Pet Food Red Flags You Want to Avoid
Story at-a-glance
- A major pet food manufacturer has reformulated one of its lines of dog and cat foods to add more natural ingredients. The move comes in response to pet owners who are increasingly concerned about what ingredients go into the pet food they buy.
- The new formulas are advertised to include “quality” protein as the first ingredient, “natural” ingredients, no chicken by-product, and no artificial colors or flavors.
- The reformulated dry dog foods we checked do contain a named meat source as the first ingredient. Unfortunately, the next several ingredients on each list are grains, grains and more grains.
- The reformulated dry cat food fared no better, and one variety listed unacceptably non-specific “ocean fish” as the first ingredient.
- As more pet owners get educated about which pet food ingredients are appropriate and good quality, pet food manufacturers will try to answer consumer demands without hurting their bottom line. It’s important for pet owners to skip over all the marketing hype and advertising claims on pet food packages and go right to the ingredient list instead.
By Dr. Becker
A few months ago I read in an industry journal that a very large pet food manufacturer was in the process of reformulating one of its brands of dog and cat foods to add more natural ingredients. This company also makes veterinary formulas, but the changes involve its commercial line of products.
According to the article, the reformulation was in response to consumers who are “making product choices based primarily on a set criteria of ingredients, rather than the overall promise of nutrition and clinical research.” (Translation: today’s dog and cat owners are better informed about the quality and appropriateness of pet food ingredients, and are increasingly skeptical of pet food marketing and advertising claims.)
The new formulas promise to include “quality” protein as the first ingredient, “natural” ingredients, no chicken by-product, and no artificial colors or flavors.
Reformulated … but Still Loaded with Grains
Needless to say, I was very interested to see the ingredient lists for these newly formulated foods, and I was just recently able to find some information on them.
As promised, the first item on the reformulated ingredient lists for dry dog food was either a named animal protein (e.g., chicken) or a named protein meal (e.g., lamb meal). We must keep in mind, however, that pet food ingredients are listed by weight on the label, and before moisture is removed. Once the chicken or other animal protein source is depleted of its moisture – a necessary function in the manufacture of dry pet food — in most cases it can no longer maintain its position as the first ingredient on the list.
And in fact, it slides way down the list. “Meal” means the fresh meat has been dried and pulverized, so the heavy water has been removed. There are several different quality categories of meal, and pet food companies don’t have to disclose the quality of the meat they are using, so meals range from great quality to terrible. That’s why it’s important to check the first five or so ingredients on a dry pet food label — you’ll get a much better picture of the true nutritional value of the food.
A specific meat is what you want to see first on the label, but you want to see a specific meat or specific meat meal as the second and third ingredients as well. If the second and subsequent ingredients are grains, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re purchasing a primarily meat-based food. What you’re buying is a grain-based food for your meat-eating dog or cat.
Most of the reformulated dry dog foods I checked contained brewer’s rice as the second ingredient, followed by a long list of other grains like brown rice, cracked pearled barley, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat, whole grain sorghum and soybean meal.
These are clearly grain-based dry dog foods, so the significance of the first ingredient being a “quality” protein becomes much less important in terms of the real nutritional value of the food.
On To the Cat Food
A reformulated dry cat food label I checked contains “ocean fish” as the first ingredient, and that’s not specific enough as far as I’m concerned. There are countless varieties of ocean fish, and unfortunately, most are heavily contaminated with toxic metals, industrial chemicals and pesticides.
More often than not, a non-specific protein source like “ocean fish,” or “meat,” or “poultry” is an amalgam of revolting pieces-n-parts of various critters that fall into those general categories. That’s why you want specific named meat like beef, chicken, turkey, duck, etc. in the pet food you buy.
Another dry cat food formula contained the following ingredients at the top of the list: chicken, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, animal fat, powdered cellulose, pea bran meal, dried egg product, and wheat gluten.
So again, we’ve got chicken in the number one spot – before dehydration – followed by what I call filler ingredients. Both wheat and corn are grains linked to the huge and growing problem of allergic conditions in pets. In addition, this is a cat food we’re talking about, and cats’ bodies aren’t even designed to process grains.
I’ll Say it Again: Buyer Beware!
My purpose in bringing this information to you is not to implicate any particular pet food brand or manufacturer. Rather, my goal is to continually remind pet owners that marketing claims for pet food – no matter how benign they may seem – must be investigated if you want to insure you’re feeding the highest quality diet you can afford to your dog or cat.
