V19I1 (Feb/Mar 2017)

ANIMAL WELLNESS

For a long, healthy life!

WELLNESS PET FOOD

4 EASY WAYS TO KEEP HIS TEETH CLEAN AND

RECALLS

healthy

– what’s being done?

3 tips to

DOGS OF

SAVE on VET BILLS

IQALUIT We travel to the Canadian Arctic to help an animal rescue in need.

Understanding

HOLISTIC CANCER

Natural fixes for

care

doggie breath

Envy &

BEAT the WINTER BLUES – and keep you and your dog fit!

TOP 4

BEHAVIORS every dog should know

Zain

These border collie rescues are inseparable – and their photogenic poses are taking the world by storm!

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Display until March 15, 2017

$6.95 USA/Canada

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 1

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BONUS INSIDE!

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February/March 2017

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Contents February/March 2017

Features

18 HOW YOUR DOG EATS AFFECTS SPINAL AND ORAL HEALTH

Did you know that the way your dog eats can affect the health of both his spine and mouth? Here’s what you know to know – and what you can do about it.

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22 WINTER FUN FOR YOU

AND YOUR DOG

Whether you and your dog need some exercise, or just a way to chase away the winter blues, these activities will do the trick.

26 4 TOP BEHAVIORS EVERY DOG SHOULD KNOW – PART 1

Training your dog starts with knowing the most important things to teach him. The first part of this article looks at why “stay” and “come” top the list.

30 ANTIOXIDANTS AND

YOUR DOG

They’re powerful tools for your dog’s health, but choosing the right antioxidants for his individual needs requires some detective work, including testing for inflammation.

34 VESTIBULAR DISEASE – WHEN YOUR PET IS OFF BALANCE

50 UNDERSTANDING HOLISTIC CANCER CARE FOR DOGS AND CATS

This 3-pronged alternative approach to cancer in pets covers all the bases – it helps the immune system do its job, employs anti-cancer therapies, and supports the whole body.

56 STOP YOUR DOG FROM

70 NATURAL GROOMING PRODUCTS FOR DOGS

Treating your dog to a “day at the spa” is great as long as the shampoos, sprays and scents you use are made with natural non-toxic ingredients.

77 NORTHWEST NATURALS

Backed by 60 years of experience in meat processing, and a dedication to high quality and pet health, this company’s raw diets and treats for dogs and cats more than make the cut.

82 IS YOUR PET GETTING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CALCIUM?

Dizziness, falling, a tilting head…these are all symptoms of vestibular syndrome in dogs and cats. It looks scary, but depending on the cause, the prognosis is promising.

This simple step-by-step training guide helps deter your dog from begging for food.

BEGGING

If you home-prepare you dog or cat’s food, you need to ensure he’s getting the right nutrients in the correct quantities – and that includes calcium.

38 NATURAL WAYS TO

58 4 NATURAL WAYS TO KEEP

91 8 WAYS TO KEEP INDOOR CATS HAPPY AND HEALTHY

PREVENT DOGGY BREATH

YOUR DOG’S TEETH CLEAN

You may assume bad breath just comes with the territory of having a dog, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some easy ways to sweeten his kisses.

How enzymes, homeopathy, herbals and raw bones work together to boost dental health and reduce the need for professional cleanings.

40 PET FOOD RECALLS It’s been ten years since the huge pet food

62 DOGS OF IQALUIT Animal Wellness responds to a call for help

recall that sickened thousands of dogs and cats. How has pet food safety improved – or not – since then?

45 COCOTHERAPY

The founders of this company have a lifetime’s knowledge of coconut oil and its health benefits, for both pets and people.

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46 ENVY AND ZAIN

These striking border collies are the best of buddies, and thanks to their photographer “mom”, their portraits of unconditional love have made them social media favorites.

Animal Wellness

from an Arctic animal rescue.

66 3 PROACTIVE WAYS TO

SAVE MONEY ON VET BILLS

Keeping veterinary costs down means taking steps to build your dog or cat’s health and help prevent illness.

Indoor cats can get bored and lazy if you’re not careful. These tips will ensure your kitty stays fit and happy, both physically and mentally.

94 FEEDING YOUR CAT FOR

GOOD DENTAL HEALTH

Periodontal disease is extremely common in cats, but the good news is that a healthy diet can help prevent it.

96 IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTS FOR CATS

Probiotics, fiber and Omega fatty acids are among the top supplemental nutrients that can benefit a cat’s health.

30 Columns

12 74 80 86 89 93 98

Yakkity yak Rewind

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Passages Book reviews Tail end Cat chat FW book reviews

Departments 94

Social media Tips, contests and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine News, events, and tips! @ AW_magazine Tips, pet photos, and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine Crafts, laughs, and more!

AnimalWellness

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Editorial

53

Product picks

73

The scoop

78

Animal Wellness resource guide

85

Social media

87

Marketplace

88

Events calendar

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ClassiďŹ eds February/March 2017

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VOLUME 19 ISSUE 1

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor-in-Chief: Dana Cox Managing Editor: Ann Brightman Senior Graphic Designer: Dawn Cumby-Dallin Senior Graphic Designer: Sylvia Flegg Social Media Manager: Maddie Maillet Web Design & Development: Brad Vader Tail End Illustration: Libby Sinden Cover Image Courtesy of: Kelly Bove COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Matthew Berk Christine Caplan, CVT Maria Veronica Caracciolo Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH Amy Hayek, DVM Jean Hofve, DVM Janice Huntingford, DVM Deva Khalsa, VMD Naomi Kirby Sismour, DVM, MS Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA Ramona D. Marek, MS Ed Shawn Messonnier, DVM Sandra Murphy Mark Newkirk, VMD Bill Ormston, DVM Paul Owens Gillian Ridgeway Tonya Wilhelm Linda Young ADMINISTRATION & SALES President/C.E.O.: Tim Hockley Accounting: Karen Jeffries Circulation & Office Manager: Libby Sinden SUBMISSIONS: Please email all editorial material to Ann Brightman, Managing Editor, at ann@redstonemediagroup.com. We welcome previously unpublished articles and color pictures either in jpeg, tif or disc form at 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee that either articles or pictures will be used or that they will be returned. We reserve the right to publish all letters received. You can also mail submissions to: Animal Wellness Magazine, 160 Charlotte St., Suite 202, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. Please direct other correspondence to info@redstonemediagroup.com.

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF:

Kelly Bove Can you tell they’re besties? Envy (left) and Zain are two border collies whose awesome example of unconditional friendship has inspired fans around the world.

They love posing together and are often seen casually embracing one another, as in this delightful photo.

Read all about them on page 46.

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ADVERTISING SALES National Accounts Manager: Ann Beacom, (866) 764 -1212 ext. 222 annbeacom@redstonemediagroup.com Western Regional Manager: Becky Starr, (866) 764-1212 ext. 221 becky@redstonemediagroup.com Multimedia Specialist: Kat Shaw, (866) 764-1212 ext. 315 katshaw@redstonemediagroup.com Subscription Services Manager: Brittany Tufts, (866) 764-1212 ext. 115 brittany@redstonemediagroup.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Libby Sinden classifiedads@animalwellnessmagazine.com TO SUBSCRIBE: Subscription price at time of this issue is $24.00 in the U.S. and Canada, including taxes for six issues shipped via surface mail. Subscriptions can be processed by: Website: www.animalwellnessmagazine.com Phone: (866) 764-1212 ext 115 US MAIL: Animal Wellness Magazine, 6834 S University Blvd PMB 155 Centennial, CO 80122 CDN MAIL: Animal Wellness Magazine, 160 Charlotte St., Suite 202, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8 Subscriptions are payable by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check or money order. The material in this magazine is not intended to replace the care of veterinary practitioners. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, and different views may appear in other issues. Redstone Media Group Inc., publisher of Animal Wellness, does not promote any of the products orservices advertised by a third party advertiser in this publication, nor does Redstone Media Group Inc. verify the accuracy of any claims made in connection with such advertisers.

Refund policy: call or write our customer service department and we will refund unmailed issues.

DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME: Animal Wellness Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call Libby at (866) 764-1212 ext 100 and ask for dealer magazine sales, fax us at (705) 742-4596 or e-mail at libby@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyrightŠ 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: January 2017.

Improving the lives of animals... one reader at a time.

editorial

KEEP EM

smiling!

W

hen I was a child, our dog got her teeth cleaned every few years and we pretty much forgot about oral health in between. In fact, we were naïve enough to believe that her crunchy dog biscuits actually helped control tartar (isn’t that what they claimed on the box?).

Now, decades later, we have a much better understanding of the importance of dental hygiene.

Periodontal disease is extremely common, and it can cause your companion a lot of pain and misery. An inability to eat properly can lead to digestive issues, while infections in the mouth can cause serious health problems in other areas of the body, including the heart and kidneys.

The good news is that periodontal disease is preventable, and that’s the focus of this issue. Check out our article on four easy ways to maximize your dog or cat’s dental wellness, and discover some simple natural ways to combat bad breath in your pooch. Cat lovers can also turn to our Feline Wellness bonus section and read up on how diet can be used to improve our kitties’ dental health.

This issue also looks at the importance of supplements to canine and feline health. We present some valuable information on how to choose the right antioxidants for your pet, and also look at the importance of calcium to a home-prepared diet (did you know you can give him too

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much calcium, as well as too little?) In our Feline Wellness section, meanwhile, we reveal the top supplements for cats.

Of course, the first article you might want to turn to is our cover story, starring Envy and Zain, two famous and adorable border collies who are also best buddies – their portraits often show them hugging each other, and thanks to their photographer “mom”, they’ve gone viral, both online and off!

To carry you through till spring, we also offer tips on how you and your dog can beat the winter blues, as well as some creative ways to keep your indoor kitty happy and healthy. Treat your best friend to a canine spa experience with our look at the growing variety of natural grooming products you can select from; or learn about the top behaviors every dog should know. Must-know facts about vestibular disease, and vital info on understanding holistic cancer treatments, round out the issue.

Happy (and healthy) reading!

Dana Cox Editor-in-Chief

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contributors

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1. Veterinarian Dr. Christina Chambreau graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980. She is a founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathic Summer School and has been the holistic modality adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program.

Dr. Chambreau is author of Healthy Animal’s Journal, co-author of the Homeopathic Repertory: A Tutorial, and Associate Editor of IVC Journal. Turn to page 66 for her advice on how to save on vet bills.

2. Veterinarian Dr. Amy Hayek graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 1998. She opened her own practice in 2001 in Summerville, South Carolina. She teaches for Animal Chiropractic Education Source, has published in the Journal of the AVMA, and lectures for the AVCA and others. On page 18, Dr. Hayek is co-author of an article about the connection between the way a dog eats and his spinal health.

3. Veterinarian Dr. Janice Huntingford is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, and certified in animal chiropractic and acupuncture. She received her certification in Veterinary Rehabilitation through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, and opened Ontario’s first saltwater canine therapy pool and rehabilitation center. She is a Certified TCVM Practitioner, a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner, and a board certified specialist, earning a Diplomate from the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She practices in Essex, Ontario (essexanimalhospital.ca). Dr. Huntingford discusses vestibular syndrome on page 34.

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4. Veterinarian Dr. Deva Khalsa authored Dr. Khalsa’s The Natural Dog and co-authored Healing Your Horse: Alternative Therapies.

She lectures internationally and is a professor at the British Institute of Homeopathy. She has almost 30 years of experience in holistic modalities. In this issue, Dr. Khalsa presents four natural ways to keep your dog’s teeth clean – see page 58.

5. Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He is a certified veterinary acupuncturist from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. His practice, California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness, offers integrative medicine. Dr. Mahaney writes a veterinary blog for patrickmahaney. com and is working on his first book, The Uncomfortable Vet. On page 96, he discusses the top supplements for cats.

6. Veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier wrote The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, and 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog. He’s the pet care expert for Martha Stewart Living’s “Dr. Shawn – The Natural Vet” on Sirius Satellite Radio, and creator of Dr. Shawn’s Pet Organics. His practice, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital (petcarenaturally.com), is in Plano, Texas.

Check out his article on antioxidants, page 30.

7. Veterinarian Dr. Mark Newkirk owns Newkirk Family Veterinarians (newkirkfamilyveterinarians.com) and has been taking care of animals in southern New Jersey since 1981. His practice offers traditional and alternative medicine including chiropractic, homeopathy, herbal therapies, alternative cancer treatments, therapeutic lasers,

NAET, stem cell transplants and more. Dr Newkirk has his own radio show (Thursdays 9 to 10 AM on WOND 1400 AM). See page 50 for his insight into holistic cancer treatments.

8. Veterinarian Dr. William Ormston graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. He received certification from the AVCA and began using chiropractic to treat his animal patients. Jubilee Animal Health is a mobile practice in the Dallas Metroplex area where he cares for animals using mostly alternative methods. On page 18, Dr. Ormston co-authors an article on the connection between the way a dog eats and his spinal health.

9. Christine Caplan is a Certified Vet Tech, and a long-time PR veteran and content marketing expert who brings her unique understanding of social and digital media to connect dog lovers to brands both on and offline. She lives with three hounds – two “doxies” and a beagle/basset hound mix -- who constantly teach her about life and companionship (mylifewithdogspdx.com). Turn to page 82 for her article on calcium for pets.

10. Paul Owens began training dogs in 1972. He is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a leading proponent of positive, non-violent training.

He authored The Dog Whisperer and The Puppy Whisperer and is featured on the Dog Whisperer DVDs, Volumes One and Two. Paul is director of the Raise with Praise Teacher Training Program, and founder/director of the children’s afterschool violence prevention program, Paws for Peace. For the first of a two-part article on important behaviors dogs should know, see page 26.

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contributors

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11. Gillian Ridgeway is the Director of Who’s Walking Who Training Centres in Toronto and Ajax, Ontario. She has been featured on many television and radio programs and appeared regularly as the canine expert on Canoe Live.

Gillian was recently added to the curriculum of the Psychology Department of The University of Toronto, addressing students on the topic of learning theory, using her own dogs to demonstrate practical application. On page 56, she provides step-by-step training tips.

approach. Named one of the top ten dog trainers in the US, she has helped thousands build happy relationships with their dogs with humane, positive training methods. She wrote Proactive Puppy Care, and other books. Tonya offers group and private dog training classes, provides training and behavior services via phone and online, and does workshops at pet expos (raisingyourpetsnaturally.com). Read her tips on winter activities with your dog (page 22).

12. Tonya Wilhelm is a dog training and cat care specialist who has traveled the US promoting positive ways of preventing and managing behavior issues with a holistic

13. Ramona Marek is a writer who has been published in many national and international print and digital magazines. She is a former director of the Cat Writers’ Association and

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has been a professional member since 2007.

She is also one of a handful of non-veterinarian members of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians, and a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). On page 94, Ramona offers advice on feeding cats for optimal dental health.

Sandra Murphy lives in St Louis, Missouri.

When she's not writing, she works as a pet sitter. Turn to page 38 for her article on natural solutions to bad breath in dogs.

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yakkity yak METEORITE DETECTION DOG Highly sought-after by scientists, meteorites reveal a lot about the universe. But meteorite hunting is not an easy task; approximately 500 land on our planet every year, yet only five or six are found.

Daniel Garcia Bernal, an instructor in dog training at the University Autónoma of Barcelona in Spain, came up with a solution when he realized that powerful canine noses might be able to help. With the assistance of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Daniel trained his own sniffer dog, an Australian shepherd named Kaly, how to recognize the smell of certain elements found in meteorites.

The results were spectacular. The first experiment, in which Kaly sought out meteorite fragments in the area of Villabeto de la Peña, where they’d landed back in 2004, involved two days (with frequent breaks) of tracking. Kaly was able to locate the meteorite pieces at a much faster rate than humans using technical equipment.

The success of the project has prompted the development of further canine meteorite-hunting ventures in Catalonia and Andalusia.

Kaly (right) is the first ever meteorite detection dog. In the photo at top, she gets ready for a trek with Daniel (sitting) and a team of meteorite hunters.

CAN THERAPY DOGS REDUCE PRE-OP ANXIETY?

Most people feel anxious before surgery, but children can feel especially scared. The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) has awarded a grant to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for a new study to examine the effects of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) on children’s anxiety levels, and sedation medication dosages, prior to surgery.

The study involves 72 children between the ages of two and 17. The youngsters will be randomly given either a therapy dog or an iPad tablet 20 minutes before pre-op sedation. Each child’s heart rate, blood pressure and medicine levels for sedation will be compared across the two groups. It’s expected that children provided with a therapy dog will have significantly lower pre-operative anxiety and will require a decreased amount of medication for sedation. habri.org, ag.tennessee.edu

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Antioxidants help rid your pet’s body of

cancer-causing free radicals.

TAKING STEPS TO BETTER FITNESS AND SAFETY If you think you get more exercise than your friends without dogs, you’re right.

A study published by BMC Public Health highlighted the physical and social benefits of dog walking. It showed that dog walkers get at least 30 more minutes of physical activity more days a week than people without dogs. In addition, almost 60% of dog walkers in the study said they felt safer when walking with their dogs.

Carried out by Dr Hayley Christian from The University of Western Australia (UWA), the study focused on the effects of dog walking on activity levels, as well as on the community benefits of pet ownership. "Dog walkers had a greater feeling of security and perceived higher levels of neighborhood surveillance from dog walking,” says Dr. Christian.

APOLLO TO THE RESCUE! When 18-year-old Maya Fairweather took her boyfriend’s young pit bull out for an evening walk late last November, the Brooklyn resident never expected the worst to happen. While Apollo was romping off-leash in the park, Maya was grabbed from behind by a stranger, who pushed her to the ground and tried to rape her. Thankfully, he didn’t get far before Apollo raced protectively back to the scene, bit Maya’s attacker on the leg, and scared him away.

On December 8, Apollo’s actions were honored by the Nassau County SPCA at the Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan. Maya was also on hand to officially thank the five-month-old pit bull, who was treated to a giant doggie cake, spa treatment certificates, limousine service to and from the hotel, and gift baskets of treats and toys. nassaucountyspca.org

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yakkity yak ANGUS SNIFFS OUT C. DIFF C. diff is a superbug that attacks people whose immune systems have been weakened by antibiotics. It’s the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and longterm care facilities. One way to help combat the disease is by detecting and eradicating the bacterium from areas of the hospital where it might otherwise go unnoticed.

Enter Angus (at right), a two-year-old English springer spaniel who has been trained to sniff out C. diff. He began his training two years ago, and is now working at Vancouver General Hospital. To date, Angus is the only certified C. diff detection dog in Canada. vch.ca/about-us/news/angus-is-ready-to-make-a-difference-at-vgh

dental checkups are important for your dog or cat’s health and well-being.

Regular veterinary

HURRICANE MATTHEW ANIMAL RESCUE From late September through early October of 2016, Hurricane Matthew battered Florida to Georgia to the Carolinas, becoming of the most destructive and longest-lasting hurricanes of the past decade. American Humane was one of the rescue organizations that headed into the region to help save the lives of animals.

The first call for help came prior to the storm, from a shelter in South Carolina that urgently needed someone to man the facility during the worst of the hurricane so staff members could protect their own families. Volunteers from American Humane traveled to the shelter to provide comfort and protection to 166 animals as the storm ravaged the area.

After the hurricane, the organization’s first responders and two emergency rescue vehicles were deployed to one of the hardest-hit areas of South Carolina, where they delivered food and supplies, provided emergency medical care to sick and injured animals, and reunited lost and frightened pets with their families. americanhumane.org

One of many dogs rescued and cared for in South Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

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PET-FRIENDLY DINING IN NEW YORK Here’s something to look forward to when the weather warms up again. Recently-passed legislation sponsored

by New York state Senator Hannon now allows leashed dogs to accompany their Hudson’s on the Mile in owners to many Freeport, N York, is one ew of state that ha over 100 restaurants in th ve opened outdoor restaurants, eateries to their outdoo e dogs. Here r , re Bu st tch Yamali aurant owne cafes and patios presents di nner to LouL r ou. in the state. After California, New York is the second state to pass this legislation.

