RAWPET DIGEST
August/September 2015
IN THIS ISSUE: - Sw i t ch i n g y o u r cat t o " r aw " - A n i n t er v i ew w i t h Th o m as San d b er g f r o m Lo n g Li v i n g Pet s - Hi d d en t o x i n s an d h eal t h i er al t er n at i v es - Ch i r o p r act i c f o r an i m al s - Th e 3 r d l aw o f h eal t h - A n d m o r e!
Turner, a Shetland Sheepdog. Photo credit: Jill Ermeler
Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark Technical editor: Dr. Jeannie (Jeannette) Thomason
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Our mission at Raw Pet Digest is to share this information with a broad audience to help improve the lives of our carnivore pets. We sincerely hope the information presented in this magazine will be of use to you and your pets.
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. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author. 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.
Merlin, an American Pit Bull Terrier. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
FEATURESAND COLUMNS Letter from the Editor - 4 Switching Your Cat to a Species-Appropriate Diet - 5 Hidden Toxins, Safer Alternatives - 9 The Importance of Clean, Pure Water - 14 Long Living Pets: An Interview with Thomas Sandberg - 19 Animal Chiropractic Care - 29 Spotlight on Health: Dr. Kelly Ablard - 34 Starting the Conversation: An Introduction to Vaccines - 36
Barkley after playing at the dog beach. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
The Story of WolfBear - 40
Schatzie, a Carolina Dog. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer
Letter fromtheEditor Welcome to the August/ September issue of Raw Pet Digest! It seems hard to believe that it?s already time for another issue, and yet, time keeps marching along. They say time flies when you?re having fun, and I think that couldn?t be any more true. I?m having a blast, and part of what brings me joy is putting together this magazine for all of you. We had overwhelmingly positive responses to the articles in the June/ July issue, which was really rewarding. There are so many people who are starting to embrace natural health for their pets and themselves, and I couldn?t be happier about it. For all of you who are stepping out of your comfort zone? whether it means switching your pet to a species-appropriate diet, trying essential oils, or listening to your intuition instead of what your vet is saying? I applaud you! That personal empowerment and accountability is part of what achieving and maintaining lasting health is all about. In this issue, we continue to branch out and provide you with more tools to help you feel empowered when it comes to helping your pet achieve and maintain health. There are many people out there who are not aware of all the various options they have when it comes to natural, ?alternative? options for their pets. So, starting with this issue, we will be featuring different businesses that can support your pet in achieving and maintaining natural health. My hope is that this series will give you a sense of the myriad possibilities out there. These businesses are representative of many different modalities, because what resonates with one person or animal may not resonate as much with another. But, once you start to see the many different options available, your ?toolbox? will grow to include lots of different options. And your increased knowledge can only enhance and support the empowerment so vital to achieving and maintaining natural health.
Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert
Along with featuring individual businesses, we are continuing to look at different natural healing modalities. In the June/ July issue, we looked at essential oils. In this issue, we examine the animal chiropractic modality. Of course, we are continuing our exploration of the 8 laws of health with an article about the 3rd law of health: clean, pure water. And, we look (as always) at how animals can be teachers, healers, and inspiration. We don?t stop there, though. This issue also takes a look at hidden toxins in your home and some alternatives to them. It gives some tips on how to switch your cat to a species-appropriate diet. It includes an interview with Thomas Sandberg from the Long Living Pets Research Projects. And, in the spirit of stepping outside of your comfort zone, it asks you to take a moment to think? really think? about vaccines, their dangers, and their efficacy. This is a subject that we will explore in greater detail in upcoming issues, but we kick off the discussion in this issue. Take some time to read and absorb the article and the information in it. But above all else, enjoy your summer! Thank you for reading,
Kristin 4
SWITCHINGYOURCATTOA SPECIES-APPROPRIATEDIET
Lycan, a Belgian Malinois. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
