The Pet's Wellness Blog

Finding a Dog Bite Attorney in Los Angeles

2011-08-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

Have you been bitten by someone else's dog and experienced pain and suffering as a result? Have the dog bites caused you to miss work or incur medical expenses? If so, then you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries when you hire a Los Angeles dog bite attorney. By working with a Los Angeles Angeles dog bite lawyer, you will be able to determine the liability of the dog owner and how much you can expect to receive in damages.

The laws on owner liability regarding their dogs biting another person vary from state to state, although they are stricter in California than in other parts of the country. According to California statute, a dog owner is liable for the injuries his or her dog causes another person even if the dog owner did not act in a negligent manner or if this is the first time the dog has ever bitten anyone. However, the dog owner is not responsible for the other party's injuries if he or she deliberately provoked the dog or was trespassing on the dog owner's property.

The California statute is something to keep in mind when seeking Los Angeles personal injury lawyers. It means that there is a strong likelihood that your case has merit and that Los Angeles personal injury attorneys will be able to help you. If you know that you need help paying your medical bills or making up for lost wages because of a dog bite injury, call an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer today. The consultation is free, and most lawyers don't charge a fee until you receive compensation from your lawsuit.

If a bog bite injury has turned your life upside down, let a Los Angeles dog bite injury lawyer help to make things better.

Dog Bite victims near Los Angeles

2010-02-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

In some negative dog news from the los Angeles area, a family was a attacked by a vicious dog. The five-year-old little girl was brutally attacked by the mastiff mix and she suffered multiple dog bites. The dog forcefully pulled the little girl from her mother's arms
and tossed the girl around like a toy. The minor child sustained multiple injuries which included broken ribs, a punctured lung, and multiple dog bites. The older brother wasalso attacked by these vicious animals and suffered a large laceration on his leg, which required 237 staples to close the dog bites gaping wound. The oldest of the children the eight-year-old girl also suffered injuries from the dog bites both to her arms and legs. All three of the victims were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital where they received treatment for their injuries which are very serious do to these dogs. The youngest of the children a five-year-old girl is still in the hospital and is listed in critical condition, and unfortunately is having to use a ventilator because she cannot breathe on her own. If you or someone you know needs a first rate Los Angeles personal injury attorney then I can suggest this firm. They can help not only with dog bite but also car, motorcycle, bike and bicycle accident as well as burn, spinal cord and traumatic brain personal injury cases.
Shortly after the brutal attack, the dogs were spotted and found still roaming the neighborhood by a passing police unit near
their home. One of the vicious dogs was killed by a gunshot after it turned to attack one of the officers. The four other dogs were taken into custody and taken to the local animal shelter. The animals
are under quarantine, while caretakers at the shelter are trying determine if the remaining dogs have rabies, and whether they should be euthanized. The owners of the vicious dogs reportedly
were cooperative with the police officers, and could possibly face citations for failing to provide adequate accommodations to ensure their pets were confined to their yard. Although the owners of the dogs were not cited at the scene of the crime. However, someone will need a good personal injury attorney up in there.

A couple of Cool Dogs

2009-11-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, I took Chloe overnight. She’d been to my house before, so I thought she’d be right at home. She was, pretty much, until my husband came home. Now my husband will not tolerate being ignored. So he scooped up the little jittery creature and sat her on his lap. She sat there, on his lap, looking around with her bulging brown eyes as if she were an actor with very acute stage fright. Maybe she needed some better bountiful pet grooming or something like that.

As soon as he put her down, Chloe sprang into my lap. I’d put her on her blanket and she would sit there for 30 seconds and come back and spring into my lap. This happened repeatedly, until I finally put her in her carry-cage and shut the door. You see, I like dogs okay--I love Chloe--but I’m not that used to having them on me every second. As an aside if you want bountiful pet grooming may I suggest this awesome resource as they are ideal for most bountiful pet grooming needs that I can think of.

Last week, Chloe fell off the bed—and in a few days she was dead. Chihuahuas are so easy to manage because they are so small. But those little bodies are breakable. Like my heart.

