CONTENTS Spring 2022
38 Features 28
nwanted behaviors and U nutrition
Find out how certain dietary nutrients and calming supplements may curb aggression, anxiety and other unwanted behaviors in dogs.
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INSIDE & OUT
What to do about your dog’s hot spots
26 TREAT TIME Pup-friendly hot cross buns
Just because they can’t have chocolate doesn’t mean our dogs have to miss out on yummy treats this Easter! Here’s an easy recipe your four-legged friend will love.
Dental disease affects most dogs and cats, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Take a holistic approach to preventive care by following these five steps to a healthier mouth.
16 NATURAL
30 AT THE VET
ow to teach your dog or H cat to accept tooth brushing
A spice renowned for its color and flavor, turmeric offers noteworthy health benefits to dogs as well as humans.
Regular tooth brushing is an important part of your dog or cat’s dental care regime. Find out how to get her to accept and even enjoy the procedure.
our hands-on guide for Y going to the dog park
Taking your canine companion to the dog park should be fun and safe for both of you. This guide offers all you need to know to ensure a positive experience.
10 4
10 HEALING
Hot spots are a common and frustrating problem, and can cause your dog a lot of discomfort and angst. These natural remedies can help.
op 5 ways to prevent dental 38 Tdisease in dogs and cats
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Columns
Animal Wellness
SUPPLEMENT
Turmeric — a supplement worth considering for your dog
19 TECHNOLOGY
AI helps your veterinarian provide optimal care
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable tool that can help your veterinarian do his/her job with greater speed and precision.
24 KNOW YOUR CAT Is your cat happy?
A happy cat is a healthy cat. Find out whether or not your kitty is happy, and how you can help her feel better.
Anesthesia, analgesia, or sedation
What are the differences, and what might your dog or cat need?
34 FORWARD PLANNING
Being a good dog parent starts with pet insurance
Pet insurance is becoming increasingly popular among dog parents. These statistics say it all.
36 DO IT YOURSELF Make your own doggy toothpaste Good dental health means keeping your dog’s teeth and gums in good shape. Here’s how to make a safe and effective doggy toothpaste using common natural ingredients.
64 ALTERNATIVE APPROACH
NAET — a breakthrough approach to allergies in dogs and cats
30 42 FELINE
56 CANINE
Environmental toxins — help your cat breathe easier
Dog apparel — from fun to practical
NAET is an energy medicine modality that uses techniques such as MRT and acupressure to get to the root of your dog or cat’s allergies.
STYLE
HEALTH
Whether you’re protecting him against the elements or dressing him up for a holiday, there’s dog apparel for every occasion!
Our homes contain a range of environmental toxins that can affect your cat’s respiratory system. Here are the most common culprits.
46 SPOTLIGHT
72 FOCUS ON CBD
Can CBD help with your dog’s dental health?
58 NEED TO
How “conservation dogs” are helping the environment
KNOW
How to clean and care for wounds in your dog or cat
Working dogs have many roles, and that includes using their powerful sense of smell to help with wildlife conservation. Find out how they do it.
All dogs and cats occasionally get scraped or scratched. So it’s important to know how to clean and care for these wounds at home.
50 SKIN CARE
Sun protection and insect repellent for your dog The arrival of spring means more time outdoors with your dog, but don’t forget the sun protection and insect repellent!
62 PREVENTION
Human studies indicate that CBD can have applications for dental health. The results can be extrapolated to our dogs too.
78 HEALTH WATCH
Why do cats gag?
Does your cat gag a lot? While some gagging is normal and natural, it may signal a health issue if it happens often.
Why you should weigh your cat every month
Your cat’s weight is one of the most important indicators of her wellbeing. Weighing her once a month can help you catch health problems early on.
78
Departments 7 From the Editor 35 AW Academy
product reviews
44 Let’s get social! 48 Product picks
Social Media
61 Business profile — Chicken Soup for the Soul pet food
80 Classifieds 81 Marketplace
68 To the rescue
81 Events
69 Spring highlights
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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HEALING INSIDE & OUT
WHAT TO DO ABOUT YOUR DOG’S
HOT SPOTS By Dr. Suzi Beber, Honoris causa
Hot spots are a common and frustrating problem, and can cause your dog a lot of discomfort and angst. These natural remedies can help.
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Animal Wellness
Hot spots have many “pet” names, including summer sores and moist dermatitis. They can appear anywhere on your dog’s body, though they’re most often found on the head, legs, flanks, by the tail and behind the ears. Let’s look at what causes hot spots — and more importantly, what you can do to ease the discomfort and itching they cause.
