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Jolts of thunder and flashes of lightning can send your pet into a tailwind of emotions. As a pet parent, you should prepare a severe weather plan ahead of time by learning how to keep your pet calm and out of harm’s way. Here are a few tricks to help you get started. How to help your pet relax To your pet, storms can be as bad as fireworks on the Fourth of July.  They hear the noises but don’t understand what’s happening.  This allows their level of nervousness to rise and may lead to environmentally-induced stress.  While you can’t avoid severe weather, you can find ways to manage the chaos it can cause for your fur-baby. Have a conversation with your pet while the storm passes because sometimes, the sound of your voice is all they need to feel safe. Give your pet a task that will allow them to focus on something other than the noise, like chewing on a bone or a new toy. If you have adequate warning of bad weather, an hour or so beforehand, give your pet something that has a calming effect on their nerves.  Tomlyn’s Relax & Calm Chews are great for pets who have nervousness, hyperactivity, or discontentment because of environmentally-induced stress.  Just like the name says, these chews help keep your fur-baby relaxed and calm. Prepare for big storms or evacuations If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, flooding or other major storms that may require  evacuation, it’s up to you to make sure your pet has a safe haven in a state of emergency. Make sure your pets know that you will take care of them and create a strategy that comes with plenty of time to spare. If you have a good idea of the path of the storm, consider talking to a relative or friend who isn’t expecting bad weather about keeping your pet until the storm passes. If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for your pet. Take them with you to your storm closet or shelter to keep them safe. You should never leave your pet outside in severe weather. Create a place where they can come indoors well before the storm hits. Prepare a pet emergency kit with food, water, treats and medication just in case you can’t find something later. If you’re evacuating, plan ahead by finding a shelter that is pet-friendly. You can find a list of pet-friendly shelters in your state here. If your pet takes special medication or otherwise requires special care, make sure to see your vet before a storm comes. He or she can provide you with your pet’s records or back-up medication in the event you’ll be gone for a while and need to see an out-of-town veterinarian. As with your own preparations, make sure your pet is prepared to be gone for at least a few days if you need to evacuate. This may include packing several days’ worth of food, a pet-friendly water bottle for the car, and a favorite toy or bed so he or she is comfortable wherever you go. Prepare yourself and your pet for the next time a storm strikes. Getting ahead of the game is a great way to ensure that your pet’s safety and happiness is intact when the rainbow finally appears.  

“Hairball! Major hairball!” - Snowbell, “Stuart Little 2” There are always a few cats that care more about their appearance than you do, namely those who excessively groom themselves throughout the day. Then there is that moment when you are thankful that you use a brush to groom yourself when you hear them hacking up a hairball in the other room. With Hairball Awareness Day approaching, here are a few tips on how to spot signs of hairballs and how to reduce the number of hairballs your pet leaves for you to clean up around the house. What causes hairballs? Hairballs are caused when a pet ingests hair into its digestive tract, usually when he or she grooms. While most hair particles are eliminated in the litter box, some sit on the stomach. As these hairs start to collect, they create a “ball” that can’t escape the body through the traditional route. That’s when your pet vomits. How do I know if my pet has a hairball? Hacking or vomiting large clumps of hair at a time, usually in a tube-shaped form, is the easiest way to tell if your pet has a hairball. There are some instances, however, when your pet will only produce bile when they vomit because their stomach was upset by the hair that is freely floating in the stomach. Even if you don’t see the hairball, your pet may still have one. And it will come up eventually! What pets get hairballs? Many people think that hairballs are found only in cats, and in many cases, they are, since cats are known for constantly grooming themselves. However, ferrets can get hairballs for the same reasons as cats, and they’re likely to show the same symptoms if they have one. How can I prevent or reduce the number of hairballs my pet gets? Groom your pet. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, grooming your pet to decrease their hair intake can prevent hairballs or keep them from occurring so often. Give your pet a new toy to divert their attention. Pets sometimes groom excessively when they’re bored. Providing new toys (or rotating existing toys to keep your pet interested) may keep them from grooming too much when you’re not home to entertain them. Try a lubricating gel, like Tomyln’s Laxatone hairball remedy. Gels or chews like Tomlyn’s Laxatone will help push the hairs down the intestinal tract to be eliminated in the litter box. Click here to learn more about hairball remedies or to purchase one. They come in a variety of forms and flavors, and Tomlyn’s Laxatone Gel is also available for ferrets. Don’t let a hairball slow your pet down. Use these tips to help prevent hairballs and spread the word about Hairball Awareness Day on April 25. 

The weather is getting much colder throughout the U.S., and with colder temperatures comes joint stiffness in our older fur-babies. This is primarily due to an increase in blood flow to the major organs, which is how the body stays warm. While the major organs have increased blood flow, this means that there’s less blood flowing to the limbs, making the joints colder and stiffer. As pets get older, the issue becomes more pronounced. Many older dogs and cats have a harder time getting exercise outside in the cooler weather. Joint health is especially important for short-haired dogs during the winter because they don’t have as much fur protection. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell when a pet is not comfortable. While dogs may show physical signs of discomfort, cats are more likely to hide their physical signs. Indoor cats may have fewer issues with the cold, but as they age, they may move around less. This is why it’s important to make sure even older cats get moderate exercise. Here are a few additional joint support tips: Exercise Often It’s essential to give your pets as much exercise as possible during winter, as well as year-round. Dogs need to exercise outdoors multiple times throughout the day. Taking older dogs on short walks will help prevent joint stiffness. Cats, especially indoor cats, need exercise too, and will play on their own if given the right toys and incentives.       Dress Warmly Cats usually have enough fur if they’re indoor/outdoor cats. It’s helpful to have a cat door so they have the opportunity to go inside whenever they need to get warm. Greyhounds and other short-haired dogs need extra layers. Make sure you have a sweater that fits your dog snugly, but don’t leave it on 24/7, as it can cause the fur to mat.      Don’t Overdo It Even though it’s important to give your pet exercise, it’s also important to pace your pet so that you don’t overdo it. For dogs, ask your vet to recommend the right amount of outdoor exercise in the winter. For cats, make sure you take them to the vet for regular visits because they tend to hide signs that they’re not comfortable.     Use Hip and Joint Supplements Hip and joint supplements are designed to offer a strong line of defense during times of cold weather and stress. High levels of creatine, which promotes muscle support in pets, can make a major difference. Tomlyn’s Joint & Hip Chews for dogs and cats contain high levels of creatine and other nutrients to help support healthy joints and connective tissue in your pets. Whether your goal is to support healthy joint structure and function or to help with flexibility and joint comfort, it’s important to speak with your vet before giving your pet a new supplement.