Time Outside Also Means Tick Time

As conscientious pet parents, you know that time outside is tick time for our pets. Unfortunately, research is showing that these blood sucking parasites are only getting worse. Multiple factors are leading to larger, hungrier, and more dangerous tick populations. Thankfully, knowing the facts, understanding the dangers of conventional treatments, and treating your pets with natural tick repellent alternatives will help support your pets during tick season and, most importantly, keep them safe!

 Why are the tick populations exploding?

Various factors are contributing to an explosion in tick populations; especially populations further north. The major problems are:

• Climate change & warmer winters: With warmer winters, ticks are able to reproduce more and survive longer. Normally, long, deep freezes would help keep ticks at bay, but since long cold snaps aren’t as common, populations are thriving.
• Suburbanization, bringing together people & pets, wildlife, and ticks: Ticks are opportunistic and willing to feed on anything that crosses their path. And with humans and their pets advancing on wildlife’s terrain (and wildlife becoming more comfortable with people around), this path crossing is becoming much more common.
• Increased populations of deer: We’ve all seen deer feasting in our backyards and parks; unfortunately they have plenty of ticks feasting on them. This means ticks are finding plenty of blood to help them feed, survive, and reproduce.
• Migratory birds carrying ticks to new areas: Ticks are no strangers to air travel, and with houses butting up against plenty of migratory birds’ nests, ticks are finding it easier to find one way tickets to your backyard.

(Not So) Fun Facts About Ticks

Sun Tzu famously said, “If you do not know your enemies… you will be imperiled in every single battle.” So before we go to war with ticks, let’s get a couple things straight:

• Ticks are small arachnids with 8 legs; making them close relatives to spiders and scorpions.
• There are 2 families of ticks found in North America, Ixodidae (hard ticks) & Argasidae (soft ticks).
• There are over 800 species of hard & soft ticks in North America.
• A female tick can lay between 300 and 3,000 eggs over the course of her life.
• Lyme Disease, probably the most famous tick borne disease, was named after the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was first identified in 1975.

Tick-Borne Diseases & Symptoms

Symptoms: The scariest part of ticks is the wide variety of diseases they carry; and since they can transmit more than one disease to the host at a time, it’s difficult to identify and treat illness after a tick bite.  Check your pets regularly for ticks, and watch for any sign of illness after a bite, including:

• Fever
• Coughing or Respiratory Problems
• Fatigue
• Muscle or Joint Pain
• Altered Mental State
• Paralysis

Major tick-borne diseases: Tick borne diseases can be separated into four major categories, including bacterial, viral, protozoan, and toxic. If you feel your pet is suffering from any tick-borne illness, take them to your veterinarian immediately.

Bacterial

• Lyme Disease or Borreliosis
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Relapsing fever
• Typhus
• Ehrlichiosis anaplasmosis
• Tularemia

Viruses

• Tick-borne meningoencephalitis
• Colorado tick fever

Protozoa

• Babesiosis
• Cytauxzoonosis

Toxin

• Tick paralysis

Fighting Ticks Effectively

It’s no secret that conventional, pesticide based tick prevention for pets is dangerous, and in some cases, deadly. There’s no reason you should have to choose between possible paralysis from a tick bite and possible paralysis from tick prevention. At Only Natural Pet, we like to say no thank you to both! Here are some of our favorite, natural solutions:

• Only Natural Pet Flea & Tick Tag: Using your pet’s own bio-energy, this tag works synergistically to repel not only ticks, but pests like fleas and mosquitoes as well.
• Only Natural Pet Flea & Tick Collar: Harnessing the proven power of geraniol (an extract of geraniums) and citronella, this collar smells sweet to humans and their pets, but terrible to pests.
• CedarCide BEST YET Pest Repellent: Made with cedar oil, this spritz for dogs is most effective against fleas, but has been shown to work as a repellant for ticks as well.
• Only Natural Pet Squeeze-On Dog Flea Control: Similar to the Only Natural Pet Flea & Tick Collar, this gentle squeeze on also uses geraniol. It also includes peppermint and soothing almond oil.
• Vetri-Science Flea & Tick Repellent Wipes: Featuring gentle essential oils, these easy to apply wipes not only clean your pet, but also repel ticks, fleas and even mosquitoes!