For more information on how to become an expert at selecting the best commercial pet food for your dog or cat, these articles are a great place to start:
- Things You Never Want to See on Your Dog Food Label
- You Asked for It … The 3 Best Pet Foods You Can Buy
- 13 Pet Foods – Ranked From Great to Disastrous…
- Toxic Chicken Jerky Pet Treats Pulled from Store Shelves!
Dr. Becker’s Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats: Simple Homemade Food – Cookbook
Related:
Related:
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Ingredients in Pet Food
Pet Jerky Death Toll Update: 360 dogs, 1 Cat According to FDA
When Raw Food is NOT the Right Food for Your Pet
Surprise, Surprise… the Best Food for Dogs Is Homemade Food
Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes
The Importance of Bones in Your Pet’s Diet
The Nutrient Your Pet Needs More of As They Age: Protein
Good Diet and Advice for Dogs with Pancreatitis
“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”
Gourmet Doggie Biscuits and Some Holiday Snacking Tips
Beef Verses Bison for Dogs – Variety is critical for your pet to receive the full spectrum of amino acids, essential fatty acids, trace minerals, vitamins and antioxidants necessary to thrive.
Fatty Acids May Improve Mobility In Osteoarthritic Dogs
Natural Pet Remedies For Everyday Problems
Allergies and Springtime Ailments in Pets
Do Vaccinations Affect the Health of our Pets?
How the Pet Food Industry Has Helped Create "Carnivore Metabolic Syndrome"
Now dogs Have a Food Truck of Their Own With Bow-Wow Chow
Dysbiosis: The Root Cause of Many Other Pet Health Problems
Cancer and Your Pet: Two Things to Avoid
Now dogs Have a Food Truck of Their Own With Bow-Wow Chow
The Nutrient Your Dog Needs More of As They Age: Protein – And Expecting Your Pet to Get It from Rendered Pet Food Is the Worst of the Worst of the Worst Options!
Gourmet Doggie Biscuits and Some Holiday Snacking Tips
Beef Verses Bison for Dogs – Variety is critical for your pet to receive the full spectrum of amino acids, essential fatty acids, trace minerals, vitamins and antioxidants necessary to thrive.
WHAT HUMAN FOODS ARE UNSAFE FOR PETS? (the 12 worst)–> chocolate, sugarless gum & artificial sweeteners, alcohol, yeast dough, grapes & raisins, Macadamia nuts, onions (bad for dogs and cats… but poison for cats), garlic (for cats), caffeine, fat trimmings and bones (bad for cats and limited fat and the right bones for dogs), raw eggs (for cats, but must be careful for dogs and humans), and milk.
Some of the best human foods for dogs: peanut butter (although peanuts and peanut butter can contain mold so could be bad for humans and dogs), cheese including cottage cheese (some some dogs can be prone to be lactose intolerant like people), yogurt, watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe, blueberries, salmon, green beans, sweet potatoes, fresh raw carrots, pumpkin, and lean meat… cooked or raw.
Did You Know There are Two Kinds of Raw Pet Food on the Market?
Megacolon: A Terrible Outcome for Constipated Pets
Resources:
Not Fit for a Dog!: The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food
See Spot Live Longer – How to help your dog live a longer and healthier life!
Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs: The Definitive Guide to Homemade Meals
Keep your pets healthy and help extend their lives with:
StemPet and StemEquine – Stem Cell Enhancers for Pets
February 17, 2013 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal or Pet Related Stories, Animal Related Education, animals, Dogs, Dogs, Just One More Pet, Man's Best Friend, NO KILL NATION, Pet Friendship and Love, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, pet products, Pet Recipes, Pets, responsible pet ownership, We Are All God's Creatures | Cats, commercial pet food, dogs, dogs and cats, Pet Food, Pets | 3 Comments
The Natural Balance Dogs…
Video: The Natural Balance Dogs
h/t to Liana Smith
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February 3, 2013 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal and Pet Photos, animal behavior, Dogs, Dogs, Just One More Pet, Pet Events, pet fun, pet products, Pets | bull dogs, CA, dog beaches, doggie beach fun, dogs, Natural Balance, Natural Balance dogs, skateboarding dogs, snowboarding dogs, Surfin' USA, surfing dogs | 1 Comment
Toxic Chicken Jerky Pet Treats Pulled from Store Shelves!
