Why losing a pet hurts so much!

It’s natural to feel devastated by feelings of grief and sadness when you lose a beloved family member and to some people it is equally devastating to to lose their dog, cat, or when any of their pets die. 

Why does the loss of a pet hurt so much? This is one of the most common questions pet owners ask themselves. 

Most pet owners share an intense love and bond with their pets. For them, a pet is not only “just a dog” or “just a cat,” but rather a beloved family member, companion, giving fun and joy to our lives. Their pet can give meaning to their day, keeping them active and social. For some, their pets can also help them overcome setbacks and challenges in life and can even provide a sense of meaning or purpose. So it's natural that  when a cherished pet dies, pet owners will be tormented by grief and loss.

The pain of losing their beloved pets can often trigger different painful and heavy emotions. While some people may not understand the depth of feeling that a pet owner had for their pet, you should never feel guilty or ashamed about grieving for your beloved pet.

People respond to grief of losing a pet differently, the level of grief a pet owner experiences will vary on different factors such as age, personality, their relationship with their pet, the age of their pet and how their pet died. Usually, the stronger your bond with your pet, the stronger the emotional pain that you will feel.

Experiencing loss is an inevitable part when you own a pet but please remember that there are things that you can do to cope with the pain, lessen the grief and open your heart again to a new pet when the right time comes. 

What you should know about Dog Flu

FOX 32 News reported that dog flu continues to spread around the greater Chicago-area. And now, a second animal shelter has now been shut down indefinitely. The dog shelter that was reported to close down to prevent the dog flu to spread to the other dogs was Chicago Canine Rescue animal shelter located near Elston and Forest Glen.

Dog Flu or "canine influenza," can make your dogs feel bad and it can also be dangerous to them.

Symptoms of dog flu includes sneezing, runny nose, and cough according to Barry N. Kellogg, senior veterinary advisor to the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

According to Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD, of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, “Canine influenza can cause more serious illness than the average respiratory infection.”

Dog flu treatment:

Just like you, your dog also need a lot of rest and fluids. Place your dog in a quiet and comfortable place for him to recover and do not forget to give your dog plenty of water to drink.

Have your vet check your dog. Your dog's veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics if your dog gets a bacterial infection along with the flu.

Once your dog shows any dog flu symptoms, keep him away from your other dogs, avoid going to dog parks or places so that other dogs will not get infected with the virus.

Pets quake victims, too

In times of disaster, saving pets equals saving people, a University of Canterbury expert says.

If families are evacuated from their homes in a disaster and told to abandon their pets, many would refuse evacuation or later return to retrieve their beloved animals against public safety advice, Steve Glassey said.

Speaking at a disaster management conference in Australia last week, Glassey, who is the associate director of Canterbury University's centre for risk resilience and renewal, said emergency officials must heed the lessons from Hurricane Katrina when it comes to managing pets in times of tragedy.

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005, tens of thousands of families were forced to evacuate their homes and leave their pets behind.

Many left their dogs and cats inside with water and food, thinking they would be able to return within a few days, but the reality was some never returned at all, Glassey, who is working with Australian researchers on managing animals in disasters, said.

More than 50,000 pets were left behind during the evacuation of New Orleans and about 90 per cent of them died as a result of it.

''The most compelling fact for emergency managers to learn from Katrina was that about 44 per cent of the people who did not evacuate for Hurricane Katrina stayed, at least in part, because they did not want to leave their pets behind,'' he said.

''By forcing pet owners to leave their pets in a disaster, pet owners are more likely to be psychologically impacted. So we are actually harming our communities by not evacuating pets,'' he said.

Most New Zealanders own pets and Glassey said the issue of pets in disasters was highly emotive for Kiwis.

''The human-animal connection is extremely powerful in an emergency management context, both in creating opportunities to enhance public safety, but it is also a major risk if pets are not included in emergency management arrangements,'' he said.

''We can learn the lessons the easy way or the hard way from Hurricane Katrina but simply put, saving pets equals saving people.''

In a survey of Kiwi pet owners, 58 per cent said if they were evacuated without their pets , they would likely return to rescue them despite advice from public safety officials.

When Canterbury's earthquakes hit, there was no mass public evacuation so affected families were able to take their pets with them or arrange to have them stay with friends or relatives.

Despite the lack of an official death toll of pets from the quake, Glassey said at least 3000 animals died as a result of the September 2010 shake alone.

Thousands of chickens died when the shelving units of a poultry barn in Darfield collapsed, eight cattle had to be put down when they sustained injuries falling on concrete, hundreds of seals died from rock fall along the coast and one dog suffered a heart attack.

source: stuff.co.nz

New pets may help autistic kids socially

Getting a pet may help children with autism to develop their social skills, if the furry friend is brought into the home when the child is about 5 years old, according to a new French study.

Researchers found that children with autism who got a pet after age 5 showed improvement in their abilities to share with others and to offer comfort, whereas those who had a pet since they were born, and those who never had a pet, showed no such improvement.

"In individuals with autism, pet arrival in the family setting may bring about changes in specific aspects of their socio-emotional development," the researchers wrote in their study.

However, the study was small, and little is known about how pets may influence family dynamics and children's development, so further studies are needed, the researchers said.

Animals and social skills

About one in 88 U.S. children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism can cause language delays, problems with social and communication skills and repetitive behaviors.

In the new study, researchers led by Marine Grandgeorge, of the Autism Resource Center at Hospital Bohars in France, looked at autistic children between ages 6 and 16 who were all attending a day-care facility in France.

The children's parents had completed a commonly used autism diagnostic test when the children were 4 or 5, and they completed it again at the time of the study. They also answered a questionnaire about their pets.

In one analysis, the researchers compared the social behaviors of 12 children with autism from families that got a pet after the child turned 5, with the behaviors of 12 autistic children who never owned a pet, but were matched with the pet owners for age, gender and general language abilities.

