Animal wellness
Animalwellness For a long, healthy life!
SPECIAL ISSUE:
Allergies
Nix the i t ch with NAET
5 facts your vet
TOP 10
IMPROVEMENTS Is your dog reaping the benefits?
De-stressing bath-phobic dogs
might not know
Weddings go to the dogs
Couples tying the knot include their pooches in the ceremonies
Food sensitivities Yeast infections...
yikes! Herbal & dietary remedies can help
FELINE WELLNESS
and what to do about them
feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!
HEALTH EARTH-FRIENDLY
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Help ease the burden on landfills
camping WITH CATS Follow these 8 rules for a stress-free getaway
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IS SHE
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Contents August/September 2011
features 18 For sensitive stomachs & skin
A food sensitivity can manifest in several ways but the solution is simple – a better quality diet.
22 Scared of baths?
Regular bathing is important, but what if he freaks out every time you try to get him in the tub? These techniques help make the experience more relaxing.
26 Nix allergies with NAET
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Suppressing symptoms with medication is just a band-aid solution. Allergy elimination techniques go right to the root of the issue.
30 5 facts your vet might not know Most traditional veterinarians aren’t taught much about alternative medicine, while others simply don’t believe in it. Here are some facts you probably won’t hear from a conventional practitioner.
34 The dogs of San Felipe
Thanks to one man’s courageous and tireless efforts, life has become a lot better for the strays of this Mexican town.
37 Breath of fresh air
How developing a solution for doggy breath grew into a company that offers a range of natural health products for animals.
46 We’ve come a long way, baby!
Gone are the days when canine companions were just “pets”. Check out the top 10 improvements in canine healthcare and welfare that have made the world a better place for pooches
50 Healthy dog = healthy coat
A dog’s well being is reflected in his coat. By supporting his health with this simple acupressure session, you can help ensure he feels – and looks -- his best.
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52 Yeast infections –yikes! It’s the itch that keeps coming back. Get to the root of the problem, and eliminate it using herbal and dietary measures.
58 Legging it
In the past, a serious leg injury often meant euthanasia for dogs. Now, thanks to therapeutic aids for damaged or missing limbs, a disabled dog can live a long and active life.
64 Weddings go to the dogs More and more brides and grooms are including canine companions in their marriage ceremonies. According to these couples, it makes for some wonderful and whimsical memories!
69 Mighty mites
Ear mites are a common feline problem that can make your cat miserable. Check out these effective treatment options.
72 Camping with cats
By following these eight rules, you can safely and comfortably take your kitty on your next outdoor getaway.
74 Is she overgrooming?
Cats spend a lot of time cleaning themselves, but if they start showing bald patches, it could signal a behavioral problem called psychogenic alopecia.
79 Lighten the load
Earth-friendly litters help ease the burden on landfills.
86 Top 8 stomach soothers
You’ve adopted a new dog from a shelter or rescue, and quickly discover his digestive system is out of whack. Calm his tummy with these nutritious foods.
90 Lice…ugh!
The lowly louse can cause your dog a lot of discomfort. A healthy lifestyle coupled with vigilance (and a fine-toothed comb!) can help keep him from becoming a host to these creepy critters.
92 Very posh
The moisturizing and healing properties of olive oil formed the inspiration for a line of all-natural eco-friendly spa products for dogs.
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Columns 14 Yakkity yak
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38 Warm & fuzzy 40 Talking with
ORDER! YOUR FIRST
Dr. Patrick Mahaney
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76 H ealth talk with Dr. Marcia Martin
Departments
82 Case study 93 Book reviews
8 Editorial
94 Communication
12 Mail bag
96 Passages
44 Product picks
105 Tail end
54 Animal Wellness
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62 The scoop 81 Feline Wellness marketplace 98 Animal Wellness marketplace
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102 Classifieds 104 Events calendar
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Scared of baths
?
Regular bathing is important to your dog’s wellness, but what if he freaks out every time you try to get him in the tub? Try some of these techniques to make the experience more relaxing. by Debbie Swanson
S
ome dogs love having a bath; to them, it’s just another romp in the water. Others tremble and whine, shivering pitifully or struggling to escape until the ordeal is over. If your dog falls into the latter category, you might be tempted to avoid the problem by just never bathing your dog. But most pooches eventually do need a bath. So how do you make the experience more tolerable and comfortable?
How often should he be bathed? There’s no right answer to how often a dog needs a bath. It depends on many factors, such as his lifestyle and coat type. If your dog spends lots of time exploring woods and ponds, or meeting interesting animals such as skunks, he’s going to need a bath more often than the dog who only ventures outdoors for leashed walks. Dogs with long or thick coats tend to collect more dirt on their travels and therefore require more frequent bathing. Some dogs, meanwhile, have skin conditions that may warrant regular bathing with special shampoos or other treatments. “A full bath at shedding season – spring and fall/winter – helps bring in the new coat,” adds veterinarian Dr. Mark Newkirk.
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What’s actually scaring him? If your dog makes a run for it whenever it’s bath time, start by trying to evaluate what might be making him anxious. • Make sure you are using a soap and shampoo formulated especially for dogs; human products can be too harsh and can cause skin irritation that may leave the dog feeling itchy, uncomfortable and even more anxious after the bath. Natural shampoos, such as Pure Pooch All Natural Shampoo for Dogs are much gentler and easier on the skin than commercial products. Pure Pooch lathers quickly and rinses easily, minimizing time spent in the tub – and consequently reducing bath stress. A shampoo that leaves your dog’s skin feeling good will help him feel calmer about being bathed. • Check that your dog is comfortable in the basin or tub you are using. It should be large enough that he can turn around, but small enough that he doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Try different basins, tubs or sinks to see if he has a preference. Always place a rubber mat on the bottom, so the dog has solid footing. • It’s also important to make sure your dog has secure footing on surfaces around the bathing area, such as tile or stainless steel. The Ezee-Visit Pet Vet Mat, for example, has an oilcloth top and an antimicrobial nonskid padded bottom that gives dogs safe and stable footing on potentially slippery surfaces. A
dog that feels physically secure will also feel more emotionally secure. • Consider the possibility that something in the bathing environment might be frightening him – it may be the sound of water running or draining, the unfamiliar surroundings of the bathroom or laundry room, or even the lighting or the way your voice echoes in a tub or shower area. • Make sure he’s exposed to water outside of bath time. Walk around a lake or along a creek and encourage him get his paws wet. On warm days, fill a kiddie pool with an inch or two of water and add squeaky toys for playtime. Or encourage a game of fetch around a sprinkler.
Back to square one Another technique is to simply try giving the bath experience a fresh start. You need to make it pleasant rather than something to be afraid of, and that takes time, so be patient. First, coax your dog to visit the empty tub or basin when there’s no water in it. Scatter a few toys or treats inside and encourage him to jump in to retrieve them.
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As he gets more confident, add just enough water to cover his feet. Don’t use soap or shampoo at this point; just make it fun for him to get in the tub, splash around, and get out. Gradually work your way up to an actual bath. Always have plenty of treats on hand, and keep the sessions brief. Remain calm and reassuring – your dog will pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling. Quiet music may help. Enlist a helper so one of you can secure the dog and tend to his well being while the other gets the bathing done. If you don’t have another set of hands, look for products such as the Pet Wash. It attaches to the wall to keep your dog comfortably secure during bathing. “It safely holds the animal in place and at arms’ reach under the shower head or tub faucet without harming him,” says marketing representative Maitte Van Arsdelm. “[Having both hands free] makes the owner more relaxed, and that confidence is passed along to the animal, making the whole experience easy and fun.” animal wellness
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