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This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Part 2 will cover the details of transitioning to a ground diet, and Part 3 will discuss switching to prey model and whole prey diets. Many of the most common questions I receive are related to transitioning a cat to raw. They are also sometimes the most difficult to answer, as there are many variables. What is the cat eating now? What kind of raw diet are you interested in? How flexible is your cat? What products can you source? And so on. We?ll cover transitioning to specific diets in later articles, but to get you started, here are four guidelines that apply to any feline transition and will go a long way toward ensuring your efforts are successful. Don?t St ress It First and foremost, don?t stress the transition. You are not in a race, and unless your cat is suffering ill effects on his current diet, there is no reason to rush, nor is there a deadline to reach. This is a lifestyle change? for both you and your cat? that might involve starts and stops and perhaps even a little backpedaling. There?s nothing wrong with that! However long it takes, however convoluted your progress may be, don?t push, don?t hover, and don?t stress. Cats are sensitive creatures and pick up emotions easily. If you are hovering over him, shedding anxiety, and begging him to just eat one bite (and I have counseled owners who have done exactly that),
your cat will be more likely to want to hide from whatever dire happening he intuits has you so upset than he will be to eat. So relax. Take it easy, and enjoy each milestone as your cat learns to eat the way nature intended for him. You?ll be better able to manage and even enjoy his progress. I?ve spoken with many owners who exclaimed that despite cringing during the first few bone-in meals, the sound of their cats chomping through bone now gives them a curious sense of satisfaction, and so it will be with you in time. Let your cat set t he pace Many owners are so excited when they first learn of the benefits of raw feeding, or so appalled when they come to understand the true nature of standard commercial diets, that they want their cats switched to raw overnight. While a smooth, rapid transition can sometimes happen, it?s not that frequent (except for kittens), and if you push your cat too hard, you?ll sabotage your own efforts. Cats, just like people, have different personalities and preferences. Whatever your cat?s unique perspective, allow him to take the transition at his pace. Some are adventurous and will dive right into a new food. They may take to raw in a single meal. Others are more timid and need to see and smell the new food several times before venturing a bite. Many, unfortunately, are addicted to kibble and are initially reluctant to even try anything new. Every cat is different and every transition unique. In addition to preferences, cats need to learn how to scissor through meat, skin, tendon and, eventually, small bones, and they need to work up the jaw strength to do so. They are easily discouraged, so it?s important to start small and slow, with you setting your cat up to be successful at every step. A cat that attempts to crunch through a thigh bone (which is much thicker than the bones of his natural prey) and fails will often be reluctant to make another attempt at a bone, even when offered something as easy to break as quail ribs.
Photo credit: Tracy Dion
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Never try to force your cat to eat the new food. And never try to starve him into eating it, as you could cause him to become very ill within a remarkably short time. Cats are prone to a serious and potentially fatal disease called hepatic lipidosis, or ?fatty liver disease? that is brought on by starvation. It can happen in as little as 48 hours, especially if they are overweight, so don?t let your cat skip more than a couple of meals. Offer him whatever it takes to get him eating regularly again and then start the transition over at the point just before he began refusing food. Moving at the cat?s pace will ensure he feels confident and comfortable as you move forward with the new diet. Serve t hree or f our schedul ed meal s One of the biggest hurdles to a successful transition is the all-you-can-eat kibble buffet served in so many feline homes. There is very little incentive for a cat that is never truly hungry to try something new. If you?re free-feeding, your first transition step should be to accustom your cat to scheduled meals. This may mean starting with several small meals a day, but the goal is to work down to three (or four, if you can manage it). If you?re not free-feeding, but only offering one or two meals, your first transition step will make your cat very happy ? you will need to add that second or third meal. Most cat owners are unaware that the frequency of meals has an impact their cats? health, and there is a lot of confusion around how often a domesticated cat should be fed. The majority are either free-fed or fed only once or twice a day, despite the fact cats evolved to spend most of their time hunting and would naturally eat between 8?12 small meals every 24 hours. Because it?s so important, I?m going to digress a moment here and summarize why offering at least three or four meals to adult cats (and four or five meals to kittens) is so strongly recommended.