Should You Let Your Cat Outside

2009-05-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

This article was written by Ryan Joseph.
Based on my own experience, I really believe that it is best to keep your house cat indoors. I was not always this way, however. When I initially moved from New York City to New Jersey some years ago I considered that maybe some outdoor time would do my two mature cats some good; but after letting them out regularly, right after feeding them their cat food, I noticed that they were both changing, and the changes weren’t always for the best.

At that particular moment in time, I had a female Tortoiseshell called Fey and a male Siamese named Sinatra. After being let out for a few days, I began to notice that Fey had a new past-time, chasing and killing baby squirrels – and of course, she’d bring them home to us as little presents, which made us all squeamish.

Sinatra had a different kind of concern. It became quite clear that he was the target of some neighborhood “bully” cats. He’d come home with all types of scratches from being in various cat fights.

After awhile, we decided enough was enough, and tried to reverse what we did, and make our cats back into “house” cats. They would meow and hound us, especially after we had given them their cat food, making us quite miserable, until we reluctantly relented. By te way, I do recommend a premium cat food from a good brand like Life's Abundance. All in all, a premium cat food is even more vital considering the recent pet food recalls of the bigger brands.

I now am a firm believe of house cats remaining indoors. If you’re on the fence on the issue consider a few things before deciding to let them out. Once let out:
You won’t have control over the cat food that they eat once they leave your house. A neighbor might feed them premium food (if you’re lucky), cheap cat.

§ food or table scraps. You also won’t have any idea if they’ve been eating animals.

§ Your cat could potentially get hit by a car or ingest poison and you would never know.

Selecting the Right Cat Food for your Pet

2009-04-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

Although there are many different firms which claim to care about the well-being of your cat, they simply do not and they prove that by not having their main ingredient an animal protein. Many companies will use "filler" ingredients as the main ingredient in the cat food that they manufacturer. If you are unsure as to which ingredient is used to make up the most of the cat food, all you have to do is look for the first ingredient listed. The first one listed is the one that makes up the majority of the food.
Whether you are looking at cat food or cat treats, you must make sure that protein is listed first. If the wrong ingredients are the main ones then your cat may suffer. Many conditions such as eye, skin, coat, and joint problems have been known to come from a poor diet. Even though the pet owner thought they were giving good cat food they were not because of the actual ingredients that makes up the food. You have to look past the advertisements and the flashy work the graphic designer did for the bag or box and pay attention only to the ingredient list.
If the first ingredient that is listed is wheat or corn or anything other than animal protein then re-consider if that is the healthiest choice for your feline. Such cat foods are not good for your pet and can lead to health issues in the long run. Just like humans, you are what you eat. Felines need a balanced diet to keep their immune system healthy and strong.
If you wouldn’t eat fillers, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and artificial ingredients everyday then neither should your cat. The only benefit that these ingredients give is certainly not for your cat but a way to save money on the manufacturing.
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit her site for more information on how Lifes Abundance cat food and premium canned cat food
Surprisingly, even veterinarians or “veterinarian formulated” cat foods are not healthy either. Many contain wheat and or corn gluten and this are known allergens for cats.
Many people may think that a premium cat food cost much more money, however many times a better grade food means you will feed less so it actually can cost about the same or less. A healthier feline can mean fewer trips to the vet.
Here are some ingredients to avoid:
Ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT – Artificial preservatives that are very unhealthy.
By-products – These are parts of an animal that humans wouldn’t eat. They include feet, necks etc.
Wheat, Corn, Corn Gluten, Soy – Can be used as protein sources which are inferior. They can cause allergies because they are not digested well.
It may take a learning curve to get familiar with the ingredients when researching a cat food. Pay attention to the first five on the label as this will give you an idea if you should seven keep looking at it.

Dog killed by Cop in Self defense in Los Angeles

2008-11-11T13:58:00.000-08:00

I usually don't post stories regarding the criminal defense theme but this one caught my eye. According to reports the Los Angeles County assistant fire chief has been accused of fatally injuring a neighbors six month old Shepard mixed dog by beating it in his Riverside neighborhood. It was reported that a teenager who ran out to do some errands owned the dog and while he was gone the six month old dog wandered into a neighbors yard according to neighbor Travis Staggs.

