Eating Grass

While there are competing theories regarding why dogs and cats consume grass, a conclusive answer has yet to be supported by scientific study. Here’s a brief overview of the current speculation

• They simply like the taste and texture of the grass and eating it provides a sense of satisfaction

• It’s an ancestral thing – prey of wild dogs and cats frequently have grasses in their intestinal system, and domesticated dogs and cats still yearn for grass in the diet

• Our companion animals know of some nutritional value in grasses that we have yet to find out (like antioxidants or something similar)

• They do it to provoke vomiting if they’ve eaten something that has upset their stomachs

• They are augmenting their keen sense of smell with taste to uncover more about their environments
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Not all Treats are Created Equal

Jane Bicks, DVM

For years, holistic practitioners have worked to educate consumers about how even the slightest changes in environment, stress and diet can cause significant changes in health. As a holistic vet myself, I believe that nothing should be overlooked when it comes to ensuring the wellness of our beloved buddies.

Since we know that food is the foundation for a healthy life, most people select the best food to provide the many essential nutritional components our dogs can’t do without. But to make sure they receive the nutrition required to help boost healthy functioning, additional nourishment from health treats can be just what the doctor ordered.

To that end, treats should be selected based upon their nutritional merits rather than on cost, flavor or glitzy packaging.

Your pet’s treats should add the healthy components that are known to support hardy immune systems, strong muscles and optimal health. The nutrients required for superior support of these systems can be found in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as well as in foods like cranberries, apples, tomatoes, rice bran, whole grains and many others. read the entire article.

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Elderberry Defense

Elderberry Defense, one of my favorite wintertime products is on sale this week.

Elderberry Defense ® (100 caps)
$2 off a single bottle
Buy 4 get 1 free
Buy 9 get 3 free

Elderberry Defense® is great to have on hand during the cold weather season as it promotes immune system function and provides essential nutrients for health. Elderberry contains naturally occurring fruit acids, volatile oils and anthocyanins.

Scientific studies confirm elderberry’s immunostimulatory activity. Echinacea is the most popular herb in America for the immune system; it is mild and suitable for all ages. Olive leaf extract provides antimicrobial activity. Royal jelly is another remarkable nutritive food, produced by young nurse bees from honey and pollen to feed the queen bee.

Each capsule contains a special blend of elderberry extract, Echinacea purpurea root, olive leaf extract and royal jelly. Click here to order and see all sale items.

Click here for cold and flu season tips.
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5$ sale - Stocking Stuffer Ideas

14264-4 Liquid Chlorophyll (16 oz) $5.00

Chlorophyll [Intestinal] is the green pigment in plants that harnesses the sun’s energy in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll performs metabolic functions in plants such as respiration and growth. Interestingly, the chlorophyll molecule is chemically similar to human blood, except that its central atom is magnesium, whereas that of human blood is iron. Liquid Chlorophyll may help improve immune response and deodorize the body. The alfalfa plant, from which Nature’s Sunshine’s chlorophyll comes, is an excellent source of chlorophyll. Nature’s Sunshine offers chlorophyll in both liquid and capsules for varying needs.


12646-6 LBS II (100 caps) $5.00

LBS II Benefits: Supports normal bowel function; Helps support the bowel's natural detoxification process; Works gently; Encourages better digestion. This herbal laxative supports proper waste elimination and encourages colon cleansing.

13464-8 Cascara Sagrada (100 caps) $5.00

Cascara Sagrada, known as sacred bark, is one of Nature’s Sunshine’s most popular herbal products. The bark has been used by cultures around the world. Historically cascara sagrada has been used as an herbal laxative. Scientists are now investigating its potential for supporting gastrointestinal health. Nature’s Sunshine offers the herb individually or in many combinations.

13933-0 Pau D' Arco (100 caps) $5.00

Pau D’Arco bark comes from a tree that grows primarily in Argentina and Brazil. The tree is known as taheebo. Unlike other trees in its midst, pau d’arco does not develop fungus growth. It contains a chemical called lapachol, which may account for the herb’s traditional use in strengthening and supporting the immune system. Pau d’arco also has been used traditionally to maintain a healthy circulatory system. Nature’s Sunshine’s pau d’arco comes from Brazil.

