Cushing's Disease In Pets

Hyperadrenocorticism, more commonly known as Cushing’s disease is relatively common in our pets. Although it generally affects dogs more often it is an issue for cats as well.  Unfortunately, many pet owners are not aware of this disease until their pet has been diagnosed with it. Another issue is that Cushing’s disease displays many different symptoms that are also common to other ailments making it difficult to diagnose. In an effort to help educate pet owners about this rather common malady we will address the following questions. What is Cushing’s disease? What are the symptoms of Cushing’s disease? How is Cushing’s disease diagnosed? How is Cushing’s disease treated?

In essence Cushing’s disease is caused by an overactive adrenal gland that creates an over abundance of steroids as well as other hormones in the blood stream. Cushing’s disease can occur in two different ways. The first is pituitary related, in which case the pituitary gland over produces Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), which in turn leads to cortisol overproduction in the adrenal gland. The second is adrenal related in which growth tumors are evident on the adrenal gland affecting the production of a wide variety of hormones. Cushing’s disease commonly occurs in pets in their middle to senior years but can be present in younger pets as well.

Because the adrenal gland produces a wide range of hormones and Cushing’s disease can affect the production of one or more of these hormones, the symptoms of Cushing’s disease are many and often subtle in their appearance. The symptoms of Cushing’s disease are as follows: Sudden weight gain, Excessive shedding, and Hyper pigmentation of your pets skin. Because it affects the ability to concentrate urine, it can lead to increased thirst and frequent urination. The disease can also cause the over production of certain steroids that cause some muscle breakdown creating muscle weakness and lethargy and giving a thin legged appearance. This is often accompanied by a potbelly or swollen abdomen. Another symptom of steroid over production can be a suppressed immune system making your pet more susceptible to secondary infections. The pancreas can be adversely affected as well leading to vomiting and or diarrhea. Other symptoms may include an increase in appetite, calcified lumps under the skin, high blood pressure, skin that is easily broken and skin infections. It should also be noted that left untreated Cushing’s disease could lead to obesity, heart disease and diabetes in the pet.

Obviously if your pet is showing any of these symptoms it is a wise decision to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Cushing’s disease is very difficult to diagnose and unfortunately there is no one single test to identify the ailment. Your veterinarian will most likely run a battery of tests such as blood and urine tests and compare the findings to what normal levels should be. Depending on these results the veterinarian may find it prudent to follow up with x-rays or a sonogram to determine if there is a tumor present.

Your veterinarian will determine treatment for the disease based on the severity of the affliction as well as your pet’s health. Most often medications that cause a decrease in the amount of cortisol produced are prescribed. In extreme cases of adrenal based Cushing’s disease the surgical removal of the adrenal gland may be necessary, however if the disease is pituitary based surgery is not an option. It should be noted that the surgical treatment of Cushing’s disease carries severe risks and should be considered only when all other options have failed to keep the disease in check.

For those pet owners who wish to pursue a more natural remedy there are homeopathic blends that have proven quite effective in alleviating the symptoms of the disease. When searching out homeopathic remedies look for the following ingredients:

Astragalus, this ingredient is effective as a nutritive and helps promote healthy liver function. In addition, Astragalus has proven useful in maintaining the immune system.

Borage, this is an herb that possesses precursors of the hormones produced by the adrenal gland that aid the functions of your pets endocrine system.

Bistorte possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has an energizing and refreshing effect on your pet’s liver and kidneys.

Dandelion helps create a healthy appetite and supports the liver and adrenal gland function. It also aids in proper digestion.

Wild Yam acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Cushing’s disease is seldom a life-threatening ailment. Obviously it can make your pet more susceptible to secondary infection and disease because of its affect on the immune system. It can cause fatigue and intolerance to strenuous activity. However it can also show no symptoms at all. Most importantly by using a mixture of traditional as well as homeopathic treatments the symptoms of Cushing’s disease can be kept in check allowing your pet to live a long and happy life with you.

Summer And The Coolest Of Pets

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, bringing with it the fun of barbecues, softball and pool parties. To make all of theses activities more enjoyable many people include their pets. Here are a few tips to keep your best four-legged friend healthy and happy while having fun in the sun.

It seems amazing that this tip must be shared time and time again yet every year there are tragic stories of pets dying in hot cars. Under no circumstances should your pet be left in the car on a sunny day. Even if the temperature outside seems mild the sunshine can raise the temperature inside of your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few minutes. At this temperature brain damage occurs in a matter of minutes, followed by death. On especially hot days even parking in the shade is of little benefit. If you must go out to run errands it is best to leave the fur babies at home.