Story at-a-glance
- First, the good news. Nestle Purina PetCare and Del Monte have voluntarily recalled their chicken jerky pet treats imported from China. The brands removed from store shelves are Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats, along with Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers home-style dog treats.
- Now for the not-so-good news. The reason for the recall is a potential issue of unapproved antibiotic contamination supposedly unrelated to the problem with these very same treats that has resulted in thousands of sick, and hundreds of dead pets.
- Interestingly, it was the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) that found the antibiotic residue in the treats. They used a new, highly sensitive test to analyze the products in response to growing consumer concerns.
- So for now, the chicken jerky treats that may have been sickening or killing pets since 2007 are no longer on store shelves. Let’s hope if they do reappear, they will be safe for your pets.
In a truly spectacular coincidence, the very same brands of chicken jerky treats suspected of causing sickness and death in hundreds of dogs since 2007 have now been identified as being possibly contaminated with “unapproved” antibiotics. (Apparently the antibiotics are approved for use in China, where the treats are made, and in other countries, but not in the U.S.)
According to NBC News, right after the first of the year, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) informed the FDA it had found trace amounts of residual poultry antibiotics in several lots of Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats, as well as Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers home-style dog treats.
Treats Have Been Voluntarily Recalled
Fortunately for U.S. pet owners and potential future pet victims, it seems the suggestion of antibiotic contamination was enough to prompt Nestle Purina PetCare (makers of Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats) and the Del Monte Corp. (makers of Milo’s Kitchen products) to voluntarily pull their chicken jerky products from store shelves across the country.
The New York agriculture agency discovered very low levels of four drugs not approved for use in U.S. poultry, and one antibiotic that is approved for use, but for which quantities are strictly limited. The antibiotics found were sulfaclozine, tilmicosin, trimethoprim, enrofloxacin and sulfaquinoxaline.
The agency used new, highly sensitive technology to detect the presence of the antibiotics. The tests on the jerky treats were conducted in response to “growing consumer concerns.”
Whatever the reason, I’m extremely thankful NYSDAM took it upon themselves to run the tests. And while discovering antibiotic residue in food products is never “good news,” I’m grateful, in this case, something was found in those treats that caused them to be pulled off the market.
Treat Manufacturers and FDA Make Predictable Public Response
Needless to say, a spokesman for Nestle Purina says the issue with the antibiotics is in no way related to the issue with these very same chicken jerky treats that have allegedly sickened over 2,200 pets and killed well over 300.
The FDA also weighed in. From the agency’s January 9 CVM update:
Based on the FDA’s review of the NYSDAM results, there is no evidence that raises health concerns, and these results are highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illnesses FDA has received related to jerky pet treats. FDA commends Del Monte and Nestle-Purina for withdrawing these products from the market in response to this product quality issue. FDA also welcomes additional information about NYSDAM’s testing methodology, which is different and reportedly more sensitive than currently validated and approved regulatory methods.
As those of you who have been following this fiasco are aware, the FDA has conducted its own “extensive” testing and has to date been unable to find anything in the chicken jerky treats that would cause pet illness or death. Consequently, the agency maintains it is unable to take action to get the treats recalled, or even to effectively warn consumers of the potential for harm to their pets.
At Least for Now, Suspect Treats Are Off Store Shelves
It’s a small victory, but one that brings a sigh of relief. Tragically, for those pet owners who lost beloved companions, the recall does not help.
According to NBC news, a woman from New York whose 2 year-old pug died suddenly in 2011 after eating Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats, said in a statement:
"How many lives could have been saved if, six years ago, when there was first doubt that the safety of our companions was compromised, the FDA and all manufacturers of imported chicken jerky had issued a precautionary recall until the toxin was found? How much pain and suffering could have been avoided if only they had met their moral obligation six years ago and did the job the taxpayers pay them to do?"
Related:
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Ingredients in Pet Food
Pet Jerky Death Toll Update: 360 dogs, 1 Cat According to FDA
When Raw Food is NOT the Right Food for Your Pet
Surprise, Surprise… the Best Food for Dogs Is Homemade Food
Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes
The Importance of Bones in Your Pet’s Diet
The Nutrient Your Pet Needs More of As They Age: Protein
Good Diet and Advice for Dogs with Pancreatitis
“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”
Gourmet Doggie Biscuits and Some Holiday Snacking Tips
Beef Verses Bison for Dogs – Variety is critical for your pet to receive the full spectrum of amino acids, essential fatty acids, trace minerals, vitamins and antioxidants necessary to thrive.
