Premium Dog or Cat Food Worth the Time and Money

By: Elyse Grau
Look for the meat source (or sources) to be listed first on the label. If grains are included (which they always are in kibbles), they should be whole grains, rather than fractions, such as wheat bran, brewer's rice, etc. Watch out for multiple listings of grains, they may add up to be more than the meat portion!

Avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Colors are added for your benefit, not to appeal to dogs. Artificial flavors are added to enhance palatability or cover up off tastes of poorer quality ingredients. Most natural foods stores and holistic pet supply stores will carry premium brands of pet food. If you are unable to find a satisfactory dog food in stores near you, many of them can be found on the internet.

Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner, well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet health questions through a large collection of articles. http://www.pethealthresource.com

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Premium Dog or Cat Food Worth the Time and Money1

By: Elyse Grau
Proper nutrition is the number one protection against disease in dogs and cats. Feeding a high-quality dog food or cat food will keep your pet healthy and in good condition throughout its life

How do you know what dog/cat food is right? For many the choice is a homemade diet. If you have the time and the resources, I agree that this is the preferred way to go. This is usually the best, and occasionally the only choice for animals with multiple food allergies. The choice is yours whether to go cooked or raw, with bones or without.

Basically, a homemade diet should consist of 40-60% meat for dogs, 60%-90% for cats, 20-50% vegetables (dogs, or 10%-40% for cats), and the rest, optionally, grains. The choice within each category is vast, and depends on your budget, availability, and what the dog or cat prefers. Often allergies to certain foods will determine the diet.

Each dog and cat is unique and what is best for one may not work well for another. Feeding a variety of foods is the best way to provide all or most of the nutrients that your pet needs.

A good quality multi-vitamin and calcium supplements will help make sure the diet is complete. Because it can be tricky to get the right balance of calcium and phosphorus when making your own pet food, you will need to add a calcium supplement.

If you like the idea of homemade pet food, but lack the time, there are pre-mixes available, or complete ready-to-serve meals. Pre-mixes come freeze-dried, dehydrated or frozen. Usually they are grain and vegetable mixes, along with some supplements such as calcium, to which you add the meat. Ground meats, sometimes with bone, are also available where pet foods are sold. You can then add your own vegetables and/or grains if you so desire.

Complete raw-foods diets are also sold as frozen, dry or freeze-dried. Some areas may have local entrepreneurs who make and sell these diets fresh. They may also custom make meals to your pets specifications.

If you prefer to feed a commercial product, choose one of the many premium dog foods now available. though the cost may be higher than grocery store brands, what you save in vet bills will more than make up for the difference.

Whether to feed canned or dry pet food will depend on you and your dog or cat. Canned food is usually more expensive, kibble is more convenient. Pets usually prefer canned foods and some need the softer, wetter consistency. Canned pet foods generally contain higher quality proteins than dry pet food, and a higher percentage of protein and fat. The higher moisture content of canned foods can be beneficial to dogs and cats with kidney or urinary tract problems. Dry pet foods contain more preservatives. Some people choose to use both.

The most important criteria in choosing a pet food is the list of ingredients. Whole meats are always better then meat meals, and meat meals are preferable to by-products. Single source meals, such as beef meal or chicken meal are more wholesome than those marked simple meat or poultry meals. Single source meals contain the muscle meat from that animal, along with accompanying tissues, such as nerves, blood vessels and skin. Generic meals may contain other organ tissues and fatty tissue. By-product meal is a catch-all term for anything that doesn't fit the other meal definitions - avoid these at all costs!

Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner, well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet health questions through a large collection of articles. http://www.pethealthresource.com

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The "Cat" and the "Dog" energies of social interaction

By: Katherine Bouglai
A young and attractive woman walks into the Starbucks to get a quick drink before her lunch meeting. As she pays for her drink and walks towards the exit, holding her cup of late, a young gentleman follows her. He takes a few moments to introduce himself and throws a compliment her way. The girl smiles, but she feels uncomfortable by his boldness, she doesn't want to be rude so she thanks him politely. She increases her pace, hoping that he gets the hint that she might be in a hurry and won't bother her further. The guy continues with his pursuit by asking for her phone number. At this point the girl brushes him off and quickly walks away.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Whom do you sympathize more, the guy or the girl? Who do you think made a mistake? How would you behave in a similar situation? What went wrong? The truth is that there is no right answer to all these questions. The two people in the above scenario may not necessarily be a wrong fit for each other, they were just not ready to meet yet. What really happened was that their energies didn't match. She had "cat energy" and he had "dog energy" and we all know what happens when dogs meet cats -- they chase them!