When out in public locations such as parks keep your pet on a leash. This will help keep them from getting lost in a strange place, or becoming involved in altercations with other animals in the area. It will also ensure that their curiosity does not get the better of them and keep them from eating or drinking things that may be harmful to them.

Join the hydration nation. Water is of the utmost importance to both you and your pet. Arrange it so that your pet has access to plenty of clean fresh water. Check their bowls several times a day on those really warm summer days. If you and your best friend are out and about be sure to take along plenty of H2O for the both of you. Don’t allow your pet to drink from the gutter or puddles in the street. The water in these places may contain harmful substances such as oil, pesticides or antifreeze. There are many innovative travel bowls as well as pet water bottles that make it easy and convenient to provide water for your pet when you’re on the go.

Sunscreen for pets? You bet! Sure they have all of that fur to help protect them from the sun but our pets can suffer the same affects from the sun as we do such as sunburn. Sunscreen is just as important for your pet as it is for you, especially for those pets with lighter colored hair and red/pink noses. Try to avoid going out in the high sun but if you do be sure to use some sort of sunscreen. Your sunscreen will work or there are sunscreens created specifically for pets. Simply apply the sunscreen to unprotected areas like the tips of the ears, around the lips and, of course, on the nose. 

Take extra precautions on humid days. Unlike people who sweat over their entire body as a cooling mechanism our pets only sweat around their paws and depend on panting to cool down. When your pet is panting air moves throughout the nasal passages picking up heat that is then exhaled through the mouth. This is an extremely efficient cooling method however it can be extremely limited in times of high humidity. Also, if your pet has long hair make sure they are well groomed. While their coat helps protect them, if it is full of mats and tangles it could possibly hold too much heat close to their body so a good brushing may be in order. Or if you prefer you could treat them to a spa day at the groomers.

Exercise is an important part of keeping your pet healthy and in actuality a pet at their proper weight can stay cool more easily. Overweight pets are more likely to become over heated because the extra layers of fat cause them to retain more heat in their bodies. However, even if your pet is at their proper weight take care that they do not over do it on those extra warm days. Also keep in mind that some pets are less tolerant of the heat than others. Older pets as well as puppies have a more difficult time regulating body temperature. Pets with ailments, whether temporary or chronic, are more susceptible to heat as well. Dogs with short snouts, such as pugs or bulldogs, are not able to pant as proficiently as those with full snouts limiting their ability to cool themselves, with these breeds of dogs it is wise to avoid the high heat of day whenever possible.

Most importantly, watch out for heatstroke. As with people, heatstroke in pets is a medical emergency. Even with immediate treatment heatstroke can be fatal. Without question prevention is the best medicine. Indications of heatstroke can be, panting, staring, anxious expression, will not obey commands, high fever, warm dry skin, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and collapse. If you think your pet is suffering from heatstroke prompt action should be taken.  Make contact with a veterinarian immediately and it is imperative that the body temperature be lowered. Get them out of direct sun, soak a towel, t-shirt, or whatever is available in cool water and apply it to the hairless areas of their body such as their underbelly. Often the pet will respond to this treatment in a very short amount of time, however they may quickly relapse as their body temperature goes back up. Once your pet has suffered heatstroke veterinarian care is required. The treatment your veterinarian gives your pet may include, further action to lower the body temperature, intravenous fluids to hydrate and treat possible shock, and medications to help prevent brain damage.

While extreme temperatures can be hazardous to both you and your pet with some common sense and some simple precautions summer can be a time of great outdoor activities and fun for all.

You can find a great selection of pet supplies including travel bowels and sunscreen for pets at 

Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

The Economics Of Pet Food

Many people are familiar with the old saying that “you get what you pay for.”  This couldn’t be truer when it comes to choosing a pet food. Understandably, in tough economic situations many pet owners will choose a food because of a lower price. However, it is important to understand that these pet foods have a lower cost because they use lower quality ingredients. Some of these ingredients are as follows:

Meat by products: These by products are things such as organs and other parts that are undesirable or deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Often this may include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers. This may also include meat from the 4 D’s, dead, diseased, dying or disabled. There is also what some people consider the 5^th D which is drugged.