There are a few caveats. It’s up to each eatery whether or not they decide to permit dogs, and if they do, a separate section and entrance is required for dogs and their owners.

Employees are prohibited from having direct contact with the dogs, who must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies to be permitted a place at the table.

So far, however, over 100 restaurants have opened their doors to dogs, so the idea is growing in popularity. For a list of pet-friendly dining establishments in New York state, visit bringfido.com/restaurant/state/new_york.

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yakkity yak PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE PUPS Service dogs can work wonders for people suffering from psychiatric problems.

Founded in January of last year, Exceptional Partner Service Dogs (TEPSD) in Newtown, Connecticut is a non-profit pilot program that raises and trains service dogs for those suffering from psychiatric disabilities.

Currently, five TEPSD Labrador retriever pups, now almost a year old, are being trained as Psychiatric Service Dogs for those in need throughout the region. The dogs were carefully bred for temperament, workability, structural soundness and health. The goal is that in two years, “the dogs will help make someone’s life significantly better”, says Abby Hill, founder and executive director of TEPSD. “We are engaging and involving the Newtown community in our program, so they can learn about service dogs and about people with mental illness who will depends on the dogs to help them live their lives to the fullest. The educational and emotional impact has already been significant.” newtownservicedogs.org

These Lab pups are being raised and trained to become service dogs for people with psychiatric disorders.

ONLINE TOOL FOR ANIMAL WELFARE The “Five Freedoms” is an important concept of animal welfare. It emphasizes the proper treatment of animals by preserving their freedom from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury, disease and distress.

With this in mind, the Ontario SPCA has launched shelterhealthpro.com, a free online resource designed to equip animal shelter staff, volunteers and veterinary care providers with information and tips to make animals more comfortable and to provide a humane and healthy environment for them.

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How your dog eats can affect his

spinal and oral health

By Bill Ormston, DVM and Amy Hayek, DVM

Did you know that the way your dog eats can affect the health of both his spine and mouth?

Here’s what you need to know – and what you can do about it.

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Gingivitis, tartar, loose teeth – and the spine. Most people have no problem grouping the first three together, but where and how does the spine fit into a discussion of the mouth? The truth is, the position in which your dog eats can affect his spine as well as other bones and muscles associated with it – and most domestic dogs don’t eat the way nature intended. This can create not only misalignments, but also an acidic pH in the body, which can in turn contribute to oral issues such as gingivitis, tartar and loose teeth.

THE MECHANICS OF HOW DOGS EAT – WILD VS. DOMESTIC

It’s important to understand the mechanics of how dogs ingest their food. Getting food into the mouth requires use of the dog’s entire jaw and head. In the wild, a dog has to hunt down his prey; because he uses his whole head to get hold of his food, he loses sight of his prey when he bites down. When he opens his mouth to capture prey, his eyes follow the movement of his mandible (lower jaw), opposite to the movement of his head and maxilla (upper jaw), so he can keep his target in sight.

After the prey has been captured and killed, a dog in the wild will often eat lying down. This way, he can hold his food between his front paws and look up at what is approaching from the front, thereby protecting his food. He can pay more attention to the food because it’s in a safer place where he can more easily defend it.

Wild dogs eat their prey while lying down.

Domestic dogs eat stationary food out of bowls, with their heads and necks in flexion. They end up looking down at their feet rather than forward. Protecting food becomes more difficult because the dog is unable to see who is approaching from the front. (For this reason, eating in this position may lead to behavior problems.)

While eating, the canine teeth are primarily involved in getting food into the oral cavity, while the incisors are used for gnawing bits from larger objects. Biting down uses more force than opening the mouth, and also involves more than just the

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mouth, as we will see. The muscles used to open the jaw are smaller than the muscles used to close it. This takes advantage of gravity and responds to the fact that, unlike opening the mouth, closing it has to act against resistance (the food).

HOW OTHER MUSCLES ARE INVOLVED

When getting hold of their food, predators pull with a downward motion of the head and neck as the jaws close and grasp. The action involves reaching in extension with an open jaw, then closing the jaw and flexing the head and neck. Other grasping muscles in the dog’s body are part of this process – including the toes, claws and leg flexors. In the act of acquiring food, even if the food is scavenged, it must be protected; wild dogs guard their food with a movement of the spine that rounds the body over the top of the prey.

Domestic dogs still mimic this behavior, moreso when they lie down to eat than if they are standing over a bowl. As mentioned earlier, it is more difficult to guard food while standing over a bowl than it is to hold it between the front paws.

Dogs need to crouch over their food and round their bodies when they eat in order to balance the muscular stress of obtaining it. This balances the flexor muscles with the extensor muscles and is a behavior they acquired from their ancestors.

When the dog is standing to eat, however, this ancestral behavior is changed. This alone can cause subluxation issues because the dog doesn’t follow the need to balance the flexor muscles with the extensor muscles. When extensors are continually fired, they become fatigued because they cannot eliminate cellular waste products, and re-set. Because of the

chronic fatigue in the extensor muscles, the dog’s body is more acidic in pH, which means he will more likely have dental tartar.

HOW TO HELP YOUR DOG

Giving your dog opportunities to eat his food as nature intended can help support both his dental and spinal health.

• Feeding raw bones helps keep his teeth and gums healthy from a nutritional standpoint, but it also gives the dog the muscle opportunity to lie down and protect his food while eating.

• Healthy chew toys will also encourage him to lie down while exercising his jaw and mouth.

• Chiropractic care can also help by correcting any subluxations being caused by the way he’s eating, leading to improved health in both areas. Most of what chiropractic does is to help restore the body to its "wilder" or "freer" state, so that overall mobility is better.

Mouth function and the spine

The movement of teeth within the oral cavity, loosening of teeth in the jaw, cavities, and sources of oral pain all change mouth function. Choking while eating is a symptom of the entire ingestion process, and can be caused by imbalances of the dental arcade, TMJ, tongue muscles and the oral cavity. A decrease in metabolic rate can lie at the root of these changes; a decrease in metabolic function causes an imbalance of metabolites (vitamins and minerals) and their chemical ability to process biological functions. It inhibits mineral deposits to bone (causing osteoporosis) and is expressed as lethargy, weight gain, decreased body temperature, sensitivity to touch, allergies, pain, irritability, fat pads, poor lymphatic drainage and more.

All these affect the spine and nervous system.

TMJ issues in dogs

The temporal mandibular joint (TMJ, jaw joint) has more nerve endings than any other joint in the body. Problems with TMJ movement can lead to changes in movement of the entire body. Inflammation in any of the oral structures, particularly the TMJ, causes a change in sensory input and motor output. Weakness in the muscles on one side of the body can result from inflammation or damage to the TMJ. Since moving the dog’s body requires the movement of every bone, ligament, joint and muscle, a problem in the mouth may cause a problem anywhere in the body. Lack of motion in one area leads to lack of motion in another, which leads to damage in these areas.

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Winter WHETHER YOU AND YOUR DOG NEED SOME EXERCISE, OR JUST A WAY TO CHASE AWAY THE WINTER BLUES, THESE ACTIVITIES WILL DO THE TRICK.

for you and your dog

By Tonya Wilhelm

Once the holidays are over and winter settles in for the long haul, it can be easy for you and your dog to get bored or blue.

As a dog mom, I try to give my dog Dexter a fun day, no matter what the weather. Here are some fun activities to help you and your dog kick the winter blues – some of them will also help you both stay fit into the bargain! Just remember to keep safety in mind, don’t push your dog too hard, and if you’re outside, ensure he’s winter-ready with a warm waterproof coat, and dog boots if needed.

2. Go on a dog-friendly shopping trip Pick up the phone, call some of your favorite local stores, and ask if your dog can accompany you on a shopping outing. Not all will say yes, of course, but you might be surprised by how many do, as long as your dog is friendly and wellbehaved.

1. Have an indoor snowball fight What dog doesn't like to rip up paper? Grab a stack of white tissue paper and wad it up into “snowballs”. Grab one and toss it to one side of your dog as you encourage him to fetch or grab it. After he shows some interest in the first “snowball”, grab a second and toss it to the other side of your dog. Repeat as long as you want. When you’ve both had enough calmly pick up the pieces of paper and throw them away (don’t let him eat the paper).

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fun

3. Enroll in a dog training class A dog can always benefit from a positive training class, and it’s something you can work on during the winter as well as the summer. In fact, training is an on-going skill that should be practiced regularly. By enrolling in a group class, you and your dog will be able to get out and do something together that’s not only fun, but also beneficial to your dog's behavior.

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If it snows

Not everyone lives where it snows during the winter, but if you do, here are some ways you and your dog can have fun with it.

• MAKE TREAT SNOWBALLS. Grab a large mixing bowl and place it outside to catch fresh snow when it’s falling. Once the bowl is full, take some healthy dog snacks and your fresh snow into a cool area, such as your garage, and make small snowballs with a treat in the center of each. Place the treat-filled snowballs back in the bowl and into your freezer. When your dog looks like he needs a fun activity, take one of the snowballs out of the freezer and give it to him. He’ll enjoy sniffing, pawing or playing with the snowball to get at the treat inside.

• BUILD A SNOWDOG. Go outside with your dog and make a snowdog. If you have kids, this is a great family activity.

Your dog will enjoy playing outside with you, and you’ll both get some fresh air and exercise. Just keep an eye on your dog and if he starts looking cold or tired, call it quits for the time being and go inside to warm up.

• CREATE A SNOW COURSE. Shovel and pack snow into different shapes and mazes.

Shovel a dog path, while packing excess snow into various obstacles for your dog to climb, jump over or go around. Make some of the obstacles higher than your dog, so you can ask him to sit/stay while you run away, hide behind an obstacle, and call him to find you.

Continued from page 22.

4. Do some trick training When you’re engaging your dog and teaching him new tricks and behaviors in a positive way, you are stimulating the pleasure center of his brain. Your dog is learning cool things, but he is also learning that you are fun and rewarding to be around.

5. Bake healthy dog treats What dog doesn't enjoy a healthy homemade treat? Baking something from scratch can be very satisfying for you too. By selecting quality ingredients your dog enjoys, you can create a custom, healthy treat just for him.* For winter treats, consider using energetically-warming ingredients such as chicken, cinnamon, sweet potato or quinoa.

6. Build a fire and read to your dog On those really stormy days, nothing beats a warm fire and a good book.

Grab a cozy blanket or your dog's mat, then select a comfortable spot for the two of you. Choose a lighthearted book that you will enjoy reading aloud. Snuggle up and start reading. Your dog won’t understand the story, but he’ll find the sound of your voice comforting.

Winter doesn’t have to mean feeling blue or bored. By spending quality time with your dog on a daily basis, you’re not only increasing your bond and building your relationship. You’re also having fun and giving the both of you some mental and physical stimulation to help you through the colder months.

EDITOR’S NOTE: You can find lots of healthy and

tasty treats in The Animal Wellness Cookbook for Dogs, (animalwellnessmagazine.com/cookbook).

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By Paul Owens

TOP

4

BEHAVIORS EVERY DOG SHOULD KNOW

– PART 1

Training your dog starts with KNOWING the most important things to teach him. The first part of this article looks at why “STAY” and “COME” top the list.

When training your dog, how do you know what are most important things to teach him? This two-part article will look at the top four behaviors every dog should know – stay, come, leave it, and heel – and why they’re so crucial.

Sounds straightforward, doesn’t it? Easy-peasy. But as with everything else in life, things aren’t always as simple as they seem, which is partly what this article is all about. Words mean different things to different people, and to their dogs.

For example, you’ll notice I use the word “behaviors”, not “commands”. Because of my background, the word “command” implies some kind of tyrannical dictator issuing an edict with a clear understanding that, if the edict isn’t followed, dire consequences will ensue!

When I first started training over 40 years ago, that’s exactly what would happen; and the dire consequences would include the use of choke chains, pinning dogs to the ground, threatening them with yelled “NOs”, and all that other garbage.

But in positive, reward-based, force-free training, which many trainers including myself switched to in the 1980s, there are no threats. Only signals.

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Here are the top four behaviors I suggest every adopter teach their dog(s) to do.

q Stay w Come (recall) and emergency recall e Leave it r Heeling and walk-without-pulling For emergencies and safety, I suggest taking your dog to a PhD-like level of behavioral reliability, called stimulus control (see sidebar below), for two of these behaviors: stay and comewhen-called.

WHAT STIMULUS CONTROL MEANS

• The dog understands the cue and responds immediately.

• The dog doesn’t do the behavior in the absence of the cue.

• The dog doesn’t do the behavior in response to some other cue.

• The dog doesn’t do some other behavior in response to the cue.

A. STAY

Teaching a dog to stay in position is one of the most important behaviors to teach him.

1 2

That being said, many trainers teach two similar concepts with slightly different meanings.

One signal is “stay” and another is “wait”.

The difference between the two often has to do with the degree of rigidity or formality. When “wait” is used, it’s kind of like saying “hold on a minute”. “Stay” really means “freeze in that particular position”.

3

Some trainers use “wait” in situations involving boundaries, such as in the case of a dog waiting to get out of a car or go through a door.

Other trainers use “wait” as a form of “leave it”. For example, if a dog is going for food on a table or running to greet someone at the door, the trainer might use “wait”, followed by a release or another signal to do something else instead.

To add to the confusion, some trainers don’t use “stay” or “wait” at all. They teach that once a dog is asked to sit, lie down or stand still, there’s a strict implication that he is to stay in that position until released. There is no follow-up signal of “stay” or “wait”.

All these are perfectly fine as long as your communication to the dog is clear. They all work. It’s just a matter of starting at your dog’s learning baseline and progressing towards reliability, gradually adding the three D’s – Duration, Distance and Distractions.

4

TEACHING

COME-WHEN-CALLED

Use $10,000 treats (chicken, turkey, hamburger, cheese, etc.).

Say “here” (or whatever your chosen word is) and immediately stick a treat in your dog’s mouth. It’s important you’re close enough to your dog that the treat is delivered within a half a second. Don’t ask him to come and get it at this point. Be sure to say “here” before moving your hands.

Repeat up to 50 times a day, spread throughout the day, in different areas of the house and yard, for three to five times per exercise. You’ll do this every day for the rest of your dog’s life.

It’s like putting money in your savings account so it’s there for an emergency withdrawal. Note that I say “up to” 50 times a day. It’s only during the first two to three months that very frequent repetition is important; after that, it doesn’t have to mean giving your dog 50 treats every day forevermore. As time goes by, a few times a day is all that’s necessary.

Do not test this method for 60 days. At the 60-day mark, while your dog is in the midst of playing or eating, stand six to 20 feet away and say “here”. He should turn like a zombie and come running to you. If he doesn’t respond, do not repeat the word. It simply means those neural pathways haven’t “grown” enough. Wait another 30 days and try again. Here’s a video clip to help you out: originaldogwhisperer.com/ animalwellness.

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Continued from page 27.

Depending on a number of factors, reliability usually takes two to 12 months, and sometimes longer.

For me, “stay” means to stay in position, whether the dog is standing, sitting or lying down. The critical thing to remember is that whatever you choose to do, there must be a beginning and an end. I tell clients: “If you ever say ‘stay’ you have to say ‘okay’.” In other words, no matter what word you use, you must remember to release your dog.

Your release word(s) can be “okay”, “find it”, “come”, “you’re free” or “that’ll do”. Just remember to always release.

Here’s a classic example of why dogs get confused. People don’t want their dogs following them when they leave the house, and often say “stay” so their dogs don’t run out the door. Once the door is shut, the dog looks around and essentially says to himself: “Well, there’s nobody around, so I’m getting up.” Then people don’t understand why their dogs won’t stay when asked.

B. RECALL, AKA COMEWHEN-CALLED A reliable recall can be life-saving if your dog gets loose and starts running towards a skunk or the street. You can teach a PhD-level recall, and many positive trainers teach excellent techniques on YouTube. And here’s my method to help get you on your way, not only with "come-when-called”, but also with “stay” and “leave it"(we’ll go more into “leave it” in the next issue): vimeo.com/ subliminallabs/review/116614259/87dcefb4d9.

However, it has been my experience that most people simply don’t spend the time going through all these steps, so I also teach an emergency recall – see sidebar on page 27. This has more to do with classical than operant conditioning, and if done correctly, I have found it works at least 90% of the time.

Before you start, pick any word. I use “here” but you can use any word as long as it’s not something you use frequently: e.g. you might use “babaloo”, “bank”, “treat”, etc. There’s a great trainer on YouTube who teaches something a little similar using the word “bacon”. It may sound strange, but basically it’s the same training principle people have used for decades, without even knowing they were doing it. If your dog didn’t come when asked, for example, you might have gone into the kitchen and shook a box while yelling “treat!”

In the next issue (Apr-May 2017), we’ll cover the behaviors of “leave it” and polite walking (heeling and walk-without-pulling).

Stay tuned!

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By Shawn Messonnier, DVM

ANTIOXIDANTS AND YOUR DOG

- what you need to know powerful

They’re tools for your dog’s health, but choosing the right antioxidants for his individual needs requires some detective work, including testing for inflammation.

Antioxidants are powerful natural medicines. They offer support for a wide range of problems in dogs, and reduce inflammation in normal and healthy animals. They are so important that I recommend all my patients be given antioxidant supplements. This article will explore the value of antioxidants, and will also introduce you to several veterinary tests – CRP, TK and vitamin D3 – that help determine your dog’s inflammatory load and the right antioxidants for him.

ANTIOXIDANTS VS. FREE RADICALS Vitamin K

Antioxidants are molecules that reduce oxidation and oxidative cell damage in your dog’s body. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs constantly in the body due to cell damage and death.

Basically, as chemicals (oxidants, also called free radicals) are released from damaged cells, they cause damage to healthy cells in the area. (Note that free radicals are formed normally during dayto-day living, and can increase during exercise as well as through exposure to environmental stresses, toxins and chemicals, including vaccines and flea/tick medications.)

Antioxidants produced by cells help damper this damage. Cells produce both free radicals and antioxidants; in normal states, there is a balance between acceptable cell damage and cell protection due to a fine-tuning of the formation of both oxidants and antioxidants. But when oxidative damage overwhelms antioxidant systems, disease can result.

Which diseases develop depends on which tissues are most damaged, but holistic doctors believe every disease not caused directly by a toxin or microorganism is caused by oxidation and inflammation. Typical diseases I see in practice that are linked to oxidation and inflammation include cancer, arthritis, allergies, inflammatory bowel and bladder disorders, seizures, and cognitive disorder.

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Animal Wellness

FOR BEST RESULTS, USE ANTIOXIDANTS UNDER VETERINARY SUPERVISION Well known examples of antioxidants include vitamins E, A and C. Other powerful antioxidants include glutathione, melatonin, coenzyme Q10, peroxidase and catalase. Many herbs also have antioxidant properties (e.g. oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage and peppermint).

• Having said this, it’s important to know that sometimes an antioxidant like vitamin C can function as a pro-oxidant, which is why it’s important not to simply pick up a supplement off the shelf and use it without veterinary supervision.

• It’s also important to know that the names of antioxidants, especially vitamins, can be misleading. For example, the “vitamin E” sold as a supplement is often really alpha tocopherol, one of many components of “vitamin E”. Using only alpha tocopherol when vitamin E is more appropriate may not help the pet and could even harm him. Studies showing negative effects from antioxidants such as vitamin A and E often used only one part of the vitamin molecule, rather than the entire intact complex.

• Finally, dosing is important. In human studies, high doses of antioxidants sometimes showed side effects, interactions with

Rosemary

other supplements or medications, or a worsening of the disease.

While this hasn’t been researched much in pet medicine, human studies indicate that certain antioxidants work better than others for some diseases. Because we don’t have enough data yet to give us more direction, the best we veterinarians can do is use our knowledge to prescribe what we believe is the most appropriate therapy for the individual animal.

