Animal Wellness
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CONTENTS October/November 2021
Features 10
atural remedies for your N dog or cat’s gut problems
From diarrhea to appetite loss, gut problems are common in dogs and cats. Here are some natural remedies that ease symptoms and help heal the digestive tract.
aggression in dogs 28 F—ood and what to do about it Does your dog growl or snap when you reach for his food bowl? While it stems from a normal canine behavior called resource guarding, food aggression needs attention.
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Diet and diabetes in dogs — is there a connection?
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Poor nutrition contributes to premature aging and degenerative conditions that can lead to diabetes in dogs. An ancestral diet can help prevent and manage this common disease.
Columns 15 SMART CHOICES
Pet food homework: 3 steps to a better bowl
From counting carbs to doing the “adulteration math”, completing your pet food homework helps you select the best food for a “forever dog”.
20 NEED TO KNOW When bad breath in dogs is more than a dental problem
Most bad breath in dogs is caused by periodontal disease — but not always. Here’s a look at the other causes, along with some holistic remedies for chronic bad breath.
Animal Wellness
22 FELINE HEALTH
IBD in cats — integrative approach to treatment
From diet therapy and natural remedies to pharmaceuticals when needed, an integrative approach is the best way to successfully treat IBD in cats.
26 NUTRITION KNOWHOW
Enhancing your pet’s kibble-based diet
It’s never a bad idea to add some extra nutritional value and variety to kibble-based diets. Here are some foods and meal toppers that will enhance their nutritional impact.
34 IN FOCUS
The basics of canine hydration: what dogs need and why
rates and carriers — C what’s best for your dog or cat?
When buying a crate or carrier, it’s important to make the right decisions when it comes to safety, comfort, size and design. Find out how to make the best choice for your dog or cat.
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Is your dog getting enough water? Here’s what you need to know about canine hydration!
38 THE RAW
56 TREAT TALK
Want to switch your dog or cat to a raw diet?
Raw diets have been fed for decades, but their popularity has risen significantly. If you’re considering switching your own dog or cat to a raw diet, here’s how to go about it.
41 BRIGHT SPOT
Canine concierges
44 FOCUS ON CBD
How CBD can help support your pet’s digestive health
72 EATING WELL
Homemade dog treats
APPROACH
Along with a quality diet and a good overall healthcare program, CBD can be used to add extra support to your dog or cat’s digestive well-being.
A health-conscious dog parent doesn't have to pass on the treats. Give these tasty and nutritious recipes a try!
58 ANIMAL
ACUPRESSURE Acupressure as part of an integrative approach to diabetes in pets
Squash…a healthy whole food your dog will love!
We know pumpkin is good for dogs, but so are all the other varieties of squash, from acorn to zucchini and everything in between.
76 KNOW
YOUR CAT
Diabetes is very common in dogs and cats. An integrative approach to treatment is the best option, and acupressure can play an important role.
63 NUTRITION
How to converse with your cat
Cats have a remarkably wide “vocabulary”. Knowing something about feline vocalizations and body language can help you learn to converse with your own kitty.
FACTS
79 HEALTH
52 HEALING
64 FELINE
How to support your pet’s gut health when they need antibiotics
Your pet’s microbiome
Sleep patterns in cats
INSIDE & OUT A dive into the mechanics of your dog or cat’s microbiome, and why it’s so important to his health and well-being.
Feeding pets real food with active life force ingredients
BEHAVIOR
It’s good to know something about feline sleep patterns and behaviors so you can catch any changes that might signal a health problem in your own kitty.
WATCH
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Departments 7 Editorial 14 From the NASC 32 AW Academy
product reviews
42 Product picks
Social Media
49 Business profile —
Northwest Naturals
50 Newsworthy 61 Get ready for fall 62 Let’s get social!
66 To the rescue 80 Classifieds 81 Marketplace 81 Events 82 Newsworthy
Tips, contests and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Nutrition videos, recipes and more! Animal Wellness Magazine
Tips, pet photos, and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Crafts, laughs, and more! AnimalWellness
Animal Wellness
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Natural remedies FOR YO U R D O G O R C AT’S GUT PRO BLEM S
By Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT
From diarrhea to appetite loss, gut problems are common in dogs and cats. Here are some natural remedies that ease symptoms and help heal the digestive tract.
