It's HOT - Watch Your Pet for Dehydration!

If there is one thing you want to look out for in your pets this summer, it’s dehydration – especially with how hot our summers get. None of us like feeling dehydrated, so it stands to reason that we wouldn’t want our pets dehydrated either. Dehydration is more than simply loss of water in our pets. It’s also a loss of electrolytes like sodium, potassium and chloride, which are important for normal body function; this, very obviously, can cause serious issues for our pets.

This problem can come about from more than just not drinking water. Look out for these problems in the summer (or any time of the year) that can cause dehydration: persistent vomiting, diarrhea, illness, fever, and heat stroke. If your pet is refusing water due to illnesses like these, then dehydration is imminent and getting them to your vet is incredibly important.

If you suspect that your pet is dehydrated due to being lethargic and refusing water or liquids of any sort, then check the most common dehydration symptom – elasticity of the skin. Pinch the skin of your pet right above the shoulder blades. If your pet is hydrated well, the skin should snap back into place smoothly and easily. If your pet is not hydrated, the skin will either very slowly go back down, or not go back down at all – causing a tent. Pets with dry, tacky gums, listlessness, and no hunger can also be suffering from dehydration.

Make sure that if you notice these problems in your pet that you get them to the vet _immediately_ to ensure that they get the help they need. Dehydration is very serious and should be handled by a professional.

To help keep your pet from getting dehydrated, make sure you have clean, cool water for them to drink at all times (if they are ill, consider using some sort of flavor boost in their water to encourage drinking). Be sure you keep a close eye on your pet if s/he is ill, and keep their symptoms checked to ensure that you know immediately if something is wrong.

Raw/Cooked Cat Food Diet

It seems like today, there is a pretty big craze about raw and cooked ‘homemade’ cat (and dog) foods. The diet is safer for your pet, can help alleviate pains and bowel issues, and can be useful in keeping your cat happy, healthy, and well fed. However, before you decide to throw out your dry cat food and go ‘all natural,’ make sure you do your homework! Here are a few things to remember before you jump on the bandwagon that is homemade cat food:

1.       Most dry cat food is contaminated with feces, bacterium, fungal mycotoxins, and are dangerously low in water (which can affect your poor feline’s urinary tract).

2.       While grains such as rice and corn are generally very bad for your pet, keeping a small amount for energy and substance can help keep the food you make balanced.

3.       If you are not able to uphold a balance of raw and cooked food for your pet, try a canned food diet. This is better than dry food, and though not as good for your cat as a homemade diet, can help keep your pet’s health up.

4.       You can have a balanced diet of raw and cooked foods for your pet. Remember, your goal is to create a diet for your pet that closely resembles what they might eat in the wild – but at the same time, to have enough control over what you are feeding them to cut out any possibility of contamination.

5.       Things that a cat needs especially for their diet are: proteins, amino acids (like taurine), fatty acids, vitamins, and water.

Check out this page for more information on what you can do to make a raw/cooked diet for your pet, and check in next week for more tips on helping create a balanced food diet for your pet.

We also offer a raw food diet for pets, so if you have any questions, please call and ask!

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Raw Food Diet

Hello Readers!

If you are looking to get into the raw food diet but don’t know where to start, we offer a great diet created by our very own Dr. B! The diet was created and researched by Dr. B and has our own guarantee to give your pets the right balance of nutrients and tastiness.

Our pets are related to their wild counterparts in a closer degree of connection than we think, so keeping up the original diet rich in proteins and greens. Most commercial brands are filled with low-protein diet and even more grains. This is not good for our pets, and can actually harm them. Plus with all the additives, the dyes, and the excessive heat used to bake the food, the nutrients continue to go down. Our very own Dr. Buchoff has created several different recipes for your dogs and cats to eat – each one with the proper amount of nutrients, proteins, fatty acids, and other goodies.

The diets for dogs include a naturally raised and grass-fed meat (beef, chicken, and turkey), as well as eggs, vegetables, pharmaceutical grade bone meal powder (rich in nutrients for your dog). This diet helps encourage a healthy coat, healthy eating habits, and overall good health for your beloved pet. By going back to a diet our pets would have enjoyed in the wild, we are not only feeding them the best of what we can give them, but we are also helping ensure that they are getting the proper nutrition.

Diets for cats include naturally raised and grass-fed turkey and chicken (without any antibiotics or added hormones), vegetables, bone meal powder (again pharmaceutical grade and tested for nutrients and safe absorption). This diet ensures that the cats are getting a simple meal without all the preservatives that we can find in dry foods today.

For more information about the diet, check out this page.

Holistic Pet Care Procedures

Pet owners are likely to be very pleased to find a wide range of holistic pet care Little Falls NJ services which are available through several providers in the region. While convectional treatment options may work for infectious diseases, holistic approaches to health and wellness provide alternatives which do not necessarily include medications and surgery. This means that holistic pet care may be more effective in treating chronic conditions than conventional approaches.