Grains: Ingredients such as corn, corn gluten, wheat and wheat gluten offer little nutritional value and are extremely difficult for our pets to digest.

Meat and Bone Meal: This is a generic term for an inexpensive source of animal proteins. The meat source can be from any meat source or several meat sources usually a by-product of our own meat manufacturing processes and determined unsuitable for human consumption. It is notable that a protein meal that consists largely of bone meal may prove difficult for our pets to digest and provides inadequate nutrition.

Animal Fat: Another generic term for a fat source of questionable origin. While it certainly may contain rendered animal fat from various sources it can also include restaurant grease as well as other rancid oils deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Always look for a named fat source such as “chicken fat” or ‘beef fat” that is naturally preserved with vitamin E or tocopherols.

Food Processing By-Products: Sometimes called “food fragments” these are the by-products of another food manufacturing process. Some examples may be wheat bran, or a by-product of the alcohol industry known as brewer’s rice.

Sweeteners: Ingredients such as corn syrup, cane molasses and sugar are often added to lower quality pet foods to make them more palatable to our pets. It should go without saying that these types of sweeteners can create many health issues including diabetes.

Beef Tallow: Sometimes called beef fat,  is obtained from the tissue of cattle in the rendering process. Our dogs and cats like the taste of this fat so it is often used to make the food more appealing in taste to our pets. Beef tallow is very low in linoleic acid and is therefore a cheaper alternative to a high quality fat such as chicken fat or a good quality vegetable oil.

Chemical Preservatives: These include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (used as a less-toxic version of antifreeze), and ethoxyquin. BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin have all demonstrated carcinogenic properties and any studies on the long-term build up of these chemicals in our pets are non-existent.  However, all three of these last three chemicals listed have been banned in Europe due the harmful effects on humans and pets.

Understanding that the ingredients listed above offer very little if any nutritional value to our pets at best and that some may be potentially harmful to our pets, we can now make a more educated comparison between pet foods. In this example we will choose dog foods, two less expensive brands and two “premium” brands.  Please keep in mind that this comparison is to help you, the reader, understand how to make a reasonable comparison between pet foods and make a more educated decision, it is by no means absolutely conclusive on which is the best of all pet foods. Also it is important to point out that while we are using dog food in this example all the information presented here applies to other pet foods as well.

Ol’ Roy Dog Food Ingredients

Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, corn syrup, poultry fat, Meat and bone meal (Animal Fat Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid), Chicken by-product Meal, Rice, Animal Digest, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin D and E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulafate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Meadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex Source of Vitamin K, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid

34 lb bag $32.82 or 96.5 cents per lb

Blue Buffalo Lamb and Rice

Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Ground Barley, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Rye, Whole Potatoes, Fish Meal, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Sunflower Oil (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Garlic, Herring Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharides, Monooligosaccharides, Dried Chicory Root, Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Phosphate

30 lb bag $48.99 or $1.64 per lb

Keeping in mind that ingredients on pet food labels are listed by weight, look closely at the first four ingredients in these two dog foods. Where as Ol Roy lists three grains and a sweetener, Blue Buffalo lists a whole named meat followed by a named meat meal, followed by two whole grains. What this tells us is that the Ol’ Roy brand is deriving the majority of its protein from grain sources, which is difficult for our pets to assimilate whereas the Blue Buffalo gains its protein from animal sources, which suits our carnivorous companions much better. The grains in the Blue Buffalo are more easily digested by our pets and along with the potatoes, provide carbohydrates.  Whereas the Ol’ Roy brand lists generic animal fat preserved with BHA and citric acid the Blue Buffalo uses named oil sources such as Sunflower Oil and Herring Oil offering essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids along with flaxseed and is naturally preserved. Both foods offer vitamin supplementation, however the Blue Buffalo is more complete and offers taurine as well.

Purina Dog Chow Ingredients

Whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), meat and bone meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, whole grain wheat, egg and chicken flavor, animal digest, salt, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, added color (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, brewers dried yeast, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite

20 lbs $12.99 or .65 per lb

Orijen Adult Dog Food Ingredients

Fresh boneless chicken, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, peas, sweet potato, fresh boneless turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh chicken liver, fresh boneless lake whitefish, fresh boneless walleye, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium.

