How to Promote Healthy Teeth and Gums in Your Pet

Did you know??? Using fresh, easily digestible pet food ingredients will promote healthy teeth and gums. A common myth that simply giving pets hard, crunchy food to prevent dental problems has not proven to be true in veterinary research. It is the quality of ingredients and your pet’s ability to digest them that will reduce tartar and tooth decay

Signs of poor digestion include gas, bad breath, hunching over after meals, loose stool, licking or smacking of the lips, vomiting and eating excessive amounts of grass. Ensuring your pet is digesting food is the first step to overall good dental health, but having regular dental check-ups are also important.

Natural supplements that help to improve your pet's digestion can also reduce the tartar on your pet's teeth.  Since the mouth is the beginning of the digestive process, these supplements help to maintain a healthy digestive process.  Good digestion results in saliva with the proper pH which can greatly impact your pet's teeth and gums. 

Power Probiotic - The best probiotic for pets!  Backed by scientific research, this powerful, multi-strain formula promotes the growth of  good, friendly bacteria which boosts your pet's immune system.  Pure and natural, Power Probiotic does not contain any fillers.  Supports a healthy mouth, digestive system and immune system.

Gastro ULC   When pets have acid reflux it can cause stomach acids to back up into the esophagus and mouth.  This can lead to erosion of the teeth and other periodontal problems.  Pets with acid reflux tend to have bad breath as well. Gastro ULC  relieves acid stomach pain and repairs inflamed tissues. 

Colostrum for Pets-  Colostrum has been shown in research studies to enhance digestion and improve the immune system.  Colostrum is very helpful for pets with bad breath, gingivitis and stomatitis.  Ask Ariel Colostrum For Pets contains tegricel colostrum which is backed by scientific research and proven to be more effective than general colostrum products.  Note: Colostrum is derived from dairy and should not be used by pets with a known dairy allergy.

Bulldog's Digestive Issues Helped with Natural Remedies

"Started using the Digestive Enzymes about a month ago. Emma Grace was having mucus and loose bowels a few times a week and the Rx from vet was working but she and I both prefer more natural. Glad to say she has not had an issue in over two weeks even going through the stress of moving and a new house. I can tell her belly is better because she is digesting more (less stool) and gas is so much less." 
K. Thompson- California

Supplements that helped Emma Grace

Power Probiotic - The best probiotic for pets!  Backed by scientific research, this powerful multi-strain formula promotes the growth of friendly bacteria which helps replenish a healthy intestinal ecosystem. Helpful for any pet with digestive discomfort and most pets love the taste too!

Soothing Digestive-Gentle but effective formula for the treatment of any type of indigestion in pets. Helps with gas, loose stool, mucous in stool, tummy rumbling, diarrhea and malabsorption. Easy to administer!

How You Can Help Save Lives On National Mutt Day

What's a Mutt?

National Mutt Day was started in 2005 and is celebrated twice a year on July 31^st and December 2^nd. It is a day to celebrate the mutt! There are millions of loving mixed breed dogs in shelters that are looking for someone to adopt them!  These mixed breed dogs lineage may be in question, but they tend to live longer and healthier lives than their purebred counterparts and provide wonderful years of companionship.  

So how can you celebrate National Mutt Day?

• Visit a shelter either to adopt, foster or volunteer.
• Make a donation to a local rescue that saves mixed-breed dogs
• Visit www.petfinder.com to find a pet in need
• Hug a mutt
• Visit http://www.nationalmuttday.com/  for more information

Give Your Dog A Bone? Use Caution As Bones Can Be Dangerous

Dogs love bones and pet owners want their pets to be happy, but are they really worth the risk?  It depends upon the dog's chewing habits, type of bone given and length of time gnawing on it.   While some older dogs may enjoy gentle gnawing on a bone and can benefit from a hard chew such as antlers, many young pups are aggressive chewers and would be best served with a hard rubber toy stuffed with healthy food (e.g. freeze a Kong ball with dog food). Some veterinary nutritionists advocate raw meaty bones and while there are nutrients in them,  there are also pitfalls. Raw meaty bones (especially ones containing marrow) can be high in fat and lead to diarrhea or pancreatitis in some dogs. It may be safer to give your dog those nutrients in the form of raw frozen or freeze dried diets such as Instinct, Stella and Chewy's, Primal and other brands.