Staggs began to walk the dog back to its home when Assistant Fire Chief Glynn Johnson said he would take the dog named Karley home. Staggs says that Johnson started beating the dog and he tried to stop him and was pushed away by Johnson.

Staggs stated Johnson punched Karley, with a closed fist approximately twelve times; he then beat her with a rock that measured about 11 inches and then broke her jaw. If you are a dog lover there is no defense for this, whether it is technically a criminal act or not.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. David Barton stated that police received two telephone calls from the 17000 block of Armintrout Drive, one was from a woman who stated her husband was attacked by a dog and one from a man. Is this criminal behavior or not? I do not know.

Johnson was transported to the hospital for wrist and thumb injuries, it was stated by Jeff O’Toole father of the teenage owner of Karley these injuries occurred when Johnson broke Karleys jaw. Could he need a criminal defense attorney?

All in all, her teenage owner found Karley 20 minutes after the beating under a bush injured and bleeding. Karley was taken to the Vet and then to an emergency animal hospital where she had to be euthanized due to severe wounds.. By the way if you happen to hang your hat in Los Angeles or the greater LA region and require a leading Los Angeles criminal defense attorney then I would recommend you give a call to the Law Offices of Ramiro Luis. He is certainly a top flank Los Angeles criminal defense attorney currently working in this area. In addition to Los Angeles, he can also be of help Anaheim, Santa Monica, Manhatten Beach or Torrance, to name just several.

According to Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief P. Michael Freeman Johnson told him that he beat the dog in self defense. Freeman also stated that they are deeply concerned about the allegations against Johnson. Johnson has been placed on administrative leave from the Los Angeles Fire Department. I assume he has already retained himself a criminal defense lawyer but that is not confirmed.
The malicious and intentional injury of an animal is a felony and the Riverside County Sheriffs Department is investigating the incident. The O’Toole family who stated Karley was a well behaved dog and they will have to find another place to live.

Healthy Dog Food News

2008-01-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

As a dog-owner, have you ever thought twice about the actual nutritional value of the food and treats you are feeding your dog? If you are concerned about the health of your pet and loyal companion, you should be more aware of what the ingredients are in the dog food and products that you buy. Sadly, the labels of most commercial dog foods don’t tell the whole truth about what they contain and unfortunately some can contain what I like to call useless fillers. Yes, many people feed their dog not so healthy food and they don’t even realize it.

Dog food production has ‘developed’ in the past few decades but the life-span of these beloved animals have gotten shorter in contrast. The reason: because these ‘developments’ actually benefit commercial dog food manufacturers more than they do the dogs. It means using poor-quality and even toxic ingredients to ensure cheaper costs of production and longer shelf life. It means very poor nutrition for your pet so that these companies can make higher profits.

The truth about most available dog products is that they are made from low-grade grains, unthinkable meat by-products and artificial preservatives that are not fit for humans and pets to eat. For instance, substitution for meat protein and good carbohydrates are often done with poor-quality grain meals using soybean, corn, gluten, and wheat. These ingredients in fact commonly cause allergies in pets. Meanwhile, the meat ingredients typically used can include unwanted body parts of animals like the neck, head, guts, feet, lungs, and bones. Even harder to the stomach is that these can come from animals that are diseased, dying or already dead and decaying. All of these are mercilessly dumped, ground and mixed into a more acceptable form called ‘meal’ and made into dog food.

To add to this already unhealthy mix, chemical ingredients used by dog food manufacturers have been found to cause early dog deaths due to heart disease, kidney failure and certain cancers. So why pay for junk that will eventually kill your dog?
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please click here if you would like more information on Premium dog food

Dogs age much faster than humans and they require the same quality of nutrition as ours. Naturally, like any other kind of animal, a dog needs fresh and healthy food too. The ideal diet for your pet should consist of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, natural fats, fiber, and even antioxidants. Chicken and fish are good sources of protein that you can look for in dog food. Eggs also provide protein, amino acids, biotin, sulfur, as well as vitamins A, B, E, and K. For carbohydrates, brown rice is an easily digestible carb-source that is now being used as a dog food ingredient.

