Holistic Treats for Cats - pawTreats

Looking for a healthier treat for your cat? Try freeze-dried Salmon and Cranberries from pawTree , a Texas-based company specializing in holistic food for dogs and cats. These grain-free treats have no fillers or preservatives, like the company’s other products. My panther-in-residence (aka black cat), Lux Batboy, loved these treats, and he usually snubs his nose at new, health-oriented snacks, and whines for Fancy Feast. (Many cats are like kids. Why eat an apple when you can have potato chips?)

pawTree also offers seasonings for pet food – including Chicken Liver, Salmon, Turkey Medley and Chicken. The seasonings are designed to not only make food tastier, but to complement meals nutritionally. Create a profile on the pawTree site to find the best foods for your pet’s needs.  

Book Review: Cannabis and CBD Science for Dogs by D. Caroline Coile, PH. D

Cannabis is now accepted as medical treatment for dozens of ailments in humans.  But what about cannabis for dogs? Yes, there is such a thing and it’s used to treat anxiety, pain and even cancer in canines through the use of CBD oil. The new book, Cannabis and CBD Science for Dogs by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., a former canine consultant to the FAA and award-wining dog writer, examines the ways cannabis helps sick and aging canines.

The book explains first things first - the differences between marijuana, cannabis and hemp; the history of cannabis for medicinal purposes, and how different cannabinoids affect humans and animals.

CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp. The most well-known, THC, is found in marijuana and has the psychoactive properties that make you high. CBD, a cannabinoid used to treat health issues in humans and pets, is the opposite of THC in several ways. Marijuana containing THC makes people anxious and paranoid, but the CBD found in hemp has a calming effect. The THC in marijuana makes users sleepy, but CBD is an energy-booster.  Many types of CBD oil and related products are cleared for legal sale in the United States.

The chapter on clinical applications examines the uses of medical cannabis for canines. The list of treatable maladies mirrors the ones found in humans - anxiety, colitis, obesity, diabetes and cancer, to name just a few. The book contains case studies of dogs receiving relief from severe pain due to CBD treatment. There are a few easy-to-read charts featuring the types of cannabinoids and what canine health issues they treat, and other information to help you make an informed decision about your dog’s health care. 

This 94 page book covers the what, how and why of medical cannabis for dogs. If you’re tired of repeat visits to the vet, medical cannabis may be the answer to your pet’s health problems. The author examines the ways CBD improves canine health and clears up the confusion some people may have about the types of cannabis (marijuana vs. hemp), and how they’re used.   

Here’s a primer for the information contained in Cannabis and CBD Science for Dogs,  via an email interview I conducted with the book’s author. (She is also a columnist for Dog World magazine and the AKC Gazette.)

When was cannabis first used as a treatment for ill or elderly dogs?

We don't specifically know when it was first used for dogs, but the ancient Greeks used cannabis to dress wounds on their horses, so it's not much of a stretch to assume they also used it on their dogs. And of course, they also used it on themselves!

What is the difference between CBD and THC? Can my dog get "stoned" from using CBD?

CBD and THC are related but different types of cannabinoids, which are chemicals found in cannabis plants. Cannabinoids affect the body's endocannabinoid system, which is a master regulator of the body's internal systems. In the 1960s the cannabinoid THC was discovered and got all the credit---and it is the one responsible for the "high" you get from marijuana. But now another cannabinoid, called cannabidiol (CBD), is getting credit for most of the medicinal benefits. CBD doesn't get your dog high, and it comes from hemp, not marijuana. 

What conditions are treated with cannabis?

A crazy assortment of conditions are treated with cannabis, especially with CBD: Pain, age-related cognitive losses, inflammation, seizures, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, infections, even to some extent cancer. And while I agree that list sounds to unrelaed to be credible at first, the thing that ties them together is the systems that influence all these conditions are controlled by endocannbinoids.

Is the medical marijuana for pets different than medical marijuana for people?

Medical marijuana, with THC, comes from plants cultivated to have high THC content. It is illegal to use on dogs, even where it's legal for people. Veterinarians cannot prescribe it. CBD comes from hemp plants, which have been cultivated to have low THC bit subsequently have high CBD,  Hemp, with CBD, is legal.

