V19I2 (Apr/May 2017)

ANIMAL WELLNESS

For a long, healthy life!

WELLNESS

TOP 10 “human” foods

NATURAL WAYS TO GET RID OF

enjoy

your pooch can

FLEAS & TICKS

THE DANGERS OF

SPOT-ONS SAFE, NON-TOXIC

+

Tips to reduce his

ALTERNATIVES

“carbon pawprint”

How ACUPUNCTURE relieves PAIN IN DOGS

essential oil s 6 for your dog

Eco-friendly

HEMP PRODUCTS

Cookie NYC’s hippest pooch!

THIS ADORABLE RED POODLE WITH THE TEDDY BEAR FEATURES STARTED LIFE AS A PUPPY MILL RESCUE – NOW HE’S FAMOUS FOR HIS COOL SENSE OF STYLE AND HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE.

APRIL/MAY 2017 Display until May 24, 2017

$6.95 USA/Canada

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 2

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

BONUS INSIDE!

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Animal Wellness

April/May 2017

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Contents April/May 2017

Features

18 SPOT-ON FLEA AND TICK PREVENTIVES

Spot-on flea and tick products are hazardous to your pet’s health. Here’s what to know about them -- and about the non-toxic alternatives you can use instead.

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22 8 HUMAN FOODS THAT MAKE GOOD DOG TREATS

Many of the fruits, vegetables and meats we enjoy are also good for dogs, and make excellent treats.

24 TRAIN YOUR DOG NOT TO CHASE WILDLIFE

Wild animals are common in most communities. Protecting your dog from confrontations with local wildlife means overriding his natural chase instinct.

28 CAN ACUPUNCTURE

RELIEVE MY DOG’S PAIN?

Arthritis, disc disease, CCL tears and other problems can cause pain in your dog.

Acupuncture can alleviate the discomfort.

32 NATURAL SOLUTIONS

FOR PET PESTS

Fleas, ticks, heartworms, mosquitoes – warmer weather is returning, and these pests will be looking for a piece of your dog or cat.

Take steps to protect him, naturally.

34 COOKIE – NYC’S

COOLEST CANINE

Whether he’s posing for a style photo or drinking all-natural smoothies, this famous red miniature poodle is one quirky – and lucky – dog!

38 DOG PARK DANGERS

AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Dog parks are great for exercise and socializing, but there are also some risks you need to be aware of and protect against.

42 VETERICYN

All dogs and cats get the occasional scratch, cut, itch or hot spot. These nontoxic wound and skincare products offer gentle, effective healing.

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46 4 TOP BEHAVIORS EVERY DOG SHOULD KNOW – PART 2

The second part of this article looks at why “leave it”, “heel” – and “walk without pulling” are so important.

54 NONI – GOOD FOR

DOGS AND CATS

Noni is a tropical fruit with great potential for the treatment and possible prevention of many diseases in pets.

58 REDUCE YOUR PET’S

78 MINT – AN HERB TO SHARE WITH YOUR DOG

It doesn’t just flavor food or freshen breath – mint offers nutritional and health benefits that can boost your dog’s wellness.

89 THE LATEST IN CAT LITTER

Think outside the box with our look at today’s cat litter options.

92 BOLT AND KEEL – ADVENTURE CATS

CARBON FOOTPRINT

Exploring the great outdoors comes naturally to these intrepid kitties, whose wilderness trips with their humans have made them two of social media’s most popular felines.

62 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR DOG

How medical marijuana may improve your kitty’s health.

69 CANINE LIGHT THERAPY

Bringing home a new kitten or two? Follow these tips for introducing them to your older cat.

Dogs and cats have a significant impact on the environment. Let’s look at how we can make our furry friends more earth-friendly.

Essential oils can be very beneficial to dogs. Here’s a look at a selection of oils and their benefits, along with advice on how to choose and use them.

After seeing how light therapy can heal animals, this couple launched a company making light therapy pads for dogs and horses.

72 HIP HEMP PRODUCTS

FOR DOGS

Hemp is a durable, eco-friendly fiber that has woven its way into a range of natural and sustainable products for dogs.

94 CANNABIS FOR CATS

96 ADOPTING A KITTEN INTO A SENIOR CAT HOUSEHOLD

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Columns

12 43 66 76 82 86 91

Yakkity yak

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Rewind

Passages To the rescue Book reviews Tail end Cat chat

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Departments 8

Editorial

37

Product picks

52

The scoop

70

Animal Wellness resource guide

75

Social media

84

Events calendar

Tips, pet photos, and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine

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ClassiďŹ eds

Crafts, laughs, and more!

AnimalWellness

85

Marketplace

Social media Tips, contests and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine News, events, and tips! @ AW_magazine

April/May 2017

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VOLUME 19 ISSUE 2

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor-in-Chief: Dana Cox Managing Editor: Ann Brightman Staff Writer: Emily Watson 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: @ps.ny FW Cover Image Courtesy of: Kayleen VanderRee COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nadia Ali Karen Elizabeth Baril Ihor Basko, DVM, CVA Matthew Berk Marybeth Bittel Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH Audi Donamor Jodie Gruenstern, DVM, CVA Jennifer Hinders Deva Khalsa, VMD Ingrid King Bill Levine Ramona D. Marek, MS Ed Shawn Messonnier, DVM Paul Owens Michael C. Petty, DVM Jo Singer, MSW, CSW, LCSW (Ret)

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF:

@ps.ny Cookie is one cool canine! Residing in New York City with photographer and stylist, Olia Saunders, this miniature red poodle enjoys a healthy lifestyle that includes a homemade diet and smoothies. A puppy mill rescue, he now poses for Olia’s style photos, and his sophisticated shots have made him world-famous on social media. Turn to page 34 to read his full story.

ON THE FW COVER PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF:

Kayleen VanderRee Bolt (left) and Keel look like they’re raring to go, and no wonder. They’re getting ready to embark on another wilderness trip with their humans, Kayleen and Danielle. Known as the “Adventure Cats” to their many fans, these fearless feline brothers accompany the women on all their outdoor treks, from camping to hiking to kayaking. Read more about their travels on page 92.

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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.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

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.

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

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

editorial

Taking

toxins to task

S

everal years ago, a woman I knew came to me distraught. Her lovely two-year-old chocolate Labrador had been diagnosed with cancer. She was heartbroken because she thought she knew why her young dog was so sick. She was in a very difficult marriage and her husband, who had major control issues, insisted on regularly spraying their lawn with pesticides. He would then let the dog out to play or “do his business” immediately after. Her pleas for him to stop fell on deaf ears. He either didn’t imagine how severe the consequences could be, or didn’t care.

Unfortunately, the dog died. The only silver lining is that the woman eventually found the courage to leave her marriage, taking her two children with her. Not long after this incident, our city banned pesticides; in fact, we were one of the first to do so. But I’m still amazed by how many people I see in their yards with handheld sprayers, surreptitiously applying poison to the dandelions when they think no one is looking.

The story above is an extreme example. But given the toxins in our soil, water, air and food, it’s easy to expose our dogs and cats to harmful substances that may negatively impact their health. We can, however, minimize this exposure by making sure our furry friends live as naturally and holistically as possible, and that’s part of what this issue is about.

meanwhile, covers a wide range of non-toxic and effective pest control and prevention approaches, from supplements to high-tech flea tags.

This edition also offers advice on using essential oils on and around dogs, including how to ensure you’re getting high quality products that are pure and unadulterated. For those looking for a more natural way to help manage joint and muscle pain in their dogs, we offer an article on what acupuncture can do to relieve discomfort. And if you’re looking for ways to do your part for the environment, check out our tips on reducing your pet’s carbon footprint, or explore the many pet products made from hemp, one of the world’s most sustainable crops.

For our cover story, we give the spotlight to Cookie, a famous red miniature poodle from New York City who enjoys a hip and holistic urban lifestyle – including an organic homemade diet and all-natural smoothies – with his person, style photographer Olia Saunders. Conversely, the cover of our Feline Wellness bonus section is graced with Bolt and Keel, two intrepid and rugged kitties who enjoy an active outdoor life of wilderness adventure with their people.

Have a healthy spring!

One great place to start is with flea and tick control. This issue helps steer you in a more natural non-toxic direction with an article by Dr. Deva Khalsa on the dangers of spoton flea and tick products, and a selection of safe alternative products you can try instead. Dr. Christina Chambreau,

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Dana Cox Editor-in-Chief

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contributors

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1. Veterinarian Dr. Ihor Basko graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus in internal medicine, cardiology, and bone surgery. He managed a busy emergency animal hospital in San Jose, California. In 1971, he participated in the first acupuncture study to test the efficacy of holistic modalities on physical ailments in pets, at the University of California in L.A. Since then, Dr. Basko has been devoted to the study and practice of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, homeopathy, massage, and other alternative therapies.

He is one of the founders of the VBMA, and authored Fresh Food & Ancient Wisdom. See page 54 for his article on the health benefits of noni.

2. 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 and Fleas Be Gone: A Holistic Veterinarian's Guide to Natural Flea Control, coauthor of Homeopathic Repertory: A Tutorial, and Associate Editor of IVC Journal. Turn to page 32 for her recommendations on nontoxic flea and tick control.

3. Veterinarian Dr. Jodie Gruenstern graduated from UW-Madison in 1987. She is a veterinary acupuncturist and food therapist certified by the Chi Institute; vice president of the Veterinary Medical Aromatherapy Association; and a member of the AHVMA. Dr. Jodie owns the Animal Doctor Holistic Veterinary Complex,

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is a nationally renowned speaker, author, TV and radio personality, and authored the book Live with Your Pet in Mind (DrJodiesNaturalPets.com, AnimalDoctorHolistic.com, iPAWaid.com). For this issue, she writes about the best essential oils for dogs (page 62).

and Dogs. Paul is director of Raise with Praise Professional Dog Training, and founder/ director of the children’s afterschool violence prevention program, Paws for Peace. For the second part of his article on top behaviors every dog should know, see page 46.

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. Dr. Khalsa discusses the dangers of spot-on flea and tick products on page 18.

7. Audi Donamor has been successfully creating special needs diets for companion animals for two decades. She founded the University of Guelph’s Smiling Blue Skies® Cancer Fund and Smiling Blue Skies® Fund for Innovative Research. She is the proud recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and was honored with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, for her work in cancer, from the University of Guelph/Ontario Veterinary College. The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund is also the recipient of the “Pets + Us” Community Outreach Champion Award.

On page 78, Audi presents recipes and the health benefits of mints for dogs.

5. Veterinarian Dr. Michael C. Petty is the author of Dr. Petty's Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain, and the owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Pain Center in Canton, Michigan. Dr. Petty is also the past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and the coauthor of the AAHA/AAFP 2015 Pain Guidelines.

He is a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner, Certified Medical Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, and Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management. The topic of his article (page 28) is acupuncture for canine pain management.

6. Paul Owens began training dogs in 1972. He is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and The Pet Professional Guild. He has long been a leading proponent of force-free, non-violent training. He authored the best-selling The Dog Whisperer and The Puppy Whisperer books and is featured on the new DVD, Welcome Home!

Ultimate Guide for All Newly Adopted Puppies

8. Ingrid King is a former veterinary hospital manager and author of five cat books, including Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher, and Tortitude: The BIG Book of Cats with a BIG Attitude. Her blog, The Conscious Cat, is an award winning resource for conscious living, health, and happiness for cats and their humans (ConsciousCat.com).

Ingrid writes for magazines and websites around the world. For this issue, Ingrid looks at medical marijuana for cats (page 94).

9. 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 has been a professional member since 2007.

She is also one of a handful of non-veterinarian

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members of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians, and a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). See page 58 for Ramona’s tips on reducing your pet’s carbon footprint.

10. Karen Elizabeth Baril is a freelance writer, author, and part-time writer’s coach (karenbaril.naiwe.com). She also writes short stories and creative non-fiction. Her work has appeared in numerous publications. She lives in the northwestern hills of Connecticut with three horses, two dogs, and whatever wild animals trundle through during the night.

contributors

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Check out her article about protecting your dog from wildlife confrontation – see page 24.

eight healthy human foods you can share with your dog, turn to page 22.

11. Marybeth Bittel is a freelance writer and marketing consultant who lives in the Great Lakes region with her husband and rescue dogs. She has spent more than 20 years working to nurture, re-socialize and rehabilitate abused rescues of all breeds, shapes and sizes. Marybeth focuses on dog park dangers on page 38, and how to avoid them.

13. Jo Singer, MSW, CSW, LCSW (Ret.) is a member of the Cat Writer’s Association, and a retired Certified Social Worker and Psychotherapist. She is also a member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, and recently completed their course, “Pet Loss and Bereavement Counselling”. Jo has been owned by cats for over 40 years, and shares her Florida home with her husband and three feline friends. On page 96, she advises on how to make things run smoothly when adopting a kitten into a senior cat

12. Jennifer Hinders is a freelance writer, editor and dog lover who lives in Fairfax, Virginia (jhinders.com). For her input on the top

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yakkity yak Shelters are always looking for ways to increase adoption rates. One interesting method is to learn more about which canine behaviors are most likely to attract people looking to adopt, and to apply that knowledge through training.

Alexandra Protopopova, a behavioral analyst and assistant professor in companion animal science at Texas Tech University, has done just that. She observed shelter dogs while potential adopters walked by and found that common “good” behaviors like sitting or not barking were, somewhat surprisingly, not the most desired traits. Rather, people were more likely to become attached to dogs that lay down beside them or engaged in play when prompted.

Based on her findings, Alexandra and her fellow researchers developed a training program for shelter dogs in order to encourage these behaviors and thereby increase adoption rates. Through collaboration with Maddie’s Fund, a foundation that offers grants to shelters, she is now using her research to help shelters across the country. depts.ttu.edu/afs/hail/

Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University

BEHAVIOR TRAINING TO INCREASE ADOPTION RATES

Dr. Alexandra Protopopova with her dog, Sonya, and Sonya’s best friend, Bessa.

HUMANE AND SUSTAINABLE MEAT If you feed your dog or cat a homemade diet, knowing the meat you buy is humanely and sustainably raised is a big plus. A Greener World (agreenerworld.org) is a non-profit farm certifier that helps make a diet of humane and sustainable meat and poultry more attainable, for both your pet and yourself.

The organization recently released a new logo for its third-party certification, Animal Welfare Approved (AWA). This certification was launched in 2006 as a solution to growing consumer demand for high-welfare, environmentally-sustainable meat, eggs and dairy products. Among other things, AWA certification ensures: • Meaningful, verified, outdoor pasture- and range-based systems – not just a door at the end of a building or an outdoor concrete run.

• No cages, crates or feedlots – ever.

• Verified environmentally-sustainable farming and ranching.

• Responsible stewardship of public resources like air, water, soil and antibiotics • No use of hormones (like rBST), animal by-products or routine antibiotics.

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Curcumin

comes from turmeric; it’s an

anti-inflammatory and may inhibit tumor growth.

GRADUATION DAY FOR SERVICE DOGS Service dogs are a godsend for those with disabilities. Retrieving Independence is a non-profit service dog organization, which in partnership with the Turney Center Industrial Complex (a time-building prison with an emphasis on industry) recently celebrated the graduation of six young Labrador/golden retrievers from its service dog training program.

The program involves a 12- to 18-month process during which inmates and pups are paired for part of the dogs’ training. Upon completion of the training, the graduating dogs have learned at least 110 cues and logged over 600 hours of training. Meanwhile, the inmates gain a valuable skillset.

“I love graduation day because it brings together all the elements of Retrieving Independence – the dogs, the trainers and the recipients,” says Lesley Adams, Program & Training Director of Retrieving Independence. “It is a privilege to be able to see it all come together and realize that everyone in the equation has been helped.” retreivingindependence.org

Four of the graduating service dogs pose proudly alongside their inmate trainers.

3 SIMPLE TIPS TO CARE FOR SENIOR PETS Watching our animals age can be difficult. But with the proper care, senior dogs and cats can live long, happy and healthy lives. The following three tips based on info from the Canadian Animal Health Institute (cahi-icsa.ca) will give your furry friend a good start to his golden years:

q As animals age, their health status and needs change. Pay close attention to the development of subtle signs and symptoms such as limping, weight loss, and shifts in eating habits, and have them checked out by a vet as soon as possible.

w Schedule annual checkups for your dog or cat, for lab work and other tests, such as titers rather than annual vaccines. Regular checks help catch potential health issues early, sometimes before symptoms even arise – and the earlier a problem is caught, the easier it is to treat.

eA sk an integrative or holistic veterinarian to perform a nutritional assessment to determine the best diet for your senior. Proper high quality nutrition is especially critical for the overall health and well-bring of older pets.

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yakkity yak POSITIVE STATS ON HOMELESS ANIMALS Homeless animals are faring a little better than they used to, at least north of the border, according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies’ annual statistics report. The data was collected by surveying 89 Humane Societies and SPCAs across Canada.

For example, in 2015, shelters took in over 82,000 cats and 35,000 dogs, compared to over 85,000 cats and 38,000 dogs in 2014. This may not seem like much of a drop, but according to Barbara Cartwright, CEO of CFHS, “When we started tracking animal statistics in the 1990s, shelter intake was in the hundreds of thousands.

“We’re seeing a lot of great news for companion animals,” Barbara adds.

“Adoption is up, euthanasia is down, and animal intake is down." You can download the full report at cfhs.ca.

READING TO DOGS IMPROVES LITERARY SKILLS Library reading programs for children are many and varied, but when dogs are involved, something truly magical happens. Most kids are more comfortable reading aloud when their audience is canine rather than human. With their unconditional love and acceptance, dogs are much less likely to make youngsters feel intimidated, so they read with less hesitation and develop their literary skills at a faster rate.

The Walter Neighborhood Library in Houston, Texas is just one library that has launched a readingto-dogs program for children. “Read with Paws-itive Pups” invites kids from the ages of five to ten to read to a team of trained therapy dogs brought in specifically for the hour-long sessions.

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yakkity yak A LITTLE GIRL WITH A BIG HEART She’s only 12, but she’s making a big difference in the lives of shelter dogs!

Molly Wogan has devoted an entire year to a volunteer project she has dubbed Precious Animals, Wonderful Shelters (P.A.W.S.). The project is helping shelters throughout the New England area by collecting needed items and donations.

Molly's target was to help 13 shelters – but to date, 14 have agreed to join her undertaking, prompting her to expand her efforts. “She didn’t want to turn anyone away,” says Molly’s Mom, Mindy.

