Keeping Your Pet's Teeth Clean Naturally

There is no question that certain breeds are more prone to having bad teeth than others. However, should you initiate a simple, yet effective at-home teeth cleaning routine with your pet, ensure your feeding a canine species appropriate diet and initiating chew time, no matter what breed he/she is, you can significantly increase the chances of having a pet with a nice set of pearly whites for years to come.

What many people don't understand is that most pets will keep their teeth cleaned by themselves by simply "chewing". This is why having rubber toys, knotted ropes and natural bones and chews are of great importance to your pet. Initiating "chew time", especially after meals are key. Despite the belief that feeding your dog moist/wet foods will "rot" your dog's teeth out is simply a myth. Realistically, it's certain poor ingredients in your pet's food that will damage your dog's teeth; not the consistency of dry vs. moist. For example, if you were eating lots of hard candy all the time, this would than keep your teeth clean more than eating fresh vegetables and lean proteins?  There is no question that foods with too many starchy carbohydrates and sugars are the culprit of bad teeth as they will create a layer of "film" over the teeth.  This is mainly the issue of which dogs face today as they are not removing this film from their teeth by chewing and not having at-home cleanings by you regularly.  Obviously, this combination will create a disaster in your pet's mouth over time.

Because wild carnivores eat mainly soft protein meats, they then enjoy chewing on the bones of their prey; keeping their oral hygiene in check naturally. With the significant lack of processed foods, carbohydrates and sugars found in their natural diets, it helps the health of their teeth tremendously. However, what do you do when you have a pet that does not entertain the idea of chewing?

I have come across some pets throughout the years that simply aren't interested or really don't know what to do with a chew toy. This may be because initially, as a puppy, they weren't really given toys or chews and didn't fully develop the skills of what to do with it. It's as they "lose" that natural instinct of what to do if it does not become part of their regular routine in the early years of their development. To some that are re-homed (adopted) and not familiar with the history of the pet, it leaves the new owner wondering why their new pet doesn't like a chew toy. This is when you need to take the time to help initiate chewing and reinforcing the instinct to chew again by picking something that your dog would really enjoy, such as a bully stick. Sometimes having a natural chew that has much flavor is much better than a tasteless toy. However, there are some cases of dogs putting their nose up and refusing to chew anything. If that is the case, a thorough check of your dog's mouth is highly recommended. Sometimes, many owners neglect to regularly check the dog's mouth who may have some or several rotting teeth, missing, cracked and/or loose teeth, thus making chewing on anything hard a bothersome to your pet, for obvious reasons.

For dogs that have a decent set of choppers, make it a habit to help them keep their teeth clean by wiping the teeth regularly with a dry washcloth from front to back, ensuring to get along the gum line as well. By helping remove any residues left behind from meals that your pet may have missed by a toy or bone, will help your pet have a nice set of teeth for years to come. My suggestion is to make it a point to incorporate this essential, at home teeth cleaning routine at night time, after you have brushed your own teeth before going to bed. 

1-2-3 = How Many Times Should I Really Feed My Pet a Day?

I often get asked this question when I have a customer who comes into the store, looking for secondary advice because of a medical issue they are experiencing with their pet that is ultimately associated with their diet. With reasons being different from dog to dog, there is one common factor .... owners are only feeding their dog once a day and usually feeding a poor quality dry food loaded with grains, cheap fillers and carbohydrates.

Although feeding a dog once a day may be a huge convenience to some who have busy schedules, there is  a lot of draw backs,  especially if you don't really look at the ingredients of your pet's food.  I once had a customer who I said this too say "well, wild carnivore usually eat once a day, so why not my dog?".  However, one thing she neglected to think about is that wild carnivores only eats an abundance of wholesome, unprocessed, raw proteins from their prey; unlike her dog that was eating a food ridden with a ton of processed grains, cheap carbohydrates with minimal wholesome proteins.

Here are some issues that usually are the result of dogs eating a poor quality dry food once a day and how it can impact their overall wellness daily:
 

- Obesity in dogs.  Dogs that gain weight are usually the result of:  feeding too much food per meal & too many snacks per their activity level, being fed a high carbohydrate food with minimal wholesome proteins and lack of moisture intake, thyroid issues, or the result of a side effect of a medication.  If the last two examples are not applicable to your pet, then it's simply your dog's daily, present diet!  By changing the feeding schedule and food to a more natural, wholesome diet, enriched with natural moisture, you can shed the pounds off your dog naturally and easily!  For example, if you are trying to lose weight yourself, eating once a day will not help you lose the weight, especially if your eating one large meal that is loaded with high carbohydrates.  However, if you split that large meal into multiple small meals throughout the day and have portions that contained mostly wholesome, lean protein and low carbohydrates, you'll speed up your metabolism and lose the weight naturally.  Same holds true for dogs.
 