First, smelling food triggers a cat?s digestive system to begin working, and constantly smelling food? as free-fed cats do? keeps that system primed and ready to go all day, pulling energy from other systems and potentially causing issues like premature aging, poor coat quality, and chronic cystitis (a painful bladder inflammation). In addition, a carnivore?s digestive physiology has incorporated hunger as an integral part of its healthy workings. Indigestible solids are retained in the stomach until digestion of other food products is complete and it is, in fact, hunger pangs which propel this material forth. If the cat is never allowed to become hungry, the regulation of waste movement is compromised, leading to discomfort, hairball regurgitation, and other digestive issues. On the flip side, the cat?s stomach can?t expand like a dog?s to accommodate large meals, and cats can? and often do? regurgitate if fed too much at one time, as might happen with a cat fed only once or twice daily. Eating too fast, as cats tend to do when they are very hungry, can also cause discomfort and regurgitation of the meal. Additionally, as the cat becomes hungry, the buildup of bile acids in the stomach can cause him to become nauseous, provoking what many have termed ?hunger pukes.? Finally, the frequency of a cat?s meals impacts the pH of his urine. ?Post-prandial alkaline tide? refers to the increase in urine alkalinity that follows the ingestion of a large meal, a pH change that can lead to the formation of painful and potentially deadly struvite crystals. Eating smaller, more frequent meals? mimicking their instinctive hunting behavior? naturally helps maintain a cat?s pH in the normal range. It only makes sense that following the cat?s evolutionary behavior patterns as closely as possible will provide the most benefits to the cat, and offering at least three or four meals a day is a workable balance for most cats and their owners (before work, after work, and just before bed). 7
Be f l exibl e, but persist ent We all know how ?finicky? cats can be, and how often they change their furry little minds. During the transition, you?ll likely encounter days when your cat refuses something he ate with gusto the day before. Don?t let this discourage you. Keep offering different meals. Use bribes liberally (sprinkles of freeze-dried chicken treats, etc.) on top of the food you?re offering, but don?t be afraid to take a step back to the last thing he ate, even if it means offering smaller meat chunks or less raw mixed with canned. Some cats will take to raw after a single meal; others may take weeks or months. Kibble addicts often take several weeks. Some might run into problems with certain products or meats, such as constipation related to bone-heavy commercial blends, or intolerance to grain-fed beef and chicken meats. A few cats may do fine for several weeks after a full transition, only to suddenly run into an issue that causes you to backpedal a bit. Don?t let any of these delays, plateaus, or problems discourage you. And above all, don?t let a recalcitrant cat make you give up. Think of it like this: three years for a cat is equivalent to 28 human years; seven years for a cat is equal to 44 human years; 11 years is equal to 60, and so on. If we'd never eaten a piece of fruit, a vegetable, or a bite of salad for 28, 44, or 60 years, we'd probably be hesitant to try it, too.
Eventually, however, your cat wil l try it. I had one owner whose cat ignored a dollop of raw food that was offered to him at every meal for a full 29 days, and on the 30th day finally ate that pea-sized bite of raw. After which, he rapidly became an avid raw food fan. So no matter how long it takes to get your feline friend to accept a raw diet, you can outwait him. Your persistence and patience will pay off in an immeasurably healthier, longer-lived, and happier feline companion.
