Dog Wellness - Safety, Wellness and Health Tips

If you are considering adding a dog to your family it is important to understand all that is entailed with being a successful, happy dog owner and ensuring you have a happy healthy dog. Of course, there are many things to know and understand before getting a dog but these dog wellness tips are a good place to get an idea of things you need to have and take care with to ensure safety, health and wellness for your dog.  If you already own a dog ask yourself this; Are you aware of the things that can hurt your dog and aware of the things he needs to stay happy and healthy?  Good dog wellness practices start with pet owner knowledge and awareness.


With compliments of Dr. Jon, veterinarian, here are some dog wellness tips to increase your knowledge and add to your compilation of necessary pet care knowledge. 

Bread Dough

When bread dough is ingested, it rises in a dog's stomach and as the dough ferments, alcohol is produced, causing alcohol toxicity.   After ingestion, dogs will act nauseated, vomit, act painful, lethargic or become disoriented.

If your dog does get his paws on bread dough, call your veterinarian or local emergency clinic.

Obesity

Not only does extra weight put stress on joints and discourage exercise, but obesity may also lead to increased risk of diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Check your dog's conformation to determine if he is too chubby. An obese dog has a rounder girth, a paunch on his underbelly and his ribs are buried.

Traveling with Your Dog

When traveling with your pet in the car, it's import to follow these tips:

• Use Proper Restraint: When traveling in your vehicle, your pet should always be properly restrained for both your and their safety. In the case of an accident, a dog can weigh up 30 times its weight upon impact while traveling at 35 mph. Today, many companies create seat belt systems and crates to keep animals safely secured while on the road.

• Never Leave Your Pet In the Car: In 70-degree weather and above, it takes only minutes for the temperatures in your car to escalate to triple digits. Leaving the window open an inch does not provide adequate ventilation. Many states are passing laws that prohibit leaving your pet alone in your automobile.

• Bring Water: Car travel can make your pets feel anxious and result in nervous panting. Be sure to take frequent breaks during your trip to allow your pet the opportunity to re-hydrate.  Let him out of the care on a leash and give him some water in a bowl and even a nice healthy treat.

 Healthy Dog Signs

There are several signs that can indicate a problem with your dog. It is important for dog owners to be  aware of the signs and symptoms that indicate a problem. Problem signs include a lack of appetite, decreased activity, weakness, changes in water consumption, not grooming, bad breath, sleeping more, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, trouble breathing, frequent urination or bloody urination.

Ideal Pet Food Storage

An ideal choice for a dog food storage container is a sturdy, airtight, bug-proof container that is easy to clean and large enough for an entire bag of kibble.

Choosing a Doggie Door

Your ideal doggie door is sized to fit the standing height of your full-grown dog when measured from the top of the shoulders, and the width at the chest.

Bad Doggie Breath 

Many people think that dog bad breath just comes with the territory of being a dog.  This is not the case.  Dog bad breath can be associated with teeth and/or mouth abnormalities.

Exercising your Senior Dog

Exercise and play is important to all dogs, including your elderly dog.

First of all, exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight may lead to a number of health problems. It places excess stress on your pet's heart. Excess weight on degenerating joints can speed up the development of arthritis.

Your elderly dog's mental health may also benefit from exercise. Activity keeps oxygen and other nutrients at optimum levels in the brain. The brain is like every other organ in the body in that it requires good nutrition.

Removing Skunk Odor

Try a mixture of 10 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part baking soda. Add a dash of  dish-washing soap and pour into a spray bottle.  Spray liberally over dry coat and allow to air dry. Avoid eyes.
This same mixture works on inanimate objects as well.

Healthy Teeth Tips for Dogs

Keeping your dog's teeth clean can help keep your dog healthy. Use a soft toothbrush. A child's toothbrush for small dogs is ideal; an adult size should be used for larger dogs. Use toothpaste formulated especially for pets, available at pet supply stores or your veterinarian's office.  Do not use human toothpaste - it is not safe for your dog.

Begin by only brushing the outside surfaces of the teeth. When your pet has adjusted to this, add the inside surfaces between the teeth and tongue.