As of this writing, Molly has dedicated more than 100 hours of her time to her project, and has raised over $3,200. “She recently adjusted her goal to $10,000,” says Mindy. “We have also booked a trip to Georgia over April vacation week, during which she will be helping several organizations.” facebook.com/PAWSMitzvah, gofundme.com/pawsproject Molly sells her custom key chains, homemade dog treats, and homemade paw print chocolate lollipops at local events to raise money for shelters.

COOL FACTS ABOUT PET SITTING

WOOFSTOCK 2017

If you’re thinking of a career change, maybe pet sitting is for you! Pet Sitters International (petsit.com) has released its 2017-2018 Pet-Sitting Industry Forecast, with the latest industry trends and statistics surrounding this increasingly popular occupation. Here are a few interesting facts:

Mark your calendars and grab your leashes! On May 27 and 28, Woodbine Park in Toronto hosts Woofstock, one of North America’s biggest annual festivals for dogs and their people.

• An estimated $5.73 billion is expected to be spent on pet services, including pet sitting and dog walking, over the next year.

• The majority of PSI’s pet-sitter members offer services for dogs (96.1%) and cats (95.5%).

• PSI member pet-sitting businesses earned an average income of $60,625 in 2015 – up from $49,148 in 2013.

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Sponsored by Redstone Media Group, publishers of Animal Wellness, and now in its 14th year, this exciting weekend includes an Olympic-style canine sporting competition, fashion show and costume contest, canine agility, a disc tournament, and many other dog-related activities, along with food, prizes, and vendors exhibiting products and services for canines. If you’re looking for a new four-legged family member, Woofstock’s rescue booths give you the perfect opportunity to meet some lovable pooches in need of forever homes.

Visit woofstock.ca for presale tickets – a weekend pass is just $10 and children under ten get in free.

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Spot-on D gs Cats

flea and tick preventives

By Deva Khalsa, VMD

Spot-on flea and tick products are hazardous to your dog or cat’s health. Here’s what you need to know about them – and about the more natural, non-toxic alternatives you can turn to instead.

Many people regularly apply spot-on flea and tick preventives to their dogs and cats. Even those whose animals have little to no chance of getting fleas or ticks dutifully administer toxic spot-on products, every single month of the year. We love our pets, so we want what’s best for them – and certainly, no one wants their dog or cat to get infested with fleas or contract a nasty tick-borne disease. But harsh chemical flea and tick prevention is not the answer, and spot-on products can do more harm than good. There are safer, less toxic ways to protect your pet from these bloodsucking pests.

A close-up look at spot-on chemicals The chemicals used in spot-on flea and tick products go right through your pet’s skin and into his internal systems, increasing his risk of cancer and other diseases. The toxins in these products circulate through your dog or cat from one to over three months (depending on the product), at levels high enough to kill a flea or tick just as it bites and reaches blood.

It’s similar to soaking a sponge with insecticide and leaving it in the middle of the kitchen, knowing that cockroaches will die as soon as they walk over it; after a spot-on treatment, your dog or cat’s body holds insecticide residue and essentially becomes a poison bomb.

In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency began reviewing the safety of spot-on flea and tick products. What they found about three common substances used in these products was not pretty.

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• One company’s website states that fipronil is absorbed into the sebaceous glands of the skin.

This gives the impression fipronil does not migrate into your pet’s body, which is simply not true. Dr. Virginia Dobozy of the EPA’s Pesticide Division did a study that traced radioactive fibronil in exposed dogs, and found it in their fat, organs, urine and feces. Research shows that, even at low doses, fipronil has the potential for nervous system and thyroid toxicity, thyroid cancer, altered thyroid hormone levels, liver toxicity, kidney damage, cancer, convulsions, hair loss at or beyond the point of application, moist inflammation, and chemical burn and itching.

• Another commonly used spot-on ingredient, imidacloprid, is a systemic insecticide belonging to a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids.

Imidacloprid has been found to cause thyroid lesions, liver toxicity and increased cholesterol levels, and has the potential for damaging the kidneys, liver, thyroid, heart, lungs, spleen, adrenals, brain and gonads. As a neurotoxin, imidacloprid has also caused unco-ordination, labored breathing and muscle weakness.

Continued on page 20.

EVALUATE HIS FLEA AND TICK

exposure risk Pest prevention should not be given a “one size fits all” approach.

Every family pet has a particular lifestyle, and his exposure to fleas and ticks depends on where and how he lives. Look at the incidence of fleas and ticks in your region, and at the likelihood of your dog or cat being exposed to them.

For instance, say you have three small dogs who play in a securelyfenced, well-maintained yard and who rarely meet other dogs. The chances of them getting fleas and ticks are low. You can simply routinely check their skin and coats, and avoid using any toxic prevention.

If the same three dogs live in Florida, fleas are going to be a yearround problem while ticks are not very likely. Now place those three dogs in upstate New York and add long uncut grass and close proximity to deer. In this situation, ticks will be a significant problem.

The same reasoning applies to cats. Indoor felines that never or rarely go out, or come into contact with other animals, are much less likely to get fleas and ticks than those that roam freely.

The time of year also plays a role. Many people continue giving their dogs and cats flea and tick preventives during cold snowy winters, just for good measure, when nary a flea or tick is even around.

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Protect your dog with garlic Garlic can help protect dogs from fleas and ticks, and from the infections that can arise from their bites. It’s the state of a dog’s immune system that determines whether or not an infection takes hold, and this is where garlic really comes into play. It’s a natural antibiotic, has a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect, and increases the immune activity of killer cells. A large dog can have two small cloves of garlic a day, while a small dog can have one-half to one small clove a day.

Safe alternative products Continued from page 19.

• Most folks consider pyrethrins (naturally-occurring compounds from the chrysanthemum plant), along with pyrethroids and permethrins (their synthetic counterparts), to be less hazardous alternatives to the above chemicals.

In fact, the opposite is true. Information released through the Freedom of Information Act to the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity (CPI) showed that at least 1,600 pet deaths from pyrethroid spot-on treatments were reported to the EPA from 2002 through 2007. That’s nearly double the number of reported fatalities linked to the other compounds.

Pyrethroid spot-ons also accounted for over half the “major” pesticide pet reactions reported, including brain damage, heart attacks and seizures.

If you live in an area with a high tick or flea population, and your pet is at risk, there are some excellent natural solutions available.

I’ve used the following products with many of my patients, and find them to work unfailingly and consistently.

1 2 3

To complicate matters, ticks and fleas are becoming resistant to spot-on chemicals, and because of this, manufacturers are adding more potent ingredients, or combining a number of different toxic ingredients, to each dose of their products.

The bottom line is that there is no chemical pharmaceutical flea and tick product, spot-on or otherwise, that does not adversely affect your pet’s health. So what’s the solution?

PetzLife makes an Herbal Defense Powder (TickZ) and Herbal Defense Spray (Complete Coat). The powder is fed for five consecutive days, mixed in wet food morning and evening.

It contains flea and tick-fighting herbs like Quassia Amara (a tree native to South America), anise, Oregon grape root, spirulina, thyme and tansy. The spray is for topical use when you take your dog into infested areas, and features extracts from the wood and bark of Quassia Amara.

Fleas are much easier to deal with naturally than ticks are.

Ticked Off is a safe, all-natural and effective spray that kills fleas, as well as flea larvae and eggs. It contains hydrolyzed silica that works by suffocating the little critters, and also features cedar oil. It can be sprayed on your pet as well as on bedding and around the home environment.

Ruff on Bugs is another topical spray that reliably prevents ticks as well as fleas. It’s made with organic essential oils such as lemongrass, cinnamon, cedar, citronella, geranium and rosemary, in non-GMO oils.

It’s no secret that minimizing the toxins our dogs and cats are exposed to will reduce their risk of cancer and other illnesses. One of the best ways we can do this is by replacing chemical spoton flea and tick products with safer, more natural alternatives.

Spring represents a fresh new start, so let’s start it with safe flea and tick prevention!

Shop for SAFE flea and tick products at: Deserving Pets, deservingpets.com PetzLife, petzlife.com LifeFORCE Nature Dog, lifeforcepet.com

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April/May 2017

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8 DOG TREATS HUMAN FOODS

GOOD

THAT MAKE

By Jennifer Hinders

We all love to treat our dogs, but it’s important

to make sure we’re giving them something that’s

healthy and low-cal as well as delicious. Many of the fruits, vegetables and meats we enjoy are also good for dogs, and make excellent treats.

Pet stores are filled with dog treats of all kinds. But many are bad choices because they’re made from unhealthy ingredients and contain a lot of additives like artificial colors and flavors.

When buying dog treats, make sure you choose high quality products made from all-natural ingredients. Alternatively, you can treat your dog using healthy foods from your own kitchen.

Here are just eight human foods that make nutritious and palatable dog treats.

Fruits Apples Small pieces of apple without the core are great treats for your dog. Organic apples are best, but if you can’t find any, be sure to wash the skin thoroughly first. It’s also wise to remove the seeds, since they contain a compound that can convert into cyanide in the intestines.

Blueberries People and dogs alike love blueberries. These tasty little fruits are full of good nutrition like vitamins C and K, as well as manganese, and are also an excellent source of antioxidants.

Pears As with apples, pears must be cored and the seeds removed.

Again, wash the skin before cutting up the fruit. Pears are a great source of vitamin C for your pooch.

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Vegetables Carrots Carrots are a naturally sweet veggie rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, which converts into eye-healthy vitamin A. Your dog will love crunching on raw carrot – remember to wash and peel it before cutting it up. Alternatively, you can lightly steam carrots – remember to let them cool before giving them to your dog.

Sweet potatoes Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins A, C, E and B6, and are also rich in dietary fiber. You can buy premium dog treats made from dried sweet potatoes, or you can make your own (see sidebar on opposite page).

FOODS TO

AVOID It’s important to remember that not all human foods are good for dogs. Among those that should always be avoided are:

Chocolate Cooked bones Grapes Onions Raisins Raw salmon

Green beans

the bone regularly; if the edges get too thin or sharp, it’s time to

They’re rich in vitamins A, C and K, and also contain fiber and

throw it away.

some B vitamins. Lightly steamed green beans are best. One of the great things about green beans is that they’re easy to grow

There are many other human foods you can use as treats, but

in a garden or container – plant the seeds in May and you’ll be

these favorites are enjoyed by most dogs, and also provide our

harvesting beans in July. Canned beans aren’t recommended as

best friends with added nutrition.

they usually contain a lot of salt.

Meats Chicken Bits of cooked breast meat minus the bones and skin make good dog treats and are a healthy source of protein and vitamin

Dried sweet potato treats q Preheat oven to 250°F. w Wash sweet potatoes

B6. Try to buy organic chicken if you can. Don’t use rotisserie

thoroughly, and pat dry.

chickens, as they’re usually prepared with a lot of salt. Your

e Line a baking sheet with

dog can also be treated with bits of raw chicken, or raw (never cooked) chicken backs and necks. Just keep an eye on your dog when he’s eating bones.

Raw beef bones For a long-lasting high-value treat, connect with your dog's wild side by giving her a raw beef bone – a knucklebone or femur is best. Gnawing on a raw bone is good for your dog’s teeth and

parchment paper.

r Thinly slice sweet potatoes. t Place on the prepared baking sheet.

y Bake for 1½ hours, turn the treats over, then bake for another hour.

gums, and it’ll keep him occupied for hours. Be sure to inspect

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Train your dog NOT to chase

wildlife

By Karen Elizabeth Baril

Wild animals such as skunks, coyotes and coons are common in and around most communities. Protecting your dog from a CONFRONTATION with local wildlife means overriding his natural chase instinct through training.

Whether you and your dog live in a city, town or rural area, you share habitat with local wildlife. Confrontations between dogs and wild animals are common, and can result in dangerous or even lifethreatening injuries. Since we need to share our world with these wild creatures, we have to take steps to protect our dogs, and the wildlife, from potentially lethal face-to-face encounters.

Depending on where you live, local wildlife can run the gamut from the usual squirrels, rabbits and raccoons, to porcupines, skunks, possums, foxes and even bears or cougars. Animals like coyotes and bobcats have adapted so well to human development that even if you live in a suburban area, chances are you’ll meet up with them eventually. In fact, coyotes adapt to almost any living situation, making dens out of downed trees, culverts, or even under decks.

Most encounters between humans and wildlife are peaceful, but dogs – especially loose dogs – add another element. “Squirrels, raccoons, and skunks see your dog as a predator, and animals like coyotes see them as adversaries,” says Dr. Kat Miller, a certified professional dog trainer and Director of Anti-Cruelty Behavior Research with the ASPCA. Prey animals like rabbits and squirrels will usually run away from your dog, but others will try to defend themselves by various means – like a skunk with his spray or a porcupine with his quills. Larger predatory animals like coyotes, cougars or bears can attack if chased or confronted by a dog. “Either way, your dog is at risk, and he might even get you in trouble if he doesn’t know how to curb his chase instinct.”

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IT’S NATURAL FOR YOUR DOG TO GIVE CHASE “It’s important to understand that your dog’s predatory behavior is normal,” adds Dr. Miller. “We sometimes think our dogs are being bad, but the chase/prey drive is instinctual. The problem is that chasing another animal can really get your dog into trouble. When he’s ‘on chase’ he has a laser focus. He isn’t just ignoring your recall; he truly doesn’t hear you. All his attention is on the object. When he’s in that state, he can have a bad episode with a cornered animal or might even run across a road and get hit by a car.”

But the chase drive itself isn’t the enemy. In fact, every time your dog fetches a ball or leaps up to catch a flying disc, he’s following his predatory response to movement. There’s a good reason he loves to do it; when your dog is “on chase”, his central nervous system releases feel-good endorphins to his brain. Those endorphins can last for hours. It’s similar to the feeling you get when looking at a beautiful piece of art or taking a bite of chocolate.

CHASING IS A FORM OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT “Those feel-good endorphins are a form of positive reinforcement,” says Dr. Miller. “Even if your dog doesn’t catch the squirrel he’s chasing, the reward is in the good feeling he gets from the chase. If

the behavior is consistently rewarded, it can really escalate.

“If you think about it,” she adds, “the toys you buy for your dog mimic little critters. Some of them squeak or roll like a prey animal might.

You want to be a good dog parent by honoring his need to chase and shake things. And there’s no reason for your dog to give that up; he can still do it, but with a little more direction from you. Chasing is fun, but he must halt the chase if you ask him to.”

START BY REDIRECTING HIS ATTENTION A good place to begin, according to Dr. Miller, is by using your dog’s favorite toy to redirect his attention to you when he starts to chase something in the backyard.

“The next time he chases a squirrel, try redirecting his attention back to you by shaking his favorite toy instead,” she says.

“A whistle is helpful to get his attention.

You’ll have to be very enthusiastic in order to make the reward for ‘chasing’ you greater than the reward he gets from chasing the squirrel.” Highly-valued treats can also help with this redirection.

In addition, practice gaining your dog’s attention by catching his eye. If you can get your dog to look directly into your eyes as you redirect his attention to the toy or treat, you’re well on your way to the next step, which is to train your dog to “wait”.

TEACHING YOUR DOG TO “WAIT” The “wait” command is a lot like the “stay” command, but with a subtle difference.

Your dog doesn’t need to hold any particular position. All you’re asking is that he pauses, redirects his attention to you, and waits for your command. Reward your dog for small successes and build on that foundation.

“You should start training the ‘wait’ command when your dog is still a puppy, but even a mature dog can learn this,” says Dr. Miller. “Start by teaching him to wait before he’s allowed to approach his food

bowl, and before he goes outdoors.” Remember to use lots of praise and treats at this stage.

With my own dog, I draw out the word “waaaaait” which seems to make sense to my dog, but you’ll want to experiment to see what works best for you. Remember to reward your dog for even the slightest hesitation at first, and then keep building on his skill. Practice the “wait” when visitors arrive and be sure all family members are consistent with training.

Continued on page 26.

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Minimize your dog’s contact with wildlife No matter how solid your dog’s training is, minimizing his contact with wildlife is part of ensuring his safety. Here are a few suggestions: • Don’t leave out food that may entice wild animals. This includes pet food, of course, but stay mindful of other wildlife lures like lowhanging bird feeders and suet cakes, unsecured garbage bins, and vegetable composts.

• Avoid hiking with your dog at dawn or dusk, when many wild animals are most active.

• Be extra cautious in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when wild animals are foraging for food or raising young.

• Hike in a group. The more people and dogs around, the more likely wild animals will keep their distance.

• Ideally, keep your dog on a lead; if you want to let him run free, however, keep him in sight at all times.

• If you do encounter a wild animal, stay focused and calm.

Most of the time the animal is startled or simply curious.

Avoid movements that might be perceived as a threat.

Continued from page 25.

As your dog gets better at waiting, take him outdoors to practice on bigger challenges. Enlist the help of a family member to challenge your dog with a toy while you give the command to wait. Raise the bar slowly; you don’t want to test-drive the skill in a situation where your dog could be at risk of injury.

“Some dogs are easier to train than others,” says Dr. Miller. “The border collie, for instance, was bred to follow commands or signals at a distance. It might be easier to train her than a terrier or a sight hound, but it’s a trainable skill no matter what breed of dog you own.”

Once you have trained a solid “wait” into your dog, you have a much better chance of preventing him from chasing and confronting wildlife, whether you’re in the backyard, the dog park, or a wooded area. Yes, his urge to chase is a strong one, but with a little practice and some extra precautions (see sidebar at left) he’ll learn to override his instinctual response to hightail it after the next rabbit, skunk or other critter he sees.

Tipper’s bear encounter Tipper, my rescued border collie, has a pretty good recall. I was thankful for it last spring when we were hiking a forested trail in northwestern Connecticut. I’d been daydreaming, enjoying the day with my dog, when a large black bear lumbered onto the path ahead of us. Tipper stopped in her tracks, her eyes locked on the bear. I didn’t expect her to turn and look at me, since the bear challenge was a huge one, and I knew she couldn’t take her eyes off it. But she paused, waited, and cocked one ear in my direction to let me know she was listening.

Wait,” I commanded in a low but firm voice. I held my breath as the bear sniffed the air, then trundled back into the woods. We waited until we were sure the bear had moved well off the trail and then continued our hike. Tipper moved forward cautiously, sniffing the ground where the bear’s paws had been only seconds before.

I was very thankful that day that I’d taught my dog the “wait” command. If Tipper had caved to her natural instinct to bark and chase the bear, we both could have been in trouble.

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Arthritis, disc disease, CCL tears and many other problems can cause pain in your dog.

