Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

In the late 1850’s, an electrician from Cincinnati traveled across the Atlantic to the British Isles. His mission was to sell lightning conductors in London. It is not known whether he was successful in his intended purpose. What is known, however, is that when he disembarked from the ship, he witnessed sailors feeding their leftover sea biscuits to the packs of homeless dogs that roamed the shipyards. That man was James Spratt. He went on to become the creator of the dog biscuit.

These dog treats, called Spratt’s Patent Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes, were a mix of wheat, beet root, vegetables and the blood of cattle. Spratt’s company flourished in Britain, and in the early 1890’s, his operation spread to America. The growing class of urban Americans found themselves flush with extra cash, and they made Spratt’s New York company a successful venture. Thus began the era of the modern pet food industry.

Soon after, American dog food and treat companies began to proliferate. In 1931, the National Biscuit Company (which later became Nabisco) began manufacturing Milkbones in enormous quantities. Following an aggressive marketing campaign lead by a force of 3,000 salesmen, dog biscuits soon became a staple in American grocery stores.

During World War II, meat was strictly rationed, limiting the supply available to manufacturers of dog food and biscuits. It was during this time that recipes were altered to include leftover cereal, corn, gluten, wheat and soy by-products not used in human food products. The flavors came from meat by-products and bone meal. In the 1950’s, consumers began to complain about the digestibility of mass-produced dog food and treats. To appease the clamoring market, these companies began to include vitamins and minerals. By-and-large, this was the last concerted effort to increase nutritional values; most subsequent changes were designed to increase sales through marketing ploys, utilizing flashy ads and novel shapes and colors to interest consumers.

When we fast-forward to 2006, there is little improvement regarding the nutritional content of pet treats on the market. Unfortunately, clever packaging and advertising campaigns direct consumers’ attention away from the ingredient list. Many treats still contain the leftover cereal and other ingredients that will be good for profits rather than the dog. Artificial coloring and chemical preservatives are included to maintain freshness, as these mass-produced treats typically spend months stored in warehouses before finally being stocked in your local grocery. Many treats on the market today contain wheat flour, soy flour, dextrose, BHA, propylene Glycol, high fructose corn syrup, and garlic. These products are known to be hard to digest and some can have potentially harmful effects. In fact, garlic and propylene Glycol are both poisonous to dogs.
As pet parents, we know that our companion animals depend solely upon us for their nutritional intake. And since good nutrition is important for our pets to live a long and healthy life, it is important to choose a nutrient-rich treat that can be a part of your pet’s overall diet. To fill this need, HealthyPetNet and Dr. Jane Bicks created numerous treats for your dog.

Wholesome Hearts Low-Fat Dog Treats are all-natural, low-fat dog treats with high quality proteins and harvest-fresh fruits, vegetables and multi-grains. And they are fortified with L-Carnitine for a healthy heart and fat metabolism, making them perfect for dogs that could stand to shed a few pounds. Wholesome Hearts contain sliced apples, squash, yellow field peas, tomatoes, cloves (which have extremely high antioxidant values), cranberries, pumpkin, ginger and nutmeg. The rice germ/bran included in this recipe has been studied at University of Illinois for its ability to enhance the immune system functioning and skin and coat health, and is chock full of protein and B vitamins.

Some of HealthyPetNet’s treats are formulated to help promote the health of a specific part of your pet’s body. Healthy teeth and gums are an important consideration for your dog’s overall health – if a tooth is loose due to tartar and plaque, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart and/or kidney, with health consequences. It is always a good idea to brush your dog’s teeth, but sometimes that is not always possible. Gourmet Dental Treats for Dogs contain a variety of whole grains and protein, and calcium and phosphorous for strong bones and teeth. And, the parsley in these treats freshens your dog’s breath right away.� With Gourmet Dental Treats, you can support your dog’s healthy teeth and gums while giving him or her delicious oven baked treats!

At HealthyPetNet, we strive to provide treats that provide crucial nutrients without adding any chemical preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, fillers or “leftovers”.� Our baked treats are made in a bakery in small batches, so your dog will always enjoy the freshest snacks possible.

This Halloween, take the trickery out of treats, and feed your dog the nutritious, all-natural and healthy snacks made by HealthyPetNet.

By Dr. Jane Bicks

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

More and more people are beginning to make their dog’s food at home rather than buying commercial formulas. Homemade dog food doesn’t contain any substances that could possibly be harmful to your dog’s health such as artificial coloring and artificial flavors.