Man apparently fed live cats to dog

2007-09-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

In the most appalling pet news since the Michael Vick story broke, Georgia authorities claim that Tye Hilmo, 21, of Dacula trapped neighborhood cats and fed them to his pit bull.

The Georgia Police Department charged Hilmo with aggravated animal cruelty. This is a felony which carries a sentence of 1-5 years in jail and a substantial fine as well.
He has been in the Gwinnett County Jail, with no bond permitted, since deputies searched his house on September 10. They found 2 lbs of marijuana, a few firearms plus 2 feline bodies in his yard, according to police.
In addition, his mobile telephone had a grisly picture of a canine eating a kitten above a line that reads, "Good dog", the report states.
At first, the Police officers assigned to the case charged the suspect with some offenses pertaining to the guns and narcotics. But they then tacked on the cruelty to animals charges 2 days ago. It should be noted, however, that some of his neighbors are a bit skeptical of the latter charges.
More Pet news over at the
Cat Blog
"He drinks and he is loud...... no question about that," said Tim Johnson, 31, a neighbor. But he stated that Hilmo really adored animals. He stated that he found these charges "really hard to believe."
Samson and stepdaughter Ashley McIlvainey, 18, said they are not sure that Hilmo is to blame.

the Feral cat problem

2007-09-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

According to a story on the Reno Gazette Journal newspaper
of Nevada, it was reported that some forty percent or so of the animals killed by the Nevada Humane Society are in fact feral cats.
The article went on to state that the NHS is attempting to lessen the quantity of these creatures which are eliminated in the barn cat program.
Essentially, you tell the NHS how many barn cats you want and the organization then sprays-neuters & vaccinates the cats on your behalf.
Pretty nifty program, is it not?
You sign a contract with a relatively large amount of stipulations. A primary requirement is to keep the feline in a confined space
for a minimum of 2 weeks so that he or she will accept this location as home.
Specifically, they need to be contained somewhere such as a cage and feel secure about their food source. This is what really keeps them around once they are released into their new environment.
This relocation effort is perhaps the most importany aspect of the program.
In addition, you have to agree to provide daily food & also water, to acquire veterinary care if required,
to return the animal if you cannot keep it any longer, and several othger health stipulations.
All in all, Feral cats are usually the result of domestic cats which have been abandoned or perhaps lost.
Their offspring are generally unsocialized and grow up to be of the "wild" feral variety of the species.
They are essentially like most other wild animals, being quite able to find shelter,
a steady food source and ultimately survive in their particular environment.
They are very aware of predators in the same way that most wild animals are.

Vick to plead guilty to Federal Charges

2007-08-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

According to a news report from the Associated Press out of Richmond, Virginia, Michael Vick and his legal counsel has decided to plead guilty to the
federal dogfighting conspiracy charges currently against him. Specifically, he is charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and
conspiracy to sponsor a canine in an animal fighting enterprise. This action will likely make his pro Football career vulnerable while at the same time putting him in danger
of a probable prison sentence. All in all, the crimes that he is accused of is punishable by up to 5 years in a federal correctional facility and/or a quarter million dollar fine.
However, sentencing guidelines would more than likely call for less than the 5 year maximum.
Prosecutors in the case have stated that a superseding indictment was in the pipeline. However, Vick's plea more than likely means he will not have to face any further charges.
3 of his co-defendants have since pleaded guilty and also agreed to turn state evidence against him if the case goes to trial. Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beachhave have already signed statements stating that
the Falcon player took part in killing a minimum of 8 canines by different means, such as drowning and hanging.
His actions have been widely condemned by many pet and animal-rights groups.
His plea hearing has been set for August 27. His co-defendents have also stated that Vick provided nearly all of the operating money for his "Bad Newz Kennels" operation in Surry County, Virginia., which is located near his hometown in the port of Newport News.