By Michael C. Petty, DVM

There are many causes of pain in dogs – from arthritis to disc disease to CCL ruptures. There are also a variety of methods to relieve that pain, both conventional and alternative. Among the latter, acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to help ease pain in your dog.

WHAT ACUPUNCTURE DOES In a nutshell, acupuncture encourages the body’s own capacity to heal itself. This is done by many routes, including the stimulation of neural pathways; the release of hormones and other substances; the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system; and the local action of the acupuncture needle, causing micro-trauma, with a resulting influx of anti-inflammatories and other healing substances to the area. The end results can seem nothing short of miraculous. More than once, I have been asked if I am coating the needles with some sort of medication!

BACKED BY SCIENCE I received my training for veterinary acupuncture at Colorado State University, where we were taught the scientific basis of

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acupuncture: in other words, exactly what each needle does and how it works. Even so, when I graduated, armed with the latest research and scientific understanding of acupuncture, I harbored some doubts. I can still recall my first acupuncture patient: I selected my points and was poised with my first needle, when I had a terrible thought. This is never going to work. But work it did, on that case and most of the others I’ve treated over the following years.

Acupuncture has the backing of science and the National Institute of Health. Although it can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, I’m going to focus in this article on how it’s used in the treatment of pain and neurological problems (also usually painful). Following are the conditions I most commonly treat with acupuncture.

 Osteoarthritis (or as it is more commonly called these days, degenerative joint disease) is the number one reason I use acupuncture. Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory disease of the joint and surrounding tissues. The pain associated

with it seems to have no beneficial effect: for example, if cut or burn your fingers, the pain and inflammation serve the purpose of warning you not to use the finger until it is healed. OA never goes away, so avoiding use of the arthritic joint makes no sense. In fact, not using the limb actually makes OA worse as supporting muscles shrink through lack of use; the production and movement of joint fluid decreases from lack of motion; and the other limbs undergo additional wear and tear through excessive use.

In dogs with OA, the hips, knees and elbows are the most common areas I treat. The point selection for acupuncture is straightforward in these cases, and most are relatively painless with the exception of one or two knee points, and a few elbow points.

Most patients see relief within three treatments given at one-week intervals. However, for many, acupuncture alone is not enough and must be combined with other therapies that range from conventional medications to weight loss programs, dietary supplements and rehabilitation.

ď ˇ Spondylosis is a condition with a foot in both the OA and neurological worlds. It involves an arthritic bridging between

adjacent vertebrae that not only affects the movement of the spine, but can also interfere with the nerve roots that come out between the vertebrae from the spinal cord to supply different areas of the body. Spondylosis can cause compression of these nerves, with subsequent pain and dysfunction. (Anyone who has suffered from sciatic pain knows what I am talking about).

Acupuncture can both restore the functionality of the affected nerves and reduce the pain and inflammation. It is very common to incorporate rehabilitation exercises into the treatment of spondylosis, in addition to the acupuncture.

ď Ľ Cauda equina syndrome, also known as lumbosacral disease, is a slowly progressive problem of the spinal cord.

It occurs at the junction of the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra in dogs, usually resulting in some localized pain and a decrease in feeling to the rear legs. I commonly see this most frequently in retrievers, but it may be found in any breed of dog.

No one knows exactly why this disease occurs, but it is probably related to the fact that this particular area experiences increased mobility during normal exercise, resulting in

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Lassie was an aging collie with severe arthritis. She was also being treated for a life-threatening cancer. She had undergone radiation therapy and was currently receiving chemotherapy, which meant she could not take any of her usual medications for arthritis.

When Lassie was brought to me, she was in severe pain and couldn’t get around to take care of her basic needs such as eating and going outdoors for elimination. It was felt by everyone concerned that she had only a few more weeks to live.

Radiographs showed that Lassie had hip dysplasia, which had caused the formation of significant arthritis in her hips.

Acupuncture treatment was started that day and she came back for further treatments twice weekly.

Unlike many drugs, acupuncture doesn’t interfere with chemo or any other treatments. As long as you are not putting a needle in or near a tumor, acupuncture is safe and effective.

By the third treatment, Lassie’s mobility was much better and was able to move around to eat, go outside and even play.

She continued to come in for treatment once every few weeks.

Thanks to her improved attitude and body mechanics, Lassie lived for another six months until her cancer finally invaded some vital organs and necessitated euthanasia.

Acupuncture greatly improved Lassie’s quality of life and gave her caregiver several extra months of time with her.

subsequent wear and tear on the region. Diagnosis is difficult without an MRI, although an astute practitioner can often make a diagnosis based on history, clinical examination and radiographic (X-ray) study of the area.

combined with rehabilitation offers an alternative treatment.

In fact, recent research has shown that this combination of treatments is similar in effectiveness to surgery. In my hands, I have seen many dogs show signs of recovery after only a few acupuncture and rehab treatments. However, this approach can involve several visits a week over a period of months, depending on the severity of the IVDD and the individual’s response to treatment.

t Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) is a condition in which the blood supply of a portion of the spinal cord is affected by a clot. It usually occurs secondary to trauma. FCE is very similar in appearance to IVDD, except it’s not painful beyond the period of time in which the trauma occurred.

The treatment and prognosis of FCE is similar to that of IVDD, except that there is no surgical alternative for FCE.

y C ranial cruciate rupture is a common problem that traditionally required surgery. Recently, however, nonsurgical options including acupuncture are being put forth as treatment choices. Acupuncture as part of a rehabilitation program, with or without a knee brace, is gaining in popularity as an alternative to expensive and sometimes dangerous surgical procedures.

These aren’t the only pain conditions that can be treated with acupuncture. If your dog has pain, take him to a holistic or integrative veterinarian who practices veterinary acupuncture – to find one in your region, visit ahvma.org, viim.org or onehealthsim. org/find-a-vet.

There is no cure for cauda equina syndrome, but acupuncture, sometimes combined with rehabilitation, can greatly slow its progression while providing relief from the pain and neurological signs of the disease.

r Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), or a “slipped disc”, is a condition that can affect any breed, with dachshunds being very susceptible to it. IVDD occurs when the pad between two adjacent vertebrae, which normally acts as a shock absorber, ruptures and extrudes some of its contents into the spinal canal, irritating or even bruising the spinal cord. At the very least, IVDD causes pain; and at worst, complete paralysis.

The classic treatment for this type of injury is surgery, to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord and remove some of the disc material from the canal. Luckily, acupuncture

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The author routinely uses acupuncture to help manage pain in his canine patients.

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Natural solutions for pet

pests

By Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH

D gs Cats Fleas, ticks, heartworms, mosquitoes – now that warmer weather is returning, a lot of pests will be looking for a piece of your dog or cat. Some can cause SERIOUS ILLNESS, never mind itching and irritation, so take steps now to protect him, the way.

Over the last 35 years of being an integrative veterinarian, I have developed a holistic approach to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and the other pests that plague my patients. Healthier animals rarely attract many pests, especially fleas and mosquitoes; if and when they do get infected with an insect-transmitted illness, they recover rapidly with natural therapies. My goal, then, is to build health and have a multitude of gentle, safe options (for animals, humans and the planet) to offer my canine and feline patients, reserving the “chemical of the year” for unique circumstances. Alternative pest repellent strategies include nutrition, herbs, essential oils and more, and can be topically or orally administered and/or used to also treat the environment.

NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS Since improving health is key to preventing attack from pests, good nutrition is vitally important. As always, start with the healthiest, highest-quality whole foods-based diet you can afford. The food shouldn’t contain any of the cheap ingredients, fillers or artificial additives that can degrade your pet’s well-being.

1

Supplements need to boost health as well as repel bugs: Garlic has been used for centuries to prevent infestations in people and animals, as well as to eliminate parasites. While there are some safety concerns if huge quantities are fed, garlic has been proven safe and effective in many animals. Add to food or give in supplement form; apply topically and use it to spray the yard. Duration lasts up to a month with some products.

Noni is very palatable and effective, for all species. (Read more about Noni and its health benefits on page 54).

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3

natural

Apple cider vinegar (organic is best) can be added to food and water or applied topically for mosquitoes.

FLEA TAGS These high-tech collar tags make use of energy fields that are harmless to pets but whose frequencies serve to repel bugs. For example, the EasyDefense Flea & Tick Tag from Only Natural Pet (onlynaturalpet.com) uses the dog’s own bio-energy to send out pest-repelling frequencies and keep fleas, ticks and mosquitoes away, without the use of any chemicals.

ESSENTIAL OILS Many essential oils repel bugs. For example: • Rose geranium is known for repelling ticks. Put one drop in a carrier oil (e.g. coconut or olive oil) on your hands, rub your dog around the neck and shoulders, and you should see no ticks for a few weeks.

• Cedar is another good repellent, and is often used in products specifically formulated for repelling fleas, ticks and other pests.

Additional essential oils that will keep bugs at bay include lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass and tea tree.

Never use essential oils at full strength – they must always be diluted in a carrier oil. Take great care using essential oils around cats.

MECHANICAL METHODS

1 2

Mechanical ways to deal with pests include: Tick pullers – these simple handheld tools feature small hooks or notches designed to get hold of the tick and remove it from the skin with a twisting or sliding motion.

Diatomaceous earth products – DE is a powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms called diatoms. These diatoms have sharp edges that cut through the exoskeletons of fleas and ticks, dessicating and killing them. Diatomaceous earth products must be food grade so they can be applied topically and in the house.

As our concerns about toxic chemicals escalate, you have a growing number of safe alternative pest prevention products to choose from. And you can use them in combination to cover all the bases. For example, if you live near a swampy area filled with mosquitoes during the summer, a flea tag for your dog’s collar, along with a yard spray made with garlic or cedar oil (not to mention a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep his immunity strong) will help protect him from heartworm. A holistic approach to pest control does require more work on your part, but it pays for itself ten times over with a healthy, happy, pestfree dog or cat.

We’re told to wear long pants and sleeves when walking in areas with ticks or other bugs. Dog apparel can protect your canine the same way. The Sun & Bug Blocker from Hurtta (hurtta247.com) features Archroma Sanitized® finishing to help protect dogs from ticks, mosquitoes and horseflies as well as UV radiation from the sun. Textiles with this type of finishing are dermatologically tested and safe for dogs.

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By

Em ily W atso n

Cookie

– NYC’s coolest canine

Whether he’s posing for a style photo or drinking allnatural smoothies, this famous red miniature poodle is one quirky – and lucky – dog!

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Animal Wellness

Meet

New York City’s most unique pooch. In a city that embraces originality, Cookie is the perfect fit. This red miniature poodle with the cool sense of style has charmed his way into the social media spotlight, and is the darling of devoted fans all over the world. Unlike most members of the canine species, Cookie doesn’t have much interest in sniffing around at the dog park, chewing toys, or socializing with others of his kind. Instead, he enjoys a pampered, holistic lifestyle thanks to his person, Olia Saunders, a lifestyle and vegan food photographer and stylist. He likes to wear glasses. He likes to model in his “mom’s” style shots. And yes, he likes smoothies!

Olia adopted Cookie from a foster home when he was just nine weeks old. “He was born in a puppy mill in Kansas,” she says, adding that his past definitely played a role in shaping his personality. “He has a strong case of separation anxiety,” she says.

“If I stand more than a few feet away from him, he becomes extremely upset.” Cookie is also afraid of stairs and crates.

But despite these understandable issues, Cookie has come a long way from his puppy mill days. He has some very unique qualities, not least of which is that he is unusually large for a miniature poodle. He also has a lot of “human” tendencies. “Cookie’s trainer said he doesn’t identify himself as a dog,” she says. “He doesn’t like getting wet and never goes swimming, even if it’s scorching hot out. And he won’t drink or eat anything from dog bowls. It has to be a glass or a ceramic bowl for humans!” To add to his quirkiness, Cookie also partakes in popular urban health trends.

“He loves all kinds of fruits and veggies and is addicted to juices and smoothies,” says Olia. “If I happen to leave a glass with fresh pressed juice on our coffee table, he'll come and drink from it.”

A few months after they adopted Cookie, Olia’s daughter, Lara, created an Instagram account for him called “Pumpkin and Sunshine” after her and Cookie’s nicknames (she has since changed the account name to “ps.ny”). “Lara didn't think of making him a celebrity,” says Olia. “She just wanted to post funny photos and

His contented demeanor makes it clear that he was destined for a glamorous lifestyle in the Big Apple, living in luxury most dogs only dream of.

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videos.” But Cookie’s Instagram took off quickly, gaining 70,000 followers in the first year alone. That figure has since more than doubled, and Cookie also has a presence on Twitter and Facebook, as well as on the website he shares with Olia and Lara, who is an accomplished photographer like her mom.

One look at the photos Olia and Lara share and it’s easy to see why Cookie has become so admired. He makes the perfect canine model, whether he’s perching happily in front of a bowl of fresh berries; relaxing under a fluffy duvet with glasses and a book; wrapped in colorful coats and scarves; or lounging in the garden with a smoothie. His contented demeanor makes it clear that he was destined for a glamorous lifestyle in the Big Apple, living in luxury most dogs only dream of.

So it’s no surprise that Cookie’s popularity didn’t stop at social media. “In 2015, he was featured on several international TV shows, radio stations, and blogs, and we had a few collaborations with various brands,” says Olia. But Cookie didn’t really enjoy the attention. “It became quite overwhelming for us and I decided to pull back. I wasn't interested in making Cookie a star and taking him to all possible events and photoshoots, especially because he's quite shy by nature.” Instead, Olia did what was best for Cookie and opted for a life outside the limelight, though with nearly 150,000 Instagram followers and counting, Cookie will never have any shortage of social media fans.

Cookie’s fame has inspired Olia to get involved with community rescue groups, including the ASPCA and the Humane Society of New York. She is also an advocate for all-natural raw diets

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for pets, so on top of being one of the best-dressed dogs on social media, Cookie may also be one of the best-fed! “I only feed Cookie human-grade organic homemade food, consisting of mostly raw turkey and lots of vegetables,” says Olia. “I add enzymes, probiotics, nutritional yeast, mashed greens, herbs and coconut oil to his meals.

“I'm convinced that most diseases are nutrition-based and I'm very strict about his diet,” she adds. Also a big believer in holistic and preventative medicine, Olia takes every precaution she can in order to avoid giving Cookie any unnecessary vaccines. “I try to avoid any conventional medicine. Cookie is very healthy and fit and I hope he stays this way for a very long time!”

Indeed, Cookie is living proof that a little indulgence can make a big difference in a dog’s life, regardless of his background. “He’s unbelievably affectionate and cuddly,” says Olia, who admits that despite his shyness, he nevertheless poses for every camera he sees. “He's extremely attached to us and is always by my side. Yet he's also super sensitive to anyone around him, and will always offer his love and kisses to someone in need.”

Find Cookie online psdotny.com

instagram.com/ps.ny facebook.com/psdotny twitter.com/psdotny

product picks Supplement

for aging pets

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NOW® Pets Joint Support is a health supplement formulated by veterinarian Dr. Barbara Royal. Each tablet contains glucosamine, MSM, curcumin, yucca, hyaluronic acid and cayenne, all of which work together to help relieve the discomfort associated with routine daily activity.

90 tablets – $21.99

NowFoods.com/pet-health/ joint-support-chewables

Quality

kennels

Looking for a good quality dog kennel? Horizon Structures’ prebuilt kennels are made to order by Amish craftsmen. Delivered fully assembled and ready for use, they’re available in various sizes with canine safety and comfort in mind. There are many styles/layouts/colors, including custom designs, as well as several siding and roofing choices to select from. Lots of options and upgrades are available as well.

Prices start around $3,199

HorizonStructures.com

Joint support that tastes

good

Arthritis and other joint problems can make life miserable for your dog. Osteo-Pet® Total Joint Care is formulated for dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia. It blends proven ingredients – glucosamine, chondroitin, boswellia, MSM, hyaluronic acid, green-lipped mussel, collagen, antioxidants and more – with bacon and cheese for a tasty treat that even picky dogs love.

Shark cartilage for

arthritis

60ct bottle – regular $29.99, on sale for $17.99 180ct value size – regular $72, on sale for $43.00 720ct value size – regular $359.99, on sale for $142.95

MarvelousProducts.com

According to research, 80% of arthritic dogs treated with shark cartilage showed improvement. Shark cartilage has anti-inflammatory properties and also inhibits the formation of blood vessels. Pawzzie Shark Cartilage Sticks from Companion Pet Products can help with the treatment of canine arthritis and joint injury. They also stimulate the immune system, and are great for teeth and gums.

100g or 9pc – $16.99 Individual sticks in bulk – $1.99 each

CompanionPetProducts.ca April/May 2017

37

Who doesn’t enjoy taking their dogs to the local dog park? It’s a great place for exercise and socializing, but there are also some potential RISKS you need to be aware of and protect against.

Dog park

DANGERS

By Marybeth Bittel

and how to avoid them

O

ff-leash dog parks have become phenomenally popular, and most towns and cities have at least one. It’s not surprising, since they offer an array of appealing benefits. Daily exercise helps keep your dog fit and healthy, and the local dog park provides him with a space to play with other pooches and practice tricks and training basics, while you get a chance to meet like-minded dog parents.

But like anything else, there are some drawbacks to dog parks, although with proper care, they don’t need to become problems.

One issue is that even fully-fenced parks – which many people consider the most secure option – vary considerably in square footage and self-regulatory guidelines. Some are practically the size of small forest preserves; others may contain profuse foliage that can make it nearly impossible to track down a curious canine who has identified an interesting scent. Furthermore, while many parks are overseen by reputable local government or civic organizations, dog owners are generally expected to selfpolice their own pooches.

These variables can lead to numerous complications when canines actually begin to interact. Perhaps this is why animal health and behavior experts are often ambivalent in their

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Animal Wellness

assessments of dog park safety and practicality. But this doesn’t mean dog parks are a bad idea. If you’re among the growing number of dog parents who enjoy dog park dates with their four-legged friends, you just need to understand the hidden threats so you can avoid them. Here’s a seven-point checklist to keep in mind.

1. Watch your dog, even while socializing. People, like dogs, are social creatures, so dog lovers standing mere yards from each other tend to interact. Others access mobile devices while their pups romp around. It’s all too easy to experience a false sense of security within the fenced confines of a dog park. Owners busily chatting away should never forget that dogs prioritize sights, sounds and scents differently than people do – and that they often signal emotions differently, too – so it’s important to keep a keen eye on dogs in a park setting.