Keep their eyes & ears healthy & beautiful!

They’re things that we take for granted: our dogs can hear the crinkle of their food bags from the complete opposite corner of the house and our cats stalk and pounce on a slippered foot on even the darkest night. And even though our pets’ senses of sight and sound may always amaze us, this doesn’t mean they’re impervious to injury.

From common aging to specific disorders, their eyes and ears face numerous challenges; but with some simple observations, added knowledge, and natural help, you can care for your pet’s eyes and ears the healthy, natural way.

Eye Disorders

Eye health covers everything from vision to the physical & cellular health of the eye. It’s a hugely important sense for our pets and can experience several struggles. Here are some of the most common disorders, how you can recognize them, and what you can do to combat them naturally.

Diet Is the Foundation of Your Pet’s Health!

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Healthy eye lenses are made up of mostly water and protein and cataracts are formed when proteins begin clumping together in an abnormal way, resulting in clouding and decreased vision. They’re usually associated with older pets, but they can easily affect younger pets with certain congenital issues or chronic conditions, like diabetes. Surgery is often required, but the urgency and even the need for surgery can be put off with a proper regime of prevention and treatment.

As with most natural care, prevention and treatment both begin with the basics: a high quality diet supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Diet is the foundation of good health and is the most important thing you can do for your companion; many chronic degenerative eye diseases, like cataracts, develop as a result of inadequate nutrition and exposure to toxins in low quality food. Thankfully, there are so many quality diets on the market, pleasing even the pickiest pet is simple. Dehydrated and freeze dried diets are delicious and packed with nutrients needed for a species appropriate diet, and even high quality canned pet food and high quality pet kibble diets have been improving drastically over the years. The basic rule of thumb is the fresher the better; but remember, your pets should enjoy what they’re eating as well!

Herbal supplements can be extremely helpful for cataracts, especially bilberry. Bilberry supplements maintain proper circulation in the eye, delivering needed nutrients to eye tissue; plus it supports cardiovascular health. Along with a bilberry extract, high quality antioxidant supplements support eye health, maintaining your pet’s ability to battle the progression cataracts.

Homeopathy can be helpful in some cases of cataracts, but the choice of remedy is specific to the needs of your pet. It’s best to search the help of a holistic vet certified with The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is the fancy name for eye inflammation and usually occurs in animals with preexisting immune or allergy-related problems. When your dog or cat has sore, red eyes with a discharge, the first thing to do is determine the cause. It

may be as simple as a minor scratch, irritating debris, or airborne allergies, or a more serious issue, like feline herpes or glaucoma. If you’re uncertain about what’s causing your pet’s irritation, a trip to the veterinarian is crucial; waiting can mean the difference between saving your pet’s sight and losing it.

For common irritations, eye washes are helpful for soothing they eyes and removing any foreign debris, and eyebright herbal washes are effective at controlling symptoms and minor infections. Traditional Chinese herbal blends can also be helpful for boosting the immune system and clearing minor eye infections.

If allergies are suspected as the cause of conjunctivitis, it’s best to confront the two most common culprits: food & airborne allergies. Switching to a hypoallergenic diet will help eliminate food borne allergens. Nutraceutical allergy formulas regimen will help maintain your pet’s ability to battle airborne allergies, plus, they act as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory agents to control inflammation. Solutions are also helpful for gently cleaning and removing foreign debris, like pollen.

Feline Herpes

If your cat’s eyes are watering and producing a thick whitish discharge, feline herpes may be the cause. Feline herpes is a common, highly contagious upper respiratory infection that can have far reaching effects on your cat’s health. On the eyes specifically, the inside lining of the eyelids becomes inflamed, and shallow, painful ulcers develop.

