Losing a companion animal is devastating.  And yet, many pet parents don’t receive the kind of emotional support they might expect if they had lost a human family member.  Failing to show such a depth of compassion is common for those who have never shared a special bond with a companion animal.  These people might say to themselves, “What’s the big deal … it was just a pet.”  What they don’t understand is a very simple truth … losing a companion animal is losing a member of your family.

Anytime we suffer a dramatic loss, it is appropriate to grieve.  Your first priority should be to come to grips with the fact that it is perfectly acceptable to grieve the passing of your companion animal.  Accepting the magnitude of your loss can facilitate the process of grieving.  The more you fight to suppress your feelings, the worse your grief can become.  Hiding the heartache will do you no good.

Grief takes many forms, whether it’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression and ultimately, acceptance.  While many tout the different characterizations of grief as if they were absolute stages, these steps should be interpreted more as a continuum of emotion.  That is, some may not experience them and others may experience many simultaneously.

Some find the process of grief frustrating, as it is a process of reaction.  We may ask ourselves, “What can I do to feel better?”  Those who have experienced a recent loss should take some comfort in knowing that there are outlets for this impulse.  There are several organizations that allow you to contribute funds in the memory of your companion animal.  Many of these groups will publish an announcement of your gift along with a special message of tribute.  In this way, you can create a legacy for your companion animal.

Additionally, you should be certain to actively take care of yourself physically.  Because grief takes a toll on us physically, you should allow yourself extra time to sleep, be sure to exercise and eat well.

Don’t arbitrarily assign time limits to your grief.  The bottom line is – as with most emotional processes – it takes as long as it takes.

Above all, know that you are not alone in your experience.  Be sure to talk to other pet parents about your loss, but be sure to spend time sharing memories about the best times you spent with your companion animal, too.

In the summer of one of the most turbulent economic periods in a lifetime, Americans are rediscovering simplicity and frugality.  These days, it’s not uncommon to see a small group playing an impromptu game of Frisbee, or a couple enjoying a nature hike through a local park, or an extended family spending an afternoon in the backyard barbecuing.

The summer months provide ample opportunities for outdoor fun, whether your idea of open-air enjoyment is a power-walk with your dog or watching an afternoon storm roll in from the safety of a back porch with your cat.  These activities help us brush away the winter cobwebs, shedding new light on our daily life.  But sometimes, we make discoveries that are not altogether pleasant.  Too often, the thinner, summer coats of our pets can reveal what winter coats have hidden from plain view – reddened skin irritations, possibly the sign of a seasonal or chronic allergy.

That’s right … just like humans, pets suffer from allergies.  Allergens can come from any number of sources, including grasses, trees, molds, dust mites and flea bites.  Even their food may contain allergens.  With all of these possible culprits, how can a pet parent learn what’s causing their pet’s allergy?

The first step for many of us is to hop online.  We know that information is plentiful on the internet, even if not all of it is trustworthy. That inclination, to try and uncover the reasons ourselves, especially when that impulse is coupled with hard economic times, can lead to a scenario where many pet parents will try to diagnose Fido’s or Fluffy’s allergies on their own, without veterinary assistance.  But the cause of allergies is notoriously difficult to pin down because it so hard to isolate one possible cause from another.

If you want to determine whether or not your four-footer is truly suffering from an environmental or food-related allergy, you should have your vet do an evaluation.  They will use either a blood test or a skin test, or perhaps both, to assess what allergens are producing the symptoms.

When animals experience allergic reactions, their bodies alter normal hormone production.  Some of the resultant chemical reactions can lead to cellular inflammation, the process bodies use to remove the allergens.  To understand this process, consider the following example:  the common flea bite. Commonly, after a flea bite, there may be swelling and possible irritation (usually itchiness).  But if your dog or cat has a flea allergy, the reaction is a much larger rash with severe itching. This is the body attempting to eliminate the allergen; in this case, flea saliva.

So, what’s the best way to nip allergies in the bud? Leading holistic practitioners and natural-care veterinarians have long endorsed foods and supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially those coming from fish oil, which help inhibit the body’s inflammatory response.  And the amazing properties of omega-3’s don’t end there.  When coupled with omega-6’s derived from a source like flaxseed, a balanced blend of these fatty acids are known to provide much-needed support by helping to strengthen the body’s natural response to allergens.  They do this by enhancing the functions of the immune system and by fortifying the walls of individual cells in the body.  At the same time, omega-3’s also help to protect neurological and blood systems.  If you encounter information disparaging the inclusion of fatty acids in the diets of companion animals – either from online sources, friends or even veterinarians – it may be based upon outdated beliefs about these nutrients.

