Restricted Protein Diets For Pets With Food Allergies

When fed the same food for long periods of times many dogs and cats will develop signs of intolerance to the foods protein source.  Some of these signs may include itchy skin and paws, chronic digestive issues such as gas, loose stools or frequent vomiting.  Of course prevention is the best medicine and one way to avoid the development of protein intolerance is by rotating between three or four different foods with different protein sources. For example, feed a food with beef as the protein source and then switch to chicken, then to fish.  This will provide a wide variety of amino acids as well as a more nutritionally complete diet.

If your veterinarian has diagnosed a food allergy they will most likely place your pet on a diet with a unique protein and carbohydrate. These are sometime referred to as “novel” proteins or carbohydrates. A unique protein is one that your pet has never been exposed to. Originally Lamb and rice diets were the common choice but over time this formula gained popularity to such a degree that many of the pet food manufacturers began introducing it into their product lines. The result is that most dogs and cats have been fed lamb as a protein source at some point.

The pet food companies understand a need for and see a growing market for these unique formulations in pet foods and are producing more and more “allergy formula” types of foods with an incredibly wide variety of different and even exotic sources of protein. Some of these protein sources include duck, rabbit, herring, venison and even kangaroo. This is helpful when a pet owner is required to find a unique protein source for their pet. A word of caution though, do not feed your pet every different type of protein offered as this will limit your options should you find yourself in need of placing your pet on a restricted protein type of diet.

If as a pet owner, you find the need to search out a new protein source for your pet be certain to read labels very carefully. Many pet foods are labeled in such a way as to suggest a unique protein such as venison but may also contain other protein sources as well such as eggs or chicken.  It is best to look for foods formulated especially for pets with sensitivities. Some good examples of this would be California Natural, Wellness Simple Foods, Natural Balance Allergy Formulas or Wysong Anergen.  Many companies also offer 95% to 100% meat in canned formulas with a variety of unique protein sources; for example, Innova EVO offers Duck and Venison. Another thing to look for in the premix formulas are ingredients such as alfalfa or other grains as these may also contribute food allergies.

Once you have placed your pet on a restricted protein diet it will take some time to determine whether it is of benefit or not, possibly up to 12 weeks although it is quite possible to see improvement in as little as 4 to 8 weeks.  Once you have found a protein source that your pet is able to tolerate it is advisable to search out at least one more unique protein that they can handle in order to rotate protein sources in their diet. This is advisable since most pets that have demonstrated the tendency towards food intolerance are more likely to develop additional sensitivities making the rotation of the protein source in their diet all the more important.

Just because a pet may have a food allergy that requires a restricted diet doesn’t mean that treats have to fall to the wayside. There are many products designed especially for pets with food sensitivities so that as a pet owner you are still able to reward your companion with a tasty treat.  Plato Smart Strips are an excellent choice; they offer treats made with duck, salmon and kangaroo meat.  Another great option is Only Natural Pet Venison Jerky Bites or their Bison Strips. Also any of the freeze-dried meat treats work very well.

Another common cause for pet food allergies is grains. Some pets may have a grain allergy instead of, or as well as a protein allergy. For pet owners with pets with grain related allergies in addition to protein allergies the increase in grain free foods may seem a blessing. The problem arises in that while many of the grain free foods offer some very unique protein sources such as duck, bison, venison and salmon they are often combined with each other, exposing your pet to more than one protein source. While your pet may tolerate these unique proteins quite well it limits your choices if at some later time you must place your pet on a more restrictive diet. Also these more exotic protein sources are often combined with more common sources such as turkey, chicken or beef so be sure to read the labels carefully.

Having a pet with food allergies does require a bit more research and diligence on the part of the pet owner. However with the wide variety of unique protein sources as well as “allergy formulas” available it should be relatively easy to find two or three protein sources the pet can tolerate.