TESTING FOR INFLAMMATION/OXIDATION One way to help us properly prescribe antioxidants is by testing to determine an animal’s inflammatory load. There is no specific test routinely done to check for excessive levels of oxidation in pets, but we can test for inflammation.

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Continued from page 31.

Oregano

Testing for TK and vitamin D3 In addition to testing for CRP levels, I routinely test my patients for two other parameters of health: TK and vitamin D3.

1 2

TK (thymidine kinase) is an enzyme that rises with inflammation, most specifically with diseases such as cancer and certain infectious disorders (e.g. rickettsial diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmitted by ticks).

Low levels of vitamin D are often seen in the general population of dogs, and predispose them to developing both inflammatory diseases (such as cancer) and infectious diseases (kennel cough, dog flu, etc.).

In my own practice, the majority of normal dogs we test have an increased incidence of higher TK, CRP and/or low vitamin D levels (over 90% are low on vitamin D, as dogs do not make this vitamin from sunlight, and diets are too low in it to produce high enough blood levels to be considered “healthy”).

Because there is such a high incidence of positive test results when checking dogs for these inflammatory markers, I recommend all dogs be tested every six months.

Abnormal levels are easy to treat using various herbs; vitamin D supplementation is needed for dogs testing low, and supplementation is administered based on the dog’s weight, health condition, and blood levels.

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The best, easiest and least expensive test is for CRP, or C-reactive protein. CRP is produced by the liver and increases when there’s inflammation throughout the body. CRP is one of the acute phase reactant proteins that go up in response to inflammation.

Basically, when white blood cells called macrophages and T cells are stimulated, they produce cytokine chemicals such as interleukin-6, which stimulates the liver to make more CRP. Various inflammatory conditions such as cancer and heart disease, traumatic injury to tissues, hard and constant exercise, and cell death can increase CRP levels. Infections with bacteria and fungi can also stimulate synthesis. (In people, but not dogs, fat cells stimulate increased levels of CRP; increased body weight is a common cause of low grade inflammation in people, predisposing them to inflammatory disorders.)

CRP rises within two hours of the onset of inflammation, and peaks at 48 hours. Its half-life in people is about 18 hours; in dogs, elevated CRP levels are measured for one or two weeks following the initial insult. Therefore, dogs with increased CRP levels have something internal that’s causing inflammation, and further testing is needed.

Increased levels of CRP indicate the need for further investigation and/ or treatment with appropriate antioxidants, or herbal or homeopathic medications. Once the CRP levels are normalized, the animal is maintained on the therapy to keep inflammation in check.

In my practice, about half the normal dogs we test have increased levels of CRP, and virtually all dogs with obvious inflammatory diseases show high levels. When I find an increased CRP level, it indicates excessive inflammation somewhere in the body. If the levels are mildly elevated, I will usually treat these pets with antiinflammatory doses of herbs or fish oil, or both. Following treatment for increased levels of CRP, pets are maintained on antioxidant supplements and closely monitored for any indication that CRP levels (or TK levels – see sidebar at left) are increasing, at which time more testing may be needed. Dogs with very high levels of CRP need more immediate evaluation that may include cultures, specialized blood tests for infectious diseases, and radiographs and ultrasound examination to look for tumors and abscesses.

Oxidation and inflammation are common causes of disease in our dogs. Testing for markers of inflammation can help reduce the incidence of these diseases by allowing us to properly prescribe antioxidants. Rather than simply choose whatever “supplement of the week” is recommended at the local health food store, you need to get the right one for your individual dog’s health. Even if he doesn’t suffer from or test positive for inflammation, your veterinarian can recommend a general comprehensive antioxidant to keep him healthy.

Product Profile

By Naomi Kirby Sismour, DVM, MS

There are times when medications are necessary, and while they’re given to improve a dog or cat’s quality of life, there can be side effects. Some of these side effects can affect oral health, which means pets taking medications have special oral health needs.

We all know we should brush our pets’ teeth, but the reality is that only a small percentage of dogs and cats have their teeth brushed every day. And for those on medications, even brushing may not be sufficient.

Xerostomia, aka Dry Mouth, is a condition both people and pets can experience and the most common cause is due to commonly prescribed medications.. It can affect the quantity or protective quality of healthy saliva. When the oral flora in the mouth becomes unbalanced, bacteria or fungus (such as yeast) can grow and proliferate. If Dry Mouth is not managed, it can lead to severe bad breath, excess plaque accumulation, periodontal disease and even tooth loss. Many pet owners will overlook Dry Mouth because their dog will still drool.

Helping your pet enjoy the best oral health possible is a multistep approach: provide ample fresh drinking water, establish an oral care routine that you can easily manage and have your pet’s teeth cleaned.

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON MEDICATIONS THAT CAN AFFECT A PET’S ORAL HEALTH INCLUDE: • ANTI-ANXIETY/BEHAVIOR MEDS • NSAIDS FOR PAIN SUCH AS OSTEOARTHRITIS • ANTIHISTAMINES • MEDICATIONS FOR HEART DISEASE OR BLOOD PRESSURE • URINARY INCONTINENCE MEDS • CHEMOTHERAPEUTICS

Dental products found at many veterinary clinics and retailers can also help. ORATENE® Brushless Oral Care is based on 35+ years of advanced enzyme technology formulated by the creator of ZYMOX® Dermatology product and Biotene®, the #1 dentist-recommended product line for people with Dry Mouth. Formerly known as Biotene Veterinarian, ORATENE destroys the germs that cause bad breath; eliminates the plaque biofilm that can lead to tartar; and provides a therapeutic benefit for pets on medications by restoring their oral flora. ORATENE makes home dental care extremely easy with a brushless Toothpaste Gel, a drinking Water Additive, and Breath Freshening Spray.

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Vestibular

disease

D gs Cats

– when your pet is off balance Dizziness, falling, lack of coordination, a tilting head… these are all symptoms of

VESTIBULAR SYNDROME

in dogs and cats. It looks scary, but depending on the cause, the prognosis is promising.

By Janice Huntingford, DVM

W

hat would you think if your dog or cat developed a sudden head tilt, seemed uncoordinated and had trouble controlling his facial muscles? You might assume he’d had a stroke. Even though strokes are seen in these animals, there’s another condition that looks similar and is more common – vestibular disease.

Vestibular disease occurs when there’s a problem in the body’s balance system. The balance center has two components – one in the middle ear (peripheral) and the other in the brain (central). When something goes wrong with either component, the dog or cat does not know where he is in space (see sidebar at right for symptoms). When vestibular disease is suspected, it’s important to determine if the pet has the peripheral or central form.

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CAUSES OF VESTIBULAR DISEASE Peripheral vestibular disease is the most common form and can be caused by many things: hronic or recurrent ear infections that involve the middle ear C Vigorous ear cleaning that perforates the ear drum o Head trauma o Middle ear tumors o Ear polyps o Hypothyroidism o Meningoencephalitis o Certain antibiotics (most notably, aminoglycosides such as gentamycin and tobramycin) o Some

ear cleaners have been implicated, particularly if the ear drum is not intact; the cleaner irritates the delicate nerve endings in the inner ear. o o

Occasionally, peripheral vestibular disease can be a congenital issue in young dogs, occurring between birth and three months of age. Breeds predisposed to this condition include the German shepherd, Doberman pinscher, Akita, English cocker spaniel, beagle, smooth fox terrier, and the Tibetan terrier.

One other cause that’s often overlooked is a displaced otolith in the semicircular canals of the inner ear, likely caused by trauma to the head or ear.

Continued on page 36.

SIGNS OF

VESTIBULAR PROBLEMS

q Lack of coordination and falling (ataxia)

w Dizziness e Motion sickness – nausea, drooling, vomiting

r Head tilt t Rolling y Nystagmus (rapid back-and-

forth movement of the eyes)

u Circling i Loss of control of facial muscles If the disease affects only one ear, head tilting and circling will be in the direction of that ear. Sometimes, only one side of the head is affected and then, only the eye on that side may develop nystagmus. Vestibular disease in geriatric dogs is often mistaken for a stroke.

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Continued from page 35.

Idiopathic vestibular disease is seen in both dogs and cats and is the most common cause in both species. In dogs, this tends to occur in older animals, but in cats it can occur at any age.

Cats develop the condition more frequently in July and August; it may be related to migration of Cuterebra larvae (an abnormal parasite for the cat) or a prior viral infection. entral vestibular disease, though less common, is more serious.

C Causes include brain tumors, inflammatory diseases such as FIP, infections due to bacteria, fungus or protozoa, trauma with loss of blood flow to the brain or bleeding in the brain.

TREATMENT – CONVENTIONAL AND HOLISTIC OPTIONS The treatment depends on the cause of the condition – if infection is present, for example, it needs to be treated. If an otolith is displaced, physical therapy maneuvers are needed to replace it. If hypothyroidism is the cause, symptoms of vestibular disease cease once the dog is taking thyroid replacement. With the congenital form, affected pets soon adapt to their condition; rehabilitation therapy can help tremendously with this group of animals. Pets with ear polyps may require surgery to cure the problem. Generally, these polyps are non-cancerous and the prognosis is good.

Dogs and cats diagnosed with central vestibular disease have a much poorer prognosis than those with peripheral

3

A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS IS IMPORTANT

When vestibular disease occurs, it is important to figure out what area is causing the problem. Is the brain involved or only the inner ear? There are some clues as to where the affected area is.

• If there are more cranial nerves involved (mostly facial nerves but they can also be in the ear, eye or tongue) and they are on the opposite side of the head tilt, then the problem is likely in the brain.

• If the eyes are rolling up and down rather than side to side, the lesion is usually in the brain.

• If central vestibular disease is present, there will be deficits in postural reactions such as limb placing and proprioception (positioning), along with diminished mental awareness (depression or decreased consciousness).

A thorough physical and neurological exam, including an otic (ear) exam, some x-rays and blood work, are needed to help with the diagnosis. Sometimes, advanced imaging such as CT or MRI is required for a final diagnosis.

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disease. Integrative palliative care may include corticosteroids, acupuncture or herbals to help the inflammation in the brain. If a brain infection is diagnosed, antibiotics will be needed for an appropriate period of time.

The good news is that most pets with head tilts and rolling eyes have peripheral problems (that is, not in the brain) and most have the idiopathic form. This form of vestibular syndrome comes on very quickly, and gets better quickly. Conventional treatment includes supportive care with anti-nausea medication, and a wait-and-see approach. Some of these pets are so dizzy and nauseated they are unable to eat, and require intravenous fluids or hand-feeding. Harnesses can be employed to assist large dogs who may have difficulty getting outside to potty. Some dogs and cats are so stressed with vestibular disease that they require some sedation or natural calmers.

A holistic veterinarian can offer you and your pet more options to speed recovery. L-theanine, Rescue Remedy, GABA and chamomile can be used for calming anxious animals.

Acupuncture combined with physical therapy, homeopathy, vitamin supplements and herbs speed recovery of the idiopathic form of the disease. Using this combination, success is usually seen within a few days. Placing the pet in a standing position for five minutes every hour also enhances and speeds recovery.

Idiopathic feline vestibular disease tends to be an isolated event and generally does not recur; however, idiopathic canine geriatric vestibular disease can recur in some older dogs. It looks scary, but for most pets the prognosis is good. Given enough time and support, and an integrative approach to treatment, most of these animals will recover. Some may be left with a residual head tilt, but they seem to adapt quite well to this new outlook on life!

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Natural ways to prevent

DOGGY BREATH

By Sandra Murphy

You may assume bad breath just comes with the territory of having a dog, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Does your dog have bad breath? While proper dental care can certainly minimize smelly breath, by preventing periodontal disease and keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy and strong, it doesn’t mean his breath isn’t going to be unpleasant at times. Luckily, there are some simple and natural ways to help keep your dog’s breath smelling better!

Before we get started, be sure to take your dog to the vet for a checkup if you find his breath is consistently stinky even with optimal dental care (including routine cleanings, a high quality diet, and raw bones to chew on). Smelly breath could signal a health problem elsewhere. If your dog’s breath smells bad after he burps, for example, it could mean he has a digestive issue that needs to be checked out.

Once other health problems have been ruled out, try the solutions in this article.

5 FOODS TO FRESHEN BREATH

1

C oconut oil is naturally anti-fungal. One teaspoon, mixed with your dog’s food, will help his digestion and immune system, and is good for his skin, bones and brain. Coconut oil can also be used in lieu of doggy toothpaste.

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2 3

R aw carrots are another option that dogs love. Chewing a carrot lets saliva wash away any food particles and acts as a cleanser to remove plaque and help his breath stay fresh.

B rown rice added to your dog’s food helps improve his digestion. The added fiber and antioxidants are good for overall health, and can be a big help with those bad breath burps. Again, digestion plays a big role in whether or not his breath is sweet-smelling or gives you a knock-out punch.

4

Parsley isn’t just for a garnish. Add a few sprigs to your dog’s food for a natural breath freshener.

NATURAL BREATHFRESHENING PRODUCTS Also look for effective and natural no-brush products that reduce or eliminate bad breath.

• “Oratene makes dental care easy because it’s brushless,” says Deirdre Putman, Marketing Manager for Pet King Products. “It’s available in a toothpaste gel, a water additive, or a breath-freshening spray, and is veterinarianrecommended for helping you maintain your dog’s health and fresh breath.” petkingbrands.com • PetzLife offers sprays and gels in peppermint or salmon flavor. Their dental chews are free of wheat, corn and soy, with no artificial flavors or colors. petzlife.com • Available in a spray or as a water additive, Bluestem Oral Care works to break through dental biofilm to expose bacteria hidden from brushing. bluestempets.com • For dogs who love treats, Zuke’s Enhance Fresh Breath Functional Chews are made from ingredients like cinnamon, dill, fennel, myrrh, parsley and sage in either a chicken or peanut butter formula. zukes.com

5

Yogurt has high levels of calcium that are a boon to oral health; it also reduces hydrogen sulfide, which is a cause of bad breath. Be sure to use plain yogurt, without added sugar or sweeteners.

If a kiss from your dog is what wakes you up in the morning, these simple suggestions can make it a pleasant experience. They’ll also boost his overall health. He may not understand why, but he’ll know a snuggle feels better than a loud “yuck!” when he licks your face.

Need a

LIFT? Specialized leashes and harnesses can help older dogs maintain their mobility.

Does your senior dog have trouble getting his old bones off the couch? Back and knee problems, arthritis, and just plain “old age” get us all in the end. But there’s good news! Specialized leashes, lifting harnesses, and harnessing systems can give a dog at any stage the help he needs to get the exercise so critical to his health.

• The simplest is the rear support leash, ideal when the dog needs just a little extra help. Instead of attaching a leash to a collar, it loops over the rear of the dog, giving support on the end that needs it most.

• For mid-belly support, sling-style carriers lift a dog by the midsection. Fleece-lined slings are recommended for comfort.

• The next step up is a rear support harness that slips on the dog like a pair of shorts, but has adjustable handles so you can give him a lift while taking good care of your own back. This is better for dogs that need more support while walking.

• The most complete solution is a combo harnessing system that starts with a rear harness that, if necessary in the future, connects to a front harness. Ideally, if the harnessing system is wheelchair compatible, your dog can use the same harnesses he’s used to if he needs a wheelchair someday.

SOURCES

Rear support leash caninecarrier.com Sling-style carrier dogwalkagain.com Rear support harness walkaboutharness.com Combo harness handicappedpets.com/walkin-lift-combo-harness

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PET FOOD

By Emily Vint

RECALLS

It’s been ten years since the huge pet food recall that sickened thousands of dogs and cats.

How has pet food safety improved – or not – since then?

Pet food recalls have been a trending topic for decades. Reasons range from salmonella contamination to high sodium levels to traces of mold. Our first reaction may be to blame the manufacturer, but many pet food companies have taken steps to upgrade their facilities and improve testing protocols. So why do pet food recalls keep occurring?

A BRIEF HISTORY

To consider where we're at today, let's take a look at what's happened in the past. The massive pet food recall of 2007 was the biggest in North American history. Thousands of dogs and cats became ill, and many died from kidney failure, due to contaminated products distributed by Menu Foods. Over 60 million cans and bags of pet food were recalled. The culprit turned out to be a chemical called melamine, found in wheat gluten imported from China. While melamine is used as a fertilizer and in the production of plastic, it’s relatively non-toxic when ingested in trace amounts. However, it was speculated that cyanuric acid (which is commonly used in pet food) combined with the melamine created the harmful compound that made

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Animal Wellness

pets ill. But logistics aside, how and why did melamine get into the wheat gluten to begin with?

WHO WAS TO BLAME?

Less than a year after the recall, two Chinese nationals and the businesses they operated, along with the American company, ChemNutra, and its CEO, pleaded guilty to being involved in the distribution of products containing melamine. It was later discovered that adding melamine-containing wheat gluten to food products, as a way to boost their apparent protein levels, was a practice that had been going on in China for years. Some speculate that the two Chinese nationals were essentially “scapegoats”.

THE HUMAN AND PET FOOD SAFETY ACT

The melamine in the wheat gluten was not caught until it was too late because there were no quality standards for the ingredients going into the pet food. There was also no process in place to ensure ingredients shipped from foreign distributers didn’t contain unsafe substances.

In an effort to avoid another disaster like the 2007 recall, Congress unveiled The Human and Pet Food Safety Act. It required the FDA to: • Write quality standards for all pet food ingredients • Strengthen labeling rules • Establish an early warning system and post searchable online recall lists.

So far, however, the FDA has not met these requirements.

“All three of these tasks were required to be completed

by September of 2009,” says Susan Thixton, pet food safety advocate and author of Buyer Beware.

“To date, the only thing the FDA has completed is the Safety Reporting Portal [safetyreporting.hhs.gov, a website that streamlines the process of reporting product safety issues to the FDA and NIH]. So we are basically in the same spot we were nine years ago.”

PROTECTING YOUR PET

• The best thing you can do is steer clear of cheap commercial pet foods and give him the highest quality diet you can afford.

It’s true that even premium foods can sometimes be recalled, but it happens less often than it does with low end pet foods made from questionable ingredients. Look for diets that are domestically sourced and manufactured from natural whole foods, free of by-products, meat meals, vegetable proteins and glutens. And don’t be afraid to contact the manufacturer and ask questions if you’re still concerned about where and how they make their pet foods.

• Education is also key. Keeping yourself abreast of what’s going on in the way of pet food recalls and safety can help protect your pet, and those of your friends and family. Websites such as truthaboutpetfood.com can help you stay current with recent news and developments, find healthy pet food choices, and read articles by holistic vets. The FDA website also posts all pet food recalls on their website at fda.gov/ animalveterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/.

THE PROBLEM WITH CHINESE INGREDIENTS

In the wake of the 2007 recall, the FDA ordered the detainment of all untested vegetable protein

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imported from China. But within months of the disaster, many commercial pet food companies once again began turning to China for grain additives in a desperate effort to lower costs. As poor quality pet foods are processed, the ingredients lose a lot of their nutritional value, necessitating the addition of vitamins and minerals as well as cheap protein “fillers” comprised mostly of corn, wheat, soy and rice. China is the cheapest place to source these ingredients.

Even if a pet food is labeled “Made in the US” or “Made in Canada”, it can still contain ingredients imported from a foreign producer. Labeling laws don’t require companies to list where their ingredients come from, so no matter what the package says there’s no way to ensure the ingredients weren’t sourced from elsewhere.

Some producers in China engage in farming and manufacturing practices that the FDA would not approve if they held them to the same guidelines as they do US producers. Investigations following the 2007 recall revealed improper use and handling of dangerous pesticides, inadequate health and safety training, and insufficient environmental regulations. The result? Dicey ingredients with insufficient quality testing. China may be working to clean up their act, but so far it hasn’t stopped the complaints from rolling in.

In January 2015, Petco, a national pet retailer, ceased sales of all dog and cat treats made in China. Though the FDA hasn’t successfully been able to verify the connection, the agency targeted the treats after receiving nearly 5,000 complaints of pets becoming sick after eating Chinese jerky and rawhide treats. Proof or no proof, Petco became the first major retailer to recognize this risk and take action. But, unfortunately, Chinese ingredients aren’t the only thing pet owners need to be concerned about.

