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Spring Has Sprung: Unleashing Your Pup Safely in Squamish

Hi everyone, Lin here from Peaks Family Pets in Squamish! It never fails as soon as the sun comes out everyone in town hits the trails. It is also about the same time we see an increasing number of owners coming in looking for flea and tick prevention and treatment. Coincidence? Probably not.  There is nothing worse than coming back from an amazing afternoon from the lake, bike or hike only to pet your dog and find ticks attached to them or seeing fleas jump around their coat. These fleas and ticks are not only an inconvenience but also can pose a serious health risk to both dogs and humans.

The next question is what do I do? How do I get rid of them? How do I save my pup from being devoured by these pests. To help you navigate through the spring and give you some piece of mind we thought we’d write about our experience with fleas and ticks and what are the popular non-veterinary products you can find at your local pet shop to combats these invaders.

Flea and Tick Threats in Squamish:

First thing first, understand your enemy. Let’s get familiar with fleas and ticks. Flea and ticks live all year round but with warmer weather comes the increased activity of fleas and ticks in Squamish’s beautiful outdoor environment. They thrive in the humidity and Squamish has a lot of that. Whether it’s the Ray Peters trail, the Estuary or Alice Lake you are bound to encounter these pests. They thrive in tall grasses and wooded areas, making our beloved trails prime hunting grounds for them. Fleas and ticks not only cause discomfort with their bites but can also transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease to both dogs and their human companions.

Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance for your furry friend; they can pose serious health risks. Here’s why it’s crucial to protect your dog from these pests:

• Skin irritation and infection: Both fleas and ticks feed on your dog’s blood, causing itchy bites. Excessive scratching can lead to open wounds, which are susceptible to infection.
• Tapeworms: Fleas can transmit tapeworms to your dog when they ingest a flea infected with tapeworm larvae. Tapeworms can cause weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting in dogs.
• Blood loss: In severe infestations, fleas can cause anemia, especially in puppies and older dogs, due to excessive blood loss from flea bites. Our previous dog, Cole (a black labrador retriever) who loved the water got infested by fleas one year. His infection was so bad that when we washed him the water was a faint red. It was so sad to see him go through this. We couldn’t treat this with natural solutions and had to get vet prescribe medication for him in this case.
• Tick-borne diseases: Ticks can transmit a variety of serious diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These diseases can cause a range of symptoms, from fever and lethargy to neurological problems and organ failure. Early detection and treatment are critical for a full recovery.

What Fleas Look Like:

Fleas are small, reddish-brown insects that are just 2-3 millimeters long. They have flat bodies that allow them to move easily through your dog’s fur. Fleas are wingless, but their powerful back legs enable them to jump long distances – up to 50 times their own body length! If you part your dog’s fur and look closely, you might be able to see the actual fleas themselves. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common flea species found on both cats and dogs in North America, including Squamish.  These reddish-brown insects are about 2.5 mm long and jump a lot. Despite the name, they are happy to feast on both cats and dogs, along with other mammals they encounter.

As temperatures rise and humidity increases, fleas become more active, lay more eggs, and develop faster. This can lead to a noticeable spike in infestations during these warmer months. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, leading to a full-blown infestation in a short period.

Here are some additional details to help you identify fleas:

• Fast movement: Fleas move quickly through your dog’s fur, so you might only catch a glimpse. Use a flea comb to pull out debris from your dog’s coat and get a closer look for fleas.
• Flea dirt: Flea droppings, which look like tiny black specks of peppercorn residue, are often easier to spot than the fleas themselves. You’ll usually find flea dirt near the base of your dog’s fur, around their tail, and on their bedding.

Where Fleas Hide on Dogs:

Fleas prefer warm, moist areas where they have easy access to your dog’s blood. Here are their favorite hiding spots:

• The base of the tail: This area is warm and has easy access to blood vessels.
• The groin area: This warm, protected area is another favorite flea hangout.
• Armpits: Similar to the groin area, armpits are warm and offer easy access.
• Behind the ears: Fleas love to hide where your dog can’t easily reach them.
• Between the toes: Fleas can burrow between your dog’s toes, causing irritation and discomfort.

