V17I5 (Oct/Nov 2015)

ANIMAL WELLNESS

For a long, healthy life!

ANNUAL NUTRITION ISSUE!

TOP 4 nutrients

WHAT’S THE

REAL

EVERY ANIMAL

NEEDS

PROBLEM WITH WHEAT?

SAFE & HEALTHY

BATTLING

OBESITY

DENTAL TREATS ARE HIS

pH LEVELS BALANCED?

Fall LIVER

DETOX for your dog

– NATURAL

Saluting

NUTRACEUTICALS THAT WILL HELP SLIM HIM DOWN

Born deaf, this Old English sheepdog was trained using sign language. He’s now a social media star who turns heads wherever he goes.

feline WELLNESS feline WELLNESS feli Hip, cool and healthy!

Hip, cool and healthy!

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 Display until November 9, 2015

Is there

MERCURY

$6.95 USA/Canada

ADD VARIETY

TO HER DIET WITH

ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS

GROOMING LONG-HAIRED KITTIES MADE SIMPLE WHEN CATS TURN

AGAINST

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 5

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

EACH OTHER How this mysterious kitty

Dreaming CAT PARK BONUS INSIDE!

– A CASE STUDY got her name

of a

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Contents October/November 2015

50

Features

18 THE REAL PROBLEM WITH WHEAT

People and animals have been eating this grain for thousands of years, so why has it started causing health issues? The answer may shock you.

22 3 EFFECTIVE SUPPLEMENTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

When combined with the right diet and exercise program, these nutraceuticals will safely bring down your dog or cat's weight.

26 SOCIAL WELL-BEING

FOR DOGS

Companionship and socialization are as vital to his quality of life as food, water and shelter.

30 COULD HE HAVE A PH IMBALANCE?

It can impact his health and well-being, and is associated with a variety of conditions.

33 ON THE DOT

Learn how a canine athlete inspired a company that specializes in nutritional and joint supplements for dogs and cats.

34 A HISTORY OF THE

HUMAN-CANINE BOND

Our love of dogs brings us emotional, mental and physical health benefits as well as companionship.

40 MUDROOM MAKEOVER

If could build the perfect mudroom for your canine – what would it look like? Take a peek at these “dream mudrooms”!

42 4 TOP NUTRIENTS

EVERY ANIMAL NEEDS

No matter what type of food you feed your dog or cat, these few specific supplements will complement and improve his diet.

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46 DETOX HIS LIVER

Even with a natural lifestyle, all dogs have toxins in their bodies. Helping the liver do its job can aid in cleansing his system.

50 COVER STORY

SALUTING SANTIAGO

Deaf from birth, this Old English sheepdog has enriched the lives of thousands of people and animals, and has even inspired a food business.

59 ON THE RIGHT

WAVELENGTH

This company’s light therapy pads are an effective, non-invasive way to help your animal’s body heal itself.

62 BOOST HIS IMMUNITY

WITH ACUPRESSURE

These four acupoints are powerful allies for making sure your dog’s immune system is up to the job of protecting him from illness.

64 THE POWER OF PUMPKIN

Share the health benefits of this favorite seasonal food with your four-legged friend.

68 DENTAL TREATS

They’re an easy way to keep his teeth clean – but make sure you’re buying safe and healthy products.

78 ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG?

You’re making a good choice, but here’s what you need to know to ensure success.

92 ALTERNATIVE MEATS FOR FELINES

Is your cat “fed up” with the same old, same old?

Is she allergic to beef or other common proteins?

Try giving her something different.

94 GROOMING

LONGHAIRED CATS

One rough tongue often can’t handle all that extra fur -- here’s how you can help her stay sleek and mat-free.

96 WHEN CATS TURN ON EACH OTHER

Seeing a former friend in a different place or situation can affect a cat’s ability to recognize him, and may lead to fearful or aggressive behavior.

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64 Columns

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12 Yakkity yak 54 Warm & fuzzy 56 Rewind 73 Passages 76 To the rescue 84 Book reviews 90 Tail end 98 Purrfect end

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Social media Tips, contests and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine News, events, and tips! @ AW_magazine Tips, pet photos, and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine Crafts, laughs, and more!

AnimalWellness

Departments 8

Editorial

38

Product picks

60

Animal Wellness resource guide

71

The scoop

81

Social media

86

Marketplace

89

Events calendar

89

ClassiďŹ eds animal wellness

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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 5

ON THE COVER

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor-in-Chief: Dana Cox Managing Editor: Ann Brightman Senior Graphic Designer: Dawn Cumby-Dallin Senior Graphic Designer: Kathleen Atkinson Social Media Manager: Kait Gambier Web Design & Development: Brad Vader Tail/Purrfect End Illustrations: Libby Sinden Cover Image Courtesy of: Marina Zalewski

ADVERTISING SALES National Accounts Manager: Ann Beacom, (866) 764-1212 ext. 222 annbeacom@redstonemediagroup.com

COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sally E. Bahner Luise Bolleber Elizabeth Cavanaugh Carmen Colitz, DVM, PhD, DACVO Stanley Coren Audi Donamor Michael W. Fox, DVM Sarah Griffiths, DCH, CPN Jean Hofve, DVM Amy Huang Candice Lee Jones Deva Khalsa, VMD Lisa Loeb Anabelle Lee Macri Ramona D. Marek, Ms Ed Ginger Peters Karen Shaw Becker, DVM Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, CVA Amy Snow Charlotte Walker Joan Marie Williams Nancy Zidonis

Marketing/Retail Specialist: Michelle Macaulay, (866) 764-1212 ext. 115 michelle@redstonemediagroup.com

ADMINISTRATION & SALES President/C.E.O.: Tim Hockley Accounting: Karen Tice Circulation & Office Manager: Libby Sinden SUBMISSIONS: Please send all editorial material, advertising material, photos and correspondence to: Animal Wellness Magazine, 160 Charlotte St., Suite 202, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. We welcome previously unpublished articles and color pictures either in transparency or disc form at 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee that either articles or pictures will be used or that they will be returned. We reserve the right to publish all letters received. Email your articles to: info@redstonemediagroup.com.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

Western Regional Manager: Becky Starr, (866) 764-1212 ext. 221 becky@redstonemediagroup.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Libby Sinden classifiedads@animalwellnessmagazine.com TO SUBSCRIBE: Subscription price at time of this issue is $24.00 in the U.S. and Canada, including taxes for six issues shipped via surface mail. Subscriptions can be processed by: Website: www.animalwellnessmagazine.com Phone: 1-866-764-1212 ext 315 US MAIL: Animal Wellness Magazine, 6834 S University Blvd PMB 155 Centennial, CO 80122 CDN MAIL: Animal Wellness Magazine, 160 Charlotte St., Suite 202, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8 Subscriptions are payable by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check or money order. The material in this magazine is not intended to replace the care of veterinary practitioners. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, and different views may appear in other issues. Redstone Media Group Inc., publisher of Animal Wellness, does not promote any of the products orservices advertised by a third party advertiser in this publication, nor does Redstone Media Group Inc. verify the accuracy of any claims made in connection with such advertisers.

Refund policy: call or write our customer service department and we will refund unmailed issues.

DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME: Animal Wellness Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call Libby at 1-866-764-1212 ext 100 and ask for dealer magazine sales, fax us at 705-742-4596 or e-mail at libby@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2015. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: September 2015.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF:

Marina Zalewski Given his gentle good nature and friendly personality, it’s not surprising that Santiago has become so popular – both online and in his own community. And he doesn’t let being deaf slow him down. Read all about him on page 50.

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Improving the lives of animals... one reader at a time.

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EDITORIAL

NUTRITION

foundation

is the of HEALTH

Recently, I visited a friend who I don’t see all that often. Her dogs, who are lovely, came out to greet me and I had to put on my best poker face because, honestly, they looked like walking tables.

They couldn’t run because they were so overweight and after a moment of playing, had to lie down to recover their breath. At dinner, they were fed a commercial kibble, which they seemed impartial to but eventually ate. And these two were in the prime of their lives.

I couldn’t help but compare them to my rambunctious girl. Sasha is over 11 years old (we adopted her at the guestimated age of two but she could have been older) and she still runs and jumps like a three-year-old. She is joy in motion and I attribute her health to good DNA and great nutrition. I regularly add steamed veggies and selected fruit to her already stellar diet, as well as supplements, including a cold water fish oil. In summer, when she’s super active, I add some sweet potato or organic oatmeal for extra calories. If she were human, there’s no question that Sasha would definitely be a “foodie”.

health consequences of a pH imbalance; how to naturally detox his liver; dental treats that boost health while cleaning teeth; four supplements every animal should take; and last but not least, the nutritional benefits of pumpkin (along with some tasty recipes to share with your dog!).

Our cover canine for this issue is a gorgeous Old English sheepdog named Santiago, a social media darling who makes friends (both human and animal) wherever he goes. Also in this issue, Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis offer you a simple acupressure session to help boost immunity. And renowned canine behaviorist Stanley Coren takes a fascinating look at the history of the human/canine bond.

Cat lovers will find plenty to pique their interest in our Feline Wellness bonus section, from alternative protein choices for picky eaters to grooming long-haired cats, and a case study on why cats sometimes fall out with one another.

Have a naturally healthy fall!

As an AW reader, you probably know that a good diet is the springboard to good health. Our annual nutrition issue is brimming with good advice on the topic. If your dog or cat is a bit on the chunky side, you might want to start with Dr. Robert Silver’s article on the top three supplements to help with weight loss. Does he have wheat allergies? Dr. Deva Khalsa looks at why this ages-old grain has become problematic for so many animals (and people). Also on the theme of nutrition are articles on the

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Dana Cox Editor-in-Chief

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CONTRIBUTORS

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1. Veterinarian Dr. Karen Shaw Becker received her degree from the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. She owns/ operates Natural Pet Animal Hospital, Feathers Bird Clinic, TheraPaw Rehabilitation and Pain Management Clinic and Covenant Wildlife Rehabilitation in Illinois. She co-authored Real Food for Healthy Pets and hosts a holistic animal wellness website (mercolahealthypets. com). See page 46 for Dr. Becker’s article on liver detoxing.

2. Veterinarian Dr. Michael W. Fox (drfoxvet. com) writes the nationally syndicated newspaper column “Animal Doctor” and also authored the best-selling books Understanding Your Cat and Supercat: How to Raise the Perfect Feline Companion. Turn to page 96 for Dr. Fox’s article on cognitive disassociation in cats.

of RxVitamins for Pets. Dr Silver writes and speaks to veterinary audiences on the value of blending holistic modalities with conventional medicine. Read his article on supplements for obesity (page 22).

5. Dr. Jean Hofve is a retired holistic veterinarian, and co-author of The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care with nutritionist Dr. Celeste Yarnall. Dr. Hofve has written hundreds of articles, lectured on pet topics throughout the US, and appeared on radio and TV. Her award-winning website (littlebigcat.com) is a respected source of information on cat health, nutrition and behavior. On page 42, Dr. Hofve talks about supplements every animal needs.

3. Veterinarian Dr. Deva Khalsa authored Dr. Khalsa’s The Natural Dog and co-authored Healing Your Horse: Alternative Therapies. She lectures internationally and is a professor at the British Institute of Homeopathy. She has almost 30 years of experience in holistic modalities. In this issue (page 18), Dr. Khalsa discusses the real problem with wheat.

6. Stanley Coren is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. He is an award-winning behavioral researcher, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He has written books on dog behavior and human-canine interactions, and received the Maxwell Medal of Excellence from the Dog Writers Association of America for his book Born to Bark. His newest book is Do Dogs Dream? He looks at the history of the human/canine bond on page 34.

4. Veterinarian Dr. Robert Silver has pioneered the use of diet, herbs and nutraceuticals at his integrative practice in Boulder, Colorado for the past 25 years. He is a consultant to the pet food and medical cannabis industries and Chief Medical Officer

7. Audi Donamor has been successfully creating special needs diets for companion animals for nearly 20 years. She founded the University of Guelph’s Smiling Blue Skies® Cancer Fund and Smiling Blue Skies® Fund for Innovative Research, and is the proud recipient of a

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variety of awards, including a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Turn to page 64 for Audi’s look at the health benefits of pumpkin.

8. Nancy Zidonis and Amy Snow are the authors of Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure and Acu-Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure. They founded Tallgrass, offering books, manuals, DVDs, apps and meridian charts. Tallgrass provides hands-on and online training courses, including a 300-hour Practitioner Certification Program. It is an approved school for the Dept. of Higher Education through the State of Colorado, an approved provider of NCBTMB Continuing Education credits, and accepted by NCCAOM. Contact 888-841-7211, animalacupressure.com or Tallgrass@animalacupressure.com. See page 62 for their article on acupressure to boost immunity.

9. Sarah Griffiths, DCH, CPN, is a classical homeopath and clinical animal nutritionist with an extensive background in the husbandry of wild canines and felines. She consults with local veterinarians and for 3P Naturals, a raw pet food company in Vancouver. Sarah runs free raw pet food education seminars in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and helps people with raw diet planning, troubleshooting and individual supplementation. Sarah looks at the health effects of pH imbalances on page 30.

10. Sally E. Bahner specializes in cat-related issues, specifically nutrition, holistic care and behavior. She has offered her services as a feline

Submissions submitting an article for Animal Wellness Magazine, please contact

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Ann Brightman, Managing Editor, at : Ann@RedstoneMediaGroup.com.

We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines. If you submit an outline for an article, please also send samples of your work.

For our submission guidelines,

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behavior and care consultant and gives classes on cat care. Sally is the resident cat behavior expert on Tracie Hotchner’s Cat Chat radio program, and a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. For this issue (page 94), she offers advice on grooming long-haired cats.

11. Tamra Bolles writes under the pen name of Anabelle Lee Macri. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in journalism, and is a freelance writer. Check out her article on the advantages of adopting adult/senior dogs on page 78.

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12. Ramona D. Marek is an award-winning freelance writer, and a member and former director of the Cat Writers’ Association. She writes on various topics, including animal health and welfare. She finds inspiration in her two feline muses, Tsarevich Ivan, a pedigreed Siberian, and Natasha Fatale, a full-time diva adopted from the local shelter. On page 68, read her article about dental treats.

13. Candice Lee Jones is a creative nonfiction author, essayist and animal enthusiast. She has written articles for the online magazine Points in Case, and published an e-book titled Ahead of the Pack: A Guide to Find the Best Doggy Daycare.

CONTRIBUTORS

If you are interested in

visit animalwellnessmagazine.com.

Candice examines the importance of canine social well-being on page 26.

Joan Marie Williams is a writer and editor living in Keene, Ontario, where her foster dogs chase balls or snooze until they find their forever homes.

She is the founder of K9training4life, a program that guides young people in training shelter dogs to facilitate canine adoption. In this edition, Joan looks at cool mudroom makeovers for dog guardians (page 40).

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YAKKITY YAK HEROIC MEASURES Military dogs and their handlers form strong bonds, so they should be able to stay together when they return from duty. Robin R. Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane Association, reports that we’re one step closer to that goal.

“In June, Congress passed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, with language supported by American Humane Association guaranteeing that our heroic military working dogs will be returned to US soil upon retirement, and that their human handlers and families – to whom these dogs mean more than to anyone else – will be given first right of adoption,” she says. “We are now strongly urging the President to sign the bill.” americanhumane.org Sergeant James Harrison on duty with his military working dog and companion, Ryky, by his side.

INTERESTING TRENDS Did you know the number of American households with animal companions has risen by 50% over the last 20 years? This is just one of the many interesting facts revealed by the American Pet Products Association’s biennial National Pet Owners Survey.

Other noteworthy findings from the 2015-2016 survey: • More places of business are catering to animals: 8% of respondents report that their workplaces allows animals, while 28% of dog guardians have been to animalfriendly hotels and 9% have dined at animal-friendly restaurants.

• The economy no longer seems to be a factor in animal spending – 74% of animal guardians report they are not influenced by the economy when it comes to giving the best to their animals.

• Another relatively new finding, along with research conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, is that more doctors believe animals are good for human health. In a survey of 1,000 family doctors and GPs, 97% believe in the health benefits of having an animal, and 60% would recommend an animal to improve overall health. americanpetproducts.org

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Fall is an ideal time to

revamp

your dog’s exercise program (and yours!). Get out and

enjoy the crisp,

cool air together!

This youngster is just one among hu ndreds of responsible and loving pit bull guardians takin g part in The Majority Project.

FOR THE LOVE OF PIT BULLS Pit bulls are stigmatized as vicious and unpredictable, and their guardians are often thought to be mean, irresponsible people. Animal Farm Foundation recently released a national public service announcement starring actor and pit bull guardian, Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Wolf of Wall Street), to disarm negative stereotypes about people with pit bulls.

With his son, Billy, and his two dogs, Boss and Venice, Jon invites pit bull supporters to join The Majority Project, a photo collection offering a real-life snapshot of responsible pit bull guardians – including ordinary families, children and grandparents, teachers and scientists and other professionals and public servants.

“Just like us, dogs deserve to be treated as individuals,” says Jon. “Laws that discriminate based on breed unfairly target not only dogs but also the innocent families who love and care for them.”

View the PSA at vimeo.com/129828178, and submit your photos at TheMajorityProject.com.

ON THE FRONT LINES Animal rescue workers frequently have to deal with tragic situations of neglect and abuse, so it’s not surprising they’re more prone to depression and suicide than those working in other fields, says non-profit rescue organization Found Animals. According to a study by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Auburn University and the CDC, one in six animal rescue workers have contemplated suicide. In fact, animal rescue workers have a suicide rate of 5.3 in 1 million workers — the highest rate among American workers, and one shared only by firefighters and police officers, says a recent study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. foundanimals.org

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YAKKITY YAK BUILDING UP THE BOND Seniors who have a dog or cat are happier and less lonely, but having an animal around the house can also cause some difficulties in those with mobility or other issues. Activities, Adaption & Aging recently published the results of a study called “Fostering the Human-Animal Bond for Older Adults”.

It looks at how companion animals reduce social isolation and encourage physical activity; but also at how age-related diseases, as well as financial constraints, can sometimes make it hard for seniors to care for their animals.

The researchers found that programs are arising to overcome these obstacles. “These programs facilitate the adoption of animals by older adults,” says study author Keith Anderson of the University of Montana. “They match older adults with adult shelter animals and provide support throughout the adoption and ownership processes.” There are some drawbacks that these programs need to overcome, however: “Lower-income older adults often live in buildings where there are fees and deposits associated with having animals. We need creative solutions to address these financial barriers.” tandfonline.com/WAAA

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LIVE IN A HIGH RISE? You’ve probably heard of high rise syndrome, when cats and dogs fall from apartment balconies and windows. Tragically, it’s more common than you might think. If you live in a high rise, DoveLewis (dovelewis.org) offers some tips to keep your companion safe: • Don't depend on window screens to keep animals from falling out of windows.

• Keep furniture that animals can climb on away from windows.

• Don't leave your dog or cat unsupervised on a balcony or high patio.

• Move patio furniture away from railings.

• Close windows before throwing toys for your dog or cat to chase.

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YAKKITY YAK RIDING FOR INDEPENDENCE The non-profit Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation held its Fifth Annual Ride for Independence on July 19.

This motorcycle fundraiser celebrates the increased freedom and independence that Fidelco German shepherd guide dogs give to blind people, especially military veterans.

The Grand Marshal of the 2015 Ride for Independence was Raymond Collins, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), pictured here with his guide dog Spencer.

The family-friendly event began and ended at Fidelco’s campus in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Riders cruised a scenic, police-escorted 50-mile route through the Farmington Valley and returned to Fidelco for a gourmet BBQ lunch, a live concert by southern rock band Shovelhead, and more. Fidelco's Field of Flags, a tribute to American heroes and fallen military, first responders, and veterans was also on display.

Are certain dog breeds more common in some cities than others? Using their database, Trupanion looked at a few of Canada’s top cities to identify their signature breeds and dog names. (Note: a city’s signature breed or dog name is not necessarily its most popular; it’s just that there’s a higher frequency of this breed or name in that city than in other areas.) Here are a few of the findings.

