Products incorporating molasses, whether from sugarcane or sugar beets, often bear labels like "all-natural," "naturally delicious," or "all-natural flavoring," conveying an impression of healthfulness. However, molasses possesses a high glycemic index, potentially elevating your pet's blood sugar levels.
IBD KIT |
- Parasites/Worms-such as Giardia which is a single-cell organism that infects a dog’s intestine.
- Colitis - Pets with colitis can have mucous or blood in their stool.
- Dietary Indiscretions- food allergies, food intolerances or when the diet is changed too abruptly
- Foreign Body/Bowel Obstructions-Dogs may eat things that they cannot digest such as a sock or toy which can result in a surgical emergency if the object isn't passed quickly
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)- which is an irritation and inflammation in the large intestine
- Colon Cancer or Intestinal Lymphoma- the pet may have diarrhea, vomiting and discomfort similar to IBD
- Bacterial overgrowth--Pets can get into trash but also some breeds are more prone to SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
- Parvovirus- most commonly seen in puppies, parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea with blood and mucus.
While raw frozen diets may be the gold standard of pet nutrition, not everyone can use them all the time due to a variety of factors such as cost, travel and refrigeration requirements. Some pets may not like the taste or texture of raw frozen diets and their high fat and protein content may not be appropriate for certain pets. As a convenient alternative to raw frozen diets, some manufacturers have introduced freeze-dried raw food which retains many of the benefits of raw but is more convenient and doesn't require freezing or refrigeration. Freeze dried diets, treats and toppers seem to be especially tasty! Some pets that won't eat raw frozen food will gobble up the freeze dried version from the same manufacturer which contains the identical ingredients!
Freeze dried food is more nutritious than dry kibble or dehydrated food as the freeze-drying process retains much of the nutrient value since the food is not exposed to high temperatures. Freeze dried foods use pressure to remove moisture. This is in contrast to dehydrated foods which use low heat for an extended period of time to removed moisture and dry kibble which is cooked at high temperatures, resulting in the loss of many nutrients. Freeze dried raw and raw frozen food are also highly digestible as they contain a minimum of carbohydrates and contain food in its most natural state. This means better nutrition for your pet and less pooh pickup for you! While there are many brands of freeze dried raw food and treats, our favorites include Instinct, Stella and Chewys, Primal and Halo (treats).
The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards nominees will be introduced on March 29th when voting opens. Visit them at herodogawards.org to vote for your favorite hero. We would like to share the story of last year's winner Hooch.
Many pet food companies use rice as a “healthy” inexpensive carbohydrate that has less incident of being an allergen then other grains such as corn. It is a filler that can bring up the protein percentage on the label INSTEAD of using the more costly real meat, fish or poultry. “Premium” brands may market the fact they use brown rice or even organic brown rice as a benefit, but the fact is, the rice is still a replacement for the real nutrition a pet needs. Feeding brown rice and starchy carbohydrates can affect the pet's overall nutritional balance contributing to obesity, yeast overgrowth, diabetes and a weakened immune system. Most pet nutritionists agree that dogs (and cats) were originally meat-eaters and although they have become more “domesticated”, this still holds true. Cats are carnivores and do not need carbohydrates while dogs thrive when their diet consists of minimal carbohydrates.
Effects of Rice on Your Pet's Health
If your pet is showing signs of itching, licking, chewing, digestive problems, urinary tract infections, hypothyroidism (dogs), hyperthyroidism (cats), upper respiratiory infections and so on (the list goes on and on), grains such as rice, no matter how wonderful they sound for you to eat, should not be a part of your pet's. The ONLY time rice may be helpful (and even then our preference would be to feed sweet potatoes instead) is when the pet requires a low protein diet due to kidney failure or liver disease. Yes, there are plenty of exceptions where some pets seem to do just fine on diets with plenty of grains, but as a general rule, grains such as rice contribute to inflammation and an increased carbohydrate load.
Avoid Rice AND Grains In Your Pet's Food and Treats
Have A Question About Your Pet's Well Being? Read our articles about pet nutrition or email us at support@askariel.com Please be sure to include your pet's diet on the order form at checkout and our nutritionist will include a diet suggestion for your pet on the order packing slip that comes with your product directions.
Rescue dog Wrangler (a special needs dog) wanted to make sure you smile today! Wishing you and your pets a Happy St. Patrick's Day with a pot o' gold of good health! Wrangler is featured her with the AskAriel.com supplements he takes. Wrangler has a feeding tube and many health issues, but is loved and cherished by all!
Puck with his girl Kinzie |
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.
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:
In dogs, hypothyroidism can lead to a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, lethargy, skin problems, dull coat, symmetrical hair loss or thinning hair (especially on the tail) and neurological abnormalities. Seizures are one of the potential neurological issues that can manifestation when a dog has hypothyroidism.
The exact mechanism by which hypothyroidism can lead to seizures is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the disruption of normal neurological function which is caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones have important roles in maintaining the health and function of the nervous system and when there is a disruption seizures can occur. This can happen sometimes when an older pet suddenly starts having seizures.
If your dog is having seizures ask your veterinarian about a thorough evaluation, including blood tests that can assess thyroid function and help diagnose hypothyroidism. Confirming your dog's values are mid-range not at the low end of "normal" can help you determine the appropriate treatment which can aid in managing both the underlying thyroid disorder and the seizures.
What Else Can Cause Seizures In Dogs?
Seizures in dogs can be traumatic for the pet owner and the dog but there is hope. Maintaining proper digestive health and controlling food allergies can also help control 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.
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
· Any eye trauma
· Blood in urine or stool
· Vomiting or diarrhea--more than 1 instance
· Pet is lethargic, listless
· Insect or snake bites (a small bite can cause a severe reaction)
· Sudden limping
· Swollen stomach
· Punctures and abrasions (fur can hide a much deeper wound)
Need help with your pet? Please email us at support@askariel.com
Please know we cannot provide veterinary advice but we will be happy to provide you with articles and information regarding your pet's health concern.
Pet obesity is a growing epidemic. If your cat or dog is overweight, it can be discouraging but there is hope. In addition to measuring out portions carefully, keeping treats to a minimum and ensuring your pet is getting daily exercise, here are a few more weight-loss tips to help your pet lose weight.
1- Avoid dry food as it is high in carbohydrates. Feed your overweight pet more protein to control insulin spikes. When we eat carbohydrates, our insulin spikes rapidly after and we feel hungry again. A high protein diet with plenty of fiber in the form of vegetables mixed in can help your pet feel full and feel better!
2- Avoid High Fat Treats--For ex: A tablespoon of peanut butter or coconut oil can be nearly as many calories as a 1/4 of a13 oz can or 1/4 cup of pet food---it is highly caloric. If you use peanut butter to administer pills, try putting them in a small amount of canned food or pumpkin instead.
4- Use vegetables, especially green vegetables to help your pet feel more satisfied--Fiber naturally slows down the digestion of sugars so adding plenty of fiber in the form of green vegetables will help regulate your pet's blood sugar and help them feel full. You can also use a small amount of pumpkin as well. Good vegetable choices for dogs: green beans, squash and a small amount of carrots. Many cats like pureed asparagus if it is mixed into their food.
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