CONTENTS Spring 2023
Columns 18 MEDICINAL
46 FORWARD
Lion’s Mane mushroom offers healing properties to dogs
Emergency preparedness for cats
MUSHROOMS
A popular mushroom in North America, Lion’s Mane features a range of medicinal benefits for both people and their dogs — from calming anxiety to supporting the gut.
22 CANINE BEHAVIOR Understanding your dog’s body language
18 Features 12
How do your dog’s hormones affect health and behavior? F rom estrogen and testosterone to adrenaline and cortisol, your dog’s hormones have a profound impact on their well-being — physically, mentally and emotionally.
each your dog not to fear 16 Tloud noises
Thunder, fireworks, and other loud noises turn many dogs into nervous wrecks. Here’s how to train your dog to take scary sounds in stride.
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et-friendly home décor P that’s functional and fabulous Sharing your home with a dog or cat doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. Take a look at how you can incorporate your best friend’s needs into your design and decorating plans.
support for your 32 Ndogutritional or cat’s gut-brain axis An imbalance in the gut microbiome can affect your dog or cat’s brain and cause mood and behavior changes. Learn how to support their gut-brain axis with diet and supplements.
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Animal Wellness
Our dogs constantly communicate with us through body language. By becoming familiar with it, you can interpret how your dog is feeling and respond to her needs.
38 HEALING
INSIDE & OUT
Understanding and supporting your dog or cat’s nervous system Find out why the nervous system is the most important system in your dog or cat’s body, and how to keep it healthy and functioning properly.
42 NATURAL REMEDIES
Can lipomas in dogs be treated naturally? Lipomas are common in dogs. In most cases, these fatty lumps are harmless and can be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes, along with herbs and other alternative therapies.
PLANNING
Having to evacuate due to a disaster can be particularly stressful for cats. Here’s how to create a feline-friendly emergency plan for your kitties.
48 DID YOU KNOW? Do dogs dream?
The answer is yes! Take a look at what we know about canine sleep patterns, why dogs dream — and what they dream about!
52 ANIMAL
COMMUNICATION Choosing an animal communicator for your dog or cat
Thinking about hiring an animal communicator for your dog or cat? Find out what communicators can and can’t do, and how to choose the right one for you and your animal.
56 HEALTH WATCH Biofilms and how they affect your dog or cat
We hear a lot about biofilms these days, but what exactly are they, and what impact can they have on your dog or cat’s health and wellbeing?
60 SAFETY FIRST
Outdoor safety for cats
Letting your cat enjoy the great outdoors this spring can enrich his life and enhance his well-being — as long as you make his safety your number one priority.
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64 IMMUNE
72 FELINE
78 ALTERNATIVE
How supporting your dog or cat’s gut health boosts immunity
Aggression in cats
Immunity and homeopathy in dogs — focus on nosodes
SUPPORT
BEHAVIOR
Whether it’s biting or scratching, or an all-out attack against another cat or person, feline aggression is upsetting and traumatic. But there are solutions for defusing it.
A properly-functioning immune system is vital to your dog or cat’s overall wellness, and it starts with supporting their gut health.
75 EMOTIONAL
66 LEARNING
WELL-BEING
CURVE
In sync — study gets to the heart of the animal-human bond
How genetics can influence your dog’s behavior
Fear, aggression and other behavioral problems in dogs often arise from maltreatment, lack of socialization and other issues. But science is showing that genetics also play a part.
70 ANIMAL
BODYWORK
Tui na helps prevent spring injuries in active dogs Most dogs are less active during the winter months. Find out how Tui na can help prevent early season injuries as your canine “springs into action” again.
76 AT HOME
House call vets — why to consider having one
59 Newsworthy
27 Product picks
69 Let’s get social
36 In the news
81 Marketplace
37 Business profile –
81 Classifieds
Alaska Naturals
Social Media
Homeopathic nosodes are a potent, safe and effective way to help dogs build specific immunity to many major diseases, without the risks and side effects caused by vaccines.
82 ANIMAL LIFESTYLE
What are the most animal-friendly American cities?
While it’s important to maintain a relationship with a local veterinary clinic, a house call practice can take a lot of stress out of your dog or cat’s wellness visits.
Departments 8 From the Editor
APPROACH
22
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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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Estrogen
BY KATIE KANGAS, DVM, CVA, CVCP Most people know that hormones are important for regulating body systems. These natural chemicals impact systems and metabolism on almost every level of the body, and also have a significant influence on behavior and mood — not only in ourselves, but in our dogs as well. Read on for a discussion of the most common hormones and how they affect your dog’s health and behavior.
DEFINING HORMONES A hormone is a chemical transmitter substance produced by cells in the body. It is transported through the bloodstream to the cells and organs on which it has a specific regulatory effect. In other words, hormones act as chemical messengers within the body, in order to stimulate or suppress certain processes or actions.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON PLAYERS? There are dozens and dozens of different hormones in the body, but the most well-recognized players include:
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• Testosterone
• Thyroid hormone
• Estrogen
• Growth hormone
• Adrenaline
• Insulin
• Cortisol
• Melatonin
Animal Wellness
From estrogen and testosterone to adrenaline and cortisol, your dog’s hormones have a profound impact on their well-being — physically, mentally and emotionally.
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How do your dog’s hormones affect their health and behavior?
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Additionally, specific neurotransmitters act as hormones in the body, and these include serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. All these hormones act within complex networks collectively referred to as the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a network of glandular organs that produce and regulate hormones to control and coordinate the body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, response to injury and/or stress, and mood. Crucially important glands within the endocrine system include: • Hypothalamus
• Thymus
• Pineal gland
• Adrenal gland
• Pituitary gland
• Pancreas
• Thyroid gland
• Ovaries
• Parathyroid gland
• Testes
The gut (gastrointestinal tract) also acts as an endocrine gland since it works with endocrine cells, neurons, and immune cells, using gut peptides as signaling substances. In fact, some of the hormones in the gut are also found in the brain, which supports the concept of the gut-brain axis (see page 32 for more on the gut-brain axis).
HORMONAL IMBALANCES AND ENDOCRINE DISEASES These health problems are very common in our canine companions, and appear to be on the rise. There are many reasons for this, such as:
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Processed foods and toxins: Many toxins are known to be direct endocrine disruptors, and include common pet food preservatives such BPA and BHA, and herbicides in foods such as glyphosate (Roundup). Nutrient deficiencies: Trace minerals such as magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium and iodine are critically important for the body’s glands to function appropriately. Trace mineral deficiencies are very common in both dogs and humans. Spaying and neutering: Typically, when pets are de-sexed, the gonads (ovaries or testicles) are completely removed, which means the majority of testosterone and estrogen are gone for good. It is important to note that a certain level of sex hormones is crucially important for sustaining normal health and well-being.
Neurotransmitters that act like hormones Interestingly, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone have been found to affect serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a “feel-good” chemical or neurotransmitter that functions like a hormone. It’s reported that sex hormones increase the uptake of serotonin by influencing the serotonin receptors. Dopamine and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) are other neurotransmitters that act as hormones and chemical messengers for the brain. Both these substances have positive impacts on mood and behavior as well. It is now known that many key chemicals and hormones used by the brain and nervous system are produced in the gut, and these include serotonin, dopamine and GABA. This is one reason why the gut-brain axis is so important. Serotonin is specifically known to impact mood and anxiety and has been termed the “happy chemical” because it contributes to happiness and well-being. It is estimated that 70% of serotonin is made in the gut. Dopamine is involved in motor function, mood, decision-making, and hormone control. Reports estimate that around 50% of dopamine is produced in the gastrointestinal tract by gut cell neurons. GABA regulates stress, anxiety, and sleep patterns, and is known to be modulated by bacteria in the gut microbiome. This means gut bacteria communicate with the brain and can directly influence mood and behavior. In fact, some canine-specific studies have demonstrated a relationship between a dog’s gut microbiome and their behavior tendencies for aggression or anxiety. Animal Wellness
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As it turns out, the only other glands in the body that can produce some sex hormones are the adrenal glands. This means the adrenal glands in a spayed or neutered dog are placed under extra stress and demand throughout the animal’s lifetime. The adrenal glands are also responsible for regulating and releasing adrenaline and cortisol hormones, which is in itself a big job. Adrenaline is the hormone released during the body’s fight or flight response, triggered when stressful events occur. Cortisol is also released by the adrenals in fight or flight scenarios, and is continually released in chronic stress situations. Ongoing stressors for dogs can include things like chronic pain, chronic itching due to allergies, environmental stressors, household upsets, separation anxiety, etc.
CHRONIC ANXIETY AND THE HPA AXIS Chronic anxiety is becoming more common in animals, with growing numbers of dogs being placed on prescription medications to manage it. The common metabolic causes of anxiety include HPA dysfunction, compromised gut health, and nutrient deficiencies. • T he HPA axis describes the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal system, which is known as the command center and communication feedback system in the part of the brain that senses stress. The HPA axis controls reactions to stress and regulates digestion and the immune system, as well as mood and emotions. • W hen this system is continually firing under conditions of chronic stress, the negative feedback loop mechanism (which normally keeps things in check) can break down. This HPA dysfunction is recognized as a cause of chronic anxiety. • I f the situation continues, this dysfunction can lead to adrenal gland depletion, otherwise known as adrenal fatigue. Other health conditions associated with adrenal dysfunction include Cushing’s and Addison’s diseases. All these adrenal gland conditions can affect a dog’s behavior, causing everything from anxiety and restlessness to low energy and fatigue.
ESTROGEN AND TESTOSTERONE If your dog is still sexually intact, they will have higher levels of sex hormones — i.e. testosterone in males and estrogen
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Animal Wellness
and progesterone in females. These can certainly also affect behavior and mood • T estosterone is known to influence confidence, dominance, and potentially aggression. However, this is not to say a neutered dog won’t display these behaviors. In fact, some dog parents see their dogs’ aggressive or reactive behaviors actually heighten after neutering; it appears that, in some circumstances, removing the confidence-supporting testosterone hormone could lead to more fear-related aggression behaviors. This demonstrates that hormones have very complex effects on the body, mind and mood. • E strogen is known to help regulate mood. In human women, low levels of estrogen are shown to influence anxiety, depression and stress. • P rogesterone is a “feel good” hormone that has a calming effect. In female dogs, progesterone is released after ovulation during the heat cycle, whether they are bred or not (even if they do not become pregnant), and continues to be measured at high levels for many weeks after. In conclusion, it’s clear that hormones exert vast effects on the body and directly influence the emotional and mental well-being of our dogs and ourselves.
Supporting your dog’s hormonal balance You can support your dog’s endocrine system and hormonal balance in many proactive ways.
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Choose a high quality, minimally processed or fresh food diet with species-appropriate ingredients.
2
Add trace mineral supplements (such as kelp).
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Support adrenal gland function with nutritional supplements, adaptogenic herbs, and/or mushroom supplements (such as Reishi).
4
Support your dog’s gut health.
Done properly (under the guidance of an integrative or holistic veterinarian), this is an excellent strategy for maintaining your dog’s hormonal balance, mood, and overall well-being.