RANDOM POSTS
Health 101 – for Canines and Felines
Diet Can and Does Affect Your Dog’s and Cat’s Mental Health
Cats, dogs and humans have more
serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) than in the brain. A
diet that disrupts that natural balance of the GI tract adversely
affects brain function and moods. A diet which exposes your dog or cat
to heavy metals and toxins creates toxic loading on your pet’s entire
system including the brain. Canine dementia (Canine Alzheimer’s) is
caused by the same triggers that cause human Alzheimer’s. Heavy metals
present in processed food, chemical toxic overload etc. Just because a
food is advertised as natural, holistic, organic does not mean that the
food conforms to any of those terms. Diet can cause and/or contribute to
behavior problems. For example if one or more of the ingredients in an
Organic pet food are sourced from China – organic becomes meaningless,
more on that further below.
A truly good diet, when approached holistically is:- Your dog’s and cat’s best defense against infections, other illness, insects and parasites, chronic disease, and injury
- Of prime importance in treating and remedying health issues
- Of prime importance for mental and physical health and longevity
- An amazing tool to mitigate and/or eliminate dependency on conventional drugs
- A invaluable way to save you heart ache and copious amounts of money thrown away on avoidable health issues unnecessary, inappropriate and/or ineffective treatments prescribed by some veterinarians
Prior to the 1950′s the expected
lifespan for a dog was twice what it is today. Golden retriever’s are
now known as the ‘Cancer Dog’ – with life expectancy hovering around the
9 to 10 year mark. If this was pre-1950 you could expect your Golden to
live 17 to 18 years.
Dogs and cats are over-exposed to
antibiotics, over medicated, over vaccinated, over-prescribed
chemical-based insect and parasite preventatives and are on diets that
do not support short or long term mental and physical health. I avoid
these health deteriorating pit-falls with my own dogs and assist my
client’s to do the same.
Chronic disease in our canine and feline
companions is on a rapid upward trajectory - just as it is in our
human population. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, cancer,
colitis, diabetes, oral health issues such as gingivitis – more than 160
inflammatory diseases are on the rise. Acid reflux, canine Alzheimer’s
(also known as canine dementia), thyroid and gastrointestinal
conditions, urinary tract issues (infections, crystals, stones) – the
panacea of illness affecting our animal companions is on a sharp upward
tract. While conventional drugs can be used to treat a symptom, such
drugs do not form the basis for a long-term remedy. Conventional drugs
can cause mild to extreme adverse reactions – and in the short and long
term they can also trigger other serious health conditions.
While cancer can be said to be a
‘naturally’ occurring condition, a condition for which canines and
humans have been subject to for many thousands of years – the broad
array of cancer types and the number of dogs acquiring cancer can no
longer be categorized as ‘natural’.
Cancer’s expanded repertoire is a man-made situation.
Why is the incidence of cancer so high?
In the majority of the primary cause is processed commercial pet food
and treats. Other avoidable contributing factors are dog / cat health
care products such as dental chews and toothpaste, shampoo,
chemical-based insect and parasite preventatives, over vaccination,
overly invasive spay methods and avoidable environmental toxins. Chronic Infections
In 2012 and 2013 ear infections were the
#1 reason for a trip to the veterinarian in the category of non-life
threatening conditions. Why is the incidence of ear infections so high?
The largest single trigger is commercial processed dog ‘food’. Other
significant contributing factors are commercial dental care products,
shampoo, off-the-shelf and prescription spot-on and ingested insect
parasite preventatives, other conventional drugs, over vaccination,
household cleaning products, lawn and garden chemicals, etc.
The allopathic veterinarian’s standard response to an ear infection is prescription of conventional antibiotics. The allopath
seeks to treat the symptom (in this case the ear infection) but does
not take a strategic and informed approach to remedying the root cause
of the symptom. The end-result – chronic ear infections and now an
increasing incidence of dogs and cats with antibiotic resistance, a life
threatening condition.
The antibiotic suppress the immune
system leaving the dog or cat susceptible to further infection. The
allopathic veterinarian will often prescribe additional conventional
drugs – steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as
prednisone which further destabilize the health of the dog or cat.
Meanwhile the root cause of the chronic condition is not addressed or
may be incorrectly addressed via prescription dog or cat food (some of the worst food you can give your dog or cat).
In addition to these unfortunate choices
of intervention, the allopathic veterinarian may prescribe a
conventional topical treatment (i.e. shampoo, ear drops, skin ointment).
These conventional topical treatments typically contain toxins,
carcinogens and known allergens.
To make matters worse not all holistic veterinarians are actually holistic in their approach.
The majority of ‘food’ products
available in pet stores and veterinarian offices are processed (as
opposed to whole, natural, unaltered) foods. These processed foods are
stripped of their original nutritive value from over-processing after
which synthetic additives are added to compensate. These products
contain both listed ingredients and hidden ingredients. The listed
ingredients in many products pose major health issues for you dog or
cat, as do the hidden ingredients.
Unfortunately approval of food ingredients (listed and unlisted) and food composition by organizations such as AAFCO, Health Canada and the FDA are no assurance of quality nor of safety.
Even the ASPCA gets it wrong when it comes to listing foods that are good and bad for your dog. Coconut, dairy (specifically cheese, yogurt), garlic, lemon, herbal tea
are just a few of the valuable nutraceuticals and herbs that the ASPCA
writes-off as ‘dangerous’ for dogs. When used as they should be these
nutraceuticals an herbs are very beneficial for the majority of dogs.
Yet truly dangerous substances for dogs and cats such as corn are not listed by the ASPCA as dangerous. This is just shameful.
The pet industry is without a doubt a difficult place to navigate.
Unbiased information, not tainted by corporate sponsorship, lobbyists, greed and misinformation is hard to find.
Dogs and cats deserve better of mankind.
Providing my clients with unbiased information is something that I feel very strongly about.
For information regarding the Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Health and Wellness Services I offer you can go here.
Labels: Animal Welfare, Education, Health
posted by Pieface @ 10:08 AM
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