How do I know if the cannabis I give my pet is safe?

As with any herb, know your source. I feel more confident with companies that have a history of supplying CBD.    Canna-Pet, for example, has probably the longest history and best documentation, and is my personal choice. 

Is cannabis added to your dog’s food or administered like medication?

It depends on your source, but ideally it's administered so it's absorbed before it get sto the digestive tract.  

Can vets prescribe it or do you get it over-the counter?

You don't need a prescription for CBD as it is totally legal to buy over the counter. Some veterinary clinics stock it, however, and have it on hand for cases they think would benefit from it. But right now, not all veterinarians understand CBD, or that it is legal and different from medical marijuana.

Book Review: The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead By Douglas Green

Douglas Green’s book, “The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead” is the story of one man’s experiences with his pet, an exuberant mixed breed pup he named Shirelle. (A lifelong music fan, Green borrowed the name from 1960s singing group the Shirelles.) 

When Green first met Shirelle, the pup was confined to a shelter, next on the list to be put down. The shelter workers referred to her as “Knucklehead”, an outgoing Husky mix, who impressed her soon to be new owner by playfully biting the ear of the pup next to her! 

After some looking at pups at another shelter, Green knew this was the one, and he went back to claim her.  Shirelle was no shrinking violet or obedient Westminster dog show candidate, but she wasn’t out of control, either. A curious, friendly pup she didn’t just greet people by sniffing at them – she’d enthusiastically jump all over them. After a few mishaps, it was time for obedience class. Shirelle’s behavior gradually improved, but she was still a knucklehead – in a good way. Green writes about how Shirelle’s presence helped him through a career change, various relationships, and life’s general ups and downs. She was always there to entertain and comfort him, in her own quirky way, and he was always there for her.

Along the way Green dates a woman who doesn’t like dogs. (Shirelle stayed, and the woman is long gone.) He directs a play about a couple and their dog, with Shirelle making an appearance.

Sadly, Shirelle developed cancer, but Green pursued different treatments for her. The cancer went into remission, and she lived another few years.

“The last years of her life she worked with me,” says Green in a short phone interview, “She had a profound effect on clients” and “helped them go to a deeper place and access emotions.”

Green, a psychotherapist in West L.A., keeps Shirelle’s lessons alive through a Q and A feature on the website AskShirelle.com. Kids, teens and even parents write in to Shirelle and she answers their questions about life. The page has become quite popular, with upwards of 10,000 visitors a month. 

 “The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead” is a different kind of book about pets, since it looks at how a pet helps us through our daily lives, not just about how we can help them. It’s a heartwarming and engaging read for anyone who’s had a dog that’s inspired- and at times, exasperated them. 

Buy "The Teachings of Shirelle" at Amazon.com.

Doug Green will be appearing at the Cavalleria Press booth at the L.A. Times Festival of Books  on April 9^th and 10^th.

 

Five Things You Should Do Before Boarding Your Pet

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/tiverylucky

If you don’t want a pet sitter puttering around your house while you’re on vacation, or if your cat or dog has special medical needs, contact a local boarding kennel before heading to the airport. Of course, “kennel” is an old-fashioned term. Many pet boarding facilities are akin to fancy hotels for Fido or Fifi, offering individual pet suites of up to 120 square feet with “day and night lighting”, vets on staff 24 hours, and day spas for manicures and grooming.

What should you do before choosing a boarding facility?


Get Recommendations from Vets and Pet Owners

Ask your vet to recommend a local doggie daycare facility. Ask neighbors and relatives where they board their pets. Check out all the usual Internet review sources, like Yelp and CitySearch. Pet forums, however, will give you a more reliable and detailed rundown of a pet’s stay at a kennel.  You can check out Yeepet forums here.