Signs Your Dog Has Fleas:

If your dog has fleas, they’ll likely exhibit some or all these signs:

• Excessive scratching: This is the most common sign of a flea infestation. Your dog might scratch themselves constantly, especially around their tail, back, and legs.
• Skin irritation: Flea bites can cause red, inflamed patches on your dog’s skin.
• Hair loss: Excessive scratching and irritation can lead to hair loss, particularly around the base of the tail, back, and hind legs.
• Restlessness: Fleas can make your dog feel itchy and uncomfortable, leading to restlessness and difficulty sleeping.
• Visible fleas or flea dirt: If you see fleas or flea dirt (tiny black specks) on your dog’s fur or bedding, it’s a sure sign of infestation.
• Tapeworm segments: Fleas can carry tapeworms, so if you see small white segments resembling rice grains in your dog’s stool, it could be a sign of a flea infestation and tapeworm infection.

Identifying Ticks on Dogs

Unlike fleas, ticks aren’t insects; they’re arachnids, related to spiders. The western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is a common tick species in Squamish known to carry Lyme disease. Here’s how to recognize them.

• Size and Shape: Unfed ticks are tiny, about the size of a sesame seed. After feeding, they can grow significantly, resembling a small grey or brown grape.
• Body Structure: Adult ticks have eight legs and a flat, oval-shaped body. Unlike fleas, they don’t jump; they wait patiently on vegetation for a passing host (like your dog) to brush against them.
• Head Attachment: Once a tick finds a host, it burrows its head into the skin and feeds on blood. The attached tick will appear swollen and round as it engorges with blood.

Tick Hiding Spots on Dogs:

Ticks prefer areas where they can easily latch onto a passing host. Here are their prime hiding spots on your dog:

• The head and neck: These areas brush against tall grass and brush during walks.
• The ears: The warm, protected environment of the ears makes them a tick haven.
• Between the toes: Ticks can burrow between your dog’s toes, where they might go unnoticed.
• The groin area: This warm, moist area provides easy access to blood vessels.
• The armpits: Similar to the groin, armpits offer warmth and easy access for feeding.

Signs Your Dog Has Ticks:

If your dog has picked up a tick, you might notice some of these signs:

• A visible bump: This is the most obvious sign. If you find a small, bump-like growth on your dog’s skin, especially if it’s grey or brown and round, it’s likely a tick.
• Scratching or irritation: The area around a tick bite can become itchy and inflamed, causing your dog to scratch at the spot.
• Listlessness or fever: In some cases, a tick-borne illness can cause lethargy, fever, or other symptoms.

If you find a tick on your dog, it’s important to remove it carefully using the proper technique. Do not attempt to squish or burn the tick, as this can increase the risk of infection. Getting a tool like the Tick Tornado is great if you are squeamish about ticks. The Tick Tornado allows you to remove the tick without directly touching it, which can be appealing to people who find ticks particularly gross. Since the Tick Tornado uses a twisting motion instead of pinching, there’s less chance of accidentally squeezing the tick’s body. Squeezing can irritate the tick and potentially increase the risk of disease transmission. The twisting motion might be gentler on your pet’s skin compared to pulling with tweezers.

While Tick Tornados offer some potential benefits, tweezers are still a widely recommended and effective tool for tick removal. If you’re comfortable using tweezers and follow proper technique, they’re a perfectly safe and reliable option.

Here’s the key takeaway: The most important thing is to remove the tick completely and quickly, regardless of the tool you use.

Can I prevent my dog from getting fleas and ticks:

Not really unless you avoid all outdoor areas and other dogs. But there are things you can do to help prevent infestations.

Oral medications: These chewable tablets or capsules offer convenient, long-lasting protection against fleas and ticks. Oral medications can only be prescribed by vets. oral medications are ingested by your pet, usually in the form of a tasty chewable tablet. Once swallowed, the medication enters your pet’s bloodstream and tissues. The active ingredients in these medications are specifically designed to disrupt the nervous system of fleas and ticks. This can happen in a couple of ways:

• Death by Disruption: Some medications cause rapid and uncontrollable activity in the flea or tick’s nervous system, leading to paralysis and ultimately death.
• A Slow Downer: Other medications work by interfering with the flea or tick’s ability to function normally. When a flea bites your pet and ingests the medication, it dies.

The medication is slowly released over time, providing continuous protection for weeks, typically a month or more. This eliminates the need for frequent applications and keeps your pet covered. But you do have to give this pill to your dog once a month.

Topical treatments: These spot-on applications are applied directly to your dog’s skin and provide a protective barrier against fleas and ticks. They do not need a vet prescription and are considered “over the counter” treatments. Topical medications stay on your pet’s skin and fur, limiting absorption into the bloodstream. This can be beneficial for pets with certain health conditions or sensitivities. Peaks Family Pets carry the Zodiac Spot treatment for dogs and cats in our shop. There are two types based on the weight of your pet. It is an effective way to kill flea and ticks that have made it on to your pet’s coat. It is even effective on eggs that may have been laid on your pets. Spot treatments aren’t recommended for very young puppies, pregnant, or nursing dogs. Their systems may be more sensitive to the medication.

