ANIMAL
For a long, healthy life!
WELLNESS 5 OMEGA MYTHS ABOUT
BOOST HIS HEALTH WITH
LUMPS & BUMPS
OILS
THE BEST HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO
ARTHRITIS
THE TRUTH ABOUT HIP DYSPLASIA
ALL AGES GUIDE
HOW TO PLAY
SAFELY Tips FOR TRAINING
SENIORS
The
Rockster This senior rescue pup is the picture of good health. Find out his secret to longevity inside.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 Display until September 9, 2019
$6.95 USA/Canada
CAT ARTICLES INSIDE! VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
CONTENTS August/September 2019
88 Columns
18 STAYING ACTIVE
48
Features oday’s top approaches to 14 Tanimal arthritis
Integrative and holistic treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs and cats are effectively reducing pain, improving mobility and enhancing quality of life.
mega fatty acids and how they boost 30 Opet health Enrich your dog or cat’s well-being, inside and out, by serving up these recipes rich in Omega fatty acids.
48
C OVER STORY — The Rockster
From starving on the streets of Italy to inspiring his own line of dog food, The Rockster’s rags-to-riches story is a true testament to the power of the humananimal bond.
56 G PS devices for dogs
No matter how many precautions we take, our canine companions can — and do — get lost. GPS devices are a popular new way to locate missing dogs before the unthinkable happens.
74 4
T raining the senior dog
“Old dogs can learn new tricks” — and that means senior canines can be just as trainable as their younger counterparts.
Animal Wellness
Long-distance hiking with your dog
An intensive hike is a lot more demanding than a walk around the neighborhood. If you’re planning a long-distance hike with your dog, keep his safety and comfort in mind.
22 CLEVER CATS Tricks you can teach your cat Dogs aren’t the only animals that can learn tricks! Cats can too — it just requires some patience and diligence.
26 NEED TO KNOW Canine hip dysplasia — 5 common misconceptions
Is it true that small breeds never get hip dysplasia? What does it mean if your dog lies with his back legs stretched out behind him? Clarifying misconceptions about hip dysplasia.
38 VET Q&A
5 myths about “lumps and bumps” on our pets Let’s bust five myths about lumps and bumps on dogs and cats, so you know how to proceed when or if you find one on your own animal.
46 FELINE HEALTH 6 ways to keep your senior kitty healthy and happy
If your cat is ten or older, he’s officially a senior! Take these six steps to ensure his golden years are long and healthy.
54 ANIMAL
ACUPRESSURE
How acupressure eases arthritis pain in dogs and cats Reduce your animal’s discomfort by gently stimulating these three key acupoints.
59 Animal
companionship eases social isolation
Research revealed at a recent summit shows that dogs, cats and other companion animals do a lot to relieve loneliness in humans.
60 HEALTH WATCH Vitamin D – is your dog or cat getting enough? Unlike us, dogs and cats can’t get their vitamin D from spending time in the sunshine. So it’s a good idea to have your furry friend tested to see whether or not he needs a supplement.
42 FUN & GAMES Play safety for dogs, young and old
To avoid injury and keep playtime fun, tailor the games your dog participates in to his age.
22
18 66 AGING WELL
Bowen Therapy has also been adapted to animals — including dogs — with great success.
What chiropractic care can do for your senior canine
Whether addressing age-related conditions in your older dog, or preventing your younger canine from developing issues as he ages, regular chiropractic care is a valuable tool.
70 SAFETY FIRST
Wildfire preparedness for dogs and cats If you live in or near a region that’s prone to wildfires, it’s vital to have an evacuation plan in place for your animals as well as yourself.
78 ALTERNATIVE APPROACH
How Bowen Therapy can help your dog
84 KITTY
Where to put your cat’s “stuff”
We all know cats can be particular, but did you know his happiness and well-being can be affected by where you position his bowls, bedding, litter box and other items?
These herbs get to the root of your canine companion’s arthritis while easing his pain.
