Help Your Pet Lose Weight With The Right Foods

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We live in a world where more and more pets are suffering from obesity. Overweight pets can have serious health consequences. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems to name a few. There are many weight management pet foods on the market to help your pet lose weight, but they contain fillers that provide no nutritional benefit to your pet and could potentially cause health issues. Some of the most common fillers in reduced calorie brands are rice hulls, soybean hulls, beet pulp and peanut hulls. If your pet has a sensitive digestive tract these ingredients can be very problematic. Moreover they are often low in protein and high in carbohydrates making pets hungrier. Finally they frequently contain grains which are pro-inflammatory and can make your pet itchy. Before feeding reduced calorie cat or dog food, review the ingredients. 

Here is just one example of some of the first few ingredients in a brand-name reduced calorie dog food:

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source of Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine), Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken, Dried Beet Pulp.....

Instead, you can help your pet lose weight by feeding your pet a high quality, high-protein food mixed with nutrient rich sources of natural fiber such as green vegetables and pumpkin. Feeding several times a day will also help to regulate your pet's blood sugar.  Many pets love these low-calorie options. Before choosing a "diet" food, ask these questions: Is the ingredient safe for my pet and is it nutritious for my pet?

For more tips on how to help your pet lose weight, please click here. 

What Dog Breeds Are Prone To Liver Disease?

A dog's liver is their largest organ and performs 1,500+ essential functions, like removing toxins from the body. Most signs of liver disease go unnoticed until discovered in a lab test or vet exam. Holistic treatments can help maintain liver health, especially in breeds with a higher incidence. Dobermans, Rottweilers, Yorkies and Cocker Spaniels are more likely to be born with or develop liver diseases. Special SAMe  is proven to support liver function and help reduce elevated liver enzymes.

Flaxseed Oil For Pets

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are vital for the health of your pet’s skin, coat, heart, immune and nervous system. Since they cannot be produced by your pet’s body, they must come from food or supplements. While essential fatty acids should be included in every pet’s diet, many pet foods are lacking. Flaxseed oil is a great source of EFAs that can give your pet a shiny, lustrous coat. Flaxseed oil can be rotated with other fatty acids, such as Amazing Omegas Fish Oil, coconut oil and cod liver oil.  For more pet nutrition tips, please view our pet health center of articles. 

Have You Seen Mucus In Your Pet's Poop?

A small amount of mucus (slimy substance that helps to lubricate and protect the colon) in the stool is usually nothing to worry about, but it can be a sign of poor digestion and inflammation in your pet’s gut. Common causes may be colitis, parasites, infection, allergies, IBD or an upset stomach from eating trash. A vet exam and fecal test can help determine the cause. Using Ask Ariel's Soothing Digestive Relief along with treatments from your vet can help your pet’s tummy feel better.  To learn more about digestive problems in pets, click here. 

How Often Should You Feed Your Pet?

Feeding pets at least 2x a day regulates blood sugar, reduces stress and improves digestion. Twice daily meals can keep your pet's body running on schedule. Your pet's stomach will empty in 6-8 hours. By feeding smaller and more frequent meals, you can help ease acid stomach and reduce the risk of bloat. Regular mealtimes provide security and may reduce anxious and destructive behavior. It can help you identify potential health issues, as a change in eating habits can be an early warning sign of illness. If your pet vomits bile, is eating grass or showing signs of a tummy ache, feeding a small meal at bedtime can help.  For more pet nutrition tips, please visit our Pet Health Center

What's Really In Your Pet's Food?

Cute, clever marketing campaigns can make low quality pet food seem very appealing but don’t be fooled! Many contain carbohydrate fillers, chemicals, by-products and a long list of unsavory ingredients. Chemicals (nitrites, sodium tripolyphosphate, erythorbic acid) are preservatives added to extend shelf life not to give your pet the best nutrition! What’s a pet owner to do? Read the labels and look for fresh ingredients. If you can't pronounce it and wouldn't eat it, chances are that it may not be good for your cat or dog. To learn more about the best foods to choose and ingredients to avoid, please visit our Pet Nutrition Center, a library of pet health articles and diet tips for cats and dogs on AskAriel.com by clicking here

Indoor Climbing Space Appeals To A Cat's Natural Instincts

Cats are natural climbers. They climb and perch as part of their natural hunting instincts in the wild. Today's domesticated cats also need vertical space to thrive. Providing vertical space options in your home is essential, especially in a multi-cat household. It is important to provide structures that fit their individual abilities and preference. One product to consider is a climbing cat tree with different level perches. These can address their instinctual need to climb and also give them a space that is safe and comfortable.