Two Ways Canned Pumpkin Can Benefit Your Cat or Dog's Health

DID YOU KNOW.... pumpkin is a miracle food? 
Pumpkin is high in fiber, is a good source of natural Vitamin A and is very helpful for pets with digestive issues and irritable bowel.  The amount of pumpkin varies by pet and you will have to adjust the amounts if your pet is very sensitive.  In general, half teaspoon twice a day mixed into food for a cat or small pet is about right and a tablespoon or more works great for a large dog.  While some pets won't like the taste of pumpkin by itself, mixing with canned food works well. 

Two reasons to add pumpkin to your pet's diet:

Digestive Health: It can help dogs and cats with both constipation and diarrhea as it helps to promote the natural wave action of the intestines.  Soothing for the tummy!

Helps Pets Feel Satiated:   Due to the high fiber content, your cat or dog will feel full longer.  This is a very healthy, useful food to help pets lose weight!

Have A Question About Your Pet? Feel Free To Email Us At Support@AskAriel.com

How To Bond With Your Newly Adopted Rescued Cat

We at Ask Ariel are strong advocates of rescue adoptions.  There are so many homeless pets needing a forever home and Petfinder.com is a great place to start looking for a new addition to your family. We were recently asked how to help a family acclimate their new rescue cat into their home.  Here are 10 tips that can help:

1.  Give Your Kitty Her Own Space – If you have the space, having a separate room set up with everything your kitty needs: food, water, bedding and litter tray would be ideal, but even a small space with a divider will work.

2. Just Let Them Hide – Cat’s natural instinct is to hide to feel safe. They will be very sensitive in the beginning and it could take weeks or even months for them to feel safe to come out of hiding for extended period of times. Give them time.

3. Don’t Pressure them…Take Things Slowly – Rescue pets have their own unique story and some maybe very skittish.  Let your new kitty come to you in their own time. They need to be comfortable with the sights, sounds and smells of their new environment. You will know when they want your attention.

4. Share Your Scent – To help your new pet get used to you, place a piece of your clothing in their area to sniff and sleep on. This will help your kitty get accustom to you and associate you within their environment.

5. Get Down on Your Cat's Level – If you are down on the floor it feels less threatening.  Let your new cat approach you when he or she is ready.

6. Have a Conversation with Your Cat – Cats are talkative animals and will be listening to you even if they pretend not to notice you. Try to keep your voice soft and talk with her whenever you get the chance. Try to use their name as often as possible, so that they become accustom to hearing it.

7. Pamper Them – Just like humans, cats love being pampered and groomed. If possible try to spend a little time each day “grooming” them. It may be a brushing (some may not like brushing) or it may be simply petting them (which they can interpret as grooming)

8. Play Time - Cats love to play and spending time playing will strengthen your bond. It doesn’t take much, a piece of string, a toilet paper roll, or a rolling ball.

9. Special Healthy Treats – If you discover a special treat your cat loves it will create a positive association with you. Also, eating in front of you is a big step and should be praised.

10. Snuggle Time – Cats LOVE to sleep on beds and if your new kitty comes to you for closeness and warmth, celebrate! You just passed the test.

Vets and Pets --A New Book About The Healing Power Of Animals

This week a new book  titled Vets and Pets by Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris (Skyhorse Publishing; September 26, 2017) was released which illustrates the strong bonds that pets can have on our lives.  It tells the stories of “wounded warriors and the animals that healed them”.  Former First Lady, Barbara Bush, wrote the forward for the book and here is part of her statement:

“For many of us, coming home to or cuddling with a beloved pet is one of life’s great joys.  No matter how your day has gone, the unbridled excitement of your pet when you walk in the door really can make your problems seem a little less grim. 

 Now imagine for a moment the power of that same bond between our military veterans and their pets. For years we’ve all heard stories of how that relationship not only cheers but saves lives.  Their pets can make the dark days brighter, the helpless feel helpful, the lonely feel loved…”

Any loving pet owner can understand exactly what she is talking about!

Fun, Easy Games To Help Your Cat Lose Weight

Has your kitty put on a few pounds?  Here are some fun easy "hunger" games to help your cat lose weight!

Before cats were domesticated, cats would have to hunt for their food several times a day to survive.  Many domesticated cats now lead a sedentary lifestyle, leisurely strolling to the food bowl with minimal exercise throughout the day. Obviously, this along with some pet owners  free feeding their cats, can lead to a kitty becoming overweight.  Obesity in cats is not just a cosmetic problem---it is life threatening.  Diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver and some forms of  cancer are often directly linked to overfeeding and obesity. 

To help combat the weight gain and improve your cat's overall health, you can appeal to their natural hunting instincts by creating some fun, easy games to feed them: 

Here are a few tips to try:

• Hide food under boxes or bags
• Place a non-breakable bowl in a high place (bookshelf, cupboard, etc.) so that your kitty has to climb to reach the food
• Scatter the food in small portions in various places around the house
• Use a puzzle toy designed for feeding treats to your cat.
• Attach food to string or fishing line and have them try to catch it
• Be sure to remove your cat's regular food bowl as hunger is a great motivator 
• Keep dry food to a minimum as the diets are high in starchy carbohydrates which lead to increased hunger and weight gain.  Raw frozen diets are preferable or use freeze-dried raw.