Results showed that those who got a pet, over time, showed fewer deficits in their abilities to share food or toys with their parents or other children, while those who never owned pets didn't show such an improvement. Additionally, those with pets also became better at offering comfort to parents or children who were sad or hurt, according to the study. The type of pet didn’t matter (although all the pets in the study were dogs, cats or hamsters), and neither did the child's gender.

In a separate analysis, the researchers compared eight children with autism who had a pet in their home since birth, with eight similar children who never owned a pet. They found that those who'd had pets their entire lives were no different than those without pets, in terms of how their social skills changed over time.

Additionally, the study showed that children who got a pet when they were young tended to interact with the animal, spending time petting it and playing with it. In contrast, those with pets since birth showed far fewer of these interactions.

The researchers noted that there were many social behaviors for which there was no improvement in the children who got a pet at a young age. The test they used, aside from measuring children's abilities to share and comfort others, also assessed behaviors such as social smiling, imaginative play with peers, and the ability to engage in a reciprocal conversation.

Why pets may help kids with autism

Pets can directly influence human behaviors. "When a human and a pet are interacting, each partner uses signals emitted by the other to adjust their behavior," the researchers wrote. Pets can also promote interactions between family members, which can promote a child's development.

But further explanation is needed to explain why the differences were seen between children with pets since birth and those who got them at a young age. It might be expected that the longer a child had a pet, they more benefited, but that's not what was seen, the researchers said.

It may be that the novelty of a new pet is particularly appealing to children with autism, or it could be that a new pet strengthens the family's bonds, and increases interactions between family members, they said.

The findings are published online today (Aug. 1) in the journal PLoS ONE.
Pass it on: A new pet may help autistic children develop better social skills.

Pets and hot weather don’t mix

It may be the "dog days," but hot and humid summer weather is no friend to man's best friend. In fact, as Paula Belknap of Cannondale Animal Clinic recalled earlier this week, it can be downright deadly.

She said she knew of a dog owner some years ago who looked out to see their two seven-month-old golden retrievers playing on a hot, summer day.

"They were playing on the lawn one minute," she said, "and then they laid down in the sun. It looked like they were taking a nap." When the owner went to check on them a bit later, they were dead.

She speculated the dogs were too young to realize the toll the heat was taking on them until it was too late.

"You have to remember dogs pant to sweat," she said. "If a dog's temperature gets to 105 or 106, it can die." (A healthy temperature for dogs ranges from 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Dr. Belknap saw a canine victim of overheating during Memorial Day weekend this year. The dog, only three years old, had been playing with the family's children. They kept throwing a ball for the dog, but he finally decided he didn't want to play anymore and laid down. An hour later they checked on the dog and found he couldn't walk.

When the family brought the dog to Dr. Belknap she said his temperature was 106.5. "We cooled him down quickly with a hose," she said. When a dog is overheated, it should be cooled down as quickly as possible, but not shocked. A hose over the back of the neck is OK, not an ice bath.

"You can also use a bottle of alcohol over the dome part of their head where the hypothalamus is," she said.

Probably the biggest danger for dogs in summer is a ride in the car. Whether the windows are open or shut, a dog left in a car is at a real risk of dying from heat. Dr. Belknap said sometimes people leave their dog in the car with the air conditioner on, but this, too, is dangerous.

"If the car conks out with the AC running, the windows are up, now the dog really has no chance," she said. "It's really safer to leave them at home."

Other animals

Unlike dogs, healthy cats don't pant. "A cat loses moisture through its tongue and foot pads. They sweat through their feet," she said.

"If you see a cat panting that cat is in serious trouble. It either has heart problems or is overheated."

Horses sweat, much as humans do. Horse owners should check on their animals on hot days. If a horse in a barn in the afternoon is sweating, it should get hosed down, Dr. Belknap said.

She doesn't think coat thickness contributes to overheating. "Huskies and dogs like that, with thick coats, like a collie's, they act like insulation," she said, adding this is her own opinion and she is not an expert on the issue. "When you shave a dog, that's when they get in trouble." Those dogs should be watched more closely, she added.

Ease up on walking

Owners who use common sense can generally keep their pets out of trouble. For example, she said avoid walks after 10 a.m. and offer lots of water. The problem is, some dogs won't drink when they are out and you can't get them to drink before they go out. Even dogs that are fit shouldn't walk as far in the heat as they would on a cool day.

Dogs with heart conditions should be watched carefully.

Sunscreen is also a good idea, especially since dogs can get skin cancer. "Dogs with white and pink noses or white on their feet can benefit from sunscreen," she said.




by Jeannette Ross

What happens to a pet when its human dies?

Pets grieve. There have been numerous documentations of wild animals mourning deaths within their midst, and then there is this personal observation.

My mother passed recently and I took my Scottish terrier, Maggie, in to see the body. The pair had been buddies, and I wanted the dog to understand that her friend was gone. A brief sniff of the hand, and Maggie turned away.

A short time later the family gathered in the foyer with Maggie sitting in the middle, watching as the gurney was wheeled out and loaded into a waiting van. As the vehicle pulled out of the driveway, Maggie uttered a brief, “Owww.”

She then went to my father, sat down and looked up at him. He reached down to pet her and she laid her head on the wheel of his walker. She had never done this before, always having shied away from him unless Pop had a treat in his hand. That day, she stayed near my dad, lying at his feet and leaning against his leg. Maggie is lucky as she still has a family and a home.

We all know it may happen, but how many of us have made provisions for our pets in case we die before they do? The passing of a human loved one is stressful enough for family members, but it is also a significant change in the life of any pet left behind. Many of these animals are dumped at shelters because their humans have not planned ahead. Some are just released outside by selfish relatives and left to fend for themselves, something the animal has never had to do especially if it had always been indoors. Imagine the terror, hunger and danger it faces. We see these poor animals all too frequently showing up at our feral cat feeding stations or lying dead on the road.