If you are not already feeding your companion a diet rich in omega-3’s like Life’s Abundance, you might consider incorporating into your pet’s diet a supplemental source of omega-3’s, either in chewable tablet form (like Skin & Coat Formula) or in capsule form (many of our customers provide Sealogix for their pets).  Dr. Jane advises against feeding omega-3 supplements in the half-hour immediately before and after a meal, as the precise balance of fats can be thrown off, resulting in diminished absorption of those beneficial nutrients.  Under no circumstances should you add liquid fish oil to dry food.

If you believe that your favored feline or precious pup suffers from allergies, please schedule time with your trusted veterinarian to determine the appropriate treatment, and consider incorporating essential fatty acids in your pet’s diet.  By taking a proactive stance now, your pet might be able to avoid allergic reactions in the future.

You can purchase any item mentioned in this article as well as any of our other great products from Wholesome Pet Supply.

Below is her message from the HealthyPetNet March Newsletter. Also, Dr. Jane has a weekly program where you can call in and ask her questions. You can be a part of the next Dr. Jane call. Calls with Dr. Jane are always informative and a lot of fun! To participate, simply dial 218-844-0860 at the appropriate time, and enter pass code 626116# after the prompt. The next “Ask Dr. Jane” call will be held on Wednesday, at 8:30 PM EDT.

Message from Dr. Jane

As pet parents, our companion animals depend solely on us to make important decisions for their health and well-being.  Choosing the right food is a critical part of our responsibility to provide the best care possible.  But just as crucial is the amount of food that we feed our precious pets.

We know that when dogs and cats are overweight, their health can be jeopardized.  Current estimates indicate that more than half of all companion animals are overweight or obese.  And health challenges resulting from obesity account for the majority of veterinarian visits.

An overweight pet carries too many pounds of pressure for a healthy skeletal system to withstand. This excessive pressure is a contributing factor in the development of bone and joint issues, which are believed to afflict nearly 90% of all senior cats.  An overweight pet’s heart must work much harder to circulate blood, putting unnecessary stress on this vital organ.  And unregulated blood sugar has become much more prevalent in both dogs and cats, and some believe that excess weight is the singlemost important contributing factor.

With all of the evidence indicating that good health is much more elusive when animals are overweight, one wonders why more pet parents fail to commit to feeding their sweet companions a healthier diet.

One reason is that weight gain is usually so gradual that pet parents really don’t realize that their pet has become overweight.  And the second major reason?  By and large, we are resistant to change our routines.

Many employ a free-feed method, where food is left out all day for the pet.  Rarely is the food measured, and it’s often more than our pets require.  Then, after returning from work, we reward our companions with several treats, not keeping track of how many we provide.

And pets have become more sedentary, just like their pet parents.  It is not uncommon to see dogs and cats lounging on the couch, keeping their people company while they watch TV for hours every night.

So, we have pets being overfed and not getting sufficient exercise.  I think we can all agree … this is a classic recipe for excessive weight gain.

The first step to any successful weight loss program is accepting that your pet is overweight and embracing a willingness to alter established patterns of behavior and consumption.

For starters, you need to determine whether or not your companion animal is overweight.  Most of us don’t weigh our companion animals, excluding vet visits which typically come only once a year.  But this is easy to do at home, using your bathroom scale.  First, weigh yourself.  Then, pick up your pet and step back onto the scale.  Subtract the first weight from the second, revealing your pet’s weight.  You’ll need to do this periodically, so keep track of the weights in a journal or on a piece of paper that you leave posted on your refrigerator (or another handy spot).

Don’t worry if your pet is too heavy for you to comfortably lift, because there is another way to check if your pet is overweight.  Simply place your hands on the ribcage, with your fingers pointed toward the feet.  If you can feel ribs, your dog or cat is probably within the normal (average) weight range.  If you can feel approximately one inch of fat between the skin and ribs, or if the ribs are hard to locate, your pet could be packing excessive pounds.  If, however, you cannot find the ribs at all, your pet could be obese, and you should make weight reduction an immediate priority.

Figure out the optimal amount of food you should be feeding.  If you have trouble making a determination from the information included on your pet’s bag and or can of food, consult with your veterinarian.  The amount shown on the label may not always be suited to your particular pet, and may need to be adjusted depending on how overweight your pet is.  You should start with feeding the amount that is on the bag and after two weeks you can adjust the amount.

