Friday, March 10, 2017

Tips On How To Find The Best Kitty Litter



We asked Michelle a holistic-minded kitty mom of two cats for tips on how to find the best kitty litter and she graciously provided these terrific tips:

What to look for when searching for the perfect kitty litter for your feline family member:

-Clumping or not clumping?
-Scented or unscented?
-Dust free
-Non-tracking
-What kind of litter (clay, walnut shell etc)


There are many options to choose from including walnut shells, grass, pellets, newspaper, crystals, wheat & corn--So which to choose? Start by looking at the ingredients! This applies to food, toys and even litter. Cats spend a fair amount of time in the litter box and I personally don’t want my cat (or myself) inhaling anything that may be toxic or cause health problems later on in life (e.g. "litter lung"). There can be a lot of fragrance additives which may help eliminate the smell of your pet's waste, but do you want your cat inhaling synthetic fragrances?? I was using the walnut shell and it did a decent job but recently decided to try out an unscented grass option. So far, I have to say I'm loving it!! The unscented grass option does a pretty good job keeping odors to a minimum, doesn't track litter everywhere, clumps really well, is dust free and best of all, is completely natural dried grass with no additives or chemicals.

It's best to use a high-wall litter box and keep it filled 3-4 inches at all times. When you provide enough litter, your cat will be able to cover their waste which helps minimize the smells. It's also important to clean/scoop the litter box 2 times a day to keep odors at a minimum.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017

5 Pet Safety Tips As Winter Ends


Spring is almost here and we have all enjoyed some unseasonably warm, beautiful weather.  But the cold weather and potential for a few last storms is still projected.  Keeping your pet safe and warm will help avoid accidents.  Here are a few safety tips:

• Carefully assess ice conditions for thin ice when walking your dog near waterways. Even at offleash parks there are often ponds with opportunities for a dog to fall in.  Thin ice can be hard to detect so if you do let your dog run offleash, especially in wilderness areas, be vigilant to monitor your pet at all times.  Sadly, every year dogs die because of falling through thin ice and often there just isn't the time or resources readily available to save them.

• If the weather starts to warm up and you are enjoying a little fresh air with the windows open, be sure to put screens on if you have cats.  Your cat may see the open window as a wonderful new opportunity and could fall or jump out.

• If there is another snowstorm, watch out for ice melts which can be toxic to dogs.  Dogs can lick their paws after a wintry walk and expose themselves to chemicals.  Be sure to clean your dog's paws with a moist towel after a walk.

• Bathe your pet as little as possible if there is another cold spell. Overbathing can dry up the essential oils on your pet's coat.

• Keep your dog on a leash if there is heavy snowfall.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Blind Kitty With UTIs and Kidney Problems Feels Better!

Zinky


Meet Zinky! Zinky is a blind 10 year old kitty who was rescued from a shelter when she was kitten.  She developed an infection at 6 months which caused her to go blind.  Her Mom Carole takes amazing care of her and says that Zinky is so sweet and follows her everywhere.  Zinky was having some health issues but her Mom just reported the following:

"Zinky was having UTIs and Kidney problems until I found Ask Ariel and give her Power Probiotic, Renelix, and Oxicell. Now she is doing great!!  Carole-Connecticut, 2017

We are so happy our products could help Zinky feel better and grateful for the wonderful pet parents such as Carole who rescue pets from the shelters.

askariel1@gmail.com
Thursday, March 2, 2017

Rabbit and Venison Game Meats Offer A Hypoallergenic Diet For Pets



Updated 3/27/24

Does your pet have itchy and inflamed skin, recurrent infections or digestive issues such as: vomiting, diarrhea and loose stools?

All can be signs of a food allergy from a repeat exposure to an allergen which causes the immune system to overreact. Often the offender is the protein source in the allergic food and your pet's immune system needs a break.  Changing your pet's diet to a low carbohydrate canned or raw frozen novel protein food can be very helpful.  (Dry food is high in carbohydrates and can still be problematic.)

So, what is a novel protein? It is simply a protein your pet has never consumed before.  The most common food allergens in cats are fish, poultry and grains--ingredients commonly found in most pet foods.   While some "hypoallergenic" pet foods may simply replace chicken with turkey or duck, what we have discovered (after years of treating pets with food allergies) is that it's best to switch food families in their entirety.  This is because the allergic reaction can include all protein sources within a particular family as they may be very similar in their molecular structure.  For example, many people believe that goat milk is fine for their pet even though their pet is allergic to cow milk.  The reality is that the two forms of milk are very close in structure just as chickens are very similar to ducks and it's best to play it safe and try a completely different food family. When it comes to food allergies, when in doubt, avoid the food temporarily and then at a later time, you can try to reintroduce and see how your pet responds.  

Two novel protein sources to consider that have worked well for many allergic pets are rabbit and venison.  Some pets that have allergies to beef and lamb may not fare as well with venison, so for severely allergic pets, rabbit may work best.  (Allergy testing is also available through your veterinarian which can help determine if your pet might be able to tolerate either of these.)


Benefits of Rabbit
  • A lean all-white meat protein that offers great nutrition.
  • Higher in protein than chicken, turkey, beef, duck and lamb and contains essential amino acids that help build lean muscles and boost immune system.
  • Low in saturated fats, but contains healthy fats which help provide a shiny coat and healthy joints
  • Contains Vitamin B12 which supports a healthy nervous system.

