Holistic Pets

The pet food industry underwent some major changes in 2007. More than 5,000 products – about 60 million individual packages of food – at all price levels were recalled. The wheat gluten in the wet foods produced by major manufacturers contained dangerous chemicals like melamine.

As consumers and pet lovers learned more about the lack of regulation in the pet food industry, they became outraged. Sales of pet food plummeted after the recall, because many pet owners felt safer feeding their pets with “people food” until they knew what alternatives were safe.

This consumer response brought about changes in the industry. Major retailers increased their oversight processes, and many stopped buying tainted foods from China. Some manufacturers have even developed plans to build their own dedicated facilities.

But lots of Americans aren’t satisfied. Almost two-thirds of American households have at least one pet, and these households have often started switching to organic or natural pet foods. This may be partially due to “humanization,” a term that refers to the process of thinking of your pet as a family member. Recent surveys have revealed that consumers want pet food that makes their pets seem, well, more human.

The Pegetables Dog Chew Treats, made by Splintek, are an example of natural pet foods. They contain many vitamins and minerals, as well as a balance of essential fats and proteins. They also contain vegetables like carrots, corn, and celery, which maintain healthy body functions. Pet owners can even treat their friends to luxuries like Doggie Dance chicken tenders or biscotti that tastes like liver.

The pet food industry is responding and using “natural” ingredients and preservatives, like vitamins, oils, and spices. These new practices are closely monitored: all products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% of ingredients that meet the standards for organic foods for human use.

Some manufacturers, like Newman’s Own Organics in California, have certified their entire product line as organic. They use only American ingredients and avoid potential problems like wheat gluten. Instead, they use healthy ingredients like chicken fat and fish meal (sources of essential fatty acids), soy meal and flax seed meal for protein, brown rice, barley, and oats for energy, and an array of veggies to keep your pet healthy.

The “humanization” trend has affected Purina, which launched a new product in its Beneful line. These ready-to-eat meals come prepackaged in sets of eight, just like microwaveable dinners for humans. You can choose from entrees like beef stew with vegetables and barley, chicken with rice and vegetables, beef and turkey medley, roasted chicken and vegetable pasta, rice and lamb stew… the possibilities are numerous!

All of these new products are designed to maximize healthy lives for pets by containing the proper balance of nutrients and vitamins. As people live longer, they want their pets to be there with them, and the “humanizing” trend makes this desire even stronger. Specially-formulated pet foods can be purchased for every stage of a dog’s life, and for every size and breed of dog.

But healthiness is only part of the equation. Consumers are preoccupied with the idea of “fancy” or “upscale” foods, and they are starting to look for those same qualities in the foods they buy for their pets. Owning a pet is now also having a friend and a member of the family who deserves the quality you do, which might explain why consumers have doubled the amount of money they spend on pets in the last decade.

Known as the Gateway to the North, Edmonton in Alberta, Canada is a popular commercial, manufacturing, and transportation center situated in an agricultural and mining area. Having a rich agricultural area, Edmonton is known to be one of the best places to breed and buy a pet parrot.

Indeed, if there were one type of bird that is preferred by many pet lovers, that would be parrots. Over the years, parrots have become a popular choice for pets because they colorful, beautiful, entertaining, and impressive pets to have.

And since they can be trained to “talk,” or imitate sounds from their environment, parrot pets are considered wonderful companions by many seasoned animal lovers. If you’re planning to buy a pet parrot in Edmonton—or in any place for that matter—here are some of the basic things that you have to purchase to give your parrot pet a healthy and happy environment:

1. A decent and loving home. Just like any other parrot, Edmonton parrots pets are known to thrive in attention. Giving the bird a decent and loving home will keep it healthy and closer to its owner.

2. Good healthy diet. It is quite important to feed your pet parrot the best diet that you can. Try to change its diet and make it as interesting as possible.