Signature breed: Cockapoo Signature dog name: Dexter

BC  Vancouver, Signature breed: Bernese mountain dog Signature dog name: Luna

Alberta  Edmonton, Signature breeds: Great Dane and Havanese Signature dog name: Sadie

 Victoria, British Columbia

Signature breed: Standard poodle Signature dog name: Murphy

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away

A TRUE BUDDY! When 85-year-old Texas rancher J.R. Nicholson was rushed to the hospital following a bout of dizziness, his faithful dog, a fouryear-old beagle adopted from Ole Yellow Animal Rescue, hopped on the outside step of the ambulance. Buddy Buddy m rode on the step for miles ad he tried to e the news when follow his before a motorist alerted the guardian to the ho spital by hopping aboard th ambulance drivers to his e ambula nce step s. presence. The EMTs brought Buddy into the ambulance, where he rode with his “dad” for the onehour trip to the hospital. Nicholson was released the same day in good condition, with his faithful companion at his side.

This moving story inspired articles all over Buddy’s hometown of Mason, Texas, and even made it onto ABC News. Now, Nicholson’s daughter, Elizabeth King, along with watercolor artist Megan Harrington Diaz, have created a picture book for kids called Buddy’s Wild Ride. It’s available through Amazon, with a portion of the proceeds going to Ole Yellow Animal Rescue, a non-profit that cares for stray and abandoned animals and finds them permanent adoptive families. oleyellowrescue.com

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to keep Hallowe’en candy from your dog or cat.

fidelco.org

CANADIAN CITIES GO TO THE DOGS

 Toronto, ON

Remember

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real problem The

WHEAT

with

By Deva Khalsa, VMD

People and animals have been eating this grain for thousands of years, so why has it started causing health issues in so many? The answer may shock you.

Wheat has been a staple grain for centuries. It forms the basis for a large number of foods eaten by both people and animals. Yet it’s only relatively recently that we and our companion animals have started suffering from health problems caused by ingesting wheat. Why did this grain suddenly become the villain of the food pyramid, given its long history in the diets of both humans and dogs?

DOMESTICATED DOGS ADAPTED TO EAT WHEAT Many say that wheat and other grains aren’t a natural part of the canine diet, which is why they cause health problems in some dogs. But domesticated dogs have been eating many of the same foods as humans for 11,000 years, and those foods include grains. A lot can change in the canine genetic makeup over the course of 110 centuries. The truth is, our dogs have co-evolved along with us, their bodies adapting so they could digest a lot of the same foods we do.

From early on, novel adaptations in canine genes allowed the ancestors of modern dogs to digest and assimilate the starches found in wheat and other grains. Some pretty impressive genetic research has been done in Sweden on this topic. Eric Axelsson,

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an evolutionary geneticist at Uppsala University, compared the DNA of dogs and wolves. He found that unlike wolves, dogs have developed genes for digesting starch.

Dogs have up to 30 copies of the gene that makes amylase, a protein that starts the breakdown of starch in the intestines, while wolves have only two copies. The multiple genes for amylase are also 28 times more active in dogs, demonstrating that our canine friends are many times better at digesting starches than wolves are.

There’s another gene that codes for an additional enzyme called maltase, important in the digestion of starch. The Swedish study found that compared to wolves, dogs produce a longer version of the maltase digestive enzyme (the same type seen in herbivores such as cows and rabbits), making it even more efficient in its ability to digest starch.

The bottom line is that dogs can and did digest and eat starches, and that they developed enzymes and adapted to a diet that’s quite similar to a balanced human diet. So why are wheat and other grains now causing health problems, not just in dogs but in people too?

UNCOVERING THE REAL CULPRIT Here’s where it gets very interesting. There’s something going on with modern wheat – something that isn’t very well known.

Let’s start by exploring the difficulty farmers face when they harvest wheat. The kernels need to be ripened as evenly as possible, and each stalk has many kernels.

Normally, a wheat field ripens unevenly. To complicate matters, moisture in the stalks makes the wheat harder to cut with the harvester.

To fix the problem, some US farmers generously spray their fields with Roundup about a week before harvest. The glyphosate found in this and similar herbicides allows the kernels to dry out evenly, resulting in an easier harvest with a higher yield. This practice has been in use for the past 20 years, but the percentage of sprayed fields has been going up and up during this period. It is now a fairly common procedure, although not every farm does it. I interviewed a farmer who was also head of his association in Kansas, and he told me he did not know any farmers in his state who did this. However, they routinely spray their fields with Roundup before they plant.

The pre-harvest spraying of wheat is not licensed. Peas or lentils sprayed with glyphosate before harvest would not be accepted in the marketplace; but wheat goes through the same procedure and is accepted. Farmers call the process “dessication” when it’s applied to wheat, and maybe this is why it gets by. It’s not legal, but somehow the legalities are overlooked. Certain countries in Europe forbid this pre-harvest spraying, but wheat grown in the US is sent all over the world. In fact, the Food Standards Agency in the UK reports that glyphosate residues regularly show up in bread samples.

Of course, the herbicide industry claims their products are totally safe. Yet two researchers, Dr. Stephanie Seneff and Anthony Samsel from MIT, strongly argue in their research (published in the journal Entropy) that glyphosate is not safe and that its consumption is contributing to many diseases. Most non-organic wheat supplies are now contaminated with animal wellness

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“What should I do?”

You cannot wash glyphosate off foods, because it is incorporated into each cell of the plant. When you or your animal is consuming processed foods, you must understand that the glyphosate has already been incorporated into the final product.

The only way to avoid glyphosate is to choose as many certified organic foods as possible for yourself and your dog. Organic standards do not permit glyphosate use. This is equally if not more important when it comes to meat and other animal products, since factory-farmed animals are typically raised on a GMO diet and have glyphosates bio-accumulating in their tissues.

Do not confuse “organic” with "natural" or "all-natural" products. These latter products are not regulated, and often contain GMO ingredients.

glyphosate. A large percentage of processed foods are made from wheat, and this helps explain the explosion of gastrointestinal and other health problems in both people and animals.

WHY DOES GLYPHOSATE CAUSE ILL HEALTH? Glyphosate is known to inhibit something called the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme. These enzymes are involved in detoxifying environmental toxins, activating vitamin D3, catabolizing vitamin A, and maintaining bile acid production and sulfate supplies to the gut. Good intestinal bacteria are rendered impotent by glyphosate in wheat – perhaps another reason why so many people and animals need to take probiotics nowadays.

To quote the article in Entropy (“Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases”, Volume 15, Issue 4): “CYP enzymes play crucial roles in biology, one of which is to detoxify xenobiotics. 'Xenobiotic' denotes a substance, typically a synthetic chemical, that is foreign to the body or an ecological system. Thus, glyphosate enhances the damaging effects of

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Organic standards do not permit glyphosate use. other food-borne chemical residues and environmental toxins.

Negative impact on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body…. Consequences are most of the diseases and conditions associated with a Western diet, which include gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease….

Glyphosate is the ‘textbook example’ of exogenous semiotic entropy: the disruption of homeostasis by environmental toxins.”

The addition of environmental toxins disrupts the body’s ability to heal and balance itself. The addition of Roundup to the diet from wheat and other grain products significantly disrupts the beneficial bacteria in the gut and contributes to excessive unhealthy permeability of the intestinal wall. If we understand that gut health contributes to 70% of immune function, the health consequences are even more substantial.

On some farms, Roundup is also used on barley, sugar cane, some rice, sweet potatoes and sugar beets. And this does not even include Roundup-Ready GMO crops, like soy, that are routinely sprayed with Roundup. Roundup-Ready GMO crops are not only genetically modified, but the plants have also absorbed the glyphosate from spraying.

Once upon a time, we all ate organic food. The phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals in the food worked to promote health and even cure disease. In today’s world, by contrast, we’re exposed to more than our fair share of carcinogens and toxic chemicals. It’s more important than ever that we buy certified organic foods for ourselves and our canine companions.

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eff ective SUPPLEMENTS for

WEIGHTLOSS

By Robert J. Silver DVM, MS, CVA

D gs Cats

Do you think your dog or cat may be overweight? If you do, you're not alone. A survey done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) last year found that over half of all dogs and cats are overweight.

Obese and overweight animals are more prone to many diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Extra weight also makes them more likely to develop arthritis and become prone to knee and hip injuries. A landmark study of 48 Labrador retrievers done in 2005 discovered that Labs who were overweight lived two years less than those who were lean!

This article will help guide you in the use of certain supplements, which when combined with a sensible approach to dietary "portion control" and an appropriate exercise program, will safely and slowly bring down your dog or cat's weight for optimal longevity and quality of life.

In today's supplement marketplace, weight loss products abound. Yet out of these many choices, three have stood the test of veterinary research. These evidence-based supplements are the amino acid L-carnitine, white kidney bean extract, and Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils.

q L-CARNITINE

This supplement is a vitamin-like, water soluble, free-form amino acid. It has been found to play a role in obesity, feline hepatic lipidosis, and behavioral health. One study followed 14 obese cats that were given 250 mg of L-carnitine daily and were also restricted in the number of calories they ingested each day by (60%). A second placebo group was not given carnitine, but was still calorie-restricted by 60%. After 18 weeks, the group fed carnitine lost significantly more weight than the placebo group.

A second study involved 30 obese dogs who were divided into three groups that were given different levels of L-carnitine. After seven weeks, the two groups that were fed 50 ppm and 100 ppm of carnitine lost 6.4% and 5.7% of their body weight respectively, compared to 1.8% lost in the

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group that did not receive any carnitine. Since there was no difference between the 50 ppm and 100 ppm groups, the study concluded there was no benefit in adding more than 50 ppm (50 mg/kg of diet) of L-carnitine to a diet for weight loss.

significantly more weight than the group fed beef fat. This is due to the “thermogenic” (fat-burning) property of fish oil’s Omega-3s, a property that saturated fats such as beef tallow do not possess.

Based on these two studies and others, it is recommended that overweight cats be given 250 mg of L-carnitine twice daily.

For dogs, the recommended dosage has a wider range because dogs vary so much in size. Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, states in his book Chow Hounds that the effective dose for dogs ranges from 15 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg twice daily, with the average being about 50 mg/kg twice daily. To simplify: if your dog weighs less than 25 pounds, give him 250 mg twice daily. If he weighs 25 to 50 pounds, give him 500 mg twice daily. If he’s bigger than 50 pounds, give him 500 mg three times daily.

Remember that helping your dog or cat lose weight involves more than giving him supplements. To be effective, weight loss programs take commitment, consistency and a game plan that also includes a high quality portion-controlled diet and regular exercise. However, knowing something about the best supplements to assist with weight loss can vastly improve your game.

 WHITE KIDNEY BEAN EXTRACT

This extract has been found to prevent the breakdown of starch and its absorption by the body. Starch blockers like white kidney bean extract are known to interfere with a specific digestive enzyme, alpha amylase, which breaks down starch into simple sugars. Without the action of alpha amylase, starch cannot be broken down and absorbed into the body.

In a study of 17 overweight or obese dogs that were given starch blocker sprinkled on their meals for nine weeks, 15 (88%) lost an average of 4.61% of their bodyweight. Dogs who weighed less than 50 pounds were given 500 mg of this starch blocker. The authors of the study felt that dogs heavier than 80 pounds should be given 1.5 grams of starch blockers for better results.

 OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FROM FISH OIL

The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have an effect on the mitochondrion, the powerhouse of the cell, which is responsible for generating the body’s heat and energy from digested food materials. It has been found that Omega-3 fatty acids have a direct effect on the part of the mitochondrion that creates heat and energy.

In one study, obese male beagles were divided into two groups that received two different calorie-reduced diets. One group received beef fat (tallow) containing only 0.2% Omega-3 fatty acids. The other group received fish oil with 4.1% Omega3s (EPA/DHA). There was a 2,000% difference in Omega-3 content between the two diets, although each contained the same amount of calories. Both tallow and fish oil are equivalent sources of fat calories, but the group fed the fish oil lost

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animal wellness

Editor’s note Preventing obesity

If your dog or cat is already at a healthy weight, you want to keep him that way. Holly Sher, owner and president of Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Company (EvangersPetFood. com), offers these tips: • “Provide exercise – Regular activity burns calories, strengthens circulatory and respiratory systems, moves oxygen to tissue cells, and maintains muscle tone and joint flexibility.

• “Choose the correct type and quantity of food – Young animals that are active and growing require more energy, minerals and protein than older ones. Older dogs and cats, even if they’re still active, typically require fewer calories than when they were younger.” Always choose a high quality, whole meat-based diet free of fillers, and pay attention to portion control.

• “Regularly monitor his weight – It’s difficult to detect small weight gains. By routinely weighing your dog or cat on the same scale at the same time of day, you’ll notice slight changes before they become a problem.

• “Limit treats – Unhealthy treats are often the biggest offenders.” Again, choose high quality products and know their caloric content.

• “Treat any contributing health conditions – While weight gain is typically due to overfeeding or limited exercise, certain medical conditions can also be a factor. If your cat or dog has an unexplained increase in appetite or weight, consult your veterinarian.”

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With its high content of the Omega-3 fatty acid EPA, Grizzly Pollock Oil offers a very affordable option for dogs with skin issues. Like our salmon oil, it’s sourced from wild, sustainable Alaskan resources. Rotate both for your pet’s optimum health!

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SOCIAL well-being

for dogs

By Candice Lee Jones

[

Companionship and socialization are as VITAL to his QUALITY of life as food, water and shelter.

[

y mother is an animal lover. That’s why she called the cops. After several weeks of listening to her neighbor’s lone dog crying and barking in their backyard every day, she felt she had to do something. Two officers visited the house, took half a minute to assess the situation, then left. One of them later called my mother to report they found nothing amiss.

“But the dog’s back there all day, every day!” she said.

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do. He has food, water and shelter.”

“But he’s alone! He’s obviously upset!”

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animal wellness

“Look, lady, I’m not going to get into a philosophical discussion with you about whether or not animals have feelings, all right?”

My mother calmed down, thanked him for his time, and hung up. She felt defeated. According to Missouri’s laws on animal neglect and abuse, her neighbors were doing everything they had to for their dog.

These laws are similar across the country. All an animal legally needs is adequate care and control. This includes food, clean water, shelter and health care. There is nothing in the books that state an animal should also be offered companionship or opportunities for social bonding.

So what could my mother do? Short of dog-napping, nothing.

Just sit on the back porch and listen to her neighbor’s emotionally and socially neglected dog whine, howl and bark. Even though her neighbors lived up to the legal standards of animal care, it still felt wrong to her.

That’s because it is wrong.

DOGS ARE SOCIAL BEINGS The human-canine bond has been developed and maintained over tens of thousands of years. Dogs have enriched and changed our lives as we have theirs. Through both intentional and unintentional selective breeding over the course of time, we have transformed wild canines into loyal companions. This was only possible because, like people, dogs are highly social creatures who rely on companionship and social bonding for their overall health, well-being and survival. Social bonding is as necessary for their quality of life as food, water and shelter.

Social distress is linked to the pain response (“This hurts!”), place attachment (“I want to go home!”) and thermoregulation (“I need warmth!”). These are related to the need for touch and comfort from the mother/guardian. While some animals are needier than others, all domesticated animals require some form of companionship and healthy social bonding. Otherwise, they can become both mentally and physically unwell.

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL DEPRIVATION Physical: Severe distress due to isolation or lack of social bonding can result in a depression of the immune system, thereby increasing the chance of animal wellness

27

illness. Loneliness can also cause the animal to care for himself less, and that includes a failure to eat or drink properly. Even when provided with food and water, he may not bother with them, and this will lead to weakness and ill health.

Emotional: Dogs also suffer emotional distress when deprived of companionship with people and other animals. This is true for both puppies and adult dogs.

• Since a dog’s attachment to her human family is like that of an animal’s attachment to her mother, she will behave like a puppy without her mother when she’s isolated. That whining you hear from a dog tied alone in the backyard? It’s a distress call. A baby animal makes that noise for her mother to hear so she will return and they can be together again, safe and sound.

• Dogs often experience separation anxiety due to isolation and desertion. Separation anxiety is a condition in which the animal exhibits signs of excessive distress. These signs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, house soiling, excessive vocalization, appetite suppression, and destructive behavior.

The dog may try to escape from his confinement, even if it results in self-injury and damage to his environment (i.e. your or someone else’s property).

• Isolation can cause mental and emotional decline, leading to behavioral issues. This includes what’s called stereotypic behavior (abnormal repetitive behavior). Its main characteristics are that it’s repetitive, invariant (doesn’t change), and seemingly pointless. This behavior includes excessive constant pacing, chewing and licking. It can continue even if the animal is

removed from the distressing environment. For example, I know a rescue pocket Yorkie who had been raised for breeding in a puppy mill. Because of his isolation, confinement, and frustrated energy, he spun in circles over and over and over.

This behavior continues even now, several years after his rescue, because he repetitively spun so often and learned to do so at such a young and impressionable age.

• When a dog is left alone all the time, he doesn’t learn proper social behavior, and this can cause issues such as aggression, fear or other antisocial tendencies, especially when his isolation is compounded by confinement and frustration.

Being a good, responsible animal lover must include being a good companion to him. Depriving a dog (or cat, horse, bird, etc.) of essential social needs is just as bad as depriving him of essential physical needs. Animal abuse and neglect laws should reflect this, but until they do, greater awareness and education will help at least some people wise up and rise to the occasion, with or without laws (see sidebar). To quote Dr. Temple Grandin from her book, Animals in Translation: “All domestic animals need companionship.

It is as much a core requirement as food and water.”

ACTION

tips

Is there someone in your neighborhood who leaves their dog alone in the yard all the time, with no companionship? If so, there’s unfortunately not a lot you can legally do as long as his basic physical needs of food, water and shelter are being properly met.

If the dog looks too thin or is physically ill, doesn’t have adequate shelter, and/or isn’t being given food and clean water on a daily basis, call your local Humane Society or other shelter or rescue and apprise them of the situation. Some organizations have agents who will come out to the property, assess a neglected animal’s condition, and take action as necessary.

Otherwise, if the neighbor is approachable, you might try talking to him/her about it – but be tactful and stay calm. Some people take offense when

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animal wellness

given advice on how to care for their own dogs and may react negatively, especially if you come across as angry or upset. Getting into an argument with someone won’t help. If you stay pleasant and even-tempered, your neighbor may be more open to listening to your concerns, and agree to do something about them.

You can also help educate more people in your area about the canine need for social interaction, love and companionship. Many people simply don’t realize that dogs can feel emotions such as loneliness, anxiety or depression. Writing to policymakers or your local newspaper, volunteering at your local shelter, and informing friends, family and co-workers are all useful ways to raise public awareness of the canine need for companionship.

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fighting

By Carmen Colitz, DVM, PhD, DACVO Obesity is a common disorder in dogs and cats. In 2012, 52.5% of dogs and 58.3% of cats were rated as overweight or obese by veterinarians.

Animals are obese when their weight is more than 30% above the ideal – e.g. if your animal’s ideal weight is 10 lbs and he or she weighs at least 13 lbs (30% of 10 is 3), he or she is obese.

Excessive fat has physical effects on the body: painful joint disease from extra weight-bearing, upper airway restriction (obese animals with flat faces such as Pugs and Persian cats can have greater difficulty breathing), inability to groom the hindquarters, and increased insulation causing reduced heat loss. Fat cats are prone to developing fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis), a serious sometimes fatal condition.

Too much fat may also cause abnormal hormonal function in fat deposits.

Fat is actually an endocrine organ that secretes adipokines (protein modulators). Adipokines regulate immune function, energy homeostasis, vascular development, lipid and glucose metabolism, and hemostasis.

As fat deposits grow abnormally high, they secrete pro-inflammatory adipokines. So obesity can be considered a state of chronic inflammation.

Inflammation is a normal response to infection and disease, however, when it becomes chronic and unrelenting, the body begins to be at risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and cancer, as well as many others.

Daily exercise and a healthy diet in both type of food and amount are paramount for maintaining an ideal weight. In addition, natural supplements that include kidney bean extract (amylase inhibitor that prevents the digestion of dietary carbohydrates and their conversion to glucose), cinnamon (helps regulate blood glucose levels), grapeseed extract (has anti-inflammatory effects and helps in the breakdown of fats), garcinia cambogia (helps suppress appetite and reduces abdominal fat accumulation), and/or green tea extract (helps increase metabolic rate and energy expenditure and has anti-inflammatory properties) may help in the fight against fat!

If you are not sure if your pet is overweight or obese, ask your veterinarian! They are happy to help you and your dog or cat get to their ideal healthy weight.

