UPSY DAISY! Pet steps: They’re not just for little dogs. Why they can be important and what to look for | Lifestyles

My dog Sparkles celebrates her 11th birthday in a couple of weeks, but you’d never know it to look at her. She races up and down the stairs and jumps on and off the sofa with gusto. The jumping off the sofa bit worries me, though. It’s hard on dogs’ joints and can lead to injuries or arthritis, especially if you have slick wood floors that aren’t softened by an area rug (if you’re redoing flooring, check here for dog-safe options: fearfreehappyhomes.com/choosing-pet-friendly-flooring-for-your-home). And some older dogs can have difficulty getting on sofas or beds that they used to jump onto with ease.

Pet steps to the rescue! And you might be surprised to learn that they’re not just for older dogs, small dogs or dogs with orthopedic problems. Any pet can benefit from an assist when it comes to getting on and especially off furniture or in and out of cars.

“There has been one published study that I know of that showed that dogs can get injuries indistinguishable from elbow dysplasia, which creates just about the worst arthritis a dog can get, by jumping down from SUVs onto hardtop,” says veterinarian Chris Zink, past president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. “This is the reason why I never let my dogs of any size jump out of my car. With the larger dogs, I just teach them to fall into my arms as I let them down to the ground. It isn’t as difficult as picking a dog up.”

Whether you have a tiny Chihuahua puppy or a giant Scottish deerhound, pet steps can help to prevent injuries as well as save your own back. As Zink says, “Why risk injury when there are simple alternatives?” Here’s what to look for.

— Materials. Pet steps can be made of foam, plastic or wood. We chose foam because it’s lightweight and we move the steps back and forth daily from the sofa to the bed. Plastic steps can be slippery. Choose steps with a carpeted or nonslip surface. The bonus is that some are made to fold down for easy storage or transportation. Wooden steps can be attractive and are sturdy enough for large dogs. Drawbacks include cost and weight. Lightweight is good, but stability is important, too.

— Safety. Steps or ramps should have a nonskid surface, and the bottom should be nonskid, too. We had to attach nonskid material to the bottom of the steps we purchased so they didn’t slide when Sparkles stepped on them.

“Nonslip is the most important thing,” Zink says. “Ease of use comes second. Having it wide enough for the really giant breeds is a plus, but regardless, the giant dogs should be guided down to be sure they don’t slip off the sides.”

— Ease of cleaning. Steps can start to look grungy with regular use. Some have removable covers that can be machine washed or taken to the dry cleaners. Carpeted surfaces can be vacuumed. Wipe down plastic steps with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Be sure not to clean wooden steps with products that will leave them feeling slippery.

— Height. Be sure the depth and angle of the steps are comfortable for your pet. Our 16-inch steps are level with the sofa. They don’t take Sparkles all the way up to the bed, but it’s easy for her to jump onto it from the third step. Some people keep a taller set of steps by the bed and a shorter set by the sofa.

— Cars. Ramps are popular for aiding dogs in getting in and out of cars, especially vans and SUVs that are high off the ground. Take into account the same safety considerations. Be aware, though, that some dogs simply prefer steps.

Now we just need to get Sparkles to remember to go down her steps.

Don’t let fleas bug your cat!

Q: What’s the best way to protect my cats from fleas, and when do they need protection?

A: Great question. Depending on where you are, flea season can start as early as March and continue through fall; in some locations such as the West Coast and the Southeast, keeping on top of fleas can be a year-round job. It’s especially important because a single flea can bite a cat up to 400 times a day, making their life miserable. And under the right conditions, the number of fleas in a home can multiply in less than a month to a thousand — or more!

The voracious bloodsuckers not only have bites that cause pets to itch and scratch, they can also transmit diseases that affect cats and humans. But thanks to modern safe and effective flea-control products, those problems are a lot less common.

Most experts recommend year-round flea prevention, but if for some reason that’s not possible, talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate window of time in your area for starting and stopping a preventive product. Your veterinarian can also recommend the most appropriate product for your cat’s age, health and lifestyle.

If you’re using a topical flea preventive, apply it high enough on the neck that your cat can’t lick it off. I think the best spot is in the middle of the neck, right behind the ears at the base of the skull. Avoid applying this type of product to your cat’s shoulders or down his back, areas that are more easily licked.

Chewable oral products are available as well. If your cat will take these pills, they may be a preferable alternative to applying a spot-on to a squirmy cat.

Some feline flea preventives also work to control internal parasites and heartworms. That’s a win! — Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

Recalls to know about

— If you give your cat or dog omega-3 supplements, check the label to see if they are manufactured or distributed by Stratford Care USA of Odessa, Florida. The company is recalling multiple brands of omega-3 supplements for cats and dogs due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin A, which can be toxic in high doses. The company is working with the Food and Drug Administration to remove all products from affected lots. You can find additional information on brand and products names here: bit.ly/3TfhbxI. If you purchased one of the recalled products, stop giving it and contact the company at (877) 498-2002 or adverseevents@stratfordrx.com about a refund and safe ways to dispose of the product.

— In other recall news, Purina has widened its recall of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dry dog food, some of which may contain elevated levels of vitamin D. No other Purina pet care products are affected. High levels of vitamin D can cause health problems such as vomiting, appetite loss, increased thirst and urination, excessive drooling and kidney dysfunction. Find more information here: bit.ly/3Lo6R4S.

— Cat lovers have a new book to “purr-use” on what is surely their favorite topic: “How To Raise a Happy Cat.” In six chapters, author Sophie Collins addresses such fascinating feline facts as how the world looks, smells, sounds and feels to a cat; the kind of attention cats like, especially when and where they like to be petted and how they let you know; environmental preferences; the ways cats like to spend their time (it’s more than just napping!); and the new science behind their behavior, to name just a few of the many interesting topics. Games cats play and their favorite types of toys comprise more important details on living with cats. — Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.