Holistic All The Way…

Pets are people too, right? Don’t you call your dog your baby? So, like people, they need to be cared for with affection and concern for their welfare. That’s why many pet owners are seeking out holistic approaches to pet care. It’s not as far-fetched as you might imagine. Holistic sciences have been making strides in enhancing the length and quality of life for many people, and a similar approach can likewise yield benefits for our animal companions too.

When you think of it, the modern industrial approach to pet care has a lot of drawbacks. Based in anachronistic 19^th century attitudes and mores, pets get vetted too often, injected with a series of unknown vaccines with active agents that even some vets admit to not knowing how they act or what the long-term consequences are to the animal are.

Ignoring the natural path, too many animals are exposed to unnecessary shots that debilitate the animal or compromise its natural immune responses to illness or injury, and all too often leading to disease and euthanasia, all in the name of profits. Western medicine has its place, but it needs to be tempered with a measure of holistic common sense.

In the past 40 years, diseases like cancer, kidney and liver failure, infections, pet obesity, and heart failure have become ever more prevalent in our animal populations. These were nearly unheard of in earlier times when pets and their owners followed a more holistic approach towards the animals’ health.

Further exacerbating the problem of the modern industrial approach to responsible animal care is the outsourcing of foods to far off factories; some ingredients in your pet’s food may even originate on the other side of the earth in places like China. Not only is this practice unsustainable, but it’s also unhealthy for your pets.

Unlike human foods that must pass safety inspections, what’s permitted in animal foods is frankly shocking. Many commercial factory pet foods come with fillers like corn, wheat, soy, the odd animal byproduct and even nasty carcinogens like BHA, BHT and chemical dyes. The animals we love and care for were never bred to survive and thrive on these artificial foods.

As a responsible pet owner, you need to look to the care of your animal’s welfare because clearly, the deck is stacked against your pet. You should look for a responsible pet care partner who will consult and work with you to ensure the proper development of your pet and assist you with achieving a holistic approach to your pet’s care.

Many of the maladies and diseases now common in our pet populations are preventable outcomes caused by ignorance and fear. The ignorance of care providers and their fear of making needed changes to the patients who depend on them. You can take proactive action today to treat many typical ailments such as arthritis, allergies, and diseases associated with ageing in your pet by utilizing holistic approaches. Your goal as a responsible pet owner is to balance holistic with traditional veterinary medicine, along with a healthy diet to optimize your pet’s overall health.

Article Submission by Diya Prabhu-Selva

Caught the dogger eating grass in the backyard again? He just found a great natural supplement to his diet. Don’t stop him unless you use cocoa mulch or chemical fertilizers or pesticides on your lawn!

If a dog finds himself out of the normal pH balance (believe me, he knows if his pH is not normal, though he might not know the human term for it), it’s natural for him to go find something to heal himself. And grass being rich in Chlorophyll is highly alkaline and a good herbal healing choice in your fur baby’s opinion. A dog needs an alkaline body to fight disease and be in good health (and so do humans) An alkaline body always fights infection, and is highly anti-carcinogenic!

Now you know it’s high time you introduced alkaline foods into your dog’s diet. Whether you feed your canine raw or home cooked food, it should be an easy option to add 2-3 of these veggies: Papayas, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, parsley, apples, green beans and celery.  All of these are naturally rich in iron and magnesium too.

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For those of you who find kibbles a convenient way to feed your dog, (Hope you find a holistic brand that has the right ingredients for best nutrition), supplement your dog’s diet with Liquid Chlorophyll in drinking water. A quarter tsp added to a litre of water a day will start showing great results within weeks. Watch the sluggishness turn into energy as toxins from the body get cleansed and flushed away. A lot of holistic brands are available in the market, but my personal favorite is Nature’s Sunshine.

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in green leafy vegetables and the grass is very rich in it. Chlorophyll is an amazing supplement for humans as well as pets. It mostly helps purify the body by cleansing toxins from the blood, facilitating good digestion, providing oxygen to the living cells and tissues and thus promoting health and energy.

I was first introduced to Chlorophyll by Diane McLaren, my Holistic Health Practitioner and ever since I started seeing the benefit of the product, have been an avid fan. And of course my Boston Terrier Paro-Ariel gets her fair share of the Chlorophyll everyday in her drinking water.

This is what Nature’s Sunshine says about Chlorophyll: “Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that harnesses the sun’s energy in photosynthesis. The chlorophyll molecule is chemically similar to human blood, except that its central atom is magnesium, whereas that of human blood is iron. It performs metabolic functions in plants such as respiration and growth.

