Honoring Rescuers During National Volunteer Week

In honor of National Volunteer week, we would just like to thank ALL of the wonderful rescuers across this country and abroad who are dedicated so much of their time, money and effort to save and rescue the lives of countless abandoned, neglected and homeless animals. When I ran Ariel Rescue (100 years ago), there was NO INTERNET. Now we can see the animals available for adoption at the shelters but in those awful times, there were barely lists of animals "to be destroyed".Thanks for all the wonderful rescuers, we are saving so many more lives because of your dedication and grateful for the help of technology too!

Here we are at the Husky Haven of Los Angeles adoption event last weekend. So many terrific volunteers! A few people applied for dogs but careful screening (impulse adoptions NOT a good idea!) some extra steps are needed to ensure proper fencing and here's hoping a few of the nice families will follow up and adopt!

Natural Remedies For Pets With Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Lilly

Renee contacted us, in July 2013, upset and frustrated because at that time, she said “I have spent hundreds in the last two months. Lilly had a urinary tract infection (UTI) last month and now this month, she also had an infection last year. I need your help…”

Susan Davis, Pet Nutritionist, recommended changing her diet to a grain-free, hypoallergenic diet and using natural holistic supplements which would help reduce the potential for infection and improve her health overall. 

  

Renee used the following home remedies to help her dog Lilly with much success:

Pet UTI Prevention Formula- Acidifies the urine and helps clear bacteria and pathogens from the urinary tract, present in UTI infections, reduces inflammation and help promote healing.

Power Probiotic for Pet- Best Probiotic for dogs and cats!  Replenishes friendly bacteria in the digestive tract that has been killed off by antibiotics.  Pure and natural--no fillers!  A "must" for pets with a history of urinary tract ( or any type) infections. Helps to ward off repeat urinary tract infections.  

NotaSAN Drops – Natural homeopathic formula that controls inflammation and infections. Very helpful if your pet has been on antibiotics as it helps to prevent recurrence of an infection. Use with QuentaSAN for best results. Gentle, easy to administer and safe for long-term use.  

QuentaSAN Drops -Natural homeopathic formula that fights bacterial and viral infections. Use with NotaSAN to stop the cycle of chronic infections.  

Amazing Omegas for Pets-  A researched-backed, concentrated, therapeutic fish oil providing a powerhouse of Omega 3s in just a few drops.  These omega 3s can reduce inflammation and give relief from the uncomfortable symptom of UTIs.

Two years later we received this note from Renee

"Just want to say, "THANK YOU"!  THANK YOU”! Took your advice and had vet take urine with her fasting and her PH was 7 this month…Blood test and urinalysis came out good. (She has been UTI free since on your diet plan and supplements) Lilly was 8 years old last November 17, 2014.  She has battled UTI 's from spring of 2012 until I found you on the internet in July 2013.  I was a little skeptical at first, but I tried it anyway, and glad I did, as it worked.  You have helped Lilly much."  Renee and Lilly 2015

Lilly’s latest update

"My sweet little baby Lilly was eleven last November.  The Vet says she is in great shape. Thank you, Susan, for your diet and supplements for UTI's over several years ago.  The supplements are good quality and they work!” Renee and Lilly 2018

Why Are Raw Frozen Diets Beneficial For Cats and Dogs?

Raw Frozen Diets Contain Food In Its Natural State

When it comes to pet food, raw frozen diets are unmatched due to the wholesome and balanced nutrition they provide for cats and dogs.  These diets contain real meats, ground bones, vegetables and fats in their natural state.  Since the food has not been overprocessed or overheated,  they are highly digestible and pets absorb the nutrients,  leaving a lot less poop for you to pickup!  A raw frozen diet can improve digestion, help with allergies, strengthen immunity, improve your pet's coat quality and reduce inflammation. Raw frozen diets are the gold standard of pet nutrition for many pets but if your pet has any history of allergies or digestive issues, choose a hypoallergenic source of protein such as rabbit and transition slowly.   

If your pet is finicky or very sensitive, you can slowly introduce a raw frozen diet by starting with a companion product from the same brand in freeze dried form.  Examples:  Instinct and Stella and Chewys offer the same ingredients in their raw vs freeze dried diets.  Most pets love the taste of the freeze dried so you can start with small pieces and then include both raw and freeze dried in their bowl. 

In summary, raw frozen diets offer the following benefits to pets:

1) contain fresh real ingredients
2) easily digestible so your pet absorbs more of the nutrients
3) reduced poop
4) low in carbohydrates so reduces yeast and allergy symptoms
5) healthier gums and teeth
6) improved digestive health 

Does Your Dog Have Gas? Tips To Give Your Dog Fast Relief

Does your dog's gas have you gasping for air? While an occasional stink bomb might be funny, if your dog's gas is regularly clearing the room, it's time to re-evaluate your pet's diet and overall digestion.  Excessive gas and/or burping can be a sign of a health issue.