Feline Herpes is generally a result of a weakened immune system, so a healthy diet and immune support are essential. To help control the virus, the amino acid L-lysine may be helpful; L-lysine, along with other vitamins and herbs, can support the immune system during infections and on a long-term basis. Specially formulated blends to fight viral and bacterial infections and boost the immune system can be very helpful as well. Plus, eyebright eyewashes will soothed the painful eye ulcers and gently clean the thick discharges.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), involves the shrinking of the retina of the eye and is more common in dogs than cats. PRA usually develops slowly and begins with night blindness; if you notice your companion hesitating to go outside at

Essential Fatty Acids Help Eyes & Ears

night or down a darkened hall, suspect vision problems and consult your veterinarian.

In cats, PRA is most commonly related to a taurine deficiency, which is now less of a problem since all commercially available cat foods are fortified with added taurine. Raw diets that include organ meats provide the most natural source of taurine, and for those feeding home-prepared diets, taurine supplementation is essential. Look for daily supplements to ensure your cat’s health.

Preventing PRA in your pet is best done with a multi-faceted approach. Obviously, proper diet and nutrition are giant steps you can take to confront and degenerative or chronic condition. Supplements are also hugely important: bilberry is useful for PRA for the same reasons it may help with cataracts – increased circulation and nutrients to the eye tissue. Zinc and vitamin E deficiencies are also linked to PRA, so supplementing with both of these is valuable in preventing PRA. Finally, essential fatty acids, particularly DHA from fish oil, also support in preventing or slowing the progression of PRA.

Ear Disorders

Ear health is vital for your pet to not only have healthy hearing, but clean, irritant free ears. Troubled ears often result in excessive scratching and shaking, not to mention they can smell pretty terrible. Here are some of the most common offenders and how you can help your pet.

Ear Infections & Yeast Problems

Chronic ear infections and yeast problems are frequently a sign of food allergies, but diet, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and essential fatty acids are great for treating allergies and hence chronic ear problems from the inside out.

Many animals with food sensitivities and allergies have seen dramatic improvement on raw, freeze dried, and dehydrated diets; again, the fresher the diet, the better it is for your companion’s health & immune system.  Dry kibble can be part of a healthy diet for pets; however dogs with chronic ear problems or allergies require hypo-allergenic food, meaning no wheat, corn or soy and sometimes no beef or chicken too, due to protein sensitivities. Make sure your read your labels and find a diet that’s friendly for your pet’s allergies and palate.

Digestive Enzymes Support Healthy Allergy Responses

Most pets suffering food allergies also have unhealthy gastrointestinal systems and can’t digest food properly. Leaky gut develops, letting molecules that are too large to process pass through the gut wall, setting off allergic reactions and even yeast infections. The symptoms may appear in the ears, but you have to heal the gut to really get rid of the allergies. Digestive enzymes break down the food so that there is less of a chance of the larger molecules passing through the intestinal walls, probiotics support a healthy balance of flora in the gut and aid digestion, and fatty acids maintain proper inflammation response, supporting a healthy gut.

Digestive enzymes break down the food so that there is less of a chance of the larger molecules passing through the intestinal walls and should be added at every meal. The enzymes work quickly and don’t remain in your pet’s system beyond digestion of the food immediately present in the digestive tract.

Probiotics support a healthy balance of flora in the gut, aid digestion, and are especially important if your pet has been on steroids or antibiotics, which kill the healthy gut flora and set up conditions for the allergies to worsen. Probiotics are helpful for any animal that has had chronic gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea as well.

Essential fatty acids, preferably fish oil, maintain proper inflammation response and support a healthy gut. Allergies involve inflammation of the gut and often affect the joints as well. Plus, fish oil is an irresistible topper on your pet’s meals.

Finally, if the change in diet and adding enzymes and fatty acids do not completely solve the issue, then consider a supplement high in plant sterols and sterolins that help balance the immune system over time and reduce allergic reactions.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are part of the arachnid family (along with ticks, spiders, and scorpions) and are parasitic. These little buggers result in excess scratching and unfortunately, can lead to other infections and irritations as your pet is looking for relief. They spread quickly, so if you have multiple pets, get all of them checked. If you suspect your pet has ear mites, take them to your veterinarian to be tested and treated.

Thankfully, one of the best things you can do for ear mites is prevention. Putting your pet on a healthy diet, probiotics, digestive enzymes and essential fatty acids (the same program you follow to prevent ear infections) will support your pet’s natural ability to fend off these nasty invaders.

