Add Vegetables to Your Pet's Diet

Pets need real, fresh vegetables in their diet. Not the fake kind with food coloring made to fool you into thinking you are giving your pet real nutrition. Both cats and dogs can benefit from carrots, greens and pumpkin. Vegetables may be served steamed, chopped, puréed or raw depending upon your pet's digestion and appetite. Vegetables offer vitamins, minerals, fiber, enzymes and antioxidants all of which can not only boost their health but can make them feel more satisfied after eating. Raw frozen diets for pets contain a wide variety of fresh vegetables. 

Click here to learn more about raw frozen diets that contain fresh vegetables for dogs and cats. 

Perception, Communication And The Link Between Autism And Animals

 This article was contributed by guest author:  Dr. Lynette Gebler 

“I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.”

Are dogs more sensitive to human nature or do they simply perceive the world in a different manner such as those with autism?  In the book Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, by Temple Grandin, Grandin examines the surprising similarities between an animal’s mind and an autistic mind.  Autism is a neurological disorder with various theories on causation. Scientists who study autism believe that the disorder is caused by under development of certain brain circuits, and over development of other brain circuits. The imbalance of the nervous system results in the common symptoms you see in autism such as speech delays, sound and texture sensitivities and developmental delays.  Grandin observes that people with autism, 'are closer to animals than normal people are.' Grandin contributes the differences between typical human mentality and animal mentality, not as a matter of IQ but as a matter of perception and emotion.

 Grandin, autistic herself, states that she has no language based thoughts; all of her thoughts are in pictures. Since animals do not have verbal language and many children with autism are non-verbal, memories and thoughts are stored as pictures, sounds, or other sensory impressions. Sensory-based information by its very nature is more detailed than word-based memories; therefore animals may understand intentions, emotions, images, or thoughts behind the words, even if the words themselves aren't totally understood. You may also observe an animal “sensing” something  before a human and thus dogs can even be trained to alert others to seizures and illness. Primarily, animals and people with autism are visual thinkers; while most people use a combination of verbal and visual skills for communication.  

We would all love to communicate better with our pets and that communication strengthens our bond with them.  Grandin, who is an expert in animal behavior, claims that her autism helps her understand and empathize with animals.  Grandin is also a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, an advocate in the autism community and an activist for the humane treatment of animals.

Are Topical Flea Killers Safe For Our Pets?

This is what topical flea killer did to our brand new wall and tile! Please understand that whenever possible I will always try all natural and holistic ways to address a health problem first. Where we live  it can get very humid making it a prime breeding ground for fleas. Sure enough yesterday, I discovered my sweet husky Legend had, in a matter of hours, created a giant hotspot on his hip from a flea bite. We have tried everything natural including years of $500 treatments of Fleabusters on carpets perfectly timed before the hot weather started. But nothing has worked. Since Legend eats a hypoallergenic diet and takes supplements for allergies, the only culprit is fleas!!! I hated to do it but on the advice of several vets, we concluded that the best thing for my severely allergic dog is to use a smaller size doze of Advantage for the few worst months. Anguished about this, I applied the vial in between Legend's shoulder blades as directed. It should have absorbed in but I guess he rubbed against our freshly painted wall and limestone tile. About a half hour later, I noticed that the paint on the wall had eroded and that something had penetrated through the protective sealant on the tile!! It took me awhile to figure out what it was and then I realized---yukkk it was the Advantage. If it did this to paint and tile, what does it do to our pets? Does anyone know of anything less harsh that works to keep the fleas away? We have tried many treatments and the natural stuff unfortunately just hasn't been strong enough. Please know we even had our entire house tented last year but the warm weather and humidity bring the bugs!

Is Your Dog Always Starved? How To Help Your Ravenous Dog Feel More Satiated

 

Does your pet act STARVED all the time? Always looking for food? While a good appetite is a sign of a healthy pet, never feeling satisfied can also be indicative of a diet that is too high in carbohydrates. Say what? To keep costs down, most pet foods use fillers such as potatoes, rice, grains and legumes. This is especially true in dry dog food. Ever eat just cereal or a pastry for breakfast and find you are starved an hour later? Same concept. Diets high in carbohydrates cause your pet's insulin to spike causing a drop in blood sugar which creates excess hunger. Insulin spikes lead to excess hunger and excess eating which contributes to obesity. Protein on the other hand is more stabilizing and keeps your pet's blood sugar regulated.

Here are three tips to help keep your pet feel more satisfied:

1) Add green vegetables to meals. You can purée them for small or finicky pets. Green vegetables are low glycemic fiber which helps your pet feel more full and helps regulate blood sugar.

2) Feed at least two regularly scheduled meals each day. If possible give your pet some treats or a small lunch.

3) Increase the protein in your pet's diet. Look at the label on your pet's food. If it's dry food, then your pet may be getting too many carbs and not enough protein. Be sure to add some high quality grain-free canned food or ideally raw frozen food. Limit or eliminate dry kibble if possible. Freeze dried raw food is also high in protein and a little goes a long way.
 

Beware of These Harmful Ingredients In Your Pet's Food and Treats

**Alert** Beware of Sharks in your pet's food and treats. Ever look at the label? There could be harmful ingredients lurking which could attack your pet's health. Here are just a few examples:

1) sugars--yes plenty of dog and cat treats contain sugar and molasses which contribute to gum disease, chronic infections, obesity, diabetes and even cancer. Sugar is included to disguise the taste of low quality ingredients and to entice your pet to eat more.

2) meat or animal by-product meal--contains unidentified sick, diseased animals, roadkill and worse--make sure your pet's food and treats always specifies what type of animal the food came from and avoid byproducts 

3) food coloring and dyes--many treats are colored to look like their fresh food counterparts. Ex: some treats are dyed red to look like real meat or bacon or orange to look like real carrots.

