Saturday, May 29, 2010

Homemade Cat Food Versus Commercial Cat Food by Alice pizae

The discussion is not new but we still need to be very concerned regarding the cat nutrition we provide to our dear cat. I have been using homemade cat food recipes provided by Frank Temple Brown who has been all these years doing a good lot of teaching people to use homemade cat treats which can also be terms as natural cat food. A homemade cat food not only gives a cat a shiny coat from the fats but gives more energy your cat needs. With the recent onslaught of pet food recalls and the number of cats that died from kidney failure as a result, it is no wonder that a pet owner would consider creating a homemade cat food for his or her feline friend. There are many things to consider before you pull out the pots and pans, and a thorough comparison of homemade cat food versus store bought food is required. Maybe you've been cooking your pet's dinner for a long time. Maybe you're new to making homemade cat treats. In either case, you can never have too many homemade cat food recipes in your recipe book! Our pets love and need variety. Cats love to eat more than one thing. It's just tastier that way, but it's also more nutritious homemade cat food. You never want to feed the same homemade natural cat food everyday because you may inadvertently cause an imbalance in your cat's diet. The best homemade cat treats are comprised of many easy to make homemade cat food recipes. You can make extras and freeze them for a future use. Many of your cat nutrition meal can utilize food you might be making for yourself. Always think ahead and save portions of your meal (such as plain cooked chicken, steamed vegetables, etc) to incorporate into your cat's dinner. Many cats become junk food addicts on commercial pet food, especially if they've been eating it a long time. Just like it's hard to give up our doughnuts, ice cream, and Fettuccine Alfredo for healthier fare, sometimes it is hard for a cat to give up its fatty carbohydrate diet. But, transitioning to a healthy homemade natural cat food doesn't have to be difficult. We know that the homemade low protein cat food is better and healthier for the cat but the pet food industry has perfected the art of making commercial pet foods tasty to a cat. Did you know that dry pet food is sprayed with animal digest, or the stuff that comes out of a dead animal's stomach, to make the kibble palatable? Greasy oils and fats are also added. Every cat can be transitioned to a healthy homemade nutritious cat food fairly easily if you give it time to try new pet foods and slowly incorporate them into the diet. Give lots of fresh snacks and small additions into its meals before switching over 100%. Lastly, remember to bring variety to your cat's healthy homemade nutritious cat food by using different proteins to keep it balanced. If you've been wondering what kind of cat nutrition diet is the right one for your individual cat, then you should certainly consider the health benefits that come from feeding a nutritious homemade cat food. There are literally a ton of great reasons why a nutritious homemade cat food is the best one for the average cat.Paw Naturaw Organic Turkey Formula for Cats and Dogs, 80-Ounce Bags (Pack of 5)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