2. Learn canine body language. This leads directly to the next important point – knowing how to read your dog’s body language. “There can be a lot of owner misunderstanding regarding standard behavioral cues at a dog park,” says veterinarian Dr. Lisa McIntyre. “For instance, a wagging tail doesn’t always indicate a dog is happy and eager to play.” While

visiting a dog park, Dr. McIntyre recommends maintaining constant, close proximity to your dog so you can watch for problematic postures.

A dog feeling overstimulated, for example, could either display sudden aggression or anxiety. Aggressive body language may include hard stares, tense muscles, a set jawline, outright growling/barking, agitated snapping, lunging – and yes, even tail-wagging. Fearful postures can include “shaking off” movements, repeated yawning, excessive panting, eye-rolling, cowering, repeated lipsmacking, or a low-curling tail.

3. Make sure your own dog is well-trained. Ensuring your dog responds to your commands is always important. At a dog park, however, your own dog isn’t the only potential problem.

Dog trainer Abraham Mashal notes that two canines engaged in aggressive posturing may ignore verbal cues altogether. If such behavior should escalate into an actual dogfight, the animals in question may fail to register your presence at all. “I’ve been injured at dog parks myself,” says Abraham. “And I’ve seen both clients and their dogs sustain serious injuries as well. Remember that canines you encounter at the dog park represent a wide spectrum of social skills. You can’t always know what you’re walking into.”

There’s no way you can control how well others dogs at the park are trained or socialized, but you can help minimize potential problems by making sure your own dog is well-trained and socialized. If necessary, work with a trainer to help your dog master basic recall and obedience commands before venturing into any off-leash situation.

4. Understand leash limitations. Abraham observes that a leash can feel highly restrictive to many dogs in some situations. An uncertain dog who wants to retreat is tethered helplessly in place.

This is especially true when a leashed dog is swarmed by several off-leash animals. At a dog park, this is most likely to happen at the entrance, which Abraham identifies as a particularly problematic zone.

Dr. McIntyre agrees. “Even normally easygoing dogs who sense submissive anxiety in

April/May 2017

39

“Remove the leash in that middle space, and spend some time letting your dog adjust to the sights, sounds and scents before you actually enter.” other canines may react with unexpected aggression,” she says.

“This can make your leashed dog – and you – ready targets as you walk in.” Abraham recommends taking advantage of the betweengate staging area many park entrances offer. “Remove the leash in that middle space, and spend some time letting your dog adjust to the sights, sounds and scents before you actually enter.” At the very least, this puts your dog on a more equal footing with other dogs as you proceed through the main gate.

5. Be aware of illness risk. Dr. McIntyre notes that there are often few rules regarding who can access dog parks. This means that canines with untreated infections or parasites may be openly interacting with your dog. You can help ensure your dog doesn’t catch anything by ensuring he has a healthy lifestyle that supports a strong and balanced immune system – such a lifestyle includes a high quality diet, minimal vaccines, plenty of exercise, limited or no exposure to toxins, and protection from excess stress.

6. Don’t underestimate injuries. Stay vigilant to the ever-present threat of violent behavior – and if your dog is involved in a skirmish, don’t shrug off superficial-looking scrapes. “Puncture wounds are a dog park-related injury we see fairly often,” says Dr. McIntyre. “They may appear small, but they can lead to abscess and infection. Also, in certain cases, punctures can extend into an organ or body cavity.” The significance of an injury may not reveal itself immediately. So if you see a cut or bite, it’s always smart to visit your vet immediately.

There are pros and cons to just about anything in life, and dog parks are no exception. They’re great places for you and your dog to enjoy exercise, fresh air and socialization, and as long as you take the appropriate safety precautions, your chances of running into a problem should be minimal.

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Animal Wellness

April/May 2017

41

Business Profile

By Matthew Berk

No matter how careful you are, your dog or cat will get the occasional scratch, cut, itch or hot spot. These non-toxic wound and skincare products offer him gentle, effective healing.

Dogs and cats are playful by nature, so injuries can happen and the occasional wound is unavoidable. Rashes, abscesses and hot spots are also common pet problems. This means skincare needs to be a part of your dog or cat’s health regimen, and you want products that are gentle and safe as well as effective and healing.

This is where Bob Burlingame comes in.

“Bob grew up on a farm and has always had a love for animals,” says Courtney Mack, Marketing Communications Specialist for Vetericyn, the company Bob founded in 2009. “He felt there was a lack of safe and effective animal wound products on the market.” This lack inspired Bob to fill the void by creating an innovative line of safe non-toxic wound, skin, eye, ear, and coat care products.

Vetericyn’s offerings are formulated to provide effective healing without harsh chemicals, and to cleanse wounds without harming tissue. Unlike many commercial wound care products, they’re free of antibiotics and steroids and are also non-irritating and non-staining. Included is the company’s flagship product, Vetericyn Plus Wound and Skin Care, a topical spray for cleaning and flushing wounds. It can be used for cuts, scrapes, abrasions, scratches, hot spots, skin rashes, burns, abscesses, sores and even post-surgical sites.

The company also has an antimicrobial hydrogel, an eye wash and an ear rinse, as well as higher concentration products

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Animal Wellness

available only to veterinarians. More recently, Bob and his colleagues introduced a line of FoamCare Shampoos. “They are engineered to foam on contact and deliver nutrients to the pet’s skin while offering a deep clean,” says Courtney. “There are three formulations for low, medium and high density coats, along with one medicated formula.” And additional new products are likely on the horizon. “We’ll use our repertoire of technology to continue solving issues in animal healthcare,” says Courtney.

Despite its focus on developing quality non-toxic animal skincare products, Bob’s company finds time to give back to the community.

“We host an annual Vetericyn Loves Animals Charity Giveaway, which has helped over 500 animal non-profits since it was established in 2011,” says Courtney. “Last summer, we worked with rescues who took in injured animals after the devastating wildfires in California. We love being able to donate product to animals or rescues in need, and to support those who work in the animal industry.” Vetericyn is also offering two $2,000 scholarships to students in the field of agriculture.

Courtney says the favorite part of her job is hearing how their products help animals around the world. “I’ve heard some incredible things and am energized by how much people love their pets. As a pet parent myself, I want to offer the best products to my own fur children. I love that we can offer those products to others as well.”

This column features comprehensive articles from our Animal Wellness library.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

5 MYTHS ABOUT

ANESTHESIA for dogs

By Shawn Messonnier, DVM

If you feel nervous about having your dog “put under” for veterinary procedures, you’re not alone. While there are a few risks involved, anesthesia is safer than you might think.

Have you ever postponed or even declined a veterinary procedure for your dog because you don’t want him being anesthetized?

While anesthesia does carry some risks, advances in technology have rendered it much safer than it used to be.

Myth #1: Anesthesia is dangerous Anesthesia was first used in 1799. Original anesthetic drugs included ether and chloroform, both of which proved toxic and often fatal, not only to the patient but also the doctor administering them! Modern anesthetics have come a long way since those days, and are now very safe if used properly. In general, there are two types.

1 Injectable anesthetic drugs can be divided into short acting

and long acting medications. Short acting medications tend to be used for the induction of anesthesia (getting the dog to become anesthetized very quickly) or are given continuously throughout anesthesia to keep the animal asleep during the entire procedure.

Long acting injectable medications may be used as the sole anesthetic drug and will usually keep the dog asleep during the entire procedure.

2 Inhalant anesthetic drugs (gases) are used in place of injectable

drugs to keep the animal asleep during the entire procedure,

although short acting injectable drugs may be given to quickly anesthetize the dog before he is placed on gas for maintenance.

Both injectable and gas anesthetics can be safely used if dosed properly and chosen with the dog’s medical condition in mind.

Some drugs should not be used in animals with certain health problems, such as xylazine in those with heart disease. Proper monitoring of the dog while anesthetized is also imperative It should include careful observation of the dog’s respiration and heart rate, and the use of an electronic monitor to check his heart rate and oxygen saturation through pulse oximetry.

Thanks to modern drugs and monitoring equipment, anesthesia should no longer be considered dangerous as long as it is properly administered.

Myth #2: My dog will be groggy following anesthesia One of the most common complaints I hear from people is that their dogs are groggy for several hours or days following anesthetic procedures. While this frequently occurred many years ago when anesthetic drug choices were more limited, in my opinion it should never occur today. I believe it is malpractice to send an animal home if he is barely awake following anesthesia or surgery.

Continued on page 44.

April/May 2017

43

Continued from page 43.

In general, this hangover or groggy effect occurs when injectable ketamine and xylazine (or similar) drug combinations are used for anesthesia. These drugs, while safe when used properly, are often given by injection for discount or low cost spaying and neutering procedures because they’re much less expensive than gas anesthesia or other injectable medications. A very common side effect of these medications, especially when given under the skin or in the muscle, is a prolonged recovery period. Many of these animals are groggy for 24 hours or more, and I’ve seen some that required hospitalization for supportive care because it took them several days to fully recover.

by the liver or kidneys. This is especially the case with gas anesthetics, since they leave the patient while he continues to breathe following the procedure.

In my opinion, a safer (though slightly more expensive) approach is to use a short-acting anesthetic followed by gas anesthesia for maintenance during surgical procedures, including spaying and neutering. Using this regimen, dogs wake up quickly following surgery and can be sent home fully awake. If sedation is needed at home to keep the dog from becoming overactive, oral sedatives can be used.

Ill dogs can be safely anesthetized as long as the proper drugs are chosen and the animals are carefully monitored, although it is always preferable to get them healthy first. However, this is not always possible. For example, in my practice I often see older dogs with very bad dental disease. These dogs are not eating and are feeling pretty crummy. It is often hard to determine if the dog has stopped eating because of the dental disease, or because of another underlying illness. In these cases, the dog must be anesthetized for teeth cleaning so we can determine which disease process is causing lack of appetite. The good news, once again, is that properly chosen modern anesthetics, antibiotics, fluid administration, additional supportive care, and careful monitoring ensure these dogs rarely have anesthetic problems.

And they feel much better following the procedure!

In my practice, I’ve performed what I call holistic anesthesia. It involves careful monitoring and low doses of anesthetic drugs properly chosen for the patient’s condition, so he can wake up immediately following surgery without any hangover effects.

Myth #3: My dog shouldn’t be anesthetized too often Some people become concerned if their dogs require several anesthetic procedures over a short period, perhaps for cleaning severely infected ears or changing bandages or splints following fracture repair. Once again, if the proper drugs are chosen, they quickly leave the body and do not require extensive metabolism

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Animal Wellness

While it is true that we never want to anesthetize a dog more than necessary, some procedures such as those I mentioned above require more frequent sedation or anesthesia. Rest assured that as long as the proper anesthetics are chosen, there is no increased risk to your dog.

Myth #4: Sick dogs can’t be anesthetized

Myth #5: My dog is too old for anesthesia I don’t believe any dog is too old for proper medical care. If that care includes anesthesia, then it must be done in order to help the animal. Some people may choose not to have an anesthetic

Address wellness and mobility with the right

SUPPLEMENTS

By Lisa G. Murray

or surgical procedure done for a dog they deem too old (for example, a total hip replacement for a 15-year-old Labrador with arthritis) but this is the person’s choice and is made after careful discussion of all the available options.

It is true that older animals don’t metabolize some drugs as well as younger ones. For this reason, the correct anesthesia must be chosen for the dog’s age, and more importantly, his state of health and/or the presence of medical problems at the time of the procedure.

I see far too many dogs who have not been given proper care (especially dental cleaning and tumor removal) because their current veterinarians deem them “too old” for anesthesia and refuse to do the procedure. In my area, I’m known as a veterinarian who anesthetizes old and often sickly animals on a daily basis, and people seek out my assistance because they want these procedures done and recognize their health benefits.

I can honestly say I have never had a single anesthetic problem or death in an older or sickly animal, using our carefully chosen holistic anesthesia regimen.

Older animals and those with illness deserve proper medical care and can receive it safely if the veterinarian is comfortable performing anesthesia and carefully monitors the animal during the procedure.

Myths like these are based on fear or inaccurate information.

As you’ve now learned, anesthesia can be safely done thanks to modern drugs and monitoring equipment. If your veterinarian is not comfortable performing anesthesia on your dog, s/he should not do so. Likewise, it’s important that you’re comfortable with it before consenting to the procedure. Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers before submitting your companion to any anesthetic, surgical or medical procedure.

You work hard to provide your dog or cat with everything he needs to stay healthy, active and well nourished. Natural dietary supplements and vitamins can help support those efforts, especially as your pet ages.

There are many products on the market that provide vitamins and nutraceutical supplements to promote general wellness, including good digestion and a healthy coat. Other supplements target specific health concerns such as mobility issues, which can include arthritis or sore joints due to the natural processes of aging.

Here are a few key ingredients you are likely to find in a quality supplement designed to address general wellness and/or mobility issues and to support optimal health: • Glucosamine: helps build and repair cartilage and other body tissues.

• Chondroitin sulfate: inhibits the breakdown and compression of cartilage, and helps maintain healthy cartilage tissue.

• Hyaluronic acid: goes directly to joints to work as a lubricant in supporting joint flexibility, and may reduce inflammation if used post-surgically.

• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): supports healthy connective tissue in joints, and promotes reactivity of other ingredients in supplements.

• Digestive enzymes: may increase the utilization of dietary nutrients to aid digestion.

Consult with your veterinarian if your dog or cat is on a prescription medication, and to check that you are giving your pet the right dosage of supplements. Purchase your vitamins and supplements from a reputable company to ensure you are giving your pet a high quality product.

Lisa G. Murray is a freelance writer and the Marketing/PR Director of WalkinPets.com.

April/May 2017

45

By Paul Owens

4TOP BEHAVIORS EVERY DOG

SHOULD

KNOW – part 2

saw something move and found that a scorpion had somehow found its way into the house. Hunter had been taught to “leave it” so she stayed put. Kelly dealt with the intruder and all was well. It could have been a very different scenario – including painful stings and an emergency trip to the vet – if Hunter hadn’t been trained.

There are several step-by-step methods you can use to shape a reliable “leave it” (detailed videos can be viewed at originaldogwhisperer.com). Just as with other behaviors, you would start in a non-distracting environment and gradually progress, over time, to more and more reliability. Of course all methods are force-free and reward-based. And there is no such thing

A. “LEAVE IT” Teaching a rock-solid, bombproof “leave it” is one of the most – if not the most – important safety behaviors you can teach your dog. “Leave it” means “Do not approach, touch or eat whatever it is you’re sniffing or looking at.” This includes everything from spilled medication to skunks, snakes, horse poop, and much more.

A reliable “leave it” can be life-saving. Recently, my friend Kelly was watching television with her dog Hunter when Hunter suddenly lifted her head and stared intently across the room.

Kelly noticed Hunter’s frozen gaze and got up to investigate. She

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Animal Wellness

Leave it

as 100% reliability with any dog…or human! So the key to keeping everyone safe is always using good old common sense, a watchful eye and maintaining the safest environment possible with prevention and management.

As you’ll see in the videos, the methodology for teaching “leave it” is the same for all behaviors:

q Teach the behavior. w Label the behavior. e Gradually add distractions including other objects and greater

w Less formal loose-leash walking, where your dog can be in front of or behind you, but without a taut leash.

Heeling is used in situations where more control is necessary and your dog knows to pay strict attention to you. This can include when you’re walking in public, like on city sidewalks, while walking across the street, while walking past a house where dogs are barking behind a fence, or at any time your dog seems nervous.

I use two methods to teach a dog to heel.

distances, and for longer periods of time.

Method 1: “There you are!” Sometimes also known as free For example, Hunter was first taught to leave a stationary piece of chicken, then to leave a piece of chicken that was dropped or thrown. She was then taught to walk around food without touching it, and then to leave other objects like glasses, the TV remote, a stuffed toy like a skunk, stuffed animals in motion (by tying a string to them and making them move), and so on until the behavior became generalized.

B. HEEL (AND LOOSE-LEASH WALKING) Loose-leash walking has two components: q Formal heeling, which means having your dog in a window of space by your side next to you.

or spontaneous heeling • To start, get a bunch of $10,000 treats like chicken, cheese, etc.

• Practice in the house and/or a fenced-in yard.

• Have your dog off leash or use a 20’ leash for added safety.

Simply start meandering around the yard (or your living room if it’s big enough) and pay no attention to your dog. To make it fun, I start singing while I meander. Your dog will eventually come up to you. The moment he is by your side, enthusiastically exclaim “there you are!” and quickly stick a treat in his mouth. If you’re using a clicker, you would click the moment he’s by your side, and treat.

Continued on page 48.

April/May 2017

47

Heel

Continued from page 47.

Then meander away and do the same thing. As soon as your dog catches up to you and is again by your side, repeat the “there you are!” and treat.

As you continue, you’ll see your dog hanging out by your side for longer periods. When this happens, continue to praise and treat, but gradually increase the intervals between treats. This is a great foundation for the next step, which is teaching and labeling the behavior.

Method 2: Structured heeling Before we begin, I strongly recommend walking dogs on a harness rather than connecting the leash to the collar. For dogs who are really strong pullers, I recommend using an anti-pulling, front-ring harness, designed to give you more control and help avoid any unintentional jerks on your dog’s neck.

That being said, I also strongly recommend attaching a secondary clip that connects from the collar to the harness. This does two things: it keeps the harness in place on the chest and is an added protection in case the harness gets loose and the dog backs out of it.

Step one Have your dog by your side in a non-distracting environment.

With your hands on your chest, say “heel”, and using the hand closest to your dog, stick a treat in her mouth. Do not walk forward while you do this. Stay in place and repeat five to ten times.

Step two You’ll soon see your dog looking up at you, anticipating a treat.

At this point, begin to walk and treat at the same time. As you walk, say “heel” and simultaneously put a treat in your dog’s mouth as before. Bring your hand back to your chest each time.

Walk ten to 20 steps.

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Animal Wellness

Heeling is used in situations where more control is necessary and your dog knows to pay strict attention to you.

Step three With your dog by your side, keep your hands on your chest, say “heel” once, and begin walking. Take four or five steps, continually praising your dog, then stop and say “sit”. When your dog sits, enthusiastically praise and treat her.

Begin again, and each time gradually add more steps before stopping and asking your dog to sit. Remember, you’re not continuously saying “heel” and treating, you’re only using praise.

If you practice this heeling exercise and add the distance of one house-length each day, you’ll be around the block in a month or two with your dog remaining in position. Then it’s just a matter of gradually adding more and more distractions, turns, changes in speed, and so on.

