Spring Is Here

This week was the beginning of spring! With Spring, comes the PROMISE of blue skies and sunshine (ha ha some of us are still waiting!). Spring brings warmer weather and longer days. Your pets may show subtle behavior changes, such as spending more time sunbathing, waking up earlier and having extra energy. Springtime can also mean a pickup of allergy symptoms due to the increased pollen in the air from flowers, trees and grasses. Both cats and dogs can have environmental allergies. Pets not only breathe in the pollen but they also come in direct contact by rolling in the grass or lounging in the yard. Allergies can cause pets to scratch, lick, itch and tear their fur out. Our holistic care articles about allergies provide tips on how you can help relieve these uncomfortable symptoms naturally. To learn more, click here to visit AskAriel.com.

Thankful For Every Moment With Legend

Just wanted to give everyone an update on Legend. As of this week, it is 1 1/2 years that we have been fighting liver cancer and 6 months since the second massive hepatocellular tumor returned. We have tried twice to surgically remove the tumor and tried every possible treatment imaginable. We had been in contact with UC Davis about a new cancer procedure but due to Legend’s age (he is 14 1/2) and cancer metastasis he doesn’t qualify Still the regular vet visits, holistic treatments and nutritional supplements are helping. We have good days and hard days. We cry a lot and we feel incredible joy when something wonderful happens (he suddenly jumped on the couch!). Anyone who has loved an animal knows the pain of seeing them grow old and sick. For right now, Legend is holding his own. He is still going on two walks a day (albeit very slowly and short), engages with us, and has an amazing will to live. Recently a neighbor (who isn’t a dog owner) approached us and told us he was praying for Legend every day because he was so inspired by this elderly dog putting one foot in front of the other with such fortitude, despite all of his health issues. If you have an elderly or sick pet, taking them outside even just for five minutes can make their whole day. We thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support you have shown our beloved dog. We hope you can give your pets an extra hug today. Life is so short and our time with our pets is never long enough.

What Helped Pete?

I just wanted to thank you guys for your great service and great product. Our Vet was telling us that we were looking at a very expensive surgery and a full tooth extraction for my cat Pete and that they didn’t know what was causing his stomatitis and it was the only thing they could do to fix it. The antibiotics they gave us weren’t working. Not only did you get me your product immediately, my cat seems to have made a full recovery in 2 weeks. The Vet didn’t tell us Stomatitis was an autoimmune disease, diet related or anything else. You and your website told me that and I believe it was your products (Immune Support Kit, Immune Harmony and Happy Paws drops) and knowledge of a diet change that made the entire difference. My family can not thank you guys enough! Pete seems to be back to his normal self and we are just so thankful!  Ryan, NJ. 

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?

Updated: 4/29/24

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.

Natural Supplements Help Artsy!

So nice to share this happy tail about Artsy! Sara got Artsy and her brother, EdanSe, as 8-week-old kittens. Artsy started having problems urinating. Artsy has been using Renelix for over 3 years now and her mom sent us an update:

“We got Artsy as a kitten. Artsy ended up having a lot of trouble with the litterbox. At first we thought she didn’t like certain litters. But over time it ended up where she was screaming in pain when she went to pee and we saw blood. Numerous vet visits and tests confirmed crystals in her urine. The recommended solution was a prescription diet and to get used to her having troubles. We tried this for a while but couldn’t seem to get used to the idea that Artsy was going to always have this issue. There had to be a way that aligned with our beliefs.

We spoke to our naturopath and his recommendation was Renelix along with a few other supplements. Within a week Artsy was doing great! She has never had those issues again and loves her herbs. She runs when we call her and we syringe them into her. We get her urine and bloodwork taken once a year to ensure all is good and the problem is literally gone!

Our holistic vet loves Artsy’s story & has recommended Renelix for other kitties going through similar problems.” - Sara, Connecticut

Author: Susan Davis, pet nutritionist

Original post: 2/24/23

Updated: 4/29/24