For Pet's Sake Column

OH, THOSE DARN FLEAS. They bite. Your pet scratches. You fret. Now you can put your fears (and the fleas) to rest. A new study by researchers at Ohio State University found that vacuuming kills fleas in all stages of their lives, with an average of 96 percent success in adult fleas and 100 percent of younger fleas. That makes sense. The churning and sucking of the vacuum is sure to do some serious damage to those irritating insects.

The theory is that the vacuum brushes wear away the cuticle—the waxy outer layer on fleas and most other insects. Without this waxy protection, fleas become dehydrated and die. For their tests, researchers used a single model of an upright vacuum, but they don’t think the vacuum design had much relevance on the results.

“No matter what vacuum a flea gets sucked into, it’s probably a one-way trip,” says Glen Needham, associate professor of entomology at Ohio State and a co-author of the study. That’s good news for pets; not so good for the fleas.

SPEAKING OF VACUUM CLEANERS: Does your timid tabby bolt every time she hears the roar of the mighty machine? Cats respond differently to noise, depending on their personalities and experiences, and even their genetics, according to a recent article in CatWatch¸ a publication produced by Cornell University ’s College of Veterinary Medicine . Felines are more likely to be frightened by sudden noises around the house such as a vacuum cleaner, construction work, or even a hair dryer. (Dogs, on the other hand, are notoriously frightened by thunder and fireworks and will try and escape the house and run.) Cats will retreat and hide. You may eventually find your fraidy cat under the bed or perched on the refrigerator or a kitchen cabinet.

Dr. Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD., the James Law Professor of Animal Behavior at Cornell recommends NOT comforting your cat when a loud noise frightens her “because she may interpret this as a reason to really be afraid of the noise.” And never punish your cat for being fearful; this will only increase her anxiety, cautions Dr. Houpt. Instead, let your cat hunker down (in the safety of your own home, of course) and stay there as long as she wants. Eventually, you can lure her out of her hiding spot with a treat or favorite toy. Over time, most cats will become desensitized to the sound of a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer.

PROGRESSIVE PROTECTS PETS. We love them, we travel with them, we…get into auto accidents with them. Pets are part of our family and they deserve to be covered by car insurance too. That’s Progressive Insurance Company’s motto and now the Ohio-based company is lending a helping paw by offering complimentary coverage for your dog or cat if they’re injured in a vehicle while riding with you. They’ll pay up to $500 to help with veterinary bills and medication. Now that’s progressive! Call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE or visit www.progressive.com to learn more.

Don’t confuse pet injury coverage with pet health insurance which, similar to human health insurance, pays for vet bills when your pet is sick. I carry a policy for Miss Bella from Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the largest and oldest pet insurance company in the country. For a mere $17.65 per month, I have peace of mind knowing that I can afford the very best care for my cat if she becomes ill. Some policies even cover routine care such as vaccinations and teeth cleaning. Contact VPI at 888-899-4VPI or online at www.petinsurance.com for a free quote.

COOKING FOR YOUR CANINES. In response to my query for pet food recipes in last week’s column, I received this tasty tidbit from Karen Perkins of Santa

I’m domestically challenged, but I came up with this easy recipe for my dogs when they have upset tummies:

1 frozen skinless chicken breast

1 bag Trader Joe’s 3-minute frozen white rice (potatoes can be substituted for dogs who are allergic to rice)

1 tablespoon of unseasoned canned pumpkin (I prefer Trader Joe’s brand with no spices or additives)

Microwave chicken for six minutes (turn over after 3 minutes). Cut chicken into small chunks. Microwave bag of rice for three minutes. **Mix 1/6 cup of chicken, 1/3 cup rice, and one tablespoon pumpkin. Serve warm. Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use remaining portion within 48 hours.

**Portion size is calculated for a 30-pound dog. Use more or less of each ingredient depending upon the size of your dog.

One more hint: Baked sweet potatoes are a wonderful snack for dogs who are allergic to commercial dog treats. They love them! I freeze baked sweet potatoes into ice cube trays for a hot-day summer treat. You can make puppy popsicles out of chicken broth too (just don't insert a popsicle stick, as dogs can choke on them). And on very hot days, add ice cubes to your pup’s water bowl for a constant supply of fresh, cool water throughout the day.

Thanks for your terrific tips, Karen!

Karen’s always busy cooking up ideas for her next column. Send your story suggestions to her at karenleestevens@cox.net.