All of the quality pet products listed in this post can be found at http://Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

Dogs Win Big on Election Day with Historic Victory in Missouri

Fed up with their state’s reputation as the Puppy Mill Capital of America, Missourians hit the polls on Election Day to declare that enough is enough! On Tuesday, November 2, voters in the Show Me State passed the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which appeared on their ballots as Proposition B. (Although policy reform is most often generated through state legislatures, Prop B was a citizen-supported initiative). It is an incredible victory, and one we hope will send a strong message to the governments of other states—namely, that the public wants better conditions for puppy mill dogs, and will take on the task of changing the law themselves if elected officials fail to act.
In the last three years, 15 states, including major puppy mill states such as Iowa, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, have passed laws to crack down on puppy mills. However, in no other state were the stakes higher for puppy mill dogs than Missouri.
Missouri’s weak laws regulating commercial kennels have made it a haven for substandard breeders. As home to one-third of all the commercial dog breeding facilities in the U.S.—as many as the next three largest dog breeding states combined—Missouri supplies more than 40 percent of all puppies sold in pet stores nationwide. No matter where you live, there’s a good chance that the puppies in the window of your local pet store came from a Missouri puppy mill. Implementation of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act will provide welcome relief to tens of thousands of adult breeding dogs—not to mention the approximately one million puppies born in Missouri kennels every year.
The new Missouri law, which becomes effective in one year, requires that dogs at these large-scale facilities be provided with sufficient food and clean water, regular veterinary care, adequate housing and space, and access to regular exercise. And with passage of Proposition B, Missouri becomes the fifth state—joining Louisiana, Oregon, Virginia and Washington—to create a limit on the number of intact, adult breeder dogs a commercial dog breeder may keep.
“Tuesday’s passage of Proposition B reflects a landmark achievement in the ongoing fight against animal cruelty,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We are proud to have worked diligently on this campaign, and we celebrate this victory alongside the caring citizens of Missouri. The ASPCA is committed to working with local animal welfare groups to help breeders transition to the new humane standards and find loving homes for any displaced Missouri breeding dogs.”
The ASPCA wishes to thank our supporters all over the country for helping us advocate for Proposition B to your friends and family in Missouri. This victory is the culmination of 18 months of work for the ASPCA and our partners in Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, and it is proof that when we join together to use our voices for animals, we will be heard!

The Value Of Protein In Pet Nutrition

Without question, nutrition is the solid foundation on which good health is built. When it comes to our pets nutritional needs quality protein is critical. Within the last 5 to 10 years there have been many advances in pet nutrition and pet food. This has spurred major growth in the “Natural Pet Foods” market. With that growth many questions have arisen along with much debate on the subject of protein in our pets diets. Which protein is best for our companion animals? How much protein should be in our pets diet?  Is it possible for our pets to receive too much protein?

First we must have a clear understanding of protein and how it works in the body. Perhaps some of you will remember this from biology class in school.  A protein molecule is constructed from chains of amino acids. There are 22 amino acids, 10 of which are “essential” amino acids. Different protein sources consist of different combinations of these amino acids. The 10 essential amino acids must be obtained through diet because our pets cannot create them on their own. Once the protein is ingested it is broken down into the separate amino acids through the digestion process. These amino acids are then transformed into the building blocks required for healthy skin, muscle, and organs. Some amino acids also aid in metabolic functions such as antibody regulation within the immune system or the transfer of impulses throughout the nervous system.

The best protein for our pets comes from animal sources. These proteins are the most complete and are more easily digested. These types of proteins offer a wider variety of amino acids and are more readily used within the body. As a bonus these proteins are also more appealing to our companion animals in terms of taste.

Proteins are granted a biological rating, the higher the rating the more readily that protein is used by the body. Of the proteins commonly used in pet foods, egg whites have the highest rating of 100, next is meat from muscle with a rating of 92, then meat from organs with a rating of 90. Grains such as wheat and corn, which, unfortunately, are still used by many commercial pet food companies as filler come with a rating of 60 and 54 respectively.  One thing that pet owners may wish to keep in mind when considering these ratings is that cooking meat at the high temperatures necessary for processing pet foods, whether canned or kibble reduces its biological value. For this reason pet parents may want to think about supplementing their animals diet with freeze dried, dehydrated, or even raw meals.