Risks of Giving Your Dog Bones And Chews 

There are 3 major risks associated with dog bones and chews.

Contamination
The manufacturing process can leave trace amounts of toxic chemicals on the bone or chew that can be harmful for your dog. Many chews are processed using such chemicals as: bleach, hydrogen peroxide, artificial colors and preservatives.  All can be toxic for your pet to ingest.

Also, just like with other foods, there's a risk of a food borne illnesses (such as Salmonella or E. Coli) from dog bones and chews that could put your pup and yourself at risk. 

Digestive Irritation
A dog may be sensitive or allergic to the the type of bone or chew  or something used during the manufacturing process. Your pet may experience stomach upset and diarrhea.

Choking or Blockages
Perhaps the biggest risk is when pieces of bones or other edible chews become lodged in the throat or digestive tract. The pieces can cause your pet to choke or they can get stuck,  requiring surgical removal. Do not allow your dog to chew on a bone unsupervised.

The risk can vary, depending upon how your dog chews bones, thetype of chew or bones (Steamed and smoked bones are very brittle) and their age. Some dogs tend to scarf down anything and everything and may swallow large hunks of dog bone whole which can be very risky! Or they may be an aggressive chewer and cause damage to their teeth or gums.

Types of Chews

• Rawhide- carry a higher choking risk, because they start out hard, but become soft and slimy like taffy 
• Hooves- sharp and brittle, can cause damage with a rough chewer
• Tendon chews- very small, long and thin, similar to rawhide 
• Fully edible chews-Most are made with milk or some other agent which is often an allergen  
• Synthetic chews-synthetic chews made of rubber or flavored plastic 
• Raw, "meaty" bones --often advocated by holistic vets and nutritionists.  Some pets do better with these than others as too much can lead to pancreatitis and diarrhea due to the very high fat content.

Safer Options: Antlers, Beef Trachea or Raw, Meaty Bones--but all can still have risks especially if your dog has sensitive digestion

Should I Give My Dog A Bone?
Ask Ariel is not an advocate of giving dogs chew bones as there are just too many reports of pets getting sick from them.  That is not to say that nutrients from bones are not essential for dogs--quite the contrary.  But, the safest position is to give your dog the benefits from bones in the form of raw frozen and raw freeze dried diets which contain ground bones. 

Research Study Shows Dogs Have Empathy And Want To Come To Our Rescue

A recent study by Ripon College, and reported in the journal of Learning And Behavior*, suggest that dogs may empathize with their owner’s distress. This conclusion was made after researchers tested if “dogs will actually take an action trying to alleviate that distress,” says Julia Meyers-Manor, an assistant professor of psychology and co-author of the study.

The study had 34 pairs of owners and dogs (variety of breeds and ages) divided into two groups. They then separated the owner and the dog by a glass door. The owners in one group “pretended” to need help and the other stayed monotone and just hummed. Half the dogs in each group opened the door to get to their owner, but the dogs that thought their owner was in distress did so much faster (23 seconds vs. 96 seconds). The findings suggest that dogs may show empathy for their owner’s distress and want to help. Also, these tended to be the same dogs that scored higher on another owner/dog bond test.

Regardless of the results, nearly all the owners thought “their” dog would absolutely come to their rescue if needed. Isn't this what we pet lovers have known all along?  Our pets are always there for us and will do anything they can to help us feel better.  