3. A large and safe cage. Although large pet parrot cages are advisable, it’s not really necessary. What’s important is you provide your pet parrot the proper or medium-sized cage it needs to explore and sleep in. For Edmonton parrot pets, it is advisable that you buy cages that can be transformed into a play area to keep your parrot amused and safe.

4. A good range of toys. It is a must that every bird posses a variety of toys to play. At least three sets of toys are recommended to keep your pet parrot interested. Try to choose toys that are non-destructive and are large or small enough to fit into your parrot’s cage. It’s not really necessary to buy expensive toys because they can be home-made as long as the parrot enjoys it.

5. A dependable T-stand. T-stands are actually training tools, thus, they should not be placed where the bird can use it often because they can do tricks you might miss.

Other must haves include the gym or play stand, scale, and a carrier to transport them safely.

The ultimate Edmonton parrot pet site

To acquire more knowledge about Edmonton parrot pets, visit the Edmonton Pet Parrot Association (EPPA) website. The site aims to educate the general public about the proper way of taking care parrots.

To update themselves, its members conduct meetings every month. The site also features different parrot monthly and conducts talks and discussions regularly. The guest speakers present research reports and also conduct toy-making sessions.

The EPPA mainly focuses on aspects of keeping healthy and happy pet parrots. In their meetings, helpful information on topics like parrot nutrition, health, and behavior are featured. Round table discussions on suggested topics and experiences of Edmonton parrot pets are also shared. The site also features the parrots they breed like Alexandrines, Amazons, Macaws, Quakers, and Ringnecks. The site accepts interested parrot pet owners for membership.

In my article “Pets Are Big Business,” I discuss the trends that make pet products and services such a great opportunity for entrepreneurs: America is a nation of animal lovers, and pets are the new status symbols; a well cared-for pet is a sign of achievement.

Not only do we have more pets per household then ever before; additional trends in pet demographics create new niches for pet products and services. In particular, “senior pets” are carving out a niche of their own. Consider:

–Pets are living longer than ever before. This is a self-perpetuating cycle: pets receive better care; they live longer; older pets require specialized products and services.

–People are more likely than they used to be to adopt older pets; therefore animal shelters and rescue organizations are more likely to keep these pets available for adoption rather than euthanize them.

–No-kill shelters, unheard-of a few years ago, are increasingly common and are also more likely to keep older pets for adoption (as well as pets with other special needs).

This trend toward an older pet population creates the need for a whole new line of pet products and services. Think of the possibilities:

–Heated beds to keep elderly pets warm at night.

–Special furniture, ramps, and steps for pets who can’t climb as well as they used to.

–Pet food that is formulated for less-active pets and is easier to chew.

–Doggy and kitty day care and home visitation for older and special-needs pets.

–Buggies and strollers for less-mobile small pets.

–Skin, ear, eye, and dental care products for older pets.

–Doggy sweaters and jackets to keep less-active pets warm.

Pets are big business indeed, and older pets and special-needs pets present a special area of opportunity as they become more numerous-and more respected-members of the pet population.

When you’ve decided which product or service for older pets lights your entrepreneurial fire, you’ll need to find a marketing expert who shares your passion for pets. You deserve success for your devotion to this special niche!

The vet in your dogs and cats life is now able to treat obesity in pets. As the pet owners weight is reaching new plateaus pets are following suit. Fat pets are becoming more and more common. This trend in pet’s corpulence is verified in the American Journal of Veterinary Research. A third of dogs and cats are overweight in America. These statistics are found in a few studies that attributed the findings to unhealthy pet foods and a sedentary lifestyle.

Researchers suggested that this would bring on pet related maladies that would mimic human health problems. The point is that pets and owners are on the fast track to accelerate aging. Pets are developing the same diseases that their human counterparts have. They now get diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems just like the human population.