Dr. Carmen Colitz is a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist with a PhD in Comparative and Experimental Medicine. animal wellness

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pH

COULD HE HAVE A

IM BA

LAN

By Sa

rah G

W

hen your dog or cat is under the weather, the first thing you do is take him to the vet for a checkup. Whatever his symptoms, there are many potential causes, so it’s always important to get a professional assessment.

One of the things you might not take into consideration when trying to determine what’s wrong with your furry friend is his pH levels. Several common diseases that occur in animals can be associated with a pH imbalance.

Areas of the body that may be affected include the digestive and urinary systems, as well as the blood.

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animal wellness

s, DC

CE

H, CP

N

?

D gs Cats

riffith

RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR A pH imbalance can generate a range of symptoms.

Digestive signs can include diarrhea, vomiting, itchy skin and anus, yeast infections and bad breath. Animals with urinary pH imbalance may experience increased thirst and frequency of urination, an urgency to urinate, hematuria (bloody urine) or inappropriate urination.

Hematological pH issues are usually caused by metabolic disease; common symptoms include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, dull coat, dehydration and lethargy. Of course, these symptoms can have

many different causes, but know that a pH imbalance can sometimes be involved.

1. DIGESTIVE IMBALANCE The most common illnesses associated with gastric pH imbalance include dysbiosis (leaky gut), systemic yeast infections, or other chronic infections, food intolerances, and irritable bowel-like symptoms.

Healthy digestive pH: 1-2 during digestion and 4-5 when resting.

Testing: The above signs and symptoms are the best way to determine if there is a pH imbalance in the gut, along with an investigation into any other pH imbalances in the body.

2. URINE IMBALANCE A urine pH imbalance is a common cause of urinary dysfunction, including infections and urolithasis (crystals or stones).

Healthy urine pH: Approximately 6.2 to 6.5.

Testing: A urinalysis can be done at your vet’s office to determine the animal’s urine pH.

3. BLOOD IMBALANCE A pH imbalance of the blood often occurs with underlying metabolic diseases. The most common are acidosis caused by renal failure, and ketoacidosis caused by unregulated diabetes. Other causes include overzealous use of corticosteroids, poisoning and urinary blockages (urolithathis).

Healthy blood pH: Just over 7.

Testing: This can be done at your vet’s office to determine the state of your animal’s glandular function, urine pH and blood pH.

Chronic infections are particularly common with urinary pH imbalance.

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH PH IMBALANCE

Crystals in the urine can occur for several reasons, in any part of the urinary system. Commonly occurring crystals include struvite, cysteine, oxalate and urate. Some are caused by low urine pH, others by high urine pH. A urinalysis will determine the exact mineral formation of the crystals or stones. When uroliths grow to macroscopic sizes, they can interfere with the flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder and from

Urinary tract infections, crystals and stones (urolithasis) – Infections of the urinary tract are usually caused by bacteria such as e coli, staphylcoccus, streptococcus and proteus. These bacteria can thrive if urine pH is not correct. Infections cause the smooth muscle linings of the urethra and bladder to become inflamed and weakened, and can cause permanent damage if left unattended.

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DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR PH HEALTH AND RELATED DISORDERS DIET: The more biologically appropriate the diet, the better your animal’s chances of naturally stabilizing and maintaining pH balance in his body. High quality, freshly prepared foods are a must.

CRANBERRY EXTRACT: It’s high in antioxidants that support immune function, and phytochemicals that may prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. It acidifies urine to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

SUPPLEMENT FOR UROLOGICAL SYNDROME: There are vitamin/ mineral supplements on the market designed for cats or dogs who need assistance generating and maintaining an acidic or alkaline urine pH to promote crystal dissolution. Talk to your vet about which ones might be best for your animal.

VITAMIN C: A powerful antioxidant that boosts immune function and can also inhibit bacterial growth in the urine by making it more acidic.

SUPERGREENS: Kelp, chlorella, spirulina, moringa leaf and olive leaf can help stabilize urinary, digestive and blood pH. They are packed with antioxidants to help fight infection and inflammation in the body. The addition of steamed or juiced green vegetables to the diet is beneficial too.

GLANDULAR SUPPLEMENTS: These are useful for supporting glands that may be functioning incorrectly. There are glandular supplements to support kidney, thyroid, liver, adrenal, pituitary and pancreatic function, all of which can have effects on maintaining a healthy pH. RAW APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Acidifies digestive pH, aids in digestion and provides protection against the overgrowth of yeast.

Discuss all dietary and supplemental changes with a holistic or integrative veterinarian before starting your animal on anything new.

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animal wellness

The more biologically appropriate the diet, the better your animal’s chances of naturally stabilizing and maintaining pH balance in his body. the bladder to the urethra. This can cause irritation and inflammation of the mucosal membranes and may lead to stranguria (slow and painful urination), dysuria (pain), hematuria and acidosis (blood acidity).

Renal disease: Kidney disease generally takes years to develop and has devastating effects, including blood acidosis. Proper hydration, high quality protein sources, and low dietary phosphorus are keys for maintaining animals suffering from kidney dysfunction. Additional treatment will vary greatly based on the animal’s state of renal function, age, breed and diet.

Diabetes: Unregulated diabetes causes a condition called ketoacidosis, which can be determined by blood test. Correcting and stabilizing blood glucose levels is essential to reducing the risks associated with ketoacidosis, which include increased thirst/ urination, lethargy, increased or decreased appetite, vomiting and weight loss.

Yeast infections and dysbiosis: Yeast infections of the gut and other digestive illnesses are often associated with dysbiosis (leaky gut syndrome), a condition of the intestinal tissue in which holes form in the digestive lining, causing an increased risk of bacterial infection and other digestiverelated illness.

Whatever your dog or cat’s health issue, balancing his pH levels can help him. Switching him to an appropriate diet and adding some specific balancing supplements (see sidebar) are important ways to get his pH back on an even keel.

D

On

t o D

Jane watc hes a can ine friend sa one of Do mple t's Wonder Products.

alker rlotte W

By Cha

D

Learn how a canine athlete inspired a company that specializes in nutritional and joint supplements for dogs and cats.

ot the Wonder Dog was an athletic German shorthaired pointer.

Her guardian, Jane Arnold, found that her high energy canine needed more nutrition than commercially available pet foods and supplements, or even home cooking, could provide. So she decided to formulate her own supplement.

“Around 2005, I started looking at pet food ingredients and studying Dot’s needs, then I began blending herbs, supplements, and other ingredients to find a combination that made her young again, that made her eyes and coat shine, and kept her running,” says Jane, who is a trained biologist. She initially created her product for the love of her dog, not as a business, but soon had friends asking about her powdered supplement when they saw how well Dot was doing. “If it was great for Dot, then why not share it with other animals?” Jane says.

Dot’s Wonder Pet Products is based in McKinleyville, California and specializes in nutritional and joint supplements for both dogs and cats. “Our goal is to make each batch with the care we would use for our own animals, to help other animals be their best, and to make a high quality product that is affordable and effective. The supplements provide antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and fiber…to boost energy and immunity and support healthy digestion, coat and eyes.”

Ingredients include flax seed meal, bone meal, kelp, nutritional yeast, vitamin C, spirulina, alfalfa, dandelion leaf, nettle leaf,

astragalus, sea veggie powder, grape seed extract and oats. The product line encompasses a Vitality Formula, a Veggie Vitality Formula (with oats instead of bone meal), and an Arthritis Formula that also contains glucosamine, MSM and pine bark extract (pycnogenol). “[The latter supplement] helps with pain and inflammation and protects the joints from further free radical damage. It aids older and athletic dogs and cats with joint inflammation, arthritis, hip dysplasia.”

Jane also rescues and fosters dogs when and as she can. “I also support spay and neuter non-profits in the local area. And because Dot was a German shorthair, I share shorthair rescue sites to promote the rescue of these wonderful dogs from sad situations.

“Animals have always been important to me, which is why I became a biologist,” Jane adds. “I never grow tired of learning about animals or meeting new animal friends. Creating high quality supplements for other animal lovers is the greatest joy of the business. Hearing stories of someone’s animal going from being unable to walk up steps to bounding up the stairs keeps me motivated and loving what I do.”

The company’s namesake, Dot the Wonder Dog, is gone now, but she’ll never be forgotten. “She gave us her best, so I had to do my best for her,” Jane says, “There is no greater love than that of an animal companion; it motivates me to do all I can for them.” animal wellness

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A history of the

human-canine BON

It’s a WIN-WIN

situation!

By Stanley Coren

To see how far our understanding of the human-canine bond has come, we need to take a trip back to 1908. In January of that year, an article in The New York Times reported on the outcome of a military tribunal concerning one Colonel Deems and his dog Riley.

According to the article, “The Retiring Board in solemn conclave has decided that the Colonel’s fondness for the little fox terrier that had the run of Fort Howard, Baltimore, was not evidence of mental derangement.”

The testimony against the officer was supposed to be quite damning. “It must not be forgotten that Riley jumped right up in the Colonel’s ample lap and kissed him squarely on the mouth,” reported one witness. “Did it scores of times. Once he so far forgot himself as to carry off one of the Colonel’s boots surreptitiously and the post commander had to hobble around his quarters for an hour with one foot bootless while his orderly searched for the No. 10.”

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The tribunal also heard that the Colonel did nothing when his dog acted in “utter disregard of the seriousness of army life” by treating officers and enlisted men in exactly the same way.

Fortunately, despite the so-called evidence, the tribunal concluded that “the dog was merely the target of the affection of a lonely army bachelor”, and sent Colonel Deems back to active duty.

BENEFITS ARE MORE THAN EMOTIONAL Our view of the human-canine bond has clearly changed quite a bit since that hearing over a century ago. We can’t imagine someone’s mental state being called into question simply because he or she showed affection to a dog, or accepted affection from the dog in return. Today, in fact, our view of the human-canine bond has changed to such a degree that we actually look at dogs as a means of promoting both the physical and mental health of the people they live with.

The strength of the human-canine bond has been known for a long time, but scientific evidence about how it works was first published only about 35 years ago, when a psychologist, Alan Beck of Purdue University, and a psychiatrist, Aaron Katcher of the University of Pennsylvania, actually measured what happens physically when a person pets a friendly and familiar dog.

They found that the person’s blood pressure lowered, the heart rate slowed, breathing became more regular and muscle tension relaxed – all signs of reduced stress. A study recently published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine not only confirmed these effects, but showed changes in blood chemistry demonstrating reduced amounts of stress-related hormones. It is interesting to note that these positive psychological effects work a lot faster than many drugs taken for stress, since they occurred only after five to 24 minutes of pleasantly interacting with the dog.

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35

just short term but last well beyond the time that the dog is in the room, and the positive effects build up over time.

In one important study of 5,741 people conducted in Melbourne, Australia, researchers found that dog people had lower levels of blood pressure and cholesterol than those without a dog, even when both groups had the same poor lifestyles involving smoking and high-fat diets.

DOGS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART Dogs can help even if you have started to show evidence of heart problems. In an intriguing study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, researchers followed more than 400 patients after they were released from hospital after having a heart attack. One year later, the patients who had dogs had a significantly higher survival rate than non-dog people. Their guess is that the affectionate bond and social support provided by the dogs was reducing their stress. This was significant, since stress is a major contributor to cardiovascular problems.

KEEPING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AT BAY Of course, stress is not the only problem facing us today.

Up to 25% of people who go to general practitioners do so for depressive and anxiety disorders. Depression is actually considered to be much more disabling, both socially and even in physical functioning, than many chronic physical illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis and back pain.

Although depression can be caused by many factors, one of the most common is simply loneliness. People with inadequate social support can really benefit from the emotional bonds that animals provide. With the weakening of extended family ties, seniors are particularly at risk of becoming lonely, isolated and depressed. In one study, research showed that people 60 years of age or older who lived alone were four times more likely to be diagnosed as clinically depressed than those who lived alone but had a dog. There was also evidence that those with dogs required fewer medical services and felt much more satisfied with their lives.

DOGS ARE A NATURAL “ICEBREAKER” The easy and relaxed relationship most people have with animals also brings another benefit to those living alone. People report that when they are out walking with their dogs, strangers are much more likely to stop and talk with them – mostly because there is a dog to say hello to, and people seem to want that moment of relaxed interaction with an animal. Take the case of Emma Cooper, aged 71, who had been living alone for nearly eight years after her husband died.

“I was out walking Surrey, my cocker spaniel, and this man stopped to give him a pat. He seemed nice and told me he used to have a blonde cocker spaniel just like Surrey. We started to talk about living with dogs and then stopped for a coffee. Well, one thing led to another and Bill and I got marred – once we found a clergyman who was willing to let a dog stand in as the best man!”

Reducing “stockbroker stress” A fascinating study, presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Conference, demonstrated how the addition of a dog to your lifestyle can make a difference. Researchers used a group of male and female stockbrokers, who were already beginning to show the effects of their stressed lifestyles, and who were candidates for medication to lower their blood pressure.

The researchers first evaluated the brokers’ blood pressure under conditions of stress. They did this by producing a situation that might produce the same kinds of stress stockbrokers typically face. The subjects were next given speeded numerical tasks, and asked to role play a situation in which they had to talk their way out of an awkward position. In response to these stressful tasks, the stockbrokers’ average blood pressure shot up to 184/129 (blood pressure of 140/90 is considered high).

Each of the stockbrokers was then prescribed medication, but half also agreed to get a dog. Six months later, the researchers called them back and gave them additional stress tests. The stockbrokers who had acquired a dog were allowed to keep their animals with them when they took their stress tests.

The results were remarkable. The brokers who had the combined therapy (both a dog and medication) showed a rise in stress-related blood pressure that was only half as large as the brokers treated with medication only!

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PRODUCT PICKS Superfoods for your dog

Freeze-dried

freshness

Freeze-drying locks in nutrients and makes pet food extra easy to feed. Stewart® Raw Naturals™ Freeze Dried Patties are made with fresh, human-grade ingredients, including single or limited source proteins, wholesome fruits, and fresh vegetables with added vitamins and minerals. Packed with the optimum level of nutrients for a complete and balanced diet, these patties are convenient, easy to feed, and shelf stable.

No freezer needed!

Superfoods help improve his health and extend his lifespan. Redbarn’s new line of canned patés for dogs are grain-free and feature natural functional ingredients to aid with immune support, weight control, and skin and joint health. They contain superfoods like green-lipped mussels, dandelion greens, brewer’s yeast and salmon oil. There are seven different formulas and protein choices, including lamb, ocean fish, duck and turkey.

Case of 12: $29.88 to $33.48 redbarninc.com

stewartpet.com

Grooming and conditioning

Looking for a way to relieve your dog’s itchy, irritated skin? DERMagic Skin Care for Animals introduces its new Lemongrass Spearmint Skin Rescue Conditioner Bar; it works with their Skin Rescue Shampoo Bar to fight fungal and bacterial skin infections and black skin disease (also called alopecia X). Also new is the Lemongrass & Spearmint Grooming Spritz, a natural fresh-smelling spray that eliminates odor, conditions and brightens coats, promotes shine, and prevents matting.

Conditioning Bar: $11.95 Grooming Spritz: $13.95 DERMagic.com

Gentle

relief

Emotional trauma can lead to all sorts of problems, from depression and aggression to separation anxiety and destructive behavior. BlackWing Farms offers flower essences and homeopathic blends to address a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues in dogs and cats. For example, Beyond Learning helps with training problems; Home Alone alleviates separation anxiety; Brave Balm is for shyness, insecurity and distrust; and Aftermath cleanses the system after stress, strain and trauma. $14 to $28

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blackwingfarms.com animal wellness

Tempt finicky felines

Is your cat picky? Is she tired of the same old fare?

Does she have allergies? Expanding its line of Super Premium Dinners for cats, Evanger’s is celebrating its 80th anniversary with the launch of several new formulas for picky feline palates. Recipes include Rabbit & Quail, Holistic Pheasant, and Duck, all made with premium, USgrown ingredients. These grain-free and gluten-free cat dinners, crafted with exotic proteins, are ideal for allergyprone or finicky felines. $1.79 to $1.99 per can evangerspetfood.com

A healthy Hallowe’en

Give your dog his own Hallowe’en treats! These allnatural, grain-free handmade biscuits from Treat Dreams Dog Bakery are made fresh to order and contain no soy, wheat, corn or preservatives. They’re made with organic garbanzo flour, pumpkin, blackstrap molasses and cinnamon. Garbanzo beans and pumpkin are beneficial to digestive health – making these treats a much healthier and safer option than your kids’ Hallowe’en sweets. $10.00 for the package treatdreamsthedogbakery.com

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er

Photo courtesy of Standard Pacific Homes

m m o a o k r e d ov u M

By Joan Marie Williams

Autumn often brings rainy weather – and that means mucky paws and wet coats. If you could build the perfect mudroom for your canine – what would it look like? Take a peek at these

Photo courtesy of Standard Pacific Homes

BATH TIME MADE easy

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Walk-in showers, with hand-held nozzles positioned within easy reach, and fully tiled walls, make cleanup a breeze.

COZY AND safe

With a built-in bed that simulates a dog den, the days of the family dog claiming a spot under the kitchen table when the weather turns chilly may be waning!

Photo courtesy of Standard Pacific Homes

“dream mudrooms”!

space!

West coast builder Standard PaciďŹ c Homes say that more clients are asking for mudrooms that are practical and beautiful.

Good light, waterfriendly ooring and lots of built-in storage make a bright, happy space for everyone.

everything

Organization is the key to a tidy, functional mudroom, and these stainless steel food and treat canisters look decorative too.

Photo courtesy of Standard Pacific Homes

Photo courtesy of Standard Pacific Homes

GREAT

A PLACE FOR

FAMILY

friendly

Artisan tile in the doggie bath adds a splash of color to this practical, sunny mudroom.

Photos courtesy of Rob Karosis, www.robkarosis.com

This stylish laundry room, designed by Smith and Vansant Architects, also serves as a mudroom for the whole family, including Rudder, the Labrador retriever.

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4 FOUR

TOP

D gs Cats

NUTRIENTS every animal

NEEDS

By Jean Hofve, DVM

Many people, including veterinarians, believe that processed commercial pet foods have all the nutrients dogs and cats need for good health. As they begin to realize that excessive processing destroys nutrients, they may switch to better quality or fresher foods. But even when these diets contain a full complement of vitamins, minerals and other required nutrients, there’s still room for improvement. In fact, no matter what type of food you feed your companion, a few specific supplements will complement and improve his diet.

ONE OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play many roles in the body, but only two fatty acids are considered essential: linoleic acid (LA, an Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, an Omega-3).

All others can, at least theoretically, be produced in the body from those two precursors.

The Omega-3s that get the most buzz are eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). Neither is considered essential, although DHA is needed during growth in puppies and kittens. But the only meat that contains any EPA/DHA (and even then, perhaps not enough) is 100% grass-fed meat.

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All other meat is feedlot finished or grain-raised, and therefore contains virtually zero EPA/DHA. The vast majority of plant-based oils are in the form of Omega-6 fatty acids, which are typically over-supplied in our animals’ diets.

Flaxseeds and a few other seeds and nuts do contain Omega-3 in the form of ALA, which has beneficial effects of its own, particularly on skin and coat health. However, even though ALA is technically a precursor of EPA and DHA, dogs and especially cats have extremely limited capacity for converting it (no more than 1% to 2% for EPA and virtually 0% for DHA after weaning).

Only marine-sourced oils (fish oil, cod liver oil, krill oil, greenlipped mussel oil, and some algae oils) contain the pre-formed EPA and DHA that our carnivorous companions can absorb and utilize.

Dogs and cats must receive EPA and DHA directly.

 EPA is important for cell membrane fluidity, circulation, skin health and immune system function. It has powerful antiinflammatory effects, is helpful for many inflammatory and degenerative conditions, and is specifically beneficial for chronic kidney disease, arthritis, feline asthma, dermatitis and cancer.  DHA is the most abundant fat in the brain, and the main component of myelin. It is crucial for nervous and visual

system development. Research suggests that DHA deficiency may play a role in anxiety, hyperactivity and aggression; supplementation may be helpful in these cases.

Keys to selecting a good Omega-3 product e Look for products made from wild (not farm-raised) fish that are harvested sustainably, or from clean, cultivated mussels or algae. r Cod liver oil should be free of added vitamins A and D, which can reach toxic levels in small animals.

P

t roducts should be independently tested for freshness. y They should be free of toxins such as mercury, PCBs and dioxin, which are widespread in the world’s oceans.