- Many dogs will experience stomach upsets which will result in throwing up a yellowish/mucus bile substance, especially if they eat their entire meal in one helping.   Throwing up yellow bile in dogs can be a sign of an empty stomach due to the strong stomach acids building up.  Ask yourself:  has your dog done this approximately 8-12 hours AFTER its last meal?  This is because dogs digest a full stomach within 8 hours when fed a high protein, quality diet.  However, foods loaded with high carbohydrates and cheap ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, and by-products, will fulfill your dog short term as the foods break down much faster.  Just think of you eating Chinese food.  Usually after loading up on pork fried rice, aren't you hungry about three hours later?  Since dogs are carnivores with much stronger stomach acids than humans,  their bodies are built to take in a majority of wholesome proteins which break down much slower than simple and complex carbohydrates.  This is why this is the result of this common, possible stomach upset.  

- Diabetic dogs may be more prone to increased insulin injections .  Diet and the amount of meals  is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to dogs that are diabetic!  I have never understood why vets even push prescription diets such as Hills W/D to pets that have diabetes when this food is LOADED with CARBOHYDRATES and NO WHOLESOME PROTEINS!  Why is it even a prescription food when this is totally opposite of a carnivores diet to begin with?  Interesting enough, dogs that have been diagnosed with diabetes have been usually fed a poor quality food previously and then put on a food like this?!?!  To boot, the feeding guideline on the label does not even mention how many times to feed your pet, when that is also of importance.  Like humans, the last thing you want when your body is not producing insulin correctly is to load up on sugary foods and/or carbs that elevate the blood sugar!  Keeping the blood sugar stabilized is KEY! 

Having a family member personally that is diabetic, years ago before grasping the common sense practices of how to eat when your diabetic (as it was not even explained by his primary doctor as well),  he used to eat a sensible diet, but ate meals with sides of pasta, bread, rice, etc. on a regular basis.   It was obviously a daily practice to inject insulin up to twice a day.  However, when he converted his diet years later to eating small multiple meals throughout the day that primarily consisted of wholesome lean proteins and low starchy vegetables with minimal fruit,  he went from 2 does to a 1/2 a dose per day and sometimes was able to even skip an injection!  This is solely because, by diet,  his blood sugar levels were consistently stabilized and maintained by eliminating most of the foods that caused blood sugar elevations.  Therefore, the same concept holds true for dogs with diabetes!    Feed MULTIPLE small meals throughout the day that mainly consist of what their bodies were built for; wholesome, lean proteins and a small percentage of low sugary raw vegetables for a much better and healthier maintenance regimen.   

- Hypoglycemic dogs usually have more episodes of low blood sugar attacks often when fed once a day.   As with diabetic dogs, you should consistently maintain blood sugar levels by feeding a correct regulated diet for dogs considered hypoglycemic or prone to it.   A balance of wholesome proteins with vegetables (with a minimum of 'low sugary' fruits) will keep the blood sugar levels constantly sustained at normal levels naturally.  

- Crystals and/or stones formations in the bladder or kidneys.  Many pets develop this condition due to several reasons:  genetics, infections, medication side effects, a specific disease and/or a poor quality food that they have been eating.  There are six types of formations that can occur in pets, however, Struvite and Calcium Oxalate stones are the most common.  Depending on the ph levels within your dog's body, they can form at any time.  This why it's essential to ensure you are feeding a high quality, balanced diet, but most importantly, your dog is eating foods that contain it's natural moisture that is still in tacked.  Mositure in foods are very essential as it will help flush these deposits from the body and keep the organs functioning properly.  Dry diets with a pet only depending on water intake for hydration is not enough! 

- Dogs being fed poor quality, high carbohydrate foods impact their immune system, and overall wellness significantly simply because of diet.  Just imagine you eating fast food once a day, everyday, yourself.  How would you feel and your body function on a diet like this?  Basically, this is the same scenario when dogs are fed high carbohydrate, poor quality diets once a day.  Their bodies have been solely built and designed to eat mostly, wholesome proteins, some vegetables and (sometimes) low sugary fruits only (as a snack).  Eventually, your dog's health will suffer in one way or another as your overall health would too if eating poorly.

