Thursday, January 31, 2008

Holistic Pet Care Expert Uses Nutrition and Pet Supplements to Heal Common Pet Health Conditions

Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist (www.AskAriel.com) announced today the launch of their new website AskAriel.com designed to help pets live longer and healthier lives through holistic pet care using nutrition and natural pet supplements.

"Contrary to some claims, 'people food' can actually be good for your pets," says Susan Blake Davis, holistic pet care expert and pet nutritionist who founded Ask Ariel.


"But, there is a big difference between giving your pet a homemade meal made with fresh ingredients and giving your pet table scraps. Table scraps contain too much fat and other non-nutritious ingredients that can make pets sick and disagree with their physiology, but fresh meals made with balanced ingredients can help them ward off diseases and chronic pet health conditions. I encourage people to give their pets wholesome nutritious meals made from lean meats, brown rice, flax oil and fresh vegetables-otherwise known as "people food".


Davis' new website, www.askariel.com is a library of common pet health conditions with guidelines on how to treat them using diet, nutrition and pet supplements. Davis advocates natural homemade diets and teaches pet owners that high quality "people food" such as raw meat, vegetables and vegetable juices can help heal an ailing pet. All of her holistic treatment plans and pet supplements are veterinarian-approved.


"Susan Davis is very knowledgeable about pet nutrition and the holistic care of animals," says Dr. David Gordon, a practicing veterinarian in Lake Forest, California. "She has achieved remarkable results."

Davis is passionate about what she does and offers holistic pet health consultations to help pet owners use diet, nutrition and pet supplements to heal their pets. "Many pet owners aren't aware that some of the ingredients in many pet foods-even premium pet foods might be harming their pet's health," said Davis.

Davis' approach to animal healing is truly holistic in that she looks at the animal's complete health composite and doesn't try to recommend a "magic pill" for one specific problem. "Many websites try to sell one supplement to solve all of your pet's problems," said Davis. "There is no 'one cure, food or pet supplement' that will solve everything. It just doesn't work that way."


The popularity of Davis' practice and services like www.AskAriel.com follow an ever-increasing trend by pet owners who are looking for answers beyond traditional veterinary care to improve their pet's health and longevity. "The $1 billion plus pet supplement industry is rapidly expanding," said Bill Bookout, President of the National Animal Supplement Council. "An estimated 20% of American households now purchase animal health supplements."

Proceeds from AskAriel.com will help fund Ariel Rescue, a charity founded by Davis that saves the lives of abandoned shelter dogs.

For more information about Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist or Susan Davis, CCN, pet nutritionist, please visit
www.askariel.com or call 949-499-9380.

NEWS SOURCE: Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist







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Thursday, January 3, 2008

Are All Those Pet Vaccinations Really Necessary?

Would you like to save money and have a healthier pet? Let me tell you a story. One day, my German Shepherd was asleep, as usual, when he suddenly started convulsing so intensely that I thought he must be dying. It went on for a few minutes, which seemed like forever. After, I couldn’t believe he was OK. It turned out to be a seizure, and it was then that I began to learn about alternative medicine for pets. The most interesting thing I found out was that vaccinations seem to be a main cause of seizures in dogs, and annual vaccinations are not necessary, possibly causing more harm than good.


After that incident, we stopped vaccinating and the seizures became less and less. I’m going to tell you how it’s in both your and your pet’s best interest to avoid yearly vaccinations. Annual re-vaccination is simply not necessary.Here is an excerpt from page 205 of Current Veterinary Therapy XI, a reference considered to be the premier resource for the entire veterinary field.“A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations. ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION THERE IS NO IMMUNOLOGIC REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REVACCINATION. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal.”


If you’re concerned about not vaccinating yearly, you can get proof of immunity even years after the shot, by a blood test called a titer. Many veterinarians, especially holistic vets, will provide these tests. See http://www.AlternativesForAnimals.com for a directory of holistic vets. Overvaccination can even cause more harm than good. This is something that almost all holistic vets agree upon, and some of the top vets in the country attribute many health problems to vaccines.Dr. Richard Pitcairn, a holistic pioneer and well respected vet who researched immunology extensively, believes that the biggest factor contributing to epilepsy in dogs is yearly vaccinations.


(1) Many seizures happen within a few weeks of dogs getting their shots.According to this theory that overvaccination causes harm, vaccines work with immunity, and overvaccination weakens the immune system. This in turn causes auto-immune problems in cats and dogs like skin problems, hair loss, tumors, and arthritis. A weakened immune system leaves your pet open to all kinds of potential health problems.