Fatty Acids May Improve Mobility In Osteoarthritic Dogs
Natural Pet Remedies For Everyday Problems
Allergies and Springtime Ailments in Pets
Do Vaccinations Affect the Health of our Pets?
How the Pet Food Industry Has Helped Create "Carnivore Metabolic Syndrome"
Now dogs Have a Food Truck of Their Own With Bow-Wow Chow
Dysbiosis: The Root Cause of Many Other Pet Health Problems
Cancer and Your Pet: Two Things to Avoid
Now dogs Have a Food Truck of Their Own With Bow-Wow Chow
The Nutrient Your Dog Needs More of As They Age: Protein – And Expecting Your Pet to Get It from Rendered Pet Food Is the Worst of the Worst of the Worst Options!
Gourmet Doggie Biscuits and Some Holiday Snacking Tips
Beef Verses Bison for Dogs – Variety is critical for your pet to receive the full spectrum of amino acids, essential fatty acids, trace minerals, vitamins and antioxidants necessary to thrive.
WHAT HUMAN FOODS ARE UNSAFE FOR PETS? (the 12 worst)–> chocolate, sugarless gum & artificial sweeteners, alcohol, yeast dough, grapes & raisins, Macadamia nuts, onions (bad for dogs and cats… but poison for cats), garlic (for cats), caffeine, fat trimmings and bones (bad for cats and limited fat and the right bones for dogs), raw eggs (for cats, but must be careful for dogs and humans), and milk.
Some of the best human foods for dogs: peanut butter (although peanuts and peanut butter can contain mold so could be bad for humans and dogs), cheese including cottage cheese (some some dogs can be prone to be lactose intolerant like people), yogurt, watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe, blueberries, salmon, green beans, sweet potatoes, fresh raw carrots, pumpkin, and lean meat… cooked or raw.
Did You Know There are Two Kinds of Raw Pet Food on the Market?
Megacolon: A Terrible Outcome for Constipated Pets
Resources:
Not Fit for a Dog!: The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food
See Spot Live Longer – How to help your dog live a longer and healthier life!
Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs: The Definitive Guide to Homemade Meals
Keep your pets healthy and help extend their lives with:
StemPet and StemEquine – Stem Cell Enhancers for Pets
February 1, 2013 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal or Pet Related Stories, Animal Related Education, Dogs, Dogs, Just One More Pet, Pet Friendship and Love, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, pet products, Pet Recipes, Pets, Political Change, responsible pet ownership | antibiotics, Canyon Creek Ranch, Chicken Grillers, chicken jerky pet treat recall, chicken jerky treats, China, Del Monte, dog food recall, FDA, healthy dog food, healthy pet food, homemade dog food, Homemade pet food, Milo's Kitchen, Nestle Purina PetCare, NYSDAM, pet food recall, pet treat recall, stem cell enhancers for pets, StemEquine, StemPet, Waggin’ Train | 6 Comments
Doggie Survival Kits
NEVER LEAVE YOU DOG (PET) BEHIND!!!
With the uncertainty of possible economic and political upheaval within the United States as well as the possibility of both manmade and natural catastrophes or emergencies having a survival kit or bug out bag for each family member, including pets, is vital. It should be super convenient and ready to grab and go in backpack form! This doggie kit described below is designed to provide your pet with all of the basic necessary items to survive if you are ever forced to evacuate. The option is to have one for each family member and someone carry the extra(s) for the pet(s), or to get a little larger bags and incorporate the pet gear into your bag(s).
The pet kit should contain the following:
Food and Water (temporary supply or regular snacks and food… be sure to rotate)
Package of Emergency Dog Food (with a 5 year shelf life)
1 – 3 Pack of Aqua Blox 10 (or other brand) Water Purification Tablets Light and Communication
12 Hour Emergency Bright Sticks Shelter and Warmth
1 – 16 Hour Hand Warmer
Mylar Emergency Blanket
Water/Food Feeding Bowl(s)
Extra Collar & Leash Set
Reflective Dog Vest Metal Stake with 15 ft.