Cat health news

2007-07-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

In recent veterinarian research, scientists studied the effects of improved nutrition on the lives of 90 senior cats. All of the cats were between ages 7-17, and the new diets were fed over the remaining course of their lifetimes. The cats were separated into three groups: one received a standardized, nutritionally-balanced diet; one received the same diet with increased levels of antioxidants; and the last received the same diet supplemented with increased levels of antioxidants, Omega-3 essential fatty acids and probiotics. Comprehensive tests were conducted over the five-year period of the study, including various blood, urinalysis and body composition measures. Results strongly indicated a correlation between the diet of the third group (the one with the highest level of nutrition) and measures of health and longevity.

Premium Dog Food

2007-06-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

Recently, much attention has been devoted to the long-term health of companion animals. More and more pet parents are seeking ways to supplement their dog’s new, healthier diets.

Just like humans, dogs are subjected to environmental pollutants that can take a toll on their health. In the home, they are exposed to household cleaners, the impurities of tap water, herbicides and even to repeated use of prescription medicines. All of these elements can have a negative impact on their bodily organs and immune system. Additional facts about supplements and premium dog food can be found at can be found at
Premium Dog Food plus supplements from Life's Abundance

To address the potential harmful effects of low-quality foods and environmental factors, we’ve developed a powerful supplement to address the needs of dogs.

Pets and Grief

2007-05-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

As many pet parents unfortunately already know, losing a companion animal is devastating. And yet, we don’t receive the kind of emotional support from some in our community like we might expect if we had lost a human family member – especially from those who have never shared a special bond with a companion animal. Losing a companion animal is losing a member of your family.

Anytime we suffer a dramatic loss, it is appropriate to grieve. Your first priority should be to come to grips with the fact that it is okay to grieve the passing of your companion animal. Accepting the magnitude of your loss can facilitate the process of grieving. The more you fight to suppress your feelings, the worse your grief can become.

Grief takes many forms, whether it’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression and ultimately, acceptance. While many tout the different characterizations of grief as if they were absolute stages, these steps should be interpreted more as a continuum of emotion. That is, some may not experience them and others may experience many simultaneously.

Some find the process of grief frustrating, as it is a process of reaction. We may ask ourselves, “What can I do to feel better?”

Those who have experienced a recent loss should take some comfort in knowing that there are outlets for this impulse. There are several organizations that allow you to contribute funds in the memory of your companion animal. Many of these groups will publish an announcement of your gift along with a special message of tribute. In this way, you can create a legacy for your companion animal.

Additionally, you should be certain to actively take care of yourself physically. Because grief takes a toll on us physically, you should allow yourself extra time to sleep, be sure to exercise and eat well.

Don’t arbitrarily assign time limits to your grief. The bottom line is -- as with most emotional processes – it takes as long as it takes.

Above all, know that you are not alone in your experience. Be sure to talk to other pet parents about your loss, but be sure to spend time sharing memories about your best times together, too.

The Pet Food Recall

2007-03-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

A quick update on the pet Food recall: Dry food was recalled today for the first time.