Often the pets sent to shelters are elderly themselves and not considered adoptable. They suddenly find themselves tucked into a small cage with just the basics of food, water, litter box, and maybe a toy. Strangers come by and look in their cages. Some of the animals are shy and shrink back in fear; others may become aggressive, neither of which presents a very positive response for those looking to adopt. Depression often sets in. Many are given the needle.

These thoughts are always in the back of my mind, wondering what will happen to my own cats and dog should I suddenly die. I have gone so far as to ask a couple of trusted friends if they would take my pets if need be, but that’s as far as I’ve gone. One of these friends is making plans to move out of state, so now what?

Haven’t we all laughed when the news splashes stories of wealthy persons leaving large amounts of money to a beloved pet? In retrospect, this shows just how caring the deceased was and actually makes a lot of sense.

We all should be proactive and search for friends and/or family that will promise to take our pets. Preferably, it should be someone the animal knows and is comfortable with. To sweeten the deal, a pet care trust can be written allowing for your estate to cover all needs until the animal’s death, something I’ve just found out about. Here is a great website offering affordable pet care trusts written by reputable attorneys at www.trustedpetpartners.com. These trusts are valid in 46 states and can cover all your pets, should you have more than one.

Too late to make this a New Year’s resolution, but it’s never too late to take a personal pledge. Knowing your furry, scaly, or feathered friend will be well cared for after you are gone should be enticement enough to get you moving on this.

Product of the Week: Sunny Seat, the awesome window mounted cat bed, has been in constant use since I installed it in my foster kitten room. Whether it’s holding a litter of kittens or a single adult soaking up the sun and watching the world outside, it’s the purrfect addition for any home with cats.

The roomy shelf installs in minutes, requiring no tools, only a clean (important!) window. Even better, it can be moved to different locations in the house to keep it new and exciting. My cats and I endorse this product with five purrs.

Marci Kladnik is a board member of Catalyst for Cats, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit organization.

source: santamariatimes.com

Is It Bath Time For Your Dog?

Do you smell your dog before he even enters the room? Maybe it is pet bath time. Lifestyle, activity and breed of dog all determine how often you should bath your dog. If you are uncertain how often to do dog bath check with your veterinarian or a good dog groomer. They will able to give you advice on how often to bathe and when a puppy should start getting a bath. Bathing your dog too often will dry out the skin and deplete healthy oils. Dogs normally do better with dog baths when they are started out young. They may never enjoy a bath but will learn to tolerate. Keep treats handy for after the dog bath to reward their good behavior.

When you are ready to start bathing there are things you should do and get ready before starting the bath. The dog should be brushed well removing all mats and foreign bodies from the coat. If you do not remove mats they will only become worse once the hair gets wet. Next you should have purchased a good dog shampoo. You may want to choose the shampoo for the purpose of the bath if it is not just a routine bath. Do not use human shampoo on your dog as the PH is different and not good for the dog's coat. Other items you should have ready are a washcloth, cotton balls, several large towels, a conditioner if your dog has a long coat and a few treats for his good behavior. You may also want to have ready a nylon collar or leash if you don't think your dog is going to be cooperative.

You should only consider washing your dog outside if it is a warm sunny day. When bathing inside consider a bathtub or shower so you can close the door and the dog will not escape to other areas of the house while wet. Place a rubber mat in the tub or shower so the dog will not slip. A detachable shower head is ideal but if not available get a large plastic pitcher.

Cotton balls should be placed in the ears so water will not get into the canal which may cause infection. Always remember to remove the cotton balls after the bath is completed. Start by spraying warm not hot water just behind the ears thoroughly wetting the coat. You never want to spray your dog in the face. After you have gotten the dog's coat wet you will apply the shampoo as directed and massage into the coat. Never put shampoo on the face where it will get into the dog's eyes. Start at the neck and work your way all the way down to the tail, behind the front and back legs, neck, chest and groin area. After you have shampooed rinse thoroughly starting at the neck and working you way again all the way to the tail until the water is clear. You must check all the creases and pay attention to the paws. Residue shampoo will cause irritation to the skin. Now take a warm wet washcloth and wash around the eyes and mouth. Remove the cotton balls and wipe any dirt from the ear flaps.

Be prepared the dog is going to be ready to shake at this point. Let him remove the excess water by shaking. Pat dry with towels if you rub particularly long haired dogs this is going to cause matting. If you need to use a dryer there are dryers especially for dogs. Dryers for humans may get too hot to use on your dog. Finally don't forget dog's treat!

Why you need pet medical insurance

Poor dog... here's another reason why pet owners need to consider getting their pets pet medical insurance...

Puppy Wellbeing Insurance policy - Is It a Very good Concept Or Is There a Much better Way?

I love my canines greater than any sensible person really should, and they are getting older, so it dawned on me not long ago that I will need to most likely check and compare pet insurance costs. I am aware that my vet charges are only heading to obtain greater as my infants get more mature. I need to be a accountable puppy mother or father and take very good care of my ideal friends, therefore i set out on a mission to compare puppy wellbeing insurances.

Of course, one particular of my greatest worries was cost. I'm a starving writer following all, and so i cannot manage Hollywood-style puppy health care. But is there even this kind of a thing as low cost dog health and wellbeing insurance coverage? If there's, I could not discover it.

I was thrilled in regards to the AKC plan, when I saw the quote "$18 each 30 days," but then I discovered that this level of coverage only addresses mishaps, not diseases or preventive treatment. The finest that AKC offers will be the Well-being Plus Strategy for more than $100 a 30 days, having a $125 deductible. And to start the strategy, I experienced to pay for two calendar months up front. And needless to say, just like with people today, this puppy insurance cover doesn't handle pre-existing situations, and even although my canines have none that I know of, this clause just irked me. The strategy also doesn't go over inherited disorders. By this level, I tired of reading the tremendous print and moved on with my comparison purchasing.