General Ear Relief

Topical ear washes are a great way to relieve and ease any ear irritation your pet may be experiencing. Echinacea and tea tree oil are both mild disinfects that will help clean the ear canal. Plus, tea tree oil is anti-fungal and can be helpful in controlling yeast as well.

Final Thoughts on Natural Eye & Ear Care

Ear and eye problems are not only nuisances for your pet, but can lead to serious issues, including loss of sight and hearing. But with attention to detail, a helpful holistic veterinarian, and a natural approach, you can keep your pet seeing, hearing and feeling great!

Please keep in mind that although these are common eye and ear disorders seen by veterinarians, they are not all of the symptoms of a diagnosis. If you’re noticing any changes in behavior, squinting, excessive scratching, or loss of hearing or sight, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Healthy Eyes & Ears Mean Healthy Seeing & Hearing

Introducing Only Natural Pet’s New Flea Collar!

Natural Flea Collars vs Conventional Flea Collars

In our quest to bring you the best natural flea control that’s effective against fleas but gentle for your pets, we noticed one gaping hole: flea collars.

Conventional Flea Collars

Flea collars seem innocent enough; a small piece of plastic that loops around your pet’s neck and protects him from biting insects like fleas & ticks. But as a savvy, natural customer, you know that all flea collars are not created equal!

Most of them are just as toxic as their flea dip & spot-on counterparts. Just read some of the horror stories from support groups who have had their pets injured or killed by using supermarket flea collars and other chemical flea control products. The collars work the same as other products, coating the animal’s skin with a chemical pesticide that often leaches into the bloodstream and causes seizures and even death. Enough is enough! You shouldn’t have to decide between your pet and being flea free.

Natural Flea Collars

That’s why we set out with our holistic vet to create the Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea & Tick Collar for Dog and the EasyDefense Flea & Tick Collar for Cats. Made with the proven power of geraniol (a geranium extract), citronella and cinnamon, these collars emit a sweet smell to us and our pets, but a terrible one for biting insects, telling them to keep away. They are chemical free and even the collar is made without PVC or Pththalate plastics, meaning every aspect of them is safe for your pet and your family. Plus, they protect your pet for up to three months! Please read more to see how these collars are the safest, most effective way to give your pet a flea free future.

Natural Flea Control

The EasyDefense Flea & Tick Collars are joining our already extensive family of natural flea control for dogs and natural flea control for cats, that, when used in unison, can help you not only handle an existing flea infestation, but help keep your pet free of fleas.

• Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea & Tick Tag: A specially designed tag that uses your pet’s own bio-energy to repel fleas, stopping infestations before they start.
• Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Powder: Made with time tested diatomaceous earth, this all natural powder is effective at eliminating fleas from the yard, the home, and your pet.
• Only Natural Pet Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Tablets: Effective for fighting biting insects from the inside out, these tablets make your pet unappetizing to hungry insects.
• Only Natural Pet HerbalDefense Shampoo & Conditioner: Featuring 70% organic ingredients, these are great for your pet’s skin & coat and for keeping them pest free.

These are just a sampling of the amazing, effective, and most importantly, safe, products we have to offer at Only Natural Pet Store.

Natural products mean safe pets!

Make your dog smile with natural detox solutions.

The words “toxic” and “toxin” get thrown around a lot; from toxic waste to pop star lyrics, they’re often overused and misunderstood. But the truth is: toxins can cause, worsen, or accelerate numerous health problems in your pet. And since these toxins are often hidden in our pet’s food, air and environment, it can be difficult to pinpoint how many they’re actually receiving.

Our pets are in an extremely difficult situation because of their size and their inability to communicate. We may affectionately call them our little friends, but the truth is that “little” moniker can be a big problem. Since they’re smaller, small amounts of toxins can have a greater impact on their health. Plus, they can’t say to you, “This water is making me sick,” or “You’re going to spray the lawn with what?!” so we can’t know everything that’s effecting them.

Thankfully, there’s help! With a little primer on what toxins are most likely hurting your pet, and some easy to follow steps on how to stop them, you and your furry friend will be well on your way to living a healthy, toxin free life!