Pay a Visit to the Facility

Before committing to a kennel, ask for a tour of the facilities. Some of the larger pet boarding facilities have different amenities and doggie “suites” available, so you’ll want to get a first-hand look before determining what is best for your pet.  Some luxury pet hotels have accommodations with cable TV for pampered pooches that like to bark at “The View” every morning. Some seemingly extraneous features do serve a purpose –spoiled or highly nervous pets may need an environment that mimics their home as closely as possible to feel comfortable. Ask if the kennel is a member of the International Boarding Pet Services Association (IBPSA), which provides education and legislative information to pet professionals. If you have an aging pet or one with specific medical needs, choose a kennel with a staff vet, or even better, board the critter at your vet’s office. Some larger veterinarian groups do offer  this services.


Bring toys and blankets from home

Dogs and cats are creatures of habit, and a new environment, no matter how well-appointed, will make them nervous. Bring a few favorite toys and blankets to remind your pet of the comforts of home. Alert the kennel staff about any personality quirks or daily habits. Some cats like to play vigorously when they wake up after a nap, while others just want to be left alone to preen. If your pet enjoys certain treats or a particular type of food, let the staff know. Some facilities may let you bring food for your pet in advance; others will supply the food and bill you for it.

Consider exercise and lodging details.

Facilities that house both dogs and cats keep them in different areas. Cats may have anything from a cat lodge, with separate compartments, to a four-story VIP “Townhouse.”  Dogs have their own individual suites, with square footage dependent on the animal’s size and weight. Staff workers take dogs for a walk several times a day. Other services, like outdoor runs or personal playtime with a staff member, are available for a nominal fee. Some facilities even have massage and dog training services.


 Make sure your pet has required vaccinations

 Keep in mind that boarding facilities require dogs and cats have a clean bill of health and all appropriate shots. Both dogs and cats should be flea and tick free and have a good temperament. That combative feral cat you rescued may be a challenge for you to raise at home, but it will be too wild for the staff at a boarding facility full of domestic animals. Generally speaking, you’ll need to show proof that your cat has a current leukemia vaccination or test and a current PRC test. Dogs need have current rabies, DAPP and BV shots. You’ll also need to prove that your canine has no intestinal parasites. Have all your paperwork from the vet ready when making reservations for your pet’s hotel stay.
 

This article first appeared on Yeepet.com in 2011 (under Jade07)

Copyright 2011 by Jade Blackmore 

 

Five Ways to Pamper Your Pup

Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Vudhikrai

Celebrities have the extra cash to pamper their pets with snakeskin dog collars, designer doggie salon visits and luxury hotel rooms. The rest of us need to be a bit more creative when we want to pamper our pooches. A little bit of time-and a little bit of money-can go a long way if you want to make your pet feel like the top dog.

Buy  your pup a brand new sweater. Sure, everybody liked to dress up their  dog for Halloween and other festivities, but how about about buying a fashionable but functional sweater to keep your doggie warm in the winter? An ageless argyle sweater always keeps a pup warm and looking good, while bright confetti sweaters will give your pet a playful look.

Shoot a photo portrait. Turn your dog into a supermodel with a few personality-laden shots. You can do it yourself with a good digital camera and some patience. Be sure to focus on your pet’s personality and let him strike a pose on his own. Or take a family photo wit him on the lap of his favorite human. Set shutter speed at 1/125th of a second, since pets move like lightning just when you think you have the perfect picture in view. Don’t have patience to follow your pooch with a camera?  Try contacting a pro pet photographer.

 Take a trip to the dog park. Don’t stick to the tried and true neighborhood walk routine all the time. Treat your dog to a few hours in the local dog park. He’ll get a workout and meet some new friends (and so will you!). Be sure to bring plenty of water, some chew toys, a Frisbee and snacks! All dog parks aren’t created equal, so scope out reviews on Yelp and other local guides to get an idea of the best  romping posts in your city. In L.A., Curbed recommends The Boneyard, Lake Hollywood, Silver Lake and Laurel Canyon.

Introduce your dog to some gourmet eats.You can always run off to the pet aisle at CVS on a regular basis and buy cheap dog treats, but that’s the equivalent of humans eating Twinkies everyday as a snack. To give your fave friend a new culinary experience, look up your local dog bakery. L.A’s Three Dog Bakery offers bone-shaped doggie cakes with specialized message in peanut butter or carob flavor. The gourmet treat comes in a wheat free version and feeds one to five dogs. If you don’t have time for a trip to the bakery, try a bag of chicken and apple dog treats or Bark Bar candy bars for dogs, made of honey and oats, carob or peanut butter.