Couple that with the fact that medical procedure have been growing at the fastest pace in cardiovascular devices and orthopedics. The same type of modalities is being explored for your pets. Most of the market segments it addresses are products or drugs for people 60 or above. An overweight eight year old dog is akin to an overweight fifty-six year old man and subject to many of the same health risks. Fat pets wind up at risk for age related conditions that are brought on by poor nutrition.

The true fat cat has to be the vet in your pet’s life. They call this the golden age for medicine. As they lineup more surgery and drugs to treat us in our senior years, they now can offer Fido the same procedures. The cost of veterinarian care has continued to climb out pacing inflation. To keep a pet healthy takes a big part of the household budget.

As of Jan 18, 2007 there is a new anti- obesity drug for overweight dogs that recently got approval from the food and drug administration. Paunchy porches and portly pets may be liked for their cuddliness but not the extra health care costs. In hot humid weather overweight dogs have more problems with overheating.

Flabby cats can develop skin problems from not being able to groom themselves. Different veterinary reports explore the reason we see overweight pets, and its impact on mobility, the role of surgery in redressing mobility issues, as well as how physiotherapy and rehabilitation can help.

As people bring fatter pets into their veterinarian’s hospitals and clinics a new fat cat industry will be emerging, one that will cater to maintaining and preserving the overweight dog and cat’s life. The Vet will eventually have an array of pharmaceuticals in their arsenal and be inclined to prescribe them. A mans best friend may be his pet, but a pets best friend may not be humans.

No family wants to hear that their pet has been injured and the unwelcome news that a pet has died can be heartbreaking for a young child. Keeping pets safe during the holiday season will take the efforts of everyone that visits the home, because pets have the tendency to wander and stray from the home they grew up in. Most families will consider boarding a pet during the holidays to keep it safe from harm.

As holiday decorations are brought out, there are certain areas that should be closely examined to ensure pets will be safe. A pet might know by instinct to avoid fire, but they might not realize the damage that could occur from logs that have been placed in the fireplace. Fire logs pose a great danger to pets because they have a tendency to shift while burning. House pets such as cats like to snuggle next to fireplaces when they nap and may realize too late that embers from the fire have escaped from the fireplace. Pet owners should ensure that fire screens are in place at all times.

When pets are allowed outdoors without any supervision, pets might be exposed to dangers that may seem harmless to humans. Cats and dogs love to sniff and explore the wide, open spaces in the backyard and may encounter harmful poisons in many parts of the yard. Homeowners should secure anti-freeze in a locked container or store it in a shed that cannot be accessed by animals of any kind. Anti-freeze is a flavorful mixture that pets will drink and drinking it will prove to be deadly in a short time.

The access areas where an animal roams in the yard might have ornamental vegetation growing that is toxic to pets. A pet owner should consider very carefully the types of trees that are planted on the property because some will prove deadly to cats, and children can become sick from continued exposure to them too. The aromatic benefits of cedar trees might work well inside the home if mulched and placed in sachet holders, but these pillows of fragrance should never be allowed to be used as a play toy by an indoor animal.

Some of the dangers will come from Christmas holly and potted poinsettia plants that were received as Christmas gifts from a neighbor. The leaves of poinsettia plants are poisonous to cats and dogs and should be kept out of reach at all times. Fresh Christmas trees have pine needles that could prove toxic to a pet that chews a branch in the middle of the night. A homeowner should place wire barriers around fir trees and junipers and gather mistletoe that has fallen to the ground.

The winter months will bring low temperatures, and animals will feel the change especially at night. To keep outdoor pets safe from the harsh climates during the wintertime, it is imperative that they be provided with an insulated shelter to sleep in at night and keep them safe and dry during the daytime and when it is raining, sleeting or snowing outside. The shelter should accommodate the size and number of animals that will be using it.

Dog owners should ensure that an extra ration of food is included in the daily diet during the winter months. This extra food ration will help accommodate the nutritional needs that dogs have because their bodies require extra calories to be burned every time their body generates heat to keep warm. This consumption of body fuels will be noticeably more in animals who are overweight or those whose coats are not designed for extreme temperatures.

