Close-to-the-Ground Toxins Your Pet Needs to Avoid

Dogs and cats are low to the ground. Their noses are always at ground level, sniffing, tasting, eating, licking and drinking. They can find and consume human-made toxins which we often don't think about. Run-off water from farmland or suburban lawns may have high concentrations of toxins including pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can be neurotoxic (poisonous to the nervous system, including the brain) and can cause cancer. This is not what you want your pet to drink.

Certain lawn chemicals and carpet cleaners are dangerous to dogs and cats. Our pets absorb some of the chemicals through their pads. Read the fine print on all labels of chemicals and cleaners.

Pressure-treated wood decks contain arsenic that may be absorbed by dogs through their pads. We do not know the long-term effects of dogs absorbing the arsenic through their pads. It is most important to prevent dogs from chewing on pressure treated wood decks and picnic tables.

Flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ether - PBDE) are used in products that range from kid's pajamas, carpets, fabrics (couches and curtains), pet beds, pet costumes, to computers. A flame retardant may be especially dangerous to fetuses. Products containing PBDE may release or outgas these chemicals. If your pet is pregnant, keep her away from products containing flame retardants. Be careful of the fabric used in the pen when the puppies are born.

Other toxins to watch out for include many plastic pet toys, bug bait, bug sprays, certain fertilizers, oil, snail bait, antifreeze, sidewalk and road salts, certain soaps, fabric and pot/pan coatings, burnt trash, flame retardants found in electrical appliances, building materials and household products and many more.

Some of the human-synthesized preservatives --ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT and others are known to be poisons. (Used in pet foods and treats).

The dangers from many toxins are cumulative; every exposure weakens your pet. We have to watch close to the ground for human-made toxins and help our pets avoid them.

Natural Remedy for Cushings Disease

Cushing's disease results from an excess of adrenal gland hormones. It is a common side-effect of drugs like Prednisone, which is often prescribed to treat dog arthritis, allergies and other ailments. Cushing's disease can also result from a benign tumor on one of the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland.

Symptoms of Cushing's disease include:

1. Increased thirst and appetite

2. Frequent urination

3. Loss of hair

4. Skin problems

5. Panting

6. High blood pressure

7. Increased susceptibility to infections

If left untreated, Cushing's disease can lead to even worse conditions like diabetes and heart problems.

Traditional treatments for dog Cushing's disease: If your dog's Cushing's disease was caused by a tumor, surgery might be an option. Only your vet can answer this question. If caused by a corticosteriod drugs such as Prednisone, it may be possible to wean your dog off these drugs. You should speak to your vet about this. Prednisone sometimes has side effects that are worse than the condition it was used to treat, and make your dog more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.

There is a natural, herbal treatment: Supraglan.

Supraglan is highly effective in treating the symptoms of Cushing's disease. It helps normalize adrenal functioning and balance corticosteriod levels. No awful side effects, that usually prescription medications have. Ask your holistic vet for a recommendation.

For more information on Supraglan go to : http://www.petwellbeing.com/.

Is Fluoride OK for Dogs? NO!

Brushing your dog's teeth daily helps remove bacteria, plaque and debris and is a great addition to pet health care. Dogs don't get cavities, but they do get periodontal disease, and brushing helps prevent this. (So do chewing on raw bones). The appropriate toothpaste to use is a pet toothpaste that has enzymes to control plaque.

The use of fluoride in pet toothpaste is controversial and most veterinary dental specialists and general practitioners don't recommend its use because of the potential problem of toxicity. Human toothpastes can have higher levels of fluoride, as well as salts, detergents and baking soda that can harm your dog's teeth.

Don't forget that people rinse after brushing, but dogs just swallow the toothpaste. An overdose of fluoride can cause vomiting and at higher levels can lead to kidney damage. The fluoride builds up in the body over time.

Why are there pet toothpastes with fluoride? Because it appeals to the consumer, and it sells. Someone is profiting at the expense of your pets health! Please don't buy toothpaste with fluoride for you or your pet. It is a toxic chemical.

Reasons Not to Use the Microwave to Cook Dogs Food

I have another blog, http://www.myhealthytidbits.com/. I did a blog on the 'Dangers of Microwave Ovens' and what it does to the food you cook for your dogs and yourself. It is healthier to steam your vegetables and to use a conventional oven for meats.

Smelly Dogs: Dealing with Pet Odor

If your dog smells, the first thing to check is where the smell is coming from. Is it the skin, or somewhere else? Odors can emanate from many body parts, including:

The mouth, which could mean dental problems, digestive problems or underlying internal dieseases, such as kidney problems or diabetes.

The ears, which could mean an ear infection, especially if accompanied by head shaking, pawing at the ears or rubbing them on the ground.

The backside, which could indicate an anal gland problem or flatulence caused by digestive problems. Some long-haired breeds may have soiling due to feces sticking to the long hair in the area around the anus.

Once you have determined that the smell is in fact from the skin, the solution can be determined more easily. Many dogs have a habit of rolling in the most revolting places (feces) that smell awful. Prevent this by bathing your dog. Pick up any feces in the yard as quickly as possible to remove any temption.

Dogs have a self-cleaning mechanism in their coats. They have glands in its skin which produce sebum, an oily substance which helps lubricate, waterproof and protect. Sometimes this mechanism breaks down, most commonly when there is an underlying skin disease such as infection or an allergy. Take a look through your dog's coat to the skin. Are there flakes of skin present (doggy dandruff). Is it very oily, waxy or sticky? Is it red and inflamed? Is the skin raw underneath? If yes, it is likely your dog has a skin disease.

A visit to your veterinarian may be in order to diagnose the problem. A holistic vet will get to the root of the problem and usually does not resort to steroids and other dangerous medications.

Human shampoo can irritate dog skin by being too acid. A good all-purpose shampoo for dogs should be one which is designed for canines, not humans. Be sure to rinse thoroughly, any shampoo residue can become itchy or sticky and cause the coat to look dull when it dries.

A homemade diet or feeding a high quality holistic pet food will make a big difference in the skin, odor and health of your dog.

Shedding Some Light on Shedding

Shedding is normal, but an annoying part of owning a dog. Shedding is natures way of making room for new hair and it doesn't matter what kind of dog you own. Except for hairless breeds, all dogs shed. Some breeds shed more than others.

Most dogs do their shedding in the spring and fall in response to changing amounts of light. Dogs that spend most of their time indoors, on the other hand, may shed all year round because the lighting in your house, unlike light from the sun, doesn't change from season to season.

The best way to control shedding is to brush or comb your dog every day which will remove surplus hair before it hits the carpet. Different breeds have different coat types, so it's important to choose the right brushes and combs.

Let your dog get used to being brushed at a young age so that it becomes a pleasant experience.

For more information there is a book: "Skin & Haircoat Problems in Dogs" by Lowell Ackerman, DVM, PhD.

Why Do Dogs Hate Having Their Feet Touched?

Dogs crave human contact. They'll happily roll over on their backs to get their bellies rubbed or press against your hand for a scratch on the head. But when you reach down to touch their feet, they jerk away as though they'd stepped on hot coals.

This aversion seems to be universal. Even when dogs are playing with other dogs, they usually avoid the feet. Vets aren't sure why so many dogs are foot-shy. Some may be ticklish, especially between the toes. Others many have bad memories of previous--and possibly painful pedicures.

Most dogs will put up with a little paw play if you get them used to it when they're young. Older dogs aren't so flexible, however, so your best bet may be to give attention to other parts of their bodies and leave the feet alone.