ANIMAL WELLNESS
AnimalWELLNESS For a long, healthy life!
10
TOP FOODS
FOR GOOD VISION
SUNNY DAYS How to protect him
Eye health advice
from those UV rays
Energy healing
Tips on building a
Why it works!
strong bond with your new dog
5 WAYS TO SOOTHE
HER FEARS
Canine CANCER
feline wellness
What homeopathy and conventional medicine have in common
Hip, cool and healthy!
emergency preparedness for kitties
JUNE/JULY Display until August 5, 2013
Cat’s eye view
$5.95 USA/Canada
Does she have a red or watery eye? One of these common disorders could be the culprit.
Japan’s Cat Cafés check out this trendy new Asian phenomenon!
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 3
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
Lessons
Lancelot from
How a street cat taught his person everything she needed to know about solving feline behaviorfelineproblems. wellness 65
BONUS INSIDE!
Contents June/July 2013
FEATURES
50 44 80
18 BEST FOODS FOR GOOD VISION
Packed with nutrients, these colorful foods can help keep his eyes sharp by protecting against a variety of ocular problems.
22 SUNNY DAYS
A lot of people think dogs don’t need shielding from the sun’s UV rays. But sunburn and even skin cancer can occur in canines that get too much sunlight. Find out how to protect your pooch.
30 OW, MY EYE!
From punctures to lacerations, canine eye injuries occur more often than you might think. Here are some of the most common wounds and how they’re treated.
34 MEGAN’S MENTORS This talented actress and producer credits her dog Smiley, along with her many other four-footed companions, for teaching her some important life lessons.
37 SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE
How one dog’s toxic reaction to an insecticide led to a company that specializes in natural, earth-friendly pest control products.
38 TOP 10 WAYS TO BUILD A BOND
Whether you’re adopting a puppy or adult dog, establishing a healthy connection with him from the start will help ensure a meaningful friendship.
44 IT’S ALL ABOUT ENERGY
You’ve heard the term “energy healing” but what exactly is it and why and how does it work?
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47 ALOE’S ATTRACTION It contains essential nutrients that may alleviate many chronic conditions.
50 POOCHES WITH PINK EYE
Conjunctivitis is common in humans, but dogs can also contract it. Know the symptoms, and how it can be treated.
56 CANINE CANCER – TWO VIEWS
71 IS KITTY PREPARED?
Emergencies can strike anyplace, anytime, and may mean you have to evacuate your home. Do you have a disaster plan in place for your cat?
74 CAPPUCCINO WITH CATS
Thanks to the phenomenon of “cat cafés”, Japanese feline aficionados can visit with resident kitties while relaxing with a cup of java.
80 LU PARKER
Homeopathy, along with new discoveries in conventional medicine, are coming to similar conclusions about how to more effectively treat this illness.
She wears multiple hats as a news anchor, actress and journalist, but still finds the time and energy to advocate for homeless animals.
62 FIVE WAYS TO SOOTHE FEAR
Skin allergies in his own dogs prompted this entrepreneur to develop an affordable allergy testing kit that covers almost 200 environmental and food triggers.
Poor socialization, abuse, traumatic events and even genetics can cause fear-based behaviors in a dog. You can’t undo his past, but you can help alleviate his anxiety.
66 CAT’S EYE VIEW
A look at some of the most common ocular problems in felines.
69 LESSONS FROM LANCELOT
He’s the first cat I’ve ever had – and he’s taught me all I need to know about solving feline behavior problems.
83 PASSING THE TEST
88 NETWORK FOR NEEDY DOGS
Wish you could help more dogs find loving forever homes, but don’t have the resources to be a rescuer yourself? Social media is an effective tool anyone can use to make a difference.
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COLUMNS 12 Yakkity yak 26 Rewind 48 Case study
22
54 To the rescue 60 Warm & fuzzy 86 Passages 91 Book reviews 98 Tail end
DEPARTMENTS 8 Editorial 42 Product picks 76 The scoop 78 Wellness resource guide
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93 Marketplace 96 ClassiďŹ eds 97 Events Calendar
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Almonds and Brazil nuts are gluten free, rich in vitamin E – and support eye health.
Packed with nutrients, these colorful foods can help keep his eyes sharp by protecting against a variety of ocular problems. By Audi Donamor
Eye health in dogs has become the talk of the town. There’s more and more discussion about eye disease in canines, including macular degeneration, cataracts, uveitis and glaucoma. Many people have written to me, asking if there are any particular foods they could consider including in their dogs’ diets to foster eye health and perhaps help prevent or stave off eye problems.
Blueberries
contain two very important eye healthy carotenoids – lutein and zeaxanthin. They also contain anthocyanins, eye-nourishing phytonutrients that are shown to support night vision. Flavonoids, like rutin, resveratrol and quercetin, are also found in blueberries, and may help prevent macular degeneration. Blueberries also contain selenium and zinc, which further support vision. Eating blueberries has even been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue.
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Here’s a top ten list of foods that contain some all-important eye-worthy buzz words like anthocyanins, beta-carotene, carotenoids, glutathione, Omega-3 essential fatty acids, lycopene, phytonutrients – and the very special partnership of lutein and zeaxanthin, sometimes referred to as sunscreen for the eyes.
Broccoli
Besides its anti-cancer benefits, broccoli is also recognized as one of the best vegetables for eye health. It is a great source of lutein and zeaxanthin and is also packed with beta-carotene. Try parboiling a few broccoli florets by simply dropping them into boiling water and timing for two minutes; cool and serve for a power-packed side dish. Don’t leave the leaves behind, because they contain even more beta-carotene than the stems and florets. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts have been found to protect the retina from free radical damage. This may be due to a compound called sulphuraphane, which boosts the body’s defense system against free radicals.
Carrots are among the kingpins of the vegetable patch. There are over 100 varieties, from the deepest purple and white to the brilliant orange we are most accustomed to seeing. Each is a storehouse of nutrient power. Carrots contain pro-vitamin A, betacarotene, vitamins B, C, D, E and K, and riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, copper and iodine. The old axiom that carrots are good for the eyes is not just a myth. Carrots also contain lycopene and lutein, protective phytonutrients that protect the eye from UVB radiation and damage from free radicals. Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, haddock and sardines are rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Fish is especially high in EPA and DHA, two Omega3s important to cellular health. DHA makes up 30% of the fatty acids that comprise the retina. The particularly high levels of Omega-3 in sardines provide some protection against macular degeneration.
Eggs
are rich in cycteine and sulphur, two components of glutathione. This may explain why sulphur-containing compounds have been found to protect eyes from cataract formation. Egg yolks contain lutein, and diets high in lutein may lead to a reduced risk of developing macular degeneration. The zeaxanthin found in eggs is also beneficial to eye health. A study published by the University of Massachusetts in 2006 found that eating an egg a day raised levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the blood, helping reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. The study further found that while serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in the blood were significantly increased, serum lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were not.
Garlic Sulphur-rich garlic is important for the production of glutathione, an important protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye. Glutathione is found to be instrumental in the prevention of some visual problems.
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