Alternative medicine for pets can be just as helpful for animals as it is for people. Although most of us think of alternative medicine as being new, alternative ways of treating  pets have been around for centuries. In fact, pets will often self-medicate by chewing on plants in your backyard because intuitively, they know that certain plants and herbs are good for them. In this article, you’ll about the various natural treatment modalities available for animals.

Alternative pet health includes those who practice chiropractic techniques, holistic medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. While these professionals can have a positive impact on your pet’s health, if your pet has serious symptoms, it’s important to take your pet to a vet first because some conditions do require surgery or radical treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.

<b>Alternative Medicine for Pets</b>

Chiropractic uses manipulation to restore proper alignment  and motion to the joints and spinal column. In addition to doing adjustments, chiropractors often  use something called an activator which is a handheld device that releases tight muscles that may be pulling the spine  or joints out of alignment.

Massage moves the lymph and relaxes the muscles. You can do this yourself by learning some simple strokes. In fact, most pets prefer to by massaged by their owners. A weekly pet massage can have great benefits for your cat or dog, let alone the bonding it creates.

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine for pets that is based on Chinese medicine. The acupuncturist inserts tiny needles into meridian points, freeing up blockages, so energy can flow unobstructed.  

Homeopathic medicine uses diluted formulations and the principle of “like treats like.” While drugs may do little more than just suppress the symptoms, homeopathic remedies can actually get to the root cause of the illness or disorder. By fortifying the immunity and delivering herbs in  a tonic that contains vitamins and minerals, you create the possibility for healing. The best alternative medicine for pets contains important herbs like Milk Thistle and Mistletoe which actually eliminate toxins from the body and are rich in anti-oxidants which fight cancer, heart trouble and other diseases.

In the past twenty years, science has proven that negative stress is damaging to the body. This is true for humans and for pets. This is why antioxidants, a daily dose of vitamins and minerals and alternative pet health treatments can help your pet to heal, restore energy, vitality and prolong life.

These days, so many people are trying to live allergies and pets…Dealing with the constant congestion, itching and wheezing, the splitting headaches and other discomforts of allergies, and loving the furry source of all this misery is a tough spot to be in. But it’s exactly where an estimated ten million American pet owners find themselves right now.

Beyond the wonderful companionship and unconditional love, dogs and cats have some remarkable physical effects on the body.

Caring and cuddling these little (and sometimes not so little) critters can reduce anxiety and actually lower our blood pressure. What an enjoyable, simple and totally natural way to do something good for your health.

Allergy symptoms that are caused by pets bring on the discomforts we’re all familiar with – those itchy, watery eyes, blotchy hives, constant sneezing, awful congestion – sometimes even asthma.

Experts believe that you can develop a dog allergy some months or even years after making the pet a part of your life. If this happens to you, your best bet is to get tested to be sure your symptoms are a result of man’s best friend – and not other allergens like pollen, dust or mold – that can also be culprits.

In rare instances people outgrow allergies, including those to pets.

One of the best ways to comfortably co-exist with your beloved furry friend is to identify your allergy and undergo a series of shots to desensitize your system. Over the counter or prescription medications are also available to treat the symptoms, though the best remedy is to remove the pet from the home.

If you’re a pet lover with identified allergies, you may have heard of hypoallergenic breeds, like those being considered by President-elect Barak Obama’s family. The problem is, according to experts, there really is no such thing as hypoallergenic breeds.

Research has shown that allergies aren’t caused by the hair, allergens are produced by the animal’s saliva, dander and urine – so even a hairless dog, or one of the breeds often identified as hypoallergenic such as bichon frises, poodles and Malteses willproduce allergens that are brought into the environment.

There really isn’t any research that points to whether certain breeds are more allergy-friendly than others, though the main dog allergen that people often react to isn’t present in all dogs. The most important factors related to pet allergies are the size of the animal and the volume of hair it has. Of course an outdoor animal can bring pollens, mold spores and other allergens into the home that may also trigger an allergy attack.