CANADIAN REGULATIONS

North of the border, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates imported pet food, and Industry Canada regulates labeling requirements.

However, while the CFIA assumes primary responsibility for all pet food imports and has strict conditions that must be met before importation to Canada, it works closely with other governments and associations, including AAFCO, throughout the process. Overall, Canada sees fewer pet food recalls than the U.S., and the majority of products recalled are from the U.S. (not all that surprising since the majority of foods sold in Canada are made in the U.S.).

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Animal Wellness

4-D MEATS

Over the past decade, there’s been a lot of discussion and protest surrounding the presence of 4-D meats in pet food; that is, meat from dead, dying, diseased and disabled animals.

“The FDA openly allows pet food to be sourced from diseased or non-slaughtered animals – this is a direct violation of federal law,” says Thixton. “The FDA doesn't care about that – they only care about a pet food making a human sick.”

Indeed, the FDA itself says on its website that “pet food consisting of material from diseased animals or animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter…will be considered fit for animal consumption.” This despite the fact that the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act legally requires that no food source deemed adulterated (containing any part of a diseased animal or non-slaughtered animal) be used for human or animal consumption.

The FDA interprets this law very differently, stating that they believe the law does not intend to hold animal food/pet food to the same standard as human food: “The Center for Veterinary Medicine does not believe that Congress intended the Act to preclude application of different standards to human and animal foods” (fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/ CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074717.htm).

Continued on page 44.

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THE RAW DEBATE CONTINUES…

Lately, the news has been abuzz with the debate over raw food diets for pets – a diet many consider biologically appropriate for dogs and cats. This growing trend has caused much discussion about the risk of salmonella and other contaminants, and the FDA’s concern seems to be as much about human exposure as it is about the risk to our dogs and cats. Of course, raw diets should be handled the same way humans handle raw meat for themselves – if frozen, thaw in the refrigerator and always thoroughly clean up afterwards. Raw diets should also be prepared by reputable sources with quality ingredients. Proper handling tips for raw pet food can also be found on the FDA website: fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/ AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm373757.htm.

Continued from page 42.

Recently, Thixton took action against this obvious misinterpretation of the law, which the Supreme Court does not allow as long as the original law is clearly written. She filed a Citizen Petition requesting the FDA to stop illegal waste ingredient pet food. The FDA was given 90 days to respond.

In addition to this petition, which she announced on October 28, 2016, Thixton filed a similar complaint with the FDA’s overseeing office, the Office of Inspector General of U.S. Health and Human Services, as well as a request of action to The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Board of Directors, an association composed of local, state and federal agencies responsible for regulating the sale and distribution of animal feeds.

“The next step,” Thixton says, “will be a lawsuit”.

Follow us at facebook.com/AnimalWellnessMagazine for updates on Thixton’s petition.

ARE REPORTED PROBLEMS BEING ACTED ON?

Thixton’s petition begs the question: what, exactly, has the FDA done to lower the number of pet food recalls that occur? While there is still no federal agency responsible for tracking or responding

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to outbreaks of food-borne disease in companion animals, the melamine incident forced the FDA and state officials to come up with a faster way to protect pets in case of pet food related recalls.

With this goal in mind, the FDA launched PETNet, a website designed to facilitate a smoother exchange of information between federal, state and local agencies (fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/ucm27878.htm).

“PETNet helps but it only makes it easier for consumers to report problems,” says Thixton. “Illnesses linked to a pet food can only be prevented if investigations are done based on those reports. We don't know if that happens because there is no transparency with PETNet. The system as it stands is flawed.

Without working directly with 'the front line' – veterinarians, pet stores and consumers – only a tiny bit of information is ever received by the FDA. And no one but the FDA knows what that tiny bit of information is – we don't know whether they investigate or ignore reports.”

On the positive side, certain measures have been taken recently to limit illness outbreaks. On April 6, 2016, the FDA finalized the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food, protecting pet food from contamination during transportation. According to the FDA website, “the goal of this rule is to prevent practices during transportation that create food safety risks, such as failure to properly refrigerate food, inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads, and failure to properly protect food.” This final rule addresses a few of the inadequacies of the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005. Though the new rules don’t apply to transportation overseas due to limitations of the law, at least it’s a start.

Even baby steps are making a difference. The incidents of pet food recalls are decreasing despite the remaining obstacles within the industry. In the meantime, you can help protect your dog or cat from becoming a victim of a food-borne illness (see sidebar on page 41). Educating yourself about healthy pet food choices and staying informed about the latest recalls will help ensure your animal companions stay safe.

Coco o Therapy Business Profile

By Matthew Berk

The founders of this company have a lifetime’s knowledge of quality coconut oil and its health benefits, for both pets and people.

In recent years, coconut oil has been showing up in more and more household kitchens. And as word of its health benefits continues to grow, people are also sharing coconut oil with their dogs and cats. Sisters Charisa Antigua and Carmina O’Connor (pictured at right), who founded CocoTherapy in 2009, represent the third generation of a “coconut family”. They watched their grandmother making coconut oil from scratch when they were children, and grew up with an in-depth understanding of its healing powers. The sisters founded CocoTherapy to share this knowledge with others – and because they’ve seen firsthand the positive health effects coconut oil has on dogs and cats as well as people, their company focuses on products for pets.

“I had a little Yorkie named Violet who had severe allergies at just one year old, despite a good, raw, grain-free diet,” explains Charisa. “Knowing she needed more support, we gave her coconut oil. In time, we were able to wean her off prednisone and support her with wholesome foods and natural supplements, along with our company’s coconut oil.”

According to the CocoTherapy website, coconut oil is very therapeutic for pets with skin conditions and gastrointestinal issues, and aids in the maintenance of the immune system, metabolic functions, and bone health. The company offers a variety of products, including virgin organic coconut oil, chips and treats, and even a hairball remedy for cats, made from organic coconut fiber.

giving to their pets. Our goal is to improve the overall health and well-being of the animals who use our products, while at the same time taking care of our natural resources by being environmentally responsible.” Charisa and Carmina pride themselves on making products in their own manufacturing plant, thereby eliminating cross-contamination.

Social responsibility and support for all animals is an important part of CocoTherapy’s mission. Along with regular donations to animal welfare groups and shelters, they extend their aspirations to a program called Violet’s Friends in Need (VFIN), created to provide financial assistance for families who need help paying for urgent or critical veterinary care. A percentage of every purchase you make from CocoTherapy goes toward this fund.

It’s no surprise that passion is as much a part of Charisa and Carmina’s company as the coconuts they raise and harvest.

“Hearing wonderful stories and seeing the animals we’ve helped is the most rewarding part of what we do. When we hear about the dog who no longer itches or scratches, or a cat who no longer vomits, it simply reinforces why we do what we do.”

While there are many different brands of coconut products on the market now, high quality products are difficult to find.

CocoTherapy’s coconut oil is cold-pressed, USDA-certified organic, non-GMO and therapeutic-grade. “We want to create safe, all-natural products that people trust and feel good about February/March 2017

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By Emily Vint

Envy & Zain These striking border collies are the

best of

buddies, and thanks

to their photographer “mom”, their portraits of

unconditional

social media favorites.

Border collies are world-renowned herders. But Envy and Zain, two of the breed’s sweetest social media personalities, are world-renowned huggers!

Playful, quirky and enchanting, these two famous dogs share the most inseparable of friendships, and can often be seen embracing in their photos.

Adopted from two different rescues by photographer Kelly Bove, the beautiful border collies come from very different backgrounds. “I drove down to Nashville, Tennessee on New Year's Day in 2010 to adopt Envy,” says Kelly. “She had been through three different homes before I adopted her. She was fearful of a lot of things and had no idea what toys were

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Animal Wellness

Photos courtesy of Kelly Bove

love have made them

– she actually ran away from a squeaky ball the first time I squeezed it. Fast forward almost seven years and she’s the most toy-obsessed dog I know.”

Zain, on the other hand, has never been timid. “We adopted him in March of 2014 from Glen Highland Farm, a border collie rescue in New York. We originally took him on as a foster, and after meeting him I almost didn’t want him. He was a wild boy, but he had so much potential. After having him for a few weeks we knew there was no way he could go live anywhere else – he was home!”

Despite their differing personalities, Envy and Zain soon formed a strong friendship. Given their special bond, in fact, it’s hard to believe there was ever a time they didn’t live together. “They hit it off almost instantly, playing all the time,” says Kelly, adding that they also like to hug each other. “It’s amazing how close they have become.” From daily walks in the park to holiday celebrations, the lucky duo experiences everything side by side – and they share those experiences with the whole world via social media.

Kelly started an Instagram account to promote her photography, but it wasn’t long before Envy and Zain became the stars.

“As a dog lover, I mostly posted pictures of them,” she says.

The photos feature the happy collies in a variety of poses and settings, hugging each other, wearing costumes, playing

Zain (left) and Envy (right) are so close you'd think they were siblings.

They love posing together for the camera!

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Photos courtesy of Kelly Bove

outdoors or just relaxing together. “They quickly took over the account when they started getting featured by many other larger accounts.”

Now internet sensations – Envy and Zain have nearly a quarter of a million followers on Instagram and several thousand on Facebook – it seems the perfect pair found the perfect person to showcase their adorable connection. Kelly’s stunning images flawlessly capture every nuance of their friendship, so it’s really no surprise Envy and Zain went viral.

“I’ve always known there was something special about them, but I didn’t realize so many people would agree with me,” says Kelly. “I’m always amazed at how many people love to follow along with their adventures through our pictures and videos. I’m so thrilled my dogs can bring happiness to people all over the world.”

As Envy and Zain’s adorable poses continue to spread positivity through the world of social media, Kelly is delighting fans even more with a new calendar that further showcases her photographic talents. “Many people have been requesting an Envy and Zain calendar, so I decided it would be a great way to raise money for our favorite rescue, Glen Highland Farm.” Aside from making donations, Kelly also helps transport dogs in need to the organization. “They do amazing work with each and every border collie that comes through, and I can’t thank them enough.”

“I’ve always known there was something special about them,

Envy and Zain have come a long way from their humble beginnings. “Over the past year, they have worked with lots of different brands, been featured on ABC News in Los Angeles, have been in a Google commercial, and are also members of the Wayfair Pet Squad,” Kelly says. Despite all the work they’re doing, they still manage to find time to pose for the camera, giving their followers a daily dose of their special charm.

“They really are two incredible dogs,” says Kelly.

“It’s impossible not to fall in love with them.”

but I didn’t realize so many people would agree with me.”

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FIND ENVY AND ZAIN ONLINE instagram.com/kelly_bove/ facebook.com/EnvyAndZain/

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Understanding holistic CANCER CARE for dogs and cats

By Mark Newkirk, VMD

D gs Cats

This 3-pronged alternative approach to cancer in pets covers all the bases – it helps the immune system do its job, employs anti-cancer therapies, and supports the whole body with nutrition and supplements.

Modern

medicine has made many advances in treating cancer over the years, yet remission rates aren’t getting much better. And that applies to dogs and cats as well as people.

However, a holistic approach can change all that. To help you understand how I approach a cancer patient, you need to know that we divide what we do into three areas.

1. HELPING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Most scientists agree that cancer is a failure of the immune system to "recognize" and kill abnormal cells developing in the body. There are many beautifully worked out scientific reasons for this phenomenon (which are beyond the scope of this article) but there still seems no way to diagnose or treat the problem. Modern medicine then takes an already defective and suppressed immune system, and suppresses it further with chemotherapy and radiation. Hence the need to "check white blood cell counts" repeatedly during chemotherapy treatments.

If these cells go too low, chemotherapy is suspended, for without white blood cells, the patient is now open to being killed by a simple bacteria.

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The anti-cancer immune system involves special species of white blood cells (such as NK killer cells and T helper cells). The main organ of residence for these cells is the thymus. Therefore, thymus glandular support is always part of alternative medicine protocols. Makes sense, right? In addition, various homeopathic remedies such as Viscum and Echinacea comp are used.

Frequency specific laser (Erchonia laser) has been shown to help, as have herbs including carnivora and Neoplasene. Depending on the type of cancer and your dog or cat’s state of debility, we would choose from these as "part one" of our therapy.

Interestingly, the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School is doing a trial with the Chinese mushroom Coreoulus Versicor, for dogs with hemangiosarcoma. Preliminary results are positive Viscum

WHY DO PETS DEVELOP CANCER IN THE FIRST PLACE?

We already discussed that immune system failure is the main factor. But do you think nutrition has an impact on his immune system and the health of his whole body? You bet it does!

The anti-cancer effects of changing the diet as noted in this article have been scientifically proven in dogs, thanks to work done at the Colorado State University Veterinary School a dozen or so years ago.

for this type of cancer, which responds poorly to chemotherapy. The Chinese herb Yunnan Baiyao is also showing up in emergency rooms as a potent herb to help stop bleeding.

2. USING ANTI-CANCER THERAPIES

Echinacea

This is our "natural chemotherapy", if you will. Again, there are many options and they are actually shown to kill cancer by scientific methods.

• Certain herbs such as Neoplasene, Hoxsey formula (bone cancer), and artemisinin (anti-angiogenic) can be helpful. No herbs are "approved" by the FDA for treating cancer, yet many herbal therapies have scientifically-proven mechanisms of action on NK killer cells and T helper cells – cells that modern medicine has shown do fight cancer!

• Poly-MVA is a powerful antioxidant linked to a toxic ion called palladium, which acts like a tiny “bullet” for shooting cancer cells. Normal cells take up the antioxidant part, which protects them from the “bullets”.

• Cryosurgery (freezing tumors) directly kills cancer cells and stimulates an immune response.

• Acemannan, an actual approved product made from aloe, seemed to work well in cats with intestinal lymphoma. Unfortunately, it isn’t made anymore.

3. SUPPORTING THE REST OF THE BODY The body is under great stress when ill with cancer. The organs involved with stress (adrenal and thyroid glands) should be supported. The body still needs to get rid of drugs and dead cancer cells (liver, kidneys); excrete waste (liver, kidneys, intestine); build anti-cancer immune cells (thymus, spleen); continue digesting food to gain energy to fight (intestine, pancreas, liver); and cope with other issues (bacteria, virus, environmental toxins). Wouldn't it make sense if we could help the body do these things? Wouldn't February/March 2017

51

that make the body stronger? And wouldn't a stronger body have a better chance at defeating cancer?

Here's where vitamin therapy, glandulars, homeopathy and proper food come in.

• Supplements – there are dozens of supplements on the market, so what do you use? Your pet’s blood can tell you.

At our clinic, we run a blood test called the Bio Nutritional Analysis (available through Antech Labs), which shows us where the imbalances and deficiencies are. Then we prescribe a nutritional supplement program that expressly fits the individual dog or cat. It consists of a single powder that has all the needed ingredients for his health.

• Diet – cancer feeds on carbohydrates, competes with the animal’s body for protein (which is why so many cancer patients are thin and losing weight), and has difficulty getting energy from fat. So we need a diet high in meat-based protein and fat, that has low to no carbs. This typically means no commercial pet

Mainstream

CANCER TREATMENT SUPPRESSES IMMUNITY

Conventional medicine focuses on anti-cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, etc. But conventional methods actually suppress the immune system, which means the body’s own defense system is knocked down! Does this make sense? No wonder cancer treatment success rates have remained virtually unchanged for decades, with most people and pets dying shortly after diagnosis.

In the past, oncologists basically ignored so-called “boosting” of the immune system. It is only recently that oncologists have been recognizing the importance of nutrition, for example. However, getting patients to eat while on chemotherapy or radiation can be daunting. And other than "eat well", there are few actual nutritional programs for cancer patients.

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Animal Wellness

remember affected vital

WE NEED TO

THERE IS

A BODY ATTACHED TO THE TUMOR. IT IS ALSO

BY THE CANCER,

AND IT TOO IS IN THE BATTLE. WE CAN'T IGNORE THIS

HELPER!

foods. Remember who we’re dealing with here – carnivores!

They use and need fat and high quality meat-based protein.

Poor quality commercial pet foods are high in carbohydrates, have moderate protein levels (often corn and soybean-based), and are low in fat. So it is hugely important to change the diet.

• Pain control – many pets with cancer have pain, which can in turn suppress the immune system. Here again, homeopathy, herbs, chiropractic, acupuncture and laser therapy are all very helpful.

Holistic cancer treatment for dogs and cats is much more complex than the conventional "drop him off for chemo and pick him up later" regimen that most oncologists will have you do. Please understand that I will add chemotherapy to the above approach, if it’s indicated. But instead of weak, sick chemo pets, we have some of the happiest and healthiest cancer patients around! And we don't get hung up on making the tumor disappear; if it “goes away" great, but the point is to have the dog or cat live well with his cancer. Alternative medicine can help him do that!

picks product pic Fight odor

naturally

Looking for a natural cat litter that combats odor without synthetic scents? Cypress Fresh Cat Litter from Next Gen Pet Products suppresses bacterial growth with the combined natural powers of green tea and Hinoki wood, fighting odors without artificial fragrances. It’s 90% lighter than clay, yet also “clump-able”, and is sourced from recycled materials, making it eco-friendly and convenient.

Exceptional

6 lbs – $15.50

nextgenpet.com

Crystal

cat litter

Crystal litter is made from natural non-toxic silica sand that’s converted into crystals with millions of microscopic pores. These pores absorb cat urine and then off-gas the moisture, making Just the Crystals Cat Litter from Forever Litter Trays exceptionally good at keeping the litter box dry and odor-free. The crystals also pull moisture from feces to further minimize odor. The litter is scentand dust-free.

3 lbs – $27.95

grizzlypetproducts.com/grizzlysuper-foods

Two 4.4lb bags – $19.99

justthecrystals.com

Treats

nutrition

Wild Alaskan salmon is a rich source of essential fatty acids.

It’s the primary ingredient in a new ultra-premium pet food from Grizzly Pet Products. Grizzly Super Foods provide extremely digestible, certified low-glycemic, high Omega-3 nutrition for dogs and cats. They contains additional ingredients such as organic coconut meal and quinoa, and ten essential amino acids, and are free of grains, glutens, potatoes, peas and legumes.

made from elk

Elk is a novel protein that most dogs love, and it’s good for those with allergies to other meats. Elk Cookie Hearts from Flying Hound make a super treat for your pooch. Made from organic elk from a local farm in Ontario, Canada, they’re 100% free of grain, wheat and gluten, and contain no preservatives or additives. The treats are handmade in small batches so they’re always fresh.

Doggie

toothpaste

$10 to $14

Brushing your pet’s teeth helps maintain dental health. Bluestem Toothpaste is a chicken-flavored toothpaste for dogs and cats. It features the company’s coactiv+ technology and is formulated to fight plaque, reduce tartar and freshen breath. It comes with a dual-head toothbrush; use with Bluestem’s Water Additive or Oral Spray for an optimal oral hygiene program.

flyinghound.ca

Toothpaste and toothbrush: $16.99

bluestempets.ca

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Product profile

DentaDish – this slow feeder helps keep your dog’s teeth clean

Good

dental health is essential for your dog’s overall health and well-being. Some degree of dental disease affects eight out of ten dogs before they’re even three years old, causing bad breath, tartar, gingivitis, and discomfort while eating. Left untreated, full-blown periodontal disease can result, and the infections and abscesses it causes can be very painful for the dog.

Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss; even more seriously, the bacteria can spread to bodily organs such as the heart and kidneys, causing infections and damage.

Because the bristles break up the bowl’s surface area, they also force the dog to eat more slowly, preventing him from inhaling his food. In fact, the DentaDish can make mealtime last up to ten times longer when compared to regular bowls. This reduces the risk of bloating, a dangerous condition that can occur when a dog eats too quickly and gulps down a lot of air; the air turns into gas and causes the abdomen to swell, putting pressure on the heart, lungs and other organs. Dogs that gulp down their food might also feel unsatisfied, which can cause overeating and begging.