Chlorophyll supports the natural blood-cleansing process. It is known to help cleanse the body and maintain the action of the circulatory, intestinal and female reproductive systems. Chlorophyll helps protect and support healthy cells and promotes the elimination of toxins from the body. In addition, chlorophyll helps neutralize normal body odors and acts as a natural, “internal” deodorant. It can also be useful in external applications and as a freshening gargle. Liquid Chlorophyll may help improve immune response.”

Article Submission by Diya Prabhu-Selva

Next to digestive problems, dental disorders could be a large cause of bad breath in dogs.  Plaque buildup in course of time can bring on an early onset of periodontal disease in dogs. If you notice gums getting inflamed or receding, it’s high time you acted on it. The treatment normally depends on how much the disease has advanced.

These finger bristles should be available in any pet store, just insert your finger into one of these to clean your pet's teeth.

Prevention of course, is the best action you can take to save your pet a lot of distress at a later stage. There are many products on the market for brushing their teeth. The best time to start is when they are young. Dogs are prone to co-operate better when experiences as puppies are pleasant. Find a good dog-friendly toothpaste, maybe a yummy chicken or a peanut butter flavor, and a pair of finger bristles or a doggie toothbrush. Get set, ready? Go clean out that mouth gently at least twice a week or thrice if you can.

Baby toothbrushes are ok, but please do not use the human toothpaste on dogs.

If you haven’t been cleaning their teeth as often and the plaque has now built on a substantial amount, your local groomer can help. Groomers usually offer scaling of teeth if your dog is willing. Only professional groomers with experience will scale your dog’s teeth and no anaesthesia will be used. Groomers at Aarf Home will charge $25-$40 for the service depending on the size and willingness of the dog.

If the teeth have gone from bad to decay, then it’s a job for your vet. Unfortunately, dogs have to be anesthetized to have their teeth deep cleaned, and although most dogs come out of anesthesia quite alright, a lot of them do not. What’s more hurtful is all the antibiotics and drugs that are required after a veterinary teeth cleaning. Our pets are far better off without the side effects from these.

If there is no obvious tartar or gum inflammation, there are other possible causes. Some dogs that chew on themselves a lot have bad breath from getting hair wound around the tooth roots. Other causes for bad breath could be

• Skin problems around the lip area
• Feces eating habits (Yes, some dogs like to eat poop, theirs or other’s)
• Choice of wrong nutritional sources
• Renal diseases that could take a wrong turn.

Article Submission by Alana Barone

Dogs and cats are a man`s best friend, but what happens if they aren’t friends with each other? Introducing your dog to a cat can be stressful, but there are ways that would make the introduction a little more easier.

If you have a puppy, it would be more open to the new cat. Puppies and young dogs are more likely to see the cat as a part of their pack, as they will grow up with them. If your dog is older, then you just have to prepare them to meet your new feline friend. Before you actually expos

Be present to monitor your dog's actions around the new cat

e him to the kitten, take him out for a walk, in order to get some of his energy out. Make sure he is well-trained and disciplined to ensure that you can control him during the first meeting. It`s best to know the personalities of both of the pets, in order to predict how they are going to act when they meet.

When the day finally comes for your new cat to come home, make sure you put your cat in a safe place. This will make it easier for you to control your dog when he meets the cat. Letting kitty stay in her carrier is better because your dog can sniff her but cannot pounce upon (as many dogs would do). Make sure they both feel comfortable, and otherwise let them sniff for a bit. Your dog or cat might seemed alarmed buy their new acquaintance, but in due time they will become more comfortable with each other.

For about a month after the first introduction of your dog and your cat, always be watchful of their behavior towards each other. Watch for signs of aggression and extremely rough play. Usually, cats can fight back pretty well when a dog tries to play with them. Cats like their own space and they like doing what they want so if your pooch tries to bother them, have no fear your cat is just as feisty! Cats can be a great companion for a dog once they become complacent with one another.

Introducing a dog do a new feline friend can be a very stressing process. However, as you can see there are ways to make the process much more comfortable for your pets!

Article Submission by Diya Prabhu-Selva

When clients ask me what vaccines are necessary for their dogs in order to be accepted in to the doggie day care I run, I’ve often felt it necessary to have a long conversation on the topic. Because I believe that most vaccines that are considered mandatory by most doggie day cares, kennels and even grooming salons are only pushed into our undeserving pets unnecessarily. Most vaccines, that naive pet parents diligently run to the vets for every year, create more harm to the pets and enhance toxic levels in them than give them the protection we think they give.

Natural exposure to infections and illnesses help our animals in naturally producing antibodies to ward off further disease.  Over vaccination has reportedly caused hotspots and various other skin disorders, allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases. Cats develop tumors on the vaccinated spots. So, in general cats and dogs are far better off with fewer vaccines.

Several vets who really care about the general well being of their canine and feline patients have now embraced the responsibility of educating their clients about the adverse consequences of over vaccinating their pets and about the concepts of 3-year vaccines and titer testing.