Pet owners are concerned that the food they have been giving to their animals is not as safe, or even as nutriticious, as they thought..
This is understandable, as
tainted dog and cat food has been linked to the deaths of over twenty animals.
The current recall has been somewaht broad, with some fifty dog brands & forty cat food brands recalled currently, including some of the biggest
brand names available. In a 04/21/07 Newsweek article by writer Matthew Philips entitled 'Is pet food properly regulated?' the report states: "
.....authorities still cannot explain exactly what went wrong. Some critics and animal lovers are honing in on what they see as lax regulation of the fifteen billion dollar pet-food industry
in the United States." It should be noted that this recall has not only impacted the U.S. Canada and mexico as well.
"There is almost a void there," states Bob Vetere, president of the APPMA, or the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association. "There is no real pet-food department of any federal agency."
This news is very troubling, but it comes as no surprise to some. I have been hearing about the rendering plants for a while now, and it is clear to me that where there is smoke there is usually fire.
Sadly, the standard was low from the start.
The first dog food sold was produced in 1860. A salesman named James Pratt was visiting Great Britain from America and saw dogs surviving off of mere left-over biscuits from ships. So he decided to prepare a dog biscuit product consisting of wheat meal and meat,
and begin selling them entirely to English rural gentlemen who owned sporting dogs. So at one time dogs subsisted of of scraps, meaning the quality of the
produced food never had to be particularly high.
The current problem has been linked to rat poison by some sources, but there are many, many other problems with mainstream brands as well.
For example, artificial coloring is used extensively despite the fact that they are totally unnecessary and have been linked to medical issues. It is believed by some in the medical field that if an ingredient is foreign to the body the body reacts to it and can cause numerous health problems.
Pets are not concerned about color too much.
In addition, by-products are a way for dog food or cat food companies to keep their costs down and therefore profits up. Instead of using whole meats, they simply use by-products instead. These are simply the least desirable parts.
And there are a number of other items which the labels do not always reveal. For instance, condemned parts of animals which are not fit for human consumption are often rerouted into commercial treats. These parts may be the parts of animals who are dead, dying, decayed or actually diseased. Furthermore,
specific meats & other ingredients can't be sold for use by people, because it is damaged or has some other kind of defect.
The dimensions of the problem may be so sizeable that we might not know the reasons for this tragedy for some time.
According to a recent MSNBC article, "Some of the 60 million cans and pouches of food have been blamed for kidney failure in scores of animals and killed over 16 pets. Neither the manufacturer nor the authorities have been able to determine why the pets died".
The best brand I an aware of is Life's Abundance: http://www.premium4pets.com
but there are several top notch premium pet foods out there to choose from. Look for whole food ingredients
and freshness above all else. The ones that mention they are human grade are also usually a safe bet in my experience.

For premium cat Food: http://www.premium-cat-food.com

Pet Food Recalls

2007-03-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

If you are a pet owner, It is now more important than ever to
be certain that you are feeding your animal a premium dog food
or a holistic, premium cat food. When I first heard about the horrors of the rendering plants,
I thought it was an exaggeration. But upon hearing the recent news of the dog and cat food recalls
I see that what I heard may have been just the tip of the iceberg.
At the time of this writing, there are some 53 dog products which have been recalled and another
42 cat products. And this list is likely to grow.
If your dog or cat has eaten any of the food listed on the rather extensive recall list and they are showing signs of illness, be sure to contact your vet right away
because with treatment it may not be too late.

The FDA states that contaminated dog food that was sold in twenty-three states has already killed nearly two dozen dogs in the country and sickened some eighteen 18 others.
The final tally will almost certainly be higher, unfortunately.
CBS News has reported on it's website that some of the dog food may contained aflatoxin.

Cat Article

2006-12-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

More and more, we are beginning to see our sweet house cats with a view toward their evolutionary roots – as descendents of hunters in the wilderness. Cats are classified as obligate (or true) carnivores, indicating their diets should consist primarily of meat in order to satisfy their specific nutritional requirements. Their feline ancestors were primarily desert animals, and received the majority of their hydration from prey. This is largely believed to be responsible for felines lacking a strong desire to drink, apart from when they eat.
As pet parents, we recognize the wildness in our cats – for some of us, it’s a daily occurrence. They hide behind the sofa and pounce on a toy mouse or perch perfectly still while observing a bird. And with the majority of companion cats confined to the home with little or no access to the outdoors, they are repeatedly exposed to household cleaners, the impurities of tap water, herbicides and pollutants that we bring in the house on our shoes and clothes, and even from the repeated use of prescription medicines. All of these elements can have a negative impact on a cat’s bodily organs and immune system.

While feeding a healthy diet is a fantastic way to provide your cat with an excellent nutritional foundation, it’s also true that no two cats have precisely the same nutritional requirements. More info. about this at
The Pet Train
Breed, age, activity level, environment, genetics and other factors determine your cat’s special needs. Dr. Bicks formulated Immune & Body Support to incorporate the additional nutrients that target liver, kidney, heart, brain and immune system health. And most importantly, this superior daily supplement works synergistically with nutritious foods to fulfill the individual needs of each and every cat.