With ASPCA Puppy Well being Insurance protection, I discovered another $100 deductible. I also learned that I would must shell out for all veterinary treatment up front after which file a declare and wait being reimbursed. Previously once again, the very low monthly price of $11 is deceiving simply because it only covers mishaps. If I desired complete protection for my pets, I was searching at $85 a 30 days. But, I was impressed that ASPCA provides a 10% discount for several dogs and cats. I felt like I used to be finding warmer.

And so i went for the large guns: VPI Puppy Insurance protection. I could choose from a $100, $250, or $500 deductible for any $30, $26, or $22 month-to-month fee, respectively. But do not let the numbers idiot you. That only covers major medical activities. For routine care coverage, you will need to add either $22 or $12 each 30 days in your dog well being insurance policies bill. If you create yet another doggy, you save a whopping 5%. (Please be aware delicate irony within the phrase whopping.)

Then I stumbled onto Animal Health and wellbeing Alliance, an different to traditional dog insurance cover. As opposed to spending my payments at time of service and waiting for reimbursement, with membership to Animal Well-being Alliance, I would basically obtain an upfront 25% discount off all my charges. The magic phrases for me had been: no deductibles. Animal Well being Alliance membership also handles preexisting problems and hereditary ailments, therefore i do not must battle against my bloodhound's household tree. Plus a membership with Pet Health and fitness Alliance handles greater than just accidents: illnesses, conditions, infections, cancers, well being checks, spaying/neutering, and vaccinations. And how a lot does all this charge? $99.ninety five a year. Multi-pet family members membership expenses an extra $69.95 a yr. So, I can include each dogs for about $14 a 30 days -- that's $7 each, which made me chuckle aloud. It appeared like a no-brainer to me.

So, what is the downside? Nothing's that uncomplicated, proper? The catch is always that I need to use a single of their community veterinarians. But so what? I am basically heading to ask our veterinarian to join their community. It will not expense her anything, besides for my low cost, but I realize that she'll do it -- she's often willing to assist animals.

So, my search for cost-effective pet overall health insurance protection ended with no pet coverage at all. However I feel comfortable with my findings. By heading with Animal Healthiness Alliance, I avoid the likelihood of my puppies staying excluded for some unexpected situations. My dogs will never be as well previous, too ill, or as well poorly bred for health care. Animal Medical Alliance uses the motto: No Puppy Left Powering. I like it. I don't want my dogs left behind. I want them suitable here with me. For as lengthy as doable.

Offering Your dog Convenience

We've them at our facet every day, would generally run with us each and every morning or seize the day-to-day news paper, and go away it on our laps or just cuddle on our ft each and every often. Our dogs and cats deserve some thing else aside in the shelter and food we provide them. We also need to give our puppy ease and comfort and love.

They are our best buddies and surely our playmates as well. Pets give us a sense of happiness with their natural behavior and affection in the direction of human. But we also need to see to it that they've what they will need for. Give them comfort and ease throughout cold winter nights by giving them soft and heat comforters or pillow. The warmth through the linens would give them heat and shed them from shivering. Also the normal hygienic goods which will make them flaunt their shiny and vibrant furs. You don't need to cuddle your pets until they smell excellent, right? The every day shower and pampering using the sweet scent of canine shampoo or cat soap will give your pet ease and comfort.

Have them visit a veterinarian no less than after a month to ensure your pets' health. A dose of nutritional vitamins will boost their immunity and will also give you an extra hour of taking part in with them. Give your animals safety blankets or kennel liners especially should you bring them with you on a street journey to guarantee their security. Also don't disregard their well being status. These days, orthopedic beds for k-9s are out to support them recuperate. This innovation doesn't only give puppy convenience but also lessens the owner's burden and worry in the direction of the dog.

What the pet feels the proprietor does as well. So if your dog may well it be a dog, a cat or perhaps a rabbit perhaps feels uneasy give them just a little little bit of reward. Heat fluffy blankets or gentle cuddly pillows that may comfort and ease your pet are 1 of your finest examples. Their will need can also be the owner's obligation. So give your pet instead your very best friend the very best they might ever have, ease and comfort, sense of belonging and appreciate.

Why Do You Need To Give ID Chips To Your Pets

Most pet owners worried about their pets safety and this is usually one of the main reason why most of them decided to implant a small microchip to ensure that their dogs or cats can be returned home if ever they get lost.

Last Saturday The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society held its annual Chip-a-thon and there were more than 30 people who came to the event. The Humane Society successfully implanted a small pinpoint-sized microchip into the backs of dogs and cats that the pet owner brought with them.

What the chip contains are personal information about the pet’s owner. By passing over the animals’ back using a specific scanner it will read the 10-digit ID code that will be used to help identify the owners of the pet.

The human society graciously reduced the price of their services of up to 50%. The chip normally cost $50 to $60 were now sold for $35. The proceeds of the event will be going to the humane society.

Most of the people who went there understands the importance of getting an Pet ID chip to identify their pets. Another reason why they choose the event because it’s way much cheaper compare to other veterinary clinics.

Five Easy Steps to Natural Dog Skin Care

Brushing, bathing and clipping certainly contribute to your precious' silky and smooth skin and coat, but it's a little bit more than just pampering that is needed for your furry friend to sport a healthy and vibrant appearance. By just following these five easy dog skin care steps your pooch will be at the head of the posh pooch parade!

Five Easy Dog Skin Care Steps:

1. Diet: It is not just we humans who are what we eat - so are our dogs. A good nutritious diet is the best way to ensure that your dog stays strong and healthy. Select foods that mimic as closely as possible how a dog would eat in the wild: protein, carbs, vegetable and some fat. Fat is essential for a healthy skin and promotes a shiny coat.

2. Exercise: Take your dog for a daily walk - twice if you can squeeze in the time. Ideally a good, brisk walk in the morning and another in the evening, each of a half hour in length or more. Your dog will be happy and it will do wonders for your own figure. If your work schedule makes this difficult arrange for a dog walker to pop in and take doggie out for a good lengthy stroll during the day. Activity is good for circulation which in turn is good for the skin.