Give Fido a new place to slumber. Most dogs prefer to sleep in their masters’ beds or on a big cushion in the living room. But why not pamper your pooch with his own designer bed. Fancy sleep quarters are more common for small dogs than larger ones, of course, but all canines deserve to relax in their own designer space once in awhile. Plush buttercup beds adapt to dog’s size, creating a comfy nest for long naps. Dutchie beds made of microvelvet fibers come in extra small to double extra large. These beds tufted are cushions with four square bolsters to pamper your dog with his own little dreamboat. Finally, if you have a tiny teacup dog, treat her like a princess with her own faux fur sleigh bed.


This article first appeared on Yeepet.com in 2012 as Jade07
Copyright 2012 Jade Blackmore

Five Tips to Help Your Cat Maintain a Healthy Weight

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ William Siers

It might be fun to look at photos of obese cats on YouTube, but if you really think about it, extra weight on a cat is unhealthy. It impedes quality of life for our feline friends, even if they are relatively healthy despite the extra weight.

It’s not surprising that so many cats are overweight. It’s easy to overfeed a cat, especially for busy folks who work long hours and leave extra treats for their pets in lieu of one-on-one playtime. Unlike dogs, cats aren’t taken outside for a brisk walk  to relieve themselves. Their restroom is inside just a few steps away from boudoir, and their entire day may consist of sitting on the windowsill looking across the street. If they’re lucky they have a cat tower or house to play in, but that alone will not keep a cat at fighting weight.


The first step in keeping your cat trim is to get him moving.

Play with him more often – most cats need fifteen to twenty minutes a day of exercise. If you don’t have time every day to devote to exercising your feline,  have a family member, friend or even a pet-sitter play with your cat.


Active Toys and “Hiding Places” Encourage Exercise

We all know that cats love to play with paper bags (with the handles cut off) and hide inside, punching holes in the bag for fun. Engage your kitty in a game of hide and seek by punching a large hole in the back of the bag and waving their favorite toy outside it for him to grab. Other household objects can provide endless amusement for your cat from toilet paper rolls to shower rod rings and small stuffed animals.. Cats naturaly love to chase and eventually catch all sorts of objects. Even if you don’t configure your house for natural hiding places, cats always seem to make their own “caves” to hide toys. (My cat Lux loves to hide shiny metallic scrunchies behind my computer desk; that is, til he started to bat them under the fridge.) Every cat has a fascination for different toys. Experiment with a few to see which ones capture your pet’s imagination. Cats need to chase, fish and knead and different toys fulfill these needs.


Combine Eating and Play with Food-Dispensing Toys

Constantly filling your cat's food dish will keep him from bothering you, but it will make him fat. It’s like always having a full dish of candy or chips at your desk at all times. How long would you be able to resist temptation? Keep your cat at a healthy weight by using a food-dispensing toy –make them work before getting a treats or food. You fill the dispenser and then make the cat hunt or “fish” for the kibble like they would in nature. You can start by using treats and slowly introduce dry food to the mix, leaving toys around the house for the cat to discover. This helps housebound cats whose owners work long hours. Some toys/food dispensers for housebound cats are the PetSafe Cat Food Dispenser and the Pipolino.


Encourage other natural instincts, such as biting, in a healthy way. Purchase developmental cat toys which satisfy the biting urge and keep cats teeth clean. Some companies sell toys like stuffed chew mice or mint-leaf filled chew sticks geared toward improving a cat’s dental health.

Never use hands and feet as scratch toys.

It may be tempting to play with a kitten this way, but it will cause problems when your kitty grows into a large, agile cat with sharp claws. If a cat swats a pen or other small object off your desk til it falls on the floor, he’s following his natural compunction to “toy” with prey. Of course, if he won’t give this m.o. a rest, he’s trying to get your attention or maybe he’s just plain bored. Schedule more playtime with your kitty or get him another feline companion to keep office supplies on your desk instead of the floor! 