29.7 lbs $67.49 or $2.27 per lb

Again, if we note the first ingredients listed we see that the Purina Dog Chow’s primary protein source is a grain followed by a generic poultry by-product meal. The generic “animal fat” is naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols but that is of little value considering the fact that the following ingredient is of an unknown origin followed by brewers rice, a by-product of the alcohol industry.  The Purina Dog Chow also uses artificial coloring, which makes the food more visually appealing to the pet owner but means little to the pet. The Orijen starts with a named whole meat followed by a named meat meal then another whole meat and two named meat meals. It contains a named fat source, which is naturally preserved. It is also notable that the Orijen uses pre-biotics and pro-biotics which are beneficial in the digestion process.

There are two important points to keep in mind when looking at these examples. First, while the “premium” foods cost two to three times more they are made with higher-grade ingredients. This means that your pet can more readily assimilate and utilize the nutrients in these foods. This in turn means that your pet can acquire their nutritional requirements with smaller portions. Because you are able to feed smaller portions you will find you get more meals out of the “premium” food than you would out of the same size bag of the lower quality food. So while the “premium” food may be higher in cost on a per pound basis, most people find that the cost on a per portion basis is about the same for both foods. The second point to consider is that with the “premium” foods you are feeding a healthier diet without chemicals, artificial coloring, or artificial preservatives helping to avoid health issues associated with these types of ingredients. Again, the higher quality ingredients in the “premium” foods offer your pet more of what they need to maintain optimal health thereby reducing the chances of major or chronic disease and lowering the cost of veterinary care.

In the long run, every moment of your pet’s life will be greatly enhanced with the choices you as a pet owner make such as providing them with the best available nutrition found in higher quality food. Be sure to always read the food labels carefully and take into consideration any health issues your pet may have such as food allergies, diabetes and so on. Making informed decisions can lead to many happy, healthy years with your best friend. As always if you have concerns or questions consult with your veterinarian.

Controlling Fleas Naturally With Diatomaceous Earth

At some point every pet owner will experience the misery of fleas. Depending on where you live fleas can be a seasonal nuisance or a year around headache. In either case, a flea infestation can become a nightmare reminiscent of a Hollywood horror movie complete with unstoppable blood sucking parasites.

In any battle it is important to understand your foe, so let’s touch on a few flea facts. These insects are very small with a hard shell. They are capable of jumping amazing distances for their size, four to five feet horizontally and close to a foot straight up. Fleas operate on three basic imperatives, survival, feeding, and reproducing and they are experts at all of them. Fleabites can be incredibly itchy because when they bite they inject blood-thinning compounds to keep the blood from clotting as they feed. As well as causing itching these anti clotting proteins can cause a massive immune system reaction. Flea allergic dermatitis is one of the most common skin problems in pets. For both pets and people allergic to fleabites one bite can cause a severe and prolonged reaction. To make matters worse fleas can also transmit many diseases such as Bubonic Plague, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tapeworms.

It is very important to understand that your war against fleas must be fought on three fronts. They are; the pet, the home, and the outdoor environment. For every flea you see on your pet there can be up to 100 more in the surrounding environment in various stages of development. Typically an adult female flea lays about 20 eggs at a time. Depending on the conditions she can live up to a year and a half producing thousands of eggs. These eggs are normally laid in dark damp places and if they are laid on the pet they will fall off but not before they have traveled all over the home and the yard. These eggs will hatch in about a week most of the time, however, they can delay hatching until conditions are right for them. Once the eggs are hatched the larvae pupate, spinning cocoons in which they finish their development, typically another week. As with the egg stage of development these larvae can survive in the cocoon for up to six months waiting for the ideal conditions to emerge. It is easy to see now why we must address not only the fleas on our pets but the surrounding area as well.

Obviously, prevention is the best method of flea control. However, even the most proactive flea prevention regime is not guaranteed 100% to keep fleas from your pet. Once fleas have found your pet they must be eradicated quickly to prevent a full-blown infestation. There are many products available for repelling and killing fleas; there is also considerable debate as to the safety of some of these products.

Several types of topical sprays and shampoos effectively kill and repel fleas. Unfortunately many of them contain chemicals and pesticides that can be highly toxic. Felines are especially susceptible to these types of products because of their grooming habits, which leads to them ingesting whatever is on their fur.

The effectiveness of flea collars is very limited at best and these types of collars are often treated with chemical pesticides that you really do not want your pet wearing around their neck all of the time. There are natural flea collars that are effective in areas where fleas are not a severe problem but are not a good choice for a first line of defense.

