Products to Help Your Pet Endure the Winter Extremes

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Holly

Recently, across the United States, winter weather systems brought large amounts of snowfall, sleet, ice, and extreme cold, impacting many of our travel plans and daily lives. This is no exception for our furry friends. At VetRxDirect, we carry products to help protect and ensure your pets are happy and healthy throughout the year, including the harsh winter.

One common thing we forget about our pets during the cold winter months is the health of their paws. Wearing dog boots or paw protectors works well to keep their paws safe from possible abrasions from walking on ice or stepping on sand on sidewalks. However, if you have a dog like mine who does not care for boots, cleaning their feet is essential. online loans. During the winter, deicing substances are often littered throughout city streets and sidewalks including sodium chloride and other toxic chemicals, which can irritate the paws of your pets. ASCPA recommends cleaning your dog’s feet with a damp towel and towel dry after including the legs and stomach, which are places where these chemicals and substances may linger. Similar to us, dogs may also benefit from the use of petroleum jelly or balm for their paws or a moisturizer for dry skin.

One balm product that we carry at VetRxDirect is Demoscent Bio Balm. This is a fragrance-free product that moisturizes dry, cracked skin and protects exposed skin areas, including paw pads, nose, and elbows, from the harsh effects of winter. Furthermore, Dermoscent produces an Essential Mousse, which is a no-rinse cleansing foam for dogs and cats that deodorizes and gently cleans, which makes it ideal for removing the deicing material and harsh chemicals found on streets and sidewalks. This product is made from all-natural ingredients that include fatty acids from hemp oil to hydrate the skin and help support the natural skin barrier. Lastly, to protect your pet’s skin and coat during the winter, Dermoscent Essential 6 Spot On. This all-natural topical treatment consists of a hydrating blend of fatty acids and 10 essential oils to hydrate irritated skin and help the coat shine on dogs and cats while leaving a great scent. Dermoscent skin care products are great for everyday pets, including those who enjoy some time in the snow. Learn more about winter skincare with Dermoscent. If you have a dog that enjoys substantial time outside in the winter, Pad-Tough is a topical spray that provides a protective covering and works to toughen the skin of the foot pads and elbows on your dog.

VetRxDirect has a wide selection of prescription and over-the-counter products for pets. Continue to follow our blog for more helpful tips and tricks to care for your furry friends and help them live their best lives!

About the Author

Tibbers in the snow — *Tibbers playing in the snow*!

“My dog’s name is Tibbers. He is a three year old Pomsky who enjoys nibbling on snowballs and sleeping anywhere that is cold. His favorite spot to sleep during the winter is near our sliding doors since it is extra chilly.”

–Tin Tran, B.A. PharmD Candidate 2024, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease and is purely educational. Please seek advice from your pet’s veterinarian with any questions regarding your pet’s health.

Winter Skincare With Dermoscent for Dogs and Cats

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Holly

The snow, ice, and cold temperatures of winter bring a set of challenges for our animals. Despite their layer of fur for protection, dogs and cats can experience dry, uncomfortable skin. Indoor heating can dry out the air and circulate allergens throughout your home. Cold weather and frozen surfaces can cause frostbite. In fact, winter skin and coat problems are a common concern. Just as you may take extra steps to keep yourself healthy when the weather turns cool, we’ve put together some tips for your pets too. We’ve also featured a few Dermoscent skin care products below.

Humidity

Make sure your home is comfortable for you and your pets all winter long by controlling the humidity levels. If you have forced air or a central furnace system, it will emit dry heat throughout your home. This low-humidity environment quickly dries out the skin and nasal passages and causes static electricity shocks. To combat dry air, try using a humidifier and fixing cold air drafts.

Winter Allergies

Allergies are more common during the warmer months when pollens, grasses, and bugs are more plentiful. Dust mites and mold are common indoor allergens that trigger reactions in people and pets. Continual scratching caused by allergies and irritants can cause dry skin to become damaged and prone to infection. While they cannot survive freezing temperatures outdoors, fleas can thrive indoors during winter. Consider using preventatives all year long to keep your pet from being bitten.

Diet & Nutrition

If your dog or cat’s skin is easily irritated during winter, talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s current diet or incorporating supplements. Poor nutrition, including low levels of dietary protein and essential fatty acids, can also cause a dull hair coat.

