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 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

Benefits of Alternative Medicine for Pets

Integrative Complementary Medicine for Pets

Alternative medicine also called integrative, natural and complementary medicine, holistic medicine takes a broader approach to health than allopathic.

The conventional medical model focuses on x-rays, blood panel results, and other lab test. Allopathic veterinarians look for path ology – a detectable physical change in the tissues that signals disease and forms the basis for a diagnosis. But this approach looks at only a very small part of the picture.

Holistic treatment methods, also known as modalities include homeopathy, chiropractic, nutritional consulting, massage, flower essences, traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, herbs)

A holistic practitioner studies the whole patient, taking into account not just pathological symptoms (say changes in blood chemistry) but also alterations in normal function (such as bowel changes), emotional state, sensation, prior illness and more.

Holistic vets consider the whole body. Holistic vets incorporate more than one type of treatment, including the best of conventional medicine, to make a more inclusive ‘whole’ system of wellness. Holistic medicine puts a bigger emphasis on having the body heal itself.

For example an allopathic veterinarian would likely prescribe an antibiotic to fight a bacterial infection, while a holistic vet might prescribe nutritional supplements to boost the body’s natural defenses.

With a holistic vet you get the best of both worlds, knowledge of conventional medicine but also possible alternatives to convention that are less harmful to your pet.

[tag]cat health problems,dog health problems,holistic pet health,holistic vets,natural cures for pets[/tag]

Pet Food Nutrition Labels

Pet Food and Ingredients

I just read this in Dr. Fox’s column and thought this information would be worth passing on:

A pet owner wrote to Dr. Fox that when he gives his 12 year old Aussie mix a bit of cheese, the dog has a seizure. Apparently the culprit is the additive annato. Though annato is a natural food coloring it has been linked with many cases of food-related allergies and is the only natural food coloring known to cause as many or more reactions than artificial food coloring.

Because annato is a natural colorant (from the seed pulp of a tropical tree, the Aciote or lipstick tree), companies may label their products “all natural, no artificial colors,” and this can lend a false sense of security to consumers who suffer from dye allergies.

Dr Fox advises not to feed cheese or cheese spread that is bright yellow or orange in color to dogs. He says there are too many reasons why dogs have seizures, and this one more to add to the list.

[tag]pet food,all natural pet allergy treatments,dog health problems,pet allergies,pet food ingredients,annato,pet food and ingredients,pet food labels,natural pet food[/tag]

Causes of Itchy Skin – My Dog Has Allergies

Symptoms of Cat Allergies

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. According Dr. John Heinerman writing in his book Natural Pet Cures > says most vets concur that there are basically three reasons for this trend: poor diet (quality of food), vaccinations (multiple vaccinations) and inbreeding (cosmetic breeding practices).

Dog’s allergic reaction is different from cats. Dogs have a general itchiness of skin and rash or sores. Dog’s will allergies will have redness (inflammation) in ears, toes, and genitals. Gastrointestinal disturbance is common also (gas).

Cats also have skin problems but they more frequently have bladder inflammation and digestive upset. Cats may display no symptoms at all except erratic behavior caused by their discomfort such as fidgeting, licking and biting themselves.

To discover natural cures for pet allergies see our post Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies and Cat Allergies

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Tags: cat allergies, cat health problems, dog allergies, Dog health, dog health problems, dog health questions, dog itchy skin, dog skin allergies, native remedies, natural pet allergy treatments, pet allergies

Canine Food Allergies and Cat Food Allergies

May 28, 2009 by Jodi · 1 Comment
Filed under: pet allergies 

Cat Food Allergies and Dog Food Allergies Remedies

According to holistic vets writing in book, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats by Amy Shojai and the editors of Prevention for Pets, “the best ways to stop food allergies is to identify the problem ingredient and avoid it in the future. Veterinarians also recommend trying to make the immune system more “accepting” so that it doesn’t react to harmless substances.

There is an excellent natural product called PetAlive Immunity & Liver Support which will help strengthen your pet’s immune system. This product can be used for both dogs and cats. Here is what some users of the product had to say:

Thank you for such wonderful products! I wish I had known about them sooner. I started giving my 13 year old cocker Immunity & Liver Support capsules for about 2 months. He seems to have a spring in his step now when walking …I can’t thank you enough!

