We are very proud to announce and share with all of our fans, that we were recently named one of America’s Greatest Brands. Take a look and see what the organization had to see about us or read the whole the entire article here.

“It’s hard to think of another company as synonymous with pet supplies as the Hartz Mountain Corporation. For the past 85 years, anyone who has ever had a family member with fur, feathers, or scales is likely to have used a Hartz product. Whether it was the bright orange packs of bird seed of the forties and fifties, the original flea and tick collars of the sixties and seventies, the ever-present hamburger squeak toys, the can of Wardley Goldfish flakes, or some of its latest innovations, Hartz has been the iconic brand of pet supply products for generations of pet-loving households. In 2010–2011, over 25 million pet-owning households bought a Hartz product for their loved ones. No other pet supply company can make that claim.

Hartz understands that the relationship you have with your pet is unique and special, and Hartz honors that relationship every day, in everything the company does. The pet people at Hartz don’t just strive to understand the human-animal bond, they live it. Hartz offers the finest-quality pet supplies to help your pet live a healthier, happier, and longer life.”

To know more about the Hartz Flea products, log on to http://hartzflea.blogspot.com/

Kids and Pets are a great combination. Many adults fondly remember their first childhood pet, and it can set them up for a lifetime of animal companionship. Yet pets can also present certain dangers to children, who may not know enough to keep themselves safe. For this reason, it is important that you monitor the interactions of kids and pets. Here are some things to think about:

Pets and Infants:

If you welcome a baby into a family that already has pets, be sure you introduce your pets to the infant slowly over time. It is important that they become familiar with this new family member under your constant supervision. As the child grows older, realize that he or she won’t have a full grasp on what the pet really is, whether it is a cat or dog or anything else. This means they may not respect the pet’s space the same way adults do, something you should watch for and prevent. Additionally, try to keep any pets that are naturally aggressive from interacting too closely with an infant or smaller child.

Teach Proper Bite Prevention:

One of the greatest dangers that pets pose to children, most notably dogs, is pose to children “biting.” Teach your child the signs that a dog is being aggressive or moody and let them know that they should not play with them in these situations. Be sure your child knows to react to a biting dog by curling up and protecting their hands and face while calling for help. If you are worried about dog bites, supervise your kids’ interactions with dogs and teach your child to use your dog’s stop-commands such as “stop” or “sit.”

Keep Toys Separate:

Remember that your child’s toys will not be safe for your pets to play with and vice versa. Especially when your kids are young, you should keep their toys separate.

Good Pets for Kids:

Pets and Your Kids If you’re buying a new pet and have young children, you should take all of their abilities and needs into consideration. Children under twelve or so will not be able to take on much responsibility for a pet such as a cat or dog, but can manage very well with pets like goldfish for example. A guinea pig is a good pet for young kids since it is gentle and easily handled. You shouldn’t let a child shoulder the responsibility for a pet alone though, it is up to you to make sure the pet is receiving the proper care.

Interacting Alone:

Once a child is older than four or five and has demonstrated adequate understanding of the behavior of family pets, it is alright to let them interact without close supervision. This is only if the animal has demonstrated a good demeanor as well. It is up to you to make sure the dog is trained not to jump up, bite, or be aggressive with children. When first allowing them to play together, try games that don’t require much physical contact, but rather ease your children into more intimate play with your pets.

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Springtime is here and it’s time to get your pal ready for the warmer weather ahead. You’re doing it for your home, your car even your pet needs some spring cleaning to stay comfortable and well-groomed as the weather heats up.

Grooming

When the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we pet owners know what’s coming: your pet shedding its winter coat in large fluffy clumps. Without proper grooming, your pet’s coat will blow in your house, your car and on your newly dry-cleaned spring coat (creating even more spring cleaning!) The easiest way to stop the fur from flying, is to start a weekly brushing regimen (keep it outside if possible). Removing the loose fur on a regular basis will keep your pet comfortable in rising temperatures. Many pets love their brushing time, the sensation and bonding time is important to your furry friend.