If you want to free-feed, check to make sure that you’re not pouring more than the recommended amount into the bowl.  Some dogs and cats may cry or pester you, hoping for more food, but after a few days they will adjust to the new portions.

You should also determine how many treats you give your pet on a daily basis.  As long as you are already tracking your pet’s weight, leave space in your journal to record the number of treats you provide.  Every time you give them a cookie, make a mark.  Within a week, you should have a pretty clear idea of the number of treats you’re providing.  If you find that you’re providing more treats than indicated on the label, you might consider using food from your pet’s recommended daily feeding as treats.

Select and pursue at least one method of exercise that you can do with your pet.  For ideas about how to incorporate exercise for your companion animal in your routine, be sure to read both of the articles below (one focuses on dogs and the other on cats).

To track the progress of your new weight-loss program, weigh your dog or cat at least once per month, and possibly weekly, as metabolisms can change quickly.

With a little extra effort, you will be able to foster a healthier life for your furry friend.

Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Very best regards,

Dr. Jane Bicks

And don’t forget, the most important piece of knowledge to retain is that the very best food available for your cat is Life’s Abundance from Wholesome Pet Supply.

There are some things from which you should shield your pets during the festive months.

Some common holiday plants are toxic to cats and dogs.  Don’t keep holly, poinsettias, lilies or mistletoe on or near the floor, where pets have easy access to them.

If you have a live tree in your home, don’t let pine needles accumulate on the floor, as these needles can perforate the intestinal lining of dogs and cats.  Additionally, trees should be tethered to a wall or the ceiling to prevent them from falling on pets.

Don’t leave unfamiliar extension cords fully exposed, as these can resemble chew toys, which could result in serious injury to your dog.  Never leave lights plugged in when you are not at home.

Don’t allow your companion animals to drink holiday tree water, as it quickly becomes stagnant and can contain harmful chemicals or bacteria.  Consider putting up a wire fence to restrict access to tree water, and to gifts (aka, tempting chewing targets).

If you are decorating with tinsel, hang it out of reach of your pets, especially cats, as they are known to eat tinsel, which can result in intestinal distress.

And here are some suggestions for things you should consider doing as the year wraps up.

Do your gift wrapping on an elevated surface, where your pets can’t get into (and consequently eat) string, paper and ribbons that can cause intestinal blockages.

This is a good time of the year to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.  This helps to ensure the safety of the home and also avoids alarming your companion animals, as low batteries will often set off alerts that can scare your pets.

Encourage your holiday guests to refrain from feeding your companion animals human food, as this can result in diarrhea, vomiting and illness.

During the stress of the holidays, companion animals may drink more water, so be extra alert to providing this basic necessity.

Post your vet’s phone number in a prominent location, like your refrigerator.  This provides easy access to necessary information for anyone visiting your home, should a problem arise.

Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Very best regards,
Dr. Jane Bicks

If your companion animal is older and arthritic, be sure not to leave her or him outside too long.  Just as with humans, colder temperatures can make arthritic joints stiff and painful.

Dogs that tend to walk on sidewalks and streets should have their paws cleaned upon re-entering the home.  Ice, rock salt and other chemicals can collect in their pads and cause irritation.

If you live in an area where snows are frequent or deep, clear a spot in your yard for your dog to eliminate wastes.

Check outside water bowls frequently during the day for signs of freezing.  For a modest price, you can obtain a heated bowl to ensure that your pet will always have access to tepid water even when the temperature drops.

And remember that companion animals have to burn more calories to stay warm during the cold months, especially if your pet will be frequently outdoors.  Consider increasing the amount of food you feed by 10–20%.

And, of course, the wholesome, natural, food you should feed them is Life’s Abundance from Wholesome Pet Supply.

Be sure to plan ahead, to reduce the likelihood of last-minute decisions, which often infuse activities with an unnecessary sense of urgency.

Take advantage of online shopping, so you don’t have to leave your companion animals alone for extended periods of time.  And try to take care of multiple errands during each trip.  You’ll not only save gas (and therefore, money), you’ll also spend less time away from home.

Consider planning more events at home, so your companion animals can be a part of the celebration.  If you plan to have many visitors in your home, consider keeping your dog on lead inside the house.  You’ll be able to keep an eye on her or him at all times, reducing the likelihood of possible injury amidst a gaggle of unfamiliar feet.  Additionally, keeping them close-by may reduce your pet’s level of stress.  Alternatively, if you have an anxiety-prone dog or cat, consider confining them to a safe zone (like a bedroom, or even their crate) for the duration of in-home celebrations.

