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Pets Health
Play Ruff
June 1st, 2009Unlike many of us, our dogs can’t wait to work out—go for a run, sprint up and down the stairs, or just chase their tails. They know it’s fun, and we know it keeps them healthy, burns calories, and increases muscle tone. But daily exercise plays a role in their emotional well-being (read: sanity) too.
Chiropractic Ends Pup’s Pain
February 1st, 2009You might not think Rover needs an adjustment, but chiropractic can help dogs heal from traumatic injury as well as chronic conditions like back pain, hip dysplasia, and stiffness. “Just like in humans, when a dog’s vertebrae become misaligned, they pinch nerves,” says Debbie O’Reilly, DC, an animal chiropractor in Littleton, Colorado.
5 Easy Ways to Keep Kitty Healthy
February 1st, 20091. Feed your cat about 90 percent meat (including fat), about 10 percent veggies, and very little added carbohydrates. Home-cooked meals are best, but a high-quality natural cat food makes a good runner-up; canned foods usually contain more meat and fewer carbs than dry foods. Serve kitty’s food at room temperature or a little warmer to make it more readily digestible.
Feline Fecal Odor
December 1st, 2008A super-smelly litter box has a pretty high yuck factor and may seem better handled by hazardous waste professionals than a vet. But holistic veterinarian Rachael Feigenbaum, VMD, at Lotus Veterinary Housecalls in San Francisco, urges that Stinky go in for a checkup.
My kitty’s poop stinks up the whole house. Is there something wrong?Pain-Free Winter Paws
December 1st, 2008Crisp air and fresh snow can bring out the silly puppy in the most regal of Rovers. But ice and snow mixed with salt, sand, and chemical de-icers will ruin winter fun in short order.
Doggie Arthritis
November 1st, 2008Start with his weight. Labs are prone to chubbiness, and maintaining a healthy weight reduces pain and increases joint function, says Carol Osborne, DVM, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. When you run your hands over your dog’s body, you should be able to feel (but not see) each rib.
My 9-year-old Lab, Vinnie, has arthritis and barely wants to play ball anymore. What can I do?Counteract Counter Surfing
November 1st, 2008We toil for hours in the kitchen creating the perfect meal only to spend the entire evening shrieking at dogs and shooing cats. Scavenging food off counters and tables—aka counter surfing—is a common problem with dogs (especially big dogs) and cats.
Pretty Healthy Bird
October 1st, 2008Want to unlock the vital nutrients in your feathered friend’s birdseed to help her thrive? Try sprouting Polly’s food—it’s easy to do! Simply visit the bulk section of your local health food store and create a deliciously nutritious mix of seeds—sunflower, broccoli, and alfalfa seeds, along with lentils and wheat berries make great sprouts.
Cataracts in Dogs
October 1st, 2008Chances are you’re seeing a condition called lenticular (or nuclear) sclerosis—a hardening of the central region of the lens that does not impair eyesight but will give Pepper’s peepers that gray-blue haze often confused with cataracts.
My 8-year-old dachshund, Pepper, has cloudy eyes but she seems to see fine. Is it cataracts?Is Your Pet a Toxic Dumping Ground?
September 1st, 2008You work hard to reduce your family’s exposure to household toxins, but your pets may face a greater risk than you, says Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, “Where do our pets spend their time? They sleep on the couch, roll around on the carpet, and get dust carrying toxic chemicals all over their fur and then lick it off.”