Originally developed over half a century ago for use in humans,
CBD may help manage pain in animals
98 Cats rehomed in wake of Camp Fire
88 HEALING WITH 5 herbs to help your arthritic dog
REMEDY
Arthritis and chronic pain afflict many dogs and cats, especially as they get older. CBD could become an important tool for managing their discomfort.
LIFESTYLE
HERBS
97 NATURAL
Months after the devastating Camp Fire, Alley Cat Allies continues working to reunite hundreds of displaced felines with their families, or find them new homes.
42
Departments 8 From the Editorin-Chief
45 Business profile – Animal Necessity
12 In the news
52 Product picks
35 Business profile
68 Wellness
– Healers Pet Care, Inc.
36 Early autumn
resource guide
82 Let's get social
86 To the rescue 92 Classifieds 94 Events 95 Marketplace 96 Must reads
must-haves
Social Media
Tips, contests and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
News, events, and tips! @ AW_magazine
Tips, pet photos, and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Crafts, laughs, and more! AnimalWellness
Animal Wellness
5
STAYING ACTIVE
By Kelsie R. Chartier
LONGDISTANCE
Most dogs love exploring the outdoors with their humans, but an intensive hike is a lot more demanding than a walk around the neighborhood or a visit to the dog park. If you’re planning a long-distance hike with your dog, know how to keep his safety and comfort in mind.
HIKING WITH YOUR DOG A long intensive hike is exhilarating, and it’s even more fun when your dog is by your side. Taking your canine companion on a long-distance hike is a great way to get exercise and build a stronger bond between you. But it requires dedicated preparation to ensure the experience is safe and enjoyable for your dog.
THE RIGHT HIKING COMPANION Some dogs make better hiking companions than others, depending on their breeds (or breed mixes). The American Kennel Club offers a list of the best breeds for outdoor hiking based on
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Animal Wellness
energy levels, agility and genetics. The top five are: • Siberian husky • Australian shepherd • German shorthaired pointer • Vizsla • Australian cattle dog Keep in mind, however, that you can enjoy an intensive hike with many other breeds or mixes as long as you prepare them for the trek, and take their overall health and level of training into consideration. At the same time, some dogs are not good candidates for long hikes, particularly
brachycephalic breeds such as pugs and bulldogs. Be sure to have your dog checked over by the veterinarian before taking him on a long-distance hike, to be sure he’s healthy and fit enough to enjoy it safely.
PREPARING FOR A LONG HIKE • Choosing a destination. The first step is to check all the rules and regulations for dogs at the parks or wilderness trails you’re interested in. Some places may not allow dogs, or will require them to be leashed. Also familiarize yourself with the type of terrain you may encounter, and how long the trails are.
• On-leash or off? There’s a lot of debate around hiking on-leash versus off-leash. For many hikers, it depends on the terrain and popularity of the trail. Some people choose to keep their canines onleash, both for the dogs’ protection and that of other trail users. However, more intense hikers have found that keeping a dog on-leash can actually be a hazard over rougher terrains because it limits mobility for both dog and person. Whether or not you leash your dog will depend on your destination and its regulations, the risk of wildlife encounters, your hiking experience, and how well your dog responds to your direction. • Solid training. It is important to have a strong bond with your dog to ensure his safety during a long hike in the wilderness. A solid bond means your dog is more likely to respond appropriately and promptly to your commands. Attend obedience training classes until your dog becomes deeply attentive to your instructions. Agility training is also a good way to prepare him for a long hike. Your dog should be able to come, sit and
PA CK ING CH EC KL IST q Water, water and more water!
q Snacks or food for you and your dog
(depending on how long your hike will be) q Collapsible bowl q Eco-friendly poop bags q Leash and harness q Natural insect repellent for both of you q Natural sunscreen for both of you q Tent and bedding (if you’re going overnight) q Dog booties q Paw wax q Doggy backpack so he can carry some of his own supplies q Bear spray q First aid kits for you and your dog q Cellphone* and GPS q Up-to-date ID for your dog
epending on where you’re hiking, you may not always D be able to get a cellphone signal. To be on the safe side, tell family and friends where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
Animal Wellness
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