It’s me again
There is more to love about our pet dogs than their faithful affection for us. They are also a boost to our good health as well as a tail wagging reminder of our obligation to them in the form of dog health care. One could say, in no small way, we thrive on the quality of  healthy dog food and nutrition we give to them,

The portrayal of the dog as mans best friend is an apt one. If you don’t laud children or family members and greet them with enthusiasm; they’ll be less likely to be around you. Not so with the ever faithful canine friend. It has been sad to hear that no matter how cruelly people treat animals, they remain faithful to those who abused them. They offer no judgment, no hesitation. What a gift that is.

It is also understandable that people who are suffering, whether from failed relationships, money woes, job frustrations or ill health often turn to the dog in their lives to find a source of non-complaining , non-judgemental companionship.

Another heart-warming experience is one wherein the elderly, confined to nursing homes (often without family or friends) are benefited by the visit of a full of love, furry, four-legged friend. The way they light up at the sight of these animals is a joy to behold.

 Studies abound telling of remarkable health recoveries people have made and attributed to benefits derived from their pets. One of the damaging side effects that occur with convalescence is loneliness that accompanies the recovery process. A companion pet can minimize that to great degree. A study has put the survival rate of heart attack patients who have a pet, at five times greater than those who don’t have a pet, That is an astounding statistic.

As we give medical science the credit it deserves for improving the quality of life for so many, let us not overlook the less heralded but widely recognized contributions of the noble pet in their power to positively affect the healing of people in their lives.

If you are concerned about your pets’ health and perhaps want to see a holistic veterinarian about dog or cat health care or merely require some information. Whatever your reason, alternative medicine can work as well as traditional dog health care for your pet, especially for long term health.

Although conventional medicine has its place, holistic therapies have been working for hundreds of years but some people are not aware that both conventional and holistic medicines can work together. For instance, after using an antibiotic, you or your vet can implement a holistic alternative pet health supplementation plan to boost the immune system to help prevent further illness.

Many people use holistic dog care methods for their pets, perhaps because homeopathy worked for them or a friend had good results and now want to try the same for their pets. Cats and dogs can also use many supplements that people use; for instance, glucosamine for joints, vitamin e for healthy coat and skin, etc.

Holistic vets most often combine traditional and alternative dog health methods to maintain your pet’s physical condition in top shape. They may use cat health vaccines and prescription drugs in an illness, but use vitamins, herbs and other forms of nutrition designed for each individual pet.
 
Holistic veterinary medicine looks at the whole pet including his or her lifestyle, and the heredity components of each breed so that its physical needs are taken into consideration as well as the pet’s mental happiness.

If your pet is suffering from an illness that requires immediate attention, then a holistic vet would use the conventional options. But, if your pet is plagued with chronic conditions which linger or occur often, then alternative medicine for pets will provide more choices for long term pet health.

Table scraps, given in appropriate amounts, do have their place in your healthy dog food diet. However, there’s a big  difference between good quality leftovers and “scraps”.

Quality leftovers are pieces of steak (trimmed of fat), roast beef, chicken or turkey and adding this to your dog’s bowl is fine when done in moderation and do not exceed 10% of the pet’s normal feeding, In addition leftover pasta and rice is good, so long as they are minus butter and other fatty sauces, and are plainly cooked.

Don’t overfeed table-scraps on a continuous basis. Doing so will expose your pet to a diet loaded with fat and you’ll end up with a pet prone to stomach upsets, diarrhea and other potentially serious gastrointestinal disorders such as life-threatening pancreatitis.

Even if your dog’s digestive tract can handle a diet full of table scraps, the chances of him or her gaining weight will increase enormously in proportion to the amount of scraps you’re feeding. There are many people who claim that table scraps are not good for your pet, but much human food is perfectly acceptable for dogs.   The trick is research!.

Forget, for example, about serving your dog the leftover macaroni and cheese, even though pasta is OK and the cheese is low fat. Dogs do not have the needed lactase to break up the lactose and the result can be diarrhea.

Turkey, chicken, steak, or any other kind of cooked bones are no-nos, because they can splinter and pierce or obstruct the dog’s digestive tract.. Bones can also cut the roof of the mouth.
Leftover stew is OK, as long as you remove the onions, and if your family loves sushi, Fido will have to “pass” raw fish that can create a thiamine deficiency in dogs. As a result the dog will suffer from seizures and possibly death.

Easily digestible foods such as cooked rice or chicken and turkey (boneless) will be fine in dog food. Some fruits and vegetables are well received by dogs, though there are some types to avoid such as grapes. Feeding grapes to your dog may cause severe kidney damage. While some fruits are acceptable to feed your pet, avoid grapes at all times.

Fido, Buster, or Sport know all the moves when if comes to finagling you out of those scraps. Don’t let mealtime degenerate into a battle of wits. Know what are acceptable table scraps, and feed them in appropriate amounts, but never try to save money or avoid wasting food by making them the main ingredients of your pet’s healthy dog food.