Benefits of Venison
  • Lower in fat than most other meat protein sources (such as beef and pork) and usually highly digestible
  • Good source of B vitamins, zinc, phosphorous and iron.
  • Can be used in homemade low-fat diets as it is more available in grocery stores.

Rabbit and venison can be found in all food forms, but for allergies, we recommend raw frozen and canned.  Several brands such as Instinct and Stella and Chewys have a freeze-dried version with the exact same ingredients as the raw frozen.  These work well crumbled into treats or as an initial introduction as you transition your pet's diet. 

There are also a few brands of rabbit and venison treats.  Remember though, a lot of dry foods and treats may contain venison or rabbit, but they are still loaded with starchy carbohydrates which won't give your pet the same great results as using a low carbohydrate raw frozen diet.

For more tips on feeding your pet a healthy diet click here.


Author Susan Davis
Original post 3/2/17
Updated 3/27/24
Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Canine Hypothyroidism And Seizures in Dogs



Young Golden Retriever With Hypothyroidism
Notice the symmetrical hair loss and thin tail



Did You Know? Seizures in dogs are often associated with low or borderline low thyroid function.  Thyroid values can vary considerably and vets interpret results differently.  Just as in people, symptoms of hypothyroidism should weigh in heavily in the overall assessment of the pet.    Hypothyroidism is very common in middle aged dogs, but many dogs are undiagnosed.   Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs:  lethargy, weight gain,  symmetrical hair loss or thinning hair especially on the tail, chronic ear and skin infections, dull coat, slower heart rate, constipation, seizures and more.  If your dog is having seizures or any of these symptoms, ask your veterinarian about testing your dog’s thyroid and confirm that the values are mid-range not at the low end of "normal".   

Dogs with hypothyroidism can benefit from Amazing Omegas, a powerful omega 3 supplement, along with Power Probiotic, AllerEaze and K9 Digestive Enzymes.  Maintaining proper digestive health and controlling food allergies is important as any signs of stress can trigger seizures. Seizures can be triggered by allergies, stress and gastrointestinal issues  which is why it is so important to keep dogs with hypothyroidism on a regular schedule, feeding them 3 daily meals with plenty of exercise.  To learn more about how to help your dog with seizures, please read our comprehensive article about holistic care for dogs with seizures. 

Monday, February 27, 2017

What Are Soybean Hulls and Why Are They in Your Dog's Food?



Ingredient of the Week #1:  Soybean Hulls

Each week, we will be featuring a pet food ingredient to help pet owners be more aware of what is in their pet's food.  Sometimes the ingredient may be a healthy ingredient and sometimes it may not.  Our goal is not to pick on brands or pet food manufacturers but rather to encourage you to READ the LABEL!  If you can't pronounce an ingredient in your pet's food, then maybe it shouldn't be there.

What Are Soybean Hulls?

Seriously, do you really want this in your pet's food? Soybean hulls are an inexpensive filler used to add bulk to animal feeds.  It is seen in reduced calorie pet foods as a source of fiber so the pet feels satiated.  Why not add nutrient rich sources of fiber to your pet's food such as green beans or pumpkin? Soybean hulls are the skins of soybeans and a waste product remaining after processing soybeans into oil and meal.  Soybean hulls offer little nutritional value, if any, and can be problematic for a variety of reasons.

First, do you really want soybeans in your pet's food to begin with, let alone the WASTE PRODUCT of soybeans.  Most soybeans are genetically modified (contain GMOs) but pet food manufacturers like to add soybean oil, meal and hulls because they are an inexpensive form of oil, protein and bulk.  High levels of the chemical pesticide RoundUp are found in GMO soy--a potential carcinogen for your cat or dog.  The soybean itself contains toxins that can be hard to digest for some pets and cause gastic distress.  Soy also interferes with thyroid function AND is linked to seizures in cats and dogs.  The list goes on and on.  We do not recommend feeding your pets treats or pet foods containing soy and especially not soybean hulls.  Some common brands containing soybean hulls:  Hills prescription diets (some varieties), Hills Science Diet Light, Purina Dog Chow Light.

Join us now on Instagram! Be sure to follow @Ask.Ariel for cute pet pictures and pet health tips!
www.instagram.com / ask.ariel/
Thursday, February 23, 2017

Natural Remedy For Pet UTI Prevention Contains Cranberry And D-Mannose


Is your dog or cat getting repeated bladder infections? Pet UTI Prevention Formula   can help. Pet UTI Prevention Formula is a natural remedy for dogs and cats to stop pets from getting repeat urinary tract infections. Sold in veterinary hospitals since 2005, Pet UTI Prevention Formula contains ingredients such as cranberry and d-mannose scientifically proven to:

• Acidify the urine
• Prevent Adhesion of Bacteria to the Bladder Wall
• Promote a normal urinary pH

You can help your pet and stop the cycle of chronic UTIs using diet changes and the Pet UTI Prevention Formula along with Power Probiotic.  Chronic UTIs can be discouraging but when you look at the quality ingredients and see the many testimonials, there is hope!  If you need any help, please don't hesitate to email us at support@askariel.com