Tie Down Leash
Can Opener
Dog Toys Nylon
Rope
50 Pet Waste Bags
Pet first-aid and basic pet supplies kit and guide book (an organized overview sheet of health record(s) and any pertinent information tucked inside would also be good
Any special pet meds required by your pets (again please remember to rotate)
The above survival kit suggestions come from advice from experts in the emergency preparedness industry, plus guidelines given by government agencies and non-profit preparedness organizations.
*For small dogs, I would suggest also having a doggie/pet carry pack that can be worn in front, so you can carry your small dog (pet) in dangerous of difficult situations or where there is a lot of traffic.
Related:
Is your pet prepared for disaster?
FEMA: Include Pets in Your Preparedness Plan
Make sure the pets are safe during storms
Hurricane Season’s Here: Six Steps to A Rescue Plan that Includes Pets
N.J. pets welcome at hurricane evacuation shelters
“The List” – What Can You Do to Prepare?
Personal Preparedness, The Leibowitz Society, Coming Collapse and how long things will last…
12 Months of Prepping, One Month at a Time
January 10, 2013 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal Abandonement, Animal or Pet Related Stories, Animal Related Education, animals, Dogs, Dogs, Help Familie Keep Their Pets, If Animlas Could Talk..., Just One More Pet, Man's Best Friend, Pet Friendship and Love, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, pet products, Pets, responsible pet ownership, Stop Animal Cruelty, Stop Euthenization, We Are All God's Creatures | bug out bags, doggie survival kit, dogs are family, emergency preparedness, pet bug out bags, pet disaster preparation, pet emergency kit, pet emergency plans, pet survival kit, pets are family members, survival kits | Leave a comment
Urinary and Fecal Incontinence in Pets
Story at-a-glance
- There are two types of incontinence: urinary, which is the involuntary leakage of urine, and fecal, which is the inability to control the bowels.
- Involuntary leaking of urine is most often caused by hormone-induced incontinence after a pet is spayed or neutered. The condition is very common in spayed female dogs and less common in neutered male dogs.
- Other causes of urine dribbling include trauma to the central nervous system, damage to the pudendal nerve, diseases of the bladder, kidney, or adrenal glands, bladder stones, birth defects, and urethral obstruction.
- Treatment of urinary incontinence depends on what’s causing it. Any underlying disease must be identified and resolved. Treatment of hormone-induced urinary incontinence can often be accomplished using a combination of natural therapies.
- Fecal incontinence is almost always due to a communication problem between the colon and brain. Problems with a pet’s lower back can compromise the communication pathway with the result that the animal’s brain doesn’t get the message that nature is calling.
Video: Urinary and Fecal Incontinence in Pets
By Dr. Becker
Today I’d like to discuss incontinence in dogs and cats.
There are actually two types of incontinence — urine and fecal. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. Fecal incontinence is the inability of a dog or cat to control his bowels.
Urinary Incontinence
Involuntary passage of urine normally occurs while your pet is asleep or resting. When she stands, you may notice urine leakage. It can be just a small wet spot, or it can be a good-sized puddle.
It’s important to understand that your pet is not intentionally leaking urine. She has no control over what’s happening. It’s not a behavioral problem; it’s a medical issue. Trying to correct or punish your pet is a really bad idea. It’s very important to treat urine dribbling as a medical problem requiring a medical diagnosis, rather than a behavioral problem.
There are many causes for urine leaking, including trauma to the central nervous system, damage to the pudendal nerve (the nerve that works the neck of the bladder), diseases of the bladder, kidney, or adrenal glands (for instance, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, or diabetes), as well as bladder stones, birth defects, and urethral obstruction.
Other known causes of urine dribbling are age-related incontinence, a hormone imbalance, and feline leukemia.
Hormone-Induced Urinary Incontinence
Hands down the most common reason for involuntary urine leakage, especially in dogs, is hormone-induced urinary incontinence.
After a pet is spayed or neutered, the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone (which are necessary to help close the external urethral sphincter) are no longer available. The result is often urine dribbling.
Hormone-induced urinary incontinence is extremely common in spayed female dogs and somewhat less common in neutered male dogs. These are typically very healthy, vibrant pets that just happen to dribble urine anywhere from multiple times a day to just once or twice a year.
A commonly prescribed drug for hormone-related urinary incontinence called DES, short for diethylstilbestrol, was pulled from the market about five years ago because it was linked to diseases like diabetes and cancer in dogs. Unfortunately, the drug is now once again available. Because of its overall systemic risk to health, I never recommend it.