Also provide a broad spectrum of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, herbs and whole food concentrates (like stabilized rice bran and herring meal) to supplement a healthy diet and maintain optimal health. This comprehensive approach to supplementation will help your cat to thrive, and will meet his or her unique feline requirements. Immune & Body Support is formulated to help support the healthy functioning of your cat’s immune system and vital organs, and also helps to support a healthy urinary tract, which is vitally important for many felines. And best of all, it has a delicious flavor that even finicky cats love. This holiday season, give your cat the gift of wellness

Dog Nutrition Article

2006-03-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

Here is an article that address dog nutrition with research insights from holistic Vet Dr. Jane Bicks:

Holistic veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks claims that the maximum life span of dogs is estimated to be between twenty-five and thirty years, but the average dog nonetheless generally lives no longer than about thirteen to fourteen years.

She Also says that this differential is caused principally from unsound nourishment.

As one example, canned food is rouphly seventy-five to seventy-eight % moisture, which leaves precious little room for any kind of nutritional value.

In addition to containing what is generally considered the bottom of the barrel ingredients in terms of nutritional density, most conventional dog food products contain especially large amounts of sodium to make them palatable, as well as dairy, by-products, chemical preservatives, artificial colors and other potentially harmful ingredients. The carbohydrate ratio is too high in some dog food brands as well, eventually leading to obesity, which is increasingly becoming a major health & wellness issue with dogs.

Top Fatty Acids research scientist Dr. Barry Sears is of the opinion that dog food should have arounf the same 30-30-40 ratio as the human Zone diet. This means a relatively small amount of carbohydrates.

Another problem, according to the USDA Agricultural service, is that mites oftentimes stow away into dog food pellets themselves, and this may cause a significant amount of problems, including disease. They recommend keeping dog food cool and dry, and vacuuming in the places where the food is stored the food is stored a least once a week.

It should also be made note of that harder working dogs need considerably more protein and fat in their diets just to maintain stamina and good body form. A dog food that is complete and balanced and includes at least twenty-six % protein and 1650 kilocalories of metabolizable energy per pound is the ideal. During the seasons when dogs are not working, their energy requirements obviously decrease. Feed less of the high calorie food or change to a less nutrient-dense dog food in this instance.

New Article

2006-02-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a Pet Health article from Award-Winning Dallas based Pet Professional Robin Perdue...Enjoy.
Copywrite Notice: This article may be published on any website, ezine, web log or offline publication assuming that there is a live and clickable link back to yourpetslife.com

Your Pets Life Nutrition News

YourPetsLife.com Urges Pet Owners to Exercise their Pets:

It’s no secret that exercise has a tremendous effect on our health. These days, medical professionals cannot stress enough the benefits of a regular exercise program:

• Controls weight
• Increases energy
• Improves circulation
• Enhances lung capacity
• Oxygenates blood
• Improves heart rate
• Builds strong muscles
• Increases joint mobility
• Improves your mood
• Helps with sleep

The list goes on and on…

You may not have given it much thought, but our pets reap the same benefits as we do when it comes to exercise. Not to mention, a regular exercise program can help burn nervous energy and reduce boredom for your pet, making them less likely to destroy your property. Your cat may run through the house or bat around a toy on its own, and your dog may chase a squirrel in the backyard or play with his ball. But, this is the extent of their exercise program without someone’s help. That’s why it’s up to us as their caretakers to make sure they are getting the exercise they need.

Don’t worry, you aren’t going to get any whining, lame excuses or belly aching from your pets regarding exercise. The whole process is playtime in their minds and the bond that grows between you and your pet when you increase their “playtime” will make them love you all the more.

Be sure and consult with your veterinarian before you begin. Different pets have different needs when it comes to exercise. Large dogs are going to vary from small dogs and older animals are going to vary from younger animals. Plus, the vet can give your pet a routine examination to make sure their health is good and it’s safe to proceed.

