepared that he may turn up smelling like a skunk. Many grooming products will temporarily cover the smell but the faint odor of skunk can linger for weeks. This homemade recipe actually lifts the skunk spray oils out of your dog’s fur and rids them of the smell permanently…or at least until the next time!

Mix the following ingredients in a plastic bucket:

1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (open a fresh bottle)

¼ cup of Baking Soda1-2 teaspoons of Liquid Soap (Softsoap and Ivory are recommended)

Note: for large dogs, the recipe can be doubled or you can add one quart of lukewarm water to ensure complete body coverage.

Directions:

1. Apply the solution to the entire coat and work it deeply into the fur.
2. Leave on for at least 5 minutes or until the odor is gone.
3. Rinse your pet thoroughly with lukewarm water.
4. Smell your pet! If he still reeks of skunk, repeat steps 1-3!
5. Pour any remaining solution down the drain with running water.

NEVER store the solution in a closed bottle as pressure can build up and cause the container to explode.

Note: The solution will sting if it gets into your dog’s eyes. If your dog’s face is heavily soiled, use a toothbrush soaked in solution to clean the hair around the eyes.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

We know you love animals!  But did you know that this week (May 4-10) is Be Kind to Animals Week®?  Starting in 1915, The American Humane Association dedicated this week to the celebration of the unique bond between humans and animals.  At Halo Pets we’re always looking for things you can do to show kindness to animals!