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.

The splendor of summer is right around the bend.  We are approaching the season when children, freed from studies, populate the neighborhood, friends and families hold cook-outs, and we find ourselves preoccupied with the health our pet’s coats.

There’s a reason for our annual fixation.  Dogs usually begin to lose their winter coats in early spring, when it is gradually replaced by a shorter, lighter coat suited to the summer months.  The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed.  For example, the pet parents of German Shepherds will groan about the amount of shedding all year long, while those of us with poodles rarely have to get out the broom or vacuum, even with the arrival of summer.

While we’ve seen that growth cycles can be affected by mood, hormones, and nutrition, changes primarily occur due to fluctuations in the amount of daylight and temperature.

The length of daylight hours is believed to have a greater impact on the shedding cycle than temperature, which is why all pets shed during particular times of the year.  Even artificial indoor lighting can have an effect, especially on companion animals who stay primarily indoors.

And companion animals experience big differences in temperature when leaving and entering your home, which is most extreme in the summer and winter months.  These differences induce a constant state of change, setting up conditions that lead to increased shedding throughout the year.

And an unhealthy coat can have negative impacts on pet parents, too, in the form of allergies.  Contrary to popular belief, hair is not the culprit of allergies in humans, but rather dander and proteins in the oil produced by glands in the skin.

For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.  Additionally, a healthy coat requires a great deal of protein.  Almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to support hair production and maintenance.  Fortunately, nutritious foods like Life’s Abundance and Instinctive Choice provide the protein content necessary to supply your pet’s body with the protein necessary to help maintain a healthy coat.

Just as it is important to feed a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional support necessary to achieve the utmost in a healthy coat and skin.

HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.  These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so your pet receives the full nutritional benefit.  Additionally, Skin & Coat Formula contains vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat.  To ensure the highest product quality, Skin & Coat is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant.  And, it has a delicious roast beef flavor that both cats and dogs love.

No matter the season, HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula can help to make your pet’s coat healthy, glossy and beautiful – and keep it that way, all year long.

You can purchase HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula and 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

The study, conducted by the Purina Pet Institute, ranked those cities that exemplify superior care, services and legislation for pets’ health and well-being. It analyzed 30 different criteria ranging from veterinarian-to-pet ratios to incidence of obesity to rabies legislation. The top five Pet Healthiest Cities are:

1. Denver, Colo.
2. Oakland, Calif.
3. Portland, Ore.
4. Anaheim, Calif.
5. San Francisco, Calif.

“This is the only comprehensive evaluation of factors that impact pets’ health and affect their quality of life,” said Dan Christian, DVM, executive director of the Purina Pet Institute.

The data revealed that pet obesity/body condition and preventative care are major issues. According to veterinarians surveyed, more than half of the nation’s cats and dogs are overfed, which can lead to health problems. An unprecedented 14-year Purina study proved that feeding dogs properly throughout their lifetime to maintain ideal body condition can significantly extend their healthy years.

Other significant results:

• Cats and dogs in San Francisco can claim clean lungs-the city has the lowest cigarette usage in the report and boasts zero annual ozone alert days.

• New York City and Oakland scored highest for percentage of dogs neutered (83 percent) and New York City tied with San Jose for highest percentage of cats neutered (86 percent).

• In the body condition category, New Orleans scored highest for percentage of dogs at ideal body weight (50 percent) and Nashville took top score for percentage of cats at ideal body weight (50 percent).

• Columbus, Ohio leads the country in the veterinarian-to-pet ratio with one veterinarian for every 745 pets.

While it is important to understand the environmental elements that affect a pet’s health-such as the availability of qualified care, the prevalence of fleas or the requirements of licensing-there are many things individual pet owners can do to help improve their pet’s health.

“The things pet owners control -obesity, preventative care, spaying and neutering-can literally add, or detract, healthy years from a pet’s life,” said Christian.

For better weight control and the healthiest diet available for your pet, please check out the fresh, natural Life’s Abundance pet foods from Wholesome Pet Supply.

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.

It wasn’t until after Word War II that cats became popular house pets. Before then they lived mostly outdoors. One reason for the change has been attributed to Edward Lowe of Cassopolis, Michigan, who introduced the convenient pellets known as kitty litter in 1947.

Right or Left?

Cats have a tendency to be southpaws, leading more often with the left paw than the right. This fact wqas discovered after patient observation by Professor J. Cole of Oxford University.

Ballerina?

Cats walk on their toes, lengthening their legs so they can break into a faster run than if they were flat-footed. Wilds cats, however, will usually lie in wait for their prey rather than trying to outrun it. The cheetah is an exception – he’s the only cat that will engage in a long chase.

Through a Cat’s Eyes

The cat’s acute peripheral vision allows him to detect the slightest movements at great distances. He also sees other animals more clearly when they’re in motion than when they’re standing stock-still.

Vital Statistics

Your vet will be the one to check Kitty’s vital signs, but it can be helpful for you to know the normal range. A cat’s body temperature should be between 100 degrees and 102.5 degrees F, and his pulse should be 120 to 150 beats per minute. Kittens generally have a higher pulse rate.

What to Feed Your Cat?

Come on, this is Wholesome Pet Supply and the ONLY food you should be feeding your cat, in our humble opinion,  is Life’s Abundance, which you can obtain at this link WholesomePetSupply.

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.

Your Pet and Your Health

Many of us agree that we should do everything within our power to make sure that our companion animals enjoy the best possible health.  But did you know that simply by being a part of your life, your dog or cat could actually help you to be not only happier but healthier, too?

Of course you did.  It’s all part of the privilege (and fun!) of being a pet parent.  What you may not know is that there’s plenty of science to back it up.  A wealth of knowledge regarding the health benefits associated with having companion animals has been accumulated over the last two decades, including numerous research studies in the U.S. and abroad.

A study published in The British Journal of Health Psychology reports that people who have companion animals tended to be healthier than those who did not.  Additionally, when a dog was part of the family, the members had fewer minor ailments, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.  Although the explanation for these advantages is unclear, researchers speculated that all benefits could be accounted for by reduced levels of stress, possibly due to increased physical activity and levels of social interaction.

The positive effects of having a canine companion have also been chronicled in research published in the American Journal of Cardiology.  The year-long study documented the effect of having a canine companion in 369 patients who had suffered an acute heart attack.  The positive effects were nothing short of extraordinary!  The patients who had a dog in the home had a much better chance of survival.  Over 7% of patients without a dog died during the study, compared with only 1% of those who had a canine companion.

Researchers at the University of Leicester found that when pets are in a household, children six years and younger develop social skills at an accelerated rate.  Additionally, these children tend to have better coordination, improved confidence, superior communication skills and are even less likely to have allergies!

The British Medical Journal concluded that pets serve a vital need for socialization, especially for those at a higher risk for isolation, like those with physical limitations that might prevent opportunities for social interaction.  Most medical professionals agree that the broader the network of social contacts, the better we are able to deal with difficult life issues.  This study, and others like it, supports the idea that this need for social relations can be fulfilled equally well by companion animals as with people.

And a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association revealed that bringing a companion animal to the office resulted in higher worker productivity.

These and many other studies reinforce what we as pet parents have suspected all along … that our beloved four-footed companions are integral parts of our families, enriching our lives beyond measure.

If you have a story about how your companion animal has improved your life, we’d like to know about it.  Share your personal anecdote with us at stories@healthypetnet.com.