Having a basic understanding of protein, its sources and bio-availability helps in choosing the best food for your pet. However, there are several things to keep in mind when reading the labels on pet foods. Often people believe that if whole meat is listed as the first ingredient on a bag of kibble that it must be of high quality. This is not always the case.  Ingredients on pet food labels are listed by weight and whole meat is up to 75% water. If, for example, chicken is listed as the first ingredient and the following ingredient is wheat or corn the major portion of protein in that food comes from grain, which is not easily assimilated. It should be noted that studies have shown that expecting our carnivorous companion animals to fulfill their amino acid needs through grains contributes to pet obesity and grains are also a known allergen for many pets. Here is a simple way to insure that the pet food you are considering has the appropriate amount of protein from animal sources. If the first ingredient is whole meat, (note: this should be a named meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, etc.), the next ingredient should be a named meat meal such as chicken meal, beef meal or lamb meal and not a generic listing like “meat meal” or “by-product meal”

With the understanding that different protein sources have different amino acid combinations the question many pet owners are asking is “Which meat is best for my pet?” To be sure this is a hotly debated subject among pet owners, there are countless blogs and web pages dedicated to this subject and the opinions are wide and varied.  However the answer to this question largely depends on your individual pet. William Cusick, well known for his work in the food and pharmaceutical fields, conducted a study which suggests that dogs do well with a protein source that most closely matches that of their ancestors. For example the Border collie breed, which originated in Scotland would do well with lamb, fish and poultry, where as the German Shepard, originally bred in cattle regions of Germany would do well with beef.  While this information is all well and good the fact is that many dog owners have the “Heinz 57” breed, in other words a mixed breed and the ancestry of the pet is unclear.  Felines are presumed to have all developed on diets of rodents and birds. So, the question of which meat is right still remains.  The common answer among “experts” is three different meat sources. Providing a different protein source has two benefits, first it offers a wider variety of amino acid combinations and broader nutritional benefits. The second benefit is the reduction of the possibility of the development of food sensitivities or allergies. Often pets that are consistently fed the same diet for extremely long periods of time will develop sensitivity or an allergy to a particular source of protein leading to problems such as flatulence, loose stools or vomiting. Therefore it is recommended to rotate between three to four different meat sources. Ultimately the best choices will depend on your pet, try different foods and choose the ones your companion does well with.

Is it possible to provide too much protein in a pets diet? This is another point of contention among pet owners. The idea that a pet can have too much protein comes from the belief that excess protein in the diet can cause kidney disease. Research in pet nutrition has shown that this is not the case but the idea persists nonetheless.  It is believed that the idea of too much protein being problematic originated when veterinarians would place animals with kidney disease on low protein diets in an effort to lower nitrogen levels.  However, today more veterinarians are prescribing a food with a higher more easily digestible form of protein for pets with kidney ailments. With these types of proteins there is much less waste produced through the digestion process easing the burden on the kidneys and lowering the nitrogen levels in the body.

In healthy pets excess protein is normally excreted in their urine, used as energy or converted to fat. It is important when you are feeding your pet a high protein diet to keep a close watch on how much you are feeding so that your companion does not become overweight. Much like the deciding which protein source is right for your pet, how much protein you should be feeding depends largely on your individual pet. Some things to take into account when evaluating the amount of protein to feed are the pet’s lifestyle and activity level as well as their metabolism. In the case of growing puppies and kittens or with pregnant or nursing mothers the protein requirements are higher. This is also true of working dogs. Generally speaking most any premium pet food will provide the necessary fat and protein levels required if you feed a larger portion for their weight. Some pet owners may choose to supplement the diet with a high quality grain free canned food or even raw meat.

Choosing the appropriate diet for your pet may seem a daunting task at times. However if the pet owner keeps a few key points in mind it can be easily accomplished. Remember to read labels on pet foods carefully to determine that the pet is receiving a protein from a named meat source. Avoid grains whenever possible. Alternate among a variety of protein sources and if possible try to incorporate some fresher less processed foods. Of course as is always the wisest decision if you have unanswered questions consult with your pets veterinarian.

You can find high quality pet foods using only USDA human grade meats at http://your-pets-r-family-2.com

The Dogs Of War

The Dogs Of War

By Jeffrey Weber

Brave, loyal, fearless and dependable, these are but a few of the attributes used to describe our canine counterparts.  Is it any wonder then that these animals have accompanied men into the heat of battle throughout history?