Another commonly prescribed drug for urinary incontinence is called PPA, which is substantially safer than DES.
The biggest problem with these drugs is that many vets put dogs on them without investigating the cause of the urine dribbling. They just assume that it must be hormone-induced.
I see dogs on these drugs, who, when I run tests on them, have a disease process causing the leakage. Often I find urinary crystals or bladder stones, Cushing’s disease, diabetes, or kidney disease in a dog being treated for hormone-induced urinary incontinence.
Treating Urinary Incontinence
The cause of your pet’s urinary incontinence should always dictate what treatment she receives. If there’s an underlying disease process or structural abnormality causing the problem, it can be corrected through medical or surgical management.
If your pet is diagnosed with hormone-induced urinary incontinence, I strongly recommend you try to treat the problem naturally. Some of the drugs used to treat urinary incontinence, specifically DES, are potentially toxic, with side effects that in my opinion are not worth the risk.
I successfully treat cases of hormone-induced urinary incontinence with glandular therapy, including Standard Process glandulars – Symplex-F for female dogs and Symplex-M for male dogs. I also use natural, biologically appropriate (which means non-synthetic) hormone replacement therapy.
Synthetic hormone replacement drugs can cause some of the same problems in female dogs as they do in women who take them. Natural plant-based hormone therapy is compounded for your pet’s specific hormone imbalances based on sex hormone blood test results.
I also use a few excellent herbal remedies, including corn silk, lemon balm, and horse tail. There are some great nutraceuticals specifically formulated to help with incontinence. I also frequently use acupuncture to stimulate the pudendal nerve. And chiropractic can do a great job keeping the central nervous system working appropriately.
Dogs with urinary incontinence that can’t be completely resolved can be fitted with belly bands, doggy bloomers or panties with absorbent pads. You can even use human disposable diapers, and just cut a hole out for the tail if that arrangement fits your pet’s body shape. Just remember that urine is caustic and should not remain on your pet’s skin for very long. It’s important if you use diapers to change them regularly and disinfect your pet’s skin.
Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence is almost always due to the colon and brain not communicating effectively. The nerves that control the colon are supposed to send a message to the brain when it’s time to go outside. If there’s a problem with the lower back – for example, degenerative myelopathy, peripheral myopathy, arthritis, muscle weakness, atrophy, a spinal tumor, or a condition such as myasthenia gravis – the communication pathway is compromised, and the animal isn’t aware nature is calling.
In older pets, the anal sphincter can lose its ability to hold in feces efficiently.
Parasites can also contribute to fecal incontinence. If you have a pet that has diarrhea for an extended period of time, there can be damage to the muscles of the rectum, which can lead to the problem as well.
Other causes of fecal incontinence can include an abscess or infection of the anal glands, a dietary issue, medications, or a perianal fistula.
Owners of pets with fecal incontinence might find accidents around the house. Or the pet could inadvertently pass feces when he uses his abdominal muscles to go from a lying position to a standing position, or when he jumps up on the couch, or in similar situations requiring use of the abdominal muscles.
Your dog or cat may also poop while walking without knowing she’s doing it. It can also happen during sleep. Excessive gas and swelling of the abdomen are common in cases of fecal incontinence.
It’s important to find the underlying cause of your pet’s fecal incontinence. Your vet will want to do a complete blood profile – including a chemistry profile, CBC, urinalysis, and a fecal analysis – to check for the presence of an infection or parasites. Sometimes, additional diagnostics such as X-rays may be required to check for spinal arthritis or a bone tumor.
Both chiropractic and acupuncture – I use electroacupuncture in my practice – can be very helpful in these cases. Aligning the vertebral bodies and stimulating the nerve fibers that communicate between the colon and the brain can help reduce incidences of fecal incontinence.
January 8, 2013 Posted by justonemorepet | Adopt Just One More Pet, animal behavior, Animal or Pet Related Stories, Animal Related Education, animals, Dogs, Dogs, Help Familie Keep Their Pets, Holistic Pet Health, If Animlas Could Talk..., Just One More Pet, Pet Adoption, Pet Friendship and Love, Pet Health, pet products, Pets, responsible pet ownership, Stop Animal Cruelty, Unusual Stories, We Are All God's Creatures | cat diapers, cat panties with pads, dog panties with pads, doggie diapers, doggy bloomers, dogs and cats, Dr. Becker, electroacupuncture for pets, fecal incontinence in pets, herbal pet remedies, holistic vets, incontinence in pets, pet acupuncture, Pets Are Family, pets are forever, spay and neutering, spay and neutering side effects, urinary incontinence in pets | 6 Comments
Stem Cell Enhancers for Dogs, Cats, Horses
Stem cells can be thought of as master cells and are most abundantly found in the bone marrow of people and also in your pets. With age, the number of stem cells circulating in the body gradually decreases leaving it more susceptible to injury and other age related health challenges.
