Omega-3 Supplements for Dogs

Cure Dry Itchy Dog Skin

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are a requirement in both human’s and canine’s diet. EFAs are not produced by the body so it must be added to the diet as a supplement. The two most commonly known fatty acids are omega 3 (linoleic acid) and omega 6 (alpha-linoleic acid). The diets of our pets, like people, tend to include more omega 6 fatty acids rather than omega 3. This imbalance can be remedied by the addition of omega 3 supplements.

Omega 3 fatty acids are good for us and our pets because they help with the proper formation of cell membranes, cardiovascular functions, nourish the lining of the digestive tract, and work to keep your pet’s skin and coat smooth, soft and shiny.

Omega 3 fatty acids also help decrease inflammatory problems in the body. You may notice that your pet’s coat is dull and brittle or if he/she tends to have dry itchy dog skin. It is possible this may caused by lack of this particular fatty acid. Using omega 3 fatty acids for dogs and omega-6 in the right ratio can reverse skin problems like dandruff and reduce itching caused by allergies.

Nearly all holistic veterinarians and an increasing number of mainstream vets are now recommending that dogs and cats be given vitamin C and E supplements. Both of the nutrients are powerful antioxidants that help decrease the effects of free radicals, harmful oxygen molecules which are bodies produce. Omega 3 supplements for dogs and vitamin C supplements can help slow the aging process so that our pets can live longer better quality lives.

Studies show though that omega 3 supplements for dogs don’t give quick results. Fatty-acid supplements may take a month or more before they cause significant improvements in dry itchy dog skin. Other supplements such as vitamin C work very slowly. You won’t really notice any big change in your pet but at the cellular level things will be happening. Changes will be happening in your pet’s body that will help keep your pet strong and healthy for their whole life.

Though omega 3 supplements for dogs are quite safe, they shouldn’t be used without consulting your vet. You, the pet owner may not be aware of the interaction between the supplement and other medications your dog or cat may be taking. Also, every dog and cat will have different needs and may require different amounts of the supplement. Don’t assume human doses are the right ones for your dog or cat.

Does your pet have dry itchy dog skin? With increase in chemical pesticides and additives in our foods sources and general environment there has been a steady increase in dog allergies and immune-system problems. Want to know the symptoms of dog allergies? Read our post Signs of Pet Allergies and find out if your pet has allergies.

Dogs That Drool

Why Dogs Drool

Dogs that drool can be really messy and ruin car upholstery and furniture. Why dogs drool is very simple and it is a natural function. All dogs drool some and some breeds, especially those with heavy lips, drool a lot because skin around their mouths traps saliva and overflows and even cats drool a little.

Drooling isn’t a medical problems but vets tell us that when drooling changes it is usually because of a problem. Dogs and cats drool more when they are nauseous or when something is lodged in their gums or between their teeth. Liver disease, tonsillitis or other infections can also cause increased drooling.

For regular drooling, the vets writing in New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, say tie a bandana around your dog’s neck to soak up the moisture. Dogs that drool look cute with the bandana and most dogs are not bothered by fabric tied loosely around their neck. This way dogs that drool won’t ruin the carpet or your car’s interior.

Here are some things holistic vets tell you to check out if your dog is drooling excessively:

Do a mouth check – If your dog or cat has something caught in their teeth they will drool quite a bit. They will also drool if they have gum disease. Check your dogs mouth for foreign objects first. To check for gum disease, smell their breath. If it smells really bad there may be an infection and you should see your vet.

This happened with our pet only I thought the smell was coming from her skin and I kept giving her baths. Finally I took her to the vet and he explained she had an infection in her mouth.

Try A Chinese Cure – Many cats and dog drools in car because the motion makes them nauseated. You can get a Chinese herbal remedy called Pill Curing at any health food store to help prevent nausea and its associated drooling. Give 10 pills to dogs that drool weighing under 15 pounds, and one vial of pills to pets 15 to 50 pounds. Give about 20 minutes before travel. This may also prevent your pet from vomiting in the car and making a mess which is unpleasant for everyone.

Give homeopathic cure - Ipecacuanha and Cocculus are often recommended for helping nausea. The remedy Tabacum may also help dogs that drool. Use 30C tables and give your pet three to five pellets, or two or three drops, up to two hours before travel.