Grooming & Bathing

In the winter, reduce the number of baths you give to your dog or cat. Soaps and shampoos can strip the natural skin oils and dry it out, causing flaky, itchy skin. Instead, try a moisturizing or waterless shampoo. You may also try bathing wipes for spot cleaning. Regular brushing encourages blood circulation and distributes oils to help moisturize the skin and hair coat.

Exposed Skin

Dogs and cats grow their own winter coat, but this does not mean they are always protected from frostbite and skin injury. Frozen surfaces The most vulnerable areas to frostbite are on paw pads, ears, and tail. Learn more about the signs of frostbite. Monitor weather conditions closely and limit your pet’s time outdoors, especially during wind chill, extreme cold, and winter weather warnings. Snow and ice can cut paws, so before going for walks, keep paw pads hydrated and protected with a spray or balm. When you return home, wash their paws to remove any potentially toxic or irritating substances like salt, ice melt products, and antifreeze.

VetRxDirect offers a variety of products to meet your pet’s skincare needs through every season. Check out these products from Dermoscent, and visit our website for more information.

Dermoscent Dermatology Products For Winter

Dermoscent Essential 6 Spot On is a topical treatment of omega essential fatty acids, natural essential oils, and Vitamin E to moisturize and regulate the skin. It helps reduce dandruff, deodorize, regulate dryness and greasiness, control shedding, and protect skin. Essential 6 also helps maintain healthy skin and reinforces the skin barrier for dogs and cats prone to allergies.

Dermoscent Essential Mousse is a soap-free, rinse-free foaming cleanser for dogs and cats. This pH-balanced, gentle formula cleans dirt and dandruff and deodorizes with soothing natural ingredients. It contains essential fatty acids which moisturize dry, sensitive skin and nourish the haircoat. This waterless cleanser helps extend the time between bathing and is ideal for quick clean ups.

BioBalm is designed to nourish your dog’s dry skin. It moisturizes and protects exposed skin areas including the paws, nose, and elbows. It helps prevent cracking, chapped, dry, and thickened skin. Ideal for calluses and soothing irritation between the toes. Bio-Balm is water resistant making it ideal for winter skin hydration and for protecting the paws.

How do you keep your pet healthy and happy during the winter? Leave us a comment below!

Summer Skincare For Dogs and Cats

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Holly

Summer is a great time to enjoy the backyard, or take our pets with us for a variety of exciting excursions, from camping and hiking, to boating and swimming. You may take extra steps to keep your skin protected when the weather gets hot, like sunscreen, bug spray, or protective clothing, but our pets have some skincare needs too. Summer is a prime allergy season and bugs can easily make their way inside to the air conditioning. We’ve put together some summer skincare tips to help out!

Mosquitoes, Bugs, and Parasites, Oh My!

Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and other insects are out in full swing during the summer months. If you are getting bit and itching, chances are your pet is too. Talk to your veterinarian about how you can keep your dog or cat protected from bites. There are many products available such as collars, topicals, sprays, shampoos, and dips. Try these tips for keeping critters away.

Seasonal Allergies

Just like us, dogs and cats can develop allergies and sensitivities to things in the environment like pollens, molds, grasses, trees, or bites from fleas or bugs. These allergens are very common during the summer. Allergies cause excessive scratching, biting, licking chewing, rubbing, sneezing, foot chewing and redness of the skin. If you notice changes in the skin or your pet is constantly itching, contact your veterinarian for treatment options and to determine the cause. You may also ask your veterinarian about whether your pet would benefit from an antihistamine or other medication.

Grooming & Bathing

If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, you may need to up the bath time, especially if they like swimming. Bathing helps physically remove dirt, debris, allergens, and parasites from your dog or cats’ haircoat. You can also try using waterless shampoo to help reduce time in the tub. Aside from controlling shedding and making them look good, regular brushing also helps encourage blood circulation and distributes natural oils to help moisturize the skin. Check out the new Furbliss grooming brush.

