What can you do to help keep your pet healthy in the new year? Here are three simple steps you can take that will help keep your pet thriving:
1. Diet
We hear so much about nutrition in both the human and pet health arena. But truly, this is the most fundamental key to optimum health. Without proper nutrition, other modalities will not be effective. The most important concept is feeding fresh, whole foods in a balanced, species-appropriate diet. This may sound like a mouthful, and a lot more work than pouring kibble in a bowl, but I assure you that it is not as hard as you think, and well worth any additional time and expense. There are many well balanced raw or freeze-dried/dehydrated raw commercial products available. I do not recommend home-cooking as it is very difficult to achieve an adequate balance of nutrients, and the time and money required to find well-sourced ingredients will not save you anything in the long-run. If changing to a raw diet seems like a big step, then start by adding in some fresh food to your pet’s diet. This can be in the form of meat scraps, a cooked egg, coconut or avocado oil, sardines, or buy a commercial raw product and add in small amounts. These nutritional concepts holds try even if your pet has been diagnosed with disease conditions such as diabetes, kidney or liver failure, pancreatitis, IBD, and especially cancer. Fresh food is always a better choice.
I am available to help you in formulating a diet that will help your pet with its specific health challenges.
2. Use fewer vaccines and pharmaceuticals
Conventional medicine certainly has a place in treating short-term or in emergencies. In the long-run, however, building health through nutrition and natural support will create more health and vitality. Vaccinations have been the mainstay in veterinary medicine for many years, the idea being that preventing disease through vaccinating was the best we could do to keep our pets healthy. There has been little talk about the amazing ability of the body to eliminate disease when given proper support. Every vaccination and pharmaceutical given has potential side effects and the pros and cons should be weighed carefully.
In the case of vaccines, we can do titers to evaluate the level of immunity already present so that additional vaccines are not given unnecessarily.
Pharmaceuticals should be given judiciously, and only when warranted. Antibiotics, for example, should only be given when a bacterial infection is certain, and ideally, after a culture identifies which organism is growing and which antibiotic will be most effective.
3. Lifestyle changes
Our lives have become increasingly fast-paced and stressful. Our increased dependence on technology has many advantages, but can also take its toll on our health, and that of our pets. EMF, or electromagnetic frequencies are emitted constantly from our computers, cell phones and other electronic devices. These frequencies can be disruptive the normal function of many different cells in the body. While we cannot avoid this exposure completely, minimizing it whenever possible, and, most importantly getting outside and spending time in nature is an essential anecdote.
Does your pet spend long hours alone, without the interaction of other pets or people. Cats may be more adept at spending time alone, but will still appreciate your company. Dogs are very social, and will develop behavior issues if not allowed to play, sniff, run, roll, and just be a dog.
Don’t forget that your stress level will also affect your pet, so spending time de-stressing with your pet can benefit both of you. Getting outside for walks is an excellent way to do this. You will find that time spent in nature is both soothing and energizing.
I sincerely wish you all the best in 2019.
Stay tuned for special events and, of course, the opening of my new practice!