The debate surrounding “Spot On” flea products is ongoing and at times can be quite heated. Chemical spot-on flea products contain powerful pesticides and should be considered only as a last resort for pets with extremely severe flea allergies. It goes without saying that any type of pesticide poses a health risk to humans and animals alike. Both over-the-counter and veterinarian prescribed topical treatments contain pesticides. These pesticides enter our pet’s internal organs, livers and kidneys; move into the intestinal tracts and, over time, are eliminated in their feces and urine. These chemicals are easily transferred to human skin when the animal is petted or handled. This fact should be of particular concern to pet owners with children. In spite of claims of the safety of these products by the manufacturers and many veterinarians chemical spot-ons have been known to cause severe adverse reactions such as excessive salivation, lethargy, skin rashes, tremors, hyperactivity, seizures and even death. In 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency received more than 44,000 reports of adverse reactions to these products and is currently investigating the safety of all registered spot on products.

If you have health and safety concerns about using these products there is good news. We often forget that nature is all about balance. While nature has provided fleas with amazing survival skills it has also provided a way to defeat their defenses. Diatomaceous earth or “DE” is a simple but effective natural substance that will eliminate fleas.

Diatomaceous earth is a mineral substance that consists of the fossilized remains of prehistoric diatoms or algae. It is a powder and is very fine and smooth to the touch. While it is non-toxic to people and pets it is deadly for pests such as fleas and ticks. This is because on a microscopic level it is razor sharp and as the powder covers the flea or tick it cuts the shells, this leads to dehydration and death for the pests. DE is effective for killing fleas in all life stages.

Diatomaceous earth has several advantages over the chemical forms of flea control. It is mechanical in its killing action rather than chemical. This means that the pests cannot build immunity or adapt to it and thereby preventing the creation of a pesticide resistant super flea, which can prove to be very difficult to kill. It won’t pollute your home or the environment or water supply with residual chemicals, which can linger for years and pose a substantial health risk to both your pets and your family. DE is an all purpose flea killer and can be used anywhere fleas hide and live thereby replacing the need for separate products for your pet, your home and your yard. DE can be used in your pets fur, on their bedding, in carpets and furniture and even in the yard making it powerfully effective since fleas spend the majority of their reproduction and growth stages in the surrounding environment and not on your pet. DE will penetrate the smallest of spaces or tightest of carpet and fabric weaves killing the fleas where they are most vulnerable and disrupting the reproductive cycles.

While results with Diatomaceous earth are not as immediate as those with pesticide laden products you should see noticeable results within two to three days and can realistically expect your pet and home to be completely free of fleas within two weeks. All of this with no toxic chemicals, no horrible smelling flea products, no oily or sticky residues and no unnatural substances, who could ask for more?

Although DE is a natural product there are still some things to keep in mind if you choose to use it as a form of flea control. First of all you can find products with DE created specifically as a flea powder, however you can also simply purchase DE in small or bulk quantities. If you decide to simply purchase the DE make certain it is a food grade DE, not the product for pool filters that most people are familiar with. Food grade diatomaceous earth is a more highly refined and cleaner product than that which is used as for swimming pool filtration. Second, DE is extremely fine and a little goes a long way, using too much can lead to dry skin for your pet. The products designed specifically as a flea powder will have very specific directions of how much and how often to use the product to avoid this problem. With food grade DE it is recommended to apply it twice a week but no more than three times in a week. Keep an eye on your pets skin, if it seems to be dry use less of the powder or reduce the number of applications you are applying. Finally when using the DE apply it lightly and slowly to keep the dust down so that neither you or your pet are breathing in the product then using a comb or brush gently work it into the fur.

Diatomaceous earth has many other uses besides pest control. It is an incredibly versatile substance and thousands of pet owners have used this completely natural way to control fleas and ticks with great success. By choosing DE you will be joining a growing number of eco-conscious, health-motivated pet lovers who want safe and effective flea control

You can find DE based flea powders as well as other natural flea control and flea remedy products at
Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

The Importance Of Knowing The Right Protein For Your Pet

Your pets health depends on the protein in their food Not all proteins are assimilated by our pets. Some pet food companies use fillers such as grains which also add to the protein readings in the crude analysis. However these forms of protein are of little or no value to our pets and may contribute to obesity. In this video we discuss some basic points about protein sources and offer a few pointers to help pet lovers make an educated choice when selecting a food for their pet.

Please click here for more information.

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!