3. Daily Brushing: Even five minutes of gentle brushing stimulates the oil glands in the skin and nourishes the coat. A good brushing also detangles long haired coats and loosens dead hair, it is also an effective way to rid the coat of brambles, dirt and unwelcome insects and bugs that doggie may have picked up on his romp in the woods.

4. Shampoo: Use a good quality shampoo with natural ingredients such as oatmeal, papaya or aloe. If your dog has dry, itchy skin selects a shampoo that has a moisturizing ingredient. Pet shampoos with a smidgen of tea tree oil are also an effective way in keeping mites at bay.

5. Take action at first sign of a skin problem: At certain times of the year our pets are more susceptible to picking up parasites such as fleas, ticks and other nasty bugs. A dog that is flea ridden itches and scratches a lot and can develop sores which worsen as the condition continues. Take appropriate steps to rid your dog of these pests.

If you notice that your dog has developed a skin problem and is not responding to the above basic principles of good dog skin care, you may want to apply a natural pet balm to the affected area. Look for a balm with ingredients that have healing properties such as tepezcohuite and aloe. If all fails - schedule a visit to the vet.

source: www.naturaldogskincare.com

Is it o.k. to feed grains to our dogs?

Another great article i found on the net.

Why do I need to separate certain food items, like RMBs, veggies and grains, and why can't I feed them together?

In Pat Lazarus book, "Keep Your Dog Healthy the Natural Way," under the topic of food combining he states:

"How you combine food groups can be crucial to your dog's health. Why? The digestive organs secret enzymes to break down food so it can be properly used by the body. When carbohydrates and proteins are eaten at the same time, the protein enzymes go to work first, and the digestion of carbohydrates must wait. While the carbohydrates are waiting around to be digested, they ferment and release toxins in the body.

Proper food combining might more aptly be called not combining foods: Give only meat (or other heavy proteins such as eggs or milk) at one meal; give carbohydrates (fruit & grains) for the other meal. Vegetables, though may be given with either grains or heavy proteins."

He goes on to mention this can also help in preventing pancreatitus.

Also, grains and meats should not be fed together but veggies can be feed with either, with no loss of nutrients. Fruits, except apples, should be feed alone and at least twenty minutes before or after anything else. Back to top of page

Is it o.k. to feed grains?

Grains are not a natural food for dogs. It is not something they would eat in the wild. Those grains they would have access to would be in small quantities eaten from the stomachs of prey animals who had (in the right season) eaten some grasses that had seeded. These grains would also not look like our modern grains - more like wild rice (check it out at the supermarket and compare to domestic types).

Grains are also full of carbohydrates which can be easily converted to sugars. Cancer cells feed on sugars and it is believed that by decreasing the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, we may greatly reduce the risk of cancer (which is a growing problem among modern dogs).

So, in answer to your question, yes, grains can be fed; however, please keep the following in mind (when feeding grains), taken directly from a Dr. Billinghurst seminar: grains are not a natural food for dogs; dogs do not, in fact, need carbohydrates; carbohydrates are easily converted into sugars which feed cancer. Remove the carbs and the cancer has less/nothing to feed on; and grains are one of the major causes of allergies in dogs, and can also cause flatulence (gas..PHEW!!!)!.

source: i-love-dogs forum

Apple Cider Vinegar

I found this in one of the forums that i joined. Interesting facts about Apple Cider Vinegar for your dogs. read on...

Apple Cider Vinegar In their book, The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, DVM, note that “Apples contain a large amount of potassium plus phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, fluorine, silicon, and many trace minerals. . . . ACV (apple cider vinegar) is credited with killing bacteria outright. . . .” Depending on the size of the dog, add 1/4 teaspoon (toy dogs) to 3 tablespoons (dogs over 50 lbs) total per day to their meals. Itchy skin is a sign that the skin is too alkaline in nature. Fleas and ticks do not find acidic skin desirable to live on, hence the importance of maintaining a slightly acidic body (for dogs, the normal pH range is 6.2-6.5). You can use straight ACV as an after-bath rinse; before going out into the country; and on beginning hot spots. If the skin is already broken, dilute the ACV 1:1 with water and spray it on the coat. As an ear rinse, use several drops of the 1:1 dilution weekly to avoid ear infections. These health conditions and others (including sore joints and the beginnings of arthritis), indicate a potassium deficiency, so ACV is a cheap way to help your animal’s health issues. For internal consumption, be sure to purchase an ACV product with the “mother” in it (i.e., should be raw unfiltered ACV), not the kind you buy at the grocery store. A good brand is Bragg’s, which can be found at health food stores. For external use such as to help rebalance skin pH and repel insects, I've found that the grocery store version seems to work fine, diluted 1:1 with water.

How to Prevent Feline Heartworm Disease

Heartworms looks like a long threadlike worms that usually live in your dog's hearts . There are many people that do not know that heartworms can also affect the pet health of our feline friends as well. Heartworms can be transmitted by mosquitoes and once your pet is bitten the worms take around four months to reach the heart. Once there, the heartworms can grow up to a foot long. Your cats can have a very severe reaction to the heartworms which can usually cause coughing, trouble breathing, and lethargy. For some time now, vets have only thought that only dogs could get heartworms but a few years ago, a study was done on cats that died suddenly. Thet have found out that a large majority of them have heartworms. It usually takes about two years in dogs to show symptoms when they have heartworms but cats tend to die without ever having any symptoms at all. According to the study, one third of all cats under the study that has heartworms were found in indoor only cats. This just to show that indoor cats are not immune to the disease.

Another thing that makes heartworm disease in cats difficult is the difficulty in testing. There are a lot of pet owners are very frustrated by this disease because of it can be really hard to detect and also the lack of definitive testing. Currently there are two blood tests that doctors use to help in diagnosing the this kind of disease. Antibody tests look for antibodies for heartworms that their immune system produces when heartworms are present in your pet's body. The problem with this kind of test is that the heartworm infection does not have to be current to be positive, your pet could have had heartworms years in the past. Antigen tests are the main ones used to test dogs for heartworms. The antigen tests detect female worms in the body.