This article first appeared on Yeepet.com in 2011 (as Jade07)

Copyright 2011 by Jade Blackmore

Feeding Brine Shrimp to Your Fish: An Introduction

Illustration Credit/vectorolie/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What are brine shrimp?

Brine shrimp (Artemia salina), found in Utah’s Salt Lakes and the San Francisco Bay, are a popular live food used by fish hobbyists. While pet stores sell live and freeze-dried brine shrimp, brine eggs that can be cultivated at home by aquarists comprise the largest market segment. Most cultivated brine shrimp eggs used by hobbyists are from Utah, since they are larger than those found in San Francisco’s waters. Hobbyists and breeders feed brine shrimp to their baby fish, or fry, as they are also called. If produced on a regular basis for a home aquarium, hobbyists can have a plentiful food source for their fish without constant trips to the pet store.

What types of fish eat brine shrimp?

Most popular breeds kept as pets can eat brine shrimp. Livebearer fish like guppies and swordtails, cichlids (angelfish, oscars, etc.), betas (wine red betas, Siamese fighting fish) and even goldfish can eat brine shrimp. Plecostomus Catfish won’t eat brines, but otherwise, any common hobby fish will gobble them up at feeding time.


Can I buy live brine shrimp from a dealer?

Retail pet stores and online dealers sell brine shrimp eggs, freeze-dried brine shrimp and live brine shrimp Live brine shrimp have a life span of about three months.   While there’s nothing wrong feeding your baby fish freeze dried or store-bought shrimp,  if you have lots of new fish, a homemade hatchery provide the best choice to provide a steady shrimp diet for your fish. If you have one small aquarium and don’t plan on adding new fish (or babies), a hatchery might not be worth your time. If you are a serious hobbyist or if you breed fish, a small hatchery is a good investment.


Making a Small Home Hatchery


You can cultivate your own brine shrimp using shrimp eggs from any store or online supplier and a few items you already have at home. Here’s a basic outline for a small, DIY home hatchery. Set aside a space in your aquarium room and assemble a hatchery using the following tools:

Two one-liter soda bottles
Flexible airline
Aquarium Air pump
Rigid tubing
Drinking straw
Prepared brine solution or salt and baking soda
Desk lamp

Brine eggs ( 90% is best)

Clean the empty soda bottles. Then cut the bottom off the first bottle, throwing away the “indented part” and leaving at least three-quarters of the bottle, leaving the bottle cap securely fastened. Cut the second bottle one-third of the way up from the bottom, so that you have the indented, bottom of the bottle. Fit the first piece into the second piece. The open piece at the top is the hatching container. The small bottom piece helps it balance on the tabletop.


Attach the rigid air tube to flexible airline. Put the flexible air tubing into the air pump. Place the rigid end of the tubing into the soda bottle/hatching container.

Fill hatching container with slightly more than three-quarters of warm water. Put in a tablespoon of table salt and a pinch of baking soda OR pre-packaged brine shrimp solution according to directions. Then measure a half-teaspoon of brine shrimp eggs and pour them in the bottle . Now drop in the brine shrimp eggs. Stir it slightly with the drinking straw to hydrate eggs floating on the top.

Place the light over the open bottle. The water in the bottle should be between 75 and 80 degrees. If the water temp is lower, it will take the brine shrimp longer to hatch.   At optimum temperature, it will take 24 hours for the eggs to develop. When you come back the next day, the water should be orange. That means the brine shrimp have hatched. Turn off the air pump and remove the air tube. Wait ten minutes for the brine shrimp and the shells to separate. The brine shrimp will be at the bottom of the container; the shells at the top. Take the drinking straw and put your finger over the top. Put the straw all the way into the bottom of the container where the shrimp have gathered. Then lift your finger off the top of the straw and pull the straw out of the water. The straw should be orange-colored and filled with brine shrimp. Unused baby brine shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for three or four days in Petri dishes filled with brine solution.


*If you need to produce a large batch of brine shrimp, use the above method substituting an aquarium tank for the soda bottles. 

This article originally appeared on Yeepet.com (as Jade07)
Copyright 2011 by Jade Blackmore