Patti, MI, USA

I’ve been giving my 5-year-old pug Immunity and Liver Support, along with C-Caps, for 6 months. After only a few days, I noticed a new vitality and energy… it was like I had a puppy again. Her overall health improved immensely. Recently, I ran out of these products. Thinking I had another bottle of each in the cabinet, I did not order again in time to not miss some doses. I wasn’t too worried as she is doing so wonderfully, but I quickly ordered again. PetAlive.com is so quick and responsive; I had the refills in just a few days. Beans went without her supplements for about 5 days. Two days after starting her regular dosage again, she was perkier and more full of energy. I am convinced that Immunity and Liver Support is doing wonders in keeping her healthy and happy. I recommend your site and your products to every one. With all the toxins in our air, water and environment, even if your pet does not suffer from any disease or condition, I believe Immunity and Liver Support can do wonders to keep your precious family member healthy and full of energy throughout a long, happy life. Thank you PetAlive.com!

Camille, PA, USA

To get more information about this product, please click on the ad below

Here are some other possible solutions to pet food allergies suggested by the vets writing for New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats:

Find the problem ingredient: The only way to find out if your pet has food allergies is to put her on an elimination diet. Give your dog a hypoallergenic food-one that contains ingredients that she has never had before. Also replace regular tap water with distilled water. If her symptoms go away in six to eight weeks, you can be pretty sure that she was allergic to something in her food. Begin reintroducing old foods one at a time. If your pet does not have a reaction (itching and scratching) in three days that food is “safe.”

If you have a cat though you must take special precautions with an elimination diet. Suddenly changing your cat’s diet could cause her to stop eating entirely. That can lead to a serious liver disorder called hepatic lipidosis. Holistic vets recommend gradually replacing some of your cat’s regular food with the new food over a period of several weeks. Keep making the change slowly even if the allergy symptoms continue to appear. It may take several month before all allergens leave your cat’s system.

Shop for natural foods – Some dogs and cats are sensitive to the chemical preservatives, dyes, or artificial flavoring used in commercial pet foods. You may have to keep looking for a food they can eat safely. See our post on Pet Food Additives

Give them raw foods - Vets recommend cooked broccoli and string beans, raw zucchini, raw carrots, alfalfa sprouts, and baby carrots for dog treats.

Try a modified fast – Putting pets on a “modified fast” will help eliminate substances from the body that may be triggering the allergies. One Prevention for Pet’s vet says “give your pet only one tablespoon of raw meat a day, along with pure water. Large pets can fast for three days, while smaller pets, including cats, can go one day. If they seem unhappy about not eating, you can give them some homemade chicken or beef broth.” Be sure to consult your vet before trying this one.

Detoxify with herbs – There are number of herbs that promote healing by clearing your pet’s body of harmful substances and making the body more resistant to food allergens. Holistic vets recommend burdock, dandelion, yellow dock or golden seal. Dandelion is actually the main ingredient in Petalive Immunity & Liver Support.

[tag]pet allergies,dog itchy skin,dog skin allergies,cat allergies,native remedies,dog health problems,dog health questions,cat health questions,cat health problems[/tag]

Tags: cat allergies, cat health problems, cat health questions, dog health problems, dog health questions, dog itchy skin, dog skin allergies, native remedies, pet allergies

Signs of Pet Allergies

May 28, 2009 by Jodi · 4 Comments
Filed under: pet allergies 

Pet Food Allergies

Just like people pet’s can be allergic to certain ingredients in their food. For dogs and cats with food allergies, however, even normal eating can cause problems. According to New Choices in Healing for Dogs and Cats by Amy Shojai and the Editors of Prevention for Pets, “When they eat the wrong food, they may get extremely itchy. Any ingredient may cause allergies, with beef and soy protein being common offenders. Even if your vet puts your pet on a scientifically designed diet, it may take two months or more before the problems go away. In the meantime, she will continue scratching sometimes damaging the skin in the process.”

To help with the itching and scratching consider using a natural product to reduce itching. Native Remedies Skin & Coat Tonic contains a combination of specially selected herbs, nutrients and biochemic tissue salts known for their tonic and supportive function on the skin and coat. Regular use of Skin & Coat Tonic has been shown to relieve itchy skin in pets. The product comes in the form of a capsule. Check out the following testimonial:

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am with this product. I have a one year old English Toy Spaniel who has been suffering from horrible itchy skin (this breed is apparently prone to skin problems). I tried a “skin balance” remedy offered by one of your competitors, with no results or relief whatsoever. After having Romeo on your Skin and Coat Tonic for about 3 weeks now, the improvement in his skin is about 80% (and hopefully will continue to improve the longer he is on this formula). I also noticed that where his skin was previously hot to the touch, it is now normal and cool, and he is comfortable and relieved. Thanks you for a wonderful product. I will keep him on this forever.
Linda, CA, USA

To find out more about this product click on the ad below:

Here are the common symptoms of food allergies in pets:

- Licking or biting skin or scratching face

- Ears or “armpits” look red and irritated, or the ears contain a gooey discharge.