Since it only takes one or very few worms to cause problems cats can have infections with only male worms. That means if cats only have male worms it will test negative on an antigen test. The only effective test that can confirm heartworms if the antigen test is negative is an ultrasound.The final frustration with feline heartworm disease is that it is so difficult to treat. Currently there are no medications used to kill adult heartworms infestations. Medications that are currently available are designed to lessen the symptoms of the heartworm disease as well as medications that improve breathing. But it does nothing to rid the cat of heartworms and improve pet health. In dogs heartworms can live for over seven years, but since cats are not the primary hosts they only live about two years.

Since diagnosis is so hard, and the heartworm disease is so severe, prevention is the best key with feline heartworms. This is the ultimate answer with feline heartworms, if your pets do not get it, you do not have to worry about the disease. There are a lot of preventatives out there for heartworms. There are also products that can be found at your local store that can prevent heartworms and treat hookworms and roundworms. The disadvantage to these products is that it is a chewable, which can be very difficult to administer to our feline friends. There are also topical medications available which cab prevent heartworms, treat hookworms, roundworms, fleas, earmites, and the mange. This is a great product that really fully protects our kitties. So remember prevention is still very important even for your pets so they wont get heartworms.

Why spaying and neutering pets is still important

There are many families and pet owners now enjoy the company of their companion animals by having their dogs and cats spayed or neutered but there are still cats and dogs living outside that are desperately in need of the surgery. And the population of these stray animals keeps on increasing.

Families who can afford to pay full price for this kind of surgery for their pets have decided that spaying and neutering their pets are very beneficial to them. Especially to those who consider their pets as part of their family.

Animals that receive little attention from their families are doomed to living their lives with no veterinary care and having litter after litter of puppies and kittens.

Fortunately, there are shelters and organizations like the Humane Society that accept some dogs and cats for adoption to suitable families. This kind of organization have helped many pets find new loving home and many pets have been saved from living outside in the extreme heat, heavy downpours, freezing weather and high winds, some without adequate food and water.

If you think you cant afford the services, you dont have to worry because there are also centers that grant awards to spay or neuter dogs and cats for those families with low-income and need assistance in having their animals altered.

Those animals suffer because of irresponsible owners who refuse to spay or neuter their companions. Dogs and cats usually have at least two litters every year, cats may have three litters in a year. These litters can be only two kittens but can be as many as eight. Usually, litters will be four or six kittens. Just think where these animals will go!

And in only four short months, these kittens will often have their own litter. Dogs, depending on their size, may have one or two puppies per litter and the cycle will go on and on.

There are only few puppies and kittens that end up in shelters while the rest is dumped, killed or left behind dying in hunger.

Dont be part of the problem be part of the solution! If you are taking care of a pet right now then thank you... but before the situation increases to 10 or more, take action and consider spaying and neutering your pets now.

Symptoms of Dog Worms

We all know that dogs should be wormed regularly, but do we really know why? It is more important than you ever would have thought to keep your dogs worm free. While worms do not always cause dogs to exhibit visible symptoms, they do pose a health risk to humans, other animals and of course the dog itself. In this article I will be talking about how to spot the symptoms of worms in dogs.

So what should you look out for to see whether your dog has worms? Here are five symptoms of dog worms.

1.Weight Loss

Dogs with worms often visibly lose weight, and in a relatively short time span. Of course this can occur if the dog is being underfed, but if you know you are feeding properly and the dog is still losing weight there is a good chance you may have a worm problem.

2.Low energy levels

Has your dog begun to lose its energy? A healthy dog loves to use up its energy, especially on walks. Each dog has a different energy level, but you should notice if your dog begins to be unwilling to go for walks or seems to spend a lot more time lazing around.

3.Coughing and vomiting

A heavily infested dog will often have coughing fits, as well as vomiting. You may even be able to see worms in your dogs vomit. It's not a task you will relish, but if your dog has begun to be sick often it is worth checking the vomit for worms.

4.Dog looks pot-bellied

This is especially common in puppies that have worms, but often fully grown dogs will begin to look pot bellied.

5.Irregular appetite

All owners will know their dogs usual appetite, so if yours starts eating irregularly it is a good indicator that it may have worms. By irregular, I mean if the dog is very hungry one day, and then the next won't eat at all.

With these five symptoms of dog worms, you should be able to identify whether your dog has a worm problem or not. There are many different types of worm, but a lot of them share common symptoms. Dogs with worms are generally unhappy, so all owners should endeavour to keep their dogs worm free. There are plenty of great products on the market to deal with worms in dogs (and other household pets) and it if often a good idea to have a supply of at least one of these products in your house at all times.

Richard Cross is owner and webmaster of Dogsandyou.co.uk. Some top quality dog worming products can be found at the Dog Worm Products page.

Poisonous plants to dogs

Listed below is a list of plants which are considered poisonous for our pets. You will even be amazed that some of these plants are very common garden and household plants which you may have in your yard. This may not be a complete list of all poisonous plants but at least you will have enough idea which plants are dangerous for your pet's health. Your pet may have an allergy or sensitive to the plants listed or not listed below. These plants can be toxic to your furry little friends. Dont forget to contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet have ingested one of the plants listed below. If you don't find the information you're seeking listed below you can check out ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for our more information about poisonous plants, effects and plant photos from the various veterinary/horticultural schools.