If you ever owned a dog, perhaps you already know how dogs behave when you take them out for a walk every time they see another dog walking by. They stop, their attention turns towards the new dog, their ears perk and sometimes they just run for it. That other dog is very fascinating to them and they are extremely eager to meet them. Now, what happens when a guest comes to a home that has dogs? The dog gets excited, wags its tail, and sometimes even jumps on people. There is nothing wrong with that, it's just the way dogs are. Whenever they sense a new energy in the room, they want to find out about it as soon as possible. When they get used to the new energy, they calm down.

What about cats? As a cat owner myself, I can tell you that cats are completely opposite. They do not feel comfortable with the new energy. They need their time and space to get used to it, and until they do, they will sit quietly under the couch and intensely stare at the new person who just walked in. When they are ready to get to know you, they will come out and be friendly. Again, there is nothing wrong with being a cat. It's just who they are. They get very overwhelmed with new smells, new environments and they do not feel comfortable with unfamiliar energy. But just because cats are not comfortable about the new energy doesn't mean they are not curious about it. Cats are very curious animals and they love our company. They just need more time to get to know us.

Can cats and dogs live in perfect harmony? Of course they can, if they learn and respect each other's boundaries. It may not be realistic to explain this to a cat or a dog, but it might be a helpful analogy for humans. Why is it so important to know about this? Because this makes us more aware of our instincts, fears and desires, as well as the fact that somebody else may very well be completely different from us in that sense. This awareness can help us a lot when we interact with others for the first time. Keeping the two energy types in mind, being mindful to ourselves and others, how easier could it be for us to approach someone we're attracted to and not take it personally when others are being too shy to talk to us? Most importantly, whichever energy you think you might have, there is nothing wrong with it. Not all men have the "dog energy" and not all women have the "cat energy." Also, it is very common for our energy to change depending on where we are and who we meet.

Katherine Bouglai Personal Life Coach http://www.beopentolove.com

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How To Eliminate Your Cat Allergies -No More Sneezing, Wheezing or Itching

By: Eva Marklund
Allergies to cats are quite common.

The allergic reactions can be immediate, or they can begin to show up gradually over time. Often someone has owned a cat for some time, sometimes even years, before the allergic reactions begin to show.

Having to give the cat up at that point may be heartbreaking for everyone involved. Including the cat.

Most often the first recommendation from medical doctors is to relinquish the cat.

The past 15 years have seen a whole new "breed" of therapy methods based on the bodies energy system.

The methods are generally referred to as "Energy Therapy" "Meridian Therapy" or Energy psychology".

The major distinction between these therapies and traditional aids or therapies, is that instead of attempting to clear the allergen out of the air using all sorts of filters, specialized vacuums, heap filters, limiting the exposure to the cat, medication etc, is that the energy therapies work on your own energy system so that it can be in harmony with the allergen.

Pretty much in the same way that Chinese medicine views illness as a disruption of the flow of vital life force in your system. Energy Therapies view an allergy as a substance your energy system is not in harmony with and is trying to repel.

It is the repelling of the allergen that causes the allergic reactions.

So, here is how you can view it. You feel OK, and then you are in contact with a cat, or breathe air containing the allergen. This causes your system to become disrupted. The flow of energy is now disrupted, causing a horde of symptoms, as in all your allergy symptoms. Sounds almost too simple, yes? The energy therapies, using either acupuncture needles, or simply your fingers, will, by using special acupuncture points balance the system in regards to the offending substance. To do that, you first need to cause a disruption by simply thinking about cats, and then while connecting certain points known for their affect on the brain, your system becomes in harmony with what used to be seen as an allergen.

Once your system is in harmony with the car dander, or other allergen, there are no more reactions. Once the intervention is completed, the effects are most often permanent, requiring no re treatment. The person who used to have a cat allergy can now interact with cats feeling perfectly OK.

Having to relinquish your cat because you have developed allergies is a painful decision no one should have to make.

Today, with modern cutting edge resources available, that decision may be one you never have to make.