Tracking Your Pet’s Toxins

Toxins get into your pet through several means; including eating, licking, breathing, touching, and even normal biological processes. Outdoor toxins like weed killers, pesticides, automotive exhaust & motor oil, and chemical road or sidewalk de-icers get into our pets when they breathe them in, eat chemical-laden grass, lick dust or residue off their paws and fur, or absorb them through their paws. Household products like cleaners, air fresheners, laundry products and other chemicals can invade where your pets sleep and lounge. Toxins in drinking water, commercial food and treats, and medications are usually directly ingested by your pet. Finally, some toxins, like ammonia, are produced within your pet’s body, either through their own metabolic processes or by microbial activity, most often bacteria and/or yeast in the GI tract.

The Ill Effects of Toxins on Your Pet

In a healthy body, toxins are rounded up and eliminated quickly through the organs of elimination, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and skin. Our pets’ wild counterparts have very efficient toxin elimination systems that have developed over centuries to handle the natural toxins they encounter. But in the modern world, our domesticated pets are bombarded daily with an overwhelming number of toxins, most of which their bodies have not had enough evolutionary time to adapt to.

In the short run, our pet’s bodies react to toxins like ours do: the immune system ramps up processes like inflammation, mucus production and diarrhea to help an army of cells resolve the problem and purge the offending “invaders” from the system. But when the body is overwhelmed with too many toxins, it is forced to store them until there is an opportunity to eliminate them at a better time. For many pets, the better time never arrives, and these toxins will accumulate indefinitely, causing symptoms like lethargy, fatigue, and proneness to infection. Ultimately, toxic overload can impede the work of your pet’s immune system to the point where tumors and cysts may form, and serious health conditions may develop as organ function is impaired.

Detoxing Your Pet

1. Upgrade Food & Treats – Improving the quality of your pet’s diet is the best thing you can do to improve well-being and longevity. Stop giving your pets any grocery store or pet store chain foods & treats; you are feeding them chemical additives, artificial colors & flavors with every bite. Along with these toxic indigestible ingredients, they are filled with poor quality proteins and fillers that tax your pet’s digestion and increase the toxic load in their bodies. Choose natural, high quality food and treats. Only Natural Pet Store offers only the best in highly digestible, additive-free natural dog foods & natural cat food and natural dog treats & natural cat treats.

2. Filtered Water Only – While the water that flows through your household pipes may be technically “fit to drink,” it is filled with toxic minerals, metal levels, chemicals like fluoride and chlorine, and even trace amounts dangerous prescription drugs. Your pets deserve better! Water filtration units are readily available and you don’t have to spend a lot to get a good one. Pet fountains from Drinkwell and Pioneer Pet Water Filters not only filter the water, but entice pets that don’t like to drink water: a great benefit to their kidneys. It’s well worth the investment and, after all, what’s more valuable than your pet’s health?

3. Add Nutraceuticals and Cleansing Herbs – Nutrient supplements that contain “greens” and cleansing herbs can help your pet tremendously. Greens supplements add a wide variety of nutrients commonly missing from even the best pet foods, including full spectrum amino acids, chlorophyll, antioxidants, trace minerals, and essential fatty acids. Cleansing herbs have unique properties that support the health of essential organ systems and are extremely easy to administer. We offer many excellent greens and cleansing herb supplements.

4. Eliminate Household Chemicals – Along with obvious products like bug killers and cleaning solvents, beware of things like perfumes, air fresheners (including scented plug-ins), and laundry products like dryer sheets These are laden with chemicals unregulated and untested by US health protection agencies, and many of them are known to cause or worsen respiratory conditions like asthma. Choose 100% natural cleaning products. Check out our selection of natural, biodegradable cleaners, or make your own natural cleaner. There are many online resources for making effective cleaning products from ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.

5. Exercise Every Day – Your pet needs exercise as much as you do, and daily workouts have many benefits for protecting your pet from toxins. Exercise improves the movement of waste materials through the digestive tract, reducing the toxic effects of a too-sluggish bowel. Exercise also improves circulation of blood and lymph fluid, two primary means of eliminating micro-toxins and cellular debris from the body. Exercise also improves respiration and helps remove excess mucus from the respiratory tract. Don’t let a dog’s bad walking behavior or a cat’s boredom prevent you from giving your pets the exercise they need.  Walking harnesses can curb your dog’s pulling tendencies, making walks easier, and outdoor walking harness for cats allow for safe outdoor exercise. Plus, some interactive toys for dogs & interactive toys for cats will keep your pet’s muscles toned from “hunting prey.”

6. Improve Air Quality – Indoor air pollution can come from household chemicals, cigarette and cigar smoke, gaseous chemicals emanating from new synthetic household items like flooring, carpeting, and furniture, and even dust. If you have new household items that are giving off that tell-tale “new” smell, be sure to keep these areas of the house well-ventilated, keep pets off and out of these areas and consider using window fans or leaving windows open for some fresh air while the items are exuding high levels of volatile organic compounds. Use bathroom fans to reduce chemical residues from spray-on cosmetic items like hair spray and perfume. And consider purchasing an air purifier to continually cycle and filter your house’s air.

7. Minimize Exposure to Outdoor Pollutants & Chemicals – Pets that spend time outdoors will undoubtedly encounter chemicals used for pest control, weed killers, fertilizers and more. If your dog likes to munch on grass, keep a close eye on them when you walk near neighbors’ yards and in public places like parks, where use of chemicals is common. Adding greens to the diet may help curb this tendency in both cats and dogs to graze on grass outside. For cats, a great solution is the SmartCat Kitty Garden, which lets you grow a healthy assortment of grasses free of contaminants.

8. Keep Conventional Meds in Check – Toxic compounds are plentiful in conventional flea and tick products, heartworm medications, and many conventional drugs, including vaccines. While chemical treatments and conventional medications may be needed, it pays to be mindful of the frequency of dosing, and to look for natural alternatives when they are appropriate. We offer many natural flea and tick control products, as well as natural remedies for common pet health conditions that offer safer alternatives to their conventional counterparts; check with your vet about natural remedies that may be of benefit. We also suggest carefully considering the misguided notion that every pet requires annual boosters for vaccines. Read our article, “The Truth About Pet Vaccinations,” for more information on this critical topic.

9. Support the Liver – Your pet’s liver does the lion’s share of eliminating of toxins. Antioxidants assist the liver in this process, and many detoxification remedies have herbs like milk thistle that are of great value to your pet’s liver. While young, healthy pets are unlikely to require daily liver support, older pets and those taking medications may benefit from regular use of liver support products. As always, consult a holistic vet to determine whether and how liver-supporting remedies may be of benefit to your companion. Read more about liver support in our article, “Taking Care of the Liver,” by our consulting holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM.

10. Provide Immune Support – Your pet’s immune system works in tandem with the elimination organs to flush toxins, and supporting immune health keeps your pet’s liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines and skin healthy so they can do their detoxification work. For healthy pets, daily immune support is found in a quality multivitamin & mineral supplement. Extra immune support, especially important for older and active pets, is provided by antioxidant supplements.

11. Skin Salvation – Your pet’s skin and coat is the first line of defense against toxins, and a regular brushing regimen will help your pet’s skin “breathe” and facilitate this process. Regular grooming also removes dust and debris that may contain toxic residue, making personal grooming far less worrisome. Consider the quality of your pet’s bath products, and choose natural grooming products that skip the toxic ingredients, preventing your pet from absorbing fewer toxins at bath time. Natural skin health products and natural shampoo & bath products support healthy skin and are just as effective as their toxic counterparts.

12. Support Healthy Digestion – Most eliminated toxins pass through the colon, and a healthy digestive system keeps them moving through before they damage the intestinal walls or are reabsorbed. A sluggish bowel (constipation), or an irritated one (diarrhea) suggests a microbe imbalance, which complicates elimination of toxins. With constipation, toxic materials can be released back into your pet’s bloodstream before they pass through. Plus, microbes out of balance (for example bacteria and yeast) can produce their own toxins. Look for products designed to help your pet’s digestion which contain probiotics or digestive enzymes, or complete gastrointestinal support formulas that contain both.

