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The herb Alfalfa for dogs and cats

Alfalfa contains a broad spectrum of nutrients, including a high percentage of protein, trace minerals, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, B1, B12, C, D, E, and K.  It is also very high in chlorophyll, which serves as an antioxidant in the bloodstream.  It can be used as a supplement in small quantities for animals who are already eating a species appropriate diet.

Arthritis – Alfalfa is a nutritive, it has anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.  It is good for arthritis support because it provides pain relief to the musculoskeletal system.

Cancer prevention – It is believed that alfalfa induces cellular activities and inactivates chemical carcinogens in the liver and small intestine before they can cause damage, thereby reducing the risk of cancerous growths.

Alfalfa should be harvested prior to coming into bloom (early summer).  The plant should be cut during dry weather and be allowed to dry in a moisture free place, out of sunlight.  Alfalfa can quickly grow out of control and take over a garden bed so it must kept under control.  Once it goes to seed it will spread very quickly.

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Poor Appetite or No Appetite in Dogs/Cats

The loss of appetite in dogs and cats is a vague symptom, but one that is important.  It can be caused by a wide variety of problems including:

  • Stomach or intestinal upset
  • A foreign body within the stomach or intestinal system
  • Pain or injury
  • Heart or lung disease
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Any number of other diseases

Some of the signs to watch for include; sudden appetite loss, gradual decrease in food consumption, intermittent appetite, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking/urinating, discomfort, additional behavioral changes, and anything else out of the ordinary.

What to do:

  • If there are no other signs other than loss of appetite, wait 24hrs to see if the animal improves.  If after one day the animal is still not eating, call your veterinarian.
  • Observe the animal for any other symptoms, evaluate the animal’s urine/feces, and discuss all observations with your veterinarian.
  • If the appetite returns after one day, continue to monitor the animal as it may be intermittent.  If this happens again, call your veterinarian.

What NOT to do:

  • Do not delay in contacting your veterinarian, you know your animal better than anyone.  If you think something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.
  • Do not try to offer the animal a variety of foods, it’s important to know if there is truly a problem and the earlier its addressed, the better.
  • Do not give the animal any medications unless they are prescribed by your veterinarian, it could make matters worse.

Dogs and cats generally have consistent and healthy appetites.  Changes in food, ingestion of a foreign body, an upset to its daily routine, and stressful environments among other things can cause temporary loss in appetite, but many serious diseases can also be linked to a poor appetite so we need to be observant and identify the cause as soon as possible so it can be addressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Foods that are not healthy for cats

Below is a list of some foods that should not be fed to cats.

  • Chocolate contains alkaloid theobromine which is toxic to cats.
  • Dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, whey, ice cream,….These should be avoided because a cat’s system lacks the enzymes needed to properly digest the proteins and sugars found in dairy products.
  • Dry cat food because it lacks nutritional value and its dehydrating.
  • Grains should be avoided because the offer no nutritional value to cats and they break down into sugar which contributes to health problems.
  • Grapes and raisins are known to be toxic to animals.
  • Some herbs can cause problems for cats so we need to make sure only herbs that are known to be safe for cats are given.
  • The use of microwave ovens to defrost or heat foods because they change the molecular structure of the food and this is not healthy.
  • Onions and garlic may irritate the digestive system and can destroy red blood cells.
  • Raw salmon can cause serious illness or death due to an infectious disease caused by rickettsia.
  • Soy contains compounds that can interfere with the absorption if nutrients.
  • Sugars of all type should be avoided because they aid in the spread of cancer and other disease.
  • Yeast because it is not well tolerated by some cats and can cause digestive upset, allergic reactions, bloating, and urinary problems.
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Fresh, homemade pet foods

A diet of fresh foods should be eaten by humans and fed to our animals because it is absolutely the healthiest diet overall.  It will provide the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins which is needed for good health and longevity.  A fresh species appropriate, balanced diet will enable the body to build a strong immune system, ward off disease, and thrive from the inside out.

Many studies have shown that chronic and acute diseases have been linked to the diet for both humans and animals.  Overall, as convenient as prepared, processed, and fast foods may be for some; the very best we can do for ourselves and our entire family (including our pets) is to provide a diet of fresh, wholesome foods.