Leave a note on the front door reminding visitors not to allow your pet to run out of the house.  Nothing puts a damper on festivities like turning a holiday party into a search party.

To cope with heightened expectations of visiting family members, take time to consider how you might simplify the preparation and execution of seasonal parties and gatherings.  For example, instead of a menu of eight items, prepare only five.  Or, combine family and colleague get-togethers.  By simplifying, you’ll help to eliminate some performance pressure off yourself, and thereby, your whole family.

Don’t try to do everything yourself, but rather assign specific tasks to other family members, even your children.  You may be surprised at how seriously they take on the new responsibilties, and they’ll learn a lot in the process.

Remember that nothing is perfect – striving for perfection in all of your celebrations can have the unfortunate effect of increasing stress, not only for you, but for the rest of your family.

By implementing just a few of these measures, you can reduce stress for you and your companion animals.

For millennia, cats have cultivated a reputation for self-absorption, superciliousness and outright disregard for anyone’s opinion other than their own.

But that doesn’t mean that cats are too independent to heed a human’s wishes, says Dee Mason of Garden City , N.Y.-based AristoCat Training (aristocattraining.com), whose company name obviously suggests that there is some bid-ability in that bewhiskered head, just waiting to be tapped.

1. COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Mason stresses the importance of simple, short sentences. Many cats, she adds, don’t know their names because their owners do not use them frequently enough.

Consistency counts, too. “Use the same words and the same phrases,” she continues. For example, one of her cats learned to distinguish between “not now” – which meant she didn’t have time to take a petting break – and “wait a minute” – a verbal promise that attention was coming. The cat responded accordingly, either meandering back to her bed or standing by twitchingly.

MIRROR, MIRROR. “The way you perceive cats is the way they’re going to act,” Mason warns. “If you treat them like spoiled babies, that’s what they’ll be like. But if you have the mentality that they are intelligent and loyal friends, that’s exactly what they will be.”

2. CONSIDER TAG TEAMS

“Cats learn visually by seeing another cat” do what the owner requests, Mason says. So, if you are teaching the command “sit,” hold a treat in each hand, lure each cat into sitting, and reward the cat who complies first.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING “You only want to work with two cats at a time,” Mason says. More than that will just create confusion instead of competition.

3. WILL WORK FOR FOOD

Cats, like people, need motivation, and they should be rewarded and reinforced for doing what you ask. But each cat’s “button” is going to vary. “They are so individualized, they are just like people that way,” Mason notes.

Food is an obvious motivator, but, again, consider personal preferences in this notoriously finicky species.

“Some cats like wet treats, some like hard – you need to find out what your cat will respond to the best,” Mason says, noting that she had one cat that responded only to organic catnip, while another wanted only a processed brand.

LOOK AT ME! Though it may not seem obvious, attention is a big reward for many cats, but skittish or sensitive ones may not appreciate physical contact.

4. FIRST, PROVIDE SOLUTIONS

If your cats are scratching the furniture, the first step is to get them in the habit of using a scratching pad or post. “Then you can start to deter them from where you don’t want them to scratch,” Mason advises.

Like rewards, adversives are highly individual. Some cats will avoid citrusy smells such as some orange rinds. Others might respond to a cat-safe spray-on repellent sold at pet stores.

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME “I do not recommend throwing a can full of coins or using a water spray bottle because while people think their cat is not going to relate it to them doing it, cats are too smart for that,” she adds. “Fear is not going to make a happy household.”

5. POTTY POWER

Litterbox lapses are not only frustrating, but they can be self-perpetuating. Use a good enzymatic cleaner (Mason recommends Simple Green) to remove the odor from the area, then cover the area with a scratching pad, bed or other item the cat would not be inclined to soil.

“Wash the litterbox often, at least once a week, in soap and water,” Mason recommends. “If it’s dirty, your cat’s not going to want to use it.”

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Always visit the vet to rule out a medical issue when a cat stops using the litterbox.

To keep your cat’s bones in the best possible shape, be sure to feed your furry friend the very best food available, Life’s Abundance from Wholesome Pet Supply.

And, although I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, the most important piece of knowledge to retain is that the very best food available for your cat is Life’s Abundance from Wholesome Pet Supply.