13. Support the Kidneys – The simplest thing you can do to support health kidneys is ensure your pet drinks an ample amount of filtered water every day. Toxins are highly concentrated in chronically dehydrated pets and can damage the kidneys’ filtration system. Likewise, mineral particles can form when urine is highly concentrated, resulting in the formation of dreaded stones that are painful, cause blockages and set the stage for recurrent infections. If your pet doesn’t drink much water, consider a pet fountain and provide more liquids with meals by adding broth, gravy, or water to their food and using canned food to provide extra moisture. For pets with urinary tract issues, consider remedies for urinary tract and kidney support.

14. Keep It Clean – Studies show that the home environment generally has far worse air quality than the outdoors. Much of the toxic material found in our homes, however, blows into our houses from dust and outdoor pollutants. Keep your home free of dust with regular dusting and vacuuming; this greatly reduces toxic particulate matter that our pets breathe and ingest. Another place to be strict with cleaning is your pet’s food and water bowls. Change water daily and wash your pet’s bowls, as dust and germs accumulate here in abundance.

15. Gently Detox with Herbs & Homeopathics – Because our pets live with us and ingest many toxins in our shared environment, even the healthiest cats and dogs can benefit from regular intervals of gentle detoxification. We carry several excellent pet detoxification formulas with herbs like milk thistle, red clover, dandelion, and astragalus that support your pet’s organs and help eliminate stored toxins.

Keeping Your Pet Toxin Free

Keep in mind that as the body is eliminating toxins, it is not unusual for there to be a brief “healing crisis,” in which a cat or dog may develop symptoms like a runny nose or changes in bowel function or appetite. Such symptoms usually subside in a few days. As always, observe your pet closely and stop any remedy if concerning symptoms develop. Always consult with a holistic veterinarian for appropriate guidance. Please see our article, “Administering Remedies to Your Companion,” for additional suggestions.

The good news is that for most pets, their bodies are remarkably well-equipped to handle disease, eliminate a reasonable amount of toxins, and restore their own organs and body systems to health – with your help. When a natural diet and clean environment are combined with adequate nutrients, rest, exercise and joy, your pets are capable of a level of health you never thought possible.

• The FDA has been aware of illness associated with chicken jerky (as well as duck and sweet potato) originating in China since 2007.
• They have received 2,200 reports of illnesses and 360 dog deaths and one cat death related to the treats.
• Cases have been reported in every state.
• Chinese chicken treats have increased 85 fold from 2003 to 2011.

So as you can see, this problem is hugely expansive. And in the face of such a huge problem, it’s hard as a pet owner to know what to do to protect your furry friends. But with sound advice, extra planning, and informed decisions, you’ll be able to give your pet delicious treats without fear.
1. Look for signs of illness: Most of the illness associated with these treats has been gastrointestinal. This includes problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and blood and mucus in stool. More serious issues have arisen however, including pancreatic and GI bleeding and even kidney failure. If any of these issues arrive, seek veterinarian help immediately.
2. Stop buying treats made in China!: Unfortunately, all too often, profits outweigh safety for big corporations. Chicken jerky brands like Only Natural Pet, BIXIBI, and The Natural Pet Pantry are safely and proudly made in the USA.
3. Remember, chicken jerky is just a treat: Your pet doesn’t need treats to survive, so if you are at all concerned, stop feeding them treats. A balanced diet is essential for your pet’s health, treats are just the icing on the cake.
4. Share with your friends: Make sure every pet guardian you know is aware of what’s happening. Share on social media, like Facebook, talk to them at the dog park, whatever it takes! Get the word out to everyone that these treats are dangerous.
5. Make a statement: This one is easy and powerful. As consumers, we have the power to say to these big companies that our pets are more important than profits. Shop with smaller brands that produce in the USA. Let them know you appreciate their dedication to your pet’s health and happiness.

Navigating the world of pet food can be scary when dangers like Chinese treats and salmonella recalls are popping up so often. But these threats are easily neutralized when you’re a caring, informed pet parent. Together we can stand up for the rights of our pets.