Before you commit to a new pet, consider a trial period so you can see how the person who has the allergies manages.

If you just fall in love with a four legged friend, yet someone at home has pet allergies, here are some tips you can try to keep everyone happy. You can…

- Keep the bedrooms pet free zones, no exceptions.
- Wash bedding weekly, including the pet’s bed.
- Have as little carpeting in the main living area as you can.
- Vacuum any carpeting daily.
- Use a HEPA air filter in the bedroom to trap and remove allergens from the air.
- Wash the dog once or twice each week.
- Wash your own hands after interacting with the animal.

By following these few steps you can help yourself cope with the awful symptoms allergies to pets cause and still live with the pet you love.

If you’re looking for a way to prevent illness in pets, then you’re smart and proactive. Many of the disease that pets suffer from that ultimately shorten their lives can be prevented by taking some simple steps, all of which will be explained in this article. So if you’re a caring pet owner, read on.

Although it makes sense that one of the best ways to prevent illness in pets is to feed your pet proper food, many dog and cat lovers are unwittingly feeding their beloved pets a junk food diet. Next time, you feed your dog or cat, take a moment to read the ingredients on the label. What you don’t want to see are names of chemicals that you can’t pronounce, dyes, preservatives, fillers and cheap grains. These ingredients are as toxic to pets as they are to humans. Just to give you an example of how important good ingredients are, did you know that cheap grains in junk pet food can alter the pH of the bladder, setting the stage for urinary tract infections and bladder stones. Of course a junk food diet over the lifetime of a pet can lead to any number of diseases, including cancer.

This is why it’s important to feed your pet organic kibble that is made with real meat, vegetables, whole grains and healthy oils. You can also make your pet a stew from meat or fish, broth and vegetables, but kibble is more convenient and pets really like it. Since even good food has been compromised by mineral-deficient soil and pollution, it is crucial to give your pet a daily supplement. Problem is not all supplements are created equal.

Look for a supplement that contains essential vitamins like C, A and E, along with important minerals like Selenium. This remedy should also contain herbs like Mistletoe and which are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals which cause disease and premature aging and also clean out the liver, helping it to function properly. Detoxifying the liver is important because the liver breaks down fat (keeping your pet lean and healthy) and also filters out toxins. In addition to good food, adding a good quality supplement is the smartest and most effective way to prevent illness in pets.

The next step you need to take is to make sure your pet always has a big, clean bowl of water. Although this seems like common sense, a lot of pet owners neglect this step. There is an entire theory that many diseases are the result of chronic dehydration. Certainly dehydration plays a part in diseases of the bladder. Since tap water can be full of chemicals, make sure to use a tap filter.

The fourth step is to make sure that your pet gets regular exercise. So many pets spend their entires lives chained up in the backyard and this is where many health problems start. Like us, pets need regular exercise to clean out their lymph systems and relieve pent up physical stress.

The fifth step is to make sure your pet gets plenty of love and attention. Touch your pet, give massages once in a while and make sure your pet knows that he or she is loved. There have been plenty of studies that have linked strong immunity, health and longevity to touching, love and care.

Following these 5 simple, but practical steps will prevent illness in pets and ensure that your pet stays healthy and lives a long, happy life. Preventative pet care is one of the best ways to show your cat or dog how much you care.

Pet Fountain: A Great Investment for Your Cat’s Health

If you are very much concerned about the health and nutrition of your cat, then you will not think twice about investing in something that will ensure her wellbeing. As such, maybe it is high time that you should think about getting her a pet fountain. This equipment is the best thing that you can buy to meet the need of your cat for clean and fresh water.

A pet fountain will also help entice your cat to drink water more often, especially if she ignores the water bowl. Because cats need a great amount of water to stay properly hydrated, getting a pet fountain for her is definitely a step towards her better health.