Have you ever wondered what can I give my dog for an upset stomach? There are many items that are already in your kitchen that can help make your dog feel better fast. Check out our post What Can I Give My Dog for an Upset Stomach

Natural Flea Control for Dogs – Part 2

Natural Flea Control Cat

Natural flea control for dogs is actually a three part plan. The first part as described in our previous post Natural Flea Control For Dogs is just the first part – keeping the fleas off the dog or cat. The second stage of the plan is to treat the inside of your house, especially the places where your dog spends a time, such as his/her bed, rugs and sofas. Here is what Natural Dog magazine recommends:

Frequent washing - Regular laundering of your dog’s bed and cleaning area rugs at least once a week can remove fleas and ticks that have made their way from your pet to these surfaces.

Frequent vacuuming – To treat areas that can’t be laundered, such as sofas and floor cushions, wielding the vacuum at least weekly can help. Make sure you have a vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag for this job. Dispose of the bag after each vacuuming because any flea eggs inside the bag can hatch and start the flea infestation process all over again.

Treat surfaces - Applying borate-type powders on carpets and citronella sprays on baseboards can also help keep fleas out of your house.

The last part of the plan for natural flea control for dogs is keeping the fleas and ticks out of the yard. If you have a few chickens and some guinea fowl they will gobble up your flea and tick problem. Since not all of us are zoned to raise chickens your other option is to keep the grass cut. There are also certain nematodes that can help control flea populations in the yard. These microscopic worms, available from garden-supply stores, consume not only young fleas but other insects. You must apply nematodes monthly.

Keeping your dog healthy is one of the best defenses against flea infestation. Some vets say animals who eat a minimally processed, wholesome diet are less susceptible to parasites.

Natural Flea Control for Dogs

Natural Flea Control Cat

Many people are uncomfortable using conventional flea and tick control products on their pets. But they are concerned that natural treatment will not be effective. Nonchemical, natural products can be effective natural flea control for dogs. Natural Dog magazine says though it requires a three part plan on your part. You must keep fleas off the dog, out of your house and out of your yard. Our vet said much the same thing we were considering flea control measures.

Here is a handy quick guide from Natural Dog magazine to natural flea control for dogs and natural flea control cat.

Quick Guide to Natural Pest Control Products


Where to use: On the dog

Product or Action: Citronella collars, flea combs,herbal dips and sprays, herbal shampoos especially with citronella

Where to use: In the house

Product or Action: Borate powders, citronella sprays, frequent laundering, frequent vacuuming

Where to use: In the yard

Product or Action: Beneficial nematodes, free-range fowl, frequent mowing

Organic shampoos, dips,, sprays and powders are the only natural topical ways to control parasites says holistic vet Shaw Messonnier, DVM, of Plano, Texas and author of Unexpected Miracles: hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. Among the products he favors for pest control are herbal flea and tick shampoos that contain citrus oils.

A product we recommend is PetAlive BeFree Flea Shampoo BeFree Flea Shampoo is natural product containing no parabens, sodium laurel sulphate or harmful petrochemicals. The shampoo is made with citronella oil, rosemary oil, tea trea oil and niaoli oil.

Between baths use a citronella collar, a natural insecticide spray, or an herbal powder. Still use a flea comb daily also.

If your pet has itching in their ears they might have ear mites. Check out our postEar Mites Dog Natural

Natural Cures For Your Pet

Common Dog Health Problems

Here is a clear and simple guide to which alternative remedies and lifestyle changes are appropriate for several common canine medical conditions (Source: Natural Dog Magazine:

ALLERGIES:

Natural Remedy - herbs, homoeopathics, fatty acid, antioxidants

Diet Change – avoid grains, processing and byproducts

Lifestyle Change - frequent bathing with an organic anti-itch shampoo; keep off grass that has been treated with chemicals

ARTHRITIS:

Natural Remedy – Chondtoitin and glucosamine supplements, acupuncture, enzymes

Diet Change – Natural diet, restricted calories if needed, fewer treats or low-fat treats

Lifestyle Change – Weight loss, controlled exercise

BAD BREATH:

Natural Remedy – Coenzyme Q-10, fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change – none

Lifestyle change – Brush teeth at home, provide dental treats

CANCER:

Natural Remedy - Fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change - Improve diet: lowered carbohydrates and increased proteins and fats, especially omega-3s

Lifestyle change – No vaccines

DIABETES:

Natural Remedy – Herbs, supplements made of extracts from glands such as thyroid medication, homeopathics

Diet Change – Increased fiber

Lifestyle change - Increased exercise, small, frequent meals

DRY SKIN, COAT:

Natural Remedy – Fatty acids, antioxidants

Diet Change - Natural diet, increased omega 3s

Lifestyle change – Frequent baths with natural or organic hydrating shampoo

EAR INFECTIONS:

Natural Remedy – Herbal ear drops, antibacterial and antifungal herbs, olive leaf extract

Diet change – Natural diet

Lifestyle change – Clean ears regularly, limit swimming

EPILEPSY:

Natural remedy - Choline, B vitamins, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change - Natural diet; reduced-protein diets help some pets

Lifestyle change – No vaccines, eliminate seizure triggers if possible

HIP DYSPLASIA:

Natural remedy – Joint supplements, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change – Natural diet, reduced calories if needed.

Lifestyle change – Weight control, controlled exercise (especially swimming)

HOT SPOTS:

Natural remedy - herbs, homeopathic, fatty acids, antioxidants

Diet Change – Natural diet

Lifestyle change - Eliminate possible causes, such as fleas or allergies

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE:

Natural remedy - Enzymes, probiotics, glutamine, herbs, homeopathics

Diet change - Natural diet

Lifestyle change - Eliminate possible causes, such as food intolerance, food allergies, infections

KIDNEY OR LIVER DISEASE:

Natural remedy – Herbs, homeopathics, fatty acids, antioxidants, probiotics

Diet change – Natural diet, reduced phosphorus and protein if needed

Lifestyle change - Fluids administered at home as needed.

SEPARATION ANXIETY:

Natural remedy – Flower essences, herbs, theanine, homeopathics

Diet change – Natural diet

Lifestyle change – No vaccines; behavior modification

URINARY TRACT INFECTION:

Natural Remedy – Herbs, homeopathics, olive leaf extract

Diet change – Natural canned food or natural moistened dry food

Lifestyle change - Feed a moist diet to encourage frequent urination

Dog Dehydration and Feline Dehydration

Signs of Dehydration

With summer coming soon, it is time to post information about dehydration in pets. According to the vets writing in The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats by the editors of Prevention Magazine Health books it is important to maintain constant fluid levels. Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, sunken eyes, loss of elasticity in the skin and extreme exhaustion. This condition always requires a veterinarian’s care. So to prevent your pet from getting dehydrated this summer follow these tips:

Always have water available – As you may or may not know, pets do not really sweat. Most of their water is lost through panting. The vets recommend keeping two bowls filled with water in case one gets knocked over when you are not around.

No guzzling – If your pet has gone for a long time without drinking, letting them drink lots of water all at once may result in vomiting. Vomiting will cause your pet to lose even more fluid. Take the bowl after your pet has a had a few laps. Wait a minute or two and let them have some more.

Give electrolytes – Dehydration can cause your pet to lose electrolytes (minerals such as potassium and sodium that transmit electrical impulses throughout the body). You can give your pet an electrolyte rich drink such as Pedialyte or get an electrolyte solution at your local grocery store or drug store.

Try a sports drink – If your pet is uninterested in drinking, you can try giving them a sports drink that contains electrolytes such as Gatorade. Vets say some pets like sweet, fruity flavors.

Try ice – Pets that have gone too long without water may have trouble keeping fluids down. You know how when you having been throwing up, you eat ice chips until your stomach can tolerate liquid? It works the same for pets but you use an ice cube they can lick. That way your pet takes in fluid slowly.

Check the mouth – Sometime dogs or cats will not drink because something hurtful is stuck in their mouth, like a burr. If your pet is not drinking take a careful look (don’t get bit). If you can’t get the thing out, call the vet for advice.

Keep water with you at all times - You can get a no spill water bowl or keep a collapsible pet bowl that fits inside a pants pocket as well as variety of spill-proof containers. Check online sources and local pet stores.

Quick test for dehydration – Gently lift the skin along your pet’s back. If it snaps back into place your pet is okay, if it stands up in a ridge it is an emergency. Take your pet to the vet immediately.

[tag]feline dehydration,dog dehydration,dehydration symptoms,sign of dehydration,common dog health problems,cat health problems,electrolyte drinks,fluids and electrolytes[/tag]

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