Protect Paw Pads

Have you ever walked barefoot outside in the summer? HOT! Pavement, sidewalks, sand, and natural surfaces heat up quickly from the sun and can cause burns when dogs touch them. Try checking the temperature of the pavement before going for a walk. If it’s too hot for your hand, then it’s too hot for paws. You can also try walking your dog in the morning or at night when it’s cooler outside. Apply a thin layer of BioBalm on all four paws before any outdoor activities or walks.

VetRxDirect offers a variety of products to meet your pet’s skincare needs in every season. What is your favorite summer activity with your pet?

Winter Skincare Solutions For Dogs and Cats

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Holly

Winter’s cold weather and low humidity conditions can cause your skin to become dry and uncomfortable. This also affects dogs and cats, despite their layer of fur for protection. In fact, winter skin and coat problems are a common concern for pet owners. Indoor heating can dry out the air and circulate allergens throughout your home. Just as you may take extra steps to keep your skin healthy when the weather turns cool, we’ve put together some tips for your pets too.

Exposed Skin

Dogs and cats grow their own winter coat, but this does not mean they are always protected from frostbite and skin injury. The most vulnerable areas to frostbite are on paw pads, ears, and tail. Learn more about the signs of frostbite. Monitor weather conditions closely and limit your pet’s time outdoors especially during wind chill, extreme cold, and other winter weather warnings. Snow and ice can cut paws, so before going for walks, keep paw pads hydrated and protected with a spray or balm. When you return home, wipe their paws to remove any potentially toxic or irritating substances like salt, ice melt products, and antifreeze.

Humidity

Make sure your home is comfortable for you and your pets all winter long by controlling the humidity levels. If you have a forced-air or central furnace system, it will emit dry heat throughout your home. This low humidity environment quickly dries out the skin, nasal passages, and causes static electricity shocks. To combat dry air, try using a humidifier and fixing cold air drafts.

Winter Allergies

Allergies may burden your dog or cat throughout the warm weather, but during the winter months, pets usually spend most of their time inside your home. Dust mites and mold are common indoor allergens that are triggered in the colder months. If it’s already dry, continual scratching from allergies and irritants can damage your pet’s skin and make them prone to other skin problems or infections. While they cannot survive freezing temperatures outdoors, fleas can thrive indoors during winter. Consider using preventatives all year long to keep your pet from being bitten.

Diet & Nutrition

If your dog’s skin is easily dry or irritated during winter, talk to your veterinarian about trying a special diet or incorporating supplements. Omega fatty acids are important for healthy skin. Poor nutrition, including low levels of dietary protein and essential fatty acids, can also cause a dull hair coat.

Grooming & Bathing

In the winter, try reducing the number of baths you give to your dog or cat. Soaps and shampoos can strip the natural skin oils causing flaky, itchy skin. Instead, use a moisturizing or waterless shampoo. You may also try bathing wipes for spot cleaning. Regular brushing also helps encourage blood circulation and distributes natural oils to help moisturize the skin.

VetRxDirect offers a variety of products to meet your dog or cat’s skincare needs throughout every season. Check out these top picks for winter:

Dermallay is a gentle shampoo designed to relieve irritated skin. It contains ceramides to restore and repair damaged skin. It also includes colloidal oatmeal and safflower oil to soothe itching and hydrate dryness. Dermallay is soap-free is ideal for pets with sensitive skin or those with allergies. Leave on the Spray Conditioner for additional moisturizing.

O3 Omega features high potency essential fatty acids EPA and DHA from wild-caught fish oil. It includes vitamins A, D, and E. It helps promote healthy skin and coat as well as immune and joint health. Giving O3 Omega to your dog or cat is easier since it comes in a variety of options including capsules, clip tips, liquid, soft chews, and mini bites.

PawTector is a wax barrier for use in protecting your dog’s paw pads from the elements, such as ice, snow, and hot asphalt and pavement. PawTector can also protect against rough surfaces such as sand, rocks, stone, concrete, or salt. PawTection is water-resistant making it ideal for winter skin hydration and for protecting the paws.

Hylagroom Mousse is a waterless, soap-free cleanser for dogs and cats with sensitive skin and coats. It features a hypoallergenic and pH balanced formula that gently cleans and hydrates. Hylagroom contains ceramides and essential fatty acids to moisturize dry and irritated skin and reinforce the natural skin barrier.