More than 30 British Veterinarians have signed an open letter accusing the pharmaceutical industry of encouraging annual vaccinations, although doses last much longer.

According to Dr. Ronald Schultz, a veterinary immunologist at the forefront of vaccine research and chair of the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Pathobiological Sciences, “Vaccines for diseases like distemper and canine parvovirus, once administered to adult animals, provide lifetime immunity.”  This leaves us wondering, “Are we vaccinating too much?”

Article Submission by: Alana Barone

What do you think about when you begin to raise a puppy? Feeding him, check. Potty training, check. Buying lots of toys for him, check. What a lot of people don`t consider, is properly socializing their dog.

Picture this, it’s a beautiful day and you wish to take your furry friend for a walk. You take him outside around the neighborhood. Your pooch is still young and curious. Another dog approaches with his owner. How does your dog react? He becomes anxious or frightened. This is because he is not used to daily socialization. You can`t avoid other dogs forever! So what do you do? Train him, all in moderation.

Take your puppy out on several walks

There is no set age to introduce dogs to social situations. It is usually best to start around 3-12 weeks because it’s a sensitive period for your canines. This means that pleasant exposures to people, other dogs and other animals during this time will have long-lasting influences on the sociability of your dog . If you don’t get a chance, it`s still possible to teach them later on in your dog`s life. A lot of experts say that it is almost impossible to teach an older dog  how to act in social situations. You know like the saying; “ You can`t teach an old dog new tricks”. Believe it or not, that`s a false statement. You really can help your older dog become social too.

How, you may ask?  You have to take small steps. Here are some tricks for socializing a dog of any age:

Have a friend with a well-socialized dog? Invite them over for a doggy play-date! Always be watchful of the dogs for signs of aggression. Otherwise, let them sniff to say hello, and slowly get acquainted  with each other!

Start introducing your furry friend to dog parks and Doggie Day Cares at a young age. Being in an environment where there are other humans and dogs to play with and sniff ,your dog will have lots of fun! Over time this will enable them to feel more comfortable in social environments!

Take your dog on lots of walks! A lot of owners make their pooches do “their business” in their yard. By taking your dog on daily walks, they will encounter other people and dogs! Exposure to these kind of situations will bring comfort and joys to your pooch put an end to nervous curiosity.

Article Submission by Diya Prabhu-Selva

Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for its medicinal properties ever since biblical times. An organic bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can save you a good chunk of money at the Vet’s.  A bottle of this elixir is a must for every home. One can use it as a tonic or a supplement, to prevent or treat medical conditions, for humans and for pets.

ACV is a deep yellow/golden/orange liquid you would generally find in your organic/holistic health store. Look for the cloudy residue at the bottom, this cobweb like cloud in the vinegar (generally called mother) should tell you that it has been through natural fermenting process as opposed to the distilled clear ACV.  Only an organic ACV would have mother.

A non-organic ACV would be pasteurized, thus stripping the liquid of its nutrients and

A bowl of ACV with the mother in it

killing the healthy enzymes necessary to provide health benefits. I would only use this kind for cleaning purposes and to get rid of dandruff or an itchy scalp. For all internal consumptions, it is best to avoid distilled, malted and synthetic vinegars.

Let’s get on to see how ACV can save you big bills at the vet’s and provide an optimum health benefit with a natural holistic approach.

 The anti fungal and anti bacterial properties of ACV make a good immune booster for your pet. Just put a few drops of the good stuff into your pet’s drinking water every day.

Adding the vinegar to your pet’s drinking water everyday can also prevent mosquito bites as mosquitoes would want nothing to do with an alkaline animal body. No more chemical sprays! Don’t use a cannon to kill a mosquito.

After a regular shampooing just rinse your pet off with diluted ACV. This can not only help prevent fleas, ticks and mosquito bites but also rid your dog of dry itchy skin and dandruff. Your dog will then have shiny healthy fur and coat.

Add equal amounts of ACV and water and use the solution with a few cotton balls to regularly clean your dog’s ears. ACV kills the bad bacteria that causes itch, infections and wax build up!

The large amount of pectin in the vinegar keeps your pet’s heart health in top shape.

Regular use in drinking water cleanses and detoxifies your pet’s internal organs like liver, pancreas, kidneys and promotes good overall health.

ACV in the daily drinking water maintains the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract, thus promoting easy digestion and preventing bloat, constipation or diarrea.

Gurgling of the stomach and acid reflux in dogs can be helped by diluting ACV in water (1 portion of ACV with 3 portions of water) and administering through a dropper.

So, just like an apple a day keeps your doctor away, ACV along with a balanced diet, lots of water to drink, enough exercise, proper stimulation of the mind, rest and relaxation and natural hygiene for your dog should see you away from the vet for long happy periods of time.