War dogs were commonly used by many of the early civilizations such as the Greeks, Egyptians and Romans.  Canis Molossus, an extinct breed of dog named after the Molassians who inhabited the Epirus region of Greece, is commonly thought to be the ancestor of today’s Mastiff breeds of dogs. For this reason Mastiff types of dogs are sometimes referred to as Molossers. 

The Molassians were known for the viciousness of their hounds yet they were no match for the Mastiff of Britannia.  The Romans sent many of this particular breed of Mastiff to Rome and then out to the known world. The Romans often employed attack formations made entirely of dogs.  In another example of using dogs in this manner, the Lydian’s had a separate battalion of fighting dogs around 628 BC.

Atilla the Hun used large Molosser dogs in his battles. The Spaniards used dogs in armor that had been trained to kill and disembowel when they invaded.  Irish Wolfhounds were used to attack Norman knights when they invaded Ireland. Napoleon used a great many dogs in front of his reserves. These are but a few examples of how dogs have been used in war throughout history. Not all dogs were fighting dogs however, some were used as messengers, and some were used as sentries or simply as mascots to help raise morale.

Dogs were first used for military operations in the United States during the Seminole Wars. During the American Civil War The American Pit Bull Terrier was employed to carry messages and for protection. This breed of dog was also used as a mascot and for recruiting posters during the 1^st World War.

The Marine Corps became interested in using dogs in 1935 after observing Central American guerrilla soldiers using them as sentries to alert the soldiers. Camp LeJuene was the location of the war dog-training program for the Marine Corp. Each dog started out with the rank of private and it was possible for a dog to outrank his handler. A total of seven war dog platoons were trained at Camp LeJuene.

Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor the American Kennel Club and group known as “Dogs for Defense” began to encourage the public to donate their dogs to the Armies Quartermaster Corps. The first dog was inducted into the Army on March 13, 1942.  In July of that same year the Remount Branch of the Quartermaster Corps took over the War Dog Program. Initially over thirty different breeds of dogs were accepted but in time the list was limited to German Shepards, Belgian Sheep Dogs, Farm Collies, Doberman Pinschers, and Giant Schnauzers. The training program was considered experimental in the beginning because, with the exception of sled dogs and pack dogs, training these animals for war was entirely new.

The Quartermaster corps trained both dogs and dog handlers. Most of the dog handlers were Quartermaster soldiers. The training period for the dogs themselves was 12 weeks in which time they were trained to follow basic commands. They also had to become accustomed to such things as riding in military vehicles, gas masks and gunfire.  After this “basic training” they moved on to more specialized training depending on the job they were chosen to fulfill.

Over time as methods of fighting in wars changed so did the roles of the war dog. Let’s briefly look at some of the jobs these animals are performing now.

One of the earliest military related uses of dogs was as sentries. Sentry dogs are trained to patrol with a human sentry and to raise alerts by growling or barking letting his handler know of something strange or unfamiliar on his post. Sentry dogs are especially valuable for working in the dark or when possible attack from behind or from cover is possible.

On July 1 1965 the Vietcong launched a successful attack on the Da Nang Air Base. Two days later a test program using sentry dogs was started. Forty dog teams were sent to Vietnam. These dog teams were stationed on the perimeter in front of machine gun towers and bunkers. The early detection of intruders by the dog teams allowed for the timely deployment of reinforcements. With this outstanding success the Air Force wasted no time in deploying similar dog teams to all of the bases in Vietnam and Thailand. Today, the sentry dog is still a valuable asset.

The Scout Dog is used in reconnaissance and has proven invaluable in the saving of the lives of soldiers.  Scout dogs are trained to detect the presence of enemy forces or hidden booby traps. With their keen sense of smell a scout dog can detect enemy personnel up to 500 yards away or underwater with reed breathing straws.  They are also trained to find explosives and weapons caches as well as hidden trip wires.

