Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

With hundreds of research investigations corroborating the health benefits of Omega-3’s, incorporating fish oil dietary supplements is a wise choice for those who wish to lead healthier lives. That’s why Trilogy (HealthyPetNet’s parent company) is now offering Sealogix™ Omega-3 Pharmaceutical-Grade Fish Oil, an ultra-concentrated, ultra-purified fish oil that is independently tested for overall quality. Trilogy uses state-of-the-art processing to remove impurities and to provide you with a fish oil supplement that is safe and effective. Due to its superior quality and high concentration of nutrients, Sealogix is an exceptional value compared to other market brands.

Increasing your dietary intake of Omega-3’s from fish oil may result in a variety of vital health benefits, like helping to maintain normal cholesterol levels and promoting heart health, brain function, healthy immunity and joint movement, memory and mental health, and the reduction of cellular inflammation*. Formulated to provide an optimal level of essential fatty acids, Sealogix Omega-3 Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil may be one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods for obtaining the essential fatty acids your body requires.

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

When I consider which trait I like most about cats, I’d have to say that it’s their mysterious manner. I never know when they will pounce on my computer keyboard, or where they will hide on a particular day. Unfortunately, they are also masters at concealing any illnesses they might have. A cat can have a medical problem and even the most watchful owner may not know until the symptoms have become full-blown.

An unhealthy heart is all too common in cats, regardless of age. Some breeds are more prone to heart illnesses than others. Maine Coon Cats, RagaMuffins, Oriental Short Hairs and Munchkins are just some of the breeds that commonly suffer from heart conditions. Of course, any mixed-breed cat can also have heart problems. The good news is that if treated early, a cat with a heart condition can still live a relatively healthy and happy life. All we have to do is be proactive and examine our cats. Don’t worry – it’s easy and fun.

Place your cat where you can both be comfortable, as you’ll be examining him from head to tail. As you’ll soon learn, heart problems can manifest themselves in multiple ways.

Are the eyes nice and bright? Heart disease can cause respiratory issues, which can lead to a dull look. It’s easy to notice if the twinkle in your kitty’s eyes has diminished.

Lift the lips and inspect the gums. Most cats should have nice medium color pink gums, although dark cats may have gray gums. When you press your finger on the gums, they should lose color; as soon as you remove your finger, the original color should return. Cats with heart problems can be anemic, resulting in very pale or blue gums. Bright pink gums are generally not healthy and could be an indication of heart problems.

The whiskers should be nice and long. Broken or thick whiskers may indicate that your cat is not completely healthy. Please be aware that some breeds, like the Devon Rex or the American Wirehair, almost always have short whiskers.

Examine your cat’s skin and coat. A healthy cat will usually have a silky coat. A dull and brittle coat (again, unless a Wirehair) may indicate a health problem. A cat with heart disease can have poor circulation and, as a consequence, the hair will not receive the necessary nutrients. Dandruff may be another indication that your cat is not well.

Put your right palm on your cat’s right shoulder and your left on his left shoulder. Move your hands together along the spine in the direction of the tail, slightly pressing downward to feel the ribs. If there is more than an inch to pinch, then chances are that your cat is too heavy. Overweight cats are candidates for heart problems. Note that the hanging tummy is not an indication of obesity, but more often a lack of particular hormones.

Feel the pads of your cat’s feet – they should be warm. Cold feet may be indicative of a blood clot and/or poor circulation.

Pay special attention to your cat’s breathing pattern. It should be steady, not very deep, but not too shallow. A cat with heart problems may appear to breathe with difficulty. As a quick test, take a thick cord and throw it up on something so your cat runs to chase it. Young or old, your cat should have no problem doing this a handful of times. If your cat starts to breathe through his mouth, or begins to breathe with effort, we have a problem.

If you notice any of these negative symptoms, I suggest you consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

I encourage you to record the results of these exams in a dedicated notebook. This will allow you to track changes over time, and it’ll be a handy resource to report changes in your cat’s health to your vet during check-ups.
By: Dr. Jane Bicks

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

It’s February, which means it’s once again National Pet Dental Health Month. Current estimates show that approximately 75% of cats and dogs over the age of three suffer from poor dental health. Oral disease represents the most commonly diagnosed health problem for companion animals. While considered an inconvenience by many pet parents, proper dental care is a necessary component for overall health, as oral disease can lead to internal organ damage.

Pet parents need to be on the lookout for several dental disease warning signs, including …

Tartar build up

Receding, bleeding or swollen gums

Discolored or fractured teeth

Foul breath

Changes in eating habits

Excessive drooling

Sores on the lips or gums

If you note any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you schedule an appointment with your vet to discuss possible courses of action.

The best way to prevent onset of oral disease and infection is through brushing teeth with a pet-approved toothpaste. Don’t, under any circumstances, use human toothpaste, as dogs and cats swallow toothpaste, and they cannot process the chemicals in our over-the-counter brands. While committing to brushing your companion’s teeth regularly will go a long way to prevent dental disease, you should also …

Encourage play with toys that will help to abrade debris from teeth and gums

Provide dental chews to reduce the build up of plaque and tartar

Schedule regular dental exams with
your veterinarian

Feed food that promotes a healthy
digestive system

Did you know that certain breeds of dogs and cats are genetically predisposed to dental illnesses? According to recent data, the Maltese ranks highest among purebred dogs with persistent tooth and gum problems. In the cat world, the Siamese and the Abyssinian, charming as they are, both have serious tooth problems and often teeth pulled during their youth.