Nail Trimming Problem

If you make the mistake of cutting your dog's nails too short here is  a home remedy to stop the bleeding.  A small amount of flour packed onto the end of the nail will often quell the bleeding.  Also try rubbing a bar of soap on the end of the nail for the same effect.  Nothing, however, beats having a stash of styptic powder, which you can buy at your local pet store or at your vet's office.

Cocoa Mulch 

Mulch is commonly used in landscaping.  Most types of mulch are safe, however, cocoa bean mulch is toxic.  The cocoa bean produces beautiful dark mulch that has the aroma of chocolate. Unfortunately, this type of mulch is dangerous because of the by-products of the cocoa shells. When ingested, dogs can show severe signs of chocolate toxicity.  If you do any landscaping make sure to use pet safe mulch.

Adding a new dog to the one you already have.

Don't encourage ill will between future buddies with a too-close-for-comfort feeding time routine. Make sure to feed the new member of the household in a separate location, using a using separate food bowls.

Puppy Proofing your Home

• Start by assuming you have a two-year-old child.

• Everything that you would lock up for a child, lock up for your puppy.

• Keep all cleaning materials, household chemicals, and medications locked behind cabinet doors.

• Keep poisonous plants, electric cords, and children' toys out of reach.

• Block off portions of your home such as bedrooms, bathrooms, or any part of the house you are not occupying most of the time.  The new puppy should have a very limited place to roam in your home until he properly potty trained and outgrows chewing on things.

Winter Paw Care for Dogs

In cold weather, the pads on the bottom of your dog's feet can take a beating. One way to protect them is to buy special boots made of neoprene or similar materials.

Preventing Heatstroke in Cats

• Do not leave your cat in the car - even if you think the weather is fine.  Cars heat up very quickly and become similar to a small sauna.

• When the weather is hot or even warm make sure your cat has plenty of shade and water if he is outside.  Consider leaving a small tub of water for your cat to play in and stay cool in the hot weather.  Make sure the amount of water is drowning proof safe.

Bland Diet for Vomiting

Many veterinarians recommend a "bland" diet for dogs that have been vomiting or had vomiting and diarrhea.  The general approach is as follows:

1.  First, start with water. After the small increments of water are offered, gradually offer a bland diet.

2.  Small frequent feedings of a bland digestible diet such as: Hill's prescription diet i/d, Iams Recovery Diet, Provision EN or Waltham Low Fat are usually recommended. Homemade diets can be made of boiled rice or potatoes (as the carbohydrate source) and lean hamburger, skinless chicken or low-fat cottage cheese (as the protein source).

3.  Return to regular dog food should be gradual over one to two days. If vomiting continues at any time or the onset of other symptoms is noted, call your veterinarian promptly.

Protect your Dog from Common Household Dangers

There are items in every home that can hold hidden dangers to pets. Many household items may look benign yet have potential to cause serious injury.  For example, a recliner can crush a small puppy or fast-closing doors may allow paws or tails to be caught.  Here are a few items to keep your eye on:

1. Paper shredders
2. Ethylene glycol
3. Doors
4. Recliners
5. Potpourri
6. Bones
7. Human foods and substances
8. Trash cans
9. Unsecured medications
10. Glues and cleaners

Tips for a Successful Vet Visit

When you go to your veterinarian for your dog's next visit, make sure you get the most out of the visit. Ask lots of questions and be prepared. Here are some tips:

• Write down any questions and health concerns you have before you go and take the list with you.

• Make a list of any medications your dog is on, the dose and frequency.  Be sure to discuss any effects the medication may or may not have had or any difference in behavior if any since taking the medication.

Yard Safety Tips

There are several possible hazards in your yard that can cause injury or create problems for your dog.

1.  Sharp nails or wires on fencing
2.  Loose fence boards or areas where pets can sneak out, around or under
3.  Trash tossed or blown into the yard that may be chewed on or ingested
4.  Improperly stored toxins such as rodenticide, slug bait, fertilizer or antifreeze.
5.  If you landscape or are having any landscaping done at your home, make sure to use pet safe mulch.
6.  Make sure you do not have any pet toxic plants in your yard.

