Natural Pet News - 12/29/06
Thank you for sharing this newsletter with your other pet-loving friends. To keep it from being dumped into your Junk Mail folder due to it's length, add our mailing list address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.comI hope you and your pets have had a pleasant holiday during Christmas-time. We couldn't convince Squeek to give you a smile. She's not usually camera shy, but she's not much of a lap kitty.
We kept the holidays pretty low-key at our place focusing on the birth of Christ and what that means to us. We enjoy volunteering more during this time of year since the email and phones slow down. We also enjoy the musical events of the season. We especially enjoyed our neighbor's sing-a-long that they have every other year. There were 48 people there and we sang carol after carol laughing and smiling all the way. Not to mention the incredible array of food. I was the designated photographer of the party.
The new year is approaching and I love it. It feels like I've got a fresh new slate to write anything I want on it. Obviously, it's just another day, the next day on the calendar. Time just keeps ticking by, but I think the turn over into the new year causes us all to think and ponder what our lives are all about and what we'd like to make them about. I seem to ponder that all year long and do a mailing called "A Healing Moment" with thought-provoking articles. It's a free email newsletter you can subscribe to at the above 'A Healing Moment' link.
Blessings to you and all of your pets!
Donna
GOOD NEWS FOR PETS
Vet Clinic For the Homeless and Poor
This month's good news story is about a clinic with 15 volunteers that provide pet food and services to animals owned by homeless and people too poor to have veterinarian care. If you'd like to read the story, here's the link: seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/291359_dogs07.html
CATS & KITTENS
Why Do Cats Purr?
The reason why cats purr has been the subject of great debate among feline experts. At present, there is still no consensus regarding whether the behavior of purring is voluntary or involuntary.
Purring is generally understood to result from the vibration of vocal cords that is amplified by air pushed in and out by contractions of the diaphragm. Both domestic and wild cats (including big cats that do not roar) are known to purr. Kittens are capable of producing purrs within a day after they are born, often purring while suckling.
Purrs are one element of the murmur vocalization group, sounds that can be produced while the mouth is shut. Purrs are believed to communicate pleasure and contentment, but cats will also purr when they are frightened or ill, and some will even purr while delivering kittens. Some experts believe that during these latter, stressful situations, the purring may be an attempt to reduce stress. When cats purr in the presence of other unknown cats or kittens, purring may serve to convey submissiveness or a friendly intent.
Although we may never know exactly why cats purr, perhaps we can all agree that purring is a most pleasant sound, and that our cats must feel some contentment while making those light lulling rumbles.
Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter
DOGS - BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING
Dog Jumping on People
Q: Every time someone comes to my house, my Golden Retriever jumps all over them. It doesn’t seem to matter how much we yell at him to stop, he just keeps doing it. I don’t want to lock him up every time someone comes over. He’s very friendly--just too friendly! How do I stop my jumping Jack?
A: Dogs are pack animals and get very excited in groups or when new people come to visit. They are anxious to greet company and jump to get some face time. Most people start to yell at the dog and push with their hands for the dog to get down. This only encourages the dog to jump more. It’s actually an invitation to play to start pushing your hands at dogs. Think about how dogs start to play with each other—they start to paw at the other dog. Well, that’s what humans are doing when they push with their hands. The dog just thinks you want to play; plus in their minds, you are “barking” and carrying on so you must be excited to see them too!
Since body language speaks so loudly to dogs, ask your visitors to turn their back on the dog. Have them make no eye contact and step away to avoid paw contact. When the dog stops jumping, ask them to turn and praise your dog for having four paws on the floor. Better yet, have them ask for a sit before saying hello. Any time the dog starts to jump, they should turn around again. If your dog is really big, you may need to do this with the dog on a leash so he doesn’t knock them over while he practices his new skills.
Soon your dog will learn that the only way to get attention from visitors is to keep four-on-the-floor. With lots of repetition and patience from your visitors, your dog will soon be saying hello in much more appropriate ways.
Download a PDF on specific training information for jumping dogs at Cheryl's site:
www.centerhillschool.com/jumpingdogs.wps.pdf
Ask About Your Pet's Behavior Problem
Cheryl Falkenburry has traveled the world helping people make sense of mind-boggling animal behavior. Working with animal behaviorists in Tucson, Arizona and England, majoring in psychology, and becoming a certified parenting educator prepared Cheryl to teach both humans and animals. Cheryl recognized that the concepts of positive parenting and loving leadership worked whether her clients were parents of human children or furry ones and applies her positive parenting skills to her animal training sessions. She has helped thousands of people develop new and exciting relationships with the animals who share their lives. Get details on phone and email consultations.
FEATURED PET PRODUCT
Immune & Body Support for CatsMore and more, we are beginning to see our sweet house cats with a view toward their 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.
This concept inspired Dr. Bicks to formulate the popular canned premium cat food, Instinctive Choice. She has applied this same philosophy of nutritional food development to the delicious new supplement Immune & Body Support.
As pet parents, we recognize the wildness in our cats. 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 of Life’s Abundance and/or Instinctive Choice 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. 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.
This new formula is inspired by nature, and includes essential nutrients specific to the prey of cats, such as muscle tissue rich in L-Carnitine, and cartilage which provides glucosamine needed to maintain healthy joints. It also provides 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.