But here’s the secret: the heeling exercise is just like the stay exercise in that it’s important to have a clear beginning and end to the behavior. So you might start by saying “ready”, practice the heeling exercise for a few minutes, then release with “okay!” or “you’re free!”

Then repeat later in the day.

One of the easiest ways to wean your dog off training treats is to finish the exercise by giving your dog a “life reward”, like the freedom to go sniff a tree or, if you’re in a secure field, throwing a ball or allowing her to say hello to someone or another dog.

See sidebar on page 50.

April/May 2017

49

Walk without

pulling Walk without pulling means just what it says. While the dog is on a leash, he can go ahead of you, behind you, or to your side – but he immediately returns to you the instant he feels the slightest tension on the leash. To teach your dog to walk without pulling, we use a combination of three methods.

They all work fine by themselves but your progress can be greatly enhanced if you use all of them. They are all powerful communications that say to you dog: “Stay by my side (or close to it) without pulling, and you’ll be forever free to walk with me wherever I go.”

1. THE START/STOP METHOD Have you ever see a dog straining on his leash, pulling his human along behind him? The person has inadvertently taught the dog that the freedom to go forward is actually a reward for pulling. This is the exact opposite of what you want your dog to do. You want to teach him that the freedom to move forward is a reward for keeping a slack leash.

Whenever your dog pulls, creating a taut leash, stop in your tracks. Your dog will sniff for a while and eventually wonder what’s going on. When he turns his head to look at you, you’ll feel the leash slacken and the muscle tension decrease. Start walking forward again.

This gives him the freedom to explore again. Now your dog is learning that a taut leash (muscle tension) means stop and a loose leash (relaxed tension) means go.

Note that there’s a critical juncture you must be aware of to make this method work. Within the first ten-minute session, your dog will figure it out and you have to be aware of his recognition. Here’s what will happen. Let’s say you’ve done a dozen or so stop-and-gos. There will now come a point where your dog will back up or relax his shoulders as soon as he feels the leash go taut. This will happen so fast you won’t have a chance to come to a complete stop. This is the critical point at which you effusively praise and treat your dog. Why? Because he has just figured out that he can keep you moving if he backs up a little, so his action stops the pressure. That’s the whole point of the method. He thinks it’s his idea.

If you don’t acknowledge the split second this happens, he’ll say, “Well, now I’m confused,” and go back to pulling. This is a tactile, not a visual signal. I tell students to close their eyes

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Animal Wellness

and walk a few steps so they can feel the loosening tension rather that look for it.

2. THE “WAIT FOR ME” METHOD Using the first method, you continued to walk while the leash was loose. But you may also find that your dog stays in place and waits for you to catch up. If that happens, you can give him an additional reward for being close to you.

To explain, let’s say you are practicing the start/stop method.

The leash goes taut, and you immediately stop. When the leash tension slackens, because your dog turns her head to look at you, you praise her and immediately start walking again. (Tight means stop; loose means go.) But let’s say that instead of pulling again when you begin walking, your dog waits for you to catch up. Now she’s by your side. When that happens, you immediately praise and treat her for being in that position. She will quickly learn that she can not only keep you walking as long as she keeps the leash loose; she will also figure out that if she’s by your side, she’ll get an additional bonus of food treats. It’s very similar to the spontaneous heeling method.

To summarize, you’ll be practicing the start/stop method but adding rewards if your dog waits for you to catch up.

3. THE REVERSAL METHOD You’ll again practice the start/stop method but will add another twist. Say your dog stops to sniff something and you walk ahead. As he catches up to you, and before he can pass you, quickly lure him with a treat and turn around and walk the other way. Once again he’ll be by your side so immediately release the treat. As you walk, if he stays in heel position, continue to praise and treat him.

This method works because dogs really don’t like to retrace familiar ground as much as they like to explore new territory. He learns he can keep you going forward if he doesn’t walk ahead of you. He also learns that he intermittently gets treats if he stays by your side.

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51

the scoop WILD SALMON PET FOOD

Wild Alaskan salmon is the first ingredient in Grizzly Pet Products’ new Ultra Premium Food for Dogs and Cats. Also contains organic coconut meal for fiber and prebiotic support, sprouted organic quinoa for natural vitamins, and wild salmon oil for Omega-3s. No grains, glutens, potatoes, peas or legumes! Highly digestible, low in carbs, and rich in amino acids.

GrizzlyPetProducts.com

ODOR-FREE LITTERBOX

Green Tea Leaves Cat Litter is a safe, non-toxic clumping litter that fights odors by naturally suppressing bacteria, and without the use of strong fragrances. The litters are 90% lighter than clay and sourced from recycled natural materials, so they’re eco-friendly from start to finish.

NextGenPet.com

PET CARE CERTIFICATION

The Professional Animal Care Certification Council was founded to bring independent certification to the pet care services industry. In January, it awarded its first Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP) certifications to 35 pet care professionals in the US and Canada, including trainers, groomers, etc.

PACCert.org/cpacp

THREE STEPS TO HEALTHY PETS

In her book Three Simple Steps to Healthy Pets – The Holistic Animal Care LifeStyle™, Dr. Lisa S. Newman, PhD provides a reliable “Three Step” process, gathered from her 30+ years of experience, to optimize your animal’s wellness. Includes suggestions on diet, detoxification, nutritional and herbal supplementation, and homeopathy.

Azmira.com

HEMP FOR HEALTH

Therabis offers veterinarian-formulated CBD wellness for calming, itching and mobility. Backed by 25 years of veterinary experience, the products are powered by hemp-derived CBD and other whole plant cannabinoids, coupled with other powerful ingredients, and designed to address specific conditions that challenge your pet.

Therabis.com

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Animal Wellness

CHEWS FOR DENTAL WELLNESS

Healthy dental treats are an easy way to maintain good oral health.

KaNoodles® dental chews provide an innovative approach to oral health for dogs. They feature a patented shape that maximizes interaction time with tooth and gum surfaces, helping reduce plaque and tartar, and freshen breath.

KaNoodlesUSA.com

FLOOD PREPAREDNESS

In many regions of North America, flooding can be a serious problem during spring run-off, when rivers sometimes burst their banks. ServicePros, a nationwide water damage service, has developed a detailed online flood preparedness guide that includes a section just for pet safety and protection.

ServiceProsLocal.com/flood-preparedness-flood-safety-guide

SKIN CREAM AND SPRAY

ZYMOX Topical Cream and Spray helps with hot spots, body fold irritations, wounds, cuts and skin infections, and is effective for managing ringworm, staph and MRSA. It contains natural bio-active enzymes and 0.5% hydrocortisone for additional relief of inflammation and itching. From the makers of ZYMOX Ear Solution.

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NATURAL IMMUNE SUPPORT

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April/May 2017

53

Get to know

NONI

D gs Cats

By Ihor Basko, DVM, CVA

– a tropical fruit that’s good for dogs and cats

Noni has great potential for the treatment and possible prevention of many diseases in pets.

Noni fruit is nothing short of amazing. It’s been in use for centuries across the Pacific region, not just for food but for its health benefits as well. Noni is reported to have a broad range of therapeutic effects that can benefit dogs and cats as well as people, and it’s showing a lot of promise when it comes treating and perhaps even preventing many degenerative diseases.

WHAT IS NONI AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? Noni is the common name for Morinda citrifolia, also called Indian mulberry, Nono or Nonu, cheese fruit, Mengkudu, Bingkudu and Nhau in various cultures. It was an important part of the diet throughout the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia and India. In Polynesian stories, heroes and heroines used Noni to survive famine. Noni has also been used for many ailments in people, including kidney disease, diabetes, burns, broken bones, and much more.

collagenase and protease, which help heal damaged tissues, therefore preventing further disease. The ingestion of Noni also causes a feeling of well-being because it increases the release of endorphins from the brain.

• Scopoletin – Dilates vasculature, and is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and histamine-inhibiting. It’s also a serotonin modulator.

• Anthraquinones – Antiseptic and antibacterial.

• Carotene, vitamins A and C, potassium, rutin, flavone glycosides – All these are free radical scavengers.

• Essential fatty acids – Good for skin and coat health.

• Polysaccharides – Immuno-stimulatory, immune-modulatory and anti-tumor; may play a role in Noni’s cancer-fighting benefits.

NONI CAN HELP WITH A RANGE OF CONDITIONS

The Noni plant contains a broad spectrum of nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, antiparasitic, tranquilizing and immune-modulating substances.

Different parts of the plant have different chemical compositions.

1. BACTERIAL OR FUNGAL INFECTIONS Research has showed that Noni offers significant antimicrobial and antifungal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus morgaii, Staphylococcus aureus, Baciilis subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigela, H. pylori, A. niger, C. albicans, T. mentagrophytes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Noni contains over 160 phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, organic acids, and alkaloids. Researchers are also finding some additional novel compounds. The following are a few of the major components that may be responsible for Noni’s benefits:

It also interferes with the serum-induced morphological conversion of Candida albicans from cellular yeast into a filamentous form in vitro, and inhibits the germination of Apergillus nidulans spores.

• Xeronine – A plant alkaloid similar to the bromelain found in pineapple. It activates proteins and enzymes such as pro-

I have successfully treated bacterial diarrhea, as well as ear and skin infections just with Noni.

WHAT MAKES NONI SO HEALTHY?

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Animal Wellness

2. CANCER Noni has great potential for scavenging reactive oxygen free radicals and decreasing lipid peroxidation, thereby reducing cancer risk. It would be useful to include Noni in the daily diet of breeds susceptible to cancer, and in dogs living with heavy cigarette smokers. Unspayed geriatric female cats or dogs may benefit from daily Noni to prevent breast cancers.

Once cancer is diagnosed, Noni is a useful addition to any treatment protocol because of its synergistic properties affecting the immune system. It can be used in the treatment of mammary and lung cancers, lymphoma and liver cancers.

Continued on page 56.

Noni products

The quality of a Noni product and its nutritional components is directly related to how and where the plant is grown.

Concentrations of active constituents rely heavily on the quality of the soil, water, and the geographical location, terrain and the weather. In general, plants growing in their undisturbed natural environments (“in the wild”) have a higher concentration of nutrients and phytochemicals than those grown on plantations. Weather changes such as drought can adversely affect the nutrient concentration in the plants.

Noni is commercially available in the following forms: • Fermented or unfermented fruit juice mixed with other fruit juices • Fermented (traditional ) ripe Noni fruit • Juice extract from unripe fruit • Powdered capsules of unripe fruit • Leather made from unripe fruit There is some controversy among manufacturers over the best way to process Noni to retain its medicinal properties. It’s believed by some that processes using high heat or fermentation may destroy the enzymes and bioactive ingredients, while mixing Noni with other fruits may form unwanted compounds.

More research on all forms of Noni is needed to address these concerns.

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55

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU GIVE YOUR DOG OR CAT?

My own dosing experience is based on unripe Noni fruit leather (Real-Noni, real-noni.com) or fermented juice, and more recently, a dried extract powder from Maui, Hawaii (Noni Maui, noni-maui.com).

Because Noni’s compounds are known to react with proteins, the herb should be taken on an empty stomach. I recommend the following dosing schedules using fruit leather and fermented juice – however, as always, it’s best consult with a holistic or integrative veterinarian before giving your individual dog or cat any new herb or supplement.

Fruit leather: 1” by 1” square piece = 750 mg

Fermented juice

Tiny dogs, and cats

750 mg divided over two doses

Tiny dogs, and cats

5 ml bid

Medium dogs (20 lbs to 35 lbs)

1,500 mg per day

Medium dogs

10 ml to 15 ml bid

Large dogs (50 lbs to 90 lbs)

3,000 mg per day

Large dogs

30 ml bid

Giant breeds

4,500 mg to 6,000 mg per day

Giant breeds

60 ml bid

Continued from page 55.

Several clinical studies have demonstrated Noni’s synergistic actions with chemotherapeutic drugs.

3. PAIN Noni can be used alone or in combination with other herbs such as Boswellia serrata or Cannabis for pain control in dogs and cats.

In addition, making lotions and shampoos with either fruit or leaf extracts may help clear localized skin pain (more on topical applications at right).

4. LIVER PROBLEMS Because Noni contains many different kinds of antioxidants, it may act synergistically when used with other antioxidants and hepatoprotective botanicals, and could prove beneficial in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, acute and chronic hepatitis, and possibly liver cancer. A just-discovered neolignan compound in Noni called Americanin has been found to be a strong free radical scavenger.

5. PARASITES While I have not used Noni to treat parasites, it has a long history of insecticide and anthelmintic use. Many ripened fruits such as Noni contain octanoic acid, which is toxic to parasites when eaten. Hunting dogs are regularly treated with Noni

by Hawaiian hunters who “swear” it controls roundworms, hookworms and other parasites.

Some Hawaiians also use Noni to prevent or treat heartworms.

If Noni is scientifically proven to be an effective anthelmintic, people with pets infested with heartworm, and who have limited funds or don’t want to use chemical treatments, may be able to improve the quality of life and longevity of their animals by giving them Noni on a daily basis.

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Animal Wellness

Noni is also reported to act as a successful tick repellent in both people and animals.

USING NONI TOPICALLY I have used a topical 90% Noni and water lotion on cats with allergic skin reactions (to food and fleas), and have seen decreased inflammation after the third application. Licking off the lotion is also beneficial; ingested Noni facilitates the repair of skin and tissue by increasing local collagen production. When used as a regular dietary supplement, it can heal minor and often unnoticed tiny injuries.

Topical lotions made from Noni fruit or leaves can relieve pain quickly and could be added as an “enhancer” to shampoos. Noni extract could be mixed with other topical analgesics to better mollify pain.

A company in Kauai, Hawaii (Real-Noni) makes a Noni lotion by air drying a mash of fruit pulp, then pouring hot water (below 115°F) over it. When cooled, it’s mixed with purified water, lavender oil and grapefruit seed extract.

I make a Noni salve as follows: 3 large fresh Noni leaves, chopped up 1 turmeric root (the size of your thumb), grated fresh raw ½ cup coconut oil Simmer, but don’t burn, until the mixture is a yellow/green color (not brown) – about ten to 20 minutes. Filter out all plant material and store in a wide-mouthed glass jar.

In my opinion, Noni is safe, and has a lot of potential for treating and even possibly preventing many diseases in dogs and cats, including cancer, parasites, allergies and more.

April/May 2017

57

k, are .M aD

By Ramon

S M

D gs Cats

Ed

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR PET’S

carbon footprint significant

Domestic dogs and cats have a impact on the environment. .

Let’s look at what we can do to make our furry friends more Have you ever thought about your dog or cat’s environmental footprint? How much of an impact does he have on the planet and its resources? More than you think, probably. But thanks to a growing number of more sustainable products covering all areas of your pet’s life, you can do a lot to make that footprint smaller.

There are basically three parts to a dog or cat’s carbon footprint: food, waste and accessories (see sidebar on page 60). We’ll look at each category separately, and at the changes you can make in each one.

FOOD – WHAT HE EATS AFFECTS THE ENVIRONMENT The biggest factor affecting a pet’s environmental impact is food. Most pet food isn’t made in an eco-friendly way. It’s also shipped hundreds or thousands of miles to retail stores. The packaging may or may not be recyclable, depending on what it’s made of and where you live. So there are several things to take into account when choosing a food for your dog or cat, including the quality of the ingredients, how it’s made, where it’s made and the packaging. You want something that’s healthy

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Animal Wellness

earth-friendly

as well as eco-friendly, and happily, these two attributes often go hand-in-hand.

• To identify a high quality food that is both eco-friendly and nutritionally-balanced, Paul Davis of Dog for Dog (dogfordog.com) recommends four guidelines: protein as the first ingredient; no fillers or animal by-products; carefully sourced high quality ingredients; and environmentally-conscious manufacturing processes.

• Look for pet food companies that try to be eco-friendly, perhaps by using alternative power sources in their plants, minimizing waste, and/or encouraging workers to carpool, bike or walk to work.

• Also look for foods made from premium quality ingredients sourced as close to home as possible; and packaging that’s not only recyclable but perhaps even compostable or made from recycled products.

• It’s also vital to know what’s in the food your dog or cat eats, for his own health as

well as the planet’s. “A high quality protein as the first ingredient is one of the most important nutritional qualities in a pet food,” says Paul. “It’s also an indicator that the food provides more nutrition per serving than food that uses fillers, which don’t provide much nutritional value.”

• One challenging issue is that animal protein production has a heavy environmental impact on land, water and other resources – yet dogs and cats are carnivores and need animal protein in their diets. The best solution is to look for protein sources with a lighter carbon footprint, such as chicken, turkey, rabbit or sustainably-harvested fish, as opposed to beef, which has the biggest impact on the environment.

WEIGHING IN ON PET WASTE “The type and quality of pet food is directly tied to the frequency and quantity of waste created by pets,” says Paul. “For instance, if you choose a lower quality food for your pet, he will require more of it to receive proper nutrition, and this increased intake results in greater ‘output’. Choosing a high quality food and using the proper serving size will help reduce the number and frequency of your pet’s bathroom breaks.”

In addition, low quality foods contain additives and other toxins that are passed in the pet’s waste, which if not properly disposed of, will leak into soil and waterways. In the early 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified dog waste as a dangerous pollutant, putting it in the same category as non-point source pollution such as faulty septic systems, toxic chemicals and oil spills!

• No matter what you feed your dog, always pick up his waste, even from your own yard. Plastic grocery bags, commonly used for picking up poop, don’t break down in landfills so choose from earth-friendly poop bag products made from biodegradable ingredients such as corn, vegetable

April/May 2017

59

From bowls to bedding

– switching to more earth-friendly pet accessories Dogs and cats need basic accessories such bowls, beds, toys, collars and leashes, and many of these products are made of plastic.

Take a look at your own pet’s possessions. How much plastic do you see? For each one, there’s an eco-friendly alternative. Here are some ideas to get you started: Dishes and bowls: Ditch the plastic and choose ceramic or stainless steel bowls. You can even find bowls made from bamboo, which is renewable, biodegradable, and dishwasher safe.

Bedding: Consider alternatives to petrochemical foams. Several manufacturers use recycled plastic bottles for fluffy fiberfill bedding.

Toys: Choose toys made from renewable or recycled resources such as bamboo, rubber, wool and hemp.

Collars and leashes: Look for eco-friendly products made from hemp, bamboo or recycled plastic bottles.

If you find your dog or cat has an excess of accoutrements, consider recycling some by donating them to shelters or rescue organizations.

oils and plant starches. Some bags are flushable and others compostable. If composting dog waste, be sure to keep it separate from any compost to be used on edible plants.