WHERE DO HOT SPOTS COME FROM? Hot spots have a variety of causes, from fleas, heat or a food sensitivity, to stress or something in the environment. But the most consistent factor is bacteria. Anything that irritates or breaks the skin can create the perfect environment for bacteria to grab hold, especially if the skin has a bit of moisture on it. Have you recently bathed your dog, walked in the rain, or watched him have a leisurely roll in the grass, or a romp in the snow? What about all those pesky bugs that start coming out when spring arrives? These are all possible ways for hot spots to take hold. Hot spots can grow as if they’re on “fast forward”. You might notice hair loss from all the licking, the sore may be bright red and feel sticky, there may be a yellowish color, and it might also bleed and smell. Luckily, there are a range of natural remedies you can use to help alleviate your dog’s hot spots. Keep in mind that just as people are all different, so are our dogs, so while one remedy might work for one, it may not for another. Over the years, I have found that having a variety of remedies is the best way to go. Remember to always check with your veterinarian first.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR HOT SPOTS Calendula Also known as pot marigold, calendula is great for hot spots, since it has both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Whether you grow your own (it has beautiful yellow and orange flowers) or purchase ready-made products, a calendula salve, tincture or tea may be just what your dog needs. If you grow your own calendula, simply harvest the flowers when they’re in full bloom, dry them on a rack or hang them upside down like a bouquet, and store them for future use. Simple calendula oil blend • Place dried calendula petals in a sterilized glass jar. • Cover with first pressed/ extra virgin olive oil or sweet almond oil — a combination of the two works well. The oil should cover the blooms by 1”. Animal Wellness
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NATURAL SUPPLEMENT
Turmeric — a supplement worth considering for your dog By Theresa W. Fossum, DVM, MS. PhD, Diplomate ACVS
A spice renowned for its color and flavor, turmeric offers noteworthy health benefits to dogs as well as humans.
If you are a fan of curry, you have probably heard of turmeric. Also referred to as curcumin, which refers to the key active ingredient that gives this spice its distinct color and flavor, turmeric is a plant in the ginger family that is native to south Asia. In India, this centuriesold plant is commonly used for skin and digestive issues as well as aches and pains. Turmeric offers a variety of wellness benefits to dogs as well as humans, making it a supplement that’s definitely worth consideration.
TURMERIC’S POTENTIAL HEALING BENEFITS Turmeric has been recommended for reducing chronic inflammation in humans and dogs1 and may help canines with mobility issues associated with aging or disease. The same
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article1 cited Dr. Randy J. Horwitz, medical director the Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Arizona, as saying that turmeric is “one the most potent natural anti-inflammatories available”. Turmeric can also help with anxiety and senility, and may even have a positive effect on some cancers. Although there is so far very little research on the use of turmeric in dogs, one study looked at the effects of turmeric root and rosemary leaf on canine cancer cell growth in cell cultures.2 While additional research is needed, the study suggested that turmeric root and rosemary leaf had a synergistic effect in killing certain tumor cell lines. Another author has suggested that the heat used in producing kibble generates carcinogenic chemical compounds, which turmeric supplements can counteract.3
Hint: It’s safe to give turmeric to dogs in reasonable doses; in fact, it is often added to kibble to enhance its color.
caution in animals with a history of bleeding disorders. Reports have indicated that turmeric may be beneficial for people with diabetes by stabilizing blood glucose levels; if your dog is diabetic, however, talk to your veterinarian before adding this (or any) supplements to his diet.
HOW MUCH TURMERIC SHOULD I GIVE MY DOG?
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TURMERIC? Adverse side effects are uncommon when turmeric is given in appropriate amounts. If they do occur, they may include gallbladder issues, dizziness, bruising, upset stomach and/or nausea, and iron deficiency. Turmeric stimulates gallbladder flow by increasing the organ’s contractions; it may be beneficial for some gallbladder diseases but should be avoided if there is a history or potential for gallstones. Turmeric may also delay blood clotting and should therefore be used with
Hint: Iron deficiency is associated with the binding of ferric iron to turmeric in the gut when high doses are given.4
As with most supplements, the dosage of turmeric a dog should receive depends on his or her weight. Obviously, there is no one-size-fitsall, given that different breeds can weigh as little as a pound or two up to 150 pounds or more. I generally recommend giving turmeric powder to dogs because you can measure out exactly how much he should receive. Turmeric capsules give you less ability to administer a specific amount. Turmeric powder can be made into a paste (mixed with lecithin, MCT oil, or olive oil) or added to your dog’s food. If you are adding it to dry kibble, moisten the kibble first and then mix the powder in. Following are the recommended guidelines for adding a powdered form of turmeric to your dog’s food, up to three times a day. I would suggest you
start with one or two doses at the low end, and increase them once you find your dog tolerates it. • 1-10 lbs: 1/16 to 1/8 tsp • 10-20 lbs: 1/8 tsp to ¼ tsp • 20-50 lbs: ¼ tsp. to 1 tsp • 50-100 lbs: 1 tsp. to 2 tsp • More than 100 lbs: 2 tsp
Hint: Most turmeric capsules have been formulated for humans and may contain higher amounts of turmeric than dogs can typically tolerate.
While more research needs to be done on the benefits of turmeric in dogs, it’s certainly a supplement worth adding to your canine companion’s health regime. Talk to your holistic or integrative veterinarian about what turmeric might be able to do for your dog, especially if he’s older and/or has mobility issues, or is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Waggoner LL: Spice it up! If your dog suffers from chronic inflammation or stiffness, try adding turmeric to his diet, Herbal Medicine, Dec 2014
1
L evine CB, Bayle J, Biourge V, And Wakshlag JJ: Cellular effects of turmeric root and rosemary leaf extract on canine neoplastic cell lines, BMC Veterinary Research 2017: 13:388
2
T weed V: Pet supplement guide: Essential nutrients for optimal health in cats and dogs of all ages. Natural Pet, Nutrition for dogs and cats. March 2014
3
Smith TJ, Ashar BH: Iron deficiency anemia due to high-dose turmeric. Cureus 2019:11:1; e3858
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