Bothered by fleas or bracing for the next infestation? Forget turning to smelly chemical-filled flea sprays. Ohio State University scientists say all it takes to wipe out fleas in your home is your vacuum cleaner. Turns out, vacuuming kills 96% of adult fleas and 100% of younger fleas. Surprised? So were the scientists who repeated the test several times to make sure they were right. And they were! So what makes a vacuum work as well as (and sometimes better) than sprays? Turns out, fleas are pretty fragile, so the brushes and suction in your vacuum cleaner are enough to destroy them. For best results, vacuum two to three times a week to make sure all life cycles, including eggs, young fleas and adult fleas, are gone.

[photo: Hanumann]

That’s right—it’s not just you who benefits from kicking the habit. Scientists now know it can help your dogs, cats and birds live longer, too. The link? The carcinogens in your second-hand smoke. Not only does it do damage to their lungs when they breathe it in, but it also coats fur, which is then licked off while grooming, and it accumulates on the mucus membranes of their nose. All this increases your pet’s risk of oral cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the nose and sinus and malignant lymphoma. The good news? Having a pet makes it easier to quit smoking, since studies show they reduce stress and anxiety.

[photo: blackangel]

A lavender sachet. Long known to soothe the jangled nerves of humans, the scent of lavender has now been shown to calm anxious dogs who are traveling by car, making them more likely to lay down quietly and less inclined to move around or bark, reveals a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Even better? Unlike pricey pet tranquilizers, breathing in the scent of lavender has no dangerous side effects.

[photo: oOlemon]

Scientists from the University of Trieste in Italy deciphered a secret code in your dog’s tail: A wag to his right means he’s excited to see you. A wag to his left, however, signals he’s anxious and it’s better to back off. The researchers explain that different sides of the brain govern different emotions, producing the particular wag.

Would you believe? Like left- and right-handed humans, dogs have a predominant paw, too. Males are usually left-pawed, while most females are right-pawed.

Imagine you’re out on a mani/pedi date with your BFF when, in between coats of Lickable Pink, she suddenly slumps to the floor and stops breathing. Can you remember enough CPR training you learned from Girl Scouts mumble-mumble years ago to save her life?

Why risk it? Invite your friends and family over and get a refresher course right at home using the Family & Friends CPR Anytime kit from the American Heart Association. Each kit contains an inflatable mannequin, practice lungs and an instructional DVD that shows you the basics of CPR. An accompanying booklet explains how to perform CPR on babies and what to do for a choking victim.

In just 22 minutes, you and your guests will learn the proper way to give the breath of life. Based on the traditional American Heart Association CPR for Family and Friends Course, this self-directed course has been  research-proven to be equivalent to the traditional course for learning the core skills of CPR.

Each party guest receives her or his own kit unless they’re related or don’t mind sharing a mannequin. (Blowing air into the kit’s practice lungs has the equivalent germ factor of eating off the same fork). But, at $34.95 per kit, that’s less than you’d spend on a Mojito party. Get yours at Family & Friends CPR Anytime Online Store, 800-233-1230.

 Tip: Have pets? Bone up on the pet CPR technique that can save little Fido and Fifi, which is different than the human method. Free online instructions from HealthyPet.com

[photo: srqpix]

Think you know everything about your furry pals? Maybe not! Here’s what animal researchers recently discovered about your cat and dog’s communication styles:
Your cat:
* Gets you moving with a special sound. When she lets out a high-pitched baby-like cry mixed with a purr, it’s her way of telling you that she’s hungry and wants to be fed right away, reveals a recent study out of the U.K.’s University of Sussex. What’s more, this unique meow is a sure sign of her love for you—she only uses it around humans she adores and clams up around strangers.
* Reveals her mood with her tail. Is her tail held high with little flicks at the end? She’s feeling happy and confident, says Jean Craighead George, author of How to Talk to Your Cat. Is her tail lashing back and forth? Then watch out: “something’s ticking her off.” Is her tail at half-mast—not straight up, but not straight down? She’s feeling relaxed.
Your dog…
* Understands gestures. According to a recent study in the journal Animal Cognition, dogs understand as much human body language as a two-year-old. So, when your pooch looks at you intently as you point at a toy, turn your head to see something behind you or gaze off into the distance at someone approaching, she gets what you’re doing.
* Laughs. A dog’s laugh is like a regular pant, only longer and louder, according to researchers at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service in Washington. And, just like humans enjoy the sound of laughter, their study found that dogs feel happier when they hear other dogs laughing, too.