• If you’re a cat owner, you may know that millions of tons of used cat litter end up in landfills each year. So it’s important to pick something that’s eco-friendly and will break down over time. There are lots of environmentally responsible cat litters to choose from, made from natural materials such as corn, wheat, nut shells and even green tea leaves (turn to page 89 to read more about these litters). Some litters are compostable.

• Another approach to pet waste is to neutralize it. “Products like NokOut help offset a pet’s carbon footprint,” says Michelle Woolf, CEO of EMebKo Enterprises, Inc. (emebko. com). “NokOut is specially formulated to neutralize many of the by-products that cause some of the problem. You spray it on the pet’s waste to reduce both odors and methane and stop it from releasing carbon dioxide-causing chemicals. We also take care to reduce the energy required to make our product, have consciously kept packaging as simple as possible, and offer larger bottles at a discount to encourage consumers to reuse their smaller bottles instead of adding to the mounds of waste in landfills.”

• Any dog lover who has a lawn covered with brown spots knows that urine kills grass. This can be prevented by reducing the nitrates in the dog’s drinking water, and consequently his urine, says Carina Evans, CEO of Dog Rocks (dogrocks.org). Placed in your dog’s drinking water, this natural product (which is sold in recycled packaging) helps keep your dog’s urine from killing grass wherever he pees.

Thanks to the ever-increasing selection of pet products that support the environment, it’s easier than ever to be an eco-friendly dog or cat guardian!

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Animal Wellness

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61

Essential oils

for your dog

E

By Jodie Gruenstern, DVM, CVA

3

ssential oils can be very beneficial to dogs. Here’s a Clove, wintergreen, helichrysum look at a selection of oils and their benefits, along These three oils can be combined to create a blend that may be layered on top of copaiba. Clove, wintergreen and helichrysum with advice on how to choose and use them. complement each other in their role of musculoskeletal support.

Many people are nervous about using essential oils on and around their dogs. Given how strong these oils are, it’s understandable.

But if you purchase high quality oils and use them correctly – under the guidance of a veterinarian who is experienced in essential oils – they can be very beneficial. In this article, we’ll look at some of the top essential oils for dogs, as well as how to choose and use them.

1

Lavender Lavender is the safest and often most effective go-to oil. It is often said that if you don’t know which oil to use, choose lavender. It’s soothing when applied topically and is calming when inhaled. Quality unadulterated lavender oil can even be ingested, though when applied topically to a dog, the odor and flavor can be a useful deterrent to licking.

4

2

Copaiba Copaiba is the sap from a tree in the Amazon. I love the earthy aroma of this oil. I rub a few drops between my palms and massage it gently down the spines of my canine patients, before and after acupuncture treatments. It is a great first oil to use when layering. I counsel pet parents to apply it over the spine, knees (stifles) and hips to support a healthy musculoskeletal system.

62

• Clove is “hot”, and high in eugenol. Dentists have used eugenol to numb the gums of teething babies, so if your dog licks a little, it’s okay.

• Wintergreen is “cool” and consists almost exclusively of methyl salicylate. (A synthesized version, salicylic acid, is a constituent in aspirin.) Be aware, however, that some wintergreen oil products are adulterated or chemically extended with synthetic versions – avoid these.

• Helichrysum supports a healthy vascular and neurologic system.

Animal Wellness

Peppermint I use peppermint in my layering system to drive the other oils in deeper. Peppermint oil is very strong, and simply opening the bottle can make your eyes water. Use it very sparingly. It should comprise only a small part of a blend, or be diluted. Apply it carefully, and don’t get it into the dog’s eyes. I do not recommend diffusing peppermint oil.

I use peppermint topically, diluted with other oils, especially over the spine and joints of dogs. In addition to the clearing and stimulating effects it has on the mind when inhaled, peppermint oil is used internally Lavendar

Helichrysum

Using essential oils topically

Many high quality essential oils do not need to be diluted, but they do need to be used sparingly. One drop goes a long way.

A couple drops can be rubbed between your palms, then lightly applied over the top of your dog’s head, along the spine, over the coat, around the perineum and between the toes. I commonly use lavender oil this way. A drop or two can also be applied to a towel and then lightly rubbed on the dog.

An undiluted oil applied repetitively to the same spot could cause the skin to scurf, so avoid this type of use.

For dilution, essential oils are added to carrier oils such as coconut, olive or almond oil. Dilution in water allows essential oils to be applied topically to surfaces or blended in a mister and applied topically to your dog’s body. However, this dispersion requires a drop of healthy soap to emulsify the essential oils throughout the water. Oils alone will float on the water.

If an essential oil contacts a mucous membrane or seems to be causing rash or heat on the skin, do not rinse with water!

Water drives the oil in deeper. Simply dilute profusely with a carrier oil – in this case, any vegetable oil will do. Most rashes are not a reaction to the oil, but rather a reaction to a rapid local detox. Dilution will slow this process. to support a healthy digestive system. It is commonly blended with other oils (such as anise, ginger or fennel) when taken orally.

Peppermint contains a high percentage of natural menthol and menthone. A few children are very sensitive to menthol, and I keep this in mind when using any oils with a high percentage of menthol on my animal patients. Myrtle oil is an antidote for the respiratory distress that can be caused by menthol, which is why some oil blends that contain menthol also include myrtle.

5

Eucalyptus There are many different types of eucalyptus. They vary widely in their chemical composition, which means their uses vary widely as well. Most are valued for their phenomenal support of the respiratory system.

•E ucalyptus globulus is perfect for use in a diffuser during the winter.

•E ucalyptus citriodora is almost 85% citronellal, and could be incorporated into a summer coat spray.

6

Boswellia sacra This oil comes from the resin of the frankincense tree. I have used it internally in dogs, more than any other oil. Boswellia sacra is also often applied topically or diffused as an emotional aid.

Continued on page 64.

April/May 2017

63

Cloves

Steam distillation vs. chemical solvent extraction

Steam distillation is the most authentic, time-proven and safe method of extracting essential oils. It does not always provide the highest yield of oil from the batch of plant materials, so the oils will come in small bottles at a higher price.

Oils derived by chemical solvent extraction will typically be less expensive because it’s easier to get a larger yield of oil from a batch of plants. However, the chemical residue makes the oil less pure, less desirable and something which should not be ingested. I would avoid the use of chemical solvent extracted oils.

Continued from page 63.

In my practice, I use it for immune support. The oral dosing is variable. I counsel people to start slow. Place one drop of boswellia sacra in a capsule; you might choose to dilute it with a drop of coconut oil. Watch for any adverse signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite. Gradually increase from one drop twice daily to a total of ten per day for the average small dog; a large dog can easily handle 30 drops per day. You may also mix this oil into food, but it may deter your pet from eating it.

Choosing quality oils You can find essential oils in many stores and online, but it’s vital to be careful what you buy, since many products are poor quality and adulterated with synthetic substances. Knowing as much as you can about an essential oil company is crucial to determining their products’ safety and efficacy. Some questions to ask: • Where do your oils come from?

• Do you grow and harvest your own plants? (Companies that produce their own seed, grow their own plants, do their own harvesting and test their own products have a better handle on quality control.)

• Are the oils steam distilled, or is chemical solvent extraction utilized (see sidebar above)?

• Have the plants been grown on healthy soil?

• Can your oils be ingested or are they for topical use only?

• Does your company participate in gas chromatography (GC) testing? (This process determines the quality of an essential oil for clinical aromatherapy.)

Again, it’s important to work with a vet who is well-versed in the use of essential oils. Chosen carefully and administered correctly, high quality essential oils can enhance your dog’s well-being.

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Animal Wellness

Eucalyptus

April/May 2017

65

passages

Pet cremation

By Nadia Ali

– find out if it’s the right choice for you

T

here’s one thing pet parents don’t like to think about, and that’s the day we have to say goodbye to our treasured dogs and cats. Just as difficult is the decision about what to do with their remains. Where laws allow, many people bury their animals in the backyard, or else have them interred in pet cemeteries.

But another option that’s growing hugely in popularity is cremation.

If you aren’t allowed to bury your dog or cat at home, pet cemeteries offer another option. But not all areas have one and most people don’t want to bury their dogs or cats miles away from home. And what happens if you move? Whether your companion is buried in your yard or in a pet cemetery, it means leaving his remains behind, a heart-wrenching prospect for many.

BACKYARD BURIALS ARE PROHIBITED IN MANY AREAS

THE ADVANTAGES OF CREMATION

Traditionally, when a pet died in someone’s household, the family held a backyard burial. They chose a special place for the grave, everyone gathered to say their last goodbyes, and the animal was laid to rest. But nowadays, concerns surrounding public and environmental health mean that backyard pet burials are prohibited in many areas. Urban settings usually don’t allow them, and neither do many locations near wells or other water sources. A lot of people don’t bury their pets deep enough, which can cause issues with sanitation and may also attract scavenging wildlife. Whether or not backyard burials are allowed in your community depends on local and/or county ordinances, which means checking local laws has to be added to the list of challenges facing you after the loss of your pet.

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Animal Wellness

This is one reason why cremation has become more popular.

“When you move, you can take their ashes with you, and not have to leave their graves behind,” says one pet parent who recently had her two elderly cats cremated. Another animal lover says that she prefers cremation because it has allowed her to keep her beloved pet by her side. “We plan to put her remains into a specially-chosen urn and place it beside our bed,” she says.

For some, cremation makes the grieving process a little easier.

“Although it was hard leaving Allie’s body behind at the vet’s office to be sent to the crematorium, rather than bringing her home for burial, it meant I didn’t have to face digging a hole and putting her in the ground, which to me has always been as difficult as making the decision to euthanize because it just Continued on page 68.

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67

Continued from page 66. seems so final,” says Bethany of her senior Shih tzu, who passed away last fall. “Picking up her ashes made me cry all over again, but because it was nearly a week after her death, the shock of losing her wasn’t quite as sharp by then, and I was able to take comfort in the fact that I could keep her remains close by.”

FACTS ABOUT PET CREMATION According to the Cremation Association of North America, the pet cremation industry is growing rapidly. Registered pet

“When you move, you can take their ashes with you, and not have to leave their graves behind.”

cremation facilities can be found in pretty much every state and province, and the number of funeral homes that also cater to pet funerals has essentially doubled in recent years; the most basic of services will collect, cremate and either bury the remains or return the ashes at the request of the pet parent.

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement includes a listing of pet cremation facilities (as well as pet cemeteries) across the US (aplb.org/ services/aftercare.php).There are even organizations that oversee this rapidly developing area of pet aftercare services. One example is the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories, which acts as a governing body to ensure that proper practice, standards and ethics are offered by pet aftercare professionals.

TYPES OF CREMATION There are several types of cremation: • Individual cremation is when there is only one pet in the cremation unit, and you get purely your own dog or cat’s ashes back. Prices generally range from around $125 to $275, according to cremation.com, an online resource for cremation, funerals and endof-life planning information for both humans and pets.

• Partitioned cremation involves several pets being cremated at once, with barriers such as bricks or trays inside the chamber to help keep the ashes of different animals separated. However, some co-mingling of ashes does occur. The cremated remains are returned to the owners. Prices may range from $95 to $160 depending on the size of the pet.

• Communal cremation is when there are multiple pets in the cremation unit and the ashes are not returned to the owner but buried or scattered. This is the least expensive option; prices can be as low as $50 to $65.

Many pet crematories offer the option of choosing from a variety of decorative urns or other memorial products, though this adds to the cost. But overall, more and more people are willing to pay to have their pets cremated so they can keep their remains close by. There are even companies that will create tasteful jewellery that incorporates your dog or cat’s ashes, so you can keep him close to your heart as well as your home.

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Animal Wellness

Business Profile

Canine

By Matthew Berk

Dennis and Christina love hearing about how their light therapy pads help animals heal and achieve an improved quality of life.

After seeing firsthand how light therapy can heal animals, this couple launched their own company making light therapy pads for dogs and horses.

Light therapy helps the body heal itself, and has been in use for years in both people and animals. It induces healing at a cellular level, and has proven beneficial for wounds, spinal injuries, and other ailments.

“The lights emit photons that are absorbed by a photo acceptor within the mitochondria of the cell,” says Christina Reguli, who along with her partner Dennis, own and operate According to “Gospel” Canine Light Therapy. “There are no adverse side effects as there are with drugs, no pain-like shockwaves, and no injection risks.”

Christina and Dennis discovered the amazing healing powers of light therapy back in 1999 when their horse, Gospel, developed severe laminitis. “We exhausted every traditional option and began to investigate light therapy,” Christina says. “There wasn't much available at the time, however, and what was out there was expensive. So Dennis, being an engineer, made a light therapy pad for Gospel. It helped dramatically.”

The Regulis were so inspired by the results that they launched their own business in 2004, making light therapy pads for both dogs and horses. “Light therapy is a wonderful way to help animals heal faster with no negative side effects,” says Christina.

“The pads are non-invasive and cannot harm tissue.”

Extensive research has proven the effectiveness of light therapy, but while the benefits are clear, the science behind the

phenomenon is a bit more complicated. “Our light therapy pads are flexible neoprene pads housing LEDs that produce intense photonic (light) energy at specific therapeutic wavelengths,” explains Christina. “We use two different wavelengths – a visible red wavelength, and a longer wavelength in the near infrared range.” The visible red light (660 nanometers) penetrates the skin and is best for treating wounds and infections and stimulating acupuncture points. Infrared light (880 nanometers) cannot be seen by the human eye, but reaches much deeper to heal tendons, ligaments, bones, joints and muscle.

With four cats and one dog of their own – all rescues – Christina and Dennis make every effort to provide support and discounts to rescue organizations. “We have been involved with a number of organizations such as Almost Home Animal Rescue for large breed dogs,” says Christina. “Many times, rescues bring in animals with a wide variety of issues, and our light therapy pads can help.”

While the science of light therapy may be complex, the rewards couldn’t be simpler. “Our animals are family, and nothing is more wonderful than learning our products made a difference to them,” says Christina. “We love it when someone says our light therapy pad eased a pain, healed a wound that wouldn’t heal before, or improved the quality of life for a senior dog.

Clients have even shared stories of our light therapy pads saving an animal’s life when all other treatments failed. Those are the things that keep us going!”

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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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Hip hemp products for dogs

By Emily Watson

One of the most versatile materials on the planet, hemp is valued for its hypoallergenic and earth-friendly qualities. Hemp is made from the fibers of the cannabis sativa plant. It’s used to make everything from paper to building materials – and more recently, natural pet products. In fact, hemp is finding its way into many items for dogs, including collars, leashes, toys, apparel, bedding and more.

COLLARS, HARNESSES AND LEASHES Dog accessories such as collars and leashes need to be durable and of good quality. You want something that will keep your dog secure, and that will stand up to the elements. Studies have shown that under normal conditions, hemp outlasts materials such as cotton, denim or polyester.

Earthdog is one company that offers a line of collars, leashes and harnesses, as well as other products such as beds and toys, all made from hemp canvas, webbing and rope. Aside from being one of the strongest fibers on the planet, hemp is also comfortable for the dog.

“Hemp feels great against the skin and won’t irritate the way many synthetic materials can,” says Dave Colella, co-founder of Earthdog. “Many dogs who have had chronic hair loss and skin irritation find relief with a hemp collar or harness.” Hemp softens with age and washing – but without weakening.

“Hemp is breathable and washable,” adds Dave. “It doesn’t get stinky or hold moisture, and it won’t break down with exposure.”

BEDS AND BLANKETS Hemp is an increasingly popular choice for bedding products because it’s machine washable, while its porous nature allows it to dry quickly and thoroughly.

Hemp is also odor-resistant and naturally fights bacteria and microbes, and its durability means your dog won’t chew through it easily. It’s hypoallergenic as well, so it’s comfy for dogs with sensitive skin. Last but not least, hemp is known for its ability to wick away moisture, so it doesn’t matter if your dog goes to bed with wet feet or damp hair.

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DOG TOYS

Hemp’s resiliency to damage and moisture means it can withstand chewing and drooling, and that makes it the perfect material for dog toys.

Continued on page 74.

Hemp for health and nutrition

Hemp also has nutritional benefits. Adding hemp seeds or oil to your dog’s food gives him a boost of essential fatty acids to help moisturize his skin and coat. Food products that contain hemp as a primary ingredient may also improve circulation and mental health, strengthen the immune system, and support a healthy weight and good energy levels. Hemp seeds also pack a lot of protein.

Hemp seeds and oil can be purchased at many health food stores, while hemp treats for dogs are available from companies such as CBD Unlimited and Healthy Hemp Pet Company.

Nowadays, many people are also turning to hemp as an alternative treatment for various health issues. Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in hemp, may help relieve pain, reduce vomiting and nausea, aid with sleep, improve skin conditions, inhibit cell growth in cancer cells, lessen noise phobia, and increase appetite, among other positive effects.

Therabis is one company that offers natural supplements with hemp-derived cannabinoids, for separation anxiety, itchy skin and mobility issues.

“Clinical research into hemp for pet or human health has been quite limited,” says Polly Patterson of the Healthy Hemp Pet Company. “But our own testing, pet owners and retail partners tell us that pets experience several benefits from hemp products. For example, they support joint function, flexibility and mobility, may reduce the negative effects of stress and help animals cope with situational stress such as fireworks, crowds, separation, travel and motion sickness.”

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&

Earth-friendly sustainable

Hemp is known as an environmental super fiber because of its eco-friendly nature. A high-yield crop that produces more fiber per acre than cotton or flax, while requiring less water, hemp is a renewable resource that can be cultivated in as little as threeand-a-half months.

It naturally repels weeds, which means it doesn’t need the pesticides that contribute to pollution and soil contamination. Hemp also doesn’t need irrigation or synthetic fertilizers, and it doesn’t deplete the soil of its natural nutrients.

Continued from page 72.

“When comparing durability between hemp and cotton, hemp is the winner,” says Mary Wolff of Honest Pet Products, a company that offers natural dog toys made with heavy hemp canvas. “Hemp is three times stronger than cotton of Collar by the same weight and weave, making it the most durable choice Earth Dog for dogs that like to destroy their toys.”

Hemp is also a sustainable choice for dog toys. Its toughness translates to endless hours of play for your pooch, and when it’s finally time to throw it away and replace it, you can feel easy about the fact that hemp is biodegradable.

DOG APPAREL

Toy by Honest Pet Products

Aside from durability, dog apparel made from hemp boasts coveted characteristics such as insulation, breathability, washability, and resistance to moisture, dirt and UV rays. Hemp clothing won’t irritate the skin of dogs prone to allergies, and the hollow nature of hemp fibers means the garments provide warmth in the winter and relief from heat in the summer, so they’re practical for any season or climate.

