their ears and on the back of their neck, on their chest and on the soles of their feet.”
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natural pet
Saltwater gargle for a sore throat: As soon as
anyone in her family shows signs of getting sick, they begin gargling with salt water, says Tangela Walker-Craft, a mother and former teacher in Lakeland, Florida. “Saltwater loosens mucus and flushes bacteria out of the throat. It will also help to reduce swelling,” she says.
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Elderberry or Umcka to ease symptoms: A recent
meta-analysis in Complementary Therapies in Medicine concluded that elderberry syrup (in stores as Sambucol) reduces the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. “The syrup is sweet and delicious, so typically very easy to get children to take,” says naturopathic doctor Kiera Smialek, of Scottsdale, Arizona. Umcka ColdCare, based on the South African geranium, halved cold symptoms in five days compared to a placebo in a University of Chicago study.
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Zinc sulfate to shorten a cold: If taken within the first
24 hours of symptoms, zinc sulfate tablets or syrup can reduce colds by a day or more, studies suggest.
Warming socks to boost immunity: This odd-sounding
strategy “increases circulation, decreases chest congestion and increases the activity of the immune system,” says Smialek. Soak a pair of cotton socks in ice cold water. Wring them out and place them on the child’s feet. Cover them with thick dry socks, ideally wool. Keep them on overnight. In the morning, the wet, cotton socks will be dry. “Remember, the best remedies for cold and flu are rest and time,” says Tynan. In the meantime, though, steps like these “can help you kick it much faster and reduce some symptoms while you’re doing so.”
Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
Kibble Quandary A Fresh Look at Pet Food
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by Julie Peterson
ating healthy is a family affair, and that includes the family pet. However, what works for humans may be less than optimal for Fluffy or Fido, as each requires a species-specific, nutritionally balanced regimen. Most pet parents opt for commercial dog or cat food that comes in a bag or a can, but many are beginning to consider more natural options. “Kibble is often the most economical way to feed your pet. But its processed state makes it the least optimal,” says Angie Krause, DVM, at Boulder Holistic Vet, in Colorado. Canned food is also heavily processed and potentially toxic. In 2017, Clean Label Project, a nonprofit testing laboratory, completed a study of 1,084 pet food products, screening them for more than 130 toxins and contaminants linked to cancer and other conditions. Results showed cadmium, a heavy metal, in 94 percent of the products, along with arsenic and lead. Contaminants aren’t the only concern. “Up to 50 percent of commercial foods are composed of meat meal and byproducts,” says Armaiti May, DVM, owner of Dr. May’s Veterinary House Calls, in Los Angeles. These can include meat from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals, and
even rendered dogs and cats from animal shelters, says May. “We are seeing more cancer, neurologic conditions and kidney disease, and there is evidence that the increase in these diseases may be due to harmful ingredients in commercial, meat-based foods.”
Healthy Alternative Diets
Owners that switch from commercial foods report their animals display thicker coats, brighter eyes and greater energy. However, dogs and cats require specific ranges of vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates, so it’s important to ensure that nutritional needs are met and a healthy balance is maintained.
n Home-Cooked Pet food recalls have prompted some families to start cooking for their charges, but it’s not as simple as sharing the family dinner. “There are online calculators that can help you create and balance recipes for dogs and cats. Balancing a diet can be tedious and often requires added supplements,” says Krause. Seeing a four-legged friend thrive was worth the extra time and cost for Yvonnda Stamp-Agent, a homemaker from Rockvale, Tennessee. Emma, a schnauzer mix, suffered from itchy skin, anal gland leakage, March 2020
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