The hot days of August can be prime time for our pets to feel nagging summer skin itch. Whether it’s due to fleas, mites or skin allergies, pets often feel irritation when the heat goes up.

To get info on some possible skin itch causes and find solutions for your dog or cat download this week’s podcast: Nix the Skin Itch of Summer.

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Our precious cats and dogs deserve the best of all things! In addition to feeding high-quality natural pet food, pet supplements will often help Fido and Sylvester thrive! The world of pet supplements can be very daunting as there are numerous supplements available but unfortunately very little scientific research proving their benefits.

It is important that all owners have a thorough understanding of what pet supplements are and how they are (or are not) regulated before selecting the supplement best for their four-legged companion. Click here for more information that every pet owner should read before selecting their pet’s supplements.

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Does Rover suffer from doggie breath? Don’t waste your money on dog breath mints—they just mask the smell for a short time and do nothing to get to the root of the problem! The most common cause of bad breath in dogs is poor dental care. Plaque and tartar buildup, periodontal disease and gingivitis are all major contributors to dog breath.

Just like people, many food particles get trapped between dogs’ teeth during eating and should be removed with regular brushing. Imagine how you would feel to go day after day without brushing your teeth…yuck! Daily teeth cleaning is recommended and there are a variety of dog toothpaste and dog toothbrushes available to make the ordeal more pleasant for your pooch. Human products should not be used for dog dental care. Also, talk to your veterinarian about dog dental products and schedule regular teeth cleanings for your dog. Digestive problems can also trigger bad breath in dogs. If you haven’t already, consider switching to a natural dog food which promotes excellent gastrointestinal health. While you are getting up to par on dog teeth cleaning, give your pooch juiced parsley leaves or fennel. These fresh herbs have antibacterial properties and can help aid digestion.

Click here to read more about bad breath and periodontal disease in dogs and cats.

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Q: We live in an area which is high risk for Lyme Disease. Our dog has been on a major brand tick and flea medication year round. We purchased the medication at our vet. Last week he showed a strong positive test to Lyme disease and is now on an antibiotic. His symptoms were lethargy, fever and limping on right back leg. He is 4 1/2 years old and the breed is Old English Sheepdog.

Could you please suggest some Halo pet products to help during this health crisis?

A: Sorry to hear your guy isn’t feeling so well right now. Has he ever been vaccinated for Lyme disease? Many dogs test strongly positive because of the vaccine and not because of true Lyme disease. Your veterinarian can run a test (called a Western Blot) to make sure that your dog’s symptoms are truly a result of Lyme disease and not another form of inflammatory arthritis.

The Old English Sheepdog is very prone to a condition called immune mediated polyarthritis, and it also can cause lethargy, fever and limping and is treated differently than Lyme disease. Regardless of the cause, there are some Halo Pet Supplements that can help. Dream Coat has omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which help with inflammation and the Hip and Joint Supplement contains glucosamine and chondroitin which can help lubricate his joints to make him more comfortable. The Hip and Joint should be used long term as many patients will have residual arthritis after the infection (Lyme) is over. Hope this helps.

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.

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Now you can get expert pet advice delivered straight to your iPod! In an effort to continually bring you the best information on pet health and natural pet care, Halo is introducing a podcast. Upcoming episodes will focus on topics that are important to those interested in the growing world of holistic pet care.

Download the first episode: Improving Your Pet’s Health: How to Eliminate Pet Obesity