Courageous and Determined Pet Owner

Although this took place in Australia, this courageous and determined pet owner speaks for many of us here in the U.S. too -- those of us who have done due diligence in researching pet foods any way. And for those of you who have not done any serious research on the foods (and treats) you buy and feed your pets, I know that if you had (or do), you would (or will) have come to the same conclusions and be standing there right beside this woman!

In 2016 I wrote about some of the problems with prescription pet foods, and another article about a class action lawsuit against the major makers of prescription pet foods. Also in 2016, a movie came out about pet food called Pet Fooled, which is now available to see here.

Not to mention, just this year two new documentaries came out -- The Dog Cancer Series: Rethinking the Canine Epidemic, and The Truth About Pet Cancer, both of which have dozens of experts discussing the role that food has on a pet's health.

I applaud Maria in Australia for being brave and determined to bring attention to the problems with prescription pet foods. One person CAN make a difference.

Read Maria's story here: https://truthaboutpetfood.com/one-determined-pet-owner/

Essential Oils and Pets

There is so much disinformation out there in regards to essential oils and pets. Especially when it comes to cats. Even the mention of essential oils and cats can send people into a frenzy. According to Melissa Shelton, DVM, "much of what we 'think' we know about cats and essential oils is misinterpreted and outdated. The simple evidence is that in the absence of gross mis-use and overdose of essential oils, they really are quite safe."

(For those so inclined, click here to read the most current research review in regards to safety of essential oils with cats, also pertaining to other animals.)

The key things to using essential oils with any pet, including cats are:

👉The essential oils must be 100% pure, high quality, veterinary grade. Not all oils are created equal! They need to be screened specifically for use in veterinary applications.

👉They must be used in species appropriate doses and regimens. (i.e.,Cats are not small dogs.) Essential oils need to be regarded similarly to how we use drugs.  There are species considerations, dosing considerations, and interval considerations.

Obviously, some research and knowledge on the subject is required. Essential oils are powerful but safe if used in the correct ways. Sound a little too complicated or like too much work? No worries! Dr. Shelton has done all the work for you. You and your pets can experience the wonderful benefits of essential oils by purchasing essential oil products created by Dr. Shelton herself. The specific application and dosing instructions are found on her website for all her products.

Dr. Shelton attained her degree from The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999.  She is the owner of Crow River Animal Hospital in Howard Lake, MN – where her work with the medical use of essential oils for animals began in 2008.  In 2011, she dedicated her practice solely to the research and advancement of veterinary aromatic medicine.  (She prefers to call it aromatic medicine instead of aromatherapy.) Dr. Shelton is devoted to providing accurate, honest, and documented information regarding essential oil use in the animal kingdom - and is a popular speaker at veterinary conferences. 

 In 2014, she introduced animalEO, a line of veterinary essential oil products for animals.  She has presented on the use of essential oils throughout the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada.

She has also authored several books, including The Animal Desk Reference: Essential Oils for Animals and Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care: A Veterinarian's Desk Reference for the Top Health Concerns of Cats, Dogs, and Horses. I have both of these great reference books which sadly got damaged in the flood last year but I am so grateful I was able to salvage them.

I love essential oils and my pets and I have been experiencing the benefits of them for over twenty years.

Please visit Dr. Shelton's website at www.animalEO.info for more information.

Food Intolerances and Sensitivities

Does your pet have itchy skin, rashes, hot spots, chronic ear infections, diarrhea, or gas and you just can't seem to find the root of the problem?

Did you know that although actual food allergies are rare, food intolerance is the third most common sensitivity condition in dogs and cats? The difficulty has always been figuring out what foods are the culprits though -- until now.

NutriScan is the most accurate food sensitivity and intolerance test on the market. It is the only clinically predictable veterinarian diagnostic test for dogs, cats and horses. Developed by world renowned veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds, this patented test, which can be done at home or at your vet's office, looks at particular antibody responses for 24 of the most commonly ingested foods by dogs and cats (or horses). Again, this is not an allergy test, but a sensitivity and intolerance test, which is looking at different antibodies than you would an allergy test.

You can find out more about this wonderful new alternative to food elimination trials, skin patch testing and serum-based food allergy testing by going to http://www.nutriscan.org/ .

Check out some of the case studies and see if they don't sound familiar; and find out what a difference this test made for the lives of these pets!

Dr. Dodd's scientific report on NutriScan, which was published in the AHVMA Journal is available to read here:  

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/65fe703d8ce705ddce0e30120/files/8e49143a-c983-43a1-a795-8271fcc3fd0c/AHVMA_Winter_2017._2018_Volume_49.pdf

My favorite holistic veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker discusses NutriScan with Dr. Dodds in these short videos, as well as sharing some very exciting news on a new veterinarian diagnostic tool Dr. Dodds has been working on. 

