Eye Wipes Can Cause Irritation Around Your Pet's Eyes

Be careful with topical eye cleaners!!! The skin around your pet’s eye is very delicate. All the wiping (even using the most natural wipes) strips away the protective layer of good bacteria on the skin, causing irritation and possible infection. In the photo, what started as an attempt to wipe away some tear stains below the eye turned into skin irritation surrounding the eye leading to infection and hair loss. Natural wipes and solutions can cause irritation just as much as those with chemicals. They all can upset the natural balance of flora on the delicate skin near your pet's eye. It's best to address the eye stains from the inside out by changing your pet's diet, and using probiotics along with immune support supplements to improve your pet's gut flora overall.

How To Help Your Pet Lose Weight

Helping your pet lost weight can seem like an impossible task. Why? Because we love our pets, they want food and we want them to be happy! You can still spoil your pet and help them lose weight without depriving them of their favorite food and treats.

There is no need to make drastic changes. Here are a few gentle steps:

1) Make better choices with the food you give. Keep the carbohydrates down as that makes your pet hungrier faster! Choose raw freeze-dried, lean meats or vegetables over bread, rice, quinoa, biscuits or sugary fruit snacks.

2) As much you can, try to replace some of the pet food with vegetables so your pet feels full for longer. Adding green beans to meals can often reduce doggie begging.

3) Take advantage of the cooler weather and try to find a little time each day for a walk.

4) Use measuring scoops for kibble and don’t top off

5) Look for VOLUME in the foods you feed. A big bowl of veggies with pet food mixed in takes your pet longer to get through and digest than just the kibble or raw food patty by itself.

Does Your Dog Have Tear Stains?

Tear stains are SO frustrating but you can get rid of them. There isn’t a magic fix but if you consider all of the following, it can help. If your pet never had tear stains before, be sure to check with your veterinarian as it is common for pets to get particles in their eyes, have a blocked tear duct or eye infection. Allergies also can be a factor. While there are many cosmetic products, remember that you need to address the underlying CAUSE.

Recently we went through a bout of tear stains and got rid of them after much trial and error. I wanted to give a variety of options to try as each pet will respond differently.

1) Look at your pet’s diet. Diet is a huge culprit. Grains, allergens and low quality ingredients can cause tear stains. Upgrade your pet’s food and feed a low carbohydrate novel protein diet such as a raw frozen rabbit or venison diet. Eliminate chemicals like food dyes and sugars from treats.

2) Balance your pet’s gut flora. An overgrowth of bad bacteria or yeast can cause tear stains. Use Power Probiotic to improve your pet’s gut health as it contains beneficial bacteria, prebiotics and Lactoferrin which helps fight tear stains.

3) Add prebiotic fibers slowly to feed the probiotics. Legend was eating a novel protein raw diet but was getting some tear stains due to environmental allergies. We added AllerEaze, some cranberry and blueberry powder and organic potato starch to his food. We also added some raw goat milk.

3) Be careful with topical eye cleaners!!! The skin around your pet’s eye is very delicate. All the wiping strips away the natural protective layer of good bacteria and can cause irritation. Legend got an eye infection from using natural eye wipes!

4) Check your pet’s liver function. The eyes and skin are eliminating toxins on the inside. The rust staining at least in our case, was due to his liver. Using products like Ask Ariel’s Liver & Gallbladder Support can be helpful for flushing out toxins especially if you have an older pet.

Pain Relief For Your Pet Using Hemp Extract

When pets are in pain it can be hard to administer supplements. Happy Paws Hemp Extract Drops are a stress-free way to give your pet pain relief. Our professional veterinary strength organic hemp extract is easy to use and administer. This unflavored non-psychoactive tincture is an effective way to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Happy Paws Drops are unrivaled in quality and can benefit your pet in so many ways.

What makes Happy Paws Drops so special? The hemp is grown in Colorado on farms utilizing stringent eco-farming practices. The proprietary CO2 extraction process uses a gentle, clean, scientifically designed process. Happy Paws is made with NON-GMO, all organic ingredients. It contains approximately 18.3 mg CBD oil per 1 mL. Happy Paws undergoes independent laboratory testing for purity so that you can feel confident that you are giving your cat or dog the best CBD oil for pets.

Be Sure To Check Your Sunbathing Cat

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in cats often appears like a scab or red thickened area of skin on their face or ears. SCC may also appear as a tumor or lesion in a cat's mouth and is the most common form of oral cancer in cats.  White and lighter-colored cats are more inclined to develop these tumors.  The most common cause of SCC in the skin is exposure to sunlight. White cats who sit frequently on window sills are at higher risk.  Oral cancer is thought to be connected to exposure to chemicals from cigarette smoke, flea collars or other environmental toxins that they ingest from grooming their fur. In the case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, early detection saves lives.  What's a cat owner to do?  First and foremost, regularly check your cat's face and ears for scabs or thickened, irritated areas. Silver Immune Support Spray is helpful for skin lesions. If possible, limit exposure to sunlight if you have a light-colored cat.  Avoid flea collars and exposure to cigarette smoke and vaping. Finally, feed your cat a low-carbohydrate diet with plenty of antioxidants. 

Important Test To Diagnosis Cancer

While we all wish cancer could be diagnosed with a simple test, it just doesn’t work that way. Most cancers aren’t easy to find until they are in a more advanced stage, which can make them harder to treat. That is why it is so important to watch for any signs and contact your vet if you see anything as the earlier cancer is found, the more options you have available.

How is cancer found then? Cancer can occur anywhere on your pet’s body such as the blood, skin, organs and intestines. Pets can have a wide range of symptoms depending upon the location. Blood and urine tests are just the first step and while they may provide clues, there usually isn’t a definitive diagnosis until an exam and other studies are performed. Other studies might include an X-RAY, CT Scan, biopsy and ultrasound.

When pets have cancer, time is of the essence. If you have a senior pet, twice-a-year exams and lab tests can help with early detection. Young pets can get cancer too so if you notice anything unusual, try to contact your veterinarian as soon as you can.

How Much Pumpkin Should I Give My Dog Or Cat?

 

Now that the fall is here, pumpkin is back.  Pumpkin is a miracle food that offers many benefits for cats and dogs with digestive problems. Pumpkin is high in fiber and helps to regulate the natural wave action in your pet’s GI tract. Pumpkin can help cats and dogs with both constipation and diarrhea. The high fiber content adds bulk to the diet, helping your pet feel full and lose weight. Pumpkin is a nutrient powerhouse containing Vitamins A, C and E that you can mix directly into your pet’s food. If your pet has diarrhea or other digestive problems, pumpkin can help.

How much pumpkin to add? It all depends upon the size and sensitivity of your pet. Always start slowly because too much pumpkin can have a laxative effect. For cats and small dogs, start with 1/2 teaspoon per meal and big dogs can start with about a tablespoon per meal. Be sure to check with your veterinarian first if your pet has diabetes or is especially sensitive.

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