Claw and nail trimming is always important but during your pet’s spring cleaning it’s a great time to clip them a little closer than usual. Here is our top tip, go to a vet. Using a professional such as a vet, groomer or pet salon will result in a closer nail trim. If you do prefer to clip on your own, invest in a nail grinder.

Allergies

Both you and your pet can see an increase in allergies in the springtime. Keep an eye out for symptoms like a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and watery eyes in your pet. If your pet seems uncomfortable, it’s a great opportunity to bring your pet in for a vet visit! Pet dander can also increase human allergies, so increased grooming may need be needed.

Flee the fleas

If your pet is not on year-round flea and tick preventatives, the warmer weather is the first signal to begin giving them. Be sure your pets are protected, and after playing outside make sure to check your pet’s entire body for ticks so they can be removed immediately

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Next to you, your vet is one of your pet’s most important caretakers. Finding and establishing a relationship with the right vet can be critical to the long-term health and well-being of your dog. Whether you’re new to pet ownership or just need to switch vets, here are some key points to consider during your search.

Solicit Recommendations

Start by asking friends, family or neighbors – preferably those who own a dog – for recommendations. Inquire about their own experiences with their pet’s vet. Is he gentle with their dog? Is he a good listener and easy to talk to? Does he communicate in easy-to-understand terms? Remember, that you are your dog’s best advocate – if you’re not comfortable with the vet’s bedside manner, it’s unlikely that your dog will be either.

Chances are, if you purchased your dog from a local breeder or animal shelter, they have an established relationship with the local vet community and can refer you to a trusted practice. Even with a recommendation, however, be sure to double-check references yourself!

If you’re moving into a new area, ask your current vet if he can give you the name of a trusted colleague or clinic, or refer you to someone who can.

If possible, choose a vet that is close to home. Short car rides will help minimize stress for your dog, especially if she is sick or injured.

Conduct a phone interview

Make an initial screening call to the vet’s office to ask some basic questions about the vet and his practice.

Check credentials:Hone your list down to a few reputable doctors who have graduated from a veterinary program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and holds a current state license. Also check your state’s veterinary medical board website to see if there are any formal complaints filed against them.

Schedule an office visit:Once you’ve narrowed your list to two or three possibilities, ask to schedule a meeting with the vet and have a tour of the facilities. If you already have a dog, bring her along to see how she and the staff interact.

Office hours:Make sure they are compatible with your own. Find out the average wait time for a non-emergency visit.

Fee/rate structure:Vet care can be expensive. Ask what they charge for office visits and annual exams, as well as standard care items such as vaccines, heartworm tests and spaying/neutering.

Insurance:Make sure they accept your coverage if you have or plan to buy pet insurance During your visit, take note of the general clinic environment. Is the waiting room spacious, clean and organized? Is the building free of strong or unpleasant odors? Is the staff friendly to you and at ease with your dog?

Some items to discuss with the vet may include:

Multi-practice:If the clinic has more than one vet, find out who will care for your pet if he is unavailable. Some practices rotate and share cases; if this is the case, be sure to meet and evaluate his colleagues.,

While you have your own feline at home to worry about, you may be starting to notice that the feral cats in your neighborhood could struggle with the onset of winter. It’s only natural to want to help these felines and bring them to a shelter to find a good home, but they are feral and the outdoors is essentially their home year-round. Worse yet, if you did happen to bring a feral cat into a shelter, they would probably euthanize it since it wouldn’t be able to be socialized with humans.

This also applies to bringing a feral cat into your home – he won’t be able to adjust and actually belongs in the outdoors. According to CatChannel.com, there are a few cat wellness steps that you can take to give a helping hand to the less fortunate furry friends in your community and give you peace of mind that you’re doing something to help. Feeding the cats is probably one of the easiest ways you can help, but you need to be sure that bringing food to the felines won’t cause them to be a problem with people that may live in the neighborhood.

Bring the food to a spot that is away from traffic and other people, and try to bring it every day at a scheduled time. While some cats will learn to catch food for themselves, you can ensure that they have a steady supply of food throughout the winter. If there’s a large family of cats, they probably need a shelter to be able to get through the winter. You can build one yourself or ask around at animal shelters for a kit that will work for your purposes. This will provide a dry and warmer place for the cats to get through the season – just be sure to ask the person who owns the property if it is allowed to provide this kind of shelter for the cats.

