RAWPETDIGEST
April/May2018
Empowering you to help your pet thrive!
Get anexpert'sadvice about rawfeeding (Surprise! It'sprobably not what youthink)
Got tooth problems?No problem!We showyouwhat todo Helpyour pet fight inflammationwithone important supplement
I t's al l ergy season... Is your pet r eady? What to do about ear infections Finding a safer antibiotic for your pet
Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark
Subscribe at www.rawpet digest .com For advert ising inf ormat ion, cont act krist in@rawpet digest .com All emails and letters become the property of Raw Pet Digest and may be reprinted in future issues.
Our mission at Raw Pet Digest is to share information that supports natural health with a broad audience to help improve the lives of our carnivore pets. We believe that only the body is capable of achieving and maintaining true health, but we also believe that there are many things that we can do to help support the body in its quest to maintain balance (health). Raw Pet Digest aims to help educate and inform you about those things so that you can help your pet live a long life and thrive naturally.
DISCLAIMER: All information contained in Raw Pet Digest is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body or pets, and the author(s), publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone or their pets suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, all views expressed herein by those being interviewed or featured are their own views and do not necessarily represent the views of Raw Pet Digest. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author(s) and Editor-in-Chief. The articles herein are for educational purposes only. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
On our cover: A puppy and kit t en t oget her in a f iel d. Copyright Phot odet i On t h e back : M ot ley, a Por t u gu ese Poden go Pequ en o. Ph ot o cr edit Kr ist in Clar k
FEATURES 6 How to Beat Springtime Allergies
COLUMNS 4 Letter from the Editor
11 Simple Switches, Big Results 12 Nature's Antibiotic: Colloidal Silver's Benefits and Uses 16 A Simple Guide to Essential Oils 21 The Perfect Healthy Treat
5 Contributors 19 Sound Bites 22 Raw Pets Thrive! Puzzle 25 The Beginner's Corner
30 The Power of Flower Essences 34 Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Ear Infections
49 Spotlight on Health 66 The Raw-Pawthecary
38 How to Keep Your Pet's Teeth Healthy
68 Raw Pets Thrive! Puzzle
41 The Hidden Dangers of Antibiotics
Answer Key
58 Rabies Miasm: The Reality, and the "Cure"
Letter fromtheEditor This issue marks Raw Pet Digest?s 3rd anniversary. Looking back, I can?t believe it?s already been that long since I first put together our inaugural issue. I, and the magazine, have come a long way since then, but my core passion, and the very reason for the magazine? empowering pet parents to keep their dogs and cats thriving? remains the same. We still focus on all things raw, and we still follow the core belief that getting and keeping pets healthy is a journey, and everybody moves along that journey in different ways and at different rates. This issue, we honor the journey that all pet parents take with a new column, ?Sound Bites.?This column will bring you raw feeding advice from experts throughout the industry, with one useful twist? we ask them to bring you just one piece of advice about raw feeding that they were given, or they wish they?d been given, to make raw feeding easier. The sheer amount of information about raw feeding that?s available can be overwhelming, so what better way to break it down and make it easier than getting one simple tip from someone who?s been there already? This issue, your Sound Bites expert is Krista Powell, who owns Vibrant K9. I loved her advice, and I think when you read it, you?ll love it too.
Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit Adam Gilbert
In this issue, we also focus on two of the most common reasons pet parents take their pets to the vet: ear infections and periodontal/ tooth problems. If you have a pet that experiences these issues, we tell you how to break the cycle and get them thriving again. And if your dog or cat doesn?t have these issues currently, there?s a good chance they won?t develop these issues at all if you follow the guidelines in the articles. And, because springtime is finally here (and with spring, for many pets, comes allergies), we share one expert?s tips on how to overcome those springtime allergies using natural modalities. These easy-to-follow guidelines will help you and your pet enjoy these beautiful spring days, instead of experiencing the misery that can come with the incessant itching, licking, and paw biting that are the hallmarks of springtime allergy symptoms. We don?t stop there, of course? this issue is packed with tons of great tips to help you keep your pet vital, vibrant, and thriving. We hope you enjoy reading the issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Happy Springtime, and enjoy the issue! Kristin Kristin Clark Editor-in-Chief 4
CONTRIBUTORS Kait Leonard is a writer and behavior analyst living and working in Los Angeles, California. A professional homeopath, Kait shares great tips about dealing with springtime allergies in her article beginning on page 6. In addition to writing about homeopathy, Kait also writes about psychology, holistic wellness for both people and animals, animal rights, and veganism. She has more than thirty years of experience raising pets and providing them with the healthiest and most natural care possible. Kait Leonard is a certified behaviorist who works helping people shape their own behaviors as well as the behaviors of their pets. She holds national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a Master?s degree in psychology, and a Ph.D. in English. In January 2018, she launched BoomBoomNow.com, a lifestyle blog for baby boomers.