(2)Why do almost all conventional vets recommend yearly vaccinations? It’s been the industry standard. According to veterinarian Dr. Carolyn Blakey, it accounts for up to 80% of a vet’s business. To recommend less frequent vaccination, vet businesses would take a big financial blow. If it concerns you to avoid vaccinations, are there any alternatives? There are a couple options. Some holistic vets follow a modified program of vaccinations, giving them at less frequent intervals.Another option is homeopathic. Homeopathic nosodes are a remedy administered to pets that are believed to assist in disease prevention. Nosodes are made from the actual virus, just like a vaccine, but are made differently and are totally safe.According to Donna Starita, DVM, a leading homeopathic vet, many studies show homeopathic nosodes to be just as effective or more so than conventional vaccines in preventing disease.


(3)Some breeders, such as author Celeste Yarnall, Ph.D., that are interested in more natural methods use exclusively nosodes in place of regular shots. They swear by it’s effectiveness and they say their animals are much healthier than earlier generations that got shots.


(4) So, it’s OK to question the necessity of yearly pet vaccinations, with their questionable necessity and potential adverse effects on your pet’s health. This is the beginning of this movement, and over the coming years, it’s my opinion that we’ll probably see more movement away from such frequent vaccination. Some veterinary schools are already changing their curriculum to advocate changes in vaccination frequency. In the end, it will save us all money, and we’ll have healthier pets.So next time you get that little reminder card in the mail that your pet is due for their shots, think twice! And switch your pet’s care to a vet that is more careful about the use of vaccines. See http://www.AlternativesForAnimals.com for a FREE online directory of holistic vets.


Sources:(1) Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Pitcairn & Pitcairn(2) The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs & Cats by Diane Stein with excerpt by John Fudens, DVM(3) The Dangers of Vaccinations, and the Advantages of Nosodes for Diseases Prevention by Dr. Donna Starita Mehan(4) Cat Care, Naturally! by Celeste Yarnall About the Author Angela Predhomme is the owner and creator of the holistic pet directory, Alternatives for Animals, at http://www.alternativesforanimals.com


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More info on the dangers of annual pet vaccinations here:


http://www.vaccinetruth.org/animal_vaccines.htm


http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm





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Wednesday, January 2, 2008

How To Treat Your Cats Hairballs Naturally

By: Carmen Black


Hairballs are caused by a cat swallowing its own fur during the normal process of cleaning itself, and then not being able to eliminate the fur during defecation. This can be caused by a couple of things. If your cat is a long-haired variety, it's imperative that you comb him or her daily if possible. It's very common for long-haired cats, even young, healthy ones, to develop hairballs if not properly groomed.

Younger cats have an innate ability to eliminate the fur due to the fact their digestive systems are stronger and more resilient. It's possible for a short-haired cat to develop a hairball problem as they get older, just because they're no longer able to eliminate the fur. The most common symptom of hairballs is vomiting. If your cat vomits and you see fur in it, that's almost undoubtedly the problem. The second most noticeable symptom is constipation. If you see that your cat isn't using the box as normal, this could also be the problem.

Once you determine that this is the cause of the vomiting or constipation, there are a few options for treatment. However, I would advise being careful to make sure this really is the problem. If your cat seems otherwise healthy, eating normally, playing, etc...this would be my first assumption. If the cat exhibits any symptoms of being ill as in not eating, not playing, seems feverish, I would recommend a vet visit.


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To treat hairballs, there are over the counter remedies that contain mineral oil. Mineral oil is a petroleum based product that is the equivalent to taking a harsh laxative for us humans. If you've ever used these products, you know they're not really good for you, but if you're miserable, they'll do.

If you'd like to avoid that, there are a couple of healthy, natural alternatives. A teaspoon of olive oil added to your cat's wet food for a few days can help clear up the problem. Also, and maybe even better, try using canned pumpkin in the wet food. About a tablespoon per day is a good amount. The pumpkin is high in fiber. It may work a little more slowly than the olive oil, but the fiber is good for kitty. We sometimes forget that big cats in the wild do get fiber in their diet by eating the remains in the stomachs of their prey, which are most always herbivores.

After you begin using these remedies, keep an eye on your friend. If the symptoms don't clear up in a two or three days, take him or her to the vet. Older cats can become impacted, which is a dangerous situation and requires veterinary care. Take care of your baby and you can enjoy many years of friendship and love.

For some great free article writing information, go here:

Carmen Black

http://www.biasonuspublishing.com/TheArticleGuy.htm





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