Another reason to make homemade dog food is the preservatives added to the commercial dog food. Homemade dog food has the benefit of optimum freshness without preservatives.

There are dogs that would greatly benefit from a homemade diet. Some dogs who suffer from allergies that cause severe itching may find relief once switched from commercial dog food to a homemade diet.

Processed dog food is a relatively new product and scientists don’t fully understand the differences between commercial food and a diet of fresh food. There may be problems occurring in a dog’s health because he is being given food that has had the nutrients cooked out of it and then sprayed back on.

It’s also possible that the extremely high heat used to produce commercial dog food may alter the protein structure in the meats used. It’s not proven whether such protein alteration negatively affects a dog’s health, and since dogs seem to maintain their regular health during regulated feeding trials most people feel that commercial food is good enough to maintain their dog’s health.

What if you want more than to give your dog a food that is “good enough”. There are many recipes you can use. There are ebooks available with a variety of recipes that will provide your dog a well-rounded diet full of nutrition and every vitamin and mineral he needs.

There are certain foods you want to avoid, such as fatty meats, cured meat, (sausage, bacon, hot dogs), any fried foods and raw pork. You also want to avoid any milk, cream, ice cream, pastries, white bread, sugary foods, grapes, raisins and onions. Also, keep in mind that anything you consider to be junk food would not be good for your dog.

Healthy foods to give your dog would include raw or cooked lean cuts of meat: beef, poultry, lamb, whitefish and fatty fish (like salmon). Also included in a healthy diet are cooked grains, eggs (raw or cooked), finely chopped or ground raw vegetables (remember, no onions), and bits of fruit (again, remember to give your dog no raisons or grapes).

These are just the basics. There are books on the subject that provide great recipes and a full list of good foods and foods to stay away from.

A basic formula for a homemade diet would be 50 percent protein, 25 percent vegetables (ground so they are easy to digest), and 25 percent grain (such as rice and oatmeal). Add to that some supplements of certain vitamins, minerals, and oils rich in omega-3 for healthy skin and coat.

There are some pets that do not do well on a homemade diet so be sure to check with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet. After making the change, pay attention to how your dog responds. Not all dogs thrive on a homemade diet.

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

There is a lot of controversy with dog owners over which dog food is better. Some people have no idea what makes a good dog food. They buy the most expensive brand because they assume it must be a top quality dog food. Others feel that dog food is dog food and if their dog seems to be healthy then they see no reason to spend the extra money on a premium brand.

Before we look at dog food costs, let’s begin with what makes a good dog food. A top quality dog food depends on the quality of ingredients and the nutritional power of the food. It should offer a balanced diet and contain superior sources of protein as one of the first two ingredients. This can include whole fresh meats or single-source meat meal like chicken meal (rather than poultry meal). A top dog food would also contain whole, unprocessed grains plus vegetables and even fruits. It would have few fillers such as corn, soy, brewer’s rice and wheat bran. It would use natural preservatives instead of chemicals like propylene glycol and BHT or BHT.

Supermarket Dog Foods vs. Premium Brands: Which is a Better Value for the Money?
Some people experience sticker shock when they compare the price of a premium dog food with an economy brand. Many dog foods found in supermarkets are so-called economy brands, which, surprisingly, end up costing more to feed your dog than top rated premium dog foods. Why? Because “economy” dog foods tend to be lower in nutrients than premium foods and you have to feed your dog more to get the same nutritional punch of a more expensive premium brand. For example, the recommended feeding instructions for one supermarket brand say to feed approximately 6 cups a day for a 35-50 lb dog. The label on an ultra-premium dog food recommends about 1 ¾ to 2 cups per day. That’s around three times as much of the standard dog food vs. the premium food. So now which costs less? And just think about the extra poop you will have to scoop if you’re feeding your dog six cups a day! Some lower end dog food manufacturers have even reduced the recommended feeding amount to make their food look more economical.

Lower end dog foods usually contain corn meal as one of the main ingredients (an acceptable protein source, but may cause allergies in some dogs), plus chicken or animal byproducts or rendered meat/poultry. Byproducts are ground, rendered, pieces of the carcasses of slaughtered animals or poultry and can include heads, feet, necks, and viscera. These are less nutritious but are often used in lower-quality dog foods because they are much cheaper than whole turkey, chicken, or meat. Rendered is often referred to as “byproducts meal” and it means the cooked and processed remains of the leftovers in meat and poultry processing. Yuck!