How Pets Raise Spirits and Improve Health by Ann Pietrangelo

Pets are good for you.
Most people who have a pet don’t need scientific proof. Their own experiences are enough to confirm that the bond between humans and pets is enormously beneficial to physical and emotional health. The unconditional affection of a pet calms, soothes, and enhances the feeling of well-being.
Here I was, just beginning to draft an article about the health benefits of pets, when a Facebook friend posted the following message. “Hey, FB Friends: I want another dog and my family says ‘no’ because I have MS. What do you think? I want a new rescue dog.”
Having multiple sclerosis (MS) myself, I understand the desire for the kind of companionship that only a pet can give. Her family is probably concerned about the commitment it takes to properly care for a pet, and understandably so. Choosing the right pet for your personal circumstances requires planning, but you are likely to get quite a return for your efforts.
The non-profit Delta Society reports that 63 percent of all households in the U.S. have pets; 39 percent of all households have at least one dog and 34 percent have at least one cat. The benefits of having a pet include:
  • For Children: Children can learn valuable lessons in responsibility; caring for other living beings improves self-esteem. The unconditional love creates a bond that will be treasured for a lifetime. Pets also encourage children to engage in physical activity. An Australian study indicates dog ownership may help fight childhood obesity. Researchers found that children five to six years old were 50 percent less likely to be overweight if they had a dog. This benefit was present even if those children did not regularly walk the dog and regardless of economic status of the household.
  • For Adults: Busy work schedules need to be balanced with play. Spending time with a pet can lower anxiety and stress levels. For people who are shy or have trouble making friends, having a pet breaks social barriers and feelings of isolation. And it’s fairly difficult to stay in a bad mood when your pet looks up at you with those big, loving eyes, or takes to your lap.
  • For Seniors: Studies show that older people with dogs visit the doctor less often with minor health issues and have lower levels of blood pressure and cholesterol than non-pet owners. Seniors are advised to have pets that are easily managed. Many nursing homes have visiting pet programs that have been shown to have a tremendous impact on human lives.
Therapy animals are trained to provide companionship to people who are trying to overcome depression and loneliness, among other things. That says a lot about the human-animal connection. And let’s not forget the hard-working and dedicated service animals who are trained to assist people with disabilities. Although these animals are not generally considered pets, the bond between people and their service animals is profound.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that benefits to owning a pet include decreases in:
and increases in:
Years ago, when my husband and I found ourselves in a too tidy and too quiet home, we decided to inject a little life into things. A dog wasn’t quite right for our lifestyle, so off to the animal shelter we went in search of a cat. We found one… make that two. The brother-sister duo we named Smokey and Bandit did exactly what we hoped they would — they added chaos and noise and laughs and cuddles. Just what the doctor ordered.
Bandit has since left this world, but Smokey hasn’t let up in her duties. To this day, when MS symptoms get the best of me, she snuggles up when I need her most. I can’t tell you, scientifically speaking, how that affects my health. I can tell you that she lifts my spirits and helps me put aside my troubles. That’s enough for me.
As for my Facebook friend, I hope she works things out with her family; I hope they volunteer to help her care for the dog when MS gets the upper hand; I hope she gets her rescue dog. When it comes to people and pets, sometimes they rescue each other.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Alternative Medicine For Pets - Acupuncture As a Viable Option For Cats Or Dogs

Acupuncture is one of the world's oldest forms of alternative medicine, one that has been used successfully for thousands of years. Long before we had modern medicines and surgical techniques, ancient people were using acupuncture to treat all kinds of ailments, both physical and mental. It should not seem out of the ordinary then, that if you are looking for an alternative medicine for pets you should look to acupuncture.
In the human world, there are many reasons why people choose acupuncture. In some cases, it is to deal with psychological issues, such as breaking addictions or habits. Over the past fifty years, millions of people have stopped bad behavior such as drinking or smoking through the use of acupuncture. So, would it be out of the question that you could stop some of your pet's bad behaviors in the same, time-tested way? If you pride yourself on using natural pet products and treatments, then you might want to consider acupuncture as an alternative medicine for pets whether cat, dog, equine or porcine.
If your pet, however, is dealing with pain issues such is found in many older dogs and cats, you might want to search out natural pet practitioners who can perform acupuncture on your animal. It is a painless procedure, and one that has proven successful for many animal owners.
When you are looking for acupuncture therapists in your area, keep in mind that there are some that specialize only in pet acupuncture. Animals have different nerve structure so you want someone who is certified in animal acupuncture. They deal with animals all the time and are practiced at making sure your animal gets the best out of the treatment. You can search for these vets at IVAS.org which is The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.
Many veterinarians will not approve or suggest acupuncture, because they do not believe in alternative medicine whether for humans or for animals. But, the truth is that this alternative medicine for pets has been around a lot longer than anything they are performing or selling, and has worked for centuries.
If your animal is having either behavioral or physical problems, before you send them into surgery or force pills down their throat, you might want to think about trying out this type of alternative therapy. Acupuncture for dogs and cats does work and is a lot easier on their system than medications or surgical procedures would be. By Keith Rieger