Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Apple cider vinegar.  Most of us have it in our cupboards, but what do we really know about this mystery liquid?  We use it for cooking, perhaps for cleaning….but is there more?

Unknown to to many of us, ACV is a remedy with multiple uses for our dogs.  It is an anti-bacterial as well as an

Use a dilution of ACV to help clear and dry out your dog's ears after a romp in the lake

anti-fungal, boosts the immune system, helps break down calcium deposits in the joints (therefore helpful for dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia), eases itchy skin due to allergies (when used as an after bath rinse), is beneficial to heart health, aids in digestion (useful for gassy or constipated dogs) and can help prevent UTI’s, bladder infections and bladder stones.

Whether added to the food or mixed with water and spritzed on the body as a natural flea and bug repellent, ACV is a natural way to enhance your dog’s life.  Always remember that it should always be diluted, should not be used around the eyes and avoid open wounds where it will sting like nobody’s business!  Dogs with chronic yeast problems or irritated intestines can have their conditions exacerbated and made worse with use of ACV so avoid it when these problems are present.

Always go for the unpasturized ACV that includes the “mother”, a dark sediment usually seen at the bottom of the bottle – organic ACV is generally your best way to go.  All vinegars are NOT created equal so avoid using the clear vinegars that you generally see at the grocery store – their benefits are negligible and they will not give the same effect as ACV (www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com).

Sometimes its as easy as opening the cupboard door – items you’ve looked at your entire life can take on new meaning once we are “in the know”!  Always remember – your dog won’t mind sharing and ACV can do great things for humans too!

Stress.  Anxiety.  Fear.   Occasionally our companions suffer from any one of these things just like WE do as humans.  Its not fun for them anymore than it is for us and oftentimes we are stumped as to what we can do about it.  Most of us prefer to not medicate our animals unless we absolutely have to.  What we would prefer is an alternative – a safe,

Rescue Remedy Spray is one of the easiest formulas to use - simply open mouth and spray away that anxiety!

non-invasive and non-toxic alternative.  Does one exist?  Actually, it does.

Rescue Remedy is an all natural product that can often help when nothing else seems to.  Easy, safe, effective.  There is a disturbing trend amongst veterinarians to treat anything and everything with drugs first.  Its not always safe and not always necessary.  If indeed there is a way to handle your dog’s issues without resorting to drugs, isn’t that preferable?  A simple blend of 5 flower essences, Rescue Remedy can be used safely over and over again without fear that you are destroying your dog’s kidneys or liver or other internal systems.  Its effects can be almost immediate and its uses are varied.

One of the biggest problems that pet owners face is a pet’s fear of loud noises and thunderstorm phobias which are often a combination of noise phobia and an unknown quantity that causes the anxiety to start even before the storm does.  During these times of stress, affected animals can cause themselves harm as well as destroy your home.  In many cases, dosing your pet with Rescue Remedy can ease their anxiety to the point where they can be nearly calm during these times.

Other common uses for Rescue Remedy are prior to vet visits, separation anxiety when you leave them behind, traveling, adapting to new surroundings, obsessive behaviors such as those leading to lick granulomas and hot spots,  animals that compulsively bark or hiss and many more.  Any sort of situation or happening that causes your animal anxiety can quite possibly be relieved by simply giving them Rescue Remedy.

Rescue Cream is the perfect antidote for rashes, superficial wounds and hot spots

It also could not be easier to use!  Available in drops and spray form, it is a matter of either putting it directly in your pet’s mouth (4 drops at a time or 2 sprays at a time), adding to food or water or even by rubbing it directly onto your pet’s paws, nose or ear.  Rescue Remedy is also perfect for treating hot spots, minor bites and rashes by placing it directly on the affected area.  Another Rescue Remedy Product, Rescue Cream, is even more helpful for such situations and can often clear up naturally what pharmaceuticals have failed to cure.

Rescue Remedy is the #1 natural reliever of stress in our pets (not to mention ourselves, I’m sure your pup won’t mind sharing!).  If you prefer, like so many of us, to attempt to find a natural and safe alternative first, than give Rescue Remedy a try – it can’t hurt and quite honestly can only do good.