*Sanford, E.M., Burt, E.R. & Meyers-Manor, J.E. Learn Behav (2018). https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-018-0332-3

Three Steps to Reduce Elevated Liver Enzymes In Your Cat or Dog

Many pets will have elevated liver enzymes at some point in their lives and may not show any outward symptoms. Often the only way elevated liver enzymes are diagnosed is during a routine laboratory test and/or physical exam. The liver is the main filtering system for the body and performs many functions.  For example, the liver is involved in the metabolism of fats, protein and carbohydrates, production of bile which aids in digestion, synthesis of glycogen (related to blood sugar regulation), protein synthesis and of course filtering toxins. If your pet is diagnosed with elevated liver enzymes, there is a lot you can do to be proactive and help improve your pet's liver function. 

Three steps to reduce elevated liver enzymes in your cat or dog:

Step 1: Use veterinary-approved remedies to reduce elevated liver enzymes and detoxify the liver.

Special SAMe -  Powerful antioxidant scientifically proven to support liver health and detoxification (our formula is for pets over 13 pounds)

The Liver Support Kit -  Contains three gentle formulas Lypozyme, Power Probiotic and Liver/Gallbladder Support Formula to  support digestion and liver detoxification

Step 2: Change Your Pet's Diet-Change your pet's diet to a low fat, hypoallergenic, natural diet. Avoid grains, food allergens, chemicals and sweeteners.  A clean diet improves digestion and reduces the workload on your pet's liver.

Step 3: Get Regular Laboratory Testing to Assess Your Pet's Progress-Work with your veterinarian to perform regular laboratory testing.

Click more to learn about natural ways to help your dog's elevated liver enzymes. 

Natural Supplements For Cats With IBD And Allergies

Update June 2018
“Nala has been doing so well with her IBS! I currently wrote ask Ariel with some questions about allergies because Nala was extra itchy and had some health issues I hadn’t seen before. They wrote me back the very same day.   I started her on their NotaSAN drops and I’m seeing such an improvement! 

We are so grateful for the quick responses and products that actually WORK! I tell people all the time how lucky I feel to have found this great company! Especially when the vets we have seen don’t really have any answers for us, except for putting her on foods that just aren’t healthy for a cat long term. Thank you so much again from the bottom of my heart for helping us! Nala thanks you too!!  Sincerely- Velissa

March 2017

I just wanted to thank you for your help with my cat! I contacted you months ago after having months and months of issues with my young cat vomiting. After several vets and thousands of dollars later- they had no answers but possibly IBS. You guys recommended the IBS kit and also switching diets has made such an improvement in her vomiting! It was happening every couple of days and now it's been a few weeks! I'm just so grateful for your recommendation and that my cat is improving and I wanted to let you know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Sincerely, Velissa

IBD Kit--This kit includes 3 unique formulas that have been specially formulated for IBD and used successfully to help cats with inflammatory bowel disease.  The Kit includes Power Probiotic, Soothing Digestive Relief and NotaSAN Anti-Inflammatory Drops. When a pet has severe IBD, it is necessary to use a combination of formulas because they work differently to help reduce the symptoms and repair the intestinal lining.  We have seen many cats especially improve using these three formulas together.

Power Probiotic - Pure, safe and natural--absolutely no fillers!  Power Probiotic repopulates good intestinal flora which is essential for pets with malabsorption and digestive issues.  Power Probiotic supports your pet's bowel and immune health, reducing inflammation and improving digestive discomfort.  

Gastro ULC - Provides natural stomach acid relief, coating the stomach to relieve pain.  Many pets have an improved appetite after using Gastro ULC. 

Soothing Digestive Relief - Gentle, effective formula for the treatment of any type of indigestion in pets. Helps with gas, loose stool, mucous in stool, tummy rumbling, diarrhea and malabsorption.  

NotaSAN Drops and Capsules – Natural homeopathic formula that controls inflammation and infection and helps with allergy symptoms.  Clients report improved well being overall.  Very important for pets with autoimmune conditions.  Gentle, easy to administer and safe for long-term use.