Poisonous plants to dogs
Aloe
Amaryllis
Aloe
American Bittersweet
Andromeda Japonica
Asian Lily
Asparagus Fern
Australian Nut
Autumn Crocus
Avocado
Azalea
Bird of Paradise
Branching Ivy
Buckeye
Buddist Pine
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Charming
Chinaberry Tree
Chinese Evergreen
Christmas Rose
Clematis
Cordatum
Corn Plant
Cornstalk Plant
Cutleaf Philodendron
Cycads
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Day Lily
Deadly Nightshade
Devils Ivy
Diffenbachia
Dumb Cane
Easter Lily
Elephant Ears
Emerald Feather
Emerald Fern
English Ivy
European Bittersweet
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Flamingo Plant
Florida Beauty
Foxglove
Fruit Salad Plant
Glacier Ivy
Gladiolas
Glory Lily
Gold Dieffenbachia
Gold Dust Dracaena
Golden Pothos
Green Gold Nephthysis
Hahns self branching English Ivy
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heavenly Bamboo
Holly
Horsehead Philodendron
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Japanese Show Lily
Japanese Yew
Jerusalem Cherry
Kalanchoe
Lace Fern
Lacy Tree
Lily of the Valley
Macadamia Nut
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Marble Queen
Marijuana
Mauna Loa Peace Lily
Mexican Breadfruit
Mistletoe American
Morning Glory
Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephthytis
Nightshade
Oleander
Onion
Orange Day Lily
Panda
Peace Lily
Philodendron Pertusum
Plumosa Fern
Precatory Bean
Queensland Nut
Red Emerald
Red Lily
Red Princess
Red-Margined Dracaena
Rhododendron
Ribbon Plant
Rubrum Lily
Saddle Leaf Philodendron
Sago Palm
Satin Pothos
Schefflera
Spotted Dumb Cane
Stargazer Lily
Striped Dracaena
Sweetheart Ivy
Swiss Cheese Plant
Taro Vine
Tiger Lily
Tomato Plant
Tree Philodendron
Tropic Snow Dumbcane
Tulip
Variable Dieffenbachia
Variegated Philodendron
Warneckei Dracaena
Wood Lily
Yew
Yucca

Flea treatment for your pets

Fleas are one of the biggest problems of any dog owner. They primarily survive off of the blood of your pets and it is often difficult to spot them on your pet due to your pet’s fur. Fleas can also cause your pets to become anemic due to losing so much blood and they can transmit some pretty tough diseases into your pet. For dogs that are sensitive to flea bites, they may end up having a mild skin irritation or in severe cases they may develop a severe allergic reaction resulting in baldness, intense itch and inflammation throughout their body. If you are a dog owner and you have a problem with fleas. I bet you are confused as to what flea treatment for dogs to choose from the wide varieties of flea control products available in the market today, from flea comb, flea sprays, natural products, and topical spot-on solutions and even oral growth regulator or "birth control" pills for the fleas and more.

Your pet can pick up fleas whilst outdoors. Even if you don’t want it, your pets will be more than likely going to play host to fleas at some point in their lives. There is very little you can do to prevent this from happening as fleas can be found lurking anywhere just waiting for a suitable host to pass by but there are some things you can do to help prevent fleas from infesting in your home.

You will do well to comb your pet each day with a special flea comb, particularly after they have been outside and especially in hot weather in order to help dislodge fleas and eggs from your pet's coat. If you just put a bit of oil onto the comb spines. You will find it more effective as the little parasites get stuck to the comb. Don’t forget to keep a bowl of hot water close by when you do this so that you can place any fleas directly into the water. During this combing you should remember to check in some hot spots. These include areas behind their ears, spots in between their toes, the fur in their armpits, and the spots under their neck. Placing a white cloth or towel underneath your dog can help you see fleas a lot better during combing. Fleas are notoriously hard to catch so don't expect to eradicate all your pets fleas in one combing.

You can use pure alcohol to stun the fleas you brush out so that you can effortlessly dump them into a cup of water to die. Empty the mug down the toilet to make sure that any fleas do not make it out. Giving bath to your pet regularly should kill the fleas unless you are dealing with a major flea’s infestation. There are also special shampoos available in the market that is made to killing fleas but these kinds of products are usually too toxic to use every day. Some of the products available commercially are rosewood, cedar, or eucalyptus but you can't always rely on these to take care of minor flea problems. A good alternative in dealing with minor flea problem is cutting up lemons and squeezing the juice into a quart of water is, after it settles in a few hours you can put it into a clean spray bottle. A little spray across the body, while taking care to avoid getting any into their eyes, is usually enough in dealing with minor flea problem with your dog.

It’s always good to consult a veterinarian when the flea problem has reached a flea infestation level on your pet. A professional veterinarian can analyze your pet’s situation properly and can prescribe proper medication for your pet’s condition. There are many medications available that are all perfectly safe for your pet and the environment like a diatomaceous earth or a Boron substance that you can use in your home which is a cheap and effective flea killer. Another strong medication such as Advantage and Frontline can wipe out all of the adult fleas on your pet in hours while preventing outbreaks for up to 3 months. It just takes a few drops of these substances onto your pet's shoulder and the special chemical will spread and cure on its own. Advantage and Frontline has little toxicity to your pet. Any flea killer that uses a substance called Pyrethrum is effective for quick relief too.

Keep in mind that you should be incredibly careful with how you use the insecticides. These are dangerous chemicals if used improperly and can harm your pets. Do not forget to ask your vet before you do anything it doesn't mention. Every flea control products on the market are not the same. Each have their own varying levels of effectiveness and kill different flea stages i.e. the eggs, larvae, and adults. One may be effective against the adult fleas but is simply harmless to the eggs or larvae. Depending on your pet’s condition you may need a combination of these products to effectively get rid of the fleas. Try to research on other alternative for flea control, There are many flea control techniques you might not have been aware of before. Your choice of a flea treatment medicine or method for your dog is very important. Your flea treatment medicine or method determines the success or failure in your battle against these pesky fleas.

Feline parvovirus

Poisonous plants to dogs and canine parvo virus are only some of the health problems that you need your dog to protect from but did you know that Parvovirus is not only lethal to your dogs but to cats as well?

Here's a little information about feline parvovirus and what its all about...