So, the bottom line is, the MINIMUM times you should feed your adult pet is TWICE a day, should your pet be considered healthy.  However, puppies, pregnant females, diabetic/hypoglycemic dogs, pets with immune disorders or ones undergoing chemo/radiation treatments should be feed a MINIMUM of THREE small meals a day with lots of moisture in tacked for optimum health benefits!  

Let Your Canine Go Crazy For Coconuts!

For centuries, coconuts have been a staple ingredient in tropical cuisines and cocktails around the world, especially in the Pacific Island regions because of its unique flavoring. However, it's not only the taste or smell of the coconut that makes this hard shell fruit unique. For holistic healing doctors, for thousands of years, it has been merely an effective and "natural medicine in a shell" for them to prescribe. For patients who have followed a traditional coconut-based diet, surprisingly, do not suffer from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses that modern Americans are plagued with each year.

Coconuts being known to be rich with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), is a lauric acid used by the body to make the same disease-fighting fatty acid derivative "monolaurin" that babies make from the lauric acid they get from their mothers’ milk. The monoglyceride monolaurin is the same substance that keeps infants from getting viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections. Therefore, it's the only natural compound known to fight both viral and bacterial infections internally and externally; unlike antibiotics that can only be used for bacterial infections.

Within the past decade, unrefined coconut meat and oil has been introduced to canine diets who suffer from varies health issues and surprisingly, pet owners have been seeing incredible, positive results just by adding unrefined, organic coconut oil to their dog's diet.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, coconut oil is one of the supplements that should not be overlooked, especially when you have a dog that is prone or diagnosed with cancer. What many people don't realize is that this "super food" is highly packed with other amazing health benefits that are now being recognized to holistically heal pets that face many other medical problems as well. And, to boot, dogs go crazy for coconut!

So, what can coconut oil do for your dog when added to their diet, you ask?

• Reduces the risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions as it is considered a very alkaline food source.

• Helps fight heart disease

• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption

• Heals digestive disorders like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and colitis

• Contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents that prevent infection and disease

• Relieves arthritis

• Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections

• Prevents and treats viral infections

• Helps balance the body’s metabolism and ph levels

• Promotes normal thyroid function

• Helps prevent or control diabetes

• Rejuvenates the skin

• Reduces allergic reactions

• Supplies fewer calories than other fats

• Is 400 times more powerful than vitamin E.

Additionally, coconut oil can be applied topically and offers the healing benefits of:

• Disinfects cuts

• Promotes wound healing

• Improves skin health and coat condition

• Deodorizes whatever it touches (bad breath, yeasty smelling ears, etc.)

• Clears up warts, eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis or other allergic reactions, ear mites, ear infections, ringworm, yeast infections, skin fungus and other skin disorders

• Is an excellent moisturizer for cracked paws and noses

Personally, I have seen the amazing results that coconut oil does (topically) on one of my pets. Years ago, one of my pet's, a teacup yorkie named Mia, developed a strange, small black mole on her stomach. Within a week, it grew significantly that it started to cover one of her nipples. I took her to my vet who could not determine what it was, but wanted to surgically remove it. Since her liver enzymes were elevated and knew a local numbing agent was not going to be enough for removal (as she was so small and such a wiggle worm) she would have been put under anesthesia. That certainly was not going to be an option. It wasn't until the next day that I personally came across information pertaining to how coconut oil can be used for such things. I immediately started applying an organic version of coconut oil to her belly three times daily. Within one week, it simply fell off; leaving no scar or mark. It has been three years since that strange growth appeared and has never grown back. This is just my personal experience with it, but have read countless testimonials on such similar situations with pets who have naturally healed with the use of coconut oil.

When buying coconut oil, ensure that:

• It is unrefined or “virgin”, which is made from fresh coconuts. Pressed by hand using traditional methods or manufactured in state-of-the-art factories, virgin coconut oil retains most of the nutrients found in fresh coconut

• It is in a glass jar, not a plastic one.

• It's colorless when liquid and pure white when solid, never yellow or pink and it should not contain any off color residue at the top when solid. Coconut oil will liquidly naturally when its in an environment above 75 degrees F.

How to administer to your pet:

Solid or liquid coconut oil can be added to food at any meal or given between meals. The optimum dose for dogs is about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight daily, or 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds. These are general guidelines, as some dogs need less and others more. But don’t start with these amounts. Instead, introduce coconut oil a little at a time in divided doses. Because coconut oil kills harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeasts, and fungi, the burden of removing dead organisms can trigger symptoms of detoxification. Headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms are common in humans who consume too much too fast and similar symptoms can occur in dogs. Even in healthy dogs, large amounts of coconut oil can cause diarrhea or greasy stools while the body adjusts. Start with small amounts, such as ¼ teaspoon per day for small dogs or puppies and 1 teaspoon for large dogs. Gradually increase the amount every few days. If your dog seems tired or uncomfortable or has diarrhea, reduce the amount temporarily.

Coconut oil isn’t the only coconut product that’s good for dogs. Fresh or dried coconut is an excellent source of dietary fiber, and dogs enjoy and benefit from the same coconut flakes, coconut flour, coconut cream, coconut milk, shredded coconut, and coconut spreads used by their human companions. Just be sure the products are unsweetened and free from chemical preservatives.

A 14 oz. jar of organic virgin coconut oil will be re-stocked by Friday, August 24 in our store for $19.99.

The #1 Thing You Should Do If Your Dog Develops Cancer

Cancer........ the awful word that makes your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach when you hear this. Unfortunately, it's increasing at alarming rates and can strike any breed at any time; just like in humans. However, many breeds are more susceptible to certain types of cancers simply due to no fault of their own, thanks to genetics. This is why it's extremely important to start your dog on the healthiest diet as early as possible, especially when your loved furry companion is a target for cancer. 

Commonly, after being diagnosed, many are advised to turn to traditional medicines and procedures in hopes to reverse it but interestingly, many pet owners still stick to the same diet their dogs has been on before being diagnosed and solely depend on chemo and radiation treatments.  Sometimes these procedures work but then sometimes they don’t, but there is one thing that ALL HOLISTIC practitioners will agree upon that can alter the prognoses significantly which can be in you and your dog’s favor - change your dog's diet immediately!

What is known is that cancer cells multiple and thrive in acidic environments and that is mainly determined by what you have been feeding your dog. Many processed foods containing lots of carbohydrates, bad grains (corn, wheat, soy), sugars, artifical colors & flavors and chemical preservatives are contributing factors that will alter your dog's internal ph levels to become more acidic. However, there are some proteins, vegetables and fruits that are considered acidic as well. So, what you feed your dog daily and how much daily moisture they get in their diets, especially after being diagnosed, can greatly impact the outcome.

For dogs, a body ph level below 6.9 is considered acidic as 7 is considered neutral. So, when cancer has plagued your pet, your dog’ body ph levels are more acidic then.  But when ph levels rise above 7.4, cancer cells become dormant and when ph levels reach close or over 8.5, the cancer cells will perish. This then allows healthy cells to rebuild themselves naturally; making your dog's immune system much stronger.

So, what kinds of foods are considered more alkaline to alter the ph levels within your dog's body?

BEST PROTEINS: Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Venison, Cold Water Fresh Ocean Fish

BEST OILS: Organic Flax, Coconut & Olive Oils

BEST RAW VEGETABLES: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Squash, Green Beans, Alfalfa, Garlic

BEST GRAINS: Pearl Millet, Chickpeas, Split Peas, Amaranth, Wild Rice, Quinoa

BEST FRUITS (with minimal servings): Papaya, Apples, Pears, Strawberries, Melons, Coconut, Watermelon, Mangoes

In addition, it is extremely important to feed your pet WHOLESOME foods that still have the natural moisture in tacked and not cooked at high temperatures as this will destroy a lot of the enzymes, vital vitamins and minerals.  

Give your pet more of a fighting chance against cancer.... know what your feeding and how to feed for a healthier pet for years to come. 

A Skin Parasite, Not Normally Found Here, May Be Making It's Way To Your Neck of the Woods

Excessive itching, scratching and biting at the skin is certainly one red flag that your dog is being eaten' by a pesky bug.  Commonly, fleas are the #1 culprit, but when you can't find a trace of those visual little scavengers anywhere in sight, you then begin to scratch your head wondering what is going on yourself.

There is no question that chronic itching is not just a sign of a parasite, but maybe an issue of just dry skin or an onset of an allergy of some sort. However, when you find that your dog was fine one day and then wanting to crawl out of it's skin the next, it's more than just dry skin and an allergy.  .

The other day, one of my customer's called me after walking their dog through Allaire State Park and a local bike trail near the jersey shore a few days prior.. Apparently, the dog began itching excessively after going to these two places.  Within the next few days, it was determined by their vet that the dog was diagnosed and infested with a not so common parasite usually not found here.... Chiggers.  Even the vet was astounded since he has never seen a case in this area.

Chiggers, also known as Trombicula mites or harvest mites, are a very small parasite (the size of a pin head) that are reddish/orange in color and prominent during the Spring and Fall months; mainly in the central/midwest areas of the United States. Thriving in high grassy, harvest areas with chalky soil, they attach themselves on the "host" and feed on the tissue; injecting their saliva into the skin which causes severe itching.  In turn, it ultimately cause small red circular irriated spots on the skin. Within a few days, they'll simply fall off their host; unlike a flea and tick. 

On dogs, chiggers are mainly found around the front and rear legs, backend, head, and abdomen after walking through an infested area.  Easily missed by the naked eye, it is said chiggers resemble sprinkles of paprika on the skin when they are still feeding on their host, but again, can be hard to detect without proper lighting or if you have a dog with a thick or dark coat.

If you suspect your dog may have chiggers, a vet can determine it by a skin scrapping under a microscope.  Natural based pyrethrin-based dips or a topical anti-parasite treatment can be given (after a bath) are what usually does the trick. It is then highly suggested to just vacuum your home thoroughly, wash your dog's bedding and to avoid the area where you think your dog may have picked up these pesky bugs.

After hearing this, I wanted to pass along this information to our readers.  Guess we now have to add another possible cause to the list of why our dogs are getting the "itches" as these buggy pests are making their way to our neck of the woods.

Turning That Boring Marrow Bone into a Healthy Tasty Treat Again

The smell and sight of a new stuffed marrow bone to your dog's eyes can be like pirahna on prey, but after your dog has cleaned off all the meat and marrow, is that bone then left like fish bones on the bottom of the bay? If so, turn that boring, empty bone into a "new" fresh and tasty treat for your pet again.

Here are some ideas to livin’ up that stale, stranded hollow bone…

1.      Clean bone with hot water and let dry

2.      Stuff bone with one of the below recipe blends, (like you would do with a cannoli).  Usually, the use of a pastry filler or cake decorating bag works best.

3.      Keep in mind the filling you use and where the dog will be enjoying the bone, as it can become a little messy.  Kitchens, laundry rooms, crates or outside areas are perfect.

Classic PB Bone

Stuff both ends with an all natural, no sugar added creamy peanut butter.  Refrigerate to firm or freeze to harden.

PB&J Bone

First stuff both ends with an all natural (no sugar added) strawberry preserve and push jelly more toward the center of the bone.  Then top off both ends with an all natural, no sugar added creamy peanut butter.  Freeze overnight.

Standard Cream Cheese Bone

Stuff both ends with a fat free cream cheese.  Freeze overnight

Cheddar Cheese Bone

Mix together fat free cream cheese and an all natural cheddar cheese powder.  Amount will depend on size of bone used and acquired taste.  Once mixed together, stuff both ends.  Freeze overnight

Yogurt Bone

Stuff both ends with vanilla or plain Greek yogurt.  If yogurt seems to be a little runny, stand bone upwards on paper plate or freezer safe container before stuffing then freeze overnight to harden.

Banana Bone

Mash up a banana.  Amount will depend on size of bone used.  Freeze overnight.

Meat Lovers Bone

Use a premium brand of a canned, grain free dog food (meatloaf style; not chunky) in either beef, venison, chicken, lamb, etc..  Stuff both ends and refrigerate to firm

The Italiano Bone

Partial cook some lean ground beef.  Sprinkle (generously) parmesan cheese, some fresh, finely chopped parsley and add a small amount of all natural tomato paste.  Mix together and stuff in bone.  Amount will depend on size of bone used.  Refrigerate to firm. 

As you can see, the possibilities in turning a bland, hollow dog bone are endless.  Adding interest and a variety of flavors is all you need for your dog to enjoy chopping on that ol’ bone again and ultimately, allowing him/her to clean their teeth naturally too.