Better to give your pet the real food ingredient, not the chemicals. Rescue dog Legend says: "You are what you eat!"

Enzymes For Cats With Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis in cats is a condition that requires immediate attention by a veterinarian. Cats can develop chronic or acute pancreatitis. Symptoms may be subtle initially and easy to miss. Symptoms include include loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, dehydration, fatigue, depression, and increased heart rate. If your kitty displays these symptoms or just isn't acting like herself, please contact your veterinarian right away as pancreatitis can be fatal.

Cats require both short-term and long-term treatment of pancreatitis. Short-term, fluid therapy will be needed for cats that are diagnosed with pancreatitis. Food may need to be withheld for up to 48 hours if the cat is vomiting. Your veterinarian may also prescribe corticosteroids and metronidazole for chronic pancreatitis. Long-term, cats that have had a bout of pancreatitis need to eat a reduced fat, anti-inflammatory diet free of grains. Also, using digestive enzymes specific for pancreatitis is essential. Lypozyme for Pets is a powerful yet small, easy to administer powdered natural enzyme that can be mixed into food. It is veterinary-approved and has a stronger potency and purity than digestive enzymes purchased at a pet store. Cats will generally eat it readily as it has minimal taste and odor. Since the liver and intestinal tract are integrally related to the health of the pancreas, using the Power Probiotic and Liver/Gallbladder Support will help your kitty's pancreatic function and overall health. These three products are included in the Pancreatitis and Liver Support Kit  at a discounted package price. If you provide your cat's diet and heath issues, we can include a low-fat, anti-inflammatory diet that is appropriate for your kitty on the packing slip that comes with the product directions

If your cat has been diagnosed with pancreatitis and you need help, please email us at support@askariel.com

Is Your Cat Stressed Out? 3 Tips To Comfort Your Kitty

Unbeknownst to you, your cat might be silently wrestling with stress. Yes, stress can be a real problem for your cat. Cats do not like change! They love a schedule and consistency and anything that disrupts their routine can cause them to become stressed. In their own unique way, they may be trying to tell you that they are stressed, but the signs may go unnoticed. It is important to be vigilant in deciphering their subtle language and recognize the signs of stress. You can then explore their cause and find ways to relieve it.

Signs Your Cat May Be Stressed Out 

Watch for any of these signs your cat has anxiety or is stressed:

Changes in Behavior: If your cat suddenly becomes more withdrawn or unusually clingy, it could be a sign of stress. If they are spending more time hiding under furniture or in closets than usual, it could also be a sign that something is bothering them. If your cat seems unusually restless, pacing around the house displaying nervous behavior or increased aggression or hostility towards people or other pets may indicate stress. 

Vocalization: Some cats may vocalize more when they're stressed, meowing excessively or making other distress sounds like hissing and growling.

Loss of Appetite or Overeating: Stress can affect a cat's eating habits. Some cats may lose their appetite and eat less, while others may overeat as a coping mechanism.

Litter Box Issues: Changes in litter box behavior, such as urinating or defecating outside the litter box, can be a sign of stress. Your cat might be trying to communicate their discomfort with their environment.

Excessive Grooming or Self-Mutilation: Cats may groom themselves excessively when stressed, leading to hair loss or skin irritation. In severe cases, they may even resort to self-mutilation, such as licking or biting at their skin.

Changes in Sleeping Patterns: Stress can disrupt a cat's normal sleep patterns. They may sleep more than usual or have trouble sleeping, leading to insomnia.

Physical Symptoms: Stress can manifest in physical symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or respiratory problems. If you notice any unusual symptoms, it's essential to consult your veterinarian. They may also show these bodily signs: 

Immobility - may become immobile, sitting in a fixed posture for long periods of time.

Body – crouched directly on top of all fours, shaking and tail close to the body

Belly – not exposed, rapid breathing

Head – lower than the body, motionless and whiskers back and maybe drooling

Eyes – fully open and pupils fully dilated
Ears – fully flattened back on the head

Three Tips To Ease Your Cat's Anxiety and Stress

1. Create a Safe and Comfortable Environment:

• Provide your cat with a quiet and secluded area where they can retreat to when they feel stressed. This could be a cozy bed in a low-traffic area or a hiding spot such as a covered cat bed or a cardboard box with a blanket inside.

• Ensure that your cat has access to their essentials such as food, water, litter box, and toys in this safe space.

• Use pheromone diffusers or sprays like Feliway, which contain synthetic versions of calming cat pheromones, to help create a calming atmosphere in your home.

2. Implement Relaxation Techniques:

• Engage in interactive play sessions with your cat using toys such as feather wands or laser pointers. Play can help reduce stress and anxiety by providing mental and physical stimulation.

• Try gentle grooming sessions with a soft brush or grooming glove. Many cats find grooming relaxing and it can help strengthen the bond between you and your cat.

• Consider incorporating calming activities such as gentle massage or providing a warm blanket or heated bed for your cat to curl up on.

• Give Happy Paws Drops a try. This product provides a gentle, harmonizing effect on pets. It works over time to help your stressed pet "cope" better with triggers that cause anxiety.

3. Establish Routine and Predictability:

• Cats thrive on routine, so try to maintain a consistent daily schedule for feeding, playtime, and other activities.

• Minimize sudden changes in your cat's environment whenever possible. If you need to make changes, introduce them gradually to give your cat time to adjust.

• Provide your cat with plenty of mental stimulation by offering puzzle feeders, interactive toys, or rotating their toys regularly to keep them engaged and prevent boredom.