What Should You Look for in a Dog Food?
Learn how to read the label. Better dog foods are made from whole product, such as chicken, turkey, and lamb. Also check the label to see if the protein source is free of hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. Chicken fat is a very good source of linoleic acid, which helps makes dogs’ coats healthy and shiny. Also check the fiber content. Three to four percent fiber is recommended for solid stools. Avoid dog foods that have rendered meats, poultry or fats, animal byproducts, added growth hormones, brain or spinal tissue, artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, and for dogs that may have allergies, avoid corn, soy, wheat, and eggs.

So what About the Cost?
There are many excellent dog foods on the market, and a variety of prices. Buying a top quality dog food doesn’t necessarily mean you will be paying the most; understanding the ingredients list and getting value for your money is what counts.
By Valerie Goettsch, she is webmaster of My Favorite Dog featuring articles and information on top dog foods, dog health issues, training, and more.
Compare The Differences in Commercial vs. Premium Dog Food

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Have you checked your pets’ food label lately?

Many of us naively believe that all pet food manufacturers have our dogs’ or cats’ best interests in mind. Unfortunately, nothing is farther from the truth. Many of these formulators introduce ingredients to pet foods that we would never knowingly give to our dogs. Understanding the difference between commercial pet food and all natural pet food are very important factors for your pets’ health.

Some examples of these unsafe ingredients are inferior protein sources such as by-products – in layman’s terms, these are chicken heads, turkey feet, bones, intestines, and other animal parts that have no place in your pet’s meal. Your brand may also have copious amounts of BHA and BHT, chemical preservatives needed to keep the products edible as they sit for months, or even years, at a pet supply store. Edible, yes – but with grave long-term effects.

It is thus imperative that you not only read the pet food labels, but know which ingredients shouldn’t even be included in your pet’s diet. Below is a summarized comparison of leading cat food and dog food brands versus Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Cats and Dogs, and see for yourself why more and more people are turning to Life’s Abundance products for their pets’ daily nutritional requirements:
Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Dogs vs. Science Diet Adult Maintenance

1. The first 5 ingredients. A pet food label’s first 5 ingredients play an important role in the total nutritional composition of the food. Protein is an valuable ingredient, and it is believed that the primary source of protein should be high-grade animal protein and not grain or vegetable protein. Both products use chicken as their animal protein source, but Science Diet Adult Maintenance lists 3 grains under the first 5 ingredients – corn meal, sorghum, and ground wheat. Foods that have 2 or more grains included in the first 5 ingredients may mean that it contains more vegetable protein than animal protein. Moreover, grains such as these can be difficult to digest.

2. By-products. By-products are inferior protein sources and are also difficult to digest. Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Dogs does not contain undesirable animal by-products.

3. Health-promoting ingredients. Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Dogs contains vegetables which are important sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants; proteinated minerals which bring about better absorption; grapeseed extract which contain concentrated antioxidants; and bacterial cultures which support a healthy digestive system. Science Diet Adult Maintenance contains none of these important ingredients.

4. Chicken meal vs. chicken. Science Diet Adult Maintenance uses chicken while Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food uses chicken meal. The latter is preferred as chicken meat contains moisture in their flesh while chicken meal is a concentrated protein source as most of the water has already been removed. Thus, your dog gets a higher protein content with the same amount of chicken meal than with chicken meat.

5. Daily cost. In the case of Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food, because of a smaller amount required to feed a 30-lb. dog (1.5 cups), you spend less per day than serving Science Diet Adult Maintenance, which recommends 2.25 cups daily. The reason for the smaller required serving is that the protein, nutrients, and vitamins are more concentrated in Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food products.
Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Cats vs. Iams Multi-Cat

1. The first 5 ingredients. Again, these are very important in determining the value of pet food. The first 5 ingredients should contain its major source of protein. In the case of Iams Multi-Cat, chicken by-product meal is used, and depending on the source, by-products are difficult to digest – especially for a small pet such as a cat. Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Cats only uses chicken meal which is a concentrated protein formula made from high-quality chicken.

2. Health-promoting ingredients. Iams Multi-Cat has none of the important sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, such as green foods, proteinated minerals, bacterial cultures, and grapeseed extract. Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Cats has all of these.

3. Daily cost. The recommended daily feeding amount for Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Cats is a half cup, while Iams Multi-Cat requires 1 cup to feed a 12-lb cat daily. That translates to savings of about $84 per year for one cat.