But it doesn’t have to be like this. You can prevent periodontal disease in your dog. One of the best ways is to feed him a healthy, high quality, whole foods-based diet free of empty carbs, fillers and additives. Regular dental checkups at the vet are also important.

The DentaDish is made with food-safe materials and is both BPA- and phthalate-free. The non-skid rubber bottom keeps it in place, prevents spills and creates a firm grip on slippery surfaces. It’s dishwasher safe, comes in two sizes, and includes measurement lines (cups and grams) on the inside of the bowl to make sure the appropriate quantity of food is served. The small size holds up to two cups of food and is recommended for dogs under 40 pounds, while the larger bowl can hold up to four cups and is recommended for dogs over 40 pounds.

An additional solution is to feed your dog using the DentaDish.

This easy-to-use slow feeder bowl cleans his teeth while he eats, and helps prevent dental and gum disease and the bad breath associated with these problems. The bowl features soft bristles on the inside that gently but effectively clean the dog’s teeth and reduce the formation of plaque, tartar and gingivitis.

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Animal Wellness

DentaDish is an easy and efficient way to feed your dog while helping to maintain his oral health and hygiene.

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By Gillian Ridgeway

STEP BY STEP GUIDE tips to stop begging

One of the biggest training-related complaints I hear about is dogs that beg for food. They’ll beg at the table, beg from visiting guests, and even beg from other dog parents in the park. It’s not only annoying; it can become embarrassing. After all, we want our fur kids to behave properly.

The begging habit normally starts as soon as you bring a new dog home. Any dog. Any age. The reason? Those big pleading eyes! They’ll get you every time.

The other reason is that people love to feed animals; in many cases, it’s a way of showing love.

The problem is, giving in to the dog promotes an animal that pesters people for food. And it can become unhealthy if he’s fed too much of the wrong sorts of food. If dogs are given things full of additives, sugar and fat, they can experience multiple health issues later on. People are the same way – but the difference is, we know where our food choices may lead us.

Dogs are not privy to that information, so they can’t make a wise choice before they eat that piece of toast with jam.

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THE STEPS

each your dog or puppy to lie down and stay on a special 1 Tmat that’s just for him. This involves teaching him a down/ stay, which is fairly basic, but it will require practice.

Reward him frequently for being on the mat.

he learns to stay on his mat, you can reduce the 2 Once frequency of the rewards. You can allow him a toy stuffed with healthy treats if he stays on the mat. the mat from room to room, so the dog learns to 3 Mlieove down on it and stay there, no matter where it is. Put the mat in the dining room when you are eating or have guests. Occasionally, go to your dog and give him a treat reward. This will encourage him to stay there, and it will also show him that the treats come when he is lying on the mat. Plus, if you have to get up off your chair to give a snack to the dog, rather than have him come to you, it will reduce the frequency of the snacks, guaranteed.

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4 natural WAYS

TO KEEP YOUR DOG’S

TEETH CLEAN

By Deva Khalsa, VMD

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Animal Wellness

Brushing a dog’s teeth can be a challenge if he’s not one of the few “co-operative angels” who don’t mind having their mouths touched. Some people are also hesitant about subjecting their dogs to dental cleaning procedures that include anesthesia and can be expensive. So are there additional ways to keep your dog’s teeth clean, both naturally and simply? Yes! There are many excellent, effective, all-natural options that truly work to keep your dog’s teeth clean and his gums healthy. In this article, I’ll look at four.

COMMERCIAL KIBBLE AND BISCUITS DON’T CLEAN TEETH

We’ve all become victims of advertising. For example, many well-known commercial dry dog foods and dog biscuits (which are basically kibble in bone-shaped snacks) have been marketed for years as being good for cleaning a dog’s teeth. With all due respect, this is akin to flossing with potato chips. Avoid these products if you want good natural dental health for your dog.

Many doggy toothpastes also contain enzymes that kill bacteria and help remove tartar. Companies such as Zymox and Virbac make enzymatic toothpastes for dogs. These may not be an option if your dog refuses to have his teeth brushed, but if you are able to do it and he doesn’t mind, I suggest a product that also removes and digests tartar.

2. Herbal extracts and essential oils

1. Enzymes Patients of mine with advanced heart conditions, who needed tartar removed from their teeth, could not go under anesthesia.

As a solution, I would suggest Prozyme, an inexpensive digestive enzyme readily available in pet stores, which works to effectively digest all the tartar off the teeth. I’d have the owner pack the enzyme in the upper right quadrant of the dog’s mouth once a day for one week, then move to the upper left quadrant for the next week, and so on. The Prozyme would very effectively handle and clean up all the tarter.

Grape seed extract, grapefruit seed extract, thyme oil, neem oil and peppermint oil combined in a safe preparation by VetzLife work very effectively to both dissolve and prevent tartar, and heal the gums. The product comes in a spray and a gel and is really easy to apply, which is a big plus.

Leba III, meanwhile, contains rose and mint extracts. It’s another very effective product for dissolving tarter and supporting dental health. This product is also available as an easy-to-use spray.

Continued on page 58.

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Continued from page 57.

3. Homeopathy If your dog’s teeth seem to build up tartar like nobody’s business, a homeopathic remedy called Fragaria may solve the problem. Purchase it from a homeopathic pharmacy as Fragaria 6x, and administer one or two pellets twice a day for a month. Homeopathy is an energy medicine so a pellet or two – that melts in the mouth and is not mixed with food – is fine for any size of dog.

4. Raw bones Raw bones not only taste good and are fun to chew, but the process of gnawing on them stimulates the gums, exercises the jawbone – and yes, removes tartar from the teeth! A good raw bone will provide your dog with hours of pleasure and help ensure his dental health. It’s sort of like a toothbrush substitute, and it’s certainly preferable to dental surgery for your dog.

However, you need to make sure you give him the right kind of bone. I’m talking about the large femur and knucklebones from a cow, which are practically impossible to swallow or chip. You just have to watch and make sure the bone doesn’t get too small, and if it does, exchange it for a new one.

Keep in mind that the wrong kind can result in a variety of problems, some merely inconvenient (getting stuck between the teeth) and other serious (lodging in the stomach or piercing the intestinal wall). The most dangerous bones are those that can splinter and/or be swallowed, like any cooked chicken and turkey bones, or cooked bones from steaks, cuts of lamb, veal, beef and pork.

When you give your dog the right type of bone, however, you can relax and enjoy the fact that his teeth and gums will be all the healthier for it.

Isn’t it nice to know you can practice simple, natural, proactive dental care, without struggling to brush an uncooperative dog’s teeth or taking him in for frequent dental procedures?

Gnawing on raw bones stimulates the gums, exercises the jawbone, and removes tartar from the teeth.

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Cleans teeth with the ease of a spray LEBA III works with the saliva.

No brushing required. Used daily, it stimulates good flora and combats bad bacteria keeping the teeth clean and the gums healthy.

LEBA III contains no Grapefruit Seed Extract, no chlorides or chemical agents. Used by veterinarians since 1994.

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Safe and effective dental care Bluestem™ oral care products are scientifically developed and clinically proven to be safe and effective for everyday use. All of the ingredients are food-grade (no harsh chemicals). The active ingredients help fight plaque and tartar, which in turn freshens breath and promotes good dental hygiene.

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IQALUIT ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ DOGS OF

By Tim Hockley

Responding to a call for help from an Arctic animal rescue.

WIN

a trip for 4 to

IQALUIT! Helping pets is what we do. So when a call for help came in from the Iqaluit Humane Society (IHS) in Canada’s far north, I was immediately concerned. Rescue work “takes a village” and is even more challenging in remote locations with few resources.

Iqaluit (which means “many fish" in Inuktitut), located on Baffin Island, is the capital of the territory of Nunavut, and the gateway to the Canadian Arctic. It’s also home to a blend of 7,000 people, including Inuit, English and French Canadians, and an assortment of transplanted workers from all over the world.

IHS told me they were desperate to find funding so they could care for stray animals in the North. The shelter is being run on a shoestring budget with part-time help, and only functions at all because of an incredibly dedicated group of volunteers who do what they can outside their full-time work hours. How could we help this community? Along with my wife and Animal Wellness Editor-in-Chief, Dana Cox, and our 11-year-old son, Tristan, I headed north to find out.

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The three-hour flight from Ottawa International Airport on First Air (an airline that specializes in travel to Iqaluit) took us over the most remote areas of northern Quebec, dotted with thousands of lakes and gradually thinning forests. From the air we could see giant icebergs and the Hudson Strait. It started feeling like a different planet altogether. The flight was spectacular and we took the opportunity to chat with locals and the congenial crew, who patiently answered our many questions.

Upon landing, we were greeted by Ashli McCarthy and IHS volunteers. Ashli gave up her day off to show us around Iqaluit before taking us over to the Humane Society to meet some animals.

IHS consists of a small wooden building on stilts surrounded by a few outdoor pens. As we approached, we were greeted by wagging tails, barks and a warm howl. Ashli introduced us to the longestterm resident, Diego, a handsome husky and abandoned member of a sled team. Shy and in need of intensive socialization, Diego was wary of all strangers, but after a number of treats and gentle coaxing, he accepted Dana’s pats and scratches.

Next door, Boss, a husky/shepherd mix surrendered because of personal problems, was pacing frantically while he waited for attention. Tristan entered the pen and had a little man-to-man chat with him, prompting a sniff and a nuzzle. Diego was ready to play. “Want to take him for a walk?” Ashli asked. Tristan jumped at the chance. “Can I, Dad?” Before I knew it, he was running down the road as fast as he could with a dog that would take hours to tire. Inside the building, everything was tidy and clean, and each animal appeared to be well cared for by the group of amazing volunteers.

RESCUING DOGS IN THE ARCTIC

Caring for animals in the North is complicated. The IHS rescues dogs from as far north as Resolute Bay, above the Arctic Circle. With the generous support of First Air they are able to transport cages to remote villages so the animals can be airlifted back to Iqaluit. After rehabilitation, many are flown south to Ottawa for adoption. One of the volunteers we met on arrival was visiting from Ottawa, where she had adopted an IHS dog. First Air also provides free flights for veterinarians to fly up and conduct free spay and neuter clinics.

Many of the stray dogs in Iqaluit, like Boss, are husky blends.

After a busy afternoon, we finally checked in to the Frobisher Inn, a clean and very comfortable hotel that offers many amenities, including a restaurant, a café, a small movie theater (the only one in town) and fitness facilities.

In Iqaluit, the sun goes down late in the summer, so we met up with the IHS volunteer crew at Sylvia Grinell National Park for a sunset potluck dinner. Several people brought their own rescued dogs with them, as well as a couple of dogs from the IHS. Dana and I got to know this incredible animal-loving bunch over dinner while Tristan spent the evening running with the dogs across the mountain. The view of the orange and purple sky over the massive Iqaluit Bay went on for miles. In the near distance I could see a spectacular waterfall where fresh and salt waters meet, creating the best arctic char fishing on the island.

CAMPING ON THE TUNDRA

The next morning, we set out on an overnight camping adventure across the secluded tundra, accompanied by our guide from Arctic Kingdom. As the premiere Canadian Arctic adventure company, Arctic Kingdom has created tours for everyone from royalty to movie stars, and has even provided services for underwater movie productions for National Geographic and Disney. They offer a number of experiences, from private animal adventures to cruises through the Northwest Passage. As we worked our way along a road that seemed to lead to nowhere, I thought I spotted a wolf on the shore of a small lake. We stopped to investigate and found a dog sled team living along the water’s edge. Ten mighty working dogs expressed their delight at my approach by setting up the most incredible howling. Later, I ran into the owner of the sled team, who said she kept the dogs for family fun. Unlike some other teams, they were homeraised as puppies and clearly well-socialized.

You’re never too young to volunteer!

Tristan loved playing with and walking the shelter dogs.

The Northern Lights, aka Aurora Borealis, put on a spectacular show in the far North.

Making our way to our base camp, we hiked along a beautiful river gorge, over mountain passes, and finally arrived in a sheltered valley. We explored the area while our guide prepared a succulent dinner of fresh char and veggies.

Continued on page 64.

ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ

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The ultimate “off leash park”! Tim and Graham from Arctic Kingdom manage to get Hudson, Zora and Riley to pose for a photo.

What a sweet soul! Diego waits for his forever home.

Continued from page 63.

A short while later, we looked up to see three large dogs bounding towards our campsite, followed by Graham Dickson, founder and owner of Arctic Kingdom. Originally from Toronto, Graham now lives full time in Iqaluit. As we sat admiring the secluded beauty surrounding us, he confided that the one thing that makes this northern city feel like home is the companionship of his dogs.

NATURE’S GREATEST SHOW

Frobisher Inn and Arctic Adventures have put together an amazing trip like the one Dana, Tristan and I experienced this past summer, in order to raise funds for their local animal shelter. Just donate to the Iqaluit Humane Society and you could win a trip for four to visit the dogs of Iqaluit and the beautiful Canadian Arctic.

Every $25 donation gets you one entry into the draw. For more information, visit IqaluitHumaneSociety.com.

After Graham left, the cool night air moved in. The sun slowly dropped in the west, and an enormous full moon emerged from behind the mountain to the east. An amazing explosion of green and purple light began dancing across the sky. We watched the Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights, for several incredible hours until, exhausted, we crawled into our sleeping bags for the night. Bucket List item number 24. . . check!

In Iqaulit, you feel the influence of the native Inuit culture everywhere – in the landscape, the signage, the murals on the walls, and the rock carvings. Inuit artists’ work can be viewed and purchased at the small museum in town as well as in local shops.

Souvenirs are a must from this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

WIN THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

It very quickly became clear that in Iqaluit, everyone in the community pulls together to help one other. So First Air, the

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The tireless volunteers are the soul of the Iqaluit Humane Society.

Advertorial

Essiac – herbal legacy

A strong and balanced immune system is one of the main keys to good health in dogs, cats and people. Efficient immunity can help prevent many diseases and conditions, ranging from allergies and infections to cancer.

r Indian rhubarb, used in small amounts, is gently laxative

There are many ways to boost the immune system and overall well-being of your companion animal (and yourself), and herbs are among those ways. These four herbs in particular work synergistically to support immune and bodily health:

and helps purge the liver of toxic buildup and waste. It helps neutralize acids due to indigestion. Its malic acid also carries oxygen to all parts of the body, aiding in healing and promoting a positive and balancing effect upon the whole digestive system.

q Burdock root was used traditionally to help reduce mucus, maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, stimulate a healthy immune response, assist with weak digestion and water retention, and sweat out toxins through the skin. It contains vitamin A and selenium to help reducer free radicals, and its chromium content helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

w

Slippery elm contains large amounts of tannins and mucilages which are believed to help dissolve mucus deposits in tissues, glands and nerve channels. The inner bark, rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamins (A, B, C, K), helps nourish and soothe organs, tissues and mucus membranes and is useful for the lungs. It also helps neutralize acids from occasional indigestion.

e Sheep sorrel was used in traditional folk herbalism to cool the body, and create sweating and detoxification through the skin. It also acts as a diuretic, useful in maintaining healthy kidney and urinary functions. It is rich in vitamins and trace minerals (ascorbic acid, mineral oxides, calcium,

magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and rutin) and is thought to nourish the glandular system.

Essiac is a long-established supplement that consists of these four herbs, all of which grow in the wilderness of Ontario, Canada. Nurse Rene Caisse discovered the formula in the 1920s – the original formula is believed to have come from the Canadian Ojibway Indians.

For many years, nurse Caisse used Essiac (“Caisse” spelled backwards) at her clinic in Bracebridge, Ontario. She never accepted money from her patients. She spent most of her career defending herself against the medical and governmental establishments, and believed the only reason she was never imprisoned was because she had so much popular support as well as many well-documented stories of Essiac’s efficacy.

Although Nurse Caisse worked with human patients, Essiac is nowadays available for dogs and cats too. Offered in a convenient capsule form, this herbal dietary supplement helps to support your companion’s immune system and keep him or her healthy. Visit essiacforpets.com for more information.

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3

PROACTIVE WAYS to

save money on vet bills

By Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH

Keeping veterinary costs down means taking steps to BUILD your dog or cat’s health and help PREVENT illness.

Caring for your dog or cat can get expensive. Once an animal becomes ill, especially if he’s treated in a conventional manner with a lot of tests and drugs, you end up spending a lot of money. Even if you use holistic modalities, treatment for an existing illness can be costly. Many insurance companies are now covering a variety of holistic approaches, which certainly helps, so look for these companies. But the best way to save money on vet bills is to help prevent him from getting ill in the first place.

This article covers three strategies you can follow to proactively build your dog or cat’s health, and avoid costly vet bills.

1. BUILD HIS HEALTH

D gs Cats

If you aren’t able to home-prepare a raw diet for your dog or cat, you can buy complete, high quality frozen, or freeze-dried or dehydrated raw diets that you re-hydrate. If you’re opting for canned food or kibble, be sure to buy the highest quality, most natural diet you can. Supplement with fresh food as often as possible. Regardless of the type of diet, make it a practice to rotate protein sources.

Supplements may be needed depending on your individual animal, and may include antioxidants, essential fatty acids, probiotics and/or digestive enzymes – because every dog and cat is different, though, it’s best to work directly with a holistic or integrative vet when supplementing your pet’s diet.

Feed the best diet An ideal diet for building health is a variety of raw meats with raw bones, pureed raw and cooked vegetables, and a few supplements (e.g. calcium is critical if no bones are included – see page 82 for more information on supplementing with calcium). Healthy dogs can eat some grains, preferably the higher protein ones. When buying local you can dramatically lower your cost by getting “leftovers” from the farmer. Even if you can only feed several meals a week this way, you will save money and build health.

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Avoid toxins Use the fewest chemicals on and around your dog or cat. Each animal is an individual and will respond differently to flea and tick preventatives, for example. (Healthy animals do not get flea infestations.) There are many natural alternatives to these chemicals that are very inexpensive – using a flea comb, bathing your pet with herbal shampoo, and vacuuming daily are just three things you can do that will help immensely.

help prevent as well as treat many illnesses, soothe symptoms while you decide if veterinary care is needed, and prevent negative reactions to stress.

These modalities are 100% safe. Many, once learned, will be free healing tools for the rest of your life. Each one builds the immune system when used regularly and can treat minor problems to prevent expensive veterinary treatment. Each animal may prefer one to another.

q R eiki – Take a class to become a channel for this universal life

Some dogs and cats are also very sensitive to chemicals used in the yard or the house, as well as in vaccines. Vaccines also affect the immune system, so vaccinate minimally. Switch to natural household cleaners, and avoid using pesticides and fertilizers in your yard.

Learn home healing methods There are many safe healing modalities you can learn to use at home, with the correct training. Used regularly, they can

force healing energy (attunements from a Reiki Master are necessary in order to be able to do Reiki yourself). Used at many hospitals for pain and healing. w F lower essences – These gentle remedies made from wildflowers are an easy and inexpensive way to treat emotional and some physical issues. e P ressure point therapy/acupressure – Gentle pressure on acupuncture points and meridians can resolve many symptoms. ealing Touch for Animals – This modality helps you rH balance your pet’s chakras for improved well-being. t E motional Freedom Technique (EFT) – “Tapping” specific points on your animal’s body can resolve emotional issues.

Continued on page 68.

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Continued from page 67. assage – Can increase circulation, ease pain, and alleviate yM stress and anxiety.

u Tellington TTouch – A powerful way to heal using circular touches, ear pulls and more. Great for training, behavior and even physical problems. ealing magnets – They’re easy to use and studies have iH shown they decrease inflammation. o Sound and light therapies – Sound can heal at deep levels.

Different colors, meanwhile, can either stimulate or soothe.

While the below approaches are also natural, they can cause harm if not used properly. Look for high quality products as well as products formulated for pets or recommended by veterinarians.