Preventative Natural Non-Medication Options:

If you prefer a more natural approach to pet care, you might opt for natural remedies despite their potentially lower effectiveness.

• Natural Flea Repellents (Consult Your Vet First): Explore natural flea repellents alongside your veterinarian’s recommendations. However, always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new product to your dog’s routine, as some natural ingredients can be irritating or even toxic to pets. Here are some natural oils known to have flea and tick repellent properties:
  • Citronella oil: This oil has a citrusy scent that fleas and ticks find unpleasant. You can dilute a few drops of citronella oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and spray it on your dog’s fur (avoiding the eyes and mouth).
  • Cedarwood oil: Cedarwood oil is another natural flea and tick repellent. However, be cautious, as some cedarwood oil varieties can be toxic to dogs. Opt for cedarwood oil labeled safe for pets, and use it sparingly in a diluted solution.
  • Lemongrass oil: Lemongrass oil possesses natural insect repellent properties. Similar to citronella oil, dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to your dog’s fur. Two great shampoos/sprays we carry that have proven to ward off flea and ticks is the Outdoor Shield in Lemongrass by Kin+Kind. Their vet-formulated products use plant-based ingredients for happier pets and a healthier planet. Each ingredient, including every essential oil, is vet-approved to ensure safe concentrations for your pet. Pawtanicals SPAW Express Clean contains essential oils of Lavender & Cedarwood to relax your pup during bathing, keep their coat fresh and irritation-free, as well as kill/prevent pests such as ticks and fleas.
  • Diatomaceous earth (DE): This powder is made from fossilized algae and is deadly to fleas by dehydrating them. The fossils have which have microscopic, sharp edges and when fleas crawl through DE, these sharp edges puncture the waxy coating on their exoskeletons. This puncture causes the fleas to lose fluids and essential oils, leading to dehydration and death. DE is safe for pets and humans when used correctly, but be sure to choose food-grade DE and avoid inhaling the dust. Apply DE to carpets, bedding, and furniture, let it sit for several hours, then vacuum thoroughly.

With proper flea and tick prevention in place, you can confidently explore Squamish’s stunning trails and dog parks with your furry friend this spring. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing your pup is protected from these harmful pests then you can focus on enjoying the outdoor adventure capital of Canada.

Camping With Your Dog

Enjoying the great outdoors and camping is one of BC’s best outdoor activities. Out here, we have the privilege of living in the close proximities to so many trails, Provincial parks and shoreline. Most likely, wherever you are in BC you are withing an hour’s drive to great camping sites and trails. Most of us want to enjoy our camping trips with our dogs. Let’s face it, they love being outside and we want them with us all the time. Some things to consider when camping with your dog are the following. If you cannot say yes to all these below, then you may want to reconsider your trip.

• Is my pet fit and healthy, and up for travelling?
• Does the campground allow pets?
• Will my dog be comfortable or will camping cause anxiety?

Keeping your dog safe from wildlife.

The biggest hazard with dogs and camping is the potential for wildlife encounters. Pets are generally wildlife attractants therefore its important to have them leashed or have a very strong recall to get them under control.

Consider teaching your dog the emergency call back. It’s basically a “come here now, I mean it!” call. Dogs in the outback need to understand that this recall is a must. If you cannot recall your dog, then makes sure your dog is always leashed.

Check with the park authorities if you are at a provincial/national park and ask about recent wildlife sightings. If you are camping in Spring know that wildlife is most active around this time, they are either waking up from a long hibernation and/or looking for mates. Bear bells are great tools to announce that you and your dog are approaching and allowing wildlife to flee.

Pet Restrictions on Trails and Beaches

It’s always best to check ahead of time whether dogs are allowed on certain trails. For example, Alice Lake allows dogs within the campgrounds, but dogs are not allowed in the public beaches or picnic areas. The dogs are allowed in the surrounding trails but limited in other public spaces. The Sea to Sky Gondola allows dogs up top but they are not allowed to upload. You will have to trek up with your dog and then purchase a download ticket to come down. Once up top there is a dog friendly area to leash up your dog.

Our recommendation is to investigate these things ahead of time. Also, as part of your research, review the rules and make sure you know the leash laws for the campground—most pet-friendly campgrounds require your dog or cat always stay on a 6-foot leash.