Feral cats are a fact of life in rural and urban areas, and it can break your heart to know that you can’t provide a good home for them. However, there are some simple animal wellness improvements you can look into that will improve their lives throughout the coldest months of the year.

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Fleasandticks expose your dog to numerous parasite-borne diseases. Of course, the best way to solve a flea and tick problem is to prevent one in the first place. Being proactive is the best practice.

Always make it a year-round practice to use flea and tick topical drops or a collar on ® Dog collars. Just because these parasites are more prevalent during the hot summer months does not mean you can’t develop a problem in the winter. Additionally, use Hartz® UltraGuard® Yard Spray to minimize exposure to fleas and ticks.

Treat it quickly

If unfortunately you find yourself with a , act quickly as this can turn into a full-blown infestation in no time. Here is a handy solution check-list:

First take care of your pet with a flea and tick shampoo like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Foaming Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs or an on pet spray like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs. This will bring immediate relief to your pet.

Next, be sure to treat your home with products that contain active ingredients that kill both adult fleas plus flea eggs and flea larvae, breaking the flea life cycle. Don’t ignore areas such as your rugs and pet beds. These can easily be treated with Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Carpet powders and Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Home sprays

Should you find a wide spread infestation, use a product such as Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Home Fogger to alleviate the problem

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

The holidays are a tempting time to treat your dog. As always, you need to be careful with what you give him.

The holidays are a time of giving. This joyful spirit can be carried over to your canine companion as well, but make sure you know what you’re doing before you welcome your pet fully into the holiday festivities. Feeding the following treats to your dog could ruin both of your holidays.

Chocolate

Chocolate is often plentiful during the holiday season and it can be very dangerous for dogs. It can cause problems in your dogs urinary, circulatory, digestive and nervous systems. It can also be potentially fatal. Additionally, dogs love the taste of chocolate, so you should take extra care to keep it away from him.

Other Candies

While chocolate is the most dangerous, a number of other candies and treats are potentially threatening to your dog. Raisins and grapes are toxic, as are macadamia nuts. Furthermore, many candies contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is harmful for dogs. You should also make sure you pick up after yourself – the foil wrappers on candies can be harmful if swallowed.

The Main Course

Table scraps from a holiday feast are not an ideal food source for your dog. Many table foods can cause digestive problems especially if greasy or fatty. Though it may seem appropriate, dogs should not be fed animal bones unless the bones have been properly treated.

Drinks

Popular drinks that may be present during the holidays, like coffee and tea, can be very harmful for dogs, because of the Xanthenes they contain. Alcoholic drinks should not be given to dogs and can be fatal.

Since human foods and drinks are often harmful and sometimes deadly for your dog, you should give him treats designed for canines. Pet stores sell many treats appropriate for these occasions. Just remember, human treats aren’t the same as dog treats

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Humans aren’t the only ones that gain a little weight over the holidays! Between Christmas and Thanksgiving, it’s a lot more likely that Fido will find a tasty treat on the floor (or one of your extended family members will slip him a piece of turkey!) As much as we want our pets to celebrate the season with us, it’s more important than ever not to let them overindulge.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), each pound of weight on a dog is equivalent to 5 to 7 pounds on a person and each pound of weight gained on a cat equals to 7 to 10 pounds! Did you know a 14 pound cat is equivalent to a 237 pound man? Yikes! Their website has a handy list of pet-to-human weight equivalents so you can tell just how much your fur friend would weigh if it walked on two legs!

In addition to weight gain, remember that every time you suddenly change your pet’s diet, you can cause gastrointestinal upset – the dreaded vomiting and diarrhea. Fatty and rich foods can also lead to pancreatitis like with poor Buddy and the $10,000 burrito! If you do decide to slip Fido a little extra something, make sure you avoid foods that are toxic to pets (like grapes, raisins, some nuts and chocolate.