What is feline parvovirus?
Also known as feline infectious enteritis (FIE) or feline panleukopenia, feline parvovirus (FPV) is a small, hardy virus. FPV was thought to be almost eliminated from the cat population because of vaccination. However, it is still causing problems for some cat rescuers, pet shops and cat breeders.

Can dogs or people catch FPV from infected cats?
No. FPV does not infect dogs or humans, although it can infect other large cats and mink.

Can cats catch canine parvovirus?
Recently it has been shown that occasionally canine parvovirus can infect cats.

How are cats infected with FPV?
FPV is a very tough virus, it survives for up to a year in the environment and requires special disinfectants, like Parvocide, to kill it. Most cats catch FPV from a contaminated environment, rather than from infected cats.

Which cats are vulnerable to FPV?
Kittens are most susceptible, especially when the protective antibodies they receive in their mother's milk have waned, which is usually somewhere between 4-16 weeks of age. Unvaccinated adult cats are also susceptible and allowing a cat to get behind with its booster vaccinations may be risky.

What clinical signs does FPV cause?
FPV affected cats or kittens become acutely ill. They may vomit, bringing up froth or they may just look wet around the lips. Despite the name 'infectious enteritis' the cats may not have diarrhoea. Temperature is variable, it may be raised in the early stages, but often by the time the cat is taken to see a vet it can be subnormal. Affected cats often appear hungry or thirsty, sitting hunched over a water or food bowl but unable to drink or eat. Sometimes they present as a sudden death, indeed cats which "go off to die somewhere" may be suffering from this condition. Cat rescuers and breeders who have a problem with 'fading kittens' should check whether or not they have this virus in their premises (see section on how FPV is diagnosed).

If a pregnant queen is infected with FPV, the brain of her unborn kittens may be affected. The part of the brain which becomes damaged is the part that controls balance, so that from about 2 weeks of age, when kittens first become really mobile, they can be seen to have a wobbly gait. At weaning they have difficulty feeding because their heads bob up and down.


How is FPV diagnosed?
From a living cat or kitten a sample of faeces and a sample of blood should be sent to the Feline Virus Unit at Glasgow Veterinary School where they will be tested for virus and antibodies respectively. From a dead cat or a faded kitten 3 samples of the intestines should be sent preserved in formalin and the contents of the intestines should be sent in a clean receptacle.

If you want to know if FPV is present in your premises but none of your cats are presently sick, test them for antibodies against FPV. The levels of antibodies (ie. their antibody titres) are much higher than they would be from just having been vaccinated, so testing healthy in-contact cats can reveal the presence of FPV in the environment.

How is FPV disease treated?
If sick cats are detected in time, they can be treated symptomatically by good nursing and drip feeding. Many cats do recover if treatment is instigated early enough.

How do you prevent FPV infection?
The main method for FPV control is by vaccination, kittens are normally vaccinated at 9 and 12 weeks of age, although any age of cat can be vaccinated and older cats may respond to a single dose of vaccine. It is usual to give boosters every year with cat 'flu vaccines; 'flu vaccines need to be boosted yearly, but FPV boosters can often be given only every other year.

Are there any side effects of the vaccine?
Two kinds of FPV vaccine are available - "live" vaccines, in which the virus can still grow in the vaccinated cat, so producing a better immune response, without producing disease, and "inactivated" or "killed" vaccines which do not grow in the vaccinated cat, but which can be used safely in pregnant queens. Live FPV vaccines should never be used in pregnant queens because there is a tiny risk that they can produce the brain damage in unborn kittens described above. Other than that, both types of vaccine have been widely used for many years without side effects.

What should a cat rescue worker do after FPV diagnosis?
The problem will be that their cat accommodation will be full of virus and very infectious for around a year following FPV diagnosis. There are two possible options: first: only foster cats which have already been fully vaccinated against FPV, and so are immune. Secondly, if kittens must be fostered, greatly reduce contamination of the environment by disinfection with a veterinary disinfectant such as Parvocide. Since parvovirus is excreted in the faeces, the litter trays should be particularly disinfected. Remember that disinfectants will only work when thorough cleaning has already been done. Reduce the number of kittens which are fostered and do not allow them into the room(s) which the diseased cat or kitten occupied.

Should a cat breeder stop breeding after FPV diagnosis?
The cat breeder has a number of options open after FPV diagnosis: first, no susceptible animals should be introduced to the contaminated environment for at least a year, so that all newcomers should have had a full vaccination course before entering the premises. Secondly, kittens will receive antibodies from their mother's milk which will protect them for a few weeks (the exact time will depend on how well the kittens suckled and how high the mother's antibody titre was when she gave birth: the higher the titre, the longer the kittens will be protected). Therefore, an option for cat breeders is to sell their kittens at 5-6 weeks of age, before they lose these antibodies, known as maternal antibodies, and become susceptible to infection. This option of course depends on all of the kittens suckling adequately to obtain the antibodies. Vaccinating kittens from an earlier age, say 6 weeks, usually doesn't work because the maternal antibodies may interfere with the vaccine, so that the kitten is not protected. If the breeder wants to keep a good kitten, perhaps it could be fostered at a friend's house from 5 weeks of age, vaccinated when old enough and brought back.

Third, the best thing a breeder can do to eliminate FPV is to considerably cut down the number of litters he or she has during the year following FPV diagnosis. Every new kitten which gets infected, even if it doesn't get ill, adds to the virus dose in the environment: reducing the number or even stopping having kittens for a year would allow the virus to die out completely from your premises.

Some breeders have special premises built for rearing their kittens, they may think that by thorough cleaning and disinfecting these with a very powerful disinfectant like Parvocide they will be able to safely rear kittens. However, they must remember that the virus will be present everywhere on their premises and can be transmitted from one place to another on their shoes and clothing.

Is there any point in revaccinating the adult cats after a parvovirus outbreak?
Probably not. Most will already have protective high antibody titres.

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