We love our dogs — so much, in fact, that we are obsessed with comparing their age to our own. The problem is that the formulas we have used to calculate dog years may be completely wrong! A new study of doggie DNA by the University of California, San Diego shows that young dogs with a lot of energy may actually be older than you think. After comparing the results of over 100 labrador retrievers with around 300 humans, the study shows that: Dogs mature quickly in their first year,... Read more →

Cats are wonderful, mysterious creatures. And that's just two of the many reasons we love having them as a part of our family! On the other hand, cats are notorious for masking symptoms of disease, which can make determining their health needs increasingly challenging as they age. The signs are there, however, if we know what to look for. In what follows, we'll review the signs and reveal several things pet parents can do to optimize their cats' nutrition as they age. When are Cats Considered Senior? Generally speaking, cats... Read more →

Many dog owners know not to toss a turkey or chicken bone to their dog; those bones are just too brittle. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the risk goes beyond that, especially when it comes to the “bone treats” you may see at the store. What’s a Bone Treat? FDA has received about 68 reports of pet illnesses related to "bone treats,” which differ from uncooked butcher-type bones because they are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats. A variety of commercially-available bone treats for... Read more →

According to Newtown Square, Pa.-based Petplan, its most frequently claimed conditions have one thing in common: obesity. “It’s no surprise that the biggest health threat to pets in 2017 is obesity,” said Dr. Ernie Ward, Petplan veterinary advisory board member and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. “When you consider that over half of the nation’s dogs and cats are now overweight or obese, it literally is a growing problem.” This year, Petplan challenges pet parents to get out and get active with furry friends to avoid the... Read more →

If you consider the family dog, well, family—and are apt to toss him a piece of your food now and then—proceed with caution. Some foods meant for human consumption can be dangerous, and even deadly, to your dog. How are people and animals different when it comes to food? According to Carmela Stamper, D.V.M., a veterinarian at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an animal’s body processes food much differently. “Our bodies may break down foods or other chemicals that a dog’s can’t tolerate,” she says. And while sometimes... Read more →

The first time he came to our house, my son’s friend Joey announced he hated dogs. Given that we have a dog - and a cute one at that, a goofy Golden who loves any and all people - this is a bit of a problem. Joey was nonetheless fearful, so I had my dog in the yard for a bit. When I asked Joey why he hates dogs, he said it was because every dog he had ever met, starting with his own min pin when he was younger,... Read more →

Your six-month-old puppy, Hoover, will eat anything that isn’t tied down. Like many dog owners, you know chocolate can be dangerous to your pooch. But you may not know that if Hoover sticks his nose in your handbag and eats a pack of sugarless chewing gum, the consequences could be deadly. Sugarless gum may contain xylitol, a class of sweetener known as sugar alcohol. Xylitol is present in many products and foods for human use, but can have devastating effects on your pet. Over the past several years, the Center... Read more →

If you have had the opportunity to share your life with a dog, then you are probably familiar with ‘the guilty look’. Dog lovers will instantly recognize this classic expression as the one your pup adopts when you discover that he’s gotten into the trash, chewed up your good shoes, or dug a deep pit in your yard. But is he experiencing feelings of guilt behind those puppy dog eyes? We certainly seem to think so. Seventy-four percent of dog lovers believe that their pups experience some form of guilt.... Read more →

Cats become bored easily, especially if left to their own devices. This is exactly why it’s so vital that they enjoy structured play times with their pet parents. Not only do they get to spend fun time with you, their primary caregiver, they get to exercise their bodies and minds. In last month's episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah provided us with fun and simple ways to tap into a cat's innate problem solving skills while helping avoid the behavioral and physical consequences of sedentary living. If you missed this... Read more →

If you’re reading this, chances are it’s not the first time you’ve given some degree of thought to the concept of a homemade pet diet. Whether you regard this topic with interest or with repulsion, a series of pet food recalls combined with the ‘foodie’ movement have resulted in growing discussion among pet parents about the costs and benefits of becoming a personal chef for one’s pet kids. So, what are some of the reasons pet parents turn to making their own pet food? While motivations can be deeply personal,... Read more →

Have you ever seen someone biking with their dog and thought, “Wow, that looks like fun … but where did they learn how to do that?” If so, this month’s episode of Pet Talk was made just for you! In this short video, Dr. Sarah will help you to gain a basic understanding of how to safely enjoy this outdoor activity with your dog. Our Staff Veterinarian explains exactly what gear you’ll need (a minimal investment), plus all the necessary steps to train a dog to become comfortable near a... Read more →

As pet parents, we’re all vaguely aware that we should minimize the stress our pet kids experience. As a veterinarian, I think it’s important that we also comprehend the health risks of prolonged anxiety, too. The fact is, living in a fearful or anxious state for long periods of time can take a dramatic toll on the health of a companion animal. Any time your pet feels endangered, whether the threat is real or imagined, the body prepares to defend itself by unleashing a torrent of stress hormones, including cortisol... Read more →

Urinary tract infections in people are fairly straight forward. Sufferers experience pain during urination or a frequent urge to go that is a false alarm. For us humans, going to the doctor is usually the next step, whereupon a course of antibiotics is prescribed which usually resolves the problem. Unfortunately, urinary tract infections for dogs and cats aren’t often a simple matter. These infections oftentimes have underlying causes, such as urinary stones, anatomical abnormalities, incontinence, hormonal conditions, stress or even cancer, any of which can contribute to recurrent disease. To... Read more →