Redemption

In a previous post I wrote about an excellent book that was a real eye opener when it comes to animal shelters in this country, called Redemption by Nathan Winograd. This book won five national book awards and redefined the animal protection movement in this country.

Nathan is the founder and director of No Kill Advocacy Center. He brought to our attention and awareness the truth about why there are still 3 to 4 million animals that are killed in our animal shelters every year. And as you'll learn, it's not because there aren't enough homes for them all, like we've been told. 

Nathan and his non-profit No Kill Advocacy Center have been doing great work since 2004 in helping to change our sheltering system to No-Kill shelters. Check out the animal shelters that have been reformed in our own state of Texas! We need them all to be like this! (Not in Texas? Look up your state by going here.)

Please check out No Kill Advocacy Center's website and consider supporting them!

And now Nathan's book Redemption has been made into a movie! 

Food Forensics

We are fortunate to have organizations like the Cornucopia Institute, Consumers Lab, Association for Truth in Pet Food (ATPF) and Consumer Wellness Center (CWC) Labs, that are not associated or funded by companies or universities, and that test pet foods, treats and products so we the consumer can know what we are actually giving our pets and if there is anything to be concerned about or aware of.

I just finished reading Food Forensics (2016) by Mike Adams, founder and Science Director of the CWC Labs, and although the book primarily has to do with the toxins that were found via laboratory testing, and how to avoid them in human food, there was testing done on some pet treats that are worth mentioning.

• High amounts of lead were found in popular pet treats made in China. A good reason to read the fine print on the back of packages to make sure it says "Made in the USA". (China has worse problems with heavy metals in the soil and foods than we do in the US, and it's pretty bad here. I warned about treats made in China back in 2012. Remember the largest pet food recall in 2007 that killed thousands of pets? Ingredients sourced from China!) 

• Fish treats for cats contained large amounts of cadmium. Fish and other seafoods are known to contain toxic heavy metals. I wrote more extensively on this in 9 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Seafood Cat Foods. They also sell dog foods and treats with fish so the dangers apply to their foods and treats too (see herring strips for dogs below).

• A high level of copper was found in a sea vegetable supplement for pets. Too much copper can have detrimental health effects.

• Gourmet munchy rawhide as well as natural rawhide rings had  extremely high levels of lead.

• Herring strips for dogs tested high of mercury. 

• Munchy stix (for dogs) tested really high in lead.

• Freeze dried ocean whitefish cat treats were found to be high in mercury.                                         

• Although these items were not listed under pet foods or treats per se, they can be found in some of them or sold as pet treats by themselves: an extremely high amount of arsenic was found in dried shrimp, high levels of cadmium and lead in dried whole anchovy, and also a high amount of mercury in dried shaved bonito.

These heavy metal amounts were compared to the "allowable" or "safe" amounts as per the various government agencies (EPA, FDA, WHO, etc.) who determine these limits. Actual amounts of the metals found in each item are listed in the book.

Brand names are not shown for many products in the book for the simple reason that a book takes so long to publish and distribute that many products tested may have shifted in composition over that time. 

Another important point to mention here is that even when buying something that is certified USDA Organic -- whether for people or pets -- know that the USDA's organic standards have no limit whatsoever on heavy metals! This is not good. That means when it comes to toxic heavy metals, even if it's labeled USDA organic, it could be loaded with them!

I highly recommend reading this very informative and eye-opening book for your own benefit as well as for your pets. Awareness is the key.

Inspiring People (Part 2)

Here's part two of the conversation between Dr. Becker and Steve Brown; two very passionate people making a difference in the health of pets! If you missed part one click here.

Inspiring People

Speaking of inspiring people.... another one is Dr. Karen Becker, DVM. I just love her! She inspires me and gives me hope for the future. 

Here is part one of an interview she does with who she calls "THE Authority on Optimal Nutrition for Dogs", Steve Brown. Even if you have cats and no dogs, I think you will find this conversation very interesting and informative. Watch part two here.

They bring up the reasons why I recommend keeping your pet food in the bag.

Inspiring People

Cozy Critters takes care of mostly domestic animals but we love ALL animals. As I've mentioned before, one of my favorites is elephants. I have been a supporter of The Elephant Sanctuary in TN for many years. This sanctuary was co-founded by Carol Buckley in 1995. Carol then set her sights on something larger, and founded the nonprofit Elephant Aid International which was established to create a paradigm shift that will foster change in beliefs and approaches to the care of elephants worldwide. Carol has and is making such a big difference in the lives of so many elephants. She, and the work she has done on behalf of elephants, is so inspiring.  Watch the short video below to get a glimpse of what I'm talking about.You can find out more about Carol and her work here.