Normal digestion produces gases in the intestinal tract.  However, foul smelling gas is often caused by bacteria when undigested food (that should have been broken down in the stomach or small intestine) reaches the colon.  Pets with poor digestion may suffer from bloating, indigestion, distension and discomfort.   Consuming the wrong food or poor digestion are the most common culprits causing your pet to suffer from gas (flatulence), indigestion and stomach aches. 

Giving your pet probiotics and digestive enzymes with every meal can reduce gas and indigestion.   The most helpful supplements for digestive issues and support are Soothing Digestive Relief, Gastro ULC, Power Probiotic, K9 Digestive (bigger dogs), and Lypozyme (smaller pets both cats and dogs).  Diet changes are also essential.  Eliminating dry food which is high in starchy carbohydrates which can be hard to digest can help.  Avoiding food allergens can also bring a great deal of relief.

If your pet has gas, there is an easy solution:  change the diet and use a few enzyme and probiotics.  Please include your pet's diet on the order form at checkout  along with your  a pet's health issues and Ask Ariel will include a diet suggestion on the packing slip that comes with the product directions.

Have a question about your pet?  Please feel free to email us at support@askariel.com  Please know we cannot provide any veterinary consultative advice.

What To Look For When Selecting A Diet For Your Pet

So many brands - so many choices! Here are 3 tips to ensure you are giving your pet the best nutrition.

1) Fresh - Be sure to include something fresh in your pet’s diet every day. Examples: vegetables, defrosted raw diets, fresh ground flax seed, fresh baked fish or lean meat  

2) Low Carbohydrates - We all love carbs but they can be detrimental to our pets contributing to weakened immunity, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Cats are carnivores and dogs have minimal need for them yet carbs are abundant in pet foods. Examples of high carbohydrate foods: grains such as rice, biscuits, dry pet food (must be made with starchy carbs to form the kibble), sweet potatoes, pea flour, sweet fruits

3) Easily Digestible - Many foods may sound “healthy” or natural but they might not be right for your pet. Easily digestible means that there is normal poop, no digestive problems such as vomiting or tummy rumbling and that your pet isn’t displaying symptoms of itching, chewing and tearing his fur out. The pet’s diet is often the culprit in many health conditions. If your pet is itchy and miserable, there could be an issue with the diet.

When it comes to your pet's health, the adage "you are what you eat" rings true.  To learn more about diets for different health conditions, please click here. 

See Something? Say Something -- An Animal's Life Is Depending Upon You!

Kokito

By now, you may be familiar with the tragic story that occurred on a United Airlines flight where the owners of Kokito the puppy were forced to put the puppy in an overhead bin by a flight attendant.  The mother had a baby to attend to and in spite of their protests, were told that is where the puppy had to go.  Kokito's suffocation is only one story.  There are many, many stories of animal suffering.  It's easy to speculate about what "we might have done" had we been on that flight.  Even though there was rough turbulence, would we as  a fellow passenger have demanded the flight attendant check on the pet? 

Many of us are afraid of the repurcussions of causing a scene on an airplane just as we are afraid of causing a problem with a grumpy neighbor who leaves their dog outside in the bitter cold.  Animals depend on us to be their voice.  When you think you see something, even if it just your gut, SAY SOMETHING!    It is upon all of us to listen and speak up even when it is not "socially correct,"   Rest in piece Kokito.  We are so sorry for your loss and your family's grief.   Maybe your tragic death will help more animals because there are so many that are tied up, chained up and left outside with little provisions and help is just a phone call away......

Poor Compliance With Medication Is One Reason Pets Don't Get Better

Do you see the pill? Well.....neither did I!  One reason pets may not show improvement from a health condition is that the pet owner may forget to give a pill or the pet doesn’t take the pill.  In our case, Legend must take his Keppra antiseizure medicine exactly 8 hours apart 3x a day. We literally revolve our lifestyle and appointments as best we can around those pill times after the horrific cluster seizure episodes he went through. Well his last dose is 11 pm and I always check to make sure he ate the pill. The dim light and being half asleep made for a perfect storm! It shows that even when we schedule everything perfectly (phone alarms, wall notes, pill containers) things don’t always come out the way we planned...... We got lucky and since we have been sure to adminster the pill almost always, this was a rare exception.  But, when you have a busy schedule....it's not always easy.

Poor compliance with medication is one reason a pet may not show signs of improvement.  This could be anything from treating heart conditions to skin problems to seizures.  Here are a few tips to help ensure your pet gets the needed medication and/or supplements.

• Keep a schedule posted in at least one or two central locations such as the refrigerator or a place you are likely to see it
• Set up alarms on your phone BEFORE the scheduled pill time and AFTER just in case you got distracted
• Use a pill container with the allocated number of daily pills