StemPets® and StemEquine®, by StemTech Health Sciences, Inc., help support the release of stem cells from the bone marrow of dogs, cats and horses into the blood stream. Through a natural process those stem cells then travel to the areas of the body where they are most needed.
Simply supporting the natural process of stem cell release from the bone marrow can help your pets (dogs, cats, horses) achieve optimal health. StemPets® and StemEquine®, are specially formulated for your pets.
Purchase Stem Enhance, StemFlo®, STEMpets, StemSport®, from our online shopping cart at a retail price.
Products are available at wholesale prices for distributors. Becoming a distributor is easy and economical. Distributors have the opportunity for the StemTech product line to be the core of their own home based business.
MCE Group, Independent Business Owners
Visit Our Website or Email Marion and Tim through the site or at JustOneMorePet@gmail.com or call them Direct at 512-810-78888
In addition to StemPets® , Stemtech’s animal product line includes StemEquine® for horses. Stemtech’s line of stem cell nutrition products for humans includes SE2™, StemFlo®, StemSport®, and ST-5 with MigraStem™. These products are designed to work together as a system to provide you with the optimal health.
Our own AskMarion (and her husband Tim) of Just One More Pet and Marion’s Pet Sitting and Dog Walkers give StemPets and StemEquine to their own pets and recommend them to for the pet clients, as well as taking them themselves and recommending to them to their clients pet parents.
- View All
- StemEquine Advanced Formula
- StemEquine Single USA
- StemPets Advanced Formula
- StemPets: For Dogs Single
November 26, 2012 Posted by justonemorepet | animals, Dogs, Dogs, Holistic Pet Health, Just One More Pet, Pet Friendship and Love, Pet Health, pet products, Pets, responsible pet ownership | cat stem cells, Cats, dog stem cells, dogs, horses, optimal pet health, pet stem cells, Stem Cell Enhancers, Stem Cell Enhancers for Cats, Stem Cell Enhancers for Dogs, Stem Cell Enhancers for Horses, Stem Cells, StemEquine, StemPets, StemTech | 1 Comment
Training Dogs to Climb Stairs
Our pups, Chihuahuas and Chiweenies have climbed inside and short flights of stairs since they were babies, but we just moved to the 3rd floor in complex that has open staircases. It has take several weeks to get them used to walking up at a normal clip. They are afraid when they look down as we go higher.
Many dogs learn to navigate stairs as young puppies so need no encouragement to bound up or down any staircase, but for other dogs, the stairs can present a frightening obstacle that they would rather avoid than learn to overcome.
Training a dog (any pet) to walk up and down stairs takes patience and encouragement from you. By using reward techniques to alleviate your pet’s anxiety, you can tackle and often the problem.
When your dog gets older he or she can have a very difficult time going up and down stairs. Stairs can be dangerous to an elderly dog, like elderly humans. You need to make sure that you’re there for your dog so that no injuries occur.
Also if you have a dog or cat with health issues or that suffers from anxieties, and many do, it might take additional time, they might need help or patience or you might just have to pick them up or train them to use piddle pads indoors so they have to make the climb less often.
AskMarion at JOMP
November 11, 2012 Posted by justonemorepet | animal behavior, Animal or Pet Related Stories, Animal Related Education, animals, Chihuahua, Chiweenie, Dogs, Dogs, If Animlas Could Talk..., Just One More Pet, Man's Best Friend, Pet and Animal Training, Pet Friendship and Love, pet products, Pets, responsible pet ownership | dog anxieties, doggie piddle pads, dogs climbing stairs, pet anxiety, stairs and dogs, trained dogs | Leave a comment
Pet Asylum in French Quarter – Hope They Survive Issac!
Great little shop in the French Quarter. Let’s hope they survive Issac!!
Photos by TLA
Sending our prayers for all the two-legged, four-legged and feathered & scaled creatures in the path of Isaac.