Messenger dogs proved vital during the 2^nd World War. They were used whenever the need for a runner was indicated. The messenger dog is faster; more sure footed and is capable of finding his way day or night, under any type of weather condition, and over any type of terrain. He makes a tough target because of his size and speed and has a natural instinct for using the available cover. They are capable of running between two fixed positions, a fixed and moving position, or two moving positions. They were also used to string wire over short distances. There were many times during the 2^nd World War when the only communication between a patrol and their base was a messenger dog. With the advances in technologies such as satellite communications the use of messenger dogs has fallen to the wayside.

The casualty dog aids the Medics in finding those wounded in battle or other circumstances. We have seen these dogs in action on many occasions perhaps the most prominent in many peoples mind being the World Trade Center site after the attacks when these dogs were employed to find the wounded among the rubble.

Although their roles have changed over the centuries one thing that has not changed about the war dog is his unwavering loyalty, his selfless sacrifice for his human partner, his unquestionable bravery, or his fierce fighting spirit.  He has served with dignity and honor. Unfortunately it cannot be said that his service was always rewarded.  After the 2^nd world war dogs donated by their owners were to be returned. They were to be retrained to be companion animals once more. However, if they could not be “de-militarized” they were killed.  During the Vietnam War about 5000 war dogs served in Southeast Asia. During this time 73 U.S. Servicemen working as dog handlers and 43 Military Working Dogs were killed in action. The dogs that served in Vietnam have been credited with saving 10,000 lives. As their reward for a job well done 200 of these dogs returned home with their handlers, the rest were euthanized or left behind.

While there are many memorials in honor of the War Dogs many of those who served with these animals feel that more needs to be done to honor their contributions.  An effort was launched to have a national memorial erected, this effort was rejected on the basis that “the dogs role in the Vietnam War was incidental”.  Within the National Cemetery System there are no K-9 burials or even tributes allowed.  Arlington National Cemetery will not even allow a tree to be planted because to honor these animals would sully this hallowed ground.  It is most likely safe to say that the men who served with those valiant Dogs Of War would have a different opinion.

We at http://Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com fully support efforts toward a national War Dog Memorial If you would like to support the effort for a National War Dog Memorial you can start by visiting the http://uswardogs.org for more information. There you will also find numerous links to other sites and groups with War Dog related information

Pets With Special Needs

Like people, pets can develop physical problems that require special attention. In the past it was common for such a pet to face euthanasia. However, with the great advances made in veterinarian medicine as well an increased awareness of the human-animal bond many of these special needs pets are finding a place in the hearts and homes of pet owners.

Special needs pets are often able to adapt to their “disability” more readily than their human counterparts, however they still require a lifestyle and environmental modifications to accommodate their particular needs. This also means adaptations as well as a higher level of commitment on the part of the pet owner. Let’s look at some of the more common disabilities in pets.

Many pets are blind; some are blind from birth while others were blinded by accident or disease.  Often people who lose their site will speak of the heightened sense of smell and hearing they experience, as theses senses adapt to compensate for the lack of vision. Knowing that our pets have a keener sense of smell and hearing than we do and assuming that the same adaptation occurs to accommodate the loss of one of the other senses it is easy to see why they are able to adapt so well to that loss of sight. One great example of how these pets can cope and still live full and happy lives is a dog named Tess.  Due to Glaucoma Tess lost her sight and her eyes had to be surgically removed.  To see her amazing story visit http://Blindanimal.com there you will see some amazing videos of Tess playing football, fetch and learning to negotiate large steps. This site is also a great resource for anyone who has a blind pet.

A blind pet obviously needs to be protected from hazards they cannot see. For example, it may be a wise idea to keep stairways inaccessible with childproof gates to prevent accidental falls. A blind pet should never negotiate stairs without supervision.  Likewise, it is not wise to leave a sightless pet outside alone. Many things can happen which could frighten or disorient them and they may wander off in the wrong direction leading to very real dangers for them.  When walking a blind pet in a new or strange location, for example on a vacation, it is recommended to use a body harness as opposed to a collar. This helps the pet to feel more secure because it gives more body contact helping the pet to feel safely connected to the pet owner.  It will take some time but the most important thing is that a blind pet learns to trust their owner.