Kait Leonard. Photo credit Milton Clark
Paula Vandervoort, a Veteran Dog Breeder of show, service, and performance Boxers for over 40 years, is an AKC Breeder of Merit, a mentor to numerous breeders, and a member in good standing of the Houston Boxer Club, the American Boxer Club, the Natural Rearing Breeders Association, the Vital Animals Breeder Director, and the Natural Rearing Breeders Director. Paula is also the founder and owner of The Dog Breeder Store/Holistic Healing Store. She blogs and educates breeders and pet owners about essential oils, green living, and epigenetics, as well as carnivore nutrition. Additionally, Paula holds many certifications related to natural healing modalities. Paula is the subject of this issue's "Spotlight on Health" (beginning on page 49), and she also shares her experience with rabies miasm with us starting on page 58. You can find her at www.gentryboxers.com/. 5
HOW TO BEAT SPRINGTIME ALLERGIES
Spring is in the air, and so is pollen! It?s seasonal allergy time for our furry friends. You know the symptoms: -
Incessant scratching Red, sometimes bleeding skin Goopy ears
Nothing seems to help. But there is hope. Starting natural treatments early might save your pet from the vet?s office and the potentially toxic options waiting there. Unlike humans, who tend to experience dry eyes, runny noses, and sneezing, our animal companions take the assault primarily on their skin. The main symptom in allergyprone dogs and cats is itchiness. The constant scratching can lead to fur loss, minor
abrasions, and even tissue damage so extreme that infections develop. Ear infections are also common (Editor?s note: For more information about dealing with ear infections, please see the article ?Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Ear Infections?on page34 of thisissue). ?Put simply, allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to something it recognizes as harmful,? explains Dr. McGee Leonard, a veterinary specialist with a degree in immunology. ?We treat seasonal allergies with antihistamines, antibiotics, and corticosteroids,? she adds. And sometimes, animal lovers committed to providing natural care sometimes accept these options because they feel the symptoms have become too serious to try alternative therapies, which can take time to work. Getting a jump on allergies gives pet parents the best chance of success, both of keeping their pets allergy-free and avoiding the potentially toxic side-effects of conventional treatments. Build your anti-allergy arsenal early, and begin treatment at the first sign of itchiness. St art on t he out side The following three tips will help your pet fight allergies by not allowing the villainous particles time to irritate the skin. 1. Shampoo your pet once or twice a week with a natural hypoallergenic shampoo. This keeps fur and skin free of the
particles that set off the allergic response. Be sure to use a hypoallergenic, soap-free, gentle shampoo to prevent drying effects. 2. Clean ears regularly, especially if you have a drop-eared dog. Ear canals are perfect receptacles for all the nasties flying around. In addition, irrigate the canal after water activities. Extra moisture trapped in ears makes them even better breeding grounds for bacteria, yeast, and mites. Several natural DIY recipes can be found online, but a safe choice is one part apple cider vinegar mixed with two parts lukewarm water. Clean ears with a solution-soaked cotton ball and dry well. 3. If your pet?s eyes are goopy, use a homeopathic eye rinse to clear out pollutants. Safe products can be found online, in health food stores, and even in well-stocked drug stores.
Herbal t reat ment s If symptoms progress, these herbal options should help. 1. The gel from the leaves of the aloe plant contains enzymes that are soothing. Apply liberally and often to the affected areas. 2. A solution made from a tincture of calendula diluted with five to ten parts distilled water and applied directly to the itchy bits can stop inflammation, heal skin, and prevent hot spots from starting. Tincture of calendula can be found online and in most health food stores. 3. Both nettle and licorice have been used to address the symptoms of seasonal allergies in cats and dogs. They are available in tea and tincture forms. The dosage can vary widely depending on which form you choose, as well as on the weight of your pet. Do your homework, or better still, consult a holistic veterinarian or certified animal naturopath before administering. Homeopat hic remedies Homeopathic remedies provide safe, effective treatment for allergy symptoms. Choose a 30C potency and place one or two pellets between your fur-pal?s cheek and gums every two to three hours. If you don't see improvement within approximately 24 hours, try your second-choice remedy. Here are the top remedies to consider. 1. Sulphur: If your buddy always wants to be the center of attention, consider Sulphur. Also, go straight to this remedy if your pet gets worse from bathing. The more these animals scratch, the more they need to scratch. Symptoms tend
Photo credit Deb McMurdie
8
Adver t isement s
9