August 28, 2012 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal and Pet Photos, Animal or Pet Related Stories, Just One More Pet, pet fun, pet products, Pets, responsible pet ownership | French Quarter, pet store | Leave a comment
Best in Show
August 3, 2012 Posted by justonemorepet | Adopt Just One More Pet, animals, Chihuahua, Chiweenie, Dogs, Dogs, Just One More Pet, Man's Best Friend, Pet Health, pet products, Pets, responsible pet ownership | Best in Show, dogs are family, pet insurance, Pets Are Family, Pets Best | Leave a comment
Obama Campaign Unleashes Pet Products: “I Meow For Michelle”…
Some of the stuff the Barack Obama campaign is selling to raise money for the re-election effort is pretty unusual. Donations must be a lot lower than they want to admit!!
They would like you to get your pets involved with the campaign by offering doggie sweaters (perhaps with a photo of Obama eating dog meat?) and “I Meow for Michelle” cat collars.
Reportedly the same one she uses for Barack.
Via CNS News:
HT: DRUDGE
Sometimes you just have to wonder!
May 24, 2012 Posted by justonemorepet | animals, Just One More Pet, On The Lighter Side, pet products, Pets, Unusual Stories | Cats, cats and dogs, dogs and cats, Election 2012, Michelle Obama, President Obama, presidential election pet products, Presidential Pets | Leave a comment
Save a Life…Adopt Just One More…Pet!
Everyday we read or hear another story about pets and other animals being abandoned in record numbers while at the same time we regularly hear about crazy new rules and laws being passed limiting the amount of pets that people may have, even down to one or two… or worse yet, none.
Nobody is promoting hoarding pets or animals, but at a time when there are more pets and animals of all types being abandoned or being taken to shelters already bursting at the seams, there is nothing crazier than legislating away the ability of willing adoptive families to take in just one more pet!!
Our goal is to raise awareness and help find homes for all pets and animals that need one by helping to match them with loving families and positive situations. Our goal is also to help fight the trend of unfavorable legislation and rules in an attempt to stop unnecessary Euthenization!!
“All over the world, major universities are researching the therapeutic value of pets in our society and the number of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and mental institutions which are employing full-time pet therapists and animals is increasing daily.” ~ Betty White, American Actress, Animal Activist, and Author of Pet Love
‘Until One Has Loved an Animal, Part of Their Soul Remains Unawakened’
So if you have the room in your home and the love in your heart… Adopt Just One More Pet or consider becoming a Foster parent for pets… Also check out: Little Critter: Just One More Pet
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know(Kindle)
Photos By: Marion Algier – The UCLA Shutterbug
There is always room for Just One More Pet. So if you have room in your home and room in your heart… Adopt Just One More! If you live in an area that promotes unreasonable limitations on pets… fight the good fight and help change the rules and legislation…
Save the Life of Just One More…Animal!
Recent and Seasonal Shots
As I have been fighting Cancer… A battle I am gratefully winning, my furkids have not left my side. They have been a large part of my recovery!! Ask Marion
Photos by the UCLA Shutterbug are protected by copyright, Please email at JustOneMorePet@gmail.com or find us on twitter @JustOneMorePet for permission to duplicate for commerical purposes or to purchase photos.
See Creative Pet Halloween Costumes
If you can adopt or foster just one more pet, you could be saving a life, while adding joy to your own! Our shelters are over-flowing… Please join the fight to make them all ‘NO-Kill’ facilities.
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Great Book for Children and Pet Lovers… And a Perfect Holiday Gift
One More Pet Emily loves animals so much that she can’t resist bringing them home. When a local farmer feels under the weather, she is only too eager to “feed the lambs, milk the cows and brush the rams.” The farmer is so grateful for Emily’s help that he gives her a giant egg... Can you guess what happens after that? The rhythmic verse begs to be read aloud, and the lively pictures will delight children as they watch Emily’s collection of pets get bigger and bigger.~~ 2000+ Dog Books And All Things Dog ~~
Dogwise, All Things Dog! Monthly Feature: BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN DOGSBuy Now: A Must Have For Every Pet Owner
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If You Were Stranded On An Island…
A recent national survey revealed just how much Americans love their companion animals. When respondents were asked whether they’d like to spend life stranded on a deserted island with either their spouse or their pet, over 60% said they would prefer their dog or cat for companionship!June 2024 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
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