We know from experience that sometimes, despite our best efforts, pet weight gain just happens. If that was the case for you this holiday season, put your pet to the test with its own New Year’s Resolution! Have your pet resolve to go for a run five days each week or give diet pet food a try. Who knows — giving your pet a goal for the New Year might even help you reach your own!

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Cats are known for their cleanliness, which can cause some real problems when it comes to keeping an eye out for fleas. Even during the winter months, fleas and ticks can be a problem for felines, especially those that are allowed outdoors. Thankfully, by using a combination of Hartz products and performing a visual inspection of your feline's coat, you can protect him from any problems throughout the season.

Getting into the habit of visually inspecting your cat's coat after he comes indoors is a wonderful regimen to get into. Be sure to check the area around his neck and on his belly to see if any fleas or ticks have decided to take a ride. If you're not always present when your cat comes inside, get into a daily brushing regimen. This is not only a wonderful way to bond with your companion, but it can help to remove small bits of dead skin and loose hair that could be ending up on your furniture. It is also a perfect chance to give your cat's skin a quick visual inspection to see if any fleas, eggs or the filth they leave behind is present.

The easiest way to protect your feline from parasites in any season is to use a monthly flea treatment of topical drops. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Cats are placed at the skin level at the base of a cat's neck to provide 30 days worth of protection against fleas, deer ticks and mosquitoes. These drops will kill these pesky insects on contact to stop them from infesting your cat and the rest of your home.

If you do happen to spot one of these insects on your feline's skin, it may be time for a bath with Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea and Tick Cat Shampoo! This can be a harrowing experience with a cat, so be sure to fill up the tub slow and get him used to the sensation of the water. Be sure to let the shampoo sit for a few minutes to the allow the active ingredients to do their job. This will leave your feline smelling clean and fresh, and you won't have to worry about creepy critters infesting your home in the middle of winter!

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com

Wintertime offers a new set of challenges for keeping your four-legged friend healthy and clean.

Few seasons of the year can be more fun than wintertime for a pet owner. Any dog owner knows how much their pet loves to play in freshly packed snow. But keeping your dog clean during this time of year can be a real challenge. Here are a few tips for keeping your best friend healthy and looking his best.

Protect his paws:

During the winter, de-icing products such as sand and salt can be found all over. These can irritate his feet and cause his paws to dry out and crack. Be sure to wash his paws off with warm water to remove this residue after going outside. If he will not wear booties, try rubbing petroleum jelly on the pads of his paws. This will help protect his paws from frostbite and irritants. Also, trim the hair from around and between his toes. If this grows too long, it can become matted and collect snow and ice, causing irritation.

Dry Skin:

Winter is often the worst season when it comes to your dog’s skin. Just like with people, the cold air will cause his skin to dry out and make him itch. Help prevent this by bathing your dog regularly. Try using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and be sure to only use products made specifically for dogs. Never use your own products as they can actually dry out your pet’s skin even more. Also, frequent brushing stimulates his skin to produce oils that may keep him more comfortable. Check out our selection of shampoos to find one right for your dog during this season.

Clip his nails more frequently:

It often seems that your pet’s nails grow faster during winter than the rest of the year. This is because when your pet gets less exercise, he won’t wear down his nails as quickly. You will have to clip them more frequently as a result. If you are uncertain on how to trim your dog’s nails, ask your veterinarian or check out our article.

Keep to a regular trimming schedule, even in the winter:

If your dog is a breed that requires regular trimming during the year, keep to that schedule. Owners may be tempted to let their pet’s fur “grow out” for the winter, but long hair can cause matting in his coat, often leading to skin problems. If you are going to allow your pet’s coat to grow out, it must be brushed more frequently, daily even. If you’re afraid that your dog will be cold, a sweater or fleece is a better option than a matted coat.

Bundle up:

A sweater or fleece need not be just a fashion accessory. Wrapping your dog up can really keep him warm during the cold winter months. This is especially true for smaller dogs or dogs bred for warmer climates. A sweater or coat will protect him from the ice and snow the same way it will you. Boots are a great way to protect his paws from frostbite as well as deicing salt, if your pet will wear them.

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com