There are many reasons to make your own pet food, some are listed below:

  • It can be less expensive than buying commercially prepared foods.  With a little labor, we can feed our pets a very high quality diet at a very reasonable price.
  • You are able to control the quality of the ingredients and the recipe that you use.  This leaves the shopping to us so we know exactly what has gone into the food, and we are able to customize the ingredients to our particular pet’s needs and likes.
  • Fresh foods always taste better, for both humans and animals.  We will know the expiration dates of the meat we use, and how long we have been storing it.
  • There is great satisfaction in preparing a homemade diet and I believe our pets know and appreciate it even more than anything store bought.
  • Making the food yourself, provides the most flexibility possible and makes rotating the diet simple.
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Importance of oral hygiene for pets

Periodontal disease develops as a result of bacteria in the mouth and can lead to even more serious health problems if not addressed.  Initially the bacteria forms plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth and minerals in the saliva harden the plaque (dental calculus or tarter).  Over time the dental calculus spreads and forms under the gum line which can then lead to damage of the tissue around the teeth and tooth loss.  The development of dental disease can be affected by genetics, tooth crowding, thin alveolar bone, age, diet, stress, concurrent disease, and oral hygiene.

Some of the symptoms of periodontal disease include;  bad breath, tarter buildup, thickening of tissues around the teeth, and redness around the gums.  Treatment involves the removal of bacterial plaque which may require professional dental cleaning, scaling, and polishing to resolve dental calculus and help the tissue to return to normal.  After the teeth are properly cleaned, a brushing schedule will need to be maintained to prevent this condition from returning.

Periodontitis requires more aggressive treatments such as root scaling to remove the plaque and smooth the root.  Antibiotics may be placed into the pockets of the gums during treatment and in severe cases, extraction of the tooth may be necessary.

Prevention of periodontal disease starts when the animal is young and includes a healthy diet and good, daily oral hygiene.  Raw bones and appropriate sized/hardness chew toys such as Nylabones and antlers will usually keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy when given on a daily basis.

 

 

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Herbs for pets

Below are just a few, of the many readily available herbs, that offer antibacterial and antiviral properties.  When following a proper dosage schedule, these can safely be given to pets.

As always, its best to consult with an experienced herbalist as well as discuss with your veterinarian prior to giving herbs to dogs and cats.

Antibacterial Herbs:

Calendula – can be used in first-aid to heal wounds and prevent infection.

Cinnamon – used to aid digestion and for its antibacterial properties.

Echinacea – when taken at the onset of infection, this herb can help speed the healing process.

Antiviral Herbs:

Astragalus – works by helping to boost the immune system.

Ginger – has both antiviral and antibacterial properties.  It also helps in digestion.

Licorice – both antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Oregano – both antiviral and antibacterial properties.

 

 

 

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Performance dogs

Performance dogs require energy to excel in their work.  Energy for dogs should be provided through protein, fat, and a small amount of carbohydrates from vegetable matter.

The function of proteins in the performance dog:

  1. It’s critical for building and repairing muscle and organ tissue.
  2. It’s essential for supplying amino acids for chemical and hormone body functions.
  3. It forms the major structural backbone of muscle, hair, skin, nails, ligaments, cartilage, and all organs.
  4. It’s important for normal blood functions.

The most important fuel source for performance dogs is fat, they use free fatty acids which come from fat as their main source of energy.  A pound of stored fat provides 3,500 kilocalories of energy to a dog.  Excess fatty acids that are not burned for fuel are converted back to free fatty acids and stored in the body as fat (typically over the ribs, hips,…).  Consider the work the dog is doing and adjust accordingly because we want our working dogs to always stay lean!

Lactic acid is a by-product of the chemical conversion of lactic anaerobiosis.  A diet high in carbohydrates and low in fats produces excessive lactic acid.

Excess lactic acid can cause problems for the performance dog such as:

  • Hyperglycemia (excess blood glucose).  This can have a negative impact on the endurance and performance of working dogs.
  • Inhibits the production of lipolysis (energy obtained from the breakdown of fats).  This can reduce performance and promote poor endurance
  • Osmotic edema (water swelling of the muscles).  This can cause a stiff gait and poor limb motility.

