animal
5
th anniversary issue
wellness educating your passion
10 TIPS for mature animals
EXCLUSIVE!
TOP TRENDS for Animals 1999-2004
Playing Litter Box Detective
DIETS that
think outside the box
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VOLUME 6 ISSUE 5
Enter our AMAZING ANIMALS Story Contest! www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com animal wellness 1
contents 40
Photo: Tanya Whitehead
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26
features 18 10 tips for
mature animals How to keep your animal friend feeling young at heart
26 Billy Blanks
How the Karate champ and Tae Bo king lives in harmony with 26 animals
23 Animals are the real 28 Think outside the box
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teachers at Pawprints Literary Plus Foundation
for a healthy diet your companion will love
Reading and writing about critters helps kids learn compassion
The lowdown on alternative protein sources
64 Book reviews
16 Dr. Martin Goldstein 68 Animal passages 62 Animal
communication
animal wellness
separation anxiety
The triumph of Deimos and Jen and how you can resolve anxiety
37 Hair of the dog
How hair analysis can help protect your animal's health
columns 12 Yakkity yak
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32 Coping with
70 Legal beagle 82 The tail end
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features 40 Top Trends for
Animals 1999-2004 AWM reveals our exclusive list
45 Enter our
Amazing Animals Story Contest Tell your story and you could win!
46 The litter box
What does your cat really think about it?
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Preparing your companion for a new baby Expecting? Here's how to help Fido make friends with your little one
58 Special needs diets – don't kid around with kidney disease Healthy, tempting recipes for dogs and cats
66 Equine dentistry
A balanced mouth means a balanced body
departments 6 8
Editorial
53 What’s gnu?
73 Ad spots
Pony express
65 Product picks
80 Events calendar
49 Holistic
resource guide
81 Classifieds
Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2004. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: September, 2004
animal wellness
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You’re only as old as you feel, right? But what about our dogs and cats? “Whenever I walk my Bichon, Lacey, down the street,” says Jennifer George, “someone stops us for a pat and a chat. Inevitably, the person will ask how old Lacey is. When I say 14, they can’t believe their ears. They think she’s a puppy! I tell them that, ‘in addition to excellent genes, Lacey takes good care of herself’,” laughs Jennifer.
10 tips
With the right care, even large breed canines can live into their teens, and it’s not unusual to hear of cats over 20.
to keep your animal
You don’t need a miracle elixir to add years to your beloved companion’s life. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Follow these ten tips to help your four-footed friend enjoy his mature years to the fullest.
friend feeling young at heart
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A wholesome diet While it’s best to feed your companion a healthy diet from babyhood, it’s never too late to switch, as long as you do it gradually and under the guidance of a vet if your animal has an existing health problem. You can choose from a homeprepared diet made from raw or cooked meat and vegetables, or purchase a highquality packaged food made from natural, whole ingredients. It’s not usually necessary to feed a diet specially formulated for seniors, although you may need to cut quantities, fat and protein levels. Fresh, pure, filtered or spring water (not tap water) is vital, especially to older animals who are more prone to kidney problems. Make sure the water is changed daily and is accessible 24/7. To increase hydration in animals that may not drink enough, especially cats, consider a pet fountain – running water stays cleaner longer and also encourages them to drink more.
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Vitamins for vitality Mature animals need to be supplemented with specific vitamins and other nutrients to maintain good health and deal with age-related problems. Your companion’s requirements may vary, depending on his individual condition, so consult with a holistic vet before starting a supplement regimen. In the meantime, here’s a basic guide: • Antioxidants – Vitamin C (Ester C) boosts the immune system and maintains bone and blood vessel health; good for animals with degenerative joint disease. Vitamin E helps with allergies, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Co Q-10 raises flagging energy levels and protects the heart from oxidation; can treat allergies, periodontal disease and cancer. Vitamin A helps fight infection and cancer and is good for the skin and liver. • Essential fatty acids – Omega-3 oils are helpful for arthritis, allergies and immune problems while Omega-6s alleviate dry, itchy skin. Cold water fish sources are recommended. • Digestive enzymes – enhance digestion and intestinal health by improving nutrient absorption. • Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM – very useful for arthritis, hip dysplasia and other joint diseases. • Glandulars – support aging glands and organs, thereby helping to prevent thyroid problems, Cushings disease, diabetes and other disorders.
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Keep him moving!
A mature animal may not be as active and energetic as he once was, but he still needs regular exercise to prevent obesity and keep his joints, heart and lungs in good working order. An older dog should still be walked every day, or every other day, depending on the individual, or engaged in some light play. Indoor cats are especially
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Long in the tooth? Periodontal disease affects dogs and cats of all ages. If not dealt with early on, it worsens as the animal ages, causing pain and leading to gingivitis, tooth loss, and infections that can spread to the kidneys, heart or other organs. A healthy, natural diet helps maintain good dental health. The preservatives, sugars and other ingredients found in many commercial foods contribute to tartar buildup, while many kibbles break down into mushy particles that lodge between the teeth. Raw meaty bones
prone to becoming sedentary and overweight as they age, so they should also be encouraged to play a little each day. Just don’t overdo it – stop the activity when the animal shows signs of tiring or wants to rest. And who doesn’t love a massage after exercising? Massage soothes stiff joints and muscles, and alleviates the discomfort associated with arthritis and hip dysplasia. Because massage also improves circulation, it enhances immune function and helps the organs and body systems function better.
(chopped raw chicken necks for cats) can serve as a natural “toothbrush." Not only do they give his teeth and jaws a good workout, but the natural enzymes and probiotics found in raw bones support healthy bacterial flora. Raw vegetables such as organic carrots are also good. You may need to clean your animal’s teeth occasionally, using a toothpaste and brush especially formulated for pets. With some animals, especially older ones, this may be easier said than done, so you may want to look at products that you can spray or wipe on the animal’s teeth and gums. Many contain anti-bacterial herbs such as myrrh, thyme, fennel seed, or goldenseal.
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Limit vaccines
By now, most animal guardians are aware of the risks of over-vaccination. Even in young animals, too many vaccines can cause a wide number of side effects, ranging from fever and stiffness to injection site sarcomas, autoimmune problems, allergies, dermatitis, thyroid problems, and even kidney and liver disease. These risks increase as the animal gets older, especially if he is in any way immunocompromised by illness. The irony is that most vaccines protect against illness for three years, perhaps even longer, which makes annual boosters completely unnecessary. Rather than scheduling a full set of vaccinations every year, ask your vet if he/she can do a titer test instead. This simple, inexpensive, blood antibody test will tell you if your animal can get by without being re-vaccinated.
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