- Vomiting, diarrhea or gas

- Cat has small scabs around ears or neck

To find out more natural solutions to pet food allergies see our related post Pet Food Allergies

[tag]pet allergies,dog itchy skin,dog skin allergies,cat allergies,native remedies,dog health problems,dog health questions,cat health questions,cat health problems[/tag]

Tags: cat allergies, cat health problems, cat health question', dog health problems, dog health questions, dog itchy skin, dog skin allergies, native remedies, pet allergies

Care of Dog Paws

January 28, 2009 by Jodi · 1 Comment
Filed under: Dog health, Paws, cat health 

Problems with Dogs Paws

If your dog or cat is limping or favoring one foot, you need to take a look and see if you can find out what the cause is. Even though your pets paws are very tough, they can still get cut, scrapes and burns. According to M. Lynne Kesel, D.V.M., assistant professor of elective surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins “Between the pads it is very sensitive and cuts can be extremely painful. Here are some suggestions from The Doctors Book of Home Remedies by the editors of Prevention for Pets:

Do an inspection – Get down on the floor and gently raise the paw that may be injured. Look for redness, swelling, bleeding or other sign of irritation. Press gently on the pads, around the claws and between the toes. If your pet winces or cries, move in for a closer look. Be prepared to back off if your pet seems agitated. Even the sweetest pets may nip you if they are in pain.

Check for burrs – To remove a burr, grab it firmly with a pair of tweezers and gently wiggle it free. If it is tangled in the hairs, however, you may need to clip it out with scissors. You can apply a little vegetable oil to help loosen a stubborn burr.

Trim hair around toes – Long-haired pets can develop hair mats between the foot pads, which can chafe and cause irritation. It is a good idea to keep the hair trimmed back.

Clean muddy paws - Like hair mats, mud that accumulates between the toes can cause pain and irritation. After your pet has returned from a muddy romp, wash their feet thoroughly with soap and water to remove the grit.

Keep paws dry – Paws can become irritated from too much moisture. So after washing your pet’s feet or after they come in from a wet day – dry feet thoroughly with a soft towel.

Take care of burned paws properly – Pet’s paws may get burned from standing on a hot surface. Any burn should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and warm water to prevent infection. As always, dry paws with a soft towel. Then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Cover it loosely witha gauze bandage to keep it clean. To keep gauze in place, cover it with a light cotton sock.

Watch for dryness - Like people, pets occasionally suffer from dry, cracked, callused skin of the bottom of their feet. Try applying a moisturizer (whatever you use on your skin should be fine) or use Vitamin E oil. Put the oil on at mealtime, your pet will eat first, so the oil will have some time to soak in.

Don’t over moisturize – Don’t use lotion for more than a few days in a row or your pet’s paws will become too soft and be vulnerable to injuries.

Clean off salt in winter – In winter, salt spread on sidewalks to melt snow can irritate your pet’s paws and lead to cracking. Remove the salt from your pet’s paws with soap and water immediately after winter walks. Dry the paw well, the apply a small amount of moisturizer with lanolin.

Clean up oil or household chemicals on your pet’s paws – There are a number of common household chemicals, like motor oil, antifreeze and corrosive cleaners, that can be extremely hard on your pet’s paws – and toxic should they lick them off. Washing you pet’s feet with dishwashing detergent works well. Applying olive oil can help. Apply the detergent or oil to a damp washcloth and scrub the paw until it’s clean.

Removing gum – If you pet has chewing gum stuck to their paw, you can use dishwashing detergent to help dissolve it. Or you can use gum removers, available at hardware or drugstores. If gum is really stuck in their hair, you may need to cut it out. Take a small pair of scissors and cut at the base of the hairs below the gum.

Skip the cute boots - While pet stores and specialty catalogs promote the virtues of rubber boots for dogs, they really don’t need them say the Prevention Vets.

Tags: care of dogs paws, Dog health, dog health problems, dog paws, problems with dog paws

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