Please keep in mind, too, that if your pet isn’t use to exercising you will need to start out slow and gradually increase over time. Just like people, pets can get sore muscles and strained joints or ligaments if they overexert themselves.

Exercising Your Dog

It’s a good idea to start with a moderately paced walk or swim for dogs, giving them a chance to build strength and stamina without straining muscles. Start with 10-15 minutes a day and gradually increase time and distance as the dog gets a little more accustomed to it.

Always keep an eye out for signs of fatigue and trouble breathing – excessive panting, rapid heart rate. And, be sure to keep plenty of water on hand. By all means, if your dog wants to stop, let him. That is a strong sign that he has had enough. Please keep in mind that most dogs love to burn energy and because of their enthusiasm and willingness to please their owner, they may not stop until it’s too late. Therefore, it’s very important to watch and know when enough is enough.

To keep things interesting, you may want to vary their forms of activity: walking, swimming, jogging, playing ball or chasing a Frisbee are great ways to keep them enthused. For a real change of pace, take your dog to the dog park to play with other dogs. He’ll not only burn lots of calories, he’ll get to socialize and make new friends, as well.

As a safety precaution, allow your dog to walk or jog on soft surfaces in the beginning. Soft or tender pads can become sore or tear under stress. Make sure nails are trimmed so they won’t hang or rip. And, always keep your dog on a leash to avoid traffic or other, more aggressive dogs.

If you exercise at night, consider a reflective collar or light on your dog, as well as a bright colored or reflective leash that is visible to passersby. Also, you’ll want to wear white or light colored clothing yourself to make sure you can be seen by others.

Exercising Your Cat
Getting your cat the exercise he needs is a little more challenging than the dog. Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash, but for most this is not a viable solution. Cats are designed different from dogs, too. Short frequent periods of intense activity are more beneficial to a cat than slower-paced exercise sessions.
There are a lot of wonderful toys you can purchase to help keep your cat active. But, before you spend a lot of money, you might look around the house. Many times, you’ll find plenty of things around the house to create hours of entertainment for your cat. Basically, cats like to climb, bat, chase, explore and scratch. So, if you work these elements into their routine, you should have some success.
Things to climb on and explore could be a kitty cat tower from the pet store or some boxes, suit cases and paper sacks. For batting practice, a shiny ball, stuffed mouse, old sock or wadded up piece of paper should do the trick. As for the chase, a string or laser pointer can work wonderfully. And, a scratching post, piece of cardboard or carpet will do for scratching.
You definitely don’t want to discourage your cat from scratching. This scratching motion will stretch and tone your cat’s shoulder muscles. But, more importantly, it will keep his claws active so that he is less inclined to shred your furniture.
For an interesting change of pace, you might consider walking or running up and down a flight of stairs or hallway with a string or rope attached to your belt loop. This will get the pulse rate up for both of you! Or, create a challenge for your cat by making him work for his dinner by putting small amounts of food on several plates and scattering them throughout the house at meal time. This will make your cat exercise in order to eat and freshen up some of those tracking skills.
Remember that exercise is every bit as vital to your pet’s health and well being as good food, clean water and shelter. A consistent exercise program will enhance your pet’s life in many ways. If your busy schedule finds you short on time, you might consider hiring a pet sitter. A pet sitter is more than happy to come out to your house and exercise your pets. They can walk or run with your dog, take him to the park or out to play ball in the back yard. They’ll even exercise and play with the cat. Your pets will absolutely love the extra attention and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they’re getting the exercise they need.

YourPetsLife.com offers natural health solutions and wellness information to help enhance the life of your pets. The site is owned and operated by Very Important Pets, LLC. Recently voted “Best in Dallas” by D Magazine, Very Important Pets is an emerging leader in the pet care community.

Welcome

2006-02-04T12:38:00.000-08:00

hi everyone, welcome to the Pet's Wellness Web Log where we feature articles and news tidbits related to your dog or cat's health. We feature news items with an emphasis on holistic health and healing as well as wellness veternary reports. Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to contribute.