Another common disability among pets is hearing loss. Of course the difficulty here is that the pet owner cannot signal or give the pet commands verbally.  However, this does not mean that deaf animals cannot learn to follow commands.  With a little time and patience on the part of the pet owner a deaf pet can be trained using a combination of facial expressions, eye contact, hand signals and touch. Many owners of deaf pets have come up with clever ways of gaining their pets attention such as remote control vibrating collars or stomping on the floor to create vibrations.  Some use flashlights or reflections from small hand mirrors. For more useful information on living with a deaf pet visit http://www.leadwithyourheart.net/Deaf_Animals

Animal amputees have one of the more obvious disabilities, unlike deafness or even blindness a missing limb stands out. No matter how noticeable it is to people, animals don’t seem to give a second thought to a missing limb.  Of course the loss of limb is a major change and the amputee will need some time to adjust, however animals adapt amazingly well the loss of a leg. Often times they are capable of moving just as well as they did before the amputation.  There are some truly amazing stories about three legged animals and what they can do.  A great source of information is http://www.squidoo.com/tripawd this site offers videos as well as advice on what to look for in a surgeon if your pet is facing the possibility of an amputation.  There is a also a link to their alternate site with additional information.

Caring for animals with special needs can be challenging but helping a pet in need can be an extremely rewarding experience.  If you are considering adopting a special needs pet be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian to fully understand what their requirements are and that they are a good fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle.  Making the right choice will ultimately lead to fulfilling and rewarding lives for both you and your special needs pet.

Holistic Pet Care

There is a common misconception concerning holistic medicine. In order to make an informed decision concerning any type of holistic treatment we must first have a clear understanding of what it is.

The basic concept behind holistic medicine is to treat the patient as a whole being. Instead of treating just the physical health issues, the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects are addressed as well. Holistic medicine also strives to prevent illness by focusing on optimal health.

Complementary medicine is a term that is often used in place of holistic medicine. There is a difference though. Complementary medicine uses nonconventional treatments such as massage, chiropractic or herbal therapies.

Holistic medicine combines more traditional medicine with complementary treatments and it isn’t just for people anymore. Holistic medicine is gaining popularity among pet owners in addressing their pets’ health needs. Employing a holistic approach to your pets’ health will almost certainly prove beneficial.

Let’s have a look at some of the treatments that would fall under the umbrella of complementary medicine.

Acupuncture is often credited to the Chinese who have used it for thousands of years, however, there are records indicating that it was used in Egypt well over 5000 years ago. The practice of acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points that are located along the body’s energy meridians and correspond to specific internal organs. Acupuncture has proven effective in relieving muscle spasms, increasing circulation, and pain relief among other issues. Aside from needles other methods of stimulation can be used, such as applying pressure or heat to the points.

Chiropractic care and treatments are a common choice of many pet owners now. Chiropractors operate on the idea that some illnesses are cause by misaligned vertebrae that in turn affects the impulses from the spinal cord to the muscles and organs. By adjusting the vertebrae and joints the appropriate flow of impulses are restored. Like people, pets can suffer from spinal injuries such as slipped discs or pinched nerves and chiropractic treatment may prove very effective in addressing these issues.

Physical therapy is often employed after a surgery or severe injury. The types of therapy are no different than those used for people. Therapies such as stretching and or exercises, the application of heat or cold packs and even hydrotherapy may be used depending on the desired results.

Massage therapy is another common treatment. The therapist uses their hands, elbows, and body to massage the soft tissues in an effort to address issues such as cramps, soft tissue injuries or circulation stimulation.

Although many people are not familiar with homeopathy it is not a new concept by any means. The practice of homeopathy can be traced through many cultures and back thousands of years. The concept of homeopathy is really very simple. It is used to treat and prevent disease by giving small doses of a substance that if taken in large doses would cause the same symptoms of the disease to manifest. This helps the body build its own resistance to a particular condition or disease. This is no different than say, the annual flu shot that many people receive. A small dose of the flu virus is administered; the body's immune system then goes to work creating antibodies and thus the immunity to that particular strain of flu. The primary difference between pharmaceutical drugs and homeopathic remedies is that pharmaceutical drugs only treat the symptoms of a disease. For example, over the counter flu medications only help to ease the aches and pains or clear sinus congestion. They do not address the flu virus itself. Homeopathy, on the other hand, addresses the cause of the symptoms (i.e. the flu virus itself). Eliminating the cause of the illness clears the body of the symptoms as well. These natural homeopathic remedies are based on elements found in nature and have traditionally been used to treat many ailments and illnesses. They are all natural and completely safe.