To find more resources on how you can be free of your Cat Allergies please visit http://www.catallergyfree.com

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Tips On Using Anti Anxiety Drugs To Stop Your Cat From Spraying

By: Linda Lebelle
If you have multiple cats, there is a chance that you have encountered one or several spraying incidents. If your cats are new, then this is excusable because they still lack training but if your cats have been with you forever and have only started spraying habits now, they may be suffering from anxiety and stress. Yes, cats do experience anxiety and this can be caused by several factors: prolonged separation, feline threats (outsider cats), or mating responses. Fortunately, it is now a clinically approved method to use anti anxiety drugs to stop your cats' spraying habits. Here are some tips on using cat marking anti anxiety drugs: 1. Identify which of your cats is doing the spraying.Although it is more convenient to administer anti anxiety drugs to all of your cats in one go, this can be detrimental to the health of the cats that are perfectly alright. Anti anxiety drugs correct chemical imbalances so if they are administered to cats that don't experience imbalance, they might cause problems. Stake out the area that smells of cat urine or where the spraying usually occurs for several days and observe your cats to identify which one does it. 2. Narrow down possibilities.Once you have identified which cat it is, do not take it to the vet for a does of anti anxiety drug just yet. Set some time to rule out other possible causes of behavior other than anxiety. Is your cat neutered? Cats that are not neutered often exhibit aggressive territorial behaviors like cat-marking. Is your cat's litter box clean? Cats are clean creatures by nature and would be most reluctant to use a litter box that is dirty. If your cat is neutered and its litter box is clean, then anti anxiety drugs might be the answer. 3. Collect information prior to a veterinary visit.Administering anti anxiety drugs is not enough to ensure that your cat will quit the spraying habit. You need to put a stop to the cause of the anxiety. To do this, you need to spend time identifying possible causes to discuss with your cat's vet. Take note of the time or event when the spraying usually occurs. Does it happen when you are not in the house? Or, did your cat started spraying when that big dog moved next door? Information like these can help your vet determine the right cat marking anti anxiety drugs for your cat. Keep in mind to follow the vet's prescriptions for anti anxiety drugs faithfully to help your cat overcome anxiety and stop the spraying habit. Anti anxiety drugs work and function well only if they are used following the right dosage and period intake.

Dr. Lebelle is a noted veterinary doctor and has keen interest in animal health and welfare. She often recommends anti anxiety drugs to prevent anxiety related spraying in pets particularly cats. To read more of her free articles visit http://www.panic-anxiety-drugs.com Anxiety Drugs

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How to Help your Cat with Diabetes

By: Suzanne Vandegrift
The word diabetes instills fear in everyone, but when you hear it about your beloved cat, it's heartbreaking. Studies have shown that 1 in every 400 cats will develop diabetes. So if you even SUSPECT that fluffy may be suffering from diabetes, you need to have your cat tested as soon as you possibly can.

Some symptoms that could be an indication of feline diabetes are excess urination, accompanied by increased thirst. Normally, your pet's weight will start dropping due to a loss of appetite. However, his appetite could possibly increase. Fatigue and depression may often set in. You may also notice that his coat is changing; not as shiny or healthy. Watch his diet, check the labels for added sugar. Start him on a program of an herbal formula containing such ingredients as moringa, fenugreek, bilberry and juniper berry to strengthen his pancreas.

With quick response and proper treatment to the symptoms your cat is displaying, feline diabetes can be put into permanent remission. You must establish a low carbohydrate diet for your cat, as this is very important, and must continue throughout your pet's life. He may also benefit by a diet high in fiber that can help slow digestion which, in turn, can help keep his blood sugars at a proper level. Some dry cat foods can be high in sugar and carbohydrates, so be careful when selecting his food. A low-carbohydrate canned food might be a good alternative.

Fatigue or sluggishness is often a symptom indicating your pet's blood sugar is dropping dangerously low. The remedy for this symptom is the same for cats as it is for humans. He needs to eat. But if the cat has gone too long without food, and you can't get him to respond, again just as with humans, you need to raise his blood sugar quickly. You can do this by putting Karo syrup on his gums, which will be rapidly absorbed into his body and should bring him around in short order.

It's not uncommon for cats with diabetes to develop a form of neuropathy. Neuropathy is nerve damage that primarily affects the feet and legs. It most commonly causes the cat's hind legs to become weak over a period of time, eventually causing the cat to resort to standing on his hocks, rather than his feet. The condition can become so severe that the cat will have to sit or lay down after every couple steps. Ultimately, he could loose the use of his hind legs altogether, if no action is taken to reverse the condition. Once the blood sugar levels have been returned to normal for a period of 1 to 3 months, neuropathy will often heal with no further action taken.

Because of the harmful chemicals and sugar laden commercial foods we feed our pets, it's critical to your cat's health to supplement his diet with an herbal blend designed to fortify your cat's immune system. It also helps to prevent and remedy disorders with natural herbs such as echinacea, goldenseal, cloves, cat's claw, yew tips, and other powerful ingredients.

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article on behalf of Dherbs.com. Dherbs offers a specially formulated blend to remedy all pancreas defects and disease.

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