To prevent excess lactic acid production, do the following:

  • Feed a diet with moderate to high levels of fat prior to the training and performance season.  This will promote fatty acid oxidation as the primary source of energy production.
  • Feed a diet with moderate to high levels of fat during the competition season.
  • Keep the dog as calm as possible before an event begins to reduce lactic acid production.
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Healthy cats require appropriate nutrition

A cat is an obligatory carnivore.  This means they must eat meat to be healthy!

A cat’s digestive system evolved thousands of years ago and nature designed it to get its nutrients from whole foods.  In order to accomplish this, it must eat a species appropriate diet (a diet that evolved in nature for a specific animal).  A cat’s digestive system is short and acidic so when consuming the proper foods, the body utilizes the food quickly and efficiently.

Animal protein is a natural source of taurine which is a requirement for all cats.  Health problems such as dilated cardiomyopathy and blindness have been associated with diets lacking the proper amounts of taurine.  In addition, proteins provide essential amino acids which are required for the body to manufacture antibodies, enzymes, hormones, tissue, and maintain proper pH balance.  They also provide energy and are essential for growth and development.

Complete proteins are found in meats, eggs, and fish.  Incomplete proteins are found in legumes, grains, and vegetables.  Plant proteins are considered incomplete proteins because they do not supply all the necessary amino acids that a cat needs to maintain health.  Cats cannot convert beta-carotene from plants into vitamin A so they need to get their vitamin A from an animal source.

Carbohydrates are not necessary nutrients for cats.  A cat’s natural diet based on evolution, did not contain carbohydrates.  Grains are not needed and can actually cause problems because they break down into sugars, which is known to cause health issues including cancer.

The very best diet that you can provide your cat is a species appropriate, raw food diet that is high in animal proteins.  Cats who eat this way are vibrant, energetic, and have very little health problems throughout their lives.

 

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Digestive health for dogs and cats

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down foods, absorbing and distributing the nutrients throughout the body, and preventing toxins from entering the bloodstream.  The majority of the immune system originates in the digestive tract so proper digestion is essential for good health.

Foods high in probiotics, fiber, enzymes, and phytonutrients help to maintain proper digestion and strong immunity.  When high quality proteins are fed to dogs and cats they look and feel well.  Typically the coat, muscle tone, and endurance will be vibrant.

High quality protein – these have excellent digestibility such as muscle meats (including heart).

High to moderate protein – these have excellent to good digestibility and include organ meats such as liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, eyes, stomach, and spleen.

Poor quality protein – these have the poorest digestibility and include feet, beaks, bones, and feathers.

A healthy, balanced diet for carnivores is easy to digest, will generally consist of a variety of protein types, and includes a small amount of vegetable matter.  To determine the digestibility of the food, look at the volume of fecal matter as compared to the amount of food being fed.  The higher the digestibility of the food, the lower the volume of stool.  For example, if a cup of food is fed, significantly less fecal volume should be present because if the food is highly digestible then the body is absorbing and utilizing the nutrients.  If the stool volume is high, then the digestibility of the food is low and the body is not getting the nutrients it needs for good health.

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Anti-inflammatory diet for pets

An anti-inflammatory diet is one of the most important aspects of health for a carnivore.  Inflammation is one of the underlying problems of many health problems and one of its causes in our pets is an unnatural, processed diet.  A species appropriate (raw food diet) is anti-inflammatory by nature.  Corn, rice, and wheat are pro-inflammatory and are not part of a species appropriate diet.  Carnivore’s have no biological need for grains of any kind.  When the body is fed food that it doesn’t know how to properly digest, its natural inflammatory process kicks in and trouble often begins.  Weight gain, digestive issues, lethargy, allergies, and reoccurring infections are some of the things we see.  When these foods are fed over a long period of time, it can set the stage for poor immune response and disease.

Processed, commercial foods such as kibble are pro-inflammatory because they lack moisture and contain carcinogens and glycotoxins as a result of processing.  These foods are dehydrating, enzyme deficient, and put an undue burden on the body’s organs.

Foods naturally high in moisture such as fresh, raw meat and vegetables are critical in maintaining optimal health.  Animals will look great on the outside and feel terrific on the inside when they are fed their natural diet.  They will be happy, vibrant, and full of energy and you will be happy knowing your pet is thriving.