Natural Remedies for Cats and Dogs 

Pet natural health care is becoming extremely common amongst pet owners around the world.  It is important to remember that just like an over the counter medicine there are several different approaches and natural ingredients that can be used, so monitor your pet while he is being treated in case he needs to try a different dosage or different mix of medicine.

Being a responsible pet owner means knowing how, when, where and what when it comes to your pet, keeping abreast of changes and new findings, and putting pet wellness practices into motion on a daily basis or as required.

I will be adding new tips for pet wellness as they come my way, so be sure to check back for updates, new findings, and new advice

 Pet Trivia: Do you know that dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures?

Pet Wellness: Pet Evil Plants

Are you aware that in your home or garden there could very well be plants that are toxic to your dog or cat? I wasn't!  But thanks to Dr. Karen Becker, holistic veterinarian, I am now aware of pet evil plants that I have now removed from my home and garden and replaced with ones that are safe.  Pet owner awareness is an important part of pet wellness and can make the difference between an unsafe and safe environment for your dog, cat or any other breed of pet.

Lets get right down to it so that you can get on with making the necessary changes in your garden or home as soon as possible in order to avoid a poisoned pet and trip to the vet.

Lilies

Although the poisonous part of this plant has not yet been determined, lilies are particularly perilous to cats.  Even a small amount of lily plant ingested by your cat can cause severe or even fatal kidney disease.

Marijuana Plants

Dangerous for dog and cat, any portion of this plant can result in depression of the central nervous system, vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, seizures, and coma. In the event that you are legally allowed to grow this plant for medicinal reasons, be sure to keep it well out of reach of your dog or cat or ensure that part of the garden cannot be accessed by your dog or cat or any other that might pass by your garden. 

Sago Palms

All parts of the sago are toxic, but the nuts and seeds pose even a higher toxin to your dog or cat.  This perilous plant can make your pet desperately ill with symptoms being vomiting, drooling, lethargy, seizures and acute liver failure, which can result in death if not treated in time.

Tulips

The whole of this plant is toxic to your dog or cat, with the bulbs are the most potent. These can cause severe gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, drooling depression of the central nervous system,  convulsions and cardiac abnormalities. 

 Azaleas and Rhododendrons

 These plants contain grayanotoxin,  that will cause your dog or cat gastrointestinal troubles including  diarrhea bloating, and vomiting. Coma, cardiovascular collapse and death are also on the list of for dog or cat with this perilous plant. 

Oleanders

Oleanders come in white and pink and all varieties are poisonous for dogs and cats. Sudden death is caused  from heart failure due to the cardiac glycosides in this plant. Although this particular plant is very well adored by many people, pet wellness means often times pet owners have learn to go without in order to keep their pets well and safe, even from what might be their favorite flower.

Castor Bean Plant

 Deadly to both dog and cat this plant contains a toxin called Ricin. Ricin can bring on abdominal pain and bloating, swelling of the mouth and any other part of the gastrointestinal tract. Severe poisoning can cause  seizures, musculoskeletal convulsions, twitching, coma and death.

Cyclamen Plant

 Cyclamen comes in colors of lavender, pink and white and are a very common house plant.  Unfortunately for pet owners this plant's roots are dangerous to dog and cat.  Poisoned symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation resulting in severe vomiting. 

Cilantro

Are you shocked?  So was I, particularly being that I am a frequent user of the herb cilantro also known as coriander.  I was also growing it in my garden for the longest time. Obviously not anymore! I was lucky that my one year old puppy had no interest in eating plants, unlike most puppies.  The cilantro plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac arrhythmia in your dog or cat.

Yew

The Yew plant and all species of the Taxus and Yew family can cause serious problems for both dog and cat.

Amaryllis

This beautiful flower is perilous to your dog or cat causing vomiting, depression and lethargy.  Symptoms of poisoning from the amaryllis, also known as the Easter plant, are vomiting, lethargy and depression. Amaryllis is also knows as the "Easter Plant."

Autumn Crocus

 Coming in colors of lavender, blue, yellow and white, and commonly grown in gardens in yards.  This plant can cause diarrhea, bloody vomiting, and irritation to your dog or cat's mouth. 