Its never a good thing to hear that your dog is in kidney failure, Chronic Renal Failure, has high kidney values or what have you.  Its devastating because far too often these dogs go downhill and go down fast.  Usually, if you have a traditional vet, they will put your dog immediately on a prescription diet – most commonly Science Diet K/D.

The ingredients in K/D, leave much to be desired.  The first few are as follows:

“Brewers Rice, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Corn Gluten

Many pets with kidney problems won't eat prescription diets causing their systems to weaken and rendering them unable to fight the disease

Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Beet Pulp, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt…”

Note the decided lack of meat.  Erroneously, the first decision that many jump to when faced with a pet that has kidney problems is that they no longer should have protein.  The fact is that they need to be fed less PHOSPHORUS and the RIGHT proteins.

Proteins make up the bulk of a carnivore’s diet and make no mistake, our dogs and cats ARE carnivores.  The best proteins for our little house carnivores are animal based as they contain all the essential amino acids that our pets need.  To deprive our dog, or cat, of protein, is to take away the most vital part of their diet.  Contrary to the belief of some, protein does not cause kidney problems as a pet ages nor is it necessary to erase them from the diet of an animal showing signs of distressed kidneys.

According to www.dogaware.com, one of the leading sites on dealing with kidney problems in our pets, lowering the phosphorus in our pet’s diet has been shown to “slow the progression of kidney disease.”  Further, feeding fattier meats will supply calories while reducing phosphorus levels so long as care is taken with dogs prone to pancreatitis.  Raw fats are processed far more easily by dogs and cats and always should receive preference over cooked fats.

It is also important to avoid feeding bones which are quite high in phosphorus.  Using a calcium supplement to replace bones is a must for kidney patients.  Calcium from a whole food source – such as Eggshellent Calcium – is a far better choice than using synthetic calcium supplements and are easy to add to your pet’s food.  Removing the bones reduces phosphorus level of which bones have a high amount.  Calcium acts as a phosphorus binder and in this manner helps the kidneys deal with any phosphorus that is present.  Avoiding other foods high in phosphorus is also key.  Foods like fish, cheese and organ meats should be generally avoided with the exception of organ meats which should be fed in small amounts and only very moderately due to the nutritional benefits that they provide.   Your basic dietary goals should therefore include, moderate to high amounts of fat, high quality protein, low phosphorus and plenty of water. (Whole Dog Journal, May 2005).

When pets are placed on a prescription diet, it is often noted that they begin to suffer from inappetence.  This is hardly conducive to fighting the kidney problems – in fact it often compromises the animal as he gets weaker and weaker from

Raw Green Tripe can be a lifesaver for a pet suffering from chronic renal failure

lack of nutrition.  One of the most perfect foods for kidney patients is Raw Green Tripe.  Naturally low in phosphorus with a perfect amount of calcium through non-bone sources to bind what phosphorus there is, it tends to be a favorite of most all dogs (cats, not as much as they aren’t drawn nearly so much to smelly foods).  Many dogs who will not or have stopped eating their prescription kibble will begin to eat once more when faced with a pungent bowl of raw tripe.  Tripe, which is the stomach of a ruminant animal, is quite nearly a complete food and if it is all that your kidney dog will eat than you are actually in good shape.  Variety is always nice and preferable, but tripe can fulfill their nutritional needs and is rarely ignored.

At A Place For Paws we offer a kidney package containing both Raw Green Tripe and our specially formulated Pork and Veggies mix that includes Eggshellent Calcium rather than actual pork bone.  A combination of the two can make the difference in your kidney dog’s eating habits.  Also great for pets with kidney problems is Grizzly Salmon Oil.  Fish body oils provide high amounts of Omega 3 essential fatty acids which have been shown to help dogs with chronic renal failure or high kidney values (WDJ, 2005).   Remember, your pet needs good food in order to have a healthy body.  A healthy body is more than necessary for fighting off their illness – poor nutrition will simply weaken your pet making the end come far more quickly than it has to.