TWO DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

Digestive enzymes break down foods so they can be absorbed and utilized by the body. When food is not properly broken down, larger particles can enter the bloodstream and set off an immune response that may lead to inflammation, allergies, and other chronic health problems. Digestive enzymes also improve digestion, reduce gas, help regulate weight, and in the case of proteolytic enzymes, decrease inflammation throughout the body.

OPT FOR HIGH

QUALITY

Keep in mind that many supplement brands have issues with potency and viability. Supplements are poorly regulated, and overblown (if not downright fraudulent) claims are rampant, especially on the Internet.

Fortunately, reputable companies back up their products with good research. Products bearing the NASC seal have passed rigorous standards and can be relied on.

Normally, the pancreas supplies these needed digestive enzymes, although production slows as animals get older. Raw foods contain many enzymes, including an array of digestive enzymes within cellular lysosomes.

Cooking denatures enzymes. Supplementing digestive enzymes is especially important for animals eating processed commercial pet food (in addition to any enzymes listed on the label). Geriatric animals may also benefit, even if they’re on a raw food diet. Digestive enzymes may also be useful in the treatment of parasites such as giardia, and may prevent the pancreatic hypertrophy that can result from eating a processed diet.

Continued on page 44.

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Continued from page 43.

THREE PROBIOTICS

Probiotics include beneficial bacteria such as L. acidophilus and certain Bifidobacteria, Enterococcus and Streptococcus species.

Probiotics help keep normal gut bacteria balanced and healthy.

The intestinal microbiota is an essential part of overall health.

Constant back-and-forth interaction occurs between the gut bacteria and brain through neural, endocrine, immune and humoral links. A balanced gut ecology has implications for not only physical but also emotional and mental health. It prevents pathogenic bacteria from gaining a foothold; produces B vitamins, vitamin K, and short-chain fatty acids; and supports normal immune system function.

Supplemental probiotics have benefits for allergies, including atopy and food allergies. They are also helpful for animals with any type of digestive problem, including vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, IBD, colitis, and even hairballs.

Probiotics are also essential for animals who are, or have been, taking antibiotics (including natural antimicrobial therapies such as herbs, medicinal mushrooms, colloidal silver, etc.). Continue probiotic supplementation for at least two weeks after treatment.

Keys to selecting a good probiotic product • Look for a supplement containing at least Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.

• There should be a label guarantee of live microorganisms.

• The product should be of sufficient potency (at least 100 million per dose).

• Many products combine digestive enzymes with probiotics, and these can be a good, cost-effective choice, especially for fussy animals who are difficult to supplement.

FOUR ANTIOXIDANTS

The function of antioxidants is to scavenge and neutralize oxygen free radicals. Cells make controlled quantities of free radicals as weapons against viruses, fungi, bacteria and abnormal cells. However, excess unbalanced free radicals create oxidative stress, which can damage normal cells and create chronic inflammation. Processed pet foods are typically high in

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pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids, so supplementing with antioxidants is very important.

Free radical damage is at the root of virtually all degenerative and inflammatory diseases, as well as many we don’t necessarily think of as involving inflammation, such as diabetes, cancer, hypothyroidism, heart disease, and cognitive dysfunction.

By reducing oxidative stress, antioxidants likely have value in disease prevention as well as treatment. However, the mechanisms are complex, and robust scientific proof is still lacking. Nevertheless, antioxidants can universally be considered helpful for most inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.

Keys to selecting a good antioxidant product • It should contain multiple antioxidants, such as vitamin E, carotenoids (e.g. beta carotene and lycopene) and flavonoids (like vitamin C and quercetin).

• Look for a natural or whole food-derived product, rather than one that’s chemically synthesized. Natural products are typically found in l-form as opposed to d- or dl-form; for example, d-alpha tocopheral is a synthetic product.

• Plant and fungal sources may be more bioactive.

• For cats, avoid products containing alpha lipoic acid, due to toxicity concerns.

Incorporating these four supplement categories into your dog or cat’s diet regime, regardless of what food he’s eating, will help ensure optimal overall health.

NOTE

EDITOR’S

Keys to selecting a good digestive enzyme product • Look for one from a plant or fungal source, in order for it to work in the widest range of pH and temperature.

• It should contain, at least: protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase.

For high quality supplements for dogs and cats, check out the following companies: Animal Necessity, animalnecessity.com CocoTherapy, cocotherapy.com Grizzly Pet Products, grizzlypetproducts.com Nature’s Logic, natureslogic.com Nzymes, nzymes.com Ritezyme, ritezyme.com Tru-Pine, Altramed, altramedinc.com/tru-pine-pets.html

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DUST MITES AND ALLERGIES As clean as you think your house is, it’s nevertheless home to dust mites. These microscopic creatures are a fact of life, and although invisible to the naked eye (they’re never more than 0.5mm long) they can spell big trouble for people and animals with allergies.

Dust mites descended from parasites, although they no longer bite us or our animals. However, their cast skins contain powerful allergens. The two most common species are the North American house dust mite and the European house dust mite.

They are related to ticks and spiders, and eat dead skin flakes that people and companion animals shed onto carpets, bedding and furniture. Dust mites prefer warm, humid environments and are most prolific in the summer months.

If your dog is allergic to dust mites, you can take steps to reduce the effects of these tiny creatures in your home. Keep the humidity levels in your house below 55%, and the temperature

no higher than around 70°F. Also try to keep your house as dust-free as possible with frequent cleaning and dusting, and wash and dry your bedding – and your dog’s – once a week in very hot water. Vacuum carpets, upholstery and drapes once or twice a week, and clean bare floor surfaces with a mop as often as possible. Remember to clean under furniture, where “dust bunnies” can quickly accumulate.

There are also products that can help ease your dog’s allergic reaction to dust mites. Studies have shown that regular applications of Sturtevant’s Veterinary Remedy canine formula have proven effective in eliminating the itch and inflammation associated with irritations caused by the allergens found in dust mite skins. Made in the US from all naturally and organically sourced ingredients, this effective multipurpose antiseptic powder is specially formulated to promote the healing of damaged tissue. Its non-irritating formula kills harmful bacteria and creates a dry, clean surface enabling healing to take place.

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HIS

LIVER

By Karen Shaw Becker, DVM

EVEN WITH A NA TURAL LIFEST YLE, ALL

DOGS HAVE TOXINS IN THEIR BODIES.

HELPING THE LIVER DO ITS JOB CAN AID IN CLEANSING HIS SYSTEM.

Fall is a great time for detoxing. Depending on where you live, your dog may have been exposed to an extra-heavy toxic load during the spring and summer, from pest prevention products to herbicides and pesticides sprayed in public spaces.

Even if you care for your dog naturally, you can’t avoid toxins entirely. In addition to seasonal chemicals, dogs are routinely exposed to a mind-boggling list of other everyday toxins, including: • Radiation • Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) • Flame-retardant chemicals sprayed on fabrics, carpets, furniture and upholstery • Bisphenol A (BPA) • Hydrocarbons • Heavy metals • Hormones, antibiotic residues, toxic preservatives, mycotoxins, carcinogenic by-products, and allergenic ingredients found in pet foods • Fluoride, chlorine and other chemicals in unfiltered drinking water • Vaccines, de-wormers, and other veterinary drugs such as antibiotics and steroids.

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The truth is that all dogs are carrying a toxin load and have measurable levels of chemicals in their bodies. They walk though chemicals, sleep on them, breathe them in, and eat and drink them in their food and water. And conventional veterinarians prescribe and inject them on a regular basis.

So if you’re wondering if your own dog is carrying toxins in his body, the answer is yes. The good news is that a regular detoxification protocol can help clear his body of those toxins, and boost his overall health and vitality.

FOCUS ON THE LIVER The liver is the most important detoxification organ. Its cells contain sophisticated mechanisms to break down toxic substances. Every drug, artificial chemical, pesticide and hormone is metabolized by enzymes in the liver cells.

Many chemical toxins that enter your dog’s body are fat soluble, making them difficult to excrete. The body stores them – often for years – in fat tissues and cell membranes.

Some toxins and vaccines can cross the blood/brain barrier and enter the central nervous system.

The liver has two means of converting fat soluble chemicals into water soluble chemicals so they can be removed from the body in watery fluids such as urine and bile.

1

The phase one detoxification pathway transforms toxic chemicals into less harmful substances through various chemical reactions. Enzymes break down substances in a process similar to food digestion. Phase one can't take place without these all-important enzymes, and their performance depends on a number of variables, including nutrients in the diet that either enhance or inhibit the process.

During phase one, free radicals are produced that can damage the liver.

Antioxidants reduce the damage, but if a dog’s exposure to toxins is high and his diet is deficient in antioxidants, toxic chemicals can do far more damage.

2

After the phase one enzymes have metabolized, some of the substances, metabolites (toxic byproducts) remain and must be quickly picked up by the phase two pathway where they will be made safer for the body to use. Phase two is called the conjugation pathway, where liver cells add another substance to the toxins – for example, cysteine, glycine, or a sulphur molecule – to render them less harmful and water soluble so they can be passed from the body.

SUPPORT FOR PHASE ONE – GLUTATHIONE To help your dog’s liver do its work, I recommend a glutathione supplement.

Glutathione is a peptide molecule that must be synthesized from three amino acids, including glycine. It is responsible for removing xenobiotics, the foreign chemical compounds present in every dog’s body as a result of living in a chemical-laden world.

Continued on page 48.

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WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED FROM COAST TO COAST!

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Additional DETOX TIPS

• Improve the quality of your dog's diet. If you are feeding a processed commercial diet, he’s getting a dose of chemical additives, artificial colors and flavors with every bite. Feed him a clean, balanced and species-appropriate diet of fresh non-GMO foods, preferably raw or gently steamed.

• Add naturally detoxifying foods to the diet, including freshly ground turmeric root, asparagus and parsley.

• Provide clean, pure, high quality drinking water. It shouldn't contain fluoride, heavy metals, or other contaminants.

• Improve indoor air quality. Forbid smoking in your home, and use only non-toxic cleaning products.

Avoid synthetic perfumes, air fresheners, plug-ins, or toxic dryer sheets.

• Make sure your dog gets regular exercise. Physical movement promotes regular elimination, which helps remove waste from the body. Exercise also stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, so toxins are moved efficiently to the liver and kidneys for processing.

• Minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and chemicals. Keep your dog away from areas treated with pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Rinse him off more often to remove contaminants from his body.

• Keep veterinary drugs, including vaccines, to a minimum. Don't subject your dog to yearly revaccinations or unnecessary drugs of any kind. Use chemical pest and parasite preventives only when absolutely necessary, and for the minimum time necessary to protect your dog. Look for safe, natural alternatives.

Continued from page 47.

Glycine is an amino acid essential for healthy function of the digestive and nervous systems. It assists in the manufacturing of glutathione and is important for other detoxification mechanisms; for example, it helps rid the body of chlorine found in the public water supply. Glycine also helps rid the body of heavy metals such as antimony, mercury, aluminum, nickel and lead, as well as plastic residues like BPA.

SUPPORT FOR PHASE TWO – TAURINE AND N-ACETYLCYSTEINE To assist in phase two liver detoxification, I recommend taurine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplements.

NAC is a cellular antioxidant that boosts tissue glutathione levels and plays a role in binding heavy metals. It protects against oxidative stress and is a potent free radical scavenger, particularly in the central nervous system. NAC also increases levels of intracellular glutathione.

NATURAL DETOXIFIERS Milk thistle is recommended to help remove reactive oxygen species from your dog’s body. The active ingredient in this herb is silymarin, which stimulates the uptake of glutathione from liver cells. Milk thistle also assists in liver cell regeneration.

Taurine is an antioxidant amino acid that stabilizes cell membranes, particularly the cells of the skeletal muscles, heart, central nervous system, and white blood cells. It also makes the body’s cells more resilient to free radical attack.

Schisandra fruit is included in many TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) formulas because it helps protect the liver against various toxins. The hepatoprotective nature of this fruit assists in keeping healthy cells resilient against the effects of environmental toxins.

Although a minimal level of taurine is included in pet foods, it is easily depleted in stressed dogs, or those with intestinal dysfunction. Taurine plays a very important role in neutralizing toxins produced by dysbiotic bacteria in the gut, and is also very important in the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics.

Curcumin is what gives turmeric its yellow color. This potent antioxidant supports both phases of liver detoxification. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties due to its ability to enhance the body’s detoxification reactions.

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Milk Thistle

Curcumin

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is critical for a detoxification process known as methylation, which rids your dog’s body of excess hormones – in particular, the fight-or-flight hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline.

PC also functions as an antioxidant to protect liver, brain and nervous system cells from damage, and protects the fatty myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers.

Resveratrol is the active ingredient in a plant called Japanese knotweed. Resveratrol is a potent anti-cancer and anti-aging antioxidant, and reduces liver enzyme elevations by decreasing lipid peroxidation in the liver.

Green tea leaf extract contains catechins which dramatically modify cancer-causing molecules that damage cellular DNA. The inactivation and excretion of carcinogens is a big part of keeping your dog’s body cancer-free.

Chlorella functions as a potent heavy metal chelator and GI detoxifier. It binds up the excess toxic metals dogs are exposed to. Chlorella’s tough outer cell wall also binds environmental pollutants in the gut, allowing them to be eliminated efficiently.

Superoxide dismutase, also called SOD, is a potent enzyme responsible for the removal of free radicals from the body. It works by catalyzing the breakdown of superoxide radicals into oxygen and hydrogen. Superoxide radicals are toxic to the living cells of your dog’s body. Removing them is critical so his lymphatic system can work optimally.

Dandelion leaf has superior blood-cleansing benefits. Although it also supports liver and gallbladder detoxification, it’s especially helpful for kidney detoxification, assisting in the removal of blood-borne toxins excreted through the kidneys. Clean blood helps ensure metabolic wastes get efficiently carried away from your dog’s tissues and vital organs.

To determine which herbs and supplements are best for your individual dog, along with dosages, consult with a holistic or integrative veterinarian.

While it may be impossible to shield your dog from every chemical that could do him harm, taking steps to cleanse his body by detoxing his liver gives him extra arsenal against all those toxins.

Dandelion leaf

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Saluting Santiago Photos courtesy of Marina Zalewski

By Ann Brightman

Deaf from birth, this Old English sheepdog has enriched the lives of

thousands of people and animals, and has even inspired a food business.

S

occer fans will recall that Brazil lost to Germany in the World Cup semifinals last year. For diehard fan Marina Zalewski, a Brazilian transplant living in Chicago, the seven-to-one loss was devastating. “My husband Mark knew the one thing that could cheer me up was something I had always wanted – an Old English sheepdog,” she says. “Since I was a little girl, I had been obsessed with getting one, thanks to one of my favorite Brazilian children’s shows, TV Colosso.”

Mark did some research and found an Old English sheepdog pup that needed a home. “Santiago – or Santi for short – had a difficult start in life,” says Marina. “He was born to an older dog who had been suffering from increasingly poor health, and who died along with Santi’s sibling during birth.” Luckily, Santi wasn’t an orphan for long – Marina and Mark fell in love with the fluffy white bundle, adopted him and took him into their homes and hearts.

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Santi's o utg friends w oing nature m akes him herever he goe s.

You might think an apartment on the 36th floor of a Chicago high rise wouldn’t be the best place for an Old English sheepdog, but Santi took to his new environment immediately. “Right from the start, he enjoyed riding in the elevator and making new friends at the dog park right behind our building. He never got spooked by the train, traffic or other city noises.

Everyone remarked on how calm he was, especially for a puppy.”

Thoug hb a full, a orn deaf, Sa n c with sig tive life, and tiago enjoys was tra n lang uage. ined

The reason for Santi’s unusually laidback attitude was revealed during his first vet visit – he was deaf. “It was a shock at first – we felt as if Santi would miss out on so much by not being able to hear, and we were so sad for him.” After doing some research, however, Marina and Mark were relieved to learn that, despite his deafness, Santi would still be perfectly capable of living a happy, active life. “We decided at first not to tell anyone that he was deaf because we wanted people to fall in love with him the way we did, without feeling sorry for him.

Interestingly, Santi’s ability to read people is so good that no one knew he was deaf until months later, when we finally told everyone. I tell people that Santi listens with his heart!”

As Santi grew up, his friendly, calm demeanor and gift for understanding people attracted attention wherever Mark and Marina took him. Because the couple doesn’t have a car, they either walk or bike wherever they go. “We live a very active lifestyle, so Santi was well socialized from a young age – going to grocery stores, restaurant patios and riding in his bike trailer around the city. Everyone loved the little guy so much that we had to allow extra time to go anywhere because people wanted to pet him. Santi enjoyed the attention, shaking his tailless butt like crazy every time he met someone new.” Marina adds that Santi created a “social bridge” between them and their neighbors, helping them make connections and friends everywhere they went. “It was so invigorating. Santi helped us really feel like a part of our neighborhood.”

To help Santi with his training, Marina and Mark enrolled him in puppy school so he could not only learn obedience, but also sign language, since he couldn’t hear verbal cues. “Santi has his own language, a combination of improvised and standard signs that we have animal wellness

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Santi enjoys the attention, shaking his tailless butt like crazy every time he meets someone new.

nic

a ade org homem ! a ts a e s o gie Santiag his veg d loves diet an

documented in a booklet to give anyone who watches Santi for us, including walkers, grooming salons, daycares, friends and family. When we want to get his attention, we touch him twice on the lower end of his back, and when he looks at us we give him the appropriate sign such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘shake’, ‘leave it’, ‘drop’, ‘yes’, ‘no’, etc.”

Santi’s gorgeous good looks can be attributed in part to all the love and attention he gets, but it’s also due to his healthy diet.

“He is crazy into eating well and will do anything for a piece of fruit or veggie,” Marina quips. “We consider him our baby, so we treat his nutrition with the same regard we would our own child.” After a lot of detailed research, the couple was inspired to formulate a homemade organic diet and treats that they not only feed Santi, but are also in the process of marketing under the brand name Santi (santisuperfoods.com). “Santi likes to share his treats with all his buddies and it’s amazing how much they beg for them. They contain superfoods such as kale, acai, chia and spirulina, as well as super-proteins like wagyu beef, yellowfin tuna, and prosciutto.”

followers. “Now when we take Santi around the city, we usually carry stickers with his Facebook information and hand them out to anyone who wants to pet him. People usually get a kick out of the stickers and many ‘like’ him instantly.”

When asked what she loves most about Santi, Marina is naturally effusive. “He is a ball of fluffy instant happiness. You can’t help but smile when you see him – especially when he hops around, and he loves hopping! Santi is genuine and caring and people see that in him. It is incredible how much people are naturally drawn to him and how much he loves making them smile. He has added so much joy to our lives in so many ways. When we brought him home, we had no idea how much he would change our lives. In one short year, he has helped us become more social, more active, more involved with our community.

He has even inspired us to become entrepreneurs. He is one motivational puppy!”

He is a ball of fluffy instant happiness.

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Photos courtesy of Marina Zalewski

Santi also likes to help other animals. “He has been using his cuteness to raise money for charities like PAWS Chicago, which saves homeless animals, and Whole Cities, a Whole Foods Foundation, which helps give everyone access to healthy foods.

He has participated in events for the Anti-Cruelty Society as well.” Not surprisingly, Santi’s appeal has also spread to social media. He has his own Facebook page with more than 150,000

Santi checks ou t his Facebook page!

He has 150,00 0 followers an d counting.

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WARM & FUZZY

fear

Breaking the CYCLE

By Ginger Peters

A

bout 15 years ago, I went to visit an old friend who was in town staying with her daughter. As I walked up their driveway, I was suddenly hit from the right by a 120-pound Rottweiler. He pinned me to the ground and put his teeth around my throat. I thought I was going to die.

After a few seconds, he released his grip, and I heard laughter coming from across the yard. My friend’s husband was training his dog with a shock collar – which I wholly disapprove of – and had just used me as an experiment to see if it worked. Needless to say, the reunion with my friend wasn’t a happy one, and I drove home shaking.

I’ve always loved dogs and have had them most of my life. But after that ordeal, I found myself behaving with extra caution. I was always watching from right to left, and didn’t really enjoy hikes or walks anymore.

Ten years later, my husband and I moved to a rural community near Santa Fe. The area had access to numerous hiking trails, with scrumptious views of northern New Mexico. We decided to get a golden retriever. Our children were grown, and we wanted a happy, pleasant dog that would adapt well to our large family and any future grandchildren. A golden retriever seemed to fit the bill, so Barney joined our household.

