Special Ingredient Saturday – Notes from the Ingredient Definition Committee, AAFCO Meeting, Denver August 3, 2015
I had the interesting pleasure of attending my second AAFCO meeting this week. AAFCO is the American Association of Feed Control Officials. These are the people who make recommendations for what is acceptable to go into feed for our food supply and for our pets. This...
Your Holistic Dog. Important Considerations when your Desire is a Holistic Health Experience for your Dog.
Choosing a holistic lifestyle for any member of your family comes with decisions and responsibilities. And, if you prefer a holistic approach to your own health, it makes sense to take the same approach for your dog. Because holistic medicine is not the norm, some...
Training Myth: A Wagging Tail is a Sign that all is Well with my Dog or Cat
“Oh, he’s wagging his tail He must be happy.” Maybe not. Behavior is a difficult thing to read in some pets, and a wagging tail can be a sign of happiness or it can be a sign telling you to “watch out.” More goes into body language than just a tail wag. So, let’s dig...
The Biggest Myth About Veterinarians: All Veterinarians are the Same.
You would be amazed how much difference there is between all of us. Even colleagues who went to veterinary school together have very different styles of practice. These differences are due to three things-experience, interest, and personality. Experience can mean not...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Cabbage
Cabbage provides Vitamin C, which helps to strengthen the immune system. There is also Vitamin B, which boosts the metabolism and helps to maintain nerves. Vitamin A benefits skin and eyes, and contains phytonutrients that aid in the production of enzymes that...
What is the Biggest Myth about Pet Food: AAFCO Approved Means it’s Good for your Pet
Most readers of this blog will look at the package of their pet food and will see the words “meets AAFCO standards.” It is very common for people to think that means the food is healthy for their dogs and cats. It is shocking to find out pet food is just a means of...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Carrots
Carrots contain an abundant amount of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, C, B1 and B2, magnesium, folate, zinc, copper, and selenium. Various studies have shown that beta-carotene helps reduce cancer risk. Studies have also found that carrots improve heart...
The Biggest Myth About Dogs: Dogs are Supposed to Shed Year Round.
How many times have you been told “my dog is a (fill in the blank), that’s why he sheds all year long?” Regardless of whether your dog is a Labrador, a Husky, or a Terrier, shedding is only supposed to occur twice a year when they change coats. This occurs when the...
The Biggest Myth About Cats: Cats are Grazers
We have been trained for the last several generations to think that cats graze their food. If you leave a dish of dry cat food out, watch a cat: your cat will come, have a few bites. Go away, come back a while later. Have a few more bites. And do this throughout the...
My Cat is FIV Positive. What Can I Do to Help her Live a Long Life?
FIV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus in cats that is similar to human HIV. Usually, cats are infected early in life but don’t become clinically sick for years; these cats are usually diagnosed by routine blood testing. The virus hangs out in the immune...