Photo credit: Tracy Dion
Concl usion Although the ease and timeframe may differ, all cats can be transitioned to raw; just learn what tricks and tips work best with your chosen diet and combine them with the four basic tactics described here. Thousands of cat owners have already done it? and seen their cats?health make amazing improvements? and you can too! -By Tracy Dion
Photo credit: Tracy Dion
Tracy Dion is a writer and feline care and behavior consultant, specializing in nutrition and feeding a species-appropriate diet. She has worked with rescue and shelter organizations rescuing and socializing cats, dogs, birds, rats, and reptiles for many years, but her focus for the last decade has been on cats. She is dedicated to improving their health and welfare through owner education, and is passionate about improving the owner/animal bond through increased understanding of natural feline behaviors and needs. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers?Association and past Editor of Raw Instincts Magazine, as well as the mind behind CatCentric.org. Her articles have been published by the Feline Nutrition Education Society, the online magazines Raw Instincts and Catnip Chronicles, the American Council for Animal Naturopathy, and more. 8
HIDDENTOXINS,SAFERALTERNATIVES This article is an overview of the toxins that our pets may be exposed to on a daily basis. Government regulations do not truly protect our pets (or us, for that matter) from toxins in household products, pet products, flooring and furniture products, or yard products. In the first part of the article, we look at products that can directly affect our pets and their health, and also look at some safer alternatives to those products. In the second part of the article, we examine items that may not directly impact our pets, but are commonly found around our homes and therefore can still affect our pets and us. PART ONE: PRODUCTS THAT AFFECT OUR PETS Cleaning and Household Products Common household cleaners are among the most toxic products in the home. Chemicals in scented products, soap, detergents, softeners, scourers, polishes, and specialized cleaners for bathrooms, glass, drains, and ovens contribute to indoor air pollution; are poisonous if ingested; and harmful if inhaled or touched. Some chemicals cause acute or immediate effects, such as skin and respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns. Corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners are the most acutely dangerous. Other chemicals have long-term, chronic effects, such as cancer. Chlorine bleach and ammonia produce fumes that are highly irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Products with these ingredients should never be used near a pet with asthma, heart, or lung problems. Fragrances that are added to many cleaners, such as laundry detergents, may cause acute effects such as respiratory irritation, headaches, sneezing, and watery eyes in pets.
Plants on a beach. Photo credit: Milton Clark
Other ingredients in cleaners may have low acute toxicity, but can accumulate in the body and contribute to long-term health issues, such as hormone disruption and cancer. When the sudsing agents DEA and TEA come into contact with nitrates (often present in products but undisclosed), they react to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogens that easily penetrate the skin of a pet. Apart from the acute or chronic health effects that chemicals present to our health and our pets? health, chemicals that are washed down the drain and go into waterways threaten fish and wildlife. Phosphates, surfactants, and any petroleum-based ingredients are known aquatic toxicants. Instead of using harmful cleaners, use essential oils, baking soda, and vinegar to clean. The internet is a great source of information for recipes for safer cleaners. Dryer sheets and fabric softeners are loaded with toxic chemicals that can harm health. Toxins and 9
toxic fumes absorbed by clothing are breathed in when the clothing is worn, and are absorbed into the brain or into the skin. Chemicals in fabric softener products are strong smelling, which requires the use of heavy fragrance to mask the pungent smells. There are many dangerous chemicals in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. A few to be aware of (this list is by no means exhaustive) are: - Benzyl acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer - Ethanol: can cause central nervous system damage, and is included on the EPA Hazardous Waste list - Synthetic Limonene: an artificial citrus fragrance that is a known carcinogen - Ethyl Acetate: listed as a narcotic on the EPA Hazardous Waste List - Chloroform: a known neurotoxin, anesthetic, and carcinogen A safer alternative is to use baking soda in place of laundry detergent, or you can find recipes on the internet to make your own nontoxic laundry detergent. White vinegar can be used in the rinse cycle to soften clothes and eliminate static cling. Dry your clothes without using chemical fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and instead use essential oils, such as lavender, on a damp cloth added to your dryer. Felted wool dryer balls can help laundry dry faster, keep it free from static, and be scented with pure essential oils if desired.
Air fresheners also contain harmful ingredients; currently there is no safety testing for air fresheners. The synthetic fragrances in air fresheners can cause changes in blood flow, blood pressure, and mood, and they can trigger migraine headaches. Chemicals in air fresheners can accumulate in fatty tissue over time, increasing the danger from those chemicals as they build up in an animal?s body. A few of the harmful ingredients found in air fresheners are: - Phthlates: hormone-disrupting chemicals. These are found in air fresheners labeled as unscented or all natural. Phthlates are also linked to liver cancer. - 1,4 Dichlorobenzene: a known carcinogen and EPA-registered pesticide linked to lung damage. It is found in the majority of air fresheners, toilet deodorizers, and mothballs. It was introduced into the American market in the product Febreze, and works by attacking the odor receptors in the nose and eliminating the sense of smell. - Synthetic fragrances: known to contain respiratory irritants that cause inflammation in the lungs, leading to increased mucous production and a greater vulnerability to other chemicals, allergens, and infections. - Benzene and aldehydes: linked to cancer, reproductive effects, and central nervous system problems. Effects on the central nervous system are increased cases of Alzheimer?s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s, and other diseases of the central nervous system.