 

World's Oldest Cat Nutmeg Passes Away at 32

This past week in England the world's oldest cat, Nutmeg, passed away at the age of 32 from heart failure. Usually domesticated cats only live to an average of 15 years, so this was truly amazing. Nutmeg was a remarkable cat, but so were his adopted parents, who found him in their garden 27 years ago and took incredible care of him. According to Liz and Ian Finlay, his heartbroken owners, Nutmeg took full advantage of all of his nine lives!

Signs to Watch for in Senior Cats

The advances in veterinary care, nutrition and the increase knowledge of supplementing with holistic care are all helping our pets live longer.  Here are red flags to watch for in senior cats.  Early detection and action can help your senior cat enjoy their golden years.

Weight loss or changes in appetite-seek medical attention to determine cause, kidney disease is a common disorder in older kitties that can cause weight loss

Dental Disease (stomatitis)- can cause appetite issues

Change in mobility- joint pain
Litter box issues-urinary tract infections and kidney issues are more common in older cats

Behavior changes- cats may withdraw if not feeling well

Changes in grooming habits-cat are groomers and if they are unkept could be a sign your kitty isn't feeling well.

3 Natural Treatments For Feline Acne

Feline Acne is a condition that can be found in cats of any age (or breed), but is most commonly found in older cats. It is almost always found on the chin and lower lip, where the hair follicles become clogged.  Food and chemicals sensitivities, hyperactive sebaceous glands, stress, poor grooming habits or a compromised immune system can be contributing factors.  If your kitty has bumps on the chin or lip, it is important to seek out the advice of your veterinarian to rule out other causes such as yeast or ringworm and also because the area can become infected.

3 Holistic Tips For Feline Acne:

1. Disinfect the area daily with topical treatments that can be obtained from your veterinarian.
2. Change your cat's diet to a hypoallergenic, grain-free diet to help reduce inflammation.  Avoid dry food as it is high in starchy carbohydrates.
3. Support your cat’s immune system with supplements. Using the Immune Support Kit and Power Probiotic for Pets can help.

Immune Support Kit

Power Probiotic for Pets

How To Get Rid Of Tear Stains in Dogs

Many light-colored dogs develop tear stains under the eye. Breeds such as Maltese, Poodles and Chihuahuas may have their beautiful faces discolored with unsightly dark stains below the eyes. Even large pets such as yellow Labradors may have dark brown stains under the eyes. Tear stains are not just cosmetic and may be a health concern that you need to address.

First, be sure to check with your veterinarian! Some dogs have a genetic predisposition and could be born with an abnormality in tear ducts or have developed blocked tear ducts. Sometimes a dog could have an eye infection unbeknownst to you.  Be sure there isn't some type of structural defect, infection or inflammation. If your veterinarian rules out these conditions, then the next step is to address the problem from a natural standpoint:  change to a hypoallergenic, low carb diet and add a few supplements to enhance your pet's skin and coat and eliminate the unsightly tear stains.

Many times pets have excessive tear staining due to allergies (food & environmental) or a yeast overgrowth. Usually tear stains are not the only sign.  Pet with tear stains may have other conditions such as: bad breath, gas, tummy gurgling, loose stools, vomiting and other skin issues (itchy, coat issues, hotspots...). These are all signs of poor digestion and a problem with the pet's food. Using Power Probiotic for Pets and Soothing Digestives for Pets can help with digestive issues. However, a diet change is often necessary.

The best natural remedies for tear stain elimination are:
 

Power Probiotic for Pets- The best probiotic for pets!  Backed by scientific research, this powerful multi-strain formula promotes the growth of "friendly" bacteria which are essential to a healthy immune system.  Most pets love the taste too! 

Silver Immune for Pets- The Germinator!  Silver Immune is an all-natural, easy to use remedy that has anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-infection properties.  Can use topically to help clean the skin.
 

Not Drops  - Natural homeopathic formula that fights infection, doggie odor and ear infections.   Gentle, easy to administer and safe for long-term use.

K-9 Yeast Defense - When pets take antibiotics or steroids, it kills off the friendly bacteria as well as the bad bacteria.  This creates an environment for yeast to overgrow.  Brown tear stains that have an odor are often a sign of yeast.  To help fight yeast, it's important to feed a low carbohydrate, hypoallergenic diet and use K9 Yeast Defense.  K9 Yeast Defense contains natural anti-fungal ingredients such as caprylic acid, Pau d'arco and oregano that kill off yeast and help rebalance the intestinal tract.  Using the K9 Yeast Defense along with the Power Probiotic kills off the yeast overgrowth while the Power Probiotic replenishes with healthy, friendly bacteria.

Since diet is a such a key component with tear stains, please be sure to include your pet's current diet on the AskAriel.com order form at checkout.  Our nutritionist will include a diet suggestion on the packing slip that comes with your product directions.