The quality of your pet’s food can also contribute to the onset of periodontal disease. Low quality foods can cause gastrointestinal problems, which can lead to bad breath. Easily digestible foods like Life’s Abundance not only provide high-quality nourishment, but also work to promote intestinal health.

At HealthyPetNet, we take dental health seriously. As pet parents ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to establish a consistent oral care routine. That’s why we’ve developed several products to address these critical issues, before they become major problems.

With HealthyPetNet’s Daily Oral Care, you can maintain a healthy routine without your companion animals even noticing! This formula is the ultimate breath enhancer and dental health promoter, perfect for dogs and for cats. It features refreshing mint oils along with the cleansing action of Yucca to neutralize offensive digestive tract odors that can contribute to bad breath. Simply add a capful of this tasteless, odorless liquid to your pet’s water to help maintain a healthy and pleasant smelling mouth. Like all of HealthyPetNet’s products, you’ll find it effective and safe, all without the use of harsh chemicals.

As veterinarians will tell you, almost as important as brushing is friction from chewing something tough but malleable (actual bones are not generally recommended). The majority of chewable “bones” for dogs on the market today are made from rawhide, which is difficult to digest and can cause severe intestinal problems. But there is a healthier option! Made with easy-to-digest pork skin, HealthyPetNet Dental Chews are a tasty and healthy alternative to rawhide. Dental Chews provide an optimal texture to help scrape tartar and plaque from teeth. And we’ve included a blend of mint and chlorophyll that will keeps dogs happily chewing their way to cleaner teeth, healthier gums and fresher breath.

Every now and again, we like to reward our beloved pups with a special indulgence. But you may have noticed that many of the popular treats on the market are laden with refined sugars, chemical preservatives, and artificial flavors and colors. Once again, HealthyPetNet has got your pet dental needs covered! Our Gourmet Dental Treats are made with a special blend of harvest grains, creamy peanut butter and natural honey. This unique recipe includes hefty helpings of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy teeth and bones. We’ve also added parsley to sweeten the breath. With Gourmet Dental Treats, you’ll be helping to support dental health and treating your dog to scrumptious oven-baked goodness!

As you can see, just by taking a few simple steps, you can help your companion animal enjoy a lifetime of dental health.

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Trilogy, means a “group of three things that are unified by a similar idea.” For us, it signifies our commitment to offering exceptional health products for people, the planet and pets.

As you already know, our pet products are formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, a nationally-recognized holistic veterinarian, to help our companion animals live healthier and happier lives. And our planet products consist of earth-friendly household cleaners that are more natural alternatives to harsh cleaning products. We are proud to introduce our first Trilogy product for people … Sealogix™ Omega-3 Pharmaceutical-Grade Fish Oil, which now available in both capsules and liquid.

To find out more about these exciting lines of health products, visit our brand new web site at www.trilogysite.com today! Be sure to check in often, as new products will be introduced in the coming months.

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Good joint health is crucial to your companion animal’s wellbeing. The ability to walk, run, jump, to move … these physical activities represent a large part of companion animals’ lives, including their unique ability to express themselves. Unfortunately, aching and/or stiff joints are just as much a part of aging for them as it is for humans. Here are some common symptoms of joint and/or flexibility problems:
-Reluctance to use stairs
-Difficulty getting up from a prone position
-Joints that pop or crack
-Stiffness in the morning or immediately after a long nap
-Unwillingness to jump, either on or off of furniture

 It is always advisable that you consult with your veterinarian when you suspect that your pet may be suffering in any way.

With dogs that are at-risk for hip dysplasia, it’s important that they get exercise to help slow the progression of the condition, but avoid taking them for very long or fast walks. Additionally, providing them with an orthopedic bed may help to make them more comfortable when resting.

So, what is the best way to address joint health issues? Dr. Jane suggests two complimentary products to help both reduce body weight and improve joint health – using an appropriate food, like Life’s Abundance Weight-Loss Formula, in tandem with a supplement like Agility for Dogs and Cats.

At present, there are several joint formulas marketed for companion animals. Unfortunately, most of these products treat the joint as an isolated goal; it is for this reason that they do not work as well as they could. Agility for Dogs and Cats is a holistic formula, which means that it takes into account the needs of the whole body and all the parts that work with the joints.

This formula contains optimal levels of the nutrients necessary to help maintain healthy joint cartilage and connective tissue, and to aid in the production of healthy synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints. This supplement features Glucosamine and MSM, and is a natural, holistic, multi-action joint support formula containing scientifically-tested ingredients.

Glucosamine helps maintain and promote joint and connective tissue health. It has been shown to be essential in the healthy development and ongoing maintenance of connective tissue and synovial fluid. Research studies indicate that Glucosamine may promote joint flexibility, mobility and lubrication, and may even play a role in rebuilding cartilage.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural source of organic sulfur, an element vital to the maintenance of healthy joints, bones, ligaments and tendons. This essential mineral may also help increase energy and assist in the healthy maintenance of skin, hair and nails.

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Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips