Pet Health & Wellness

A Mediaplanet Guide to Proactive Pet Care

Pet Health & Wellness

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Nala the Cat The pet anxiety treatments used

by Instagram’s most famous cat

Everything you need to know about diabetes and your pet Tips and tricks for holistic pet wellness

DECEMBER 2021 | MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

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Keeping Your Pet Safe During the Winter Months The owners of Insta-famous French bulldog Stanley (@thatpupstanley) share how they keep their prized pup safe and healthy during the cold winter months.

What practices and tools do you use to make sure Stanley stays safe in fall and winter?

When walking him in cooler months, we always make sure to have a portable water bowl for him and water readily available after the walk. We don’t walk him excessively, usually just a short walk with definite stops in parks to let him smell other dogs and just do dog things. We also put a light sweatshirt or vest on him if it’s particularly cold. In the winter months, something we take seriously is salt on the roads and sidewalks in our area. It can be really irritating and unsafe for dogs. To help with this, we use a dog-friendly salt to de-ice our driveway at our country house. We also use a product called Musher’s Secret, which provides his paws with protection from “salt burn” caused by ice-melting chemicals. We use that mostly in Manhattan where he’s walking on sidewalks frequently.

Has Stanley ever had issues with hot spots? What treatments or preventative methods have you used?

Stanley has had a few minor hot spot issues. We are constantly checking him and the folds of his skin for irritation because we know that Frenchies are prone to skin problems. When we see red spots starting, we use a product from the Natural Dog Company called Skin Soother. Since that product seems to work and is completely safe for him, we have their whole line of dog balms.

How do you make sure Stanley stays safe when you let him outside?

Stanley is microchipped. When we are in Manhattan, he’s always on a leash with a harness during his walks.

When we are upstate in the country, we let him out in the yard, but we never leave him outside alone. We have wild animals in the area, and though we’ve never seen any near the house, we always want to make sure he’s safe and protected.

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3 Tips for Boosting Holistic Pet Health and Well-Being According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 35 percent of pet owners say they spent more on their pet and pet supplies in the last 12 months than in the preceding year, including wellness-related products.

To ensure that your pet remains healthy throughout the year, consider these top tips from the American Pet Products Association.

1. Schedule a trip to the vet Regular veterinary visits are key to keeping pets happy and healthy. On average, pet owners schedule vet visits 2.7 times per year for dogs, 2.2 times per year for cats, and 2.9 times per year for birds. Whether it’s a routine physical, vaccination appointment, or flea/tick pre-

vention, visits with your veterinarian help your pet stay in tip-top shape.

2. Prioritize exercise Pets need plenty of exercise to help build muscle and get their hearts pumping. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can boost pets’ mood and overall health.

Forty-two percent of dog owners report that exercising their pet has led to increased physical activity for themselves and consider it an overall benefit of pet ownership.

3. Invest in pet wellness Owners are turning towards vitamins, treats, and alternative remedies when it comes to optimizing their pet’s health. In fact, 44 percent of dog owners report giving their pet some type

of vitamin or other supplement to help their pet feel his or her best. Many supplements have functional benefits for pets, such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved cognitive development, and boosted immunity.

Explore your options when it comes to pet products, keeping in mind what will work best for your pet’s needs. Investing in quality products can help prevent issues and save stress down the line.

The American Pet Products Association is proud to serve established pet industry players who value pet wellness in their business practices.

For more information, visit AmericanPetProducts.org. n Steve King, President and CEO, American Pet Products Association (APPA)

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Publisher Maggie Sullivan Business Developer Katie Konf ino Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Tiffany Jackson Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Taylor Rice Director of Content and Production Jordan Hernandez Cover Photo Pookie All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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How Nala the Cat is Treated for Pet Anxiety Even the world’s most Instagram-famous cat (@nala_cat) suffers from all-too-common pet anxiety. Her owner, Pookie, shares how Nala copes and what treatments she recommends.

When does Nala experience the most anxiety?

Nala has always been pretty good when it comes to anxiety. We’ve traveled a lot to various events within the United States and she’s always seemed pretty relaxed about it as she soaked up the love and attention from her fans. Since we no longer travel to events with Nala, she seems to have had a mild increase in anxiety when we go to her routine veterinarian appointments. She does well overall, but we can see an obvious increase of impatience during car rides.

What are the best tools you have found to help Nala when she experiences anxiety?

We found that a natural calming spray helps tremendously when she’s traveling in her pet carrier.

Have you utilized pet CBD to help Nala with either anxiety or pain issues?

We look at CBD as more of a supplement that should be taken in small doses everyday versus on an as-needed basis.

We believe that the receptors need time to prime before you really see the benefits that CBD has to offer. Nala is considered a senior kitty and is likely to have more joint aches than a younger feline, so we give her CBD for that.