Instead of using toxic air fresheners, you can diffuse essential oils in your household. Be sure to use essential oil products that have not been exposed to pesticides and herbicides, and that have not been distilled with chemicals. I diffuse Young Living? essential oils in my house, because I know those products have been made from certified organic plants, grown in uncontaminated ground, and distilled without the King, an American Bully, enjoying a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer use of chemicals.
Photo credit: Milton Clark
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Furniture and Flooring You may have watched or heard about the 60 Minutes exposĂŠ about laminated flooring manufactured in China. The product was found to have elevated levels of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, recognized to cause upper throat and nasal cancers, as well as leukemia. Are you aware that upholstered furniture could be poisonous to you and your family (both two-legged and four)? In 2005, health advocates and the EPA were able to force flame-retardant chemicals called PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) from use in furniture manufacture. The chemicals were being detected in the human body, and were suspected of disrupting hormone signals, along with interfering with the development of the brain and nervous system in children. Our pets, with their smaller bodies similar in size to children, are subject to harm from those chemicals also. Many PBDEs are no longer used, but other dangerous chemicals are being used instead. In one study, every subject tested showed exposure to TDCIPP (a member of a group of chemicals known as chlorinated alkyl phospates). TCDIPP is regularly used as a fire retardant in polyurethane foam made for use in upholstered furniture. Results from studies indicate that TDCIPP causes cancer; the chemical is considered a probable human carcinogen. I believe that it is a likely pet carcinogen as well. It is thought that pets ingest significant amounts of fire retardant chemicals because they spend time on the floor or on furniture, therefore having more exposure to household dust contaminated by fire retardant chemicals. Does your pet like to sleep on your bed? Then be advised that common items that give off fumes and fire retardant contaminants are mattresses, mattress toppers, and any other product that contains foam and fire-retardant chemicals. To help reduce the potential threat of these items, ensure flooring, furniture, and other products are manufactured in the United States and not
imported from another country. When new products are brought into your home, make sure there is adequate ventilation to air out fumes from new furniture and bedding. Pesticides Pesticides are toxic substances that are released with the intention of killing living things. This includes products that kill weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides), and other organisms (mold, fungus, rodents etc.). Pesticides have been linked to short-range effects, such as headaches and nausea, and to long-range effects, such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm. Chronic health effects may appear years after exposure to pesticides. Pets are especially susceptible to pesticide exposure, because many of the activities they participate in (playing in the grass and putting objects in their mouths) increase exposure to pesticides. Think your lawn care products are just fertilizers? They are more than fertilizers, because they also contain chemicals that kill weeds and insects. The products are sold separately or in combination with fertilizers. The products may contain organophosphates, carbamates, phenoxy, and benzoic acid herbicides such as 2,4 D, MCPP, MCPA, pyrethroids, and organochlorines. Poisons in lawn care products are absorbed through the skin, by mouth, and by inhalation. Exposure can take place during application of the product, or by touching contaminated grass, shoes, lawn furniture, clothing, or toys. Many chemicals remain active for over a year, and certainly also affect our pets. Just a few of the symptoms of lawn-care-product poisoning are rashes, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, dizziness, unexplained fever, irregular heartbeat, heightened blood pressure, stroke, and death. Some long-term symptoms include immune suppression, cataracts, liver and kidney dysfunction, heart disturbances, and cancer. There are several methods to safely remove weeds and promote lawn growth. Weeds can be pulled out, killed by pouring boiling water on them, or 11