Recipe by Paro-Ariel

Mommy found this recipe for doggie cookies on bullwrinkle dot com and I think she did a good job of baking these for me. I love this cookie; so what say bad breath… be gone! If you guys happen to follow this recipe and bake for your dog, please do drop me a note and lemme know how your dogger loves it!

A small side note from “mommy”: Paro has no bad breath yet.. I totally love her puppy breath! But she loved these cookies.
Recipe:
2 cups brown rice flour
1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (find this at drugstores, not the briquets!)
3 Tablespoons canola oil
1 egg 
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2/3 cup low fat milk

Post by Diya Prabhu-Selva

It is the 17^th time I’ve heard during July-September 2011 alone that yet another dog has started succumbing to cancer. 3 dogs I personally know were diagnosed with diabetes, 3 with pancreatitis, 2 with liver problems, innumerable pets with skin and digestive disorders, yet more with infections, hot spots, rashes, and 5 were declared obese.  In my very strong opinion most of these cases, if not every one, could have been prevented by better choices made by the humans of these unfortunate pets.

Unfortunately, your pet’s health is not the main concern for many a manufacturing company of pet foods and drugs. Clever marketing tactics of large pet food companies brainwash people into thinking they have the best product for your dog. Beware! Great marketing does not make great food. It’s time to face the true fact my friends… What if I told you that the chunky steak you see on the outside of your cheap dog food bag, is not on the inside of it.

The unwanted ingredients and chemicals in your pet’s food when not digested or eliminated get accumulated over a period of time and breaks down the immune system. Here’s some ways to avoid the toxic build up in your pet’s body.

Watch what you feed: If your pet is on a chemically enhanced brand of dog food, it’s time to switch. Eliminate corn, wheat and soya from your pet’s diet.  Replace meat by-products with real meat. If time is not a main concern, cook for your pet. Or prepare raw food diets. Lots of holistic dog food recipes are available online, browse through and follow your heart.

Read the ingredients list: The glossy pictures of ingredients on the front of the bag might be far too glossier than the actual ingredients posted on the back. If your pet’s food contains any of these chemical preservatives; BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propyl gallate, artificial dyes and flavouring, stop! This can kill your pet… slowly in the long run.

Replace your  cleaning chemicals with biologically appropriate ones. Remember, your pets are closer to the floor, so they breathe in the fumes from the chemicals you use on the floor. There are chances of your pets absorbing the toxins through their paw pads and fur. Replace your pet’s shampoo with a holistic one, which would leave a smaller carbon foot print.

Talk to a holistic vet about what vaccines your pet actually needs and eliminate the unnecessary. By over vaccinating our pets we are not just a facing a financial burden, but also silently killing our poor helpless animals. Vet economics solely depend on vaccines for fiscal solvency and the 1 year rabies vaccine alone can generate $40K-$65K in a medium sized practice. Many vets are scared to inform and educate their clients about 3 year vaccines that could feasibly bring down the level of toxicity in our companion animals.

Use your well educated judgement about preventative medicines. Switching over to holistic prevention of heartworm and fleas, naturally de-worming and using natural immune boosters can further reduce toxicity and promote longevity in our beloved animals.

Article Submission by: Sedora Pups

Here are some of my most interesting finds from all over the world about dogs:

Ancient Egyptians revered their dogs. When a pet dog would die, the owners shaved off their eyebrows, smeared mud in their hair, and mourned aloud for days

The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in seventeenth-century England. During heavy rainstorms, many homeless animals would drown and float down the streets, giving the appearance that it had actually rained      cats and dogs

Pekingese and Japanese Chins were so important in the ancient Far East that they had their own servants and were carried around trade routes as gifts for kings and emperors. Pekingese were even worshipped in the temples of China for centuries

After the fall of Rome, human survival often became more important than breeding and training dogs. Legends of werewolves emerged during this time as abandoned dogs traveling in packs commonly roamed streets and terrified villagers.

In Iran, it is against the law to own a dog as a pet. However, if an owner can prove the dog is a guard or hunting dog, this restriction doesn’t apply. Muslim reticence concerning dogs is perhaps due to the fact that rabies has always been endemic in the Middle East.

The dog was frequently depicted in Greek art, including Cerberus, the three-headed hound guarding the entrance to the underworld, and the hunting dogs which accompanied the virgin goddess of the chase, Diana

In Egypt, a person bitten by a rabid dog was encouraged to eat the roasted liver of a dog infected with rabies to avoid contracting the disease. The tooth of a dog infected with rabies would also be put in a band tied to the arm of the person bitten.

In Croatia, scientists discovered that lampposts were falling down because a chemical in the urine of male dogs was rotting the metal

Countess Karlotta Libenstein of Germany left approximately $106 million to her Alsatin, Gunther III, when she died in 1992.