While pet clothing made from hemp is extremely functional, it doesn’t mean sacrificing aesthetics. Hemp coats, sweaters, jackets and shirts come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, so your pooch can be comfortable and stylish!

As you can see, hemp is a multi-purpose fiber that’s making a lot of waves. As far as pet products go, its benefits are far-ranging and undeniable. So the next time you’re looking for a hypoallergenic collar or blanket, a durable toy or waterproof dog coat, give hemp a try – your dog will thank you, and so will Mother Earth!

Hemp products CBD Unlimited, cbdunlimited.com Earthdog, earthdog.com Healthy Hemp Pet Company, healthyhemppet.com Honest Pet Products, honestpetproducts.com Therabis, therabis.com

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to the rescue DC Shiba Inu Rescue Rescue code: DCSIR

Left to right: Lots of play and minimal stress helped Kai heal; many DC SIR dogs, like Riku, have found happy forever homes; the organization’s allergy program, which includes raw food and healing herbs, helped Saya recover from severe skin problems.

LOCATION: Washington, DC area YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2012 NUMBER OF STAFF/VOLUNTEERS/FOSTER HOMES: “DC Shiba Inu Rescue (DC SIR) is a network of foster homes,” says president Nathalie Abutaha. “We are a volunteer-run rescue with approximately 65 volunteers, 20 of which are our extensively-trained foster homes. We have five different divisions run by our directors: Adoption, Foster, Intake, Development and Media.”

TYPES OF ANIMAL THEY WORK WITH: Shiba Inus and Shiba Inu mixes. “We pull dogs from Georgia to Pennsylvania on the East Coast, but prioritize placement in the DC area because of the extensive after-adoption support system we have here.” DC SIR also has a program for allergy dogs, seniors, fearful and reactive dogs.

Follow on

.com/DCShibFaaIcnebook uRescue

histamines that actually worsen symptoms in the long run.” Instead, DC SIR treats the underlying causes of allergies by using nutrient-dense species-appropriate raw food, as well as cleansing and detoxifying herbs to reduce inflammation and heal intestinal imbalances.

“The allergy program began the year the rescue started, when our first rescue, Katniss, was bloody and bald.” After spending over $1,000 on conventional medications, Nathalie was told that Katniss’ condition would only worsen over the course of her life. “Her biggest allergen is human dander. Since I couldn’t remove the offending allergen from her life (me!), the journey started to treat the actual issue. With each year, her symptoms get better. I still have that $1,000 of medications, and never did use them.”

dcsir.org, facebook.com/DCShibaInuRescue

FUNDRAISING PROJECTS: “We’re a community-focused rescue,” says Nathalie. “We enjoy supporting small business in our area and have monthly adoption events, summer Yappy Hours and an annual anniversary party.” On top of these community efforts, DC SIR participates in local expos, and raises funds online by selling wine, chocolate and books in support of their cause.

FAVORITE RESCUE STORY: “My favorite story is about our ‘allergy dogs’,” Nathalie says. “We go out of our way to bring in dogs that have suffered severe allergies their entire lives.

“Our allergy program is based on current scientific knowledge, and is unique in that we never use any antibiotics, steroids, serums or

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DC SIR has an ongoing community support group for all their adopters, fosters, and volunteers.

Animal Wellness has supported rescue efforts for almost 15 years and is a proud partner of Best Friends Animal Society. This column honors the work of shelters and rescues across North America.

For their full stories, visit www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

CANADA

USA

Adopt Me Rescue Studio City, California Rescue Code: ADOPTME www.adoptmerescue.org

Glen Highland Farm Rescue Morris, New York Rescue Code: AWA277 www.glenhighlandfarm.com

Boxer Rescue Ontario Burlington, Ontario Rescue Code: BOXER www.boxerrescueontario.com

A Different Breed Animal Rescue Organization Dallas, Texas Rescue Code: ADBRESCUE www.adifferentbreed.org

Good Karma Dog Rescue River Vale, New Jersey Rescue Code: GKDR www.goodkarmadogrescue.com

Dhana Metta Rescue Society Surrey, British Columbia Rescue Code: DHANA www.dhanamettarescuesociety.org

All Aboard Animal Rescue Fort Collins, California Rescue Code: AAAR www.aaanimalrescue.org

GREY2K USA Arlington, Massachusetts Rescue Code: GREY2K www.grey2k.org

Fur Angel Cat Rescue Windsor, Ontario Rescue Code: FURANGEL

American Boston Terrier Rescue & Rehabilitation Little Elm, Texas Rescue Code: ABTRR www.americanbostonterrierrescue.org

Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary Mead, Washington Rescue Code: AWA278 www.highergroundanimalsanctuary.org

Anchors Up Rescue Group Las Vegas, Nevada Rescue Code: ANCHORSUP www.anchorsuprescuegroup.org

Mini Mighty Mutts Phoenix, Arizona Rescue Code: AWA287 www.minimightymutts.com

Ark Animal Sanctuary Houlton, Maine Rescue Code: ARK www.arksanctuary.com

Outcast Rescue Catasauqua, Pennsylvania Rescue Code: OUTCAST www.outcastrescue.com

Basset Rescue Of Old Dominion Charlottesville, Virginia Rescue Code: BROOD www.brood-va.org

PAWS Project Middleton, New England Rescue Code: PAWS www.facebook.com/PAWSMitzvah

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Nashville, Tennessee Rescue Code: BFDR www.bigfluffydogs.com

The Cat Network Miami, Florida Rescue Code: THECATNETWORK www.thecatnetwork.org

Blind Dog Rescue Alliance Seymour, Connecticut Rescue Code: BDRA www.blinddogrescue.org

The Misfits Dogs Rescue Colorado Springs, Colorado Rescue Code: MISFIT www.misfitcrusaders.com

Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue Hickory, North Carolina Rescue Code: BRBR www.blueridgeboxerrescue.com

The Sanctuary For Senior Dogs Cleveland, Ohio Rescue Code: AWA092 www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org

All Paws Matter Stouffville, Ontario Rescue Code: APM1423 www.allpawsmatter.ca

Grand River All Breed Rescue Cambridge, Ontario Rescue Code: GRAB www.grandriveallbreedrescue.ca Home At Last Dog Rescue Surrey, British Columbia Rescue Code: HALDR www.homeatlastdogrescuebc.ca K9 Crusaders Cobourg, Ontario Rescue Code: K9C www.k9c.ca Marshall’s Dog Rescue Perth, Ontario Rescue Code: MARSHALL www.marshalldogrescue.com Precious Paws Rescue Barrie, Ontario Rescue Code: PPR www.preciouspawsrescue.ca Ruff Start New Beginnings Colborne, Ontario Rescue Code: RSNB www.ruffstartnewbeginnings.com Save Our Scruff Toronto, Ontario Rescue Code: SOS www.saveourscruff.org Snookie’s Society Toronto, Ontario Rescue Code: SNOOKIE www.snookiessociety.com

Central Ohio Pomeranian Rescue Delaware, Ohio Rescue Code: COPR www.ohiopomrescue.com Connor and Millie’s Rescue Las Vegas, Nevada Rescue Code: CMDR

TEAM Dog Rescue Toronto, Ontario Rescue Code: TEAM www.teamdogrescue.ca

DC Shiba Inu Rescue Washington, DC Rescue Code: DCSIR www.dcsir.org

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association Vancouver, British Columbia Rescue Code: VOKRA www.vokra.ca

Fetching Tails Foundation Itasca, Illinois Rescue Code: AWA283 www.fetchingtailsfoundation.com

Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society Edmonton, Alberta Rescue Code: ZOE www.zoesanimalrescue.org

Floyd Felines Rome, Georgia Rescue Code: FLOYD www.floydfelines.com

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3 Enter rescue code for chosen rescue 4 Enjoy your subscription!

April/May 2017

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– an herb you can share

It doesn’t just flavor food or freshen breath – mint offers a range of NUTRITIONAL and health benefits that can BOOST your dog’s wellness.

Mint is a pungent herb well-loved for its flavors, scents and pestrepelling qualities, but did you know it’s also good for your dog?

When used to season recipes, or made into infusions or breath fresheners, mints of many different types can offer a range of health benefits to your pooch.

Mint is packed with nutritional value You might be surprised to learn that mint is packed with nutrients: • It’s a good source of vitamins A and C. • Mint contains minerals such as calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and zinc.

• It’s also a source of dietary fiber and protein.

• Mint is a powerful antioxidant, and is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.

• Mint contains rosmarinic acid, which has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms.

• It also contains menthol, a natural decongestant that helps break up phlegm and mucus.

• It is a calming herb, and can be used to soothe an upset stomach, reduce gas, and stave off nausea and motion sickness.

• Mint has even been used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and to help with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Mint has a long history as both food and medicine The ancient Greeks cleaned their banquet tables with mint and added it to bath water, while the Romans included mint leaves in their sauces to aid digestion and freshen breath. Medieval monks incorporated mint into both their diet and medicine. It’s believed mint was brought to the New World in the 17th century, and today, the

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By Audi Donamor

with your dog

Mint has even been used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and to help with the side effects of and .

chemotherapy radiation

US produces 70% of the world’s peppermint and spearmint.

Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the “mother” of herbal medicine for pets, recommended an infusion using all parts of the peppermint plant for appetite loss. And in combination with ginger, mint has long been considered soothing to the whole gastrointestinal system.

Choosing and growing mints There are quite a few different types of mint, from the well-known spearmint and peppermint, to apple mint, pineapple mint, lavender mint and many others.

(Warning: Avoid pennyroyal – it’s a toxic nonculinary mint and should not be ingested by either people or pets.)

One of the great things about mint is that it’s easy to grow. I have learned a valuable lesson, though. Let mint have its way, and it will take over your garden, so if you are interested in adding mint to your dog’s diet (and yours too), plant a variety of mints in pots for your patio, balcony or window ledge. Alternatively, you can sink the pots into the ground.

It’s not unusual to see my dogs grazing on the mint that grows in my own garden.

From single leaves to mature stalks, they love to include mint in their diets, whether fresh from the garden or in one of the recipes with this article.

See recipes on page 80.

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Mint Recipes

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book reviews

Title: Until Each One Has a Home Author: Mildred A. Drost, DVM Every day, pets are abandoned by owners, or lost due to unfortunate circumstances. While some are found and taken in by shelters, others wind up sick, injured, or close to death. In this heartwarming collection of tales, veterinarian and animal rescuer Dr. Mildred A. Drost writes about the cats and dogs of DunRoamin’ Stray and Rescue, her New Brunswick-based rescue that takes in animals in need of more medical care than they would receive at a typical shelter. The stories are both real and powerful – and a direct plea for improved treatment of our animal companions.

From tear-jerking and infuriating truths, to humorous anecdotes of charming patients, and even clever letters written from the point of view of the animals she’s met, Dr. Drost weaves an emotional web of stories to which all animal lovers will relate.

Readers can’t help but be affected by the contagious passion for animal welfare that Dr. Drost embodies in her writing.

A wonderful choice for anyone wanting to foster or adopt a pet, volunteer in a shelter, or simply read a compelling book about companion animals.

Publisher: Tellwell

Title: The Dogs Buried Over the Bridge Author: Rheta Grimsley Johnson Our dogs have a profound impact on our lives – and our hearts. In her book, The Dogs Buried Over the Bridge, Rheta Grimsley Johnson shares the beautiful story of how deeply her life has been enriched by her canine companions.

Her journey begins with accounts from her childhood and leads us through the various chapters of her life, introducing the charming, quirky canine characters she has shared her years with along the way. Johnson’s story brims with colorful energy, humor, and honest depictions of the life she has led, and the mistakes she has made along the way. Through it all, dogs have a strong presence, and readers are left with a sense that the only thing as important to Johnson as what life has taught her, are the lessons she has learned from the dogs that have walked alongside her.

By using dogs as metaphors for love and loss, Johnson reminds us of the importance of the canine-human relationship, and demonstrates with narrative grace the powerful compassion and wisdom they have to offer.

Publisher: John F. Blair

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classifieds

Contact us to order your classified ad 1-866-764-1212 or classified@animalwellnessmagazine.com

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

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

events 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 types of pet, from all walks of life. This show features hundreds of vendors as well as interactive events, demonstrations, workshops and renowned speakers.

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

For more information: www.canadianpetexpo.ca Phoenix Pet Expo April 15–16, 2017 – Phoenix, AZ 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!

Be sure to check out other Amazing Pet Expo events all year round at www.amazingpetexpos.com For more information: (800) 977-3609 www.vegaspetexpo.com Total Health Expo April 21–23, 2017 – Toronto, ON Total Health 2017, our nation's premier national health show, will celebrate 40 years of striving to make a difference in the world, bringing cutting edge knowledge to the public by the leading innovators in the natural health field.

Our speakers will focus on creating good health and preventing disease using natural methods: good nutrition, living foods, herbs, natural supplements, diverse healing modalities, energy medicine, organic gardening, traditional farming, healthy homes, renewable energy sources and preserving a healthy environment for our children. We as consumers must choose foods and medicines which do no harm to people, animals or our planet.

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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/

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 For more information: (877) 389-0996 www.totalhealthshow.com

This expo also offers intensive daylong certificate courses and over 55 professional development workshops. You will also find an extensive exhibit hall with more than 150 booths providing all the latest products and services!

13th Annual Alive! Expo April 22–23, 2017 – Atlanta, GA

For more information: (800) 248-EXPO expo@humanesociety.org www.animalsheltering.org/expo

Every year Alive! Expo brings together local and national companies that specialize in natural and organic products and foods. You will find alternative practitioners as well as many great retailers showcasing their products including eco-friendly products for the home, pets and the whole family.

Alive! Expo is "The Natural Products & Green Living" consumer event and is a fun and exciting weekend for the entire family.

For more information: www.aliveexpo.com South Florida Pet Expo April 22–23, 2017 – West Palm Beach, FL Fabulous prize giveaways & fun for both the two-legged AND four-legged!

Dozens of rescue groups and a mega-adoption event, discounted vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm & flea Preventatives, free nail trims, agility demonstrations, live entertainment, obedience demonstrations, author readings/book signings and the latest & greatest pet products!

Learn About pet care, volunteerism, grooming, pet behavior & training, traveling with your pet, how you can make a difference, various types of pets/breeds, veterinarian FAQ, fun activities for you & your pet and MUCH MORE! For more information: (800) 977-3609 www.southfloridapetexpo.com Animal Care Expo 2017 May 9–12, 2017 – Fort Lauderdale, FL This expo is the largest international education conference in the fields of animal care, control, rescue and emergency services. The Expo offers an opportunity to learn new skills and strategies, and network with more than 2,000 animal care experts, professionals, and newcomers from around the world.

Healing Touch for Animals® Level 1 Course May 19–21, 2017 – San Diego, CA 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.

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 April 23, 2017, to qualify for the Early Bird Tuition prices.

For more information: (760) 644-4123 SanDiego@HealingTouchforAnimals.com www.healingtouchforanimals.com Woofstock 2017 May 27–28, 2017 – Toronto, ON Woofstock is, without question, the largest outdoor festival for dogs in all of North America. This world famous festival draws vendors from across Canada and the US. There isn’t a toy, fashion line, accessory, and type of treat or exclusive service for dogs that you can’t find at Woofstock.

Quirky and fun, Summer Woofstock is a free, non-stop two-day party taking place at Woodbine Park in Toronto Beaches, the City’s most dog “Paws-itive” neighborhood!

For more information: info@woofstock.com www.woofstock.com

MARKETPLACE

If you would like to advertise in Ad Spots, please call:1-866-764-1212

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tail end The prospect of pooper-scooping while on vacation is definitely not one of my bucket list items. So when my wife, Les, told me she had booked us and our nine-year-old female Boston terrier, Cookie, into a dog-friendly Nantucket inn, I was not very excited. I love Cookie, but to me a real vacation should be dogfree. I “philosophically” outlined my concerns to Les by saying, “Cookie is going to ruin the freaking vacation.” Little did I know how wrong I would turn out to be.

The ferry ride to Nantucket from Hyannis went well. Like other passengers with pets, we were restricted to the back of the lower deck, out of reach of the snack bar. I wondered if this was an official Law of the Sea. I was impressed that Cookie and the half dozen other dogs traveling alongside us were well so wellbehaved in such close quarters.

We arrived at our inn, and after Cookie ate her first Nantucket supper, it was time for her burdensome after-dinner constitutional.

She and I went out to the inn’s backyard patio area, which featured a poop bag dispenser. Looking down the narrow Nantucket side street, I formulated my plan. I would execute this vacation itinerary item as quickly as possible – up to the end of the street and back, a five-minute trek at most. We started out and Cookie walked a little ahead of me, possibly excited by the aromas of craft ales. There was no pleasant sea breeze; it was just blustery.

But I had to admit that walking a Nantucket street lined with circa 1840 captain’s houses was more than a little vacation-like.

Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The next afternoon, we ventured out to explore downtown Nantucket. I envisioned a lot of bench-sitting with Cookie while Les stocked up on lobster-flavored gum. But the first shopkeeper welcomed our dog into her establishment – and so did the next 15 or so. We were also able to take meals with Cookie by dining al fresco.

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By Bill Levine

– with our dog Our daily walks also became a vacation highlight thanks to the novelty of taking Cookie over new and scenic terrain. I even increased the length of our walks to a ten-minute loop around the inn’s neighborhood so we could take in more sights together.

The first time we did this I got a wonderful surprise. I rounded the corner from North Water to Easton Streets, and saw a large Victorian hotel across the street. It’s now the Nantucket Hotel and Resort, but 36 years ago, it was the shabbier Gordon Folger.

Amazingly, the side porch of this very hotel was where I first met Les! I had stumbled on my premier Nantucket site, and it was all thanks to Cookie. True, I probably would have found it on my own sooner or later, but not in such an unexpected way.

Far from “ruining” our vacation, Cookie made it one to remember!

feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!

CANNABIS

for cats

HOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN HELP WITH FELINE HEALTH ISSUES

litter

LOWDOWN

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOUR KITTY

INTRODUCING

KITTENS TO SENIOR CATS

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH AND stress-free TRANSITION

Bolt and Keel

KNOWN AS THE “ADVENTURE CATS” TO DEVOTED FANS, THIS FAMOUS FELINE DUO LOVES EXPLORING THE WILDERNESS WITH THEIR PEOPLE.