When do you find CBD to be most useful for Nala?

We believe CBD is useful every day! If you’re thinking about adding CBD to your daily routine, we encourage you to purchase it from a brand you can trust. Some things we look for in a brand is testing.

Each batch should be tested to ensure quality and safety of the product. The CBD test results should be easy to find for consumer transparency.

Proper dosing is also very important, so stick with brands that create products with simple dosing like CBD Soft Chews. The CBD brand that we trust is CBDmd for all of those reasons. n

PHOTO: POOKIE

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Have you noticed your pet drinking water more often than they used to? Diabetes might be to blame! In fact, diabetes is on the rise among pets, even more so than in humans.

Over half a million cats and dogs are diagnosed with diabetes each year.

While diabetes is nearly three times more common in cats than dogs, cases of canine diabetes increased by nearly 80 percent between 2006 and 2015.

Early detection and prevention are the key to conquering this disease. That means regular trips to the

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veterinarian, especially if you are seeing any of the early warning signs of diabetes such as excessive water drinking, increased urination, and fatigue. With obesity being a leading cause of diabetes — especially in cats — regular exercise, diet, and feeding routines are essential to maintaining a healthy weight.

Advancing treatment Luckily, veterinarians have more tools than ever to manage diabetes and, in some pets’ cases, achieve complete diabetic remission. New options for

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What You Need to Know About Diabetes and Pets

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insulin and other therapeutics can reduce the burden of insulin injections from multiple times a day to once daily, making it easier for busy pet owners to provide proper care.

Many pets tolerate injections better than people!

Several years ago, wearable glucose monitors for human diabetics were being discussed for possible use in pets at the North American Veterinary Community’s (NAVC) annual education conference, Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX). At our 2021 Virtual Diabetes Summit

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for Veterinarians, we learned that these monitors for pets have become a reality. These affordable devices not only provide a wealth of information to your veterinarian to help manage your pet’s diabetes, but they are also less stressful than traditional glucose monitoring for the pet owner and the pet. Your veterinarian is armed with this and many other exciting breakthroughs to help guide you and prevent and treat diabetes in pets. n Dana Varble, DVM, CAE and NAVC Chief Veterinary Officer

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How to Keep Your Pets Healthy and Safe During the Holidays Celebrity veterinarian Dr. Lisa Lippman shares the biggest holiday hazards to your pets and how to celebrate with them safely.

What are the top foods pet owners should avoid feeding their pets during the holidays?

Sadly, for pets, most of the really tasty stuff isn’t good for them. Stay away from fatty foods and buttery foods, which can lead to pancreatitis, as well as xylitol artificial sweetener, chocolate, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, currants, and alcohol.

What are the safest foods to feed your pet during the holidays?

Lean cuts of unseasoned, cooked meats can be fine for cats and dogs, as can many fresh fruits and veggies. Basically, foods that you’d feed them during non-holiday times.

What are the top safety concerns for pets during the holiday months?

Food is one of the top concerns. Even if an owner is diligent, guests in the home may not be, and pets often get fed forbidden snacks by well-meaning guests during the holiday season. Decorations and other festive décor also get overlooked. Lots of people remember to hide the poinsettia, but they forget that garland and lights can be a choking hazard.

What are the best and safest ways to include your pets in the holiday festivities?

Try and look at things from your pet’s point of view. What may be fun for us could seem frightening or strange to them — fireworks, Halloween costumes, and lots of houseguests are all examples of this. If your pet isn’t a fan of the holiday merriment, be sure to provide them a safe space to relax and unwind.

Think of ways to celebrate with them, not celebrate despite them. Get your pet a little gift for the holidays, whether it’s their own stocking on the mantle or a little something on the first night of Hannukah. There are tons of safe holiday-themed treats and toys made specially for pets.

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The Heart of the Matter: Cardiac Disease in Pets About 1 in 10 dogs and 1 in 6 cats will develop heart disease in their lifetime.

Understanding what symptoms to look for and how to ensure early detection are the best tools for diagnosing and treating your pet’s heart disease.

The most commonly diagnosed heart disease in dogs is the degeneration of the heart valves. It can affect close to 2 out of every 3 dogs under 30 pounds by the time they are 10 years of age. Over time, the leak in the mitral valve leads to heart enlargement and may ultimately result in congestive heart failure.

In large breed dogs as well as in cats, the most common cardiac conditions result from a problem with the heart muscle called cardiomyopathy. Some forms of cardiomyopathy are genetic and could help direct more aggressive screening in certain pets so that these conditions can be diagnosed early, even in pets that don’t yet show any symptoms. However, cardiomyopathy can present in many shapes and sizes of pets.