Follow dosage instructions carefully.

q Essential

oil therapy – Oils from plants are distilled to concentrate their healing properties. They’re very strong, so should always be used diluted in a carrier oil. Buy only pure, high quality oils. w Herbal therapy – Herbs are powerful healers that need high quality sourcing and some study to maximize their effectiveness and safety. omeopathy – Deeply healing, very inexpensive, and super eH easy to administer. First aid homeopathic remedies (Arnica, Hypericum, Apis and more) can be safely given to your pet, but for deeper healing purposes, more study is critical.

2. KEEP TABS ON HIS WELL-BEING Train your dog or cat to let you give him a simple physical exam on a weekly basis. Look in his eyes, ears and mouth (all the way back), feel his body for lumps or bumps, and take his temperature. Look for the early warning signs of ill health such as odor, red gums, wax in the ears, dull coat or dry skin.

Keep a health journal and record other

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Animal Wellness

issues you notice, such as vomiting, hairballs, diarrhea, eating stool, discharge from the eyes or nose, etc. This will not only help you keep track of what’s going on with your pet; it also provides a useful record for when you do need to take him to the vet.

The most important measure of health is vitality. A dog can have only three legs and be completely vital. Another animal with itchy feet can be depressed, lethargic, grumpy, etc. When your dog or cat gets sick with any condition, the first question is: “How is his vitality?” If your cat is vomiting, yet eating and playful, you can use some of the home healing methods mentioned above, and keep an eye on him for a day or two. If he has diarrhea, but is eating, active, playful and affectionate, you can try any of the above treatments and also wait to see if he improves. Note all this in your journal.

Do understand that if your dog or cat doesn’t improve in a couple of days, or is suffering and/or getting worse, you need to get him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Home care is not a substitute for professional veterinary care and regular checkups, especially with an integrative veterinarian. However, by using the above healing approaches when you notice early warning signs or symptoms of mild illness (along with building his health through diet, minimal toxin exposure, etc.), major and expensive problems are much less likely to occur.

3. WORK WITH AN INTEGRATIVE OR HOLISTIC VET By carefully selecting a holistic or integrative veterinarian, and other practitioners, you will have a team committed to building your dog or cat’s health rather than merely resolving symptoms. For example, they will not assume that lifetime treatment is needed for low thyroid, diabetes, and other conditions. Acupuncture or homeopathy may be offered instead of expensive surgery for ACLs, disc problems and more.

Again, saving money on vet bills doesn’t mean not going the vet at all.

It’s important to take your animal in for regular “tune-ups”, as well as when you notice early warning signs of illness, or when he doesn’t respond to home care.

But by taking these steps to maintain and build your dog or cat’s health, you help prevent him from getting seriously ill, and thereby lessen the risk of expensive health problems.

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Natural grooming products for dogs

By Emily Vint and Ann Brightman

Treating your dog to a “day at the spa” can be great for her physical and mental well-being, as long as the shampoos, sprays and scents you’re using are made with natural non-toxic ingredients.

Here’s a cross-section of some of the natural dog grooming products you can choose from.

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Animal Wellness

Natural grooming products for dogs include everything you need to keep your pooch looking and smelling her best. From canine colognes and coat color enhancers, to hypoallergenic shampoos and waterless leave-in sprays, the list of products is endless, making it easier than ever to treat your dog to a canine spa experience, without the use of harsh chemicals.

This article looks at just some of the natural dog grooming products you can choose from.

THE NATURAL GROOMING TREND

SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS

The natural grooming market is growing, and it’s no surprise why. “Natural grooming products are becoming popular as we become more aware of the effects of certain toxic ingredients,” says Samantha Kent of Kibble Pet, which makes natural salonquality canine grooming products. “I would say that pet grooming products closely follow the trends of human personal care products because people want their pets to receive the same quality of care as they do.”

Shampoos and conditioners for dogs abound, but it’s important to only buy products that are free of the many chemicals found in commercial products. This is especially important if your dog has allergies or sensitive skin.

“Today's consumers are savvy when it comes to both health and the environment,” adds Lorna Ladd of Happytails Canine Spa. “They realize that synthetic ingredients are absorbed through the skin and may cause health problems.”

“Consumers should avoid buying anything that contains sodium

lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, toxins and harsh soaps, because they’ll cause serious dryness and irritation,” says Samantha.

Conversely, hypoallergenic ingredients such as calendula are much gentler on a dog’s skin, and actually work to relieve allergy symptoms and restore skin and coat health in a gentle and natural way.

BATHLESS SPRITZES AND SPRAYS What if your dog doesn’t like baths? No shampoo, no matter how rich and soothing, can change some dogs’ aversion to water; for these pooches, natural waterless sprays and spritzes may be the answer. These products remove the “bath” from “bath time” by allowing you to clean your dog without H2O. While periodic baths are still recommended, natural waterless sprays and spritzes are a quick and easy solution for dirty dogs. Most work to eliminate odors rather than simply mask them, and there’s no rinsing required.

COLOR ENHANCERS Some health conditions can cause a dog’s coat to lose its sheen or even fade in color. If this happens to your dog, the first step is to take her to the vet for a checkup. Once any health issues have been addressed, look for a natural shampoo or lotion that’s specifically formulated to restore a dog’s natural coat color. Pure organic ingredients are of particular importance when it comes to this type of product, because certain commercial dyes contain synthetic colors that are harmful to animals. All-natural color enhancers use botanical formulas to cleanse and brighten your dog’s coat the healthy way.

Continued on page 70.

For even more pampering

The gamut of natural grooming products for dogs also encompasses more unusual things like paw soaks, breath sprays and deodorant powders. Some people might draw the line at spending money on such canine luxuries, but there’s more to them than aesthetic appeal.

• If you have a musty-smelling mutt, a deodorant powder will eliminate odor while protecting her hair, balancing her skin pH levels, and soothing minor irritations.

• Paw soaks are wonderful for reversing the effects of harsh climates and can help heal and restore moisture to dry, cracked pads.

• A natural breath spray often does more than just keep your dog’s breath sweet – it can also help prevent dental issues by preventing plaque buildup.

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NATURAL GROOMING IS EARTH-FRIENDLY TOO!

On top of the health and beauty perks, using natural grooming products for your dog is better for the planet. When bathing and rinsing your dog, the ingredients in the shampoos and other products you’re using get washed down the drain and ultimately end up in the water system. The chemicals found in commercial grooming products end up adding to the pollution affecting our drinking water and harming wildlife. Products made from natural ingredients are less toxic to the environment and tend to break down more quickly than most manmade chemicals.

these can be sprayed directly on her coat. As a bonus, certain essential oils have been shown to have a calming effect on dogs, and will repel fleas and ticks while making them smell good.

Some might say the sheer variety and volume of dog grooming products on the market is a bit over the top. But that doesn’t change the fact that proper grooming is important. Certain dogs require more grooming that others and how you primp your pooch can mean the difference between a healthy dog and an unhealthy one. While painting her nails isn’t something that will increase her lifespan, choosing the right shampoo for her skin and coat might. At the end of the day, trying out different grooming products is a wonderful way to bond with your dog. Determine which brands contain quality ingredients by doing some extra research of your own, and keep in mind that no amount of extravagant pampering outshines natural quality care!

WHERE TO SHOP FOR NATURAL GROOMING PRODUCTS

Continued from page 69.

Angels’ Eyes, angelseyesonline.com

STAIN REMOVERS

Absorbine, absorbinepet.com

Tear stains are a common problem in many dogs. These unsightly brown markings on the facial hair around the eyes can be caused by a poor diet and/or health problems, so again, a veterinary check is a good first step. Gentle natural wipes are available to help remove these stains, but you also need to work from the inside out by switching your dog’s diet to a high quality whole meat-based food.

DOG “PERFUMES” Take a look at the ingredients on a bottle of human perfume. It goes without saying that all those synthetic fragrances and preservatives wouldn’t be good for your dog.

But that doesn’t mean all scents are off the table.

Natural scented sprays for dogs use aromatic essences extracted straight from nature, including plant-based essential oils such as peppermint and lavender. It’s not a good idea to use essential oils at full strength on your dog, but you can buy blends especially for dogs that dilute the oils with carrier oils;

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Animal Wellness

Ark Naturals, arknaturals.com Azmira Holistic Animal Care, azmira.com Espana Silk, espanaproducts.com Happy Tails Canine Spa Line, happytailsspa.com Kibble Pet, kibblepet.com LifeFORCE, lifeforcepet.com So Well, sowellmade.com/product-category/ natural-pets

the scoop GRIEVING BEHAVIOR IN DOGS AND CATS

A recent owner-reported study funded by Morris Animal Foundation found that dogs and cats undergo behavioral changes after another animal in the home dies. “Both dogs and cats were reported to demand more attention from their owners and/or display affiliative behavior, as well as spend time seeking out the deceased pet’s favorite spot,” noted the study, which appeared in Animals 2016.

MDPI.com/2076-2615/6/11/68/htm

NOT JUST FOR SKUNK ODOR

Amazing Nokout works great on all types of odor, including litter box, cat spray and dog urine smells. It attacks and eliminates odors at the source without the use of chemicals or pollutants, and it doesn’t rely on scents to cover up nasty smells. It can be used to treat carpets, textiles, furniture and vehicles or any other place your pet frequents.

Nokout.ca

LUXURY GROOMING CARE

Moroccan Pooch® is a Montreal-based start-up that recently launched a luxury Furcare grooming line for pets. The line includes a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment infused with antioxidant-rich Argan oil, along with other beneficial nutrients, to nourish, hydrate and give your dog a healthy, strong, naturally radiant and beautiful coat.

MoroccanPooch.com

SCHOOL FOR CANINE PSYCHOLOGY

On October 3 of last year, The International School for Canine Psychology opened a Canadian center in Huntsville, Ontario. It’s operating from the Executive Pet Services & Resort property and offers workshops, talks and courses – for beginners to professionals – on understanding dog psychology and behavior using force-free compassionate methods.

TheISCP.com

DO PEOPLE AND PETS SHARE HEALTH PATTERNS? The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) has awarded a $27,000 grant to Lincoln Memorial University for a study called “Measuring the Impact of a Mutually Reinforcing Relationship Between Pet Owners and Their Pets”. It will examine the relationship between the health of people and their pets and whether they share similar patterns of health and health-associated behaviors.

HABRI.org

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This column features comprehensive articles from our Animal Wellness library.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

Does your dog have

FOOD sensitivities?

A food sensitivity can manifest in several ways but the solution is simple – switch to a better quality diet.

By Jean Hofve, DVM

Does your dog have a “sensitive” stomach? Does she react badly to certain foods? Is she itchy year round? Do you think she might have a food allergy? Given the hundreds of different ingredients used in poor quality commercial pet foods, it’s no surprise that some of them are not well received by the dogs eating them!

Common symptoms of food sensitivity in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin or rash-type eruptions. However, a reaction to food doesn’t necessarily indicate an allergy. Many dogs have a food sensitivity or intolerance, but relatively few are truly allergic. Here’s the difference:

Food allergies A food allergy may cause either gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and/or diarrhea) or skin symptoms (itchiness, rash, hot spots). A food allergy is an immune reaction to a particular protein. Experts believe that between 10% and 30% of food reactions are allergic in nature. True food allergies tend to develop over long periods (months to years) in response to foods or treats the dog eats frequently or chronically. Food allergies are uncommon in dogs under one year of age. Common proteins, and therefore common allergens, include the following:

3Beef 3Corn 3Wheat 3Eggs 3Soy 3Dairy 3Chicken 74

Animal Wellness

In addition to meat protein sources, corn, wheat and soy also contain protein. Most corn and soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. While the ultimate and cumulative effects of GM foods are still unknown, protein alteration is, by definition, a given.

Many poor quality dog foods contain high protein grain extracts, such as wheat gluten, which are used to create shapes (such as “slices” or “chunks”). Cheap dry foods commonly include corn gluten meal, which, at 60% protein, is used as a substitute for expensive animal protein.

Skin symptoms of food allergies may include extreme itchiness.

Secondary infections with bacteria and yeast are very common.

Just to complicate things a little more, allergic skin disease is more commonly associated with inhalant allergies (collectively referred to as “atopy”), fleabite hypersensitivity or other causes. It’s important to note that atopy causes skin symptoms and is often confused with food allergies.

Continued on page 76.

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SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENSITIVITIES • Digestive enzymes: Can be given with food to help your dog break down proteins more completely, so they are less likely to trigger an immune response.

• Probiotics: Help keep the gut bacteria happy and healthy, and appear to have some anti-inflammatory properties.

• Omega-3 fatty acids (marine): Are naturally antiinflammatory, as well as important for skin healing. The intestinal tract is lined with a type of skin cell that can also benefit from Omega-3 supplementation.

Continued from page 74.

Food intolerance A food intolerance causes symptoms primarily in the gastrointestinal system. A dog experiencing symptoms related to food may be sensitive or intolerant to one main ingredient, or to one or more of the colorings, preservatives, texturizers, palatability enhancers, or other substances in any of the categories of allowable pet food additives. Food intolerances can occur at any age and involve any ingredient.

Treating sensitivities For food allergies, a full “diet trial” is warranted to determine the allergy-causing ingredient/s. The dog is fed one “novel ingredient” or hypoallergenic food for eight to 12 weeks. The choice of ingredient or food depends on what your dog was eating before; all the protein-containing ingredients in her customary diet must be avoided.

Choose a protein that is not included in your dog’s normal food.

Possible alternatives include venison, rabbit, duck – or even emu or kangaroo! Dogs already eating a single-protein food may do fine on different proteins like fish, lamb or turkey, even if they are common in other foods.

Also opt for novel carbohydrate sources (since all carb sources contain some protein), such as green peas, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice or barley.

When choosing the trial food, note that the word “poultry” may include chicken, turkey, duck, quail or other fowl.

“Meat” is usually beef, but may legally

include pork, lamb and goat. It’s best to choose a food with specifically named single ingredients.

A diet trial must include only the test food and water – no exceptions!

Just one goof (such as giving a treat or supplement containing beef liver to a beef-allergic dog) could take you back to square one.

Digestive symptoms may resolve quickly, but skin symptoms are far more persistent. If symptoms do clear up, you can then challenge your dog with one ingredient at a time to figure out what was causing the problem.

In addition to high quality commercial foods, many people have had great success using raw meat-based and homemade diets.

Many animals that are allergic to a particular protein in cooked food do well with the raw version of the same protein.

The treatment for food intolerance is simple. Changing the brand or flavor of food may be all you need to do to resolve the problem. Symptoms will diminish or disappear within days. Of course, this may be easier said than done with very sensitive dogs, since they may react to multiple foods. To maximize success, choose good quality natural foods without artificial additives. Don’t forget that your dog still needs variety to prevent worse problems down the road!

Preventing problems Variety is a major key to preventing food allergies and intolerances.

Remember, food allergies develop when a dog eats the same thing regularly or for a long time. And dogs that develop an allergy to one food are more likely to eventually react to other foods too.

Protein sources should be changed at least every three months.

Make the switch gradually over a week or two, so the bacteria in the colon have time to adjust; too fast a change can cause diarrhea. Stick with high quality natural foods that don’t contain “mystery meat” (unspecified meat, liver or other protein sources), synthetic preservatives or other artificial additives.

High quality natural foods tend to contain purer ingredients that are less likely to cause an adverse reaction.

Lastly, remember that stress plays a big role in many health issues, especially those involving the digestive and immune systems. Flower essences and herbs can be valuable aids here.

Give your dog plenty of “quality time” every day. Exercise is nature’s greatest stress-reducer, so get out there and walk the dog. You’ll both be healthier!

Business Profile

Northwest Naturals

By Matthew Berk

60 years

Backed by of experience in meat processing, along with a dedication to pet health, this company’s high quality raw diets and treats for dogs and cats more than make the cut.

Raw diets are reported to increase energy, improve digestion, promote skin and coat health, clean teeth, and help prevent obesity in dogs and cats. With such a long list of benefits, it’s no wonder more people are going the raw route for their pets.

Evolving alongside this trend is Northwest Naturals, a raw frozen pet food company located in Portland, Oregon. Established and owned by Morasch Meats, a family-run business that’s been around since 1956, Northwest Naturals knows a thing or two about making high quality raw pet foods.

With a mission to provide wholesome easy-to-feed diets based on biologically appropriate raw principles, the company boasts a variety of raw products for various pet needs and individual preferences. The products are made from high quality meats and locally-sourced fruits and vegetables, and range from multiple raw recipes available in nuggets, dinner bars, chubs and freezedried forms, to single ingredient treats for both cats and dogs.

Most recently, they released a True Carnivore Diet for cats, made with 98% meat to meet the biological requirements of these obligate carnivores.

Northwest Naturals prides itself on the quality and nutritional value of its diets. “There are so many pet foods being manufactured without food safety guidelines, and with poor

quality ingredients and lack of regulations,” says Patti Salladay, salesperson and marketer for the company. In addition, the processing of commercial pet foods means many nutrients are stripped from the food during manufacturing; Northwest Naturals addresses this problem by using minimal processing to ensure the highest possible nutritional values. For example, they chop their ingredients using only one grinding process to make sure protein cells are not crushed and overworked.

Along with their dedication to quality, the company is also focused on the well-being of pets in the community, no matter what breed or lifestyle. They’re actively involved in local events in support of emergency vet clinics, as well as various canine and feline organizations across the country. “We help provide assistance for west coast police K-9 units and service dogs for wounded warriors,” adds Patti.

Northwest Naturals brings raw food and a passion for pet health into perfect harmony. So when asked what she loves most about what she does every day, Patti’s answer was clear: “The most enjoyable part is talking with consumers and learning about the positive difference our products have made on the overall wellbeing and the quality of their pets’ lives.”

