August/September 2016
RAWPET DIGEST
IN THIS ISSUE: -M assag e t h er ap y f o r an i m al s -W h o l e h eal t h i n t h e i n d o o r cat -W h at d o w e m ean b y " f i x " ? -Ho w t o h el p a ch o k i n g d o g -A n d m u ch m o r e! Grubat, a Maine Coon, looking regal. Photo credit: Devin Nelson
Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark Technical editor: Dr. Jeannie (Jeannette) Thomason
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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.
Lycan, Merlin, Midge, and Pansy. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
FEATURESAND COLUMNS Letter from the Editor - 4 Maintaining Whole-body Health in the Indoor Cat - 5 You've Gotta Start Somewhere - 10 Massage Therapy for Animals - 15 The Breaking Point - 20 My True Joy - 25 Essential Oils to Have on Hand - 27 The Heimlich Maneuver and Your Dog - 31
Daiquiri the kitten playing. Photo credit: Devin Nelson
What do We Really Mean by Fix? - 34 Spotlight on Health: Wolf Creek Ranch - 38 Languages of Love: Lessons from My Dog - 41
Barkley relaxing on the couch. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
Letter fromtheEditor Here in Southern California, summer is definitely in full swing. Our local temperatures have regularly been over 100° Fahrenheit, with no real relief in sight. But summer doesn?t just bring spiking temperatures. Summer's longer days give us the opportunity to get out and enjoy the world around us. Whether it?s a morning walk, playing at the beach, going for a bike ride, hiking, or setting out on a trail run or a jog through the neighborhoods, the longer days and the beauty of summer naturally lend to outdoor activities. And who better to share these moments with than our beloved pets? Of course, you should always be mindful and if it?s too hot outside, leave your pet at home where they can be cool, but weather permitting, take them out with you to soak up the sun and get some exercise. If you have a cat, you can use a harness and leash to make sure that they are safe, and then let them walk and sniff, or play with a toy. If you have a dog, take them along with you while you get some fresh air and exercise, in whatever form you most enjoy. Exercise? the second law of health? is so important for mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, and it?s always more fun with a buddy. I recently read an article about a man who was dangerously overweight. Doctors told him that if he didn?t change his habits, he was in serious risk of dying. He went out and adopted a dog, wanting
Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert
companionship, unconditional love, and motivation to get outside and get moving. The dog he rescued was older and on the heavier side, and together they started walking. Over time, they both lost weight, and as their bond deepened, they gained a new zest for life. I love hearing about things like this, because they are reminders that when we start to follow the laws of health and connect with others, no matter what species, we can live our best lives and thrive. We do this by starting somewhere. Anywhere. We explore this more in the article You Gotta Start Somewhere, so whether it's getting out and moving more, or changing eating habits, take a baby step today to live a better, more optimal life. This issue contains a mix of practical information? for example, how to keep your indoor cat optimally healthy or help your dog if he or she is choking? as well as articles that, I hope, will deepen your understanding about reaching and maintaining true and lasting vitality, both for you and your pet. Thank you for reading! -Kristin
MAINTAININGWHOLE-BODYHEALTH INTHEINDOORCAT
Grubat, a Maine Coon. Photo credit: Devin Nelson
There are few things more fascinating than watching your cat gracefully explore a meadow or crouch all aquiver in preparation for a pounce. The beauty of the sun shining off her fur and the powerful play of her muscles as she swiftly leaps and pivots to make the catch can be breathtaking. Unfortunately, outdoor living contains too many dangers for most cat owners to allow their beloved pets the freedom to roam. Pests like fleas and ticks abound, and predators like coyotes and hawks can be deadly. In more urban areas, there are dogs, cars, and worse. To protect our cats, we must bring them inside. But doing so incurs responsibilities beyond simply providing food, water, and litter boxes. Cats are born to hunt, to chase, pounce, run, and climb. That need to move doesn?t vanish when they no longer have the space to do so. They are also born for vigilance, the awareness of their status as both predator and prey, and they have a need for avenues of escape and places in which to hide.
