Animal wellness
Animalwellness For a long, healthy life!
SPECIAL ISSUE:
Nutrition Top 6
superfruits you can share with your pooch
What’s the
score?
5 “bad” behaviors
How does his food rate in terms of good nutrition?
can dogs become
What’s she really telling you?
mentally ill?
“That’s so
Birthday
irresponsible!” How to deal with the other kind of animal lover
cakes he’ll love! Celebrate his special day with these Detection dogs These clever canines sniff out everything from mold to bedbugs
Today’s training tools
We have tremendous land resources in North America. When you fly coast to coast, you can see there are large areas of the country which are sparsely populated. At least some of this land could be sustainably used for responsible ranching without harming the environment. Worldwide awareness of the problems associated with factory farms and the use of antibiotics, added growth hormones, and steroids has created a huge and growing demand for naturally and humanely raised meats. So shifting more of our meat industry to the humane and sustainable model would actually help increase American exports while improving human health and animal welfare. It’s a win-win proposition.
Where do you fit in? It’s really quite a simple plan. If you start to demand products made from humanely raised meats, and pet food manufacturers meet that demand by offering products designated as humanely produced, you could become a powerful force for change. By increasing the demand
for humanely produced meats, you decrease the demand for meats produced by “factory farms” and create an economic incentive to shift livestock management to a humane and sustainable model. You can start by looking for quality pet foods and treats made from humanely raised meats, thereby supporting those who run humane and sustainable farms, and the companies that support them. Research and study pet food products, and don’t be afraid to contact companies and ask questions about how and where they source their meat. A growing number of premium pet food manufacturers are using humanely-raised and sustainable ingredients in their products, so the range of choices is becoming larger. Clean and humanely produced muscle and organ meats are much healthier for your animal companion than those that come from CAFOs. By proactively searching out these products, you can help reconcile your love for your dog or cat with the practice of meat consumption, while also doing the planet, and your furry friend, a big favor.
FELINE WELLNESS
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Contents October/November 2011
features 18 Detection dogs From mold to bedbugs to human illness, these clever canines can sniff out or sense a wide variety of problems.
22 6 top superfruits
Harness the power of healing fruits for an extra nutritional boost.
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26 What’s he telling you?
Before reacting negatively to “bad” behaviors in your dog, take a deep breath and look at what they might be telling you about his physical and emotional well being.
32 Harnessing a happy dog
Successful, pain-free training involves a fresh approach – and the right tools.
36 Nutrition for working dogs
From athletes to search and rescue dogs, working canines have nutritional and supplement needs that exceed those of the average family pooch.
39 A clear conscience
When it comes to clean, healthy, humanelyraised treats, this company really walks its talk.
42 Let them eat cake
Birthday parties for dogs are becoming a popular trend. Choose from one of these mouth-watering healthy cake recipes for your pooch’s big day.
46 “That’s so irresponsible!”
It’s easy to see red when people don’t pick up after their pooches or give them enough attention or care. Here’s how to deal with the other kind of animal lover.
52 Journey to a new life
Establishing an “underground railway” helped this couple set up a rescue organization for needy dogs in a remote Canadian town with no road access.
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animal wellness
55 What’s the score?
How does your dog’s food rate in terms of good nutrition? Use this scoring system to help make the best dietary choices for your companion.
56 Dogs can get lupus?
You’ve heard of this disease in people, but did you know canines can also get it? Discoid lupus is an immune-mediated condition that can afflict German shepherds, huskies and collies.
74 The cat who taught me chutzpah
Remembering Eddie, a feline character with spunk to spare.
76 Raw feeding your cat
It’s one of the healthiest choices you can make for your kitty, but here are two things you need to know before making the switch.
64 Humane pet food
84 Know what to do?
69 EFAs for felines
87 Magic for his skin
71 Top 5 herbs for cats
88 Behavior problem – or mental illness?
Concerned about the treatment and welfare of the animals that go into making pet food? Dogs and cats needs meat, but choosing quality foods made from humanely-raised meats can ease your mind.
Essential fatty acids not only give your cat a sleek coat and healthy skin – at the right dosage, they can also help reduce inflammation and protect against cancer.
These natural remedies can effectively treat a variety of common feline health problems, with minimal risk of side effects.