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COMMUNICATORS

INTEGRATIVE VETS Affordable Holistic Animal Therapies West Hollywood, CA USA Phone: 323-304-2984 Ballantrae Animal Hospital Margaret Hacking, DVM Stouffville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 640-6809 Website: www.AnimalWellnessCentre.com Beechmount Animal Hospital Waterloo, ON Canada Phone: (519) 888-6590 Website: www.beechmountanhosp.ca Dr. Lisa Burgess Millgrove Veterinary Services Millgrove, ON Canada Phone: (905) 690-4557 Email: service@burgessvet.com Website: www.millgrovevet.com Sharon R. Doolittle, DVM, Inc. Smithfield, RI USA Phone: (401) 349-2668 Email: vetinfo@holisticanimalvet.com Website: www.holisticanimalvet.com

Janice DeFonda Can We Talk Fayetteville, NY USA Phone: (315) 329-0116 Email: angelwhispurr@gmail.com Website: www.angelwhispurr.com

Dr. Autumn Drouin, DVM, ND and Dr. Sasan Haghighat (Hyatt), DVM, CVA North-East Newmarket Veterinary Service Newmarket, ON Canada Phone: (905) 830-1030 Email: holisticveterinarian@gmail.com Website: www.holistic-vet.ca

Shirley Scott Pet Psychic & Clairvoyant Imnaha, OR USA Phone: (541) 577-3051 Email: sscott@shirley-scott.com Website: www.shirley-scott.com

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Individualized, Integrative Veterinary Care • Acupuncture • Chiropractic •Conventional Medicine •Therapeutic Nutrition •Traditional Chinese Medicine Guelph, Ontario, Canada (519)836-2782 www.GuelphVet.com info@GuelphVet.com Harwood Oaks Animal Clinic Bedford, TX USA Phone: 817-354-7676 Website: www.harwoodoaksanimalclinic.com Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital Lacey, WA USA Phone: (360) 459-6556 Email: hawksprairievet@yahoo.com Website: www.hawksprairieveterinaryhospital.com Holistic Animal Care Stephanie Chalmers, DVM, CVH Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 538-4643 Home Vet Weston, CT USA Phone: (203) 222-7979 Website: www.homevet.com Horizon Veterinary Services Susan Maier, DVM Simpsonville, KY USA Phone: (502) 722-8231 Email: horizonvetserv@yahoo.com Website: www.horizonvetserv.com

Lydia Hiby Mysticviz Burbank, CA USA Phone: (818)-244-0091 Website: www.lydiahiby.com Lynn McKenzie Animal Energy Sedona, AZ USA Phone: (512) 827-0505 x 8642 Email: lynn@animalenergy.com Website: www.animalenergy.com

Dr. Caroline Goulard, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP Paws on the Go Laguna Woods, CA USA Phone: (949) 707-1696 Email: cgoulard@pawsonthego.net Website: www.pawsonthego.net

Carrie Hutchinson, VMD Rockledge Veterinary Clinic Rockledge, PA USA Phone: (215) 379-1677 Email: info@rockledgevet.com Website: www.rockledgevet.com

Essex Animal Hospital Essex, ON CAN Phone: (519) 776-7325 Email: info@essexanimalhospital.ca Website: www.essexanimalhospital.ca Family Veterinary Center Haydenville, MA USA Phone: (413) 268-8387 Website: www.famvets.com

Integrated Veterinary Clinic Sacramento, CA USA Phone: 916-454-1825 Gail Jewell, DVM Kelowna, BC Canada Phone: (888) 622-8300 Website: www.holisticvet.ca

communicators • integrative vets • natural products • pet psychic Reiki therapy • schools & wellness education • shelters & rescues

Steven Marsden, DVM Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic Edmonton, AB Canada Phone: 780-436-4944 Dr. Shawn Messonnier Paws and Claws Vet Clinic Plano, TX USA Phone: (972) 712-0893 Email: shawnvet@sbcglobal.net Website: www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

NATURAL PRODUCT RETAILERS DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc. Kingston, WA USA Phone: (425) 637-4643 Email: info@DERMagic.com Website: www.DERMagic.net Dog Gone Dirt All Natural Dog & Horse Skin Care Products Crescent City, FL USA Phone: (386) 559-3454 Email: doggonedirt@yahoo.com Website: www.doggonedirt.com

SCHOOLS & WELLNESS EDUCATION PetMassage, Ltd. Toledo, OH USA Toll Free: (800) 779-1001 Phone: (419) 475-3539 Email: info@petmassage.com Website: www.petmassage.com Healing Touch for Animals Highlands Ranch, CO USA Phone: (303) 470-6572 Email: drea@healingtouchforanimals.com Website: www.healingtouchforanimals.co Treetops Rocklyn Limited Alliston, ON Canada Toll Free: (866) 919-8733 Phone: (705) 735-6174 Email: info@treetops.on.ca Website: www.treetopsweb.com

PET PSYCHIC

Well Animal Institute Brighton, CO USA Phone: (303) 514-0076 Email: info@wellanimalinstitute.com Website: www.wellanimalinstitute.com

SHELTERS & RESCUES Alaskan Malamute Mt. Gilead, OH USA Phone: (419) 512-2423 Email: shaman@brightnet.net

Mark Newkirk, VMD Newkirk Family Veterinarians gg Harbor Township, NJ USA Phone: (609) 645-2120 Email: mnewk@alternativevet.com Website: www.alternativevet.com

REIKI THERAPY Aileen D’Angelo, RMT, Cn. TPM Hoof, Paw & Claw Reiki Northboro, MA USA Phone: (508) 393-3684 Email: hoofpawclaw@verizon.net Website: www.reikiforcritters.com

Dr. Judy Stolz, DVM, ND Phoenix, AZ USA Phone: (480) 838-9724 Email: drstolz@gmail.com Website: www.drstolz.com

NATURAL PRODUCT

MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS Azmira Holistic Animal Care Tuscon, AZ USA Phone: (800) 497-5665 Email: info@azmira.com Website: www.azmira.com

Amy Pikalek Hikari Natural Healing Madison, WI USA Phone: (608) 886-8778 Email: hikarihealing@yahoo.com Website: www.hikarihealing.com

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide

1-866-764-1212

American Brittany Rescue Sugar Grove, IL USA Phone: (866) BRIT-911 Email: rhonda@americanbrittanyrescue.org Website: www.americanbrittanyrescue.org Animal Avengers Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: (323) 655-4220 Email: admin@animalavengers.com Website: www.animalavengers.com Animal Rescue of the Rockies Breckenridge, CO USA Phone: (970) 389-8324 Email: arrcolorado@gmail.com Website: www.animalrescueoftherockies.org Boston Terrier Club of America PA USA Phone: (724) 883-4732 Email: btcaresc@greenepa.net California Coastal Horse Rescue Ojai, CA USA Phone: (805) 649-1090 Website: www.calcoastalhorserescue.com

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passages

Dolce

By Maria Veronica Caracciolo

– the dog who taught me unconditional love

I

t took me six months to be able to write this. To spell out his name. To watch videos of him barking and looking back at me with those big chocolate eyes that spoke of so many things without ever saying a word. Wiping away my tears as I type this, I still see his little face reassuring me that I would never be alone.

was the runt of the litter – kind of like me, the youngest and tiniest of four children. He almost died, but he found his way back because he had a purpose. I saved him, and he went on to save me.

On a bad day (and there were many), Dolce was who I would come home to. He religiously waited for me by the door every single day for nine years. It was Dolce, not a human being, who gifted me with that rare comfort known as unconditional love.

I will not go into the details of my childhood, or my struggles as a teenager. As an adult, I was in a near-fatal car accident that left me with a brain injury. I underwent two surgeries and suffered from PTSD. Then my husband-to-be abandoned me before our wedding. I began to question many things: my purpose, my faith, and what love truly is. I realized I had never been loved by the human being I had devoted seven years of my life to.

“Dolce” is Italian for “sweet”. When I first brought him home, he was white as a snowflake and only several weeks old. He

Instead, I was loved by a sweet little dog who stood by me for nine more years.

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Dolce gave me a purpose because he needed me as much as I needed him. So I didn’t give up on life. I got up every day, went to work and came home, because I knew Dolce would be waiting for me by the door.

But one day, when I came home, Dolce wasn’t there. It was a dreadful moment that has been tattooed on my heart forever.

I strongly felt his absence. Why could I not hear his bark? I walked into the house and looked around, but he wasn’t there. I tiptoed fearfully from room to room, and finally found him. I saw him trying to get up...fighting to come to me. Then he fell to the floor, had what appeared to be a seizure, and fainted.

That was the first of many heart-wrenching fainting episodes, biopsies, blood transfusions, devoted hours of home-preparing special diets, thousands of dollars, and visits with Dr. Webb, the internal medicine specialist who helped give Dolce and I more time together.

Dolce was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and later, severe anemia. He was given two to four months to live. But once again my little trooper, whom everyone at the clinic adored, came home with me – for two more years. Just as Dolce continued his fight to live and stay with me, I continued my fight too.

But Dolce wasn’t able to go on forever. I finally took the doctor’s advice to give him release. I knew he was tired. I still resent my decision and wonder…what if...? How could I end his life when he kept fighting through it all? But I knew I couldn’t be greedy. I knew our time together had been a gift from the very beginning, and now I had to let him go.

I whispered in Dolce’s ear that he would never be replaced. As his little face with its chocolate brown eyes looked up at me for the very last time, the silence between us was once again stronger than words.

He knew it was coming. He knew what I was feeling in my heart.

He comforted me. Then he was gone.

Sometimes I still sense Dolce’s presence waiting for me behind the door when I come home. Yet ironically, for the first time in my life, I am strong enough to be alone.

I truly have no one else to thank but Dolce. His purpose in my life was complete: he had given me the kind of love I was never lucky enough to find elsewhere – unconditional.

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IS YOUR DOG OR CAT GETTING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CALCIUM?

By Christine Caplan, CVT

D gs Cats

Many people feed their pets homeprepared diets from fresh, whole foods. It’s a great way to go, but you need to ensure your dog or cat is getting the right nutrients in the correct quantities – and that includes calcium.

Homemade diets are popular with a lot of pet owners. But when you’re developing your dog or cat’s menu, you need to ensure he’s getting all the nutrients he needs, and in the right amounts.

One of those important nutrients is calcium. Your pet’s body cannot, on its own, maintain the appropriate levels of calcium to phosphorus (more on this important ratio later) so it’s crucial to understand why calcium must be added to home-prepared diets – and how it should be added.

“Calcium is a very important mineral and is a major component of bone and cartilage,” says pet nutrition counsellor Heather Macfarlane. “Proper calcium intake ensures healthy bones and teeth. Calcium also plays a role in hormone transmission, nerve function, muscle contraction, digestion, cognitive function, and blood clotting.”

“Calcium is the most vital nutrient we need to worry about with a fresh food diet,” adds holistic veterinarian Dr. Keith Weingardt.

“If your dog or cat ends up with low amounts of calcium, he will resorb calcium from storage areas in his body, which results in a whole other set of serious problems.”

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THE KEY RATIO – CALCIUM TO PHOSPHOROUS “It’s challenging to say ‘this size dog needs this much calcium’,” says Dr. Weingardt. “The food your dog or cat is consuming should achieve an optimum calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. It’s the quantity of food, along with the quantity of phosphorous-containing foods, that determine the amount of calcium to be supplemented.”

What many people don’t realize is that the meat and poultry we give our pets has high levels of phosphorus. So in many cases, calcium must be added in order to achieve the appropriate – and ideal – phosphorous-to-calcium ratio.

Continued on page 82.

DON’T OVER-SUPPLEMENT Too much calcium can be as problematic as not enough – another reason why you need to work with a veterinarian when determining the right amount of calcium for your own pet. In dogs, it can result in different types of bone deformities, and joints can break down, especially in large breed puppies.

Excess calcium in cats can lead to poor growth, increased bone mineral density, and a greater need for magnesium.

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Continued from page 80.

HOW SHOULD YOU SUPPLEMENT CALCIUM? Note that the following points are guidelines. As always, before switching your pet’s diet and/or supplementing him with calcium (or any other nutrient), consult with a holistic or integrative vet about your own dog or cat’s individual needs. These needs can vary depending on his age, size, health issues, etc.

CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS superCal or MegaCal, Young Living, ylvetsandpets.com Calcium Citrate Pure Powder, NOW Foods, nowfoods.com

1

Heather suggests that if your dog is being fed a home-prepared raw diet, bone-sourced calcium can be used as a supplement.

Typically, 5% to 8% of a raw diet should be made up of bone in order to provide an adequate amount of calcium.

First, you must ask two key questions: what type of animal protein is being fed in the diet, and can that animal's bones be easily ground up? If the answer to the second question is yes, try using the raw bones of the animal you are feeding your pet; for example, whole/ground rabbit or chicken bones are easy to grind. If you are feeding venison or beef to your pet, and you have a meat grinder, consider grinding down the rib bones. Remember to only give him raw (not cooked!) bone, and to vary protein sources so your pet isn’t eating the same meat all the time.

HOW TO MAKE EGGSHELL POWDER Preparing egg shells is easy. “It requires only a couple of teaspoons of eggshell powder to balance out the phosphorus in most diets,” according to Rick Woodford, also known as “The Dog Food Dude”. His book Feeding Your Best Friend Better, has a recipe for eggshell powder: “it will make about 12 teaspoons, each with about 1,800 mg of calcium.”

2

You can also add eggshell powder to ground bone; eggshells are a food-based source of calcium carbonate and don’t have any phosphorus. (See sidebar for instructions on how to make eggshell powder.)

3

If you prepare homemade meals for your pet that don’t contain bone, you should supplement with calcium. Dr. Weingardt recommends Calcium Citrate Pure Powder from NOW Foods.

His rule of thumb is 1,000 to 1,200 mg per pound of homeprepared food.

4

Do not use yogurt as a calcium supplement for your dog or cat. Although yogurt is good for your pet, and provides him with natural probiotics, it shouldn’t be used as a primary source of calcium.

Eggshell Powder Ingredients 12 eggshells, cleaned and dried Instructions Once clean and dry, eggshells can be left at room temperature in an airtight container until you save enough to make a batch.

Preheat over to 300°F. Spread the eggshells evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes. The eggshells will still be mostly white or brown, but might have a light tint, which is okay. Baking eggshells longer can product an unpleasant smell.

Allow the eggshells to cool, then grind in a blender or clean coffee grinder for 1 minute, or until you achieve a very fine powder with no sharp edges.

Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

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If you feed your dog or cat a high quality frozen raw or premium packaged food, then you probably don’t need to worry about adding extra calcium to his diet. In fact, too much calcium can also cause problems (see sidebar on page 80). But if you’re opting to home-prepare your best friend’s food, you need to make sure he’s getting enough of this important mineral.

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book reviews

Title: Welcome Home Author: Paul Owens While bringing home a new dog is exciting, it also presents a number of challenges.

Welcome Home – Ultimate Guide for All Newly-Adopted Puppies and Dogs by the “original dog whisperer” and renowned trainer, Paul Owens, helps you overcome those challenges. The hour-long DVD comes with a booklet and includes all the basic information you need to introduce your new canine to his home, and create a happy, healthy environment.

Focusing on education and motivation, Paul gives you the tools to properly train and socialize your new dog, and encourages positive methods to make training effective and fun. At the root of Paul’s material lies an important goal: to lessen the number of dogs returned to shelters, as well as dog-related accidents such as bites resulting from improper upbringing.

Recommended by many experts in the field of canine health, this DVD is a great investment for anyone wanting to learn the basics of raising a dog in a positive, healthy way.

Publisher: originaldogwhisperer.com

Title: Being a Dog Author: Karen Wild, Dip App Psych, CCAB, MBPsS A dog’s behavior depends on his mood, environment, and other factors. The motivation behind a behavior often has a scientific explanation that can help us understand why dogs do what they do. In Being a Dog – The World From Your Dog’s Point of View, author and animal behaviorist Karen Wild presents a compilation of scientific research on canine behavior, told through the eyes of a dog.

A wonderful guide for anyone who wants to better understand what drives their pup’s behavior, this book sheds light on how dogs feel. Interesting evidence reveals they benefit from eye contact, sense human emotions easily, and pick up on environmental cues and movements in order to predict situational outcomes. The author turns an incredible amount of scientific research from several experts (herself included) into accessible and useful content.

Being a Dog is an insightful book with a unique voice that dog lovers will appreciate.

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd.

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classifieds

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Animal Communicators

For Sale

CAROL SCHULTZ – Animal Communicator/Intuitive Healing Support. Interactive, compassionate, practical, and insightful Consultations and Energy Balancing for all species. Assistance with emotional, behavioral, physical, end of life, in spirit, plus lost animals. Classes & mentoring available. (815) 531-2850 www.carolschultz.com

FOR SALE – Profitable/Positive Cash Flow Animal Health Company, proprietary products. 17 years in business: National/International Sales. Average annual sales for 2014 & 2015, $380,000 plus. Location: Anywhere. Owner Retiring. Contact Owner: (905) 684-2375; rjhoffman.rhgi@gmail.com; PO Box 771117, Memphis, TN 38177.

SHIRLEY SCOTT – Internationally known Animal Communicator & Clairvoyant connects with your pets here or in spirit. She reads emotional/behavior/health problems, provides classes & workshops in animal communication & training. (541) 577-3051, sscott@shirley-scott.com, www. shirley-scott.com

Associations INTERNATIONAL ASS’N OF ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK/ASS’N OF CANINE WATER THERAPY – Welcome trained practitioners of Animal Massage and Bodywork. The IAAMB/ACWT supports and promotes the practitioners of complementary care for animals through networking, continuing education, website, online referrals, newsletters, insurance, annual educational conferences, lobbying and credentialing of schools. www.IAAMB.org

Books & Publications 1000’s OF DOG BOOKS, DVD’S AND TRAINING TOOLS IN STOCK – Ready to ship. Dogwise has what you want!

(800) 776-2665; www.dogwise.com

events

Holistic Veterinarians EAST YORK ANIMAL CLINIC HOLISTIC CENTRE – Dr. Paul McCutcheon, Dr. Cindy Kneebone & Dr. Candice Chiu. The first and oldest integrative veterinary clinic in Ontario with over fifty years of service to the community and our collective veterinarian experience of 95 years. We provide a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing the latest research in integrative medicine. Please visit our website to explore our services. www.eastyorkanimalclinic.com eyac@holisticpetvet.com (416) 757-3569, 805 O’Connor Drive, Toronto, ON, M4B 2S7 GUELPH ANIMAL HOSPITAL – Offers a full range of conventional veterinary services as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional. Dr. Rob Butler is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Dr. Smolkin is certified in Animal Chiropractic. By integrating conventional and complementary therapies, treatments can be tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences.

Contact Guelph Animal Hospital at (519) 836-2781 or www.quelphvet.com

Kansas City Pet Expo March 18-19, 2017 – Kansas City, MO

You will find tons of exhibitors and demonstrations as well as free nail trims. There will be prize giveaways and live entertainment. You can adopt from one of the many Rescue groups and also learn about pet care, volunteerism, grooming, training and much more!

Fabulous Prize Giveaways & Fun for both the Two-Legged AND Four-Legged!

For more information: (800) 977-3609 www.vegaspetexpo.com Pet Lover Show February 25-26, 2017 – Abbotsford, BC Celebrating animal lovers, this show has now doubled in size and includes informative seminars and exhibits by top professionals.

Some of the featured attractions include rabbit and dog agility shows, horse clinics and K9 detection demonstrations as well as rescue animals for adoptions and so much more.

For more information: (888) 960-7584 www.petlovershow.ca Whiskers Wine & Dine 2017 March 11, 2017 – Lakewood, WA In its 11th year, this annual fundraiser’s goal is to help raise money to end pet overpopulation. This event will be held at the Sharon McGavick Convention Center and includes dinner as well as a silent, live and dessert auction.

Proceeds support Northwest Spay and Neuter Center, a local nonprofit providing affordable spay and neuter services for cats, dogs, and rabbits.

For more information: wwd@nwspayneuter.org www.nwspayneuter.org

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Natural Product Retailers PETS GO NATURAL – Safe toys, eco-friendly beds and collars, natural vitamins and supplements, natural, organic and grain-free food. Feel good about what you buy your pet. Go natural! www.petsgonatural.com

Schools & Training PETMASSAGE (FOR DOGS) TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE – “Remove Disease from Your Pet’s Body Using Only Your Hands.” Skype and written interview: Jonathan Rudinger with Dr. Karen Becker – Dr. Mercola’s August 2014 Healthy Pets Newsletter: Link on homepage of www.petmassage.com WALKS ‘N’ WAGS PET FIRST AID – National Leaders in Pet First Aid Certification Courses for dogs and cats. Learn preventative skills and practice emergency bandaging with live wiggly pets. Distance Learning also available. www.walksnwags.com or (800) 298-1152

Email your event to: info@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Las Vegas Pet Expo February 11-12, 2017 – Las Vegas, NV

Be sure to check out other Amazing Pet Expo events all year around at www.amazingpetexpos.com

MAIN STREET VETERINARY SERVICES – Our mission is to help guide our animal companions to better health naturally. We provide a variety of veterinary medical services for pets from conventional services to holistic services such as chiropractic or acupuncture care. Our commitment to our patients, high quality customized medicine and customer service will be evident in all that we do. 2360 Main Street, London, ON N6P 1P9.

(519) 203-2000; www.mainstreetvetservices.ca/

Dozens of Rescue Groups and a Mega-Adoption Event, Discounted Vaccinations, Microchipping, and Heartworm & Flea Preventatives, Free Nail Trims, Agility Demonstrations, Live Entertainment, Obedience Demonstrations, Author Readings/Book Signings. The Latest & Greatest Pet Products!

Learn About Pet Care, Volunteerism, Grooming, Pet Behavior & Training, Traveling with your Pet, How You Can Make a Difference, Different Types of Pets/Breeds, Veterinarian FAQ, Fun Activities for You & Your Pet And MUCH MORE! For more information: (800) 977-3609 www.kansascitypetexpo.com Global Pet Expo March 22-24, 2017 – Orlando, FL The pet industry’s largest annual trade show, Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified professionals. The 2015 show features over 900 exhibitors and more than 3000 new product launches with almost 6000 pet product buyers from around the world attending.