To order these sale items and view all sale items, click here!

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H1N1 Update

Update on H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Pets
www.aspca.org

The latest rumors about how swine flu can affect your pet are spreading—but we're here to set the record straight! Read on for some expert advice from Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA.

"On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members," reports Dr. Murray. "The cat was tested for the virus at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and results were positive. All family members, including the cat, have now recovered."

The H1N1 influenza virus contains genetic material from four different influenza viruses, including human, swine, and avian influenza viruses. Previously known to be transmittable to both pigs and turkeys by infected humans, this is the first reported case of H1N1 affecting a cat. Several pet ferrets also recently became infected with the virus by human family members.

According to Dr. Murray, there is no evidence to date of a dog with H1N1 or of any human beings infected by a pet. However, she adds, "Commonsense measures should be taken with all pets to decrease the likelihood of potential virus transmission, including keeping pets out of the bedroom of anyone with flu-like illness and away from contaminated objects."

The ASPCA recommends that pet parents with flu-like symptoms protect their pets by washing hands thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with pets during the course of illness.

If your pet is displaying symptoms such as lethargy, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially after a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

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Brrr, it's cold outside!

Cold Weather Tips
www.aspca.org

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1.Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2.During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3.Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

4.Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

5.Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6.Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7.Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8.Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

9.Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

10.Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.


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FLUTD

As many pet parents know, urinary tract problems are a common kitty complaint. In part, that’s because cats evolved as desert animals, and therefore don’t have a strong instinctual drive to drink water. Not taking in enough fluids can result in a scenario where minerals pile-up in the kidneys and bladder, setting the stage for the formation of stones or crystals.

These problems are common enough that you should be on the lookout for these warning signs:

• Frequent urination
• Urination in places other than the litter box
• If she strains to urinate
• If you see any hint of blood in her urine

And now, there’s evidence to suggest that stress can be one of the primary causes of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).
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How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

While many people like the smell of puppy breath, the same can’t be said for “Dog breath”. It’s almost universally considered as eye-stingingly unpleasant. This phrase has even been used as a play-ground insult! While it’s a joke to some, when you look at the science behind foul panting, it’s clear that bad breath is anything but funny.

In fact, bad breath is epidemic, affecting four out of five companion animals over the age of three. Additionally, this condition could be a sign of dental disease, which can lead to health consequences throughout the whole body, not just in the mouth. As some veterinarians have rightly noted, infections of the gums and teeth can spread to other parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys and intestinal tract … even the joints!

Brushing your dog’s teeth and providing them with dental snacks are two ways to help improve the health of teeth and gums, especially in reducing the build-up of plaque. Unfortunately, however, many pet parents find brushing frustrating, which can result in a stressful experience for pets.

Thankfully, Dr. Sarah is here to share with you the proper technique for brushing your dog’s teeth.

If dental health is a priority for you, watch this short, how-to video about dental care, so you can help your pet fight dental disease and bad breath.
Click here to watch the video.

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Your dog is as smart as a two year old!

Researchers have found that dogs are capable of understanding up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and can perform simple mathematical calculations.

Using tests originally designed to demonstrate the development of language, pre-language and basic arithmetic in human children, the researchers were able to show that the average dog is far more intelligent than they are given credit for.
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Vaccine Sarcomas - Cats

A letter to the editor published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in October 1991 first raised the issue of a potential association between vaccination of cats for rabies and development of sarcomas. At about this same time, the vaccine industry had shifted from production of modified-live virus vaccines for rabies prophylaxis to killed-virus vaccines. This change had been encouraged by the USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) primarily because of concerns about vaccine-induced disease with the use of modified-live rabies virus vaccines. Most killed-virus vaccines contain adjuvants to enhance the immune response, and injection of some killed-virus vaccines has been shown to result in inflammatory granulomas in cats.2 Some of these inflammatory granulomas to progress to sarcomas.read the entire article.

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