Botanical medicine, sometimes referred to as herbal medicine, uses plants to create remedies for a wide variety of ailments. Many of the medications we use today are derived from plants. One example would be aspirin. Since some plants and herbs can be toxic to animals it is important that your veterinarian or the doctor they refer you to is educated in botanical medicine and treatments.

Nutritional supplements that are created from plants and animals are called Nutraceuticals. Sometimes referred to as whole food supplements, nutraceuticals are derived from whole foods, organ and tissue extracts, and botanicals and are used to fill the nutritional gap created by feeding processed foods. Nutraceuticals are used to maintain optimal health as well as address health issues such as joint problems or digestive difficulties.

If you are interested in any of these treatments for your own pet, talk with your veterinarian. If they don’t offer the treatment options you are interested in, they may be able to refer you to someone who does. In the case of a referral, be certain there is ease of communication between everyone involved to ensure the best possible care for your pet.

Find Homeopathic Pet Remedies At Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

Perilous Preservatives in Pet Food

Have you ever opened a bag or can of your pet’s food and been hit in the olfactory senses with an unpleasant odor? What you smell is almost certain to be rancid fat. It is not a secret that many of the ingredients in pet foods are by products of our own meat processing plants that are deemed unsuitable for human consumption. To be honest some of these by products should be deemed unsuitable for animals to consume as well.

Pet food manufacturers use animal and poultry fats to provide oils essential for healthy skin and coats. The problem arises in the fact that many of these fats have already begun to turn rancid. They are then preserved with chemicals such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which are phenolic compounds added to foods to preserve fat. Another common chemical used as a preservative is ethoxyquin.

Fat becomes rancid for several reasons but the end result is the same, as the fat breaks down free radicals are formed which creates a health issue in itself. When the preservatives BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are added this compounds the health problems.

There are studies that have linked BHA and BHT to conditions such as dry skin, dental disease, allergies, liver disease, kidney damage and tumors in pets. In the United States BHT has been banned from use in baby food. In Romania, Sweden, and Germany it is not allowed for use at all in human food and Japan has forbidden the use of both BHA and BHT. It is difficult to understand why theses chemicals, which have demonstrated known carcinogenic properties, are still permitted for use in pet foods.

In my research concerning the preservative ethoxyquin I was able to find only limited information. This much is known about this chemical. Monsanto originally developed it in the 1950’s. It was registered with the EPA as a pesticide in 1965. I have also seen some documentation listing it as an herbicide. You can read the EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document concerning ethoxyquin here, http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/fac...s/0003fact.pdf. Please take a moment to read this information. I did note, according to this document, the EPA has not tested ethoxyquin for its carcinogenic properties.

Although the EPA has not conducted these studies many other organizations have. Several studies, including a recent one at the Nagoya City University Medical School in Japan, have linked this chemical to kidney and bladder carcinogenesis. Cell Carcinogenesis, is the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells. This study also linked ethoxyquin to a higher incidence of stomach tumors.

While the studies on these chemical preservatives may be incomplete the question that begs to be asked is, why use them at all? Certainly the fats need to be protected from oxidation and rancidity; however, there are several natural preservatives available that would serve that purpose. Two examples of these would be tocopherols, which contain vitamin E and ascorbic acid or vitamin C.

The biggest drawback to natural preservatives is shelf life. This is the reason some pet food manufacturers have chosen the synthetic preservatives. Chemical preservatives are less expensive as well. If, as a pet owner you wish to feed your dog or cat foods that only use natural preservatives you should be sure that the food is used in 4 to 6 months from the date of manufacture. There should be a code on the packaging, if the code is difficult to read or is listed as code number with no clear delineation of the manufacture date call the manufacturer with your questions.

Ultimately, no matter what you choose to feed you pet, as a responsible pet owner you should perform you due diligence to make certain that your companion’s nutritional needs are being met on every level.

Find Naturally Preserved Pet Foods At Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com