Though holistic approaches to wellness and health may be more effective in managing chronic conditions in pets, it does not mean that convectional approaches, such as surgery in emergency situations, are not useful.

Additionally, the procedures that are involved in holistic pet care practices are backed by research as well as concrete studies and have been shown to be very effective. Once you have switched to holistic pet care from traditional veterinarian care, you are likely to start noticing a change in your pet’s health, energy, as well as well-being. 

Types of holistic pet care procedures available in Little Falls, NJ

The following are some of the holistic pet care procedures available:

-Holistic Homeopathy

Homeopathy is one of the Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ services available to pet owners here in Little Falls. Homeopathy involves balancing the energy within an animal in order to treat or heal a particular condition. Homeopathy relies more on diet as opposed to vaccines and preventive immunization. The principle behind homeopathic medicines is that the body can heal itself if it given a chance to do so.

-Massage Therapy 

Massage therapy promotes natural healing by stimulating blood flow as well as nerve endings. This helps relieve tension, loosens up tight muscles, and leads to faster recovery and healing. Additionally, massage helps lower blood pressure as well as improving immunity, which in turn help prevent disease and illness. Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ provides massage therapy services that are pleasurable and comfortable to your pet. 

-Animal Acupuncture 

Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ also offers animal acupuncture procedures. This is an ancient Chinese treatment method that has been used for many years. Acupuncture helps stimulate blood flow in certain areas of the body in order to facilitate healing. These procedures are available here in Little Falls. Your veterinarian will make use of lasers, needles, as well as electrical stimulation tactics while trying to channel positive energy to specific pressure point on the body of your pet. This procedure has been found to be effective in treating digestion issues, pains, and hip dysplasia; as well as epilepsy. Acupuncture also helps enhance mood and disposition in some pets.

-Herbal Remedies 

Animal clinics in Little Falls can provide herbal recommendations that you can use to treat your pet's acute or chronic conditions. However, before you can give your pet medications, supplements, as well as herbal remedies, involve your veterinarian. This is because these substances can lead to interference with absorption as well as metabolism of one another. Herbal supplements can also cause adverse reactions or even become toxic if used inappropriately.

-Chiropractic Care 

Animal clinics in Little Falls also provide chiropractic care. Chiropractic manipulations have been used effectively in animal clinics to treat nerve damage and pain in pets. These procedures lead to improved overall health of the organs because they help realign the vertebrae. Chiropractic manipulations mostly help with issues related to gastrointestinal system as well as the heart.

Holistic pet care is an all-natural approach to caring for your pets. They are mostly safe for your pet and you should not therefore fear to embrace them for the well –being of your pets.

Alternative Medical Care

For many pet owners, once their pet is diagnosed with a particular disease that would be a death sentence for the poor animal. But really you should not take such a view. There is a lot of hope if you just try holistic pet care little falls NJ. This is just like we have alternative medical care for humans like acupuncture, massage and natural herbs. I know if it is the first time you are hearing about this it may sound a little strange, but really a number of veterinarians are offering these treatments for pets. Lets discuss the options closely so you can get a better idea of what is available.

Traditional Chinese Treatments: 

Over the past 3500 years, traditional Chinese medicine has been developed to be used on animals. It follows the ancient treatment methods though it is a bit modified for animals. They use therapies like:

- Food treatment: this involves using the properties in different foods to energies the body. Different food combinations are believed to help in maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang. 

- Acupuncture: It is believed that every living thing has a force called Qi and during treatment needles are placed in predetermined positions of the body of the animal to move the Qi and create wellness.

- Herbal therapy: Just like in humans, the animal clinic can prescribe the use of extracts from plants that are known to posses healing powers. Sometimes it is used along with acupuncture.

Homeopathy

This is based on the theory that the body will heal itself if it is given the chance. The veterinarian mixes a few diluted solutions which are intended to trigger the body’s natural healing power thus helping the animal cure on its own. Homeopathy holistic pet care Little Falls NJ is not quite like the regular homeopathy that uses placebo treatment. 

Animal Chiropractic

Pet owners can find holistic pet care which employs the spinal manipulation and actual manual therapy. This is done after a thorough evaluation of the animal by the veterinarian to determine if this treatment is needed and will prove effective.

Massage

Massage is meant to encourage the body to heal by improving the blood flow through the body. Massage is an important part of Holistic Pet care Little Falls NJ. It will help in improving the immunity of the animal as well and lower blood pressure. Just like in Humans, massage relaxes the muscles and this is good for the animal. However it is important that the animal enjoys this treatment so if it is not enjoying it, the treatment must be stopped.

Research carried out at different animal clinics has shown that holistic pet care has proved effective in improving the health of animals and preventing as well as treating a number of ailments. It is however important to talk to your vet about the different options and then you can decide on an individualized treatment for your animal as not all animals will respond to the same treatment. The illness is treated as a whole as opposed to just identifying the symptoms and then treating those. 