Stabilizing a sick or injured dog before heading to the vet can mean the difference between life and death. Here are six common health scenarios and what to do about them.
A degree in organic chemistry and a Yorkie with serious skin problems led this entrepreneur to create a line of natural skin care products for animals.
Is your dog acting out of character? It may be a simple behavioral issue, but here are two medical conditions that can cause your canine to become fearful, aggressive or destructive.
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40 Warm & fuzzy
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78 Feline Wellness health talk with Dr. Patrick Mahaney
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91 Communication
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94 Passages
8 Editorial
96 Book reviews
12 Mail bag
105 Tail end
50 Product picks 60 Animal Wellness resource guide
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Top superfruits Harness the power of healing fruits for an extra nutritional boost.
Blackberries
by Juniper Russo
W
e health-nutty humans can’t get enough of “superfruits” – those rich, flavorful fruits so densely packed with nutrients that they act as medicine as well as food. With exotic names like dragonfruit, acai, mangosteen and goji, these fruits contain potent antioxidants that defend against environmental damage while also helping repair the body from within. In recent years, superfruits have gone from a little-known health fad to a blossoming medical and nutritional innovation. Superfruits don’t just benefit our own bodies; they can also give a health boost to our furry friends. Dogs are fully capable of digesting almost all forms of fruit, and can benefit from superfuits to the same degree we can. Here are just six of the many fruity treats that can help heal as well as feed your canine companion.
2 Blackberries Another incredibly rich source of anthocyanins, the common blackberry is a champion among superfruits. After a well-designed scientific investigation, the USDA ranked blackberries among the top ten antioxidant foods consumed in the US. Although they may not be as exotic or novel as their tropical counterparts, blackberries can boost your dog’s defences against common sources of free radicals, including stress, disease and pollution. Because they grow abundantly throughout North America, you’re likely to find local, organic blackberries at a very fair and reasonable price. Try mixing blackberries with broccoli and whole egg for a delicious doggie “smoothie”.
1 Acai berries Among the most famous superfruits is the acai berry, which has a deliciously unusual flavor that is almost chocolatey in its richness. While your pooch can’t join you in sharing a chocolate bar, she can certainly have her fill of acai berries. These tasty treats are an incredibly dense source of anthocyanins, which are deep blue compounds capable of neutralizing superoxides, dangerous compounds that dogs produce in response to stress. Acai berries are also a good source of vegetarian proteins and fats, which dogs require in a balanced diet. If you do decide to share acai berries with your dog, try to aim for fair trade fruit; they provide sustainable income for people living in the Amazon rainforest, where the berries come from.
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animal wellness
Acai berries
3 Cranberries Cranberries have been valued for centuries for their healing powers, and their effects aren’t limited to human beings. A single cup of whole cranberries provides nearly 12 times the antioxidant capacity of a cup of orange juice. Cranberries are well-documented for their ability to improve urinary health in both humans and animals. Cranberries contain a natural medicinal compound that prevents bacteria from clinging to the walls of the bladder, urethra and kidneys. This means fewer infections and better detoxification for your furry companion. The tangy fruit also contains nontoxic doses of salicylic acid, a natural anti-inflammatory and painrelieving compound similar to aspirin. It’s a perfect tonic for an aging or arthritic dog, but some dislike its tartness. Try mixing it with other foods or giving it as you would a pill.
Among the most famous superfruits is the acai berry, which has a deliciously unusual flavor that is almost chocolatey in its richness. 4 Wolfberries Wolfberry owes its common name to the wild canines of the Orient, who adore this delicious and powerfully nutritious fruit. Your own little wolf will be equally eager to experience the flavors of the wolfberry, which are at once fruity, tomato-like, and delicately piney. Also known by its Chinese name goji, wolfberry appears to reduce inflammation, improve heart health, prevent eye disease, and even improve brain function in animals. It can also help modulate a dog’s immune system so he responds to infection in an healthy manner, but doesn’t experience unnecessary fever or inflammation when infection does strike.
5 Pomegranates Pomegranate fruit has been adored for centuries because of its combination of incredible flavor, balanced nutrition, and often-unexpected medicinal effects. Whole pomegranate is an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants for dogs, and pooches enjoy its taste and texture. But its benefits don’t end there: several studies animal wellness
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