Heart disease symptoms Pets are very good at hiding early signs of heart disease.

As your pet’s health advocate, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and to seek treat-

aging the progression of the disease and sustaining a good quality of life for your pet.

Steven Rosenthal DVM, President and Veterinary Cardiologist, CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets

ment quickly. Once signs of disease are present, the heart issue is often advanced.

The most common heart disease symptoms include tiring easily with physical activity, breathing with more effort, a faster breathing rate at rest, and/ or the onset of a cough. In some cases, episodes of weakness or collapse can develop, or the belly can be swollen due to fluid retention. The most severe cases can result in sudden death.

Early detection and treatment With early detection and diagnosis, many heart disease conditions can be treatable.

Primary care veterinarians in combination with veterinary cardiologists can formulate treatment plans that can help slow the anticipated heart disease progression.

Some pets with heart disease are born with malformations in their heart that can be managed with medications or, in some cases, surgery. A treatment plan can be highly effective at man-

Prevention and proactive care Preventative therapies such as heartworm protection, prescribed by primary care veterinarians, can prevent the life-threatening parasites of your pet’s heart and lungs.

Regular annual examinations with your veterinarian are highly recommended for all pets. During these routine physical examinations, your veterinarian can assess for heart disease signs including heart murmurs, abnormal heart sounds, and irregular heartbeats, among others.

Some dog and cat breeds have a higher incidence for heart disease. Some of these include, but are not limited to, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Maine Coons, and Ragdoll cats.

For pets of any breed at risk of cardiac disease — or where there is a family history of heart disease in your pet — twice yearly examinations are recommended, especially in middle-aged to senior pets.

Early detection and proactive care are the best tools for owners of pets with heart disease. With early detection, heart disease is more treatable and you can improve the outlook and quality of life of your pet companion. n

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How to Manage Chronic Inflammation in Your Pets Chronic inflammation slows pets down, here’s what they need to pick back up.

What to Do If Your Pet is Stolen At the Humane Rescue Alliance, we try to improve the human-animal bond in many ways — through adoptions, programs and services that keep pets with their families, and affordable medical care to keep pets healthy. We also do whatever we can to reunite lost pets with their people.

•K eep your pet on a leash. We advise against retractable leashes; they can easily break and provide less control than a standard leash.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

If your pet is stolen, act quickly:

Dogs go missing for a variety of reasons, but one frightening cause is pet theft. Here are some ways to keep your pet safe from this possibility: •M ake sure your pet is microchipped and that your contact information is current.

• Your pet should always wear a collar and identification tag with your name, address, and phone number.

•T ake up-to-date pictures of your pet from all angles and note any distinguishing features.

• Keep

veterinary records as well as photographs of yourself with your pet so you can prove you are the owner.

•D on’t leave your pet anywhere you wouldn’t leave a child. Never leave your dog tied up or unattended outside, even in your own backyard.

•C all the police and file the report as a theft rather than a lost animal.

• S hare information about the theft and photos of your pet with local veterinarians and groomers, as well as on social media sites and neighborhood listservs like Twitter, Facebook, and Nextdoor.

•P ost flyers throughout your neighborhood and offer a reward for your pet’s safe return.

“The most common cause of chronic inflammation in small animals is osteoarthritis,” says veterinarian Heather A. Davis, DVM. “Typically, pet owners notice that their animal has difficulty going up and down stairs or getting up and down on furniture or they were very active, and now they’re less active.”

There’s no cure, and failure to reduce the chronic inflammation can cause tissue damage. Treatments like steroids or NSAIDs may help, but can also have unwanted side effects. Alternatively, health supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are often used to manage pet joint pain.

At the humane rescue One line of products is helping ease joint pain and inflammation in animal companions. Only Duralactin contains Microlactin®, a natural milk protein which supports joint health and assists in inflammation reduction.

The once-a-day dose, which is available as flavored soft chews for both dogs and cats, is ideal for long-term use with minimal side effects. Peak results happen in as little as 10-14 days.

In scientific studies, 68 percent of dogs treated with Microlactin® showed an overall clinical improvement versus 35 percent of dogs that received the placebo.

Dr. Davis, veterinary product development manager with Pegasus Laboratories, maker of Duralactin products, saw the positive effect firsthand when she gave it to her older dog, “His activity level drastically increased,” she says. “He was jumping on and off furniture, running and playing and so as an overall support to the system.”

•A lert your local media to publicize the theft and caution other pet guardians.

By taking steps to be intentional about your pet’s safety, you can decrease the risk of pet theft and improve your chances of being reunited if the unthinkable happens. n Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO, Humane Rescue Alliance

Duralactin products are made for dogs, cats, and horses. See how Duralactin can help your companion manage chronic inflammation at duralactin.com

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