The Raw Diet and Camping

A common question is “how do I keep with my dog’s raw diet while camping?” If it is at all possible to bring a cooler packed with ice or one that can be plugged in this may be a convenient way to store raw food. But if you are going into the back country for a long trip and where there are no electrical hook ups you may want to change your dog’s usual raw blend to a comparable food. Also using ice and cooler may not get the safest way to keep your dog’s food from the heat of the summer.

A safe, lighter and more convenient way to keep on a raw diet while camping is to feed your dog dehydrated, air dried or freeze dried raw food. These types of food retain the same qualities of raw food but have undergone a slightly different manufacturing process. Not only are these foods completely balanced, but you also don’t have to pack a lot because they are very calorie dense. This means you don’t have to feed your dog as much and it won’t take up space in your gear. Similar to the raw diet they are usually grain free and have very little added to them.

Great options are a Canadian dehydrated raw brand call Smack. We like it because it is made with only highly nutritious organic and non- GMO ingredients. A 50-pound dog needs only 1 1/4 cup to 2 cups a day. And if you are doing lots of activities you can easily add water to this food to ensure your dog is staying completed hydrated through your camping trip. If you are leaning towards a freeze-dried food then Acana Freeze-Dried or Open Farm Freeze-Dried are great options. Both are minimally processed in a convenient freeze-dried raw format with at least 85% protein, organs and bones. Air Dried foods, such as Ziwi Peak are gently dried to protect the nutrients and integrity of the food. All these alternatives (air dried, dehydrated, and freeze-dried) contain more nutrients than fresh food, because the freezing process helps to preserve them better. They are also a lot denser in calories and generally have a higher percentage of protein and fat compared to kibble because the drying process removes water and concentrate the protein and fat. Which ever you go with you cannot really choose wrong it just depends on your preference.

Key Rules to Remember while camping with your dog.

• Don’t leave your pet unattended at your campground
• Ensure your pet is secured when traveling
• Don’t leave your pet in a parked car in warm weather
• Keep them leashed on trails and in campgrounds
• Clean up after your pet
• Respect other dogs in the campground

Don’t Forget to Pack the Essentials!

• Water bowl (preferably no spill) and water
• Collapsible water bowl for long hikes
• Food enough for the trip plus one extra day’s worth
• Treats for the trails and bones for campfire gatherings
• An extra long leash for camp or a tie out/ collapsible fence area
• Poo Bags – don’t be that guy!
• Medication
• Pet first aid kit
• Collar / Harness / Leash (biothane is best – non stinky and waterproof)
• Their bed / blanket
• ID Tags
• Bear Bell
• Emergency Vet Care Contact Information
• If you are going to wash your dog while on vacation, make sure you use earth friendly biodegradable shampoo.

Happy Camping.

What’s in a name?

In case you missed it we rebranded and changed our name. What is the meaning of our new name? Peaks Family Pets represents our deep connection to the Squamish community and our commitment to treating every pet and pet owner like family.

Why the change?  When Brent and I bought the shop, everyone asked if we were going to change the name. We weren’t sure at the time.  All we knew was that were going to be a part of a great community and be immersed in our passion. We love pets and want the best for them. We wanted to support other local businesses that believe in local too, and the action of buying a simple bag of dog food can help build connections and community. What we didn’t realize was how much the community was going to affect us. We have celebrated new family members with you, we shed tears when some have crossed over the rainbow bridge, and we have shared and laughed at some of the best pet stories. We truly believe that we are not just a place to get pet supplies, we are a family that looks out for other families here. We care about what is going on your lives and feel privileged to be doing what we do. And so, when it came to choosing our new name, we knew it had to be a name that reflects and represents how important your pets are to us all in the beautiful setting in which we call home.

The story of Peaks Family Pets didn’t begin with O’Brien’s Pet Foods and Supplies. The pet shop dates all the way back to 1988. The store was originally called Squamish Pet Foods and Supplies and was located downtown on Cleveland. Back then the town was half the size and if you were to visit the shop then you would have seen more horse and farm animal feed than dog food. Over the years, as pets transitioned from working animals to members of our family, we started to pay more attention to what we feed them. Over the years we have educated ourselves in what quality pet food should be, what we should avoid feeding our pets and we have learned about which dog and pet supplements to further improve their lives. What you see in our warehouse today, is Squamish’s largest variety of raw dog and a raw cat food, healthy dry dog and cat food and the best quality treats for our fluffy loved ones. We also have great have great options for fish supplies, reptile supplies and small animal food and treats.

From long-time customers to new faces, we invite you to join us in this new chapter as a part of the Peaks community. Thank you, Squamish, for your continued support over the years, we wouldn’t be here without you!

Sierra, Teresa, Lin, Brent and Princess