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By overcoming her own fears, Ginger helped Barney (left) accept other dogs, including his new "sister" Elly.

Barney was a sweet, sensitive, fun puppy, a bundle of energy who grew up loving hikes. But there was a problem. I was still harboring fear from the attack I had endured a decade ago, although I didn’t realize it at the time. On weekends, when my husband wasn’t working, we would take Barney on hikes. I was fairly calm, but was unconsciously watching – left, right, over my shoulder, in front and behind, to make sure no dog would surprise me. When other dogs approached along the trail, I would make fearful remarks, sometimes grabbing my husband’s arm. All the while, unbeknownst to me, Barney watched, observed and absorbed.

My fear escalated whenever I had to take Barney to the trails alone. Every movement, unusual bird noise or rustling branch tensed me up. My fear showed each time we came face to face with other walkers and their dogs. My body would become almost paralyzed; I would quit breathing and stop cold in the trail until they passed. What I didn’t realize was that every time I did this, Barney was feeling my fear.

When he was about three years old, Barney began showing signs of fear around other dogs. Because I still had not confronted my own fear, however, I didn’t really understand his mounting insecurities. At first, he would just run from strange dogs. Then, he was attacked by another large dog on the trail. When this happened, he changed. He no longer ran from other dogs; instead,

Barney is now a calm and confi dent dog.

This was when I realized, for the first time, that Barney’s problem had developed from my own

extreme fear.

he went on the offensive. He reared up, barked aggressively, and lunged at the other dogs. Of course, this only increased my own fear, because I was afraid Barney would someday anger the wrong dog, and someone would get hurt.

This went on for a year. My husband and I hoped it would pass and that Barney would eventually realize other dogs weren’t trying to hurt him. This was the wrong approach. One day, after Barney aggressively lunged at a very sweet husky, we knew we had to do something. The situation was taking on a “domino effect”: I was becoming more fearful of meeting other dogs and Barney was consequently becoming more fearful too. My fear triggered his, and his fear triggered mine. It was a vicious circle.

I called Barney’s vet the next morning. He immediately put me in touch with an animal behaviorist and trainer.

As soon as our lessons began, the behaviorist saw that Barney was afraid of other dogs – and she also immediately picked up on my own fear. She noticed the tension with which I held the leash, and the way I was always watching over my shoulder. She quickly picked up on the fact that I had unconsciously taught Barney to be afraid.

After discussing what she had observed, I then relayed the story of my attack many years earlier. This was when I truly realized, for the first time, that Barney’s problem had developed from my own extreme fear. It was a real awakening for me.

Barney is making progress as we continue his socialization lessons with other dogs. As for myself, I finally had an expert pull out the fear that had been hiding inside me all these years.

I have become more confident and responsible, and now have the skills to handle unwelcome situations if they occur. Watching Barney transform into the calm and confident dog he should be has been wonderful! animal wellness

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This column features comprehensive articles from our Animal Wellness library.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

Natural

By Katharine Lark Chrisley, NHC, RM

56

animal wellness

It’s easy to take sight for granted – unless something

happens to damage it. Although your dog has a much better sense of hearing and smell than you do, he also relies heavily on vision to navigate the world. That’s why it’s vital to include your dog’s eyes in his wellness program.

Take a close look at your dog’s eyes on a regular basis to check for any sign of a problem. If his eyes are healthy, they’ll have a good, clear “coating” over them. The pupils will be shiny and dark and of equal size. They should constrict with light, and dilate when the light is removed.

Nutrients for

eye health

Herbs*

Vitamins**

Minerals

Mg

Zn

Se RI 0]WM TLER

T 8]V

XS

Amino acids

Homeopathic remedies***

The “sclera” around the eye should be pinkish white. If it’s all white, it signals anemia. Yellow indicates severe liver trouble (jaundice), while a red sclera means possible fever, overexertion or poisoning (with other, severe symptoms). If it’s murky and oddly colored, it shows infection.

Tear discharge should be clear and thin. Any thick, yellow or green discharge could mean an infection. A white, opaque discharge can also signal infection or be a reaction to a blow.

Blood in the eye is an emergency – seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Continued on page 58.

Eyebright

Adding in capsule or powder form to a dog’s daily meal can help prevent cataracts.

Bilberry

Helps with the eye’s ability to focus (aids with night vision).

Hawthorn

Added to moistened meals, it strengthens the circulatory system and keeps capillaries in the eyes from breaking and leaking.

Gotu kola

Heals and strengthens the brain, including the optical centers and receivers.

Blueberry

Good for fluid balance, helping to keep pressures normal in the eyes.

Vitamin A

Used by the body to maintain and rebuild tissues, especially in the eyes, sinuses and throat. Found in fish and fish oils, carrots (I give them raw to my dogs as chew treats), eggs, spinach, alfalfa and other brightly colored vegetables.

Vitamin B2

Essential to eyesight. A deficiency can cause uveitis, which leads to pain and blindness. Found in yeast extracts, lentils, kale and bananas.

Vitamin C

A detoxifier that strengthens capillary walls and helps the body and eyes fight infection. Found in parsley, broccoli and peas.

Magnesium

Supports eye health because it is essential for nerve function; to allow focusing and signals from the eye, nerve endings must “fire” properly. Found in green leafy veggies, apples and bananas.

Zinc

Supports the B vitamins. Essential to eyesight.

Found in seeds, lentils and green vegetables.

Selenium

Maintains tissue elasticity. Essential to eyesight.

Found in pumpkin seeds, whole grains, yeast and kale.

Lysine and tyrptophan

Help prevent cataract formation. Found in meats, healthy oils (fish and flaxseed) and dairy products.

Euphrasia officinalis

Heals runny eyes, mucus in the eye, conjunctivitis, itchy eyes and eyes irritated by sunlight.

Symphytum officinalis

An unequalled remedy for the head and eye.

I use it a lot right after any suspected blow to the head.

Silicea (silica)

A good choice for eye health when there’s a discharge because of possible objects (sand, pollen, etc.) that have not penetrated the surface.

*The herbs listed in this table are all “food” for the eyes. **By feeding your dog a variety of fresh foods, his body can maintain healthy eyes and repair problems through internal tissue support. A holistic health care practitioner can provide dosing guidelines to restore any deficiencies of specific nutrients. ***Most homeopathic remedies are available in pellet or pill form and are of “X” potency (tenths) or “C” potency (hundredths). The C’s are more potent than the X’s. For chronic conditions, use 6X or 6C every two to four hours for two days, then three times daily for three days. In acute conditions, you can use a 30X or 30C remedy every four hours for a total of three doses. In very serious conditions, use the remedy every five to 15 minutes for eight doses, or a 200 potency (from a homeopath) remedy just once.

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Continued from page 57.

Healthy eyesight and protection from injury and infection depend on good nutritional support and preventive measures – see the accompanying table for a list of nutrients that are good for canine eye health. Be sure to talk to a holistic or integrative vet before introducing any new herb, supplement or remedy to your dog’s diet.

ADDITIONAL



t ips

Keep your dog’s environment safe to avoid injuries to his eyes. Look at the world from his viewpoint. Trim and remove low branches in the yard, watch for sharp objects at canine eye level, keep chemicals out of his reach, control dust in the environment and do not use chemical floor and carpet cleaners or pesticides.

 Externally cleansing a dog’s eye can be done with sterile cotton soaked with a clean saline solution – a pinch of pure sea salt in one cup of pure warm water.

e Make soothing drops for irritated eyes using one teaspoon of goldenseal leaf (the

root is too strong!) and one teaspoon of pure rose petals in two cups of water just off the boil. Add a pinch of sea salt to make it isotonic. Steep for 15 minutes, cool and strain very well. This solution will keep in the fridge for seven days.

Always warm the liquid slightly before use.

Preserving your dog’s vision and eye health is easy if you take the right steps.

Regularly check his eyes for potential problems, and take him to the vet promptly if something doesn’t look right. Eliminate potential hazards in and around the house and nourish him with eye-healthy foods and herbs.

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On the right

By Charlotte Walker

Dennis and Christina started making products for horses, but expanded their line to include dogs.

Christina and Dennis Reguli were alarmed when their horse, Gospel Hour, developed severe laminitis following surgery in 1999. After trying every conventional treatment possible, they decided to take an alternative approach in the form of light therapy.

“There wasn't much available at the time, and what was out there was expensive,” says Christina. “So since Dennis is an electrical engineer, we made our own light therapy pad, and it helped Gospel dramatically.”

The couple’s acquaintances were as impressed with the results as they were, and before long, people were asking Christina and Dennis to help with their animals as well. “The light pads became a business,” Christina says. “We officially launched According to ‘Gospel’ Equine Light Therapy in 2004.”

That was just the start. “A veterinarian who worked on our horses also started using our light therapy pads on dogs,” Christina explains.

“She convinced us that dogs need the pads as much as horses. It wasn’t long before we had as many canine clients as equine clients, so in 2007 we launched Canine Light Therapy.”

The company’s easy-to-use light therapy products are US-made, come in three sizes and consist of flexible neoprene pads with LEDs on one side. “They produce intense photonic energy at specific therapeutic wavelengths. We use two LED wavelengths, a visible red and a longer wavelength in the infrared range (light infrared, not heat infrared – there is a difference!)".

This form of light therapy works by helping the body heal itself.

“The light waves are absorbed by the mitochondria of the cells.

The energy (photons) from the lights increases the energy within the cell and speeds up the healing process. The lights must be at specific wavelengths and must be delivered at a specific dosage.

The two work in concert to provide benefits for soft tissue injuries, inflammation, ligament soreness, tendon problems, sore backs, splints, strains, stifle issues, sprains, swelling, shoulder pain, hip pain, sore backs, sore necks, salivary gland problems, wounds, cuts, scrapes, arthritis pain and for trigger points and acupuncture points.”

Christina and Dennis also help rescues whose animal residents are in need of light therapy. “We have been involved with a number of organizations like Farrow Hollow Farms, who take in retired draft horses, and Almost Home rescue for large breed dogs. They often bring in animals who have been severely neglected, and many times our light therapy pads can help them feel better faster.”

Christina says she loves seeing how animals react when receiving light therapy. “The most wonderful experience is to see the softness in their eyes, the exhalation when the pain starts to release. We are in awe when people tell us stories or send us photos of their dogs, cats or horses, and tell us how the light therapy made a difference in their beloved animals’ quality of life.”

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COMMUNICATORS

INTEGRATIVE VETS Affordable Holistic Animal Therapies West Hollywood, CA USA Phone: 323-304-2984 Ballantrae Animal Hospital Margaret Hacking, DVM Stouffville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 640-6809 Website: www.AnimalWellnessCentre.com Beechmount Animal Hospital Waterloo, ON Canada Phone: (519) 888-6590 Website: www.beechmountanhosp.ca Dr. Lisa Burgess Millgrove Veterinary Services Millgrove, ON Canada Phone: (905) 690-4557 Email: service@burgessvet.com Website: www.millgrovevet.com Sharon R. Doolittle, DVM, Inc. Smithfield, RI USA Phone: (401) 349-2668 Email: vetinfo@holisticanimalvet.com Website: www.holisticanimalvet.com

Janice DeFonda Can We Talk Fayetteville, NY USA Phone: (315) 329-0116 Email: angelwhispurr@gmail.com Website: www.angelwhispurr.com

Dr. Autumn Drouin, DVM, ND and Dr. Sasan Haghighat (Hyatt), DVM, CVA North-East Newmarket Veterinary Service Newmarket, ON Canada Phone: (905) 830-1030 Email: holisticveterinarian@gmail.com Website: www.holistic-vet.ca

Shirley Scott Pet Psychic & Clairvoyant Imnaha, OR USA Phone: (541) 577-3051 Email: sscott@shirley-scott.com Website: www.shirley-scott.com

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Individualized, Integrative Veterinary Care • Acupuncture • Chiropractic •Conventional Medicine •Therapeutic Nutrition •Traditional Chinese Medicine Guelph, Ontario, Canada (519)836-2782 www.GuelphVet.com info@GuelphVet.com Harwood Oaks Animal Clinic Bedford, TX USA Phone: 817-354-7676 Website: www.harwoodoaksanimalclinic.com Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital Lacey, WA USA Phone: (360) 459-6556 Email: hawksprairievet@yahoo.com Website: www.hawksprairieveterinaryhospital.com Holistic Animal Care Stephanie Chalmers, DVM, CVH Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 538-4643 Home Vet Weston, CT USA Phone: (203) 222-7979 Website: www.homevet.com Horizon Veterinary Services Susan Maier, DVM Simpsonville, KY USA Phone: (502) 722-8231 Email: horizonvetserv@yahoo.com Website: www.horizonvetserv.com

Lydia Hiby Mysticviz Burbank, CA USA Phone: (818)-244-0091 Website: www.lydiahiby.com Lynn McKenzie Animal Energy Sedona, AZ USA Phone: (512) 827-0505 x 8642 Email: lynn@animalenergy.com Website: www.animalenergy.com

Dr. Caroline Goulard, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP Paws on the Go Laguna Woods, CA USA Phone: (949) 707-1696 Email: cgoulard@pawsonthego.net Website: www.pawsonthego.net

Carrie Hutchinson, VMD Rockledge Veterinary Clinic Rockledge, PA USA Phone: (215) 379-1677 Email: info@rockledgevet.com Website: www.rockledgevet.com

Essex Animal Hospital Essex, ON CAN Phone: (519) 776-7325 Email: info@essexanimalhospital.ca Website: www.essexanimalhospital.ca Family Veterinary Center Haydenville, MA USA Phone: (413) 268-8387 Website: www.famvets.com

Integrated Veterinary Clinic Sacramento, CA USA Phone: 916-454-1825 Gail Jewell, DVM Kelowna, BC Canada Phone: (888) 622-8300 Website: www.holisticvet.ca

communicators • integrative vets • natural products Reiki therapy • schools & wellness education • shelters & rescues

Steven Marsden, DVM Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic Edmonton, AB Canada Phone: 780-436-4944 Dr. Shawn Messonnier Paws and Claws Vet Clinic Plano, TX USA Phone: (972) 712-0893 Email: shawnvet@sbcglobal.net Website: www.pettogethers.net/healthypet Mark Newkirk, VMD Newkirk Family Veterinarians gg Harbor Township, NJ USA Phone: (609) 645-2120 Email: mnewk@alternativevet.com Website: www.alternativevet.com

Amy Pikalek Hikari Natural Healing Madison, WI USA Phone: (608) 886-8778 Email: hikarihealing@yahoo.com Website: www.hikarihealing.com

SCHOOLS & WELLNESS EDUCATION PetMassage, Ltd. Toledo, OH USA Toll Free: (800) 779-1001 Phone: (419) 475-3539 Email: info@petmassage.com Website: www.petmassage.com

Dr. Judy Stolz, DVM, ND Phoenix, AZ USA Phone: (480) 838-9724 Email: drstolz@gmail.com Website: www.drstolz.com

Healing Touch for Animals Highlands Ranch, CO USA Phone: (303) 470-6572 Email: drea@healingtouchforanimals.com Website: www.healingtouchforanimals.com

NATURAL PRODUCT

MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS Azmira Holistic Animal Care Tuscon, AZ USA Phone: (800) 497-5665 Email: info@azmira.com Website: www.azmira.com

NATURAL PRODUCT RETAILERS DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc. Kingston, WA USA Phone: (425) 637-4643 Email: info@DERMagic.com Website: www.DERMagic.net Dog Gone Dirt All Natural Dog & Horse Skin Care Products Crescent City, FL USA Phone: (386) 559-3454 Email: doggonedirt@yahoo.com Website: www.doggonedirt.com

REIKI THERAPY Aileen D’Angelo, RMT, Cn. TPM Hoof, Paw & Claw Reiki Northboro, MA USA Phone: (508) 393-3684 Email: hoofpawclaw@verizon.net Website: www.reikiforcritters.com

Treetops Rocklyn Limited Alliston, ON Canada Toll Free: (866) 919-8733 Phone: (705) 735-6174 Email: info@treetops.on.ca Website: www.treetopsweb.com Well Animal Institute Brighton, CO USA Phone: (303) 514-0076 Email: info@wellanimalinstitute.com Website: www.wellanimalinstitute.com

SHELTERS & RESCUES Alaskan Malamute Mt. Gilead, OH USA Phone: (419) 512-2423 Email: shaman@brightnet.net American Brittany Rescue Sugar Grove, IL USA Phone: (866) BRIT-911 Email: rhonda@americanbrittanyrescue.org Website: www.americanbrittanyrescue.org

Boston Terrier Club of America PA USA Phone: (724) 883-4732 Email: btcaresc@greenepa.net California Coastal Horse Rescue Ojai, CA USA Phone: (805) 649-1090 Website: www.calcoastalhorserescue.com Columbia-Willamette Beagle Rescue Portland, OR USA Phone: (503) 243-4619 Golden Retriever Club of Greater LA Rescue Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: (818) 700-5200 Email: hurd@pacbell.net Website: www.grcglarescue.org Grey2K USA Somerville, MA USA Toll Free: (866) 2-GREY2K Phone: (617) 666-3526 Email: christine@grey2kusa.org Website: www.grey2kusa.org Greyhound Rescue & Rehabilitation Cross River, NY USA Phone: (914) 763-2221 Email: greytest1@aol.com New England Brittany Rescue Perkasie, PA USA Phone: (781) 275-0630 Website: www.nebr.petfinder.org Pets & People Homefinders Culver City, CA USA Phone: (310) 398-6683 Email: jc@pets-people.com Website: www.pets-people.com Rocky Mountain Rescue Ranch Walla Walla, WA USA Phone: (509) 526-5020 Email: Shirley@AnimalTalkHealing.com Website: www.animalrescueranch.com

Animal Avengers Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: (323) 655-4220 Email: admin@animalavengers.com Website: www.animalavengers.com Animal Rescue of the Rockies Breckenridge, CO USA Phone: (970) 389-8324 Email: arrcolorado@gmail.com Website: www.animalrescueoftherockies.org

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide

1-866-764-1212

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BOOST ACUPRESSURE his immunity with

Your dog's

immune system is everything. His health depends on how well it protects him from all sorts of pathogens and toxins lurking in the environment, in food, and even in your house. Any breakdown in this system means his health can easily be compromised.

The immune system has a huge job to do. Your dog is constantly being bombarded with allergens and toxins from plants, bugs, fertilizers, and household chemicals. Trips to the dog park or doggie daycare expose him to bacterial and viral pathogens.

When his immune system is strong – great, no problem, he stays healthy. In fact, a moderate level of daily exposure to allergycausing irritants and other pathogens can actually make his immune system stronger. Your dog’s natural resistance builds when challenged by exposure to pathogens.

Health issues arise when the dog’s body is not able to resist pathogens because his immune system is weak. Allergies, respiratory problems, digestive issues, inflammation, and other immuno-mediated diseases are all due to a compromised immune system, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

TCM IS ALL ABOUT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM In TCM, every health issue goes back to the body’s ability to resist external pathogens and maintain internal balance. The key word here is “balance”. Health is maintained when chi (also seen as qi), the essential life-promoting force, flows in a harmoniously balanced fashion throughout the body. Any disruption to the smooth and balanced flow of both chi and blood interrupts the balance of the body.

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By Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis

When there’s an imbalance of chi and blood, the health of the animal is compromised. Chi is unable to vitalize the body, and blood can’t moisten and nourish it. This, in turn, leads to an inability of the internal organs to function properly. A domino effect occurs in which the immune system becomes weakened and your dog becomes vulnerable to pathogens.

Chinese medicine practitioners focus on restoring and supporting a balanced, harmonious flow of chi and blood. Chi and blood flow along energetic pathways, or meridians, throughout the dog’s body.

Along these meridians are pools of energy called “acupoints”.

We can influence the flow of chi and blood by stimulating specific acupoints.

For instance, the Lung is responsible for creating and dispersing Protective or Defensive chi, also called Wei chi. Protective chi is immune system chi and defends the dog from external pathogens, such as Cold or Heat, that can enter the body and disrupt the balanced flow of chi and blood. We can select certain acupoints, known after thousands of years of clinical observation, that enhance the Lung’s capacity to perform its role in strengthening the immune system.

IMMUNE STRENGTHENING ACUPRESSURE SESSION The only difference between acupressure and acupuncture is that in acupressure you don’t use needles to stimulate acupoints; you can use your thumb or index finger. By following the accompanying acupressure chart for Immune System Strengthening, you can

4

Stomach 36 (St 36), Zu San Li, Leg Three Miles – St 36 also has a tremendous number of properties and is the goto acupoint for metabolic issues as well as enhancing Lung function and Protective chi.

Left: The Thumb Technique works best on larger dogs and on the trunks and necks of medium-sized dogs. Gently place the soft tip of your thumb on the acupoint, count to 20 very slowly, then move to the next point.

Right: The Two-Finger Technique is a good choice when working on small dogs or the lower extremities on medium to large dogs. Place your middle finger on top of your index finger to create a little tent; lightly put the soft tip of your index finger on the acupoint and slowly count to 20.

These four acupoints are powerful allies for making sure your dog’s immune system is up to the job of protecting him from illness. Regular acupressure sessions, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, mean you can relax and enjoy yourself when you’re out and about with your dog, because you know his body is strong and healthy.

support your dog’s health, help him maintain a balanced flow of chi and blood, and benefit his immune system.

Each of the four acupoints selected for this session are commonly used to boost the immune system. Remember to stimulate these points on both sides of your dog’s body.

1 2 3

Lung 7 (Lu 7), Lie Que, Broken Sequence – Regulates and supports Lung function, enhancing Protective Wei chi in benefiting the immune system.

Large Intestine 4 (LI 4), He Gu, Adjoining Valley – This point is known to directly boost the function of Protective chi.

Large Intestine 11 (LI 11), Qu Chi, Pond in the Curve – LI 11 has many energetic properties; one is to benefit immunostimulation by energetically building Protective Wei chi while also clearing the Lungs of excess fluids.

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The

POWER of pumpkin

D gs Cats

Share the health benefits of this favorite seasonal food with your four-legged friend.

By Audi Donamor

Spicy pies and jack o’lanterns…this time of year, these are

the images pumpkins conjure up. But this fat orange vegetable is more than just a Thanksgiving and Halloween staple. It’s actually one of the world’s healthiest foods – both for us and our companion animals.

Pumpkin has a colorful history, dating all the way back to the Aztec civilization of 1300 to 1500 AD. Throughout the ages, many cultures – including Native American, Eastern European, Mediterranean and Indian – have prized pumpkin as both a dietary staple and for its medicinal properties.

HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, pumpkin has a Cooling nature. It helps relieve Damp conditions, including dysentery, eczema and edema. Pumpkin supports the spleen and the pancreas. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes the discharge of mucus from the lungs, bronchi and throat.

Pumpkin is great for diarrhea – and amazingly, it’s just as good for constipation. There are seven grams of soluble fiber in each cup of pumpkin. It helps coat and soothe irritated gastrointestinal systems, and is an excellent source of potassium, which is so critical when valuable electrolytes are lost due to diarrhea.

Pumpkin is packed with many other nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, C, E, K, calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin and thiamin – and, from the rich bright orange colour, beta carotene.

SEEDS, EXTRACT AND OIL Pumpkin seeds also are mini-powerhouses of nutrition.

They are a valuable source of zinc, which is concentrated in the very thin layer found underneath the shell, called the endosperm envelope. Pumpkin seeds also contain vitamin E, including alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, alphatocomonoenol and gamma-tocomonoenol, as well as manganese, phenolic antioxidants and antioxidant phytonutrients like lignans, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and iron.

Pumpkin seeds, extract and oil, have been found to have anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. Cooked pumpkin is a good remedy for intestinal worms, though the seeds have been found to be more effective than the flesh. Pumpkin seeds are not commonly allergenic, and do not contain measurable levels of oxalates.

Continued on page 66.

64

animal wellness

kin seeds Lightly roasted pump

y can be c, raw pumpkin seeds. The Purchase certified organi up to for tor tainer in the refrigera stored in an airtight con kin mp pu ce Pla n to 175°F degrees. two months. Preheat ove s. ute min 20 to et and bake for 15 seeds on a cookie she g. vin ser e for r animal’s food be Cool, then sprinkle on you

Pumpkin coconut spice “pup-scotti”

INGREDIENTS 4 cups organic stone ground spelt flour, or other whole flour of your choice 1 cup organic, raw, gluten-free coconut flour 1 tablespoon Saigon cinnamon 1 can (398 ml) organic pumpkin pureé – try to choose a non-GMO product, with a BPA-free liner 2 cups water buffalo yogurt or other Balkan-style yogurt of your choice, e.g. goat yogurt INSTRUCTIONS Try to choose organic ingredients whenever possib le.

Cover cookie sheet with parchment paper and prehea t oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Turn out on a lightly floured board or counter. Knead gently. Divide the dough into small pieces, and roll out to the thickness of a big crayon. Cut on the diagonal and spread out on the cookie sheet.

Bake 30 minutes, then turn oven down to 250°F and bake for another hour. Remove cookie sheet from oven and cool completely. Store in an open container or cookie jar.

This recipe can easily be halved, and extra dough stored in the freezer for future use.

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Pumpkin Power

INSTRUCTIONS ssible. Baste a 9”x12” redients whenever po ing c ani org se oo TS Ch INGREDIEN Preheat oven to 350°F. combination h first-pressed olive oil. ice, e.g. oat, spelt, or a wit n cho r pa g you kin of r ba ou ex fl Pyr ole 6 cups wh ours a, hemp, chia or teff fl n that may include quino ose a nonor mixer. Spoon into pa kin pureé – try to cho ients in a food processor mp red pu ing ic all an ine of org ) mb ter ml Co 8 into the cen 1 can (39 until a toothpick inserted BPA-free liner and bake 40 minutes, or of serving. Store in GMO product, with a rt e gu for yo be y er tel oth milk yogurt or clean. Cool comple t at ou go es of r com e ine cak nta the co 650 gram in the fridge) or freezer. ys fresh up to two weeks (sta tor era rig e ref oic the ch your honey o be prepared as miniwild Brazilian jungle raw ily halved, and it can als eas like y, be ne can ho c ipe oti rec ex is Th on 1 tablespo minutes. e for mini-muffins is 15 ur choice muffins. The baking tim or a local honey of yo r ten-free coconut flou ½ cup organic, raw, glu combine the following ative to this recipe, ern alt s raw a art a r he Fo mp ½ cup he at left, and serve as antities from the list qu er in wd ts po g ien kin red ba ing on ¼ teaspo als: a topper to regular me 1 teaspoon baking sod ½ teaspoon ginger Saigon cinnamon Goat yogurt ½ teaspoon turmeric Hemp hearts namon Pumpkin pureé 2 teaspoons Saigon cin Honey Coconut flour for er, 1 teaspoon sea salt wd po sh fi Sea salt s liver powder or dried Ginger ed fish 2 heaping tablespoon + Liver powder or dri c n eri mo rm sal Tu , example anic garlic powder e baking: sprinkle of org Optional garnish befor catnip and rubbed oregano or

Simply good pumpkin cake

INGREDIENTS 1 cup whole flour of you r choice ¼ teaspoon baking powd er 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnam on 2 whole eggs ½ cup first-pressed oil, e.g . olive, camelina ¼ cup filtered water 1 cup pumpkin pureé ½ cup hemp hearts* INSTRUCTIONS Use organic ingredients whenever possible. Lightly grease a small Pyrex or pan with oil from the ½ cup cake in the recipe. Preheat ove n to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blende r. Spoon batter into pan and for 45 minutes, or until a too bake thpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clea Cool completely before ser n. ving. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

*In place of hemp hearts,

liver powder or dried fish

can also be used.

Continued from page 64.

Preliminary studies have demonstrated that pumpkin seed extract and pumpkin seed oil improve insulin regulation in diabetic animals, and support kidney function. A decrease in oxidative stress was also observed.

By incorporating pumpkin into your recipes, you can harness the power of pumpkin for your dog or cat!

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animal wellness

67

DENTAL TREATS

By Ramona D. Marek, Ms Ed

They’re an easy way to keep his teeth clean – but make sure you’re buying safe and healthy products.

Good dental health is a vital part of your dog’s well-being.

Periodontal disease is very painful, and will negatively impact his health on many levels. It can affect his ability to eat and enjoy food, leading to weight loss or digestive issues, and can also cause dangerous infections, not just in the oral cavity but in organs like the heart and kidneys. The constant discomfort of a sore mouth can also profoundly affect a dog’s behavior and lead to depression, lethargy and irritability.

A fresh, healthy meat-based diet and regular veterinary checkups and cleanings are two important ways to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Many veterinarians also recommend daily home brushing, and/or the use of no-brush dental products. Good quality dental treats should also be part of the regime.

“Dental treats are a fairly easy way for people to help care for their animals’ teeth,” says veterinarian Dr. Elisa Katz. “They are much easier than brushing as long as the animal accepts them.”

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Today’s market offers a plethora of dental treats – but many aren’t good choices. In fact, a large number of commercial products provide few to no benefits, contain questionable ingredients, or are downright unsafe. Just because something is chewy, hard or crunchy doesn’t mean it’s good for cleaning your dog’s teeth. We don’t clean our own teeth by snacking on crispy chips, crackers or hard candies, because we know these treats are ineffective and loaded with ingredients that actually promote tooth decay.

When choosing a dental treat for your dog, stick to quality products and learn to read labels. It’s just as important to know what isn’t in a dental treat as what’s in it. Also be sure to look for the product’s country of origin and where it’s made.

QUALITY

DENTAL TREAT SOURCES Nature’s Logic, natureslogic.com OregaPet, oregapet.com US Wellness Meats, grasslandbeef.com Wapiti Labs, wapitilabsinc.com Zukes, zukes.com

Using these guidelines, let’s first look at what to avoid in dental treats. This will eliminate a large number of common products and make your final selection easier.

STEER CLEAR OF THESE • Don’t buy any products containing artificial ingredients, colors or chemical preservatives. “Certain preservatives like BHA and BHT have been linked to cancer,” says Dr. Katz. “Artificial ingredients are not recognized by the body as food and may cause digestive upset or other problems.”

• “Avoid rawhide treats, as they can cause intestinal blockage and contain toxic chemicals from their processing,” says Scott Freeman, creator and founder of Nature’s Logic. “Treats made

animal wellness

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or sourced in China should also be avoided due to the history of questionable products coming from that region.” Scott adds that it’s not a good idea to purchase treats made with added synthetic vitamins and minerals, since a dog may end up ingesting toohigh levels of a particular nutrient, and that can be toxic.

• “‘Filler’ ingredients, such as simple carbohydrates like corn or wheat, should be avoided,” says Krissy Ailara of Wapiti Labs.

“Carbohydrates are turned into sugar by a dog’s (or person’s) body and leads to cavities, bad breath and inflammation.”

• John Wood, CEO and founding member of US Wellness Meats cautions against treats made from GMO ingredients since these can affect GI as well as oral health. “The herbicide used in GMOs is a very dense phosphorus molecule that renders a good bit of the immune response generated in the GI tract impotent,” he says.

LOOK FOR SIMPLE, NATURAL INGREDIENTS Once you’ve weeded out the unhealthy products and ingredients, the next step is to determine what a high quality dental treat should be made of. The answer is easy – it should contain simple, wholesome, natural ingredients, and have some texture that contacts the teeth.

• “High quality dental treats should be low in calories and have ingredients you can pronounce,” says Aliara. “Simple ingredients

are key. For example, our antler chews are just one ingredient, washed with well water and sanded down to remove sharp edges. Because the antlers are porous, they act like a toothbrush and get into tight spots in the back of the mouth.”

• “A good dental treat should be made some form of all-natural animal part such as bone, tendon material or antler made and sourced in the US (or other countries with safe food sourcing and production practices), with no additives preservatives or artificial coloring,” adds Scott. “It is always recommended that you supervise your dog’s chewing and remove bones if any splintering occurs.”

• “Grass-fed meat and raw bones would be a wise choice,” John says. “In the wild, canines knew the importance of bone marrow and the value of gnawing on bone to sharpen and clean teeth. There is an inherent wisdom stored in the DNA code of many canine breeds.”

• Oil of oregano is a natural antibiotic that can aid in destroying the bacteria leading to dental plaque, gingivitis and periodontitis. OregaPet makes dental health treats containing oil of oregano to help kill this bacteria.

By following a protocol that combines an appropriate diet with at-home dental care and regular professional cleanings – plus high quality, natural dental treats – your dog should soon have clean, healthy teeth and gums.

WHAT DOES YOUR DOG LIKE?

When choosing a dental treat for your dog, also take into account his size, preferences and zeal for chewing. A “power chewer” would likely benefit from a treat that is firmer than average. For dogs that wolf down treats, choose a larger sized product that will force him to chew; otherwise the treat is ineffective, and in a worst case scenario, he could choke on the inhaled treat or experience a GI blockage. Small dogs, meanwhile, might have a tough time getting their jaws around a large bone. You want dental treats that are enjoyable and easy for your dog to chew, as well as being healthy and safe.

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THE SCOOP COVER YOUR KITTY

If your cat has undergone surgery or has allergic irritated skin that he won’t leave alone, you don’t need an e-collar. Cover Me by Tui has a new product just for cats. Just adjust it in the chest and/or the tummy area for the perfect fit. No worries about litter box use either – these are made specifically for the feline anatomy. tulanescloset.com

A FRESH LOOK

Animal Care & Control of NYC, the only open-admissions animal welfare organization in New York City, recently changed its name to Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). As part of the rebranding, ACC teamed up with awardwinning animal photographer Sophie Gamand to launch a city-wide awareness campaign featuring animals from the shelter. nycacc.org

WILD AND SIMPLE

Sojos has launched a new freeze-dried treat line called Simply Wild. The all-meat treats are available in free-range venison, wild boar, or wild-caught salmon. These bite-sized raw treats are packed in 2.5-ounce re-sealable pouches, and contain no fillers, preservatives, artificial colors or ingredients from China. sojos.com

LEARN ABOUT MICROCURRENT

Microcurrent for Dogs, written by Deborah Powell of Matrix Therapy Products Corp., introduces you to alternative care modalities such as microcurrent, light and infrasound therapies. Background information, step-by-step instructions and details on each therapy’s benefits and applications are included. therapyproducts.net

NUTRITION MADE EASY

WellyTails’ WellyChef is a blend of highly nutritious dehydrated vegetables, fruits, green lentils, chia seed and Atlantic sea kelp granules that makes it very easy for dog parents to serve their companions a complete and balanced meal. Just add water, essential oils and one pound of fresh lean ground meat. wellytails.com

NEW WHOLE FOOD RECIPE

Brave™ is a brand new recipe from The Honest Kitchen for puppies and adult dogs.

It’s grain-free and potato-free, and made with just six whole food ingredients (Marine Stewardship Council Certified pollock, organic coconut, chickpeas, celery, pumpkin and spinach), plus vitamins and minerals. thehonestkitchen.com/brave

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Advertorial

Healthy When it comes to choosing treats for your dog, it’s important to make sure you’re giving him something that’s healthy and nutritious, as well as tasty. Most commercial treats are little more than junk food for dogs. They might smell, taste and look delicious, but they lack nutritional value.

Most treats on shelves usually contain artificial flavorings, colors, preservatives, fillers and other chemicals; they can even be harmful to your companion’s well-being. Some of these additives may contribute to skin allergies, while the preservatives BHA and BHT can be carcinogenic. And fillers can be difficult to digest.

Shopping for quality dog treats takes some extra time and effort, but it’s worth it because you’ll know your best friend is eating something that’s not going to hurt his health. It means learning to read labels and knowing what to look for and what to avoid. If you can’t find the answers you want by reading a package, don’t be afraid to contact the manufacturer and ask – many companies have a customer service or public relations department that can address your concerns.

Here’s a checklist of advantages that natural and nutritious dog treats have over the commercial kind: • A good quality treat should be made with a real, named protein source, such as chicken, turkey, salmon, etc. This named protein should be the first item on the ingredient list.

Avoid products that list vague ingredients like “poultry meal”, “meat meal” or “by-products".

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• Labels should be clean and simple with easy-to-identify, allnatural ingredients. The treats should be free of any fillers, by-products, wheat, corn, soy, and artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. If the label includes a long list of difficult-topronounce ingredients, put the product back on the shelf.

• It should contain a high quality protein source. Not all proteins are created equally. The protein in dog treats can be supplied by animal sources, plant sources, or a combination of the two.

Proteins are the basic building blocks for cells, tissues, organs, enzymes, hormones and antibodies, and are essential for a dog’s growth, maintenance, repair and energy. The protein in a premium dog treat should come from 100% animal sources.

Among the premium quality products on today’s market are allnatural dog treats from VitaLife. These treats are handcrafted with wholesome, real, human-grade chicken breast fillet or duck breast fillet. Made with only one or two ingredients, these premium treats do not contain any added wheat, corn, soy, glycerin, salt or gluten.

By selecting high quality products like these for your dog, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that whenever you are rewarding him with a tasty treat, you’re also rewarding him with good health and nutrition.

PASSAGES

Bailey’s

pawprint

By Luise Bolleber

“I’ll never see him again, will I?” I asked the vet on the phone.

“It’s better that way,” he said. I could remember him as he was rather than see his lifeless body. The vet also arranged to have his body picked up by a pet cremation service so I didn’t have to do anything more except begin the grieving process.

Fourteen years. That’s how long I thought Bailey would be with me.

“How long do standard poodles live?” people often asked me. I told them I didn’t know. But Baily met my expectations when his 14th birthday passed and we were still going on walks together.

About three weeks later, however, he accidentally drank from a pond of toxic algae water. He died the next day. Given Bailey’s age, I had already begun to prepare myself for what I knew would soon be coming. I figured I would have to face the awful decision to euthanize my friend, the way most dog guardians must. But as it turned out, Bailey made the decision for me. This did not make it any easier, but at least I didn’t have to choose the day of his departure.

Sadly, I wasn’t with him when he passed. When we went to the vet after he got sick, he had to be carried in on a stretcher.

Hoping they’d be able to do something for him, I left him there and returned home to wait for news. While I sat on my couch praying, Bailey died on a metal examining table, the vet’s heroic measures to revive him having been futile.

As any dog lover will understand, my sadness was profound. I needed two days to process the loss before I could face going back to work. How strange it was to look in the rearview mirror of my car and not see his big, fluffy head in the backseat. How quiet and empty my house was.

Mystified, but also feeling a laugh rising in

my throat, I clutched my prize and hurried back to the car to show my friend.

After two weeks, the cremation service notified me they had delivered Bailey’s remains to the vet’s office. I made the incredibly mournful drive there alone, remembering the previous frantic trip I’d made in an effort to save him.

I stood at the reception desk while the vet tech went to get the ashes. When she returned carrying a small paper bag, I gasped.

There was my Bailey, reduced to the contents of a bag. I burst into tears. The tech tried to comfort me with a hug, but all I animal wellness

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wanted was to leave and be alone. I paid the bill and returned to the car where I examined the contents of the bag.

They had placed Bailey’s ashes in a decorative wooden box. They had also made an imprint of his paw in a round of plaster. On the one hand it seemed a thoughtful gesture, preserving his pawprint for posterity. On the other, I was mildly disturbed. Instead of comforting me, Bailey’s pawprint refreshed my grief.

I placed the wooden box on my mantel with the intention of scattering Bailey’s ashes as soon as I could. But months later, the box was still there. I simply hadn’t had the heart to perform this task. The plaster pawprint migrated around my house. It was on my dresser drawer awhile. Then it moved to the kitchen, then to a shelf in the garage.

Every time I looked at it, I felt a tug at my heart. There was something about it that I couldn’t quite digest, like a lump in my throat that wouldn’t go away. So I decided to get rid of it.

I went to a riverside trail where Bailey and I had walked many times. I kissed the pawprint, said a short prayer, and tossed it in the river where it sailed gently away. It seemed like the right thing to do, and I left feeling at peace.

A week later, a friend and I had dinner at a restaurant downriver from the hiking trail. After we ate, I decided to take a short walk before leaving. My friend declined to join me and waited in the car while I took a quick stroll.

I was walking on the grounds of a small office building when I spied a white object in the middle of the lawn. I walked over to it. I couldn’t believe it. It was Bailey’s pawprint! I picked it up and examined it. It had some pieces of dirt lodged in it but otherwise it was intact. How did it get there? The river was at least 20 feet away. Mystified, but also feeling a laugh rising in my throat, I clutched my prize and hurried back to the car to show my friend.

There are times in life when you wonder at the sequence of events, what led you to a certain point. If I hadn’t suggested to my friend that we go to that particular restaurant, if I hadn’t decided to go for a walk, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon the plaster pawprint.

Don’t forget about me, Bailey seemed to whisper when I found it.

I’m still here. I decided to keep the pawprint in my car.

I’ve since adopted another dog, another standard poodle, a new fluffy head that fills my rearview mirror. Now the three of us drive everywhere together. I still don’t know when (or if) I’ll disperse Bailey’s ashes, but for now the physical reminders of my beloved pup will stay, along with the sweet memories, proof that I did indeed share 14 years with a wonderful canine companion.

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To the Rescue Happy Valley-Goose Bay SPCA

Ho pe

Rescue code: AWA111

Happy Valley-Goose Bay SPCA has been busy fundraising for their new shelter to support dogs and cats in the area.

Hope (above) is just one amazing rescue who now lives with a great family.

Location: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Year Established: 2000 Number of Staff/Volunteers/Foster Homes: “We have two fulltime staff, one part-time, and a summer student each year,“ says Bonnie Learning, Vice President. “We have a volunteer board of 15 and a four-person executive team.” They also have about ten regular foster homes, and ten occasional foster homes, which are both mainly for dogs and puppies. There are presently only two cat foster homes, as the area is more dog-oriented. There are also many wonderful volunteers who help out with their fundraisers, selling tickets, and more.

Types of animal they work with: Dogs and cats. Although they have also helped re-home bunnies and even snakes through foster homes.

Fundraising projects: The main fundraising projects over the last two years have been for their new shelter. “We are hoping to move in this fall, as we are almost done!” They fundraise through ticket sales (cash draws), online Facebook Auctions every spring and fall for the last three years, their annual Walk for the Animals every October, and their Annual Fall Fair. They also get private and corporate donations throughout the year.

Favourite rescue story: “While we can’t say we have just one favourite rescue story, Hope’s story is certainly one that has stuck out in our minds over the last few years.

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“Hope’s story began in the early fall of 2009. She had been brought to our attention by a kind woman who worked on the First Nations reserve of Sheshatshiu in central Labrador, a halfhour away from our shelter in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The woman told us this dog had been hanging around a construction site all that spring and summer.

“Hope was under two years old at the time, and was found to be in poor health – she was skinny, malnourished, and we realized immediately there was something wrong with her left hind leg.

Upon examination by the local veterinarian, it was found her entire left hind paw was actually missing, most likely due to a deliberate act with a sharp object, such as an axe. The vet also determined that at some point, Hope had been stabbed through the ribs.

“But despite all she had been through, Hope was a very sweet, friendly dog – and she was also a mother. Three of five puppies she had been spotted with were recovered and eventually adopted out by our friends at Litters n Critters Animal Rescue, based in Halifax.

“Hope also found a new beginning. Due to the time of year, she was unable to fly in cargo via the only direct flight from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Halifax. But a great family from Happy ValleyGoose Bay heard about her and was so moved by her story – and the fact she looked like a dog they'd owned who had passed away – they couldn’t help but welcome Hope into their hearts and home, where she continues to be spoiled rotten to this day.”

hvgbspca.com

Animal Wellness has supported rescue efforts for almost 15 years and is a proud partner of Best Friends Animal Society. This column honors the work of shelters and rescues across North America.

For their full stories, visit www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

CANADA

DINO Rescue Calgary, AB Rescue Code: AWA203 www.dinorescue.com Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund Calgary, AB Rescue Code: AWA138 www.smilingblueskies.com Pilots and Paws Canada Vancouver, BC Rescue Code: AWA112 www.pilotsnpawscanada.com NWT SPCA Yellowknife, NT Rescue Code: AWA005 www.nwtspca.com Boxer Rescue Ontario Oakville, ON Rescue Code: AWA217 www.boxerrescueontario.com Canadian Dachshund Rescue Hamilton, ON Rescue Code: AWA226 www.wienerdogrescue.com Guelph Humane Society Guelph, ON Rescue Code: AWA218 www.guelphhumane.ca Helping Homeless Pets Markham, ON Rescue Code: AWA024 www.helpinghomelesspets.com Peterborough Humane Society Peterborough, ON Rescue Code: AWA151 www.PeterboroughHumaneSociety.ca Westies In Need Tottenham, ON Rescue Code: AWA039 www.westiesinneed.com

USA

Rocky Ridge Refuge Midway, AR Rescue Code: AWA089 www.RockyRidgeRefuge.com Canine Cancer Foundation Phoenix, AZ Rescue Code: AWA013 www.wearethecure.org Boxer Rescue LA Venice, CA Rescue Code: AWA191 www.boxer-rescue-la.com Bullies and Buddies Redondo Beach, CA Rescue Code: AWA206 www.bulliesandbuddies.com Leave No Paws Behind, Inc. Sun Valley, CA Rescue Code: AWA229 www.leavenopawsbehind.org

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue San Francisco, CA Rescue Code: AWA116 www.muttville.org

Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue Ranch Imnaha, OR Rescue Code: AWA032 www.animalrescueranch.com

Delaware Humane Association Claymont, DE Rescue Code: AWA009 www.dehumane.org

GROWL Williston, SC Rescue Code: AWA176 www.mygrowl.com

Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc. Oakland Park, FL Rescue Code: AWA168 www.catdogs.org

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance Richardson, TX Rescue Code: AWA134 www.feralfriends.org

The Cat Network Miami, FL Rescue Code: AWA045 www.thecatnetwork.org

Furry Friendz Animal Rescue & Wildlife Rehabiliataion Kaufman, TX Rescue Code: AWA135 www.FurryFriendzy.org

First Coast No More Homeless Pets Jacksonville, FL Rescue Code: AWA095 www.fcnmhp.org Angels Among Us Pet Rescue Alpharetta, GA Rescue Code: AWA120 www.angelsrescue.org Georgia Center for Humane Education Atlanta, GA Rescue Code: AWA177 www.Human-animalbond.org Lifeline Animal Project Atlanta, GA Rescue Code: AWA021 www.LifelineAnimal.org Anderson Animal Shelter South Elgin, IL Rescue Code: AWA172 www.andersonanimalshelter.org Animal House Shelter Huntley, IL Rescue Code: AWA072 www.animalhouseshelter.com Gentle Giants Rescue and Sanctuary Wayne, NJ Rescue Code: AWA068 www.gentlegiantsinc.org One Step Closer Animal Rescue Sparta, NJ Rescue Code: AWA027 www.OscarAnimalRescue.org Bobbi and the Strays Glendale, NY Rescue Code: AWA085 www.bobbiandthestrays.org North Shore Animal League America Port Washington, NY Rescue Code: AWA107 www.animalleague.org Sanctuary for Senior Dogs Cleveland, OH Rescue Code: AWA092 www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org West Side Cats Youngstown, OH Rescue Code: AWA231 www.westsidecats.org

SAVE Rescue Coalition Houston, TX Rescue Code: AWA212 www.saverescue.org SPCA of East Texas Tyler, TX Rescue Code: AWA077 www.spcaeasttx.com Greyhounds Rock Spotsylvania, VA Rescue Code: AWA157 www.greyhoundsrock.org Wags to Riches Yakima, WA Rescue Code: AWA050 www.wagstorichesanimalrescue.org For Cat's Sake Rescue West Milwaukee, WI Rescue Code: AWA241 www.forcatssake.org Lakeland Animal Shelter Elkhorn, WI Rescue Code: AWA180 www.lakelandanimalshelter.org Dog is my CoPilot Jackson Hole, WY Rescue Code: AWA080 www.dogismycopilot.com

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1 Choose a rescue from this list ubscribe at 2 SAnimalWellnessMagazine.com/subscribe 3 Enter rescue code for chosen rescue 4 Enjoy your subscription! animal wellness

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Ado p t ing a n o lde r do g?

You’re mak ing a good choice, but here’s what you need to kno w to ensu re succ ess.

By Anabelle Lee Macri

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Dogs

are considered teenagers when they’re around two. A few years after that, they’re cresting middle age, and by seven, they’re considered seniors. For this reason, many people prefer to adopt puppies over older adult dogs. There’s a perception that mature dogs are set in their ways, are untrainable, and can’t be easily blended into a household.

This isn’t necessarily correct. Contrary to popular belief, in fact, older dogs can sometimes be easier to train than pups. Faye Owen, a canine behavior consultant, says that older dogs generally have a longer attention span when compared to puppies. She adds that if the dog has lived in a good former home, he may already be housetrained, understand basic commands such as “sit”, and know how to walk on a leash, which makes your job much easier once you adopt him.

Some rescue organizations and shelters have training programs in place that teach simple commands to the older dogs in their care, thereby making them more adoptable.

“There is also a very good program out there called Sue Sternberg’s Train to Adopt, which is showing some good results in increasing adoption and retention rates at shelters,” says Faye.

Another advantage is that older dogs usually don’t have the same high energy levels as puppies, which can make them easier to care for, especially if you are getting older yourself. Dogs of all ages need regular exercise, of course, but older canines often aren’t as physically demanding as pups, which means walks and playtimes don’t take up as much time and energy.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION When adopting an older canine, Faye has some advice gleaned from her experience working with rescue dogs.

• “The first thing I tell people is that it can take three months to settle a dog into a new environment,” she says.

• “Do not overwhelm him during the first few days. A good routine is helpful, so he can acclimatize to his new home.”

• If it becomes apparent that the dog does need some basic training, Faye recommends investigating positive, rewardbased dog training services that offer private sessions, and as soon as possible “Problems are best addressed when they first arise, rather than waiting for them to become entrenched.” When training, remember to give the dog immediate feedback in the form of praise, a treat or offleash time in a safe environment.

Continued on page 80.

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Continued from page 79.

• People are often concerned about blending an older dog, especially a rescue, into a multi-animal household, or a family with young children. This is certainly a consideration, but if you have adopted the dog from a reputable shelter or rescue that has assessed his behavioral traits and addressed any serious problems, then it shouldn’t necessarily be cause for worry. “There are cases where concern may be warranted, but these are not due to the dog’s age,” says Faye. When adopting an older dog, she recommends you first find out why the dog is in the shelter; research his history, if known; and ask the staff what kind of testing has been done to evaluate his temperament and behavior.

CASE REPORTS

1

Gage

Whether or not an older dog is well-trained and wellbehaved when he comes to you depends largely on how he was treated in his earlier life. If he comes from a background of neglect or abuse, or was never properly trained or socialized, he will most likely have issues that you’ll have to work through, even if the shelter or rescue has been able to do some training and behavior modification to make him more adoptable.

However, this doesn’t mean he’s a lost cause.

Far from it. With help from a canine behaviorist and/or a gentle trainer, and lots of patience and love, many abused and neglected dogs can become wonderful family companions, whatever their age.

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If little previous history is known about a dog, but he has spent time in foster care or been enrolled in a shelter training program, it’s a good idea to try to meet the foster family or the handler/trainer working with the dog. In Gage’s case, a meeting with the foster family went so well that Melony and her husband took Gage home with them the same day. Gage is now a Canine Good Citizen, and enjoys rally obedience classes and hikes in the mountains.

2

Professional dog trainer Melony Phillips agrees that it’s important to inquire about an adult or older dog’s history when adopting.

But in the case of her own dog, an Old English Mastiff named Gage, now seven, there wasn’t much history available.

Behavior depends on background

She learned from the shelter that Gage had been found roaming the streets; his person did not reclaim him, so he was placed in a foster home. “My husband and I had the opportunity to meet Gage’s foster family,” Melony says. “We could tell he had been loved and well cared for.”

Sahara

Gage’s roommate is an eight-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Sahara, who belonged to one of Melony’s clients. When the client passed away at the age of 98, Sahara came to live with the Phillips family.

“It was the easiest rehome we'd ever done,” Melony says. “Sahara came in as if she belonged, and it seemed all our current animals decided she was exactly where she was meant to be.” She adds that Sahara's re-home was easy because her history wasn’t filled with a great deal of trauma, as some dog’s histories are, and she had prior experience living with other dogs and cats.

3

Jack

It’s important to keep in mind that older dogs sometimes come with age-related health problems that you’ll have to factor into the care regime. But if you have the resources and patience to deal with these issues, they needn’t be a deterrent. Sherry Silvers recently took on the care of her son’s Australian shepherd mix, Jack, who is 12 years old. Her son had rescued Jack when the dog was two years old, but when Jack got older he was diagnosed with diabetes and arthritis. Sherry offered to keep him, since her son couldn’t afford the veterinary costs. You might think that Jack’s health status would be a minus for Sherry, especially as she’s a retiree, but adopting Jack has worked out well for her.

“I love having an older dog, arthritis and all,” she says. “At night, he comes into the bedroom and groans as he lies down, and I know exactly how he feels.” Sherry adds that her mother died recently at 89, and having Jack in her life has helped her with her loss. “I had the honor of caring for my mother, and now I find joy in caring for Jack. If I get another dog, it will be an older dog – one that an older person can no longer care for, or one that a younger person can no longer afford to care for. Older dogs make the best companions!”

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Advertorial

How

positively

INFLUENCES THE

By Amy Huang

Nearly half of all cats and dogs in the US are seniors. Age-related changes, including reduced mobility, weight gain, hearing loss and cognitive decline, can affect their well-being and quality of life.

Multifunctional ingredients such as L-carnitine can address the health needs of these aging animals. L-carnitine supports healthy weight maintenance, as well as heart and cognitive function.

First discovered in 1905, L-carnitine is a well-researched ingredient backed by many years of science. It is a fundamental molecule that helps the body break down fat. It helps transport fatty acids inside the mitochondria, where they can be converted into energy for the body to use. In other words, L-carnitine assists in turning fat into energy.

• Decreased mobility and increased weight often go hand in hand. Adding L-carnitine to the diet can aid in weight loss and has been shown to decrease levels of body fat and increase lean mass. One study in cats found that L-carnitine supplementation helped burn more fat.1 A study in dogs showed that an L-carnitine supplement helped increase lean mass during a period of weight loss.2 Lean mass is important for companion animals to stay healthy and active.

• Certain breeds such as boxers, Doberman pinschers and great Danes are prone to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, which affects the functioning of the heart.3 L-carnitine supports normal heart function by providing the necessary transport molecule to use fat for energy.

• Cognitive decline is also a concern across all breeds. A study in

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aged beagles showed that L-carnitine helped improve learning in two separate cognitive tasks.4 All in all, L-Carnitine is a multifunctional ingredient that works in many different ways to support the diverse needs of senior animals.

Pet foods that are not supplemented with L-carnitine may not offer the full benefits that senior animals may need, since standard formulas contain varying levels of this nutrient. It is important to look for pet foods supplemented with L-carnitine, so check the label.

Lonza, a well-respected Swiss-based life science company, developed a safe form of L-carnitine. Manufactured under strict quality control standards, it is sold under the Carniking® brand name and offered to quality pet food manufacturers around the world for use in pet foods.

1

Center SA, Warner KL, Randolph JF, Sunvold GD, Vickers JR. “Influence of dietary supplementation with L-Carnitine on metabolic rate, fatty acid oxidation, body condition and weight loss in overweight cats”. Am J Vet Res, 2012,73(7):1002-1015

2

Gross KL, Wedekind KJ, Kirk CA, Jewell DE, Schoenherr WD, Blum SA, Owen KQ. “Effect of dietary carnitine or chromium on weight loss and body composition of obese dogs”. J. Anim Sci, 1998, 76(Supp 1):175

3

American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/ disease-information/dilated-cardiomyopathy.html.

4

Milgram NW, Araujo JA, Hagen TM, Treadwell BV, Ames BN. (2007) “Acetyl L-Carnitine and alpha lipoid acid supplementation of aged beagle dogs improves learning in two landmark discrimination tests”. FASEB J, 2007, 21(13):3756-3762

Amy Huang is a Registered Dietitian and received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley.

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BOOK REVIEWS TITLE: Chaser AUTHOR: John W. Pilley Retired psychology professor John Pilley always believed dogs were much smarter than most scientists thought possible. So when his wife gave him a border collie pup for his 76th birthday, he set out to prove it.

John started teaching his pup, whom he named Chaser, a vocabulary of 1,000 words, including nouns like “toy”, “ball” and “tree”, as well as verbs, adjectives, adverbs and proper names. John’s goal was to open Chaser’s mind to creative rather than rote learning – and he succeeded.

Read about John’s work in Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of a Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words. It’s both a delightful story of the loving bond between a couple and their dog, as well as an account of human/canine communication that’s revolutionizing our view of animal intelligence.

Publisher: Mariner Books

TITLE: The Grief Recovery

Handbook for Pet Loss

AUTHORs: Russell Friedman, Cole

James and John W. James

If you’re ever lost a treasured dog or cat, you know how much it hurts. You may have had difficulty finding support and dealing with your grief – and with people’s reactions to your sorrow over what they see as “just an animal”.

Written by the founders of the Grief Recovery Institute in Los Angeles, The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss helps you better understand and cope with your emotions following the death of an animal companion.

You’ll learn about six myths surrounding the mechanisms we often use to get through grief, and discover more effective and meaningful ways to come to terms with loss.

Based on the authors’ Grief Recovery Method, this book invites you to take a new look at bereavement and how to deal with it in a creative and healthy way.

Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing

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TITLE: Dogfella AUTHOR: James Guiliani with

Charlie Stella

James Guiliani became involved with street gangs at a young age, and by his mid-20s was an enforcer for the Gambino crime family.

After years of worsening drug and alcohol use, and a stretch in a correctional facility, he hit rock bottom.

Then he met his partner Lena Perrelli, who gave him the support he needed to turn his life around. The couple rescued an abandoned and abused Shih tzu named Bruno, and Guiliani soon discovered he had gained a new purpose in life – as an animal rescuer.

With crime novelist Charlie Stella, Guiliani tells the story of his redemption in Dogfella, and the work he now does helping animals – from saving pit bulls from a dog-fighting ring, and driving through six-foot snowdrifts to reach 200 cats stranded at a Long Island Sanctuary, to opening his own shelter, Keno’s Animal Rescue, in Brooklyn, New York.

Publisher: Da Capo Press

TITLE: Dogs on Cape Cod PHOTOGRAPHER: Kim Roderiques Photographer Kim Roderiques grew up on Cape Cod, and her deep love for the region is matched only by her kinship and rapport with dogs. These two passions come together in Dogs on Cape Cod. This beautiful photographic tribute features a selection of over 200 evocative images depicting dogs enjoying life to the full in the unique Cape Cod environment, from Sandwich, the area’s oldest town, to Provincetown, the renowned artists’ colony.

Roderiques captures dogs of all breeds and types frolicking in the ocean, catching balls on the beach, boating, running through open fields, perching among the dunes, exploring the woodlands, relaxing in gardens, and gazing at the sunset.

With the holidays coming up, this is a perfect book to add to your gift list, either for yourself or the dog lovers in your life.

Publisher: The Carriere Company

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970-231-9965

If you would like to advertise in Ad Spots, please call:1-866-764-1212

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ADVERTISE DISTRIBUTE MAGAZINES SUBMIT STORIES 1-866-764-1212 AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

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CLASSIFIEDS

Contact us to order your classified ad 1-866-764-1212 or classified@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Contact Guelph Animal Hospital at (519) 836-2781 or www.quelphvet.com

Animal Communicators

Books & Publications

CAROL SCHULTZ – Animal Communicator. Intuitive Healing Support. Consultations and Energy Balancing for all species. Assistance with end of life, emotional, behavioral, and lost animal concerns. Classes and mentoring available. (815) 531-2850, www.carolschultz.com

1000’s OF DOG BOOKS, DVD’S AND TRAINING TOOLS IN STOCK – Ready to ship. Dogwise has what you want!

(800) 776-2665; www.dogwise.com

SHIRLEY SCOTT – Internationally known Animal Communicator & Clairvoyant connects with your pets here or in spirit. She reads emotional/behavior/health problems, provides classes & workshops in animal communication & training. (541) 577-3051, sscott@shirley-scott.com, www. shirley-scott.com

EAST YORK ANIMAL CLINIC HOLISTIC CENTRE – Dr. Paul McCutcheon, Dr. Cindy Kneebone & Dr. Candice Chiu. The first and oldest integrative veterinary clinic in Ontario with over fifty years of service to the community and our collective veterinarian experience of 95 years. We provide a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing the latest research in integrative medicine. Please visit our website to explore our services. www.holisticpetvet.com eyac@holisticpetvet.com (416) 757-3569, 805 O’Connor Drive, Toronto, ON, M4B 2S7

Associations INTERNATIONAL ASS’N OF ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK/ASS’N OF CANINE WATER THERAPY – Welcome trained practitioners of Animal Massage and Bodywork. The IAAMB/ACWT supports and promotes the practitioners of complementary care for animals through networking, continuing education, website, online referrals, newsletters, insurance, annual educational conferences, lobbying and credentialing of schools. www.IAAMB.org

Holistic Veterinarians

GUELPH ANIMAL HOSPITAL – Offers a full range of conventional veterinary services as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional. Dr. Rob Butler is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Dr. Smolkin is certified in Animal Chiropractic. By integrating conventional and complementary therapies, treatments can be tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences.

EVENTS Howlin’ Halloween 2015 October 3-4, 2015 – Waterdown, ON Join us for a fun filled day for families and our four legged friends! Fun, food, activities and prizes at Memorial Park in Waterdown. Also featuring DogLoversDay. All DogLoversDays shows raise funds for local charities including pet rescues and various service clubs. In the case of pet rescues, any and all dogs on display may not be adopted at the event to avoid impulse purchasing.

For more information: (289) 997-3333 emily-dogloversdays@hotmail.com www.dogloversdays.com Canine Myofascial Release Techniques Level 1 October 12-14, 2015 – Petaluma, CA In this 3 day course, Ruth Mitchell Golladay, PT, leads participants through the theory, concepts and application of Myofascial Release (MFR). This modality has been accepted as an effective treatment for humans, and more recently it has become a frequent choice when caring for horses. Fortunately the canine population too is now beginning to benefit from this potent therapy.

Natural Product Retailers PETS GO NATURAL – Safe toys, eco-friendly beds and collars, natural vitamins and supplements, natural, organic and grain-free food. Feel good about what you buy your pet. Go natural! www.petsgonatural.com

Schools & Training PETMASSAGE (FOR DOGS) TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE – “Remove Disease from Your Pet’s Body Using Only Your Hands.” Skype and written interview: Jonathan Rudinger with Dr. Karen Becker – Dr. Mercola’s August 2014 Healthy Pets Newsletter: Link on homepage of www.petmassage.com WALKS ‘N’ WAGS PET FIRST AID – National Leaders in Pet First Aid Certification Courses for dogs and cats. Learn preventative skills and practice emergency bandaging with live wiggly pets. Distance Learning also available. www. walksnwags.com or (800) 298-1152

Email your event to: info@animalwellnessmagazine.com For more information: (707) 884-9963 equinology@gmail.com www.caninology.com Tucson Pet Expo 2015 October 31, 2015 – Tucson, AZ You will find tons of exhibitors and demonstrations as well as free nail trims. There will be prize giveaways and live entertainment. You can adopt from one of the many Rescue groups and also learn about pet care, volunteerism, grooming, training and much more!

Be sure to check out other Amazing Pet Expo events all year around at www.amazingpetexpos.com For more information: (800) 977-3609 www.virginiabeachpetexpo.com Atlanta Pet Expo 2015 November 14, 2015 – Atlanta, GA Fabulous Prize Giveaways & Fun for both the Two-Legged AND Four-Legged!

This 3 day course introduces the participant to the science of MFR, myofascial evaluation of the dog, and techniques to reduce dysfunctions. As usual in the Caninology courses, there will be plenty of hands on portions with the dogs, enabling you to incorporate this modality into your practice.

Dozens of Rescue Groups and a Mega-Adoption Event, Discounted Vaccinations, Micro-chipping and Heartworm & Flea Preventatives, Free Nail Trims, Agility Demonstrations, Live Entertainment, Obedience Demonstrations, Author Readings/ Book Signings. The Latest & Greatest Pet Products!

Full course details and tuition can be found on the website.

Learn About Pet Care, Volunteerism, Grooming, Pet Behavior

& Training, Traveling with your Pet, How You Can Make a Difference, Different Types of Pets/Breeds, Veterinarian FAQ, Fun Activities for You & Your Pet And MUCH MORE! For more information: (800) 977-3609 www.atlantapetexpo.com Ottawa Pet Expo 2015 November 14-15, 2015 – Ottawa, ON The Ottawa Pet Expo is for pet owners...and their pets. Bring your dogs and cats and birds and rats!

Shop for unique pet products, meet animal rescue groups, speak with breeders, learn about pet nutrition, and have FUN! For more information: (613) 241-7775 www.OttawaPetExpo.ca Whole Life Expo 2015 November 27-29, 2015 – Toronto, ON Whole Life Expo is Canada's largest showcase of natural health, alternative medicine, and eco-friendly lifestyles. With 75 speakers and over 200 exhibitors, it brings you the most comprehensive array of special promotions and free samples from natural health products retailers presented by our dynamic exhibitors.

For more information: (416) 515-1330 info@wholelifeexpo.ca www.wholelifeexpo.ca

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TAIL END

Make it a

Mohawk!

By Lisa Loeb

My rescue dog, Layla, needs a haircut, so I’ve come to check out the local grooming salon. Walking across the threshold in my UGG-clad feet and mismatched outfit, I meet what looks like a rock star in canine form.

His name is Leo, and he’s an extraordinary tuxedo (black and white) Shih Tzu sporting a “groomed to perfection” Mohawk haircut and a t-shirt emblazoned with silver accents. I learn that he works at the salon with his “mom”, Alexis, in the role of greeter and ambassador.

At 19 pounds, Leo has a substantial build, and is by far the largest Shih Tzu I’ve ever seen. As he sits politely at my feet, I bend to pet him and admire his Mohawk. He gives me an incisor-tipped smile, and seems to say: “Talk to me!”

Leo continues gazing up at me as I rub his neck and shoulders, but suddenly a gust of wind pushes the door open and a fluffy apricot-colored puppy comes through with a shy smile. As a true ambassador, Leo does not neglect his duties. He approaches her and gently noses her face.

“He connects with everyone and makes them feel special,” Alexis tells me.

Once the newcomer has been properly greeted, Leo’s attention is drawn back to me. He allows me to get up close and personal so I can examine his finely made Mohawk. It stands atop his head in a whimsical fashion. Running my fingers through the satiny hair, I detect no gel or product. His one incisor is still jauntily showing, and I smile. His look is flawless.

I have to ask. “So, what is the secret to a perfect Mohawk?”

Turns out, Leo’s hair is just the right texture for this particular style, and he has a natural little flip in front. I begin to wonder how my cockapoo might look with a Mohawk.

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Alexis tells me that Leo is not very courageous on the grooming table – but you wouldn’t know it. He carries off his “do” with aplomb. But his flair is not just about hair. “He loves clothes, and it shows,” says Alexis, referring to his rock star t-shirt. This dog could be an A-list celebrity with his sharp black, white and silver wardrobe.

With an enticing aroma, a tall Doberman named Dudley approaches us from the grooming area. As he prances past, Leo stands up on his hind legs in order to inspect him. He says farewell by sniffing up a big snoutful of Dudley’s freshly groomed coat.

The bottom line? I cannot resist the idea of a Mohawk for Layla.

Why not have a little fun?

I almost didn’t recognize my dog when she came trotting out of the grooming area a few hours later. But Leo did. He happily trotted over to greet her and smell her Mohawk. He seemed to give us a nod of approval as we left. Perhaps he recognized us as kindred spirits!

feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!

ADD VARIETY

TO HER DIET WITH

ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS

GROOMING LONG-HAIRED KITTIES MADE SIMPLE WHEN CATS TURN

AGAINST

EACH OTHER – A CASE STUDY

Dreaming

of a

CAT PARK

f or fel ines IS YOUR CAT “FED UP” WITH THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD? IS SHE ALLERGIC TO BEEF OR OTHER COMMON PROTEINS? TRY GIVING HER SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

By Ann Brightman

ats can be particular about their food. Some are addicted to only one brand and flavor, while others are easily bored and will turn their noses up at something they ate with gusto a few weeks ago. Add to this any food allergies or intolerances, and keeping your kitty wellnourished can become tricky.

Thanks to customer demand, cat food products are not only becoming healthier – as demonstrated by the availability of high quality raw or packaged foods made from whole, natural ingredients – but they also encompass a widening selection of special meats once unheard of in the pet food industry.

For decades, basic meat proteins for cats included beef, chicken, fish, and not much else. These are still great choices, of course, as long as you buy high quality products in which individual meats are named as the first ingredient. (Commercial foods high in grains and fillers, or that contain vaguely-named ingredients like “meat meal” or “poultry meal”, should be avoided.) But for those cats who need something different to tempt their palates, or who might have an intolerance to certain meats, you can now choose from a much wider variety of what are referred to as alternative or exotic meats, from rabbit and duck to pheasant and quail.

• Also driving the demand for greater variety is the increase in diet-related allergies and food sensitivities, which often manifest as intense itchiness or chronic diarrhea. These issues often occur when cats eat the same food all the time over a period of months or years.

WHY FEED ALTERNATIVE MEATS?

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• A diet that includes a variety of meats also helps ensure better balance and nutritional soundness.

Eating the same thing day after day is no healthier for your cat than it would be for you. Over time, it can lead to a deficiency of nutrients, including taurine, certain amino acids and proteins, EFAs, vitamins and minerals.

Exotic meats have increased in popularity over the last number of years for several reasons.

WHERE CAN I FIND THESE PRODUCTS?

• Today’s cat guardians want their kitties to enjoy an enhanced quality of life, and that includes diet.

A growing number of premium pet food companies are offering

feline wellness

cat diets made from exotic meats. For example, Evanger’s (evangerspetfood.com) recently expanded its line of premium dinners for cats with new canned formulas made from US-raised rabbit, quail, pheasant and duck. These new products are specifically aimed at picky or allergy-prone cats. Nature’s Logic (natureslogic.com), meanwhile, offers both dry and canned cat foods made with conventional as well as more unusual meats, including rabbit and duck. They also offer salmon and sardine-based foods.

Serving your feline a varied menu that includes alternative meat proteins leads to improved health and nourishment – and that means a happier kitty!

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One rough tongue often can’t handle all that extra fur – here’s how you can help her stay sleek and mat-free.

GROOMING longhaired

By Sally E. Bahner

A tiny puffball catches your eye at the shelter. Before you can say “fluffy kitten”, she’s in a carrier and on her way home with you. Once she’s ensconced in your home (and heart), you find yourself thinking: she’s going to have a lot of fur to take care of.

All cats benefit from grooming, but longhaired kitties need extra help. Their tongues can’t always handle so much fur, and over time, mats start to form. These tangled clumps of fur accumulate under the front legs, on the stomach, at the base of the tail and in the nether regions. For example, Marci Kladnick has a longhaired Manx named Tweety who keeps her front end quite tidy using her tongue, but is prone to "poo poo butt” and mats around her hind end. Mary-Marci uses cleanup sessions to cut the mats. It’s important to deal with these clumps of fur because cats have tissue-thin skin, and mats can become painful to the point of restricting movement.

Older and overweight kitties especially need grooming help, along with brachycephalic breeds such as Persians and Himalayans. Keep in mind also that longhaired cats come with many different coat types. Persians have a downy undercoat that requires regular attention, although the shaggy coat of a Maine Coon needs less care, as does that of a Turkish Angora, whose coat rarely mats.

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GETTING HER USED TO IT The key to coping with mats and keeping your cat sleek and comfortable is getting her used to being groomed as early in life as possible. If she’s a kitten, test the waters by gently running a wide-toothed comb through her coat. How she reacts should indicate her level of comfort. If she’s all right with it, you’re golden. Depending on her coat type, combing her even briefly on a daily basis is the best way to keep her fur untangled and silky, and to maintain in her mind a positive association with the grooming procedure.

For an adult kitty who isn’t used to being groomed, the process involves gradual desensitization. Grooming and behavior expert Anita Kelsey suggests first establishing a positive association with the comb or brush by rewarding your cat with a treat when she starts to investigate it. Next, rub the grooming tool against the cat’s cheek, let her smell it, and stroke her with the brush or comb in your hand. Remain calm and praise her, and keep sessions short.

Once your cat is relaxed around your grooming tools, Anita recommends using the comb to slowly stroke in the direction of her coat, just for two minutes. The neck, head and back are the easiest areas to work on. Trickier spots are the belly,

underarms and nether regions. Anita suggests checking the cat every day for mats, and combing them out before they become too entangled.

If you have difficulty grooming your cat despite your best efforts, you may need assistance from a professional groomer. Because of the stress many cats associate with car travel and other animals, try to find a mobile or in-home groomer who can come to your home. If you can do some regular maintenance between sessions, your cat should only need professional grooming every six to eight weeks.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Successful, stress-free grooming depends a lot on the tools you choose for the job. Anita’s grooming tools of choice are a comb with widely spaced teeth, and a dual-purpose comb with rows of differently spaced teeth.

“Only a comb can do the job of getting the downy underfur,” she says. After a thorough comb-through, she follows up with a soft pin slicker brush to get the flyaway hair from the top of the coat. She avoids fine-toothed combs. “Combs with teeth that are too close together only pull at the fur and skin.”

WHAT ABOUT BATHING? Although many cats do a splendid job bathing themselves with their barbed tongues, they may need a hand if they develop a skin condition or if their “pantaloons” become soiled.

x

Lion cuts…

NOT RECOMMENDED

You’ve probably seen photos on social media of cats (often unhappy-looking Persians) with lion cuts. The coat is shaved close to the skin and all that remains is a ruff around the face and neck, a tuft at the tip of the tail, and UGGlike booties of fur around the feet.

Anita is not in favor of this undignified practice. “I only do lion cuts when a cat is badly matted or cannot tolerate regular grooming due to behavior issues and there are no other options,” she cautions.

“Cats regulate their body temperature through their fur so it’s myth that they need to be shaved in the summer.”

• Use a gentle, natural shampoo and conditioner specifically for cats.

• Gently clean around the eyes with a cotton ball.

• Place a towel at the bottom of the sink or tub for traction.

• Hold the sprayer close to the cat’s body to avoid spooking her with the pressure.

• Lather and rinse the coat section by section, then wrap her snugly in a towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.

• Avoid the intense heat of a dryer. Air dry her, if possible, running a comb through the coat to help with the process.

MATS CAN BECOME PAINFUL TO THE POINT OF .

restricting movement

Longhaired cats require more effort than their shorthaired cousins, but it’s well worth it when you see the gorgeous results! feline wellness

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WHEN

CATS

TURN ON

Seeing a former

friend in a different

EACH

place or situation can affect a cat’s ability

to recognize him, and may lead to fearful or aggressive behavior.

By Michael W. Fox, DVM

FOUR

years ago, my wife rescued two feral cats.

Mr. Mark Twain (Twain) is a fawn tabby who was around five years old when we took him in. He was neutered and vetted, and slowly socialized with our other cats over many weeks in a spare room. He settled in but remained relatively unapproachable with my wife and me.

The other cat, a black-and-white one-year-old we named Mr. Pinto Bean (Pinto), came along a couple of months later. Like Twain, he was neutered and vetted, and initially separated from the other cats by a barrier so he could gradually become socialized with them. But Pinto had other ideas. He broke through the barrier one day and was found sitting amicably beside Twain.

The two cats soon became the best of friends. Both became more approachable and sought more contact with us, although Pinto never lost his fear of strangers and hid whenever people entered the house.

Twain was more sociable and occasionally let visitors touch him.

The pair slept together and engaged in mutual grooming.

A FRIENDSHIP DESTROYED? Then one evening, while being habituated to a cat harness on our walk-out deck, Twain panicked, broke out of the harness and fled. Over the next 13 days, he occasionally returned to the deck for food but was too fearful to enter our home, and too shy to submit to being picked up. We eventually caught him when he approached us to be brushed (he’s addicted to being groomed!).

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OTHER

During the time Twain was gone, Pinto was clearly depressed, searching the house and looking out though all the windows. But when he saw Twain on the deck eating the food we put out for him, he hissed, puffed out his tail and gave low yowling growls.

While Twain was being solicited to come back inside, Pinto ran out through the open door. Now the tables were turned as Twain, once back in the house, started searching and calling for Pinto. Three nights later, Pinto was lured back indoors with food. But instead of being glad to see each other, Pinto attacked Twain – a fur-pulling rather than bite-and-scratch event.

Both cats subsequently avoided each other. When they did come into contact, Twain would stare at Pinto and on occasion block his path. Pinto would then hiss and slink away in fear, even after making brief nose-to-nose contact.

It took Pinto (left) and Twain awhile to make friends again, but now they’re back to cuddling together.

COGNITIVE DISASSOCIATION I interpret this phenomenon as evidence of cognitive disassociation. In certain places or situations, cats identify and recognize other cats (or even people) as friendly and nonthreatening. Seen in a different place or situation, however, the context changes and some cats may not be able to recognize or identify who they’re seeing. The result is fearful or aggressive behavior, fights between cats, and a damaged relationship.

Cognitive disassociation can arise from various scenarios besides the one given here. For example, cats returning from a short stay at a veterinary hospital or boarding facility may provoke fear, avoidance or aggression in one or more of the at-home cats. In other cases, seeing a strange feline outside the window may drive a cat to attack his housemate in what is called redirected aggression, a situation that can also damage or even destroy a former friendship.

In order to prevent injury and sustained conditional avoidance behavior between cats, it’s advisable to immediately separate them and take the basic steps you’d use when introducing a new cat into the home (you can find these steps at drfoxvet.com). It took ten days after Twain and Pinto were reunited to start making friends again. On the seventh day, they were more amicably eating and sleeping together, but Pinto was still avoiding Twain’s attempts to solicit grooming and play. Pinto’s slow recovery, which we sought to facilitate by giving treats to both cats, brushing them in turn and engaging them in interactive games, was eventually accomplished, with two brief episodes of reciprocal grooming followed by play-fighting.

This accidental experiment with Twain and Pinto has sensitized me to the delicate and seemingly irrational aberrant cognitive and socio-emotional dynamics of the domestic cat. If your own cats suddenly turn on each other, an understanding of what’s actually happening, and why, is a big step towards resolving the issue and helping them make friends again. feline wellness

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PURRFECT END

Dreaming

By Elizabeth Cavanaugh “Coco misses her pals,” the gal next door one day confessed to me, as she hugged her pug. “I feel guilty working late and skipping her playdate at the dog park.”

Guilty, I thought later, gazing at my sleeping cats. Not once had they set paw in a cat park, presuming there even was such a thing. Would they like it? Would they make new friends? A day at the cat park? Right on!

I imagined my cat Paw-Paw charging into the back of my Dodge for such an adventure. After all, he had surely been a border collie in a previous life. As a kitten, he fetched balls, anxiously awaiting the next toss. He has always watched over his sister, tracking her to a closet or drawer when she seems to have vanished, and covering up for her in the litter box when she dashes away too soon. Belly rubs? Paw-Paw can’t get enough.

He rolls on his back, exposing his silky-soft tummy, stretching his forelimbs over his head and sighing.

I was further inspired when I saw a family dining out with their cat. After finishing her tuna platter, the kitty, who was on a pink leash, strutted away from the café terrace with her family in tow. Thinking that Paw-Paw would also enjoy going for walks, I bought a chic new harness and strapped it on him. We then began our own walking routine: take four steps, lie down, watch distant (or nonexistent) birds, repeat. We never ventured very far. Then one day, a delivery truck door slammed with a crash that sent Paw-Paw bolting for cover.

The average cheetah can sprint 70 miles an hour. The spooked house cat moves pretty fast too. And while dogs tend to walk or run, cats spring, slink and twist. So once my arm returned to its socket and I had safely untangled Paw-Paw from an assortment of thorns, pickets and vines, I realized I should have started this walking-on-a-leash ritual when we were both younger. I certainly couldn’t envision taking Paw-Paw to a park.

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His sister, Princess, refused to have anything to do with our nonsense. Most likely Houdini in a previous life, she can slip out of any contraption one attaches to her sleek feline body, collar included. While Princess loves Paw-Paw and shows it by snuggling, grooming, and providing cricket-stalking lessons, she shows no enthusiasm for other cats. During any feline encounter, even from behind the living room window, my Princess puffs into a growling, hissing panther. I couldn’t envision taking her to a “cat park” either.

For a short while, I continued feeling guilty about depriving my cats of park visits and meet-ups with friends. But I found my cure one day when I curled up with Paw-Paw and Princess for a catnap on the sofa, and dozed off to the stereo hum of my two blissfully snoring felines. A day at the cat park? Dream on!

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