This event is presented by the American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association.

For more information: (203) 532-0000 globalpetexpo@americanpetproducts.org www.globalpetexpo.org

Large Animal Class: Sunday / 9:00am - 6:00pm This class is required in order to apply to become a Healing Touch for Animals® Certified Practitioner. Working with the horses' large energy systems benefits students with greater energetic awareness and a well-rounded experience.

Registrations & payments in full must be received and/or postmarked by February 26, 2017, to qualify for the Early Bird Tuition prices.

For more information: (303) 929-4739 Denver@HealingTouchforAnimals.com www.healingtouchforanimals.com Vancouver Island Pet Expo April 8-9, 2017 – Victoria, BC Vancouver Island Pet Expo is the only show of its kind and is designed to educate and entertain the public about the wonderful world of pets! This Expo is a family oriented show where you have the opportunity to see a wide variety of animals up close, experience talented pets during presentations and learns everything you need to know about your pet. Find booths full of pet products, service providers, entertainers, trusted pet experts, as well as clubs and organizations that cater to pets.

For more information: info@pvevents.ca www.vancouverislandpetexpo.com Canadian Pet Expo 2017 April 14-16, 2017 – Toronto, ON The Canadian Pet Expo is a world-class pet show that promotes responsible pet ownership and celebrates all type of pets, from all walks of life. This show features hundreds of vendors as well as interactive events, demonstrations, workshops and renowned speakers.

Healing Touch for Animals® Level 1 Course March 24-26, 2017 – Denver, CO

Whether it is entertainment, education or other opportunities you are seeking, there is something for everyone at this show.

Introduction to Healing Touch: Friday / 6:00pm - 10:00pm This class is a prerequisite of the Small Animal Class.

Small Animal Class: Saturday / 9:00am - 6:00pm This class is a prerequisite of the Large Animal Class.

For more information: www.canadianpetexpo.ca

By Linda Young

Every morning, my husband diligently and dutifully provides a “state of the art” breakfast for Dudley. In addition to his bowlful of premium dog food, our Havanese gets ice cubes in his water to keep him refreshed for when he gets taken for a walk later.

Because of Dudley’s regimented diet, he cannot have any fancy store-bought treats. But that’s not a problem when he loves carrots and apples, finely julienned.

Dudley also has special doggy wipes for his eyes and derriere.

Pet store owners love it when we come by for his designer toothpaste and mouthwash, or new harnesses and leads. No, Dudley does not have a fancy stroller for leisurely rides, or a pouch we could carry him in so he’d look like a baby swathed in blankets. I know people who buy these things for their dogs, but you have to draw the line somewhere – or do you?

tail end

our dogs!

The things we do for

spoils him, and pampers him until we return with gifts. No, we don’t waste our money on destination t-shirts or souvenirs.

Dudley deserves far better! I bet you didn’t know he has his own personal hand-crafted mug made in Florence! He loves to watch television, take a brief respite, and greedily drink purified water from his mug.

Every few weeks, Dudley must have his “clean and tidy” from the groomer. His full grooming takes place a few weeks later.

The staff can’t wait to hold him and ooh and ahh over him. This is before they have even done the grooming. I tend to believe that his grooming sessions are worth more than my visits to the beauty salon.

The things we do for love, licks and compassion! But I think the rewards outweigh the time and effort, don’t you?

Back at home, Dudley has full rein of our house, so it’s no accident that he chooses to perform his gymnastics routine on the bed every morning. He’s very good at tumbling and rolling. He’s not ready for the Olympics, but when Dudley has completed his mat exercises, my husband goes absolutely berserk with praise, compliments, hugs and kisses. In fact, Dudley has his own special mat to rest and recover on – a fancy wool blanket from Ireland. (I could climb Mount Kilimanjaro and my husband wouldn’t bat an eyelid!)

Dudley is not the kind of dog we could ever board at a luxury pet hotel with a swimming pool; since he tends to be anti-social when it comes to other dogs, such an environment would cause him great turmoil and separation anxiety. Yet whenever we pack a suitcase, Dudley can anticipate that one or both of us is getting ready to leave town. So, what do two crazy pet owners do? Well, we have a pet sitter who stays in the house until we return. Dudley’s every need is catered to and all we ask for are a few pictures or videos of him enjoying life. She feeds him, February/March 2017

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feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!

8 fun ways to keep your indoor cat happy and ямБt

FIND OUT HOW THE

RIGHT DIET CAN HELP PREVENT

DENTAL DISEASE IN KITTIES

CAT Chat WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT

supplements FOR CATS?

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8 happy and healthy ways to keep your indoor cat

By Ann Brightman

Indoor cats live safer, longer lives than their outdoor counterparts, but they can get bored and lazy if you’re not careful. These tips will ensure your kitty stays fit and happy, both physically and mentally.

Keeping your cat indoors is a wise idea. It helps protect her from disease and injury, and it prevents her from killing songbirds and other wildlife. But unless you give her ways to stay occupied and active inside the house, she may become bored and lazy.

This can lead to destructive behavior, excessive sleeping, or unhealthy weight gain. Here are eight ways to keep your indoor kitty healthy, busy and stimulated.

1

encourage her to chase a feather toy or a laser light around the house (never shine a laser light in her face). Cats also love jumping into empty cardboard boxes, so have a few of those around and play hide and seek with her.

4

Feed her a high quality, meat-based, grain-free diet, and don’t free feed. Having food available 24/7 encourages indoor cats to eat out of boredom, which can quickly lead to obesity.

Feed your cat at set times during the day, and if the food isn’t eaten within half an hour, remove it. An interactive feeder will challenge your cat to work for her food, and make mealtimes more mentally and physically engaging.

2

Make sure she has fresh, clean water available all the time.

The air inside a home can get dry, especially during the winter when the heat is on, and that can contribute to dehydration and dry skin if your cat isn’t getting enough moisture. If she doesn’t drink much, consider buying her a pet water fountain – not only will it encourage her to consume more water (cats like moving water), but it’ll also give her something to watch and play with.

Make sure she has at least one durable scratching post that’s big enough for her to stretch full length along. Scratching is excellent exercise for cats, and it’ll also help prevent her from shredding your upholstery. A cat tree or condo is another great idea. They come in all kinds of fabulous styles and configurations, with multiple levels, hidey-holes and even hammocks. Your cat will get lots of exercise – and have lots of fun – climbing and jumping between levels and enjoying a birds-eye view from the topmost perch.

Continued on page 92.

A cat tree like this one from Armarkat gives your cat lots of opportunity for fun and exercise.

3

Play with your cat. Interactive play is one of the best ways to keep your cat physically active. Even just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference, and it can also help satisfy her natural hunting instincts. Throw catnip balls for her, or February/March 2017

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Continued from page 91.

Is she a “pushover”?

As any cat lover will tell you, kitties love knocking things down from high places. While you don’t want to encourage your cat to knock over your houseplants or smash your china, you can let her have fun with this by placing a few of her own toys on a table or desk – or even a shelf you’ve set aside specifically for the purpose – and let her push them onto the floor. Make it an interactive game by putting the toys back on the table for her to knock down again.

5

Create or buy a feline window seat for a spacious, sunny window. Cats love to look outdoors, and a soft, comfy platform or hammock near a window will soon become one of her favorite spots. Make the view even more captivating for her by situating a bird feeder on or next to the window ledge outside.

6

ats love fresh greens, so make sure she has C her own pot of cat grass. You can buy cat grass kits to grow from seed (barley is an ideal choice), or purchase the grass already grown. Cat grass provides extra nutrition for your cat in the form of chlorophyll, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and she’ll love nibbling on the fresh blades.

7

F or hours of entertainment, DVDs for cats feature videos of birds, fish, insects, rodents and all the other small critters felines love to watch and stalk. If you have an iPad, download one of the growing number of apps for cats; they’re games that generate everything from virtual fish in ponds to mice in boxes, with or without sound effects. Load the game, put the iPad on the floor and your cat will have loads of fun tapping the moving images on the screen; in most of the games, the images will disappear when the cat “catches” them, only to be replaced by new ones she can “chase”.

8

G ive your cat some quality time every day. Some people think cats aren’t as affectionate as dogs, but most kitties love one-on-one attention from their favorite people. Take some time to stroke your cat, talk to her, or brush her.

Make eye contact and slowly blink at her – in feline body language, slow blinking signals trust. You’ll find spending quality time with your cat will relax you and strengthen your mutual bond of love.

By taking steps to make sure your indoor cat stays physically and mentally fit and active, you’ll keep her healthy and “purrfectly” contented!

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CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?

By zooming in with macro and high-speed videography, Noel and her colleagues were able to observe the unique shape and flexibility of feline tongue spines during grooming. The researchers also made an enlarged 3D print mimic of a cat’s tongue.

"Both the cat’s tongue and the mimic are very good at cleaning and removing tangles in fur samples," says Noel. "We also discovered that the cat’s tongue is self-cleaning; it's easy to remove hair from beneath the spines by simply brushing the tongue from tip to end."

cat chat

If you’ve ever looked closely at a cat’s tongue, you probably noticed the tiny Velcro-like hooks on its surface. Alexis Noel, a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering, was inspired to more closely examine these "spines" after she had to detach her own cat’s tongue from a microfiber blanket he got stuck to.

This work may have important implications for the world of soft robotics, especially with researchers who are trying to find ways for soft materials to grip surfaces. “The flexibility of cat tongue spines may have broadreaching applications, from an easy-to-clean hairbrush to wound cleaning within the medical field," says Noel. sciencedaily.com

5 WINTER TIPS FOR FERALS

Lend stray and feral cats a hand this winter with these cold-weather tips from Alley Cat Allies:

q Build a DIY shelter – kitty accommodations are easy and inexpensive to build. For instructional videos, go to YouTube and search for “building feral cat shelters”.

w Provide unfrozen water – help prevent water from freezing by using bowls that are deep rather than wide, and place in a sunny spot.

e Avoid winter chemicals – refrain from using antifreeze, salt and icemelting chemicals. They’re toxic to cats if licked off paws or ingested.

r Check before you drive – look between your tires and give the hood of your car a few thumps before starting it to make sure a cat isn’t huddling near the engine for warmth.

t Fix and release – prevent an influx of new kittens in the spring by taking part in a Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Check traps regularly to prevent extended exposure to the elements, and ask the veterinarian to shave only a small area for surgery to ensure maximum fur coverage for warmth. alleycat.org/ten-winter-weather-tipsfor-outdoor-cats February/March 2017

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Feeding your cat for good

DENTAL HEALTH

By Ramona D. Marek, MS Ed.

Periodontal disease is extremely common in cats, but the good news is that a healthy diet can help prevent it.

Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in cats.

It affects about 70% of cats over two years of age, and 85% of cats over five! Yet despite how incredibly common it is, this condition is actually preventable, and diet is a key factor.

Periodontal disease starts when food remnants and bacteria accumulate, forming sticky plaque around the gum line. That plaque subsequently hardens into tartar. Other than bad breath, there aren’t many obvious early signs of periodontal disease, so the problem is too often left untreated. As a result, far more serious health conditions arise, including painful inflammation, tooth loss, and damage to the heart, liver and kidneys as the inflammation and bacteria gain access to the bloodstream through the diseased gingiva.

Several factors affect the formation of plaque, tartar and the progression of periodontal disease, but diet and eating behavior are major influences.

COMMERCIAL “DENTAL” DIETS DON’T WORK For years we’ve heard that commercial dry food (kibble) cleans teeth. The theory was that as the pet chewed the kibble, the cracked pieces would rub against the teeth and clean the plaque or tartar. Well, it turns out commercial kibble isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, many kibble bits are too small to offer any benefit; many cats swallow the pieces whole, so there’s no chance

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of any abrasive action. Some commercial pet food companies offer “dental” diets made of larger kibble sizes to encourage chewing.

But here’s the thing: cats don’t chew their food! Their teeth are designed to tear food into bite-sized pieces, which means once the food is bite-sized, they swallow it whole.

But chewing aside, do larger kibble bits really scrub teeth? “Only if the companies have studies to show they do,” says integrative veterinarian Dr. Katie Kangas. “Companies that say their diets affect tartar do not mean anything to the health of the pet. Visible tartar (calcified plaque) is more of a cosmetic problem; we want the food to actually affect the gumline and gums, which means the studies need to show the food decreases gingivitis, and not just tartar. We now understand that to assess dental health, we need to be looking for inflammation in the gums (redness/swelling/ bleeding) rather than dirty teeth (tartar).”

Even if a commercial “dental” diet can claim any effects on gingivitis, you also have to look at the ingredients in the food.

If the diet is high in things like corn, brewer’s rice, etc., you’re no further ahead. “These companies say carbohydrate sources can be made into perfectly good proteins for animals, but many people disagree, including me,” says Dr.

Kangas. “High carbs are not natural for cats, as they create a pro-inflammatory situation in the whole body, including the gums and mouth.

There are much better and more effective options to help keep a cat’s mouth healthy.”

DENTAL-FRIENDLY FOODS Cats thrive on moisture-rich grain-free diets, adds Dr. Kangas. Some good options include high quality canned, raw and freeze-dried diets.

“Raw diets would generally be an ideal choice, based strictly on best nutrition choices, but that said, there is no single diet that is right for all cats,” she says. “Most cats will thrive on raw diets, but it may not be the best match for some. For those scenarios, high quality canned food is a great option and it fulfills the requirements for a moisture-rich diet.”

THESE SUPPLEMENTS CAN ALSO HELP A variety of supplements promote a healthy oral environment.

Examples include probiotics, natural enzymes, Omega-3 fatty acids and natural food-based antioxidants. These supplements work to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body and mouth, says Dr. Kangas. One supplement she recommends is 1-TDC, a natural fatty acid-based product made by Elite Science. “It helps to proactively neutralize inflammation and therefore minimize progression to periodontal disease,” she explains. “It has a big affinity for two tissue types in the body – gums and joints/tendons/ligaments/muscles – so it supports both oral and joint health.”

Just because most cats end up with periodontal disease doesn’t mean yours has to. The key to a healthy mouth is prevention: along with regular veterinary dental care, a high quality, anti-inflammatory diet, raw bones and the right supplements will help keep his teeth and gums in good shape.

Treats that do the job

As with commercial pet foods, low-end dental treats and chews that make claims for fresher breath and a cleaner mouth don’t work to address gingivitis. Again, any studies these products may have undergone usually only show a decrease in tartar, which isn’t the issue.

The most effective dental treats for cats are those that rub on the gums during consumption, such as raw chicken necks. Never give your cat bones that have been cooked; they are brittle and may easily splinter, causing stomach and intestinal damage.

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Important supplements for cats Probiotics, fiber and Omega fatty acids are among the top supplemental nutrients that can benefit a cat’s health.

By Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA

A

healthy cat starts with a healthy diet. Certain supplements can help her stay even healthier. Here are the top supplements I prescribe to my feline patients.

A. PROBIOTICS Non-pathogenic bacteria are crucial to a variety of GI functions, including digesting food, absorbing nutrients and water, producing feces, and preventing damage from other microorganisms (pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc.).

Normal gut bacterial levels are altered by disease, stress, dietary indiscretion, food changes, medications and more. Indigestion then occurs, with vomiting, stool and appetite changes.

Probiotics help maintain normal intestinal function and are generally safe and well-tolerated by the feline body. Probiotic supplements should contain millions of diverse bacterial species; some flourish in and support the small intestines (Lactobacillus sp., etc.) while others aid the large intestine (Bifidobacterium sp., Enterococcus sp., etc.).

Probiotics may be given as a supplement, or in foods such as yogurt, some cheese, and other fermented products. Many supplements labeled as probiotics are actually synbiotics containing both prebiotics and probiotics. I recommend cats take a synbiotic as a supplement and also consume prebiotics naturally through whole food diets.

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B. FIBER Fiber is divided into two categories:

q Soluble fiber – dissolves in water to create a gel-like substance that helps digestion by slowing down the movement of food and fluid through the intestines. Promotes firmer stool.

w

Insoluble fiber – does not dissolve in water and passes through the digestive tract in a form similar to how it enters the body. Creates greater stool bulk and can speed up the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Fiber promotes a sense of fullness and reduces the urge to eat more, contributing to weight management. Hairball-prone cats can benefit from supplemental fiber that binds hair to facilitate its passage through the intestines; the hair exits in feces instead of building up in the stomach and being vomited.

Fiber can help constipation by contributing to larger feces.

Provided the cat does not suffer from an ailment in which the colon improperly contracts, fiber aids constipation-prone felines by stimulating colonic muscular contraction and promoting feces to exit the body.

Increasing dietary fiber intake can also aid cats with diarrhea.

Large bowel diarrhea (colitis) occurs as a result of food changes, dietary indiscretion, toxin exposure, medications, etc., and often responds favorably to fiber supplementation.

C. OMEGA FATTY ACIDS Your cat’s joints, skin, coat, nerves, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, immune and other body systems can benefit from Omega fatty acid supplementation. My prescription of Omega fatty acids is primarily for inflammation associated with arthritis, allergic skin disease, immune-mediated ailments, and cancer. I also recommend them for fast-growing kittens, and any feline enduring environmental and lifestyle stress.

Since cats are obligate carnivores, it’s best to give them animalbased Omega fatty acids. The three types of Omega fatty acids (3, 6 and 9) are primarily contained in fish oil. Omegas 3 and 9 are anti-inflammatory, while Omega 6 is pro-inflammatory. Omega 6 fatty acids are important for nervous tissue development, so I don’t recommend eliminating them, but I do suggest providing supplemental Omegas 3 and 9.

FIBER AND PREBIOTICS

Fiber serves as a prebiotic, which provides a growth medium for beneficial bacteria. Without prebiotics, probiotics may not thrive in the digestive tract.

Examples of fiber and prebiotics include inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), psyllium husk, fruit, vegetables (pumpkin, etc.) and whole grains (barley, oats, etc.).

When reading a fish oil label, look for the total milligrams (mg) of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – both types of Omega 3 readily utilized by the body. EPA is most important in reducing inflammation, while DHA helps build brain and retinal tissues.

I recommend fish oil that appears clear, has minimal odor, lacks flavor enhancement, and is guaranteed free of heavy metals, pesticides and radiation. Fish oil must be refrigerated after opening to prevent the oxidation and rancidity that can affect flavor and be detrimental to health.

February/March 2017

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book reviews

Title: The Lion in the Living Room Author: Abigail Tucker According to the APPA, 30% to 37% of US households are home to one or more cats. Add to this their huge social media presence, not to mention that egocentric feline attitude, and it’s clear that cats have humans wrapped around their little paws!

In her new book, The Lion in the Living Room, wildlife writer Abigail Tucker sets out to unearth the secret behind society’s relentless obsession with felines. She travels far and wide to talk to breeders, activists and scientists who have built their lives around these mysterious creatures. From trailing housecats to checking out ancient feline remains, Tucker stops at nothing to obtain answers for her readers, and provides an entertaining account of her journey along the way.

Bound to shock and surprise you at times, and make you chuckle at others, this witty and intelligent book shows how cats have used their relationship with humans to become one of the most influential animals on the planet.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Title: Yogi Cats Author: Paige Hodges Cats may be the most Zen creatures in the world. They don’t worry about much beyond looking after themselves and stretching in between naps. Creator of the popular Feline Yogi blog, Paige Hodges has released a new book called Yogi Cats, which combines the gentle spirit of our feline companions with the age-old practice of yoga.

Exploring the qualities of flexibility, unity, connection and more, Yogi Cats allows you to get in touch with yourself using the gentle nature of cats as your inspiration. Broken into seven different sections, including Breath and Body, Meditation, and Self-Discovery, this book is a wonderful guide that teaches and motivates you to achieve a smooth yoga practice and a happy mind.

With inspirational quotes from veteran yogis, cute illustrations of cats doing yoga, and an engaging and instructive narrative that stimulates positive thinking, this book is as practical as it is quirky.

Yogi Cats provides you with the tools to stretch, grow, and tap into your best inner self, while letting your cat set the example!

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd.

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