Food, Wat er, and Lit t er Boxes First and most important, cats should be provided with a raw, animal-based diet. Nutrition is the basic foundation for all aspects of health and cats, as obligate carnivores, are built to utilize the tissue, bones, and organs of their prey to grow, repair, and maintain every system in their bodies. There are many commercial raw blends available, but home-preparing is less expensive and offers complete control over the mix and quality of ingredients. For optimal health, feed frankenprey or whole prey diets. The process of scissoring and chomping through flesh, tendons, and bones cleans the teeth and promotes dental health by increasing blood flow to the oral cavity. The requirement to ?work? to eat also offers psychological benefits by satisfying part of the cat?s predatory nature.
It is vital for their overall health and happiness that we create an indoor environment that recognizes and addresses these and other innate, natural needs.
Kittens Sherlock and Watson. Photo credit: Jillian Mury
Cats should be fed on shallow bowls or plates that won?t hinder sensitive whiskers, spaced as far apart as possible to reduce tension (Editor?s note: For more about whisker stress in cats, see the April/May 2016 issue of Raw Pet Digest). Crate-training for meals is advisable, as it will keep the food contained, prevent more aggressive cats from eating their housemates?portions, and allow shyer cats the quiet and security they need to finish their meals completely. Try to feed at least three meals a day? if you can manage four, so much the better? and serve them in a quiet area that minimizes the chance for disturbances. Cats don?t like to eat near their water, so fresh water should be provided away from the feeding area. Of course, bowls should be cleaned and refilled daily, and filtered water is generally healthier than tap. Feral cats instinctively eliminate far from food and water sources to reduce the likelihood of attracting predators, so litter boxes should be placed well away from food and water dishes, and in fairly quiet areas to decrease feelings of vulnerability. Some cats have well-defined preferences in their litter box habits and will not use a dirty box, or will want one box for urinating and one for feces. To accommodate these preferences, provide one box per cat, plus one, and scoop them daily. Very large, uncovered boxes allow cats to dig around, eliminate, and bury in a more natural manner.
Pl ay Without avenues for burning off hunting energy, indoor cats can become frustrated, anxious, or even aggressive. Companions are a good first step. Cats are not the strictly solitary creatures they are so often portrayed to be and owning two or three allows them to engage in social and play activities such as mutual grooming, chasing, and wrestling. Catnip mice, crinkle balls, and other small toys can be scattered around the house and hidden inside paper bags and boxes for the cats to ?hunt? and bat around. Rotating these toys keeps the interest high. Daily interactive play sessions using wands, laser lights, and other similar toys should be routine. Schedule these games for the same time every day and aim for dusk and dawn when the cats? natural hunting instincts are in high gear. Drag, dart, and hide the ?prey? to fully engage the cats? hunting behaviors. At the end of each session, toss the cats a treat or a catnip-filled toy to provoke in them the satisfaction that accompanies a successful hunt. Clicker-training cats is a great way to challenge and stimulate their intellect. It can be used to teach them tricks as well as to redirect their attention from unwanted behaviors to more acceptable alternatives.