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n i t s e t a l The

By Emily Watson

scoop

Get the with our look at today’s cat litter options.

Shopping for kitty litter can be a challenge, given the variety of different litter types on the market. You want a litter that’s going to be healthy and safe, as well as convenient, clean and odorfree. In this article, we’ll look at the range of cat litter materials you can choose from, along with their characteristics.

Clay Clay is the “original” litter material. On the plus side, it’s absorbent, has a comfortable texture, and is good at clumping and controlling odor – all positive qualities in a cat litter.

One disadvantage of traditional clay litters is their tendency to produce high levels of dust, which isn’t healthy for cats to inhale or ingest. With this concern in mind, many companies have taken steps to make their clay-based litters as dust-free as possible. For example, Litter-Robot uses sodium bentonite, a special type of naturally-occurring clay that’s lower in dust and has superior odor-inhibiting qualities.

Corn Corn litters are a popular choice these days. Arm & Hammer Naturals Double Duty Clumping Litter is composed of biodegradable corn fibers; it absorbs urine, minimizes odors and is soft on feline feet. It also contains baking soda for odor control.

“Baking soda is a well-trusted and terrific ingredient that is both natural and great at eliminating odors,” says Bryan Harpine, Director of Global New Products at Arm & Hammer.

The benefits of corn-based kitty litters don’t end there. “Corn is ideal for cats and people who have respiratory issues,” says Jean Broders of

World’s Best Cat Litter, which offers corn cat litters. “Being 99% dust-free, there is no silica dust to breathe in. Also, if cats lick their paws, it won’t harm them – the litter is totally digestible.”

Wheat The texture of wheat litters is somewhat similar to clay, making it a great eco-friendly alternative for picky cats. Other perks include excellent odor control and clumping action. As well, wheat-based litters aren’t as likely to track through the house on your kitty’s paws, so it’s one of the cleaner options.

On the downside, moisture and warmth can lead to mold in grain-based litters. They can also attract bugs, so if you’re opting for a wheat litter, be sure to keep your cat’s box in a cool, dry environment and clean it frequently.

Wood Wood litters offer a fresh, natural scent to cover odor, and provide excellent absorbency.

Arm & Hammer Natural’s Feline Pine Cat Litter is made from southern yellow pine, which has superior moisture-absorbing qualities and also neutralizes odors.

Next Gen Pet offers an environmentally-conscious litter composed of cypress wood. “Our litters are made from collected wood scrap,” says Janice Yamamoto. “And once discarded, they decompose into compost.”

Because sawdust-style wood litters tend to cling to the cat’s fur, many companies including Next Gen Pet are switching to pellets. “We have also found that a piece of shag carpet or litter April/May 2017

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When litter shopping, the box! think

outside

Arm & Hammer Naturals, armandhammerpets.ca Feline Pine, felinepine.com

G That’s Awesome, antiickypoo.com Just the Crystals, justthecrystals.com Litter-Robot, litter-robot.com/litterbox-com-allnatural-clumping-litter.html Next Gen Pet Products, nextgenpet.com

mat in front of the tray is enough to keep any tracked litter centralized,” adds Janice.

Crystals Composed of silica, a drying agent with excellent deodorizing properties, crystal litters have powerful absorbing and odor-eliminating properties. These litters offer maximum convenience, as they last up to a month without being changed, although you still need to scoop your cat’s feces on a daily basis.

Green tea leaves - Next Gen Pet Products, nextgenpet.com

Many cats dislike the larger crystals used in some of these litters, but companies such as Just the Crystals have designed their litter to be comfortable for a cat’s feet, while still maintaining its moistureand odor-absorbing qualities. This product is also fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about your feline friend breathing in any unnecessary chemicals. Another example is Almost Invisible Cat Litter from G That’s Awesome; this unscented litter features silica particles with a size, shape and texture that’s similar to sand, so it feels totally natural to your cat.

Nutshells - BLUE Naturally Fresh, bluebuffalo.com/forcats/product-lines/naturally-fresh-litter

Straw and grass

SmartCat Litter, smartcatlitter.com Swheat Scoop, swheatscoop.com World’s Best Cat Litter, worldsbestcatlitter.com

More litter options:

Recycled paper - Yesterday’s News, yesterdaysnews.com

Litters composed of straw and grass are sometimes underrated.

These compressed high-fiber pellets are extremely absorbent and dust-free.

Many companies have taken steps to make their clay-based litters as dustfree as possible.

“In the past, many consumers did not want to use natural litters because they did not perform and clump as well as clay litters,” says Shannon Supanich of SmartCat Litter. This company’s litter, made entirely from USA-farmed grasses with no chemicals or artificial fragrances, is designed to clump well and has good odor control.

With so many cat litter options out there, how do you make the right choice? Chances are, your cat will end up making the final decision for you, so start by choosing your favorite options and try them out with him. You may have to experiment to find a litter that best suits you and your cat, so buy small bags to start with and ask the store about their return policy; some places will let you return a litter that doesn’t receive your cat’s stamp of approval!

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cat chat

FOOD PUZZLES ENHANCE FELINE WELL-BEING

Cats have a natural instinct to work for their meals, so food puzzles or interactive feeders offer them mental enrichment.

But there are additional benefits to these devices, according to Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, Mikel Delgado, and her colleagues. Their research, published last year in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, showed that food puzzles can also help cats lose weight, reduce feline aggression, lessen fear and anxiety, and combat boredom.

“Our first goal in writing this paper was to improve the welfare of cats by providing cat owners and veterinarians with detailed information on how to use food puzzles,” said Mikel. “We also wanted to get the concept of allowing cats to forage for their food in the limelight – recognizing that many cats are inadequately challenged or exercised…. Food puzzles are a great way for cat owners to give their cats more mental stimulation and enrichment.”

CATS ON MATS!

Here’s a hip new trend. Several animal shelters in both the US and Canada are partnering with yoga studios in order to raise money and increase cat adoptions.

Last fall, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society in Alabama offered its first cat yoga class, and it was a roaring (or “meowing”) success. Spots filled quickly as people piled in to take the class and meet the kitties selected to attend. Other shelters, including the Edmonton Humane Society in Alberta, have also taken part in the trend, pairing with local yoga studios to help find homes for cats.

Lowered adoptions fees combined with a relaxing, positive environment have inspired many participants to take home a new feline friend. While they don’t make ideal yoga partners, frequently lying on mats and drinking from water bottles, the cats are, according to many adopters, simply too sweet to pass up! gbhs.org/cat-yoga-class, edmontonhumanesociety.com/events/ cat-yoga

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G

By Ann Brightman

– adventure cats

Exploring the great outdoors comes naturally to these two intrepid kitties, whose wilderness trips with their humans have made them two of social media’s most popular felines.

iven the choice between staying comfortably at home or embarking on a wilderness adventure with their people, most cats would much prefer the homebody option.

But Bolt and Keel aren’t like most cats. These venturesome feline brothers share their lives with two women who love the great outdoors – and they’re just as enthusiastic about exploring and enjoying the natural world as their humans are.

found pets could fit into our active lifestyle without having their quality of life compromised.”

Perhaps one reason Bolt and Keel are so comfortable with an active outdoor lifestyle is because they were evidently born in the wild. “We found them as one-month-old kittens in a bush at a local park,” says Kayleen VanderRee, who resides in Victoria, British Columbia. “They appeared abandoned and hungry, and there was no mother cat to be seen. We couldn’t bear to leave them there. The intention was to take them to the local shelter that evening, but it was closed by the time we got there.”

The women engage in a wide variety of outdoor activities, from camping, canoeing and hiking to rock climbing, sailing and kayaking. And Bolt and Keel go right along with them.

“They’re natural adventurers,” says Kayleen, though she adds it’s not always smooth sailing (pun not intended!). “Just like a person, they have good and bad days. If the elements cause them discomfort, we turn around or change our plans to make sure they are not scared or uncomfortable.”

Kayleen and her partner, Danielle Gumbley, were planning to embark on a canoe trip the next day. Because they didn’t know what else to do with the kittens, they decided to take them along. “By the end of the trip, they proved themselves as adventure cats and we started to dream of other trips we could take them on,” says Kayleen. “It was important that our new-

She adds that patience is of vital importance when going on outdoor trips with cats. “On our own adventures, we often pushed our limits, summiting mountains and sailing across oceans. However, bringing Bolt and Keel along has changed the whole pace of our adventures. We have to be flexible, and stay attentive to their behavior and needs.”

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Kayleen and Danielle gave the kittens names that reflect their outdoor activities – Bolt, “after a climbing bolt, and because his tail is bent in the shape of a lightning bolt”; and Keel, “for the keel of a sailboat.”

Having adventure cats also means making proper preparations for them before setting out anywhere. “We bring a combination of wet and dry cat food; however, Bolt and Keel tend to eat more wet food as it helps with hydration.” When it comes to bathroom requirements, Bolt and Keel are quite happy to dig their own holes while on the move. “If we are camping, we bring a litter box and make sure we pack out their waste. And when we’re on the water, sailing, kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding, they wear small dog lifejackets.” The cats also have winter apparel for the colder weather, and while on the trail, they either walk on harnesses and leashes or ride in the women’s backpacks or inside their jackets.

Kayleen and Danielle began sharing photos and videos from their trips on Instagram and YouTube, and also started a blog about their adventures. It wasn’t long before Bolt and Keel attracted a large fan following. They’re also been featured in other media, including People Magazine, Good Morning America and CBC News. “We are lucky to have so many supportive fans who love to follow our unique adventures, as well as media attention to share our story around the world.”

Not unexpectedly, Kayleen and Danielle have stored up some memorable moments from their trips with Bolt and Keel. “We love how their personalities shine through while on different adventures – for example, Keel loves hiking, while Bolt loves canoeing and kayaking. Their characteristics and preferences are amplified while outdoors.

“One of our favorite moments was when Bolt leaped off the bow of our canoe and ‘doggy’ paddled to shore,” Kayleen continues. “He was completely unfazed and shook himself off, ready for the next adventure. Another of our best experiences was when we hiked a section of the Sunshine Coast trail. Keel refused to be carried and decided to hike the whole 11 kilometers over two days – we were so impressed. We love bringing joy to others through our adventures with Bolt and Keel.”

Find Bolt and Keel online Website: boltandkeel.com Instagram: @boltandkeel Facebook: fb.me/boltandkeel Twitter: @boltandkeel@boltandkeel YouTube: youtube.com/channel/ UCx5qWW24-de-eqmIFbzDwcw

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Cannabis for cats

Cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, remains a controversial topic. But more people are realizing how effective it is at treating the symptoms of many human conditions, from cancer and AIDS to multiple sclerosis, pain disorders, glaucoma, epilepsy and more.

Cannabis is also being used to help treat pets, including cats, and for many similar conditions, such as seizures, pain and inflammation, cancer symptoms and even behavioral problems.

By Ingrid King

How medical marijuana may improve your kitty’s health.

MEDICAL BENEFITS OF CANNABIS IN CATS Although there are hundreds of known compounds in the cannabis plant, the two most important are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is responsible for the “high” in recreational drug users, and is also useful for pain control and appetite stimulation. CBD has no psycho-active properties and helps relieve inflammation, anxiety, seizures and more.

Cannabinoid receptors are found in nearly every tissue of the body and brain. These receptors are part of the mammalian endocannabinoid system, which includes the brain and both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The receptors respond to the components found in cannabis, acting separately but holistically with the body’s other receptor systems. Because there are so many of these receptors, cannabis may help with a large number of conditions. Medical marijuana can: • Control chronic pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and FIC/ FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease).

• Act as a neuroprotective agent, reducing seizure frequency and intensity.

• Decrease nausea and stimulate appetite.

• Reduce cancer-associated symptoms.

• Help decrease the severity of dementia.

• Reduce bronchial spasms in asthmatics.

• Lower anxiety, which can help correct or modify behavior issues.

• Support the immune system for conditions like food allergies and immune-mediated diseases.

Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Brandon, a founder of Canna Companion USA, a manufacturer of cannabis supplements for pets, noticed an unexpected “side benefit” of cannabis in cats. “We administered it to several older kitties with joint discomfort and histories of FIC (feline interstitial cystitis),” she explains.

“All responded well regarding their joint aches, but the surprise came after two months of supplementation when their FIC symptoms also resolved.”

Dr. Brandon can’t be sure whether this was due to lower stress levels in the cats and/or their improved mobility – or if the cannabinoids had

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direct anti-inflammatory actions on the cats’ bladders. “It's likely a bit of everything, particularly as new research indicates some cannabis metabolites are perfect for aiding urinary tract health. Either way, the cats are now more comfortable and their quality of life has improved on many levels, which is all we wanted for them.”

Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney has also seen the benefits of cannabis in his patients, as well as in his own dog. However, he recommends consulting a holistic or integrative veterinarian before giving any cannabis product to your cat – good advice with regards to any new supplement.

CANNABIS PRODUCTS Cannabis supplements for pets (sometimes referred to as hemp supplements) come in capsules or tinctures and are formulated to enhance the medical benefits of cannabis without causing a “high”. However, Dr. Mahaney says not all products are the same. “Some are sedating or stimulating, depending on the amounts of CBD and/or THC,” he says – another important reason to talk to a vet before giving your cat cannabis.

Cannabis is usually not intended to be a sole treatment for any condition, and tends to work best when given in conjunction with other treatments. Supplementation with cannabis can allow for a reduction in medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, that may have significant undesirable side effects.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Keep in mind that current laws don’t allow vets to prescribe medical marijuana to their patients.

However, cat owners can purchase and administer it in the form of capsules or tinctures. In fact, cannabis should only be given to cats in supplement form, and never by feeding them the plants or exposing them to the smoke.

The latter can result in a toxic overdose.

Very few side effects are associated with cannabis, as long as it is used properly. The most common is mild lethargy, which usually subsides in three or four days. Products that use the whole plant may lead to softer stools and more frequent bowel movements in sensitive cats, due to the increased fiber content.

Rarely, vomiting or increased skin itchiness may be seen; in these cases, cannabis use may need to be discontinued.

Dr. Brandon says she’s excited about the future of cannabis for cats. “I believe that within two or three years, it will be a commonly offered option in veterinary hospitals for pain and inflammation reduction, neurological conditions and mild behavioral concerns,” she says. “It’s not a cure-all and we certainly don’t advocate the discontinuation of [other treatments] without consulting your cat’s veterinarian. But cannabis does have its place in the feline world and we’ll see more of it as time goes on.”

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Adopting a

into a

kitten

SENIOR CAT household

Tips for a stress-free introduction.

Cats

can get set in their ways. And the older they are, the truer this becomes. If you have an older cat, and are considering adopting a kitten to add to the household, you need to make sure you know what you’re doing so you don’t end up with two stressed-out felines that can’t get along.

OLD CATS DIFFER FROM YOUNG ONES People frequently assume that getting a young exuberant kitten as a companion for an elderly cat will help perk up the senior’s spirits. In reality, however, bringing home a kitten is likely to make the older cat’s life more uncomfortable.

“Bringing a new alien scent of the same species into the house will be very stressful for your resident kitty, and more times than not, you’re asking for chaos,” says veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve. “Additionally, an older cat will not take kindly to a kitten she perceives as a pesky, frolicking ‘intruder’ infringing on her domain.”

Older cats thrive on an established routine and can be very territorial. When that routine is shattered, it can be extremely stressful for a senior cat, especially when she’s faced with a youngster who is bursting with energy and constantly pestering her to play. It could even lead to aggression on the part of the older cat.

“Kittens and older cats are at totally different stages of life,” says Dr. Hofve. “Elderly cats don’t have the same interests or energy levels as kittens. This age difference becomes extremely frustrating for youngsters who don’t have an outlet for romping and playing and dissipating their energy. It’s also significantly

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By Jo Singer, MSW, CSW, LCSW (Ret)

irritating for a senior kitty who might greatly prefer to spend time napping by a window in the sunlight.”

ADOPT TWO KITTENS INSTEAD OF ONE If your heart is set on bringing a kitten home, Dr. Hofve recommends adopting two instead of one. This may seem counterintuitive, but it means the kittens will be far more likely to play with one another and leave the older cat in peace. “Adopt littermates or two kittens from the same shelter who know each other,” Dr. Hofve says.

• Before adopting the kittens, be sure they’re in good health so they won’t pass anything on to your senior. Ask shelter staff for the kittens’ health records, make sure they have received their core vaccines, and are parasite-free.

• After you adopt them, make an appointment to take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible for a wellness exam, including a thorough physical, stool check, and tests for FLV and FIV. Continued on page 98.

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“An older cat will not take kindly to a kitten she perceives as a pesky, frolicking ‘intruder’ infringing on her domain.”

Continued from page 96.

• Before beginning the introduction phase, isolate the kittens for several days in a safe room. It should contain two litter boxes, a scratching post, water bowls (washed and refilled daily), some toys, a snuggly cat bed, and a couple of boxes for hiding places.

INTRODUCING THE KITTENS TO YOUR RESIDENT CAT The introduction phase can take weeks to complete, so be patient. The process must never be rushed, because if things go awry, it can permanently damage the cats’ ability to bond.

“It’s most important that all associations between your cat and kittens during this critical period are as pleasing as possible to reduce friction when they finally have free access,” says Dr. Hofve. She offers some great steps to a smoother transition:

 Switch the cat’s and kittens’ locations daily. Put the older cat into the kittens’ room for a few hours, while letting the kittens run freely to explore the house. Reverse the process and repeat for several days. You may need a helper to ensure the cats don’t come into direct contact with one another.

 Get a washcloth and gently rub it over your older cat’s cheeks, head, sides, and around the base of her tail. Then present the kittens with the scent of the washcloth near their safe room hangout. Do the same thing the other way around. This lets all the kitties know they will be sharing space with one another. Scent is much safer than visual contact.

 Feed your cat and kittens on opposite sides of the door to the safe room, but keep the door closed. Leave a few feet of breathing room for each cat or kitten. Ideally, there should be a helper on either side of the door to praise each feline as he or she eats. The idea is that the cat and kittens are rewarded with food for being so close to the scent of one another, and rewarded with praise from you for eating. Even if they don’t devour their food right way, they will eventually eat.

 The next step is to open the door a tiny crack, giving your cat and kittens limited visual access to each other. Using rubber doorstops on either side of the introduction door prevents anything more than visual accessibility.

Again, proceed slowly. Remember that rushing the process can mean having to go back to the first step for a few days or even weeks. With time and patience, however, you should eventually be able to allow the kittens to mingle freely with your cat, and even make friends with her.

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