In Phase I of our partnership we will focus on showing what organizations within the pet industry can do to increase their sustainability and decrease their environmental impact. This information will be available through an online educational sustainability toolkit called My Pet Sustainability Project that will include the business case for sustainability, what to consider with a supply chain, how to make a building more efficient, how to communicate sustainability, and tracking and regulation information.
On February 19th we will be convening a group of pet supply company CEOs, Founders, and Senior Leaders at Global Pet Expo, the annual pet trade show in Florida. This will be the beginning of our Sustainability Working Group (SWG) that will help and encourage everyone to “Green Up the Pet Industry”.
It all begins with a presentation from Natural Capitalism Solutions CEO Toby Russell that features Only Natural Pet as the ‘case study’ for the process, procedures, and tool kit we are now in the midst of developing.
We will recruit a group of ‘early adopters’ that will have the opportunity to help sponsor and provide key input on Phase II of our development.
Good things ahead!
Happy New Year to you and your furry friends and here’s to a green future for all of us.

Chris

Unlike their predecessors (our extremely popular Super Daily line), the new Ultimate Daily Vitamins are species appropriate! Dogs and cats (aside from having hugely different personalities and being sworn cartoon enemies) have two very different anatomies. The Ultimate Daily Vitamins were created specifically with your dog and cat in mind! Plus, each one features all of the building blocks your pet needs for a healthy, holistic lifestyle.

This includes:

• Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes for proper nutrient absorption and to support a healthy gut; one of the main components of a healthy immune system.

• Essential Fatty Acids, including the Omega 3′s DPA and EPA, which are hugely important for a beautiful coat and maintaining healthy skin, organ function, and more!
• Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin, plus New Zealand Green Lipped mussels, for supporting healthy joints.
• Tons of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D, calcium, potassium and more for maintaining healthy organ, nervous, muscle and skeletal function.

But don’t take my word for it; just ask Lindsay and Goose!

One of the best things about Thanksgiving is the state of your plate towards the end of your first serving: the mashed potatoes have tucked in the turkey, the broccoli has snuggled up with the stuffing, and the yams have cuddled up with cranberries. Every bite, in a word, is kaleidoscopic! Only Natural Pet Easy Raw brings the same hearty, nutritious mix to your pets. Both the dog formula and cat formula feature quality and down right delicious freeze-dried meats and nutrient dense, “superfood” produce like low glycemic sweet potatoes, antioxidant rich cranberries, broccoli, apples and pumpkin.

Plus, EasyRaw is one of the best options for your pet’s diet, offering them improved digestion, healthy weight control, and essential nutrients that can help their body stay strong and thrive.

Just check out our video and see for yourself!

Along with a high quality diet that has little processing (like raw pet food or freeze-dried pet food), adding a fish oil supplement is one of the best things you can do to increase your pet’s essential fatty acid intake.

Supplements

Along with Immune Strengthener, herbs, mushrooms and nutraceuticals like Cat’s Claw, Chinese Herbs, Medicinal Mushrooms and Colostrum can be a huge help.

Diet

Diet is always the first line of defense; it is the foundation of health. If your companion is consuming highly processed food that provides only minimal nutrition and includes toxins such as chemical preservatives, food dyes, texturizers, and other additives, his immune system is being depleted daily just to cope with that diet. Fresh, wholesome food, like frozen raw or non-frozen raw, is the first step in building a strong immune system.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage to cells, boost immune function, and possibly decrease the risk of infections, degenerative diseases, and cancer. Antioxidants exist as vitamins, minerals, and other compounds in foods. They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage by destroying free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that the body normally produces to defend against bacteria and other pathogens; but if left unchecked, they can damage the body at the cellular level.

Stress and Exercise

Stress suppresses the immune system. Our pets can experience emotional stress from any number of sources, such as territorial disputes among pets (especially cats), social stress, and noise and light pollution. Exercise helps reduce stress and helps build and maintain a strong body and immune system. Moderate exercise has been shown to improve immune function in humans and animals.Weight control is also key – overweight animals are much more susceptible to chronic and acute diseases and infections. Proper diet AND exercise are needed to help with weight control.

These simple and healthy steps and ingredients can keep your pet’s immune system operating efficiently and properly for many years to come!