[photo: Elsie Esq.]

Ever wonder why virtually no one can resist peering into a pet store window as they pass by? Simply gazing at the happy faces of kittens, puppies and other adorable furry creatures makes you instantly happy, too, according to a research team out of Duke and Waterloo universities. “Our brain is wired to unconsciously mimic the personality traits of people around us. And now we know it works also with animals,” explains study co-author Grainne Fitzsimons, Ph.D. No furry faces nearby? Pictures work, too! Enjoy a peek now at thedailycute.com, icanhascheezburger.com or cuteoverload.com.

[photo: John Nyberg]

Playing with your cat or dog doesn’t just strengthen the bond you share, it’s key to keeping your pet’s weight down, which can add years to its life. And animal experts say that getting even the laziest furry friend up and playing is easy. The trick? Play the way they like to play! Think you’re doing that already? Maybe not. For…

Cats:
* Imitate their prey. Place a toy in front of cats and most will just stare at you. That’s because they want a challenge. “Cats come alive when a toy mimics the movements of a mouse, lizard, bird or other natural prey they can chase and capture,” says certified animal behavior consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett C.A.B.C., author of Starting from Scratch. To do it: Dangle a toy from a pole or rope in front of the cat, dart it away, hide it behind the leg of chair or wall, then dart it back out. “This stimulates your cat’s brain as she plans her ambush and it motivates her be more active since it makes her want to run and pounce.”
* Let her win. Cats get bored with toys when they’re always out of reach. So, let her catch her prey once in a while. Then end the game by giving her the toy as a trophy.
* Hide her toys. Stuff a mouse into the couch cushions with just the tail peeking out or put a toy in an empty rectangle tissue box and let her reach in a try to catch it. “This simulates the exciting experience of finding prey outdoors.”

Dogs:
* Get involved. Turning dogs loose in the backyard isn’t enough physical stimulation for them. They need you to initiate aerobic exercise—such as playing fetch, catching a Frisbee or going on a walk, says Susan Nelson, D.M.V., a veterinarian and assistant professor at Kansas State University.
* Don’t feed them too close to play-time. Eating an hour before or after exercise may make your dog’s stomach bloat or twist, especially for large breed or deep-chested dogs.
* Exercise their brain. Dogs—who have the mental capacity of two-year-old humans—need mental stimulation, too. Try getting yours to search for hidden toys or treats, chase a laser light or complete special tasks, such as getting your slippers or picking up the newspaper from the front yard.

[photo: fazen]

Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions for humans. And this year you might want to put your pet on a diet, too. A recent study shows that one in four cats and dogs is overweight, leaving them more prone to chronic health problems like heart disease and arthritis. So, is it time for your pet to eat less and exercise more? To tell, Kansas State University veterinarian Susan Nelson, D.V.M., advises:
* Taking in the side view. Your pet’s tummy should tuck up at the flank area and not hang in a straight line.
* Rubbing the ribs. You shouldn’t be able to see your cat or dog’s ribs, but you should be able to easily count them, with nothing but fur and a thin layer of fat in the way.
* Looking from above. Your pet should have an hourglass shape: broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and broader at the hips.

Tip: Concerned? Be sure to consult a veterinarian before putting your pet on a diet.

[photo: Vandelizer]

Wonder why your cat goes ga-ga over catnip when you first bring it home, but she loses interest after a few days? Nepetalactone, the chemical in catnip that causes euphoria, loses its potency over time when exposed to room temperature. Easy fix: Store it in the freezer!

Did you know? Not all cats get frisky over catnip. In fact, 50% of cats haven’t inherited a sensitivity to nepetalactone, according to the American Chemical Society.

[photo: Saucy Salad]