English Ivy

There are several species of this plant and all of them contain a perilous substance called triterpenoids.  Triterpenoids cause gastrointestinal irritation resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting in both dog and cat.

Peace Lilies and Schefflera

Both these plants contain Calcium Oxalates can cause severe irritation to your pet’s mouth, esophagus and stomach. Signs your dog or cat has ingested either of these plants are vomiting and diarrhea, drooling and difficulty swallowing.

Pothos Plants

Yes!  Another very common houseplant, Pothose plants causes soft tissue irritation in the mouth causing swelling of the tongue and sometimes bleeding of the mucus membranes, and difficulty swallowing. 

Pet wellness encompasses health and fitness of your pet and also means pet owners need to be wary of the dangers lurking around their house and garden and know how to protect and keep their pet safe.  There is a huge percentage of pets, particularly dogs and cats that are poisoned each year caused by medicines and plants.  It would be a good idea to find out which plants are safe to have in your home and garden and just stick with those.  Anytime you find a plant you would like to take home, simply do a quick search and make sure it is not on the toxic  plant list for your pet. 

There is no question that a poisoned animal needs immediate medical attention by a qualified veterinarian, however, throughout and following your pet's treatment embrace further pet wellness by selecting the appropriate pet natural remedy(s) that can help relieve your pet from discomfort and side effects caused by the poisoning or possibly even the medication he is needing to take to get well again. 

If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested a poison immediately call the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center hotline at 1-888-426-4435. The hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Then call your vet and let him know the situation and be prepared to tell him what your pet ingested if you know. Take the container or a sample of the plant with you if possible.

Pet Health: Dog and Cat Bathing and Grooming

Good pet health includes bathing and grooming of your animal. Dogs and cats, just like people need to be bathed and groomed in order to keep their hair, skin and teeth healthy.  Animals with healthy skin and hair do not need frequent bathing or harsh shampoos - both of these can cause dry itchy skin.  However, animals that have a skin problem require a medicated bath more often in order to reduce bacteria on the skin, irritation, and inflammation and to provide relief. However, it is important to note that each animal is different. 

• Bathe your pets when they need it, as in when they are smelly, dirty, greasy or have irritated skin. Wash their feet and in between their toes when you bring them back from exercising in fields or dirt grounds.
  
• Investigate the breed of your pet and take note of any common skin problems that are found within the breed and take preventative measures as early on as possible.
  
• Avoid shampoos with oatmeal.  I realize this may surprise many of you.  It is true that oatmeal is a wonderful soothing ingredient however 80% of dogs are allergic to grain, thus causing a reaction to your dog and his skin.

Often times, a dog will constantly bite at himself and this could be a sign that his skin is irritated.  Sometimes there is only a certain spot on the skin that is irritated which can be treated with creams for dry, irritated skin.  Even Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, or tree tea can help in these cases. If your dog or cat requires a soothing rinse to reduce skin irritation consider a homemade rinse.

ALL RINSES SHOULD NOT BE USED ABOVE THE HEAD AND NECK.  DO NOT GET RINSE INTO ANIMALS EYES OR EARS.  

These rinses are courtesy of Dr Karen Becker, Holistic Veterinarian.

It is preferable that homemade rinses are done in the tub.

For a yeast skin infection consider a vinegar or lemon rinse.   

Disinfecting Vinegar Rinse

• Add 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon water.
• Pour over dog (from the neck down).
• Rub into skin and towel dry.
• Do not rinse off.

 Deodorizing Lemon Rinse

• Cut one lemon in thin slices and boil in one quart water for 10 minutes.
• Cover and let stand for 3 hours until cool.
• After shampooing, pour solution over your dog (from the neck down) and massage into skin.
• Avoid eyes. Towel dry. Do not rinse off.

Note: Applying lemon rinse to dark-coated dogs can lighten their hair color if they spend lots of time in the sun. This is not a health hazard.

 If your dog or cat is prone to hot spots, skin infections or pimples, try a Povadone Iodine Rinse. 

Povadone Iodine Rinse

• Add 1 cup Povadone Iodine (also called “Betadine” or 1% iodine solution from local pharmacies) to 1 gallon rinse water.
• Pour over pet from the neck down, towel dry and do not rinse off.

Note: This solution has an iced tea color and will turn white dogs and cats off white. This is not a health hazard.

 If your dog or cat is restless or irritated from generalized itchiness, try an herbal tea rinse. 

Herbal Tea Rinse

• Add 5 green, chamomile or Tulsi tea bags to 2 quarts very hot water, steep until water is cool (I recommend 3 hours to allow for the maximum amount of polyphenols to exit the teabag and enter the water).
• Remove tea bags and pour over pet from the neck down.
• Massage into skin and do not rinse.
• You can also refrigerate used tea bags for a soothing topical poultice for hot spots or rashes.

Hot Tips For A Successful Bathing Experience

•  Use comfortably warm water, not too hot. On very hot days, or when the weather is fine give your dog his bath outside with cooler water to help reduce inflammation and irritation. Your dog or cat will love it on a hot warm or fine day. 
  
  Dogs with water-repellent coats (Labradors , poodles, retrievers, and Portuguese Water Dogs) are sometimes hard to get really wet, so diluted shampoo or rinses make the job easier.

•  If the weather outside is cold or nippy do not bathe your dog or cat outside.  Not only is it uncomfortable for him just like it would be for you but your dog or cat can easily get a cold.  Instead bathe indoors with WARM water. Towel dry immediately and keep him indoors until he is completely dry.
  
• Be aware of where your pets irritated skin is.  Irritated skin is delicate and easily injured. Your pet may feel uncomfortable at the thought of discomfort so you need to be relaxed and make bath time fun and stress free. Remember that hot spots are extremely painful so blot these areas with a rinse or shampoo soaked sponge instead of pouring water on them.  Wash paws and toes well especially if your pet goes for runs or walks in fields or large plots of dirt land.
  
•  If you are bathing your dog or cat with a normal shampoo take great care to rinse his coat thoroughly.  Soap left on skin can be irritating and itchy and will leave an oily build up on your pets hair.
  
• Wring out and towel dry well.  Some animals have hair that dries easily while other type hair takes a bit more work.     

 Grooming

• Human hair dryers are not appropriate unless used with a “NO HEAT” setting! Allow distance between the dryer and the animal. If your pet has hot spots it is preferable you do not use a hair dryer, however if you do be very careful NOT to use any heat at all and avoid the hot spots on your pets skin.
  
• Trim back your pet’s fur around any sores or scabby areas to allow air to get to the skin helping the area to dry faster and heal faster.
  
• If you decide to take your pet to a groomer do not be afraid to take your own herbal rinses and shampoos for the groomer to use. Ask your groomer to avoid using fragrances and allergic sprays on your pet.
  
• Although shaving your pet allows you to keep better tabs on his skin remember that hair is an insulator from the sun and can cause changes to their ability to thermo-regulate, which allows allergens to get closer contact with sensitive skin.

Good pet health requires proper dog and cat bathing including the use of herbal shampoos for normal skin and rinsing formulas for problem skin, not over bathing and using irrigation therapy when required, as well as a proper diet and regular exercise, your pet has a good chance that his irritated skin problems can be controlled allowing him an itch, irritable, pain free life.

Anal Gland Problems in Dogs- Stop This Grooming Procedure!

Pheromones are chemical messengers that help dogs and cats identify each other in the pack. That’s why dogs sniff each other’s butts, or another dogs poop they come across on their walks. The pheromones are released when a dog goes poop supplying much biochemical information needed to communicate with one another.  These pheromones are released via the anal glands found inside the dog or cats rectum.  Anal problems in dogs are common, with the common treatment being performed unnecessarily being the cause.

Why Anal Problems in Dogs?

The anal glands inside the rectum have a tiny duct that leads out to the anus. When the dog or cat goes poop feces enters the rectum, the colon expands, and these glands squeeze a little pheromones on the feces. When the duct that drains the anal gland becomes swollen shut creating anal problems in dogs. In a nutshell what happens is that the muscle that does the work becomes weak from not operating on it's own, and therefor cannot perform on it's own. The area becomes agitated and swollen shut.


When your groomer provides your pet the service of excreting his anal glands he is playing with fire and your pets health and well being is on the line and so is your hard earned bucks because this procedure actually creates unnecessary trauma to the anal gland.  Whether it's your groomer or your vet, excreting your dog or cats anal glands is a procedure you need to ensure your groomer and vet do not do.


In cases where there is an underlying inflammatory condition or low-grade infection that’s already in the anal gland, sometimes gentle manipulation by an experienced veterinarian is necessary. It is extremely important that your vet knows when to stop squeezing so as to help the anal gland keep it's muscle tone so it can work on it's own accord preventing anal problems in your dog.

If anal gland muscle tone is lost through regular expression, do not have your veterinarian or groomer automatically express the glands. Tell your vet to check the glands regularly and to determine if the glands are of normal size, not too full, and whether the duct is working properly. In that case, it is best to leave them alone.

 The GI Tract and Other Organs

Inflammation of the GI tract is the second runner up for anal gland problems in cats and dogs. It is important to remember that any disease in the gastrointestinal tract also effects the anal glands. For example Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Allergic Gastritis, allergies, and Allergic Colitis can all effect the anal glands in your dog or cat.

Another one is anything that can cause soft stools. This could be medications, parasites or antibiotics. Firm stools are required to apply pressure against the colon wall that allows the anal glands to express pheromones. A pet having regular or recurrent soft stools or diarrhea often can cause anal gland problems. The problem behind the soft stools needs to quickly be addressed and not left unattended.

Pet Allergies

If your pet is sensitive to allergens within his surroundings it is likely that anal gland problems can arise by causing tremendous itching to the anus making your dog or cat bite and scratch, causing the area to become irritated. If you think you have an allergenic pet you need to have the cause of the allergies investigated and controlled in order to eliminate the anal gland problem.
  

Ergonomic Problems

Ergonomic problem refers to anal glands set abnormally deep. When a dog or cat has anal glands placed to low inside, even healthy stools cannot suffice and effectively empty the pheromones during bowel movements. Once again, the anal glands in this case need to be regularly checked my the vet in order to determine if they need to be expressed manually.

Only extreme circumstances require the surgical removal of anal glands, but according to Dr. Karen Becker, Holistic Veterinarian this surgical procedure under the surgical definition of a "Salvage procedure", meaning it can host a whole other basket of complications.

The first issue at hand in treating anal problems in dogs is for the owner to identify the root problem causing the anal glands to swell. Determine if the problem is an inflammatory one or an allergic one, or soft stool. If your pet does not have anal gland problems make the choice to eliminate anal gland expression in your pets life so as to preserve the muscle and do away with anal gland problems in the future. Only in extreme circumstances of your pet needing relief, determined by a vet, should you have anal gland expression performed.

Dog Athritis and Joint Degenerative - Causes and Protections

Arthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease is a major contributor to musculoskeletal degeneration in dogs and other pets. Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease contributes to the degeneration of your dog's frame, a sight that is heart breaking for any dog owner.  Let's not even mention the severe discomfort a dog is in when dealing with this disease and how  quickly the disease escalates.  Medication will only work for a short time.  Many dog owners are faced with the dilemma of putting their dog to sleep when the disease becomes unbearable for their dog to handle. 

The Main Causes of Arthritis

• Cartilage degenerative : A genetic predisposition to malformation of the joints, such as hip dysplasia in dogs that can cause early joint degeneration.
• Poor nutrition: High calorie carbohydrate-based diets can cause the body to grow faster than the cartilage does, inducing cartilage deficits.
• Autoimmune diseases in which your pet’s body attacks its own joints.
• Infectious diseases: Bacterial infections in the joints can trigger degeneration, as well as tick borne infections that spread to the joints.
• Trauma (known or unknown).

Early Trauma or Injury Can Lead to Joint Disease Later

Trauma at an early age is an overlooked source of joint disease in dogs and cats.  A sudden movement that causes the head to jerk backward can cause cervical injury often gone unnoticed.  Pet trainers often recommend the owner jerk the dogs leash to get him to stop pulling.  Dr. Karen Becker, wellness veterinarian does not agree with this method because it can cause cervical trauma which later causes an early onset of joint disease and degenerative .  These early traumas go often go unnoticed and add up over a period of time.

Arthritis Preventative Measures

• If your pet sustains an injury of any type, consider chiropractic care to help realign the spine and Central Nervous System. This will help prevent any future problems arising from your dog or cat's body shifting into an unhealthy position to compensate for his injury.

• A pet massage can treat tissue inflammation and prevent secondary composition in an animals body.  You can learn how to do pet massage yourself through books and videos. By doing a pet massage yourself you are able to become familiar with where the soreness and tightness is on your pets body and is also a nice way to spend time with your pet.
  
  DIY Dog Massage Dog Massage Secrets
  Communicate with Your Cat Through Massage
  Pet Massage
  
  
• Stretching is another beneficial practice for reducing degenerative and preventing soft tissue injury. It’s particularly helpful with older pets and competition/working dogs. Yes, you can stretch your dog!
  
  The Healthy Ways to Stretch Your Dog
  Stretching Your Pet Video -The Doctors Channel
  
  
• Adding certain supplements to your pet’s diet can provide the raw materials for cartilage repair or maintenance.  Visit a Holistic Vet to determine a custom-made protocol for your pet’s specific musculoskeletal needs.
  
  Holistic Veterinary Medicine

• Another important factor is preventing dog arthritis and joint degenerative is regular exercise.  It is imperative that your dog has plenty of exercise on a daily basis. 
  
  You can kill two birds with one stone and socialize your dog and get him some exercise at the same time by providing him a play time with other dogs, either at the park or in a private setting.  You yourself should walk your dog daily and ensure he knows how to walk properly on a leash. A great exercise for dog and owner alike is to ride a bicycle with your dog on a leash.  It takes a little practice so start off slow but once you and you dog master it it is an extremely enjoyable experience and a heck of a lot more enjoyable than running the treadmill at the gym.
  
  Utilize the yard space that you have and teach your dog the come command and play the "Come Game." You need two people for this game, stand far apart, and call your dog to come (follow the instructions for teaching the command). Your dog will get exercise running back and forth between you and the other person, while at the same time getting praise each time he follows your command to come.  Once again you are also killing two birds with one stone - exercise and obedience.

In order for dog owners to protect their beloved animals from arthritis and joint degenerative they must first ensure they do not unknowingly cause trauma to their dog especially during training sessions and leash walks.  It is here that you need to train your animal to walk nicely on his leash so that he is not pulling you or trying to dart away on his leash, causing harm to himself. Pet owners need to ensure that chiropractic treatment, massage, and stretching is put into place when injury occurs, even if your dog shows no signs of pain or discomfort. It is wise to do stretching and massage weekly just in case an injury occurs you are not aware of. Regular exercise and proper obedience training should be actioned by every pet owner to ensure a healthy, strong, socialized, obedient pet.

3 Basics to Optimize Your Pets Health

I came about the wisdom of Dr. Karen Becker, wellness veterinarian, through Dr. Mercola, and have very much enjoyed her outlook on pet health and wellness in order to keep your pet thriving and free from disease and illness. Dr Karen Becker incorporates nutrition, herbs, homeopathy and acupuncture in her veterinary practice.

As human beings, we are doing more and more these days toward optimal health and sustainability so why we wouldn't do the same for our pets.

Dr. Karen says there are 3, yes that's it, 3 sure fire ways to optimize your pets health. She calls them the Three Pillars of Health.

Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, snake, iguana, lizard, or fish, it is necessary to do research on your pet of choice and learn how to best optimize your pets health according to his species.

The Three Pillars of Health are:

1. Species-appropriate nutrition: Each animal must consume a diet that is biologically appropriate for that species.

2. A sound, resilient body (frame and organs): Muscle tone should be good; body weight should be optimal; teeth should be healthy; heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs should be working efficiently.

3. A balanced, functional immune system: Just like us humans, the immune system should be able to protect the animal from pathogens, yet not be overactive, leading to things like allergies and autoimmune disease. The key here is balance.

Through this blog and with the help of Dr. Karen, you and I are going to learn how to incorporate all three of these pillars in order to ensure we have healthy pets. But for now, take some time to investigate your pets needs according to his species.