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Exceptionally adventuresome and confident cats can also be taught to walk on a leash or treadmill, participate in cat agility games, or become certified therapy cats. Environment While cats are not solitary animals, they are territorial. Providing adequate space, especially vertically, is important. Cats like climbing and lounging on high perches, which allows them to observe their territory from an area of security, but their height preferences are variable. Cat trees and wall shelves with perches at different heights allow for personal preferences, changing moods, and multiple ?prime? locations; just make sure they?re sturdy enough to take a cat hitting them at a full run. Cats need scratching posts for claw sharpening, stretching, and scent marking? instinctual, daily behaviors that will be exercised upon your furniture if suitable alternatives are not
provided. These posts, too, should be sturdy, as well as of sufficient height to allow the cats to reach above their heads. A variety of materials can be used, but sisal rope and cardboard are favored. Cat trees often have sisal-wrapped posts, making them attractive multi-purpose options, and adding a few horizontal cardboard scratching pads will give cats a nice, wide variety of choices. Cats like to be where their people are, so place the cat trees, shelves, and scratching posts in high-traffic areas. Screened-in porches and outdoor enclosures make great additions to the cats? environment, allowing them a safe way to enjoy the outdoor experience. Saf et y And speaking of safety, cats need a safe zone, a place to which they can escape and expect to be free from children, dogs, and even other cats if possible. Teach your children that when the cat is occupying this space? a particular shelf or room, for instance? she is not to be disturbed. Ensure that cat trees, wall shelves, and litter boxes are set up to allow an exit route should one cat try to trap another. Routine is also important for cats. Try to schedule activities involving them at the same time every day, and keep to as much of a household routine as you can.
Dexter, a Bengal cat. Photo credit: Jamie and Allen Reitz
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Be aware that any change in their environment is going to affect them and try to make unavoidable changes slowly. Stress can come in less tangible forms as well. Cats have more sensitive hearing than we do, especially at higher ranges. Construction in the neighborhood, yelling, and loud music can upset them. Their sense of smell is more sensitive than ours, too, and cleaning solutions, air fresheners, candles, and other commonly-used chemicals can cause distress and anxiety. Don?t let your cats lick you if you have lotion on your skin, and before cranking up the TV for the Sunday game or lighting that cigar, think about the potential impact on your cats and find a way to mitigate it.
Gimlet, a beautiful kitten, displaying curiosity about his environment. Photo credit: Jillian Mury
Love Above all, love your cats. Though they have a reputation for independence and an aloof manner, they are actually sensitive, intelligent creatures who will respond to your affections with affection of their own. Spend time observing them; learn their body language, their boundaries and their needs, and respect them. Taking these steps to recognize and provide for their natural behavior patterns will ensure your indoor cats remain balanced, healthy, and happy, just the way you want them. -By 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.
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YOU'VEGOTTASTART SOMEWHERE
Grubat and Daiquiri cuddling. Photo credit: Devin Nelson
?If you don?t st art somewhere, you?re never going t o get anywhere.? -Bob Marl ey I recently came across this wonderful quote, and my eyes lit up. The truth in this quote is profound and, at the same time, so extraordinarily simple. It?s similar to the quote ?A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,? but I like it even more because it puts the action? and the responsibility? right smack dab on the person who wants to get somewhere. In naturopathy, we understand and teach that each person is responsible for their own health, their own life, and their own decisions. This responsibility flows down to being responsible for your own pet?s (or pets?) lives and health as well. So often, as we?ve discussed before, we put the responsibility for our pet?s health on someone else? a veterinarian, for example? but there is no way that they can know our pets better than we ourselves do. And since ultimately it is the body that must heal itself (which it does by balancing and strengthening itself throughout that individual?s life), the daily decisions we make about what our pets eat, what sort of water they drink, the exercise they get, how and where they sleep, and the mental and emotional state that they live in and around are truly what lend to vitality or the loss of such. But as with everything, there is a balance in naturopathy. So, although we are responsible for our pet?s welfare, nature also allows us to support them in achieving optimal wellness over time.
That balance over time is vital, and when we truly understand it, we can release the fear and resulting paralysis that often accompany changing what we?ve ?always done? for something new. All naturopathy asks is that you start somewhere. When we really start thinking about the list of things that we can and should do to improve our pet?s vitality, it can get really overwhelming. Changing the diet, removing toxins in the house and yard, changing the exercise routine, changing the water, and figuring out what supplements might be needed (if any) can be intense. And, of course, you must pay attention to your pet?s needs, because what they need one day may be different from what they need
Barkley, a Border Collie mix, with a whole prey chicken. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
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