They can’t wait

It’s little wonder, then, why many pet owners have switched to Life’s Abundance products and never looked back since. Some even need to hold their pets back because they can’t wait to have the bag opened! This is because Dr. Jane Bicks, the Product Formulator of Life’s Abundance pet food and supplements, has seen to it that not only are these premium health food products packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients that promote your pet’s health – they’re formulated to taste great, too.

Try these tools to compare pet foods and see the differences in everything from ingredients to price:

Cat Food Comparison  Dog Food Comparison

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

As “parents,” we are concerned for the health and happiness of our pets.�

It can be sad when they start showing signs of aging, especially if the aging process is limiting their everyday activities. Most “parents” start their pets on joint health supplements; such as Agility, only when they notice some outward sign: their dog doesn’t leap into the car or their cat doesn’t jump onto the sofa anymore. Dr. Jane believes, in many cases, it makes sense to be proactive.

She says Agility is a holistic product that is formulated to support the intricate parts of healthy joints, to help keep them healthy for as long as possible. When we think natural and holistic, we think about the body taking care of itself and staying healthy, as long as it is provided with the many factors it requires to do so. In the case of healthy joints, the factors include exercise, proper weight and proper nutrients, to name a few. Medium and large breed dogs, dogs with long backs like Daschunds, and large size cats are at risk of losing joint laxity before “their time.” Many conscientious “parents” start their pets on a joint support supplement while their pets are still young or middle aged, giving them the nutrients they need for that support.

Agility’s nutrients are not just about healthy joints, they are also about the support of healthy organs like the kidney, liver, muscles and skin, too. For example, the natural antioxidants in Agility; such as yucca and alfalfa, are just plain healthy nutrients for dogs and cats.

Aside from the fact that Dr. Jane formulated it, what makes HealthyPetNet’s Agility special in comparison to other brands?� Well, not only is it manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant, but every single ingredient in this holistic formula is there to support the many parts of the joints. There are absolutely no extraneous or trendy ingredients in our formula. Dr. Jane formulated Agility after extensive study. She didn’t only study joints, but everything that supports healthy joints: bones, joint fluids, ligaments, tendons and muscles. She then selected bone and joint-health ingredients that target all of those areas surrounding the joint.

Agility is truly the choice for healthy joints … for dogs, cats, young and old.�
�
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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Halloween originated in Ireland, where the Celts celebrated Samhain (Gaelic for “End of Summer”) as an agricultural, pastoral and religious festival.� It was believed that on these days after the last harvest, the veil that separated the realm of spirits from our world became thin enough for them to cross over.� These communities would gather around bonfires, burned in part to encourage the wayward spirits to return to their world.� These gatherings were also a way of uniting the people prior to the harsh realities of winter, as strong communal ties were necessary to endure these hardships.

In 835, Pope Gregory IV extended the celebration of All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day) on November 1st throughout the expanse of the Catholic Church’s domain, which now included the British Isles.� Because Samhain traditionally fell on the night before this day, it came to be known as All Hallows’ Even’, and was eventually shortened to Hallowe’en.� It was not until after the immigration of nearly two million Irish following the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1849) that Americans came to know of Halloween and begin to embrace its celebration.�

The majority of us do not concern ourselves with the same need to prepare for winters of hardship.� However, we do retain the same desire to reconnect with our communities, as evidenced by local celebrations of this holiday.� Recognizing and appreciating our connection with others may be an understated aspect of this holiday, but in our modern age it remains of vital importance.� Fostering a sense of community helps to bring meaning to our family life.�

More and more, the American family includes companion animals.� It is estimated that nearly 63% of all U.S. households include a pet, which equates to more than 69 million households.
� � � As pet parents, we recognize the importance of our bonds with our companion animals.� And now, there is scientific evidence to prove what we suspected all along.

Studies in recent decades have shown that holding and petting a companion animal can lower heart rate and blood pressure, help relieve stress and alleviate symptoms of depression. Compared to those who live in homes without companion animals, pet parents:

- Are more likely to survive heart attacks.
- Tend to have lower cholesterol and
� triglyceride levels.
- Have a reduced incidence of asthma.

Dog owners are much more likely to exercise than those who do not have dogs, either with daily walks or playing outdoors.� Those who live with companion animals tend to live longer and happier lives.� And children living in homes with companion animals tend to be more sociable and self-reliant, and are less selfish than children without pets.

Having a dog can subtly convey a sense of peace, serving as ever-vigilant guardians of the family.� If there is ever a potential threat to the home, we know they will waste no time in sounding an alert.

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips