Monday, December 11, 2017

What Does It Mean When Your Dog Yawns?

What does it mean when your dog repeatedly yawns? Are they just tired? Perhaps, but there are many possible reasons for repeated yawning and it can signal different things.  Yawning was thought to be a way to replenish oxygen to the brain, but more recent studies have found it to be a means of communicating. 

Dog yawning could mean:

Stress or Anxiousness
Often you will notice that your pup yawns when they are in a stressful situation, such as: a visit to the veterinarian’s office, traveling, getting groomed, or visiting an unknown place. The act of yawning is used as a calming signal for themselves, but also to let you know they are not comfortable in the situation. Conversely, being too excited in a positive situation or place can also trigger yawning. The over excitement is also a stressor to their system and the yawning is a way to calm themselves down.

If you find your pet yawns often and it is stress induced using Psy-Stabil can help. It is a gentle calming formula for both dogs (and cats). It works over time to help your stressed pet “cope” better with triggers that cause anxiety.

Indifference
The yawning may also be communicating indifference to a situation.  It has been observed in both domestic and wild canines that they will yawn to diffuse a situation. If your pooch is an alpha dog, yawning is a signal to calm other dogs or in the case of a submissive dog, it may to show they do not want to engage.

Contagious
We all do it…one person it the group yawns then the entire group follows. Dogs also respond to other dogs yawning, but most interesting is that they will also respond to human yawning, especially if it is someone well known to them.

Can Cats See In The Dark?

Have you ever wondered what your cat sees at night? Can they really can see in the dark?

It is certain that cats see things very differently then you and I, but contrary to widespread belief, those glowing eyes cannot see in total darkness.  They can, however, see quite well in dim light. It is believed that eyesight has developed for survival purposes in both cats and humans. In nature, cats were nocturnal hunters and as such their eyesight developed to see in the night, so they can catch their prey. Human survival required us to see detail and colors as we were more fruit-eating diurnal animals and needed to discern what produce was right for eating.

Here is a comparison on what a cat sees vs. a human in dim light:

However, seeing better in the dark is not the only special ability of cat's eyes; cats also use their eyes to give "kisses". If you have found your cat staring at you and then they slowly blink consider yourself special... your cat just gave you a kiss.



Thursday, December 7, 2017

Natural Treatments For Feline Megacolon and Constipation


Megacolon is a condition that can affect cats at any age, but most often affects older male cats. The condition is characterized by distended colon walls as a result of excess waste accumulation in the bowel, enlarging the colon.  Motility in the colon is very poor making it very difficult for the cat to have a bowel movement.  The stool can become dry, hard and impacted, often requiring medical intervention to remove the blockage.  The main goal in treating megacolon is to try to manage the condition to prevent another blockage. 

Natural Treatments For MegaColon
Oral laxatives and stool softeners are often prescribed by veterinarians to keep stool moving.  Pet owners can use some holistic treatments as well to try to help.  A change in diet and a few supplements can help cats with megacolon.   Cats can be intolerant of many common foods such as poultry or grains so feeding a hypoallergenic, moisture rich diet is essential.  When cats eat foods they are intolerant of or allergic to, this can cause inflammation making the constipation symptoms worse.  Adding a few natural fiber sources such as canned pumpkin, vegetables (if your kitty will eat them) and ground flaxseed is important.   Amazing Omegas can also help to reduce inflammation and has a "side effect" of causing loose stool.   Power Probiotic for Pets  gives the colon support with friendly bacteria that  support normal bowel movements.  The Liver/Gallbladder Support Formula can stimulate bile flow and help cleanse the liver which may help with this condition.

If your cat has megacolon, please include your cat's diet on the order form at checkout.  Diet is a huge issue when it comes to digestive problems.  Even though a cat may have eaten the same diet all his life, the inflammation could have been building for years.   Based on the information you provide about your cat on the order form at checkout, we can include a diet suggestion on the packing slip that comes with the product directions.


New AskAriel.com Website Launched


We received your feedback and are so excited to launch our new and improved holistic pet supplements website!  The new website is mobile responsive, easier to navigate and more convenient for checkout while using your phone.  AskAriel.com has been helping pet owners find the best supplements for their cats and dogs since 2005.  Our natural remedies for pets have been used successfully in veterinary hospitals since 2005.  Our herbal pet remedies are third-party tested for purity and use ingredients made in the USA. 

If you have questions or need help for your pet, please email us at support@askariel.com   Please know we cannot provide veterinary advice but our library of articles contains detailed information on how you can help your pet with nutrition and natural supplements to feel much better!  Our company is based in Southern California and we ship promptly nationwide.
Friday, December 1, 2017

Best Hemp CBD Oil for Pets




USA Grown Hemp Extract for Pets

We have carefully researched the pet CBD and Hemp Extract marketplace and are happy to report that many clients have had excellent results using Happy Paws Hemp Extract.   The CBD hemp oil market is like the Wild Wild West—-there are hundreds of formulas and most of the products are inconsistent, not rigorously tested and use imported ingredients. Most pet owners who have been very conscientious about not giving their pets food from China, for example, might not realize that much of the CBD from hemp on the market today is imported.

Ingredients

  • 1 Fl oz. (30 ml) MCT Fractionated Coconut Oil and 550 mg hemp CO2 Extract per bottle
  • Approx. 18.3 mg CBD per 1 ml
Mix into your pet’s food or add drops directly to mouth. (We include detailed dosage directions more specific than what is on the bottle)

What is CBD from Hemp?

Both marijuana and hemp are classified as cannabis and contain CBD. However, the CBD derived from the two plants are very different. CBD derived from marijuana contains a high amount of THC which is a psychoactive and produces a euphoria feeling. Hemp CBD has only trace amounts of THC and has the benefits without the unpleasant side effects and psychoactive response. Pet owners have used CBD for a wide range of medical and behavioral issues with their pets. We have seen owners see great results using CBD in place of traditional pain medicine for dogs or as a calming supplement.

Pet can benefit from Hemp Extract for:
  • Cancer (especially osteosarcoma)
  • Epileptic seizures
  • Pacing, anxiety or inability to relax
  • Pain from arthritis
  • Muscle spasms
  • Recovery from surgery or illness
  • Doggie Dementia symptoms such as Sundowner's

Why Happy Paws Hemp Extract?  

When it comes to CBD, you get what you pay for in terms of purity, quality and efficacy. The hemp used in this pet hemp extract is grown in Colorado using organic farming methods and the entire plant is extracted giving your pet the full spectrum of cannabinoids.  Every bottle of Happy Paws contains a batch number with a certificate of analysis. Being GMP certified ensures that the product is third party tested for potency and purity and guarantees that the product provides what it says on the label. Unfortunately, most CBD is over refined with chemicals and may contain more THC than indicated which can cause problems for your pet.

It is also an excellent value and contains more CBD per ml than other pet formulas.  Compare most pet formulas and you will see that the total CBD in the entire bottle is approx. 100 -250 mg vs Happy Paws with 550 mg.  It's all in the mg--Happy Paws is a better value especially for medium to larger sized dogs. 

 


Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Bone Treats Are Not Safe For Dogs


The FDA issued a warning against giving your dog bone treats citing numerous reports of health issues such as diarrhea, choking, vomiting, intestinal blockage and even death. Most bone treats for dogs are highly processed with chemicals and flavorings and even though our pets want them, please try to consider other safer alternatives. A better alternative is raw frozen bones. Many raw food manufacturers offer frozen bones but even these should still be supervised. While very nutritious, raw frozen bones can be problematic for some sensitive dogs because they are very fatty and can cause pancreatitis. The safest option is to take a plain sterilized bone or Kong ball and fill it with canned food or treats. You can freeze to make it more of a challenge.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Want to live longer? Get a Dog!


Ownership is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and death, finds a new Swedish study in the journal Scientific Reports.

For people living alone, owning a dog can decrease their risk of death by 33% and their risk of cardiovascular related death by 36%, when compared to single individuals without a pet, according to the study. Chances of a heart attack were also found to be 11% lower.


Multi-person household owners also saw benefits, though to a lesser extent. Risk of death among these dog owners fell by 11% and their chances of cardiovascular death were 15% lower. But their risk of a heart attack was not reduced by owning a dog.

There is no better time to save a homeless dog from a shelter or rescue.  Dogs can change your life and bring so much magic into your home.