Meeting Your Cat’s Need for Water

The water need of your cat is more than the dry food that she consumes every day by two and a half times. This volume of water is doubled or tripled during other times like when the weather is very hot or when you have subjected your cat to some exercises. If your cat is also lactating, then she will also need more water. So a pet fountain is really a very smart buy if you want to ensure the healthy state of your cat by meeting her water needs. Because a pet fountain provides fresh, clean, and flowing water every day, then your cat’s water needs will be met at all times.

Other Advantages of a Pet Fountain

While having flowing water for your cat may already be enough of an advantage when it comes to getting a pet fountain, getting clean water could already be considered a great bonus. There are pet fountains that come with water filters like charcoal, which will work by getting rid of the impurities in the water that you are giving to your cat. Although there are other pet fountains that contain these filters for the re-circulation of the flowing water, there are others that really have these water filters for the sole purpose of cleaning water. So this means that your cat will be getting potable water from your pet fountain.

Another great thing about buying a pet fountain for your cat is that its advantages are not limited only for your pet. This is because there are also advantages to buying this equipment that concerns you. For one, you no longer have to leave your faucet slightly open the whole day to ensure the continuous dripping of water. This is because there are pet fountains that contain some mechanism that will work at providing an incessant flow of filtered water for your cat. This means that you will be saving on your water expenses as well.

So if you have already decided to get a pet fountain for your cat, then you should visit Pet Depot Online now. Here, you will be able to take your pick from the selection of high quality pet fountains that are available for reasonable prices.

Your love for your animal has sparked an interest in natural health for pets and that is important because like us, our pets deserve preventative, natural care. Prescription drugs do not heal the cause of medical issues; they only mask the symptoms and can even make them worse with all their side effects and complications. This is why it is essential to create a preventative health program for your beloved pet.

Natural pet health begins with nutritious food. This is the foundation of any preventative health program because food is our medicine. Good food nourishes and heals the body from exposure to environmental toxins and stress. This prevents disease and builds immunity. Problem is many pet owners are unknowingly feeding their pet junk food. Most commercial brands, the ones you know and trust, have unhealthy ingredients in their kibble. This means that you should always read the label. If your pet food contains long chemical names that are difficult to pronounce or if you see artificial colorings or ingredients like meat byproducts listed, then you should look for another brand.

When searching for a pet food, look for a brand that contains real meat, broth and vegetables. Usually organic brands which you can find a pet store or health food store contain quality ingredients. Although these brands will cost you more, it will even out in the end because your pet will get more nourishment in every bite and will eat less. This is important first step because brands with cheap grains and chemicals are a poor substitute for good food and can even cause health problems like urinary infections because the cheap ingredients alter the delicate pH of the bladder.

The next step with regard to natural pet health is to make sure your pet gets plenty of fresh, filtered water. Water is essential to proper hydration and hydration is essential to organ and brain health. All you have to do is make sure that the water bowl is always filled and accessible. You don’t need to buy your pet bottled water, but do use a tap filter, so that your dog or cat is not drinking a big bowl of chemicals.

Third, give your pet a daily supplement. Just like us, pets need their vitamins and minerals because food, even organic food, is not as nutrient rich as it used to be. Pets also need herbs that are full of antioxidants that help fight disease and get rid of the free radicals that can lead to immune disorders and cancer. The best supplements for natural health for pets contain important herbs like Mistletoe, Echinacea and Indian Ginseng and essential vitamins like Vitamin C. Look for a manufacturer that offers a money back guarantee because this indicates a company that has done their research and stands behind their product.

Natural pet health is all about prevention. Take the simple steps that will increase health, vitality and immune function today by feeding your pet healthy food, giving your pet a daily immune boosting supplement and providing plenty of good clean water. Your faithful, furry friend deserves it. You will never regret taking good care of your pet’s health. In fact, it is one of the most loving ways to show how much you care.