D gs Cats
Gastrointestinal upset, chronic reflux or diarrhea, bloody stools, and inflammatory bowel disease. These are some of the most common gut health problems seen in veterinary offices and on social media sites for dog and cat care. Unfortunately, many animals suffer for months or years with chronic problems while their caregivers become more and more frustrated with the lack of solutions. Whether your dog or cat has occasional or ongoing issues, many natural remedies can help heal his gut and decrease symptoms.
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can include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody or mucoid stools, and weight loss.
SIGNS OF GUT PROBLEMS
What may be harder to diagnose is leaky gut syndrome. This problem occurs when the cells lining the digestive tract become inflamed and swollen. When these cells swell, the junctions between them open, allowing particles of undigested food, infectious organisms, chemicals, and toxins to enter the bloodstream from the bowels. This can lead to allergies, chronic ear infections, food sensitivities, autoimmune disease, behavior disorders, and chronic inflammation throughout the body.
The gut partners with the immune system. When the gut is unhealthy, the immune system cannot function properly. More obvious signs of gut health disturbance
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to start repairing and rebuilding your dog or cat’s gut to improve his overall health.
Animal Wellness
5 WAYS TO BOOST GUT HEALTH
q Probiotics The normal microbiome (microbial population in the gut) consists of both good (beneficial) and bad (pathogenic) bacteria. In a healthy population, the good bacteria far outnumber the bad. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help fight off infection and inflammation. There are different species of probiotics for different species of animal. If your dog or cat does not respond to the probiotic you provide, try a different microbial population that might be more well-suited to his individual needs. Sometimes it requires some trial and error to find just the right combination. Some animals will respond better to soil-based probiotics.
w Prebiotics These are a type of fiber that act as food for the probiotics. The good bacteria would starve and die if they did not have a food source. Prebiotics include chicory, fructooligosaccarides (FOS), oligofructose, inulin, and larch arabinogalactan. Animals consuming plant-based diets rich in natural fibers and nondigestible oligosaccharides may not require additional prebiotics, but those consuming meat-based diets will generally benefit from prebiotics to help normalize their gut microbiome. Prebiotics may be fed to all dogs and cats, but may provide the greatest benefits to seniors, those receiving antibiotics, and animals that are obese or have diabetes.
D ON ’ T FOR G E T A HEA LT HY L I F EST YL E Providing a species-appropriate diet is key to having a healthy gut environment. Feeding highly processed food that contains abundant starchy carbohydrates can lead to gut dysbiosis — an imbalance in the gut microbiome. Be sure to provide high quality proteins along with good fiber sources to feed gut microorganisms. Exposure to clean soil and grass, along with exercise and play to support mental well-being, will also support a healthy gut microbiome. Bacteria that are potentially good for your dog or cat are everywhere in nature: in the dirt, on plants, and even in the air!
Animal Wellness
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While many pet kibbles are improving in quality, it’s never a bad idea to add some extra nutritional value and variety to these foods. If your dog or cat eats a kibble-based diet, here are some foods and meal toppers that will enhance its nutritional impact.
NUTRITION KNOWHOW
By Sara Jordan-Heintz
D gs Cats ot long ago, most kibble-based diets were regarded as the least favorable way to feed your dog or cat. They were lacking in whole meat ingredients, and were full of grains, empty fillers, preservatives, and other less-than-ideal ingredients. The cheaper brands haven’t changed much, but many manufacturers are now taking steps to formulate healthier kibble diets that better meet feline and canine nutritional needs. Whichever kibble-based diet your dog or cat may eat, it never hurts to supplement it with fresh foods or meal toppers. Not only does this add more nutritional value, but it also gives your animal some extra flavor and variety. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Bone broth
Goat’s milk
Many cats and dogs, especially those eating dry foods, don’t drink enough water, so adding hydration to their diets is essential. Bone broth is easy to add at mealtime, and is a good source of protein, the amino acid glycine, and collagen.
Dogs may enjoy eating kale, spinach, carrots, green beans, broccoli, etc. with their kibble. For fruits, consider pieces of apple (minus the seeds and core), blueberries, cranberries, cantaloupe and bananas. Some cats like carrots, peas, broccoli florets, green beans, zucchini, spinach, and winter squash. Be sure to avoid fruits and veggies that are toxic to animals — prime examples are onions, grapes and raisins.
Raw goat’s milk can be beneficial for both cats and dogs. It may be served with the kibble or on its own, and it also freezes well for treats. Goat’s milk can be a good alternative for animals with sensitivity to bovine milk.
Coconut oil
This oil can be used both topically and orally to keep your animal’s coat shiny. As an added bonus, it can reduce inflammation in a cat’s digestive tract. Lauric acid, a saturated fat found in coconut oil, can soothe inflammation all over the body. Dairy products such as kefir, yogurt and buttermilk, as well as fermented vegetables including sauerkraut, ginger carrots, kimchi and beets, can aid in digestion and help ease the symptoms of chronic diarrhea in cats and dogs.
There are a number of benefits to using meal toppers, says Lindsay Tracy, vice president of business development at Redbarn Pet Products (redbarn.com). “They can brighten an animal’s day when added as texture on top of dry food,” she says, adding that meal toppers offer novel scents and tastes at mealtimes. “Picky pets may find toppers make food more palatable. They can be used to add nutrition to the diet, or a few extra calories if needed.”
“Digestive issues are very prevalent in modern dogs,” say certified pet food nutrition specialist, Holly Montgomery. “They can be due to stress, environmental toxins, antibiotic treatment, medications and more. In fact, it’s at the point now where I recommend probiotics for every dog.”
“We make several high-meat meal topper options,” adds Jen Beechen, vice president of marketing for ORIJEN® and ACANA® pet foods, produced by Champion Pet Foods (championpetfoods. com). She agrees that just like humans, dogs can get tired of always eating the same diet, and meal toppers add variety.
Natural probiotics
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Animal Wellness
Sardines
These tiny fish are a great source of taurine and Omega-3 fatty acids. Taurine is essential for heart health. Try replacing a portion of your dog or cat’s kibble meal with a few sardines, two to three times weekly.
Pumpkin puree
High in soluble fiber, pumpkin puree is a popular goto treatment for cats and dogs experiencing diarrhea or constipation. Adding a bit to their meals can help them have regular bowel movements. It can also help dogs and cats with indigestion or upset stomachs.
IMBALANCES While meal toppers and the other foods covered in this article can be served as often as desired with your dog or cat’s kibble-based meal, it’s important to avoid overfeeding or nutritional imbalances. To ensure you don’t throw off the balance of your animal’s diet, Holly advises trying to keep meal additions to 20% (or less) of your dog or cat’s total diet. “If a person is adding toppers to a ‘complete’ diet, it’s important to ensure the animal is getting enough of that complete diet to get the nutrients they need,” she says.
“Inflammation of skin or joints could benefit from the addition of Omega-3 fatty acids,” adds Holly. “Most kibble diets are very high in Omega-6s, and since Omega-3s and 6s need to be in balance, most animals need Omega-3s added to their diet. I personally like sardines because they are small, short-lived fish that don’t feed on other fish. With the state of our waters, it’s best to choose fish that have a lower likelihood of accumulating toxins.” Raw or cooked meat
Adding a bit of raw or cooked meat or poultry to your dog or cat’s dry meal will really add a boost of nutrition and taste. Meat contains iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. It is rich in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, and B12. Adding glucosamine- and chondroitin-rich toppers like chicken or duck feet can help with joint support, adds Holly.