Indoor potty solutions for dogs. What a concept! You will be amazed at the many products available for dog owners as an alternative to the great outdoors when the weather is nasty or for those who live in high-rise apartments where it may be a juggling act to get Fido to the street in time to relieve himself. Yes, doggie lovers, there are litter boxes for dogs! It is also suggested that this may be a really good way to start house training a puppy.

Most pet stores carry litter boxes for dogs and are readily found on the Internet. It is important to choose a box that is appropriate for your dog’s adult size. There are commercial litters brands on the market designed specifically for dogs, using recycled paper pellets, wheat and corn based litter, cedar chips and pine sawdust.
The ASPCA suggests that using clay litter be avoided since those dogs prone to eating clay litter may develop intestinal distress, or even an obstruction in the lower bowel.

There are many other products available for dog training to use indoor “facilities”, for both the convenience of owner and dog. Many of them are pads that are covered with either real grass or artificial turf.

Training a dog to use a litter box is similar to using traditional dog training tips by learning to recognize the signs that your dog needs to go “potty”, such as sniffing the floor, or circling, is the time to put your dog into the litter box. After the dog finishes a meal is another good time to introduce the litter box.

You can never underestimate the importance of understanding the AAFCO cat and dog food nutrition standards and of knowing how to read  food labeling when choosing a commercial diet for your pet.
The AAFCO approves both low and high quality ingredients; but unless you know what’s in the commercial pet food your dogs and cats are eating, you might think everything is just fine.

There were problems with many of the lower quality dog foods and the ingredients used that have been brought to light in the early part of 2007. Speaking of problems with dog food will of course trigger the memory of the most recent devastating loss of canine and feline lives due to contaminated food.

Reports indicated the number of affected cats and dogs to be in the 39,000 mark across the country. Animals became extremely sick or died due to contamination of commercial pet foods with an industrial chemical (melamine), used to make plastics and fertilizers. This chemical was found in more than 100 brands of dog and cat food recalled in Canada and the USA in mid-March.

The major culprit was identified as rice protein concentrate (otherwise called rice gluten), NOT brown rice. In June, concerns were raised about reports of acetaminophen (Tylenol) being found in dog and cat food, followed by salmonella poisoning in others.

To cruise through the FDA site for information (some of which is dated by now due to the passage of time), here is their url: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

The second chemical found with the melamine was cyanuric acid! Deadly when combined. Both were found in the cat and dog food recall in March 2007. Cyanuric acid is commonly used to slow the breakdown of chlorine in swimming pools. It has NO place in healthy pet food!

It was speculated then and still believed today, that those two chemicals were used in dog food to increase the reported nitrogen content but the rice gluten contaminate with melamine was simply known as a “filler.” The recall of those contaminated pet foods has done nothing to stop the use of fillers in lower grade commercial.dog food.

Such pet food manufacturers keep their costs down by loading them with bulk, which has absolutely no nutritional value. Your pet’s food could contain one or more of a number of fillers, including, cereal by-products, cottonseed hulls, citrus pulp, peanut hulls, weeds, straw, corncobs and soy

If there’s one fear that is constant across all pet owners it’s that the pet will be lost. Especially if you live in a heavily wooded area where a lot of predators roam, it’s particularly concerning for pet owners. But there are certain things that pet owners can do to decrease the likelihood that their pets will go missing. First of all, make sure that you get all your pets inside once it’s dark outside. Many dangerous animals come out at night, so you want to make sure your pets are safely inside once they start coming out.

The other major way to keep your pets safe is with pet ID tags. By having your pet wear one of these collars, it’s an easy way to have him returned. If he wanders off to an unfamiliar neighbor, these collars can contain as much or as little of your contact information as you’d like. It truly is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to ensure that your dog or other pet is returned to you. Just make sure that the pet is always wearing the collar, so even if he unexpectedly bolts outside, he’ll still be identifiable.

 Pets Give You More Than Love
If you’re like most pet owners, your cat and dog is a favored member of the family. But your pet gives you more than love. Studies now show that pets are not only a great source of comfort to their owners but are also good for their health.
Research shows that pets help you relax, might help you exercise, and distract you from anxiety.
Allan Beck, the Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University’s Veterinary School, says,
“When we touch and pet our cats and dogs, we actually have a drop in blood pressure.” 
Not only do pet owners feel better and more relaxed when they interact with their pet,
but so do the pets.
Many dog lovers out there have experienced how magnificent it is to treat your dog as a family member.
Why dogs and not cats? Well, by associating with the cat, one only risks becoming richer. Moreover, thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as gods,
Perhaps they have never forgotten this and vent their feelings on a cat scratching post.
Because dogs are loyal, and you treat yours with a dog agility course and healthy dog treats, it will never abandon you and many dogs, capable of doing so, will even put your life above theirs.
But you should know that each dog has a unique personality and although some will not show the dedication you may be expecting you should consider whether you have given the right opportunities to your dog to help it achieve this.
 Some things to remember:
- If you adopt a stray dog it will never forget it and will give it back to you ten times more
- Always trust your dog and give it the attention it needs. You have your family, your friends, your job but your dog has only you..

You and I realize the value of taking herbal remedies to support healthy immune system function and to keep the liver functioning properly. We are aware of the role that antioxidants play in preventing age-related diseases. The diet of an animal in the wild would often include these antioxidants and herbs. But, they are mostly lacking in our dog food and wellness cat food.

Our four-footed family members deserve the best care that we can possibly provide for them. While living safely indoors with us protects them, it also limits their capability to take care of their own health, as they would do instinctively.

In the wild, they would seek out milk thistle, cat’s claw or echinacea when they were feeling unwell. These are not plants that we grow in our backyards as most people consider them to be weeds. You may notice after rainy periods when weeds begin to sprout, that your dog may nose among the weeds and chew on them. This is where our animals may find these natural cures for what ails them but this source falls far short of their requirements to maintain good health. 

Luckily, there are some supplement companies that realize the importance of our cat and dog food nutrition. They make dietary supplements for humans also, and follow the same safe manufacturing practices for pet supplements. These supplements are meant to make up for some of the short-comings in the diets of our animal friends.

C-Caps by Native Remedies, are among the best dietary supplements on the market. They were created specifically for dogs and cats. They contain no artificial ingredients and none of the artificial colors that are present in many pet foods and even in the nutritional supplements sold by major corporations.
The principle ingredients of C-Caps are:

Astragalus - an ancient herbal remedy, because of its possible use to treat cancer. It has been used to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, increase vitality and improve appetite.

Mistletoe - a highly nutritious plant that animals would naturally eat in the wild. It is a popular herbal remedy in Europe, where it is used to treat circulatory problems, respiratory problems and cancer.

Echinacea - a well-known plant that supports normal blood pressure and stimulates the immune system.

Indian ginseng - a tonic herb that supports growth, strengthens the immune system and nourishes the blood.

Milk Thistle - used as a liver tonic for thousands of years. It has been recommended for cirrhosis, jaundice and hepatitis. Modern research has found that the plant contains a compound called silymarin, which is responsible for its beneficial effects.

Cat’s Claw - another plant that supports and maintains the immune system.

Remember, these ingredients do not suppress symptoms. They treat the causes of the symptoms. They support the body’s ability to fight disease.

Whether your animals are well and healthy or suffering from chronic health problems, C-Caps are a good investment

With the choice of so many models of pet doors, you should have no difficulty finding the perfect one for your home.

The electronic dog door is great for so many reasons. It is much more secure than the average cat door or dog door. Burglars can’t use them and wild animals and strays are firmly locked out as well, while baby is locked in.

Since the electronic pet door use special collars or tags on the collar to trigger the door, you can control which pets can enter and exit your home via the pet door. By removing the collars or tags, you can even control when your pet uses the pet door.

In some models, there may be a control panel which will let you turn the pet door on and off with the push of a button, or allow your pet only a one-way trip through the door. This provides even more security to your home, and to your pet.

An electronic dog door is also economical. The owner does not have to be a door attendant and since they prevent air leakage you’ll save on heating and cooling unit’s energy bills, which is also good for the environment.
For even more security, magnetically operated doors, using no batteries or electricity, will continue to operate even if you lose power.

There are many forms of the cat and the dog door on the market, but automatic pet doors are arguably the most useful.

It’s difficult to resist feeding your pet scraps, but it’s more important to provide your pets with healthy dog food and natural cat food.
Feeding them good organic or natural food with all the nutrients they need can aid development, prevent obesity and ensure a good immune system. If you don’t maintain a healthy diet for your pet then this will only lead to poor health.

Some pet snacks and dog treats are specifically developed to reduce tarter and plaque build up. Cat and dog owners may still need to take their pets to the vet for regular dental checks, as cat and dog dental health can affect the overall health and well-being of your animals.

Active pets are healthy and happy pets - and maintaining a sensible exercise routine can help those pets with excess flab lose weight. Walking and running are great exercises for dogs and will increase flexibility and stamina.
In addition, fun toys can keep both cats and dogs entertained by turning exercise into quality playtime.

As the warm weather approaches, it’s important to be prepared for nature and its effect on the health of your pet. Warmer weather brings insects that could harm your pet or cause discomfort; therefore, be aware of bees and wasps, as a sting can be distressing to cats and dogs.
What’s more, flea infestations can affect both pets and your family, so remember to regularly treat your pet and home with a flea preventative.

In addition to showering your pet with love and affection, regular grooming can help your pet stay trim and healthy. Washing your pet will not only help reduce germs and prevent diseases, but it also ensures you are properly examining for potential problems that may cause pain and discomfort to them.