PET SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS
An EPA report concluded that toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than oudoor air pollution. In one study conducted over a 15-year period, women who worked at home had a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who had jobs away from the home. The study concluded that the increased death rate was due to daily exposure to hazardous chemicals found in ordinary household products. What is not being reported are the slow poisonings that occur in every home from continual exposure to household cleaning chemcials. Cancer, birth defects, heart disease, genetic changes - almost any symptom imaginable, both physical and psychological, has been associated with certain chemicals in common household products. At greatest risk are fetuses, children, the elderly, pets, and those who are already ill.
Microbest Safe Cleaning ProductsSunshine Concentrate Household Multi-Use Cleaner
CUSTOMER'S SUCCESS STORIES
Diarrhea
"I added a 3 month old kitten, Yogi, to our family and he had diarrhea from the day I brought him home. We tried switching foods and all the waiting that goes with every change, fecal exams at the Vet, and we still came up with nothing, other than there were no digestive enzymes. We started enzyme therapy, no change after two weeks and another fecal exam found nothing. We treated for Ghiardia because Boo Boo, my other cat, seemed to have developed diarrhea too. No change. I was so worried about this little kitten, I checked out no less than 13 books from the library and read everything I could find online.
I decided to try a natural diet (home-cooked and natural dry cat food). One and a half days after I began serving Yogi Flint River Ranch Dry Cat Food (the only dry food he would eat) and serving him cooked chicken or beef, broth, veggies and brown rice or barley meals he had his first normal stool. It's now six (6) weeks later and we're still going strong. I don't know that if I left out any one item things would change, but I feel the combination is a well rounded, balanced and wholesome meal.
Both cats now eat only Flint River Ranch for their dry food. Their coats are soft and shiny, Boo Boo is shedding only a fraction of what he had been. Yogi is finally filling out and actually seems to be satisfied when he has finished his plate of goodies (he had an insatiable appetite before). They both run and play with endless energy. Boo Boo even seems to have a calmer, more sociable and affectionate attitude.
I have learned that many cats can have chronic diarrhea from commercial foods due to an intolerance to the additives, preservatives or fillers used. After all the frustration and anxiety of two months of trying to get our little Yogi on track I hope you might be able to share some of this story with others who are in similar situations." Debra C.
Deworming
"I'm a licensed nurse and have been interested in herbs for about 4 years. We have 70-80 goats and I've found that the chemical products are too harsh and don't really solve any problems. I've been using herbal dewormers (wormwood, tarragon, thyme, and black walnut) and have done parasite counts before and after treatment with both drugs and the herbs, and I'm much more satisified with the herbal results." Julie Our most popular herbal ootions for deworming are Herbal Pumpkin and Black Walnut.
Herbs for Pets Online Catalog by Health Topic
More Pet Success Stories Using Natural Remedies
Herbs and Supplements for Pet Owners
One reason to keep yourself healthy is because your pet needs you! Find a natural solution for yourself. Many pet owners do everything to keep their pet healthy, but neglect their own health. We use Nature's Sunshine Products.
NATURAL HEARTWORM PROGRAMS
Yes, there are herbal and supplement programs for pets. Robin Sockness has been working with people for many years and has helped over a thousand pets now.Read more about natural heartworm programs or read some success stories that Robin has shared with us.
PET FOODS
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet FoodsThe baking process results in a greater degree of nutrient absorption. All natural ingredients include chicken, lamb, fish, whole grains of wheat, rice and millet, vitamins and chelated minerals along with flax seed and herbs for super nutrition.
No by-products, chemical preservatives or anything artificial. Read testimonials. About Flint River Ranch.
What's In Your Pet's Food?
Diet is so important for health. Many health issues directly link to diet and can affect long-term health and life of your pet. Watch an online video clip about what might be in your in your pet's food.
Free Samples of Pet Food, Treats, & Supplements Formulated by Dr. Jane BicksYour pet depends on you to make the right choices when it comes to his or her health. HealthyPetNet wants the best for your pets. That’s why they promise to provide products that are inspired by nature and made using good nutritional science.
Free sample pack of food, treats and supplements.
HEALTHY PET CORNER
This site provides links and resources for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits and reptiles. You'll find links to basic care, health, safety, etc. Visit Healthy Pet Corner.
ANOTHER PET NEWSLETTER
This complimentary monthly email Healthy Pet Newsletter contains:
* Helpful Pet Information
* Interesting Stories
* Nutritional Advice
* Insight From Veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks
Register now to get the next issue or view a sample issue.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Poison Control Number: 800-548-2423
ASPCA Poison Control Number 888-426-4435
There may be a charge for these calls.
ADOPT A PET
Find the perfect pet for your family at PetFinder.com. You can search by breed, locality, age, size, gender, etc. It's so rewarding to take an animal who really needs a home.
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COPYRIGHT & REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Healthy Pet Corner
The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If your pet has amedical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a veterinarian. All stories and information content that is passed along in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily endorsed by its editor, Donna L. Watkins, its sponsor, HealthyPetCorner.com, or its owner, Sunshine Life Center, Inc.
Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this to a friend and/or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit:
Editor, Donna L. Watkins, of HealthyPetCorner.com, provides this free newsletter to subscribers. Healthy Pet Corner provides quality natural pet foods. Visit now to subscribe or shop: http://www.healthypetcorner.com


