The Beginning Of AskAriel

Who is that beautiful doggie in the picture? That’s Ariel, our first dog who was my guide and teacher into the world of holistic pet care. Today is the 18 year anniversary of her passing. Ariel was the mascot for our rescue. Every week she came with us to PETsMART as we tried to find furever homes for the thousands of dogs we rescued from high kill shelters in Los Angeles. At 13 years old she became very sick with kidney disease. It was then that we learned about the healing power of nutrition and natural supplements. Not only did holistic treatments help Ariel but they helped the rescue dogs as well. In 2005 AskAriel opened our doors!! Since then it has truly been an honor to help you with your pets and share our passion for pet nutrition! 

Does Your Pet Have Digestive Issues"?

 

You may have heard about digestive enzymes and wondered why you would use them. Enzymes are biological catalysts that are vital for thousands of important functions in the body. Your pet thrives on fresh ingredients rich in enzymes.

Unfortunately, most pet foods are overprocessed, and some pets may have difficulty digesting them. Overprocessing can destroy digestive enzymes that were present in the original ingredients.

Supplementing with natural digestive enzymes can help your dog or cat with:

Improved Digestion: Digestive enzymes help break down food into smaller, more easily digestible components. This process aids in the absorption of essential nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. This can lead to improved digestion and nutrient uptake, supporting better overall health and well-being.

Reduced Digestive Issues: Pets with digestive issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation, may benefit from digestive enzyme supplements. These enzymes can help improve the digestion of food and reduce the strain on the digestive system, leading to fewer digestive issues and more comfortable digestion.

Better Nutrient Absorption: Digestive enzymes can help pets extract more nutrients from their food. This is particularly important for pets with conditions that affect their ability to absorb nutrients, such as PLE, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Improved Immune Function: A healthy digestive system is essential for a strong immune system. By improving the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients, digestive enzymes can help support immune function and reduce the risk of illness.

Increased Energy: Improved digestion and nutrient absorption can lead to increased energy levels, better mood, and overall improved quality of life.

For more information on digestive enzymes click here.

Help For Feline Acne

Did you know that cats can get acne just like people do? It can look like little pimples or like dirt on their chin and lip. If left untreated, the clogged follicles can become painful, causing hair loss and bleeding. It’s important to work with your veterinarian and use topical treatments to relieve your cat’s discomfort. Cleansing the area with an anti-seborrheic shampoo can help the skin heal.

There are a variety of causes of feline acne such as stress, plastic water dishes that harbor bacteria, poor grooming, chemical sensitivities, viruses and allergies. Changing your cat’s food can be an important first step. Avoiding allergens like grains, poultry and fish can be helpful as well as feeding a highly digestible novel protein diet. Raw frozen diets made with rabbit, for example, can help cats with acne, autoimmune diseases and digestive problems.

Has Your Pet Been Diagnosed With Urinary Crystals?

 Has your pet been diagnosed with urinary crystals? Urinary crystals in pets can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Diet: Pets that are fed a diet that is high in minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, or one that has a low water content, are at an increased risk of developing urinary crystals.

• Hydration: Pets that do not drink enough water or that are unable to access fresh water can develop urinary crystals as a result of dehydration.

• pH imbalances: The pH of a pet's urine can affect the formation of crystals. An acidic urine (pH below 7) can cause struvite crystals, while alkaline urine (pH above 7) can cause calcium oxalate crystals.

• Metabolic disorders: Pets with metabolic disorders such as renal failure, diabetes, or Cushing's disease are at an increased risk of developing urinary crystals.

• Genetic predisposition: Some breeds of dogs and cats are predisposed to developing certain types of urinary crystals based on their breed genetics.

• Medications: Certain medications such as steroids can increase the risk of crystals formation.

Treatment depends upon the specific type of crystal that forms in a pet's urinary tract. Preventative measures such as adjusting the diet, increasing water intake and using Renelix to flush out toxins can help reduce the formation of urinary crystals in pets. When making these changes, it is important to have your pet's urinary pH monitored by your veterinarian.

All The Presidents Pets

Happy Presidents Day! Presidents Day is a time to celebrate the leaders who have shaped the course of American history and the values they represented. It's also an opportunity to reflect on the important role that pets have played in the lives of Presidents and the value they bring to our lives.

For many Presidents, their pets were a source of solace and a symbol of their humanity, reminding them of the importance of family and home.

Some of the most famous presidential pets are:

Abraham Lincoln: He had cats named Dixie and Tabby.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: He had several pets, including a Scottish Terrier named Fala.

Lyndon B. Johnson: He had several dogs, including two beagles named Him and Her.

Richard Nixon: He had a dog named Checkers.

Jimmy Carter: He had a cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang.

Ronald Reagan: He had a dog named Lucky.

George H.W. Bush: He had several dogs, including a Springer Spaniel named Millie.

Bill Clinton: He had a cat named Socks.

George W. Bush: He had a Scottish Terrier named Barney and a Springer Spaniel named Miss Beazley.

Barack Obama: He had two Portuguese Water Dogs named Bo and Sunny.

Joe Biden: He has a cat named Willow and has had 3 German Shepherds named Champ, Major and Commander

Natural Remedy Helpful For Senior Dogs

Do you have an older dog? Resveratrol is a great choice for any senior dog and especially those with heart or joint issues, IVDD and cancer. It is also important to use if you have a breed with a high incidence of cancer like boxers and golden retrievers. Here are 5 amazing benefits of Ask Ariel’s Resveratrol For Dogs:

Anti-inflammatory properties: Resveratrol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce pain and swelling in dogs suffering from joint conditions, such as arthritis and IVDD.

Improved cardiovascular health: Resveratrol may help improve blood flow and reduce oxidative stress, which can be beneficial for dogs with heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions.

Enhanced immune system function: Resveratrol has been shown to have immune-boosting effects, which can help dogs fight off infections and other illnesses. It is also helpful for pets with autoimmune conditions as it can help to regulate and balance the immune system.

Antioxidant protection: Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant, which means it can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Longevity: Some studies have suggested that resveratrol may have anti-aging effects and promote longevity, which can be beneficial for dogs of all ages.

Thankful For The Love Of A Pet

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, let’s take a moment to give thanks to our pets for the wonderful, unconditional love they give us. Pets have been a part of human companionship since the beginning of time and fulfill some unique needs for us. Pets bring out our nurturing side because they are solely dependent upon us. Children love pets because of the reciprocal love they experience from cuddling and playing with them. Many of us consider our pets to be a part of our family and refer to ourselves as our cat or dog's Mom or Dad even if we don't have human children.

Pets love us unconditionally in spite of our flaws. They are there for us through thick and thin, through good times and bad times and love us throughout. When we walk through the door, the magic of that loving, warm welcome makes us come alive!