Cut the Crap! (Toxins, that is)

Your pet deserves to live a life of comfort and happiness with you like you do with her or him.  Please give up the idea that chronic disease is inevitable and that, oh well, you can’t do anything if your pet is genetically programmed to develop allergies, arthritis, cancer, or any other malady.  This is the old way of thinking.  Haven’t you heard of “epigenetics?”  Modify your pet’s environment and lifestyle to overcome its negative genetic potential.

There are 3 factors that contribute to your pets getting disease, that you can help fix – excess toxins, poor nutrition, and poor communication within the body.  I will concentrate this article on the first – toxins.

Toxins are any substances (usually man-made chemicals) that adversely affect the body’s normal biological functions.  Your pet may have subtle reactions such as a little coughing, sneezing, vomiting, loose stools, or diarrhea; or there may be frank illness with weakness and loss of appetite and weight with any of these signs.  The trick is to limit the toxins that your pets are exposed to - or at least limit what gets into their bodies - plus try to remove what toxins are already inside, by “detox-ing.”

To limit their exposure and what gets into their bodies:

1.  Walk your dog or cat in areas that are less chemical treated.  Avoid areas where there are warning flags.  And certainly wipe their paws with a damp cloth (dry cloth if it is wet outside) when re-entering your house, because they also pick up chemicals for the sidewalks and streets.  Remember, when they settle down, pets will lick their paws.

2.  Avoid over-vaccinating.  Consider vaccinal titer blood tests instead.

3.  Avoid chemical insecticides on or in your pet.  Use essential oils to repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and flies.

4.  Avoid chemicals in food.  Feed fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried raw food.

Detox-ing your pet.

1. Brush the coat every day.  Massages release toxins.

2. Feed raw diet.

3.  Serious detox-ing for health.  This requires a conversation with your veterinarian, but always includes supplements to cleanse the liver.

Here’s to your pets’ health!

--Dr Gerald Buchoff, Holistic Pet Care (973) 256-3899 or drbuchoff@gmail.com

Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ

Pet-owners will be pleased to find a wide range of alternative treatments in Pet Care Little Falls NJ available through many providers in the region. These holistic approaches to health and wellness provide owners with options beyond medications and surgery, and that may be effective in treating many chronic conditions effectively.

Some treatment approaches for pet-owners seeking alternatives to conventional veterinary practice include the following:

Holistic homeopathy 

Consumers and pet-owners are fortunate to find homeopathic and Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ, and the benchmarks of homeopathy are quite distinct. Homeopathy surrounds balancing the energy within the person or animal in order to treat and heal the condition. This medical model embraces diet and relies of less vaccines and preventative immunizations than conventional medical treatment generally commands. The underlying foundation of homeopathic medicine is that the body can and will heal itself, if it is allowed to do so.

Massage therapy

Massage encourages natural healing by stimulating blood flow and nerve endings, relieving tension, and loosening up tight muscles- all of which contribute to faster recovery and healing. Massage can be an integral part of your pet's treatment when going holistic Little Falls, NJ. Massage is lauded for lowering blood pressure and improving immunity, which can help prevent illness and disease. Massage can also provide great relief for overworked and strained muscle groups. The important thing to remember when providing massage therapy for animals is that it should be pleasurable for the pet, and if they do not appear to be comfortable or enjoying the treatment, stop immediately and notify your vet.

Animal Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that has been used for centuries and that strives to stimulate blood flow in particular areas of the body to facilitate healing. These same principles are extended to services provided by your veterinarian Little Falls, NJ for your pets. The provider attempts to channel the ch'i, or positive energy, to specific pressure points of the body with needles, lasers, and electrical stimulation tactics. Acupuncture has been found to be effective in treating pain, digestion issues, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia in animals. The relief granted by Acupuncture may also contribute to improved mood and disposition in some animals.

Herbal remedies

Ask your provider and Animal Clinic Little Falls NJ for herbal recommendations to treat your animals' chronic or acute conditions. Likewise, let your veterinary provider know when you are giving medications, supplements, and herbal remedies to your pets. These could present an interaction or interference with absorption and metabolism of one-another. There is also a risk of toxicity or adverse reaction when used inappropriately, even though they are considered all-natural.

Chiropractic care

You may not think of chiropractic care when considering Veterinary Little Falls NJ practice, however chiropractic manipulations have been used effectively as a treatment for pain and nerve damage in animals, which can impact overall health of the organs due to realignment of the vertebrae. This includes chronic issues with the gastrointestinal system and heart of many species.

There are tools often used on animals to provide rigorous manipulation during chiropractic treatment, but that could potentially scare dogs and cats, with the noise and stimulation. Many pets may do better with classic, hands-on chiropractic techniques.

Talk with your veterinary provider to determine which alternative methods might be best suited for your pets' distinct issues or conditions.