Sometimes, dogs behave badly. Going nuts when there’s a knock at the door. Over-reacting to the tiniest of threats. Freaking out over having their nails trimmed. Worst of all, if the proper steps aren’t taken early on, behaviors like anxiety and aggression can become the norm, rather than one-off instances. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah and her canine assistant, Alma, demonstrate two effective training techniques that can be used to overcome unpleasant reactive canine behaviors. We’ll be covering the topics of desensitization and counter-conditioning, plus why it’s... Read more →

As long as people have shared their homes with pets, dog and cat lovers have debated which animal is more intelligent. Canine enthusiasts tout that dogs have been trained and bred for thousands of years to herd, hunt, assist, protect, perform tricks and obey verbal commands. Cat aficionados, on the other hand, say that cats are simply too smart to do the sort of tricks that dogs eagerly perform. Whereas dogs have been bred for utility, cats have been bred mostly for appearance, leading many to believe that dogs have... Read more →

IT'S HERE! No more guessing and asking yourself - Should my dog or cat take fish oil? What kind of fish oil is ok for my dog or cat? Is my fish oil ok for them and in what quantity? We are very happy to announce that Sealogix Omega-3 Ultra-Pure Fish Oil for dogs and cats is on sale now! This is offered in 2-oz. and 8-oz. bottles, this formula features an ideal concentration of 30% DHA and EPA for the overall health of dogs and cats. The oil is... Read more →

Dogs are scent-oriented creatures, with some of the most highly developed noses on the planet. Hide a few treats around the room and see how quickly they’re ferreted out. But does your dog’s schnoz have more practical applications than we realize? The answer … well, it couldn’t be plainer than the nose on your face. Every year, scientific investigations yield more and more evidence that dogs are up to some pretty surprising challenges, in ways that are proving quite beneficial for people. We’ve all seen police dogs skilled in the... Read more →

Did you know that when you make simple changes to enrich your cat's life you reap the benefits as well? From eliminating outside the litter box to aggression, even inappropriate scratching, these and other behavioral disorders of indoor cats can be treated simply by making improvements to your cat's environment. In this month's episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah shares her surprisingly simple tips that you can implement at home, all to help your feline feel purringly content. Which makes everyone in the home a little bit happier. Why Choose... Read more →

Many pet parents are unaware that their canine companions have expertly turned them into unsuspecting human vending machines: one poke of the paw delivers a delicious treat or a toy. If you've ever been scratched by a rambunctious canine pawing to get your attention, then you know just how much of a pain pawing behavior can be … literally! Why do dogs paw, and more importantly, how can you get them to stop? In the latest episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reviews possible rationales behind your dog's pawing, as... Read more →

Nestle Purina PetCare 1/2/15 WARNING LETTER 15-PHI-06 January 2, 2015 UPS OVERNIGHT DELIVERY RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Jason S. Christoffersen, Plant Manager Nestle Purina PetCare 2050 Pope Road Allentown, PA 18104-9308 Dear Mr. Christoffersen: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection of your low-acid canned food (LACF) manufacturing facility located at 2050 Pope Road, Allentown, PA, from September 15, 2014 through October 1, 2014. The inspection revealed that your firm manufactures a variety of low-acid dog and cat foods. The inspection also revealed that your facility has significant deviations... Read more →

Dogs are scent-oriented creatures, with some of the most highly developed noses on the planet. Hide a few treats around the room and see how quickly they’re ferreted out. But does your dog’s schnoz have more practical applications than we realize? The answer … well, it couldn’t be plainer than the nose on your face. Every year, scientific investigations yield more and more evidence that dogs are up to some pretty surprising challenges, in ways that are proving quite beneficial for people. We’ve all seen police dogs skilled in the... Read more →

The unspoken rule is don’t set yourself up to fail. Having a partner for your new endeavors can make a huge difference … but it has to be the right partner. The proposition to just beg off, to postpone until tomorrow, or ‘nah, let’s just go for a coffee instead’ – these statements are murder on any good intentions you may have towards making any real progress. On the other hand, having a dedicated collaborator for these new activities can go a long way towards your long-term success. Especially if... Read more →

With summer fully upon us, many of us are spending more time outdoors. Some of us may even be entertaining thoughts of beginning a new exercise routine. The unspoken rule is don’t set yourself up to fail. Having a partner for your new endeavors can make a huge difference … but it has to be the right partner. The proposition to just beg off, to postpone until tomorrow, or ‘nah, let’s just go for a coffee instead’ – these statements are murder on any good intentions you may have towards... Read more →

FDA Issues Warning Letters for Unapproved Tear Stain Removers Used in Dogs and Cats August 29, 2014 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing warning letters today to companies manufacturing unapproved animal drugs to remove tear stains in dogs and cats. These products, including Angels’ Eyes, Angels’ Glow, Pets’ Spark, and exported products Glow Groom and Health Glow, have not been reviewed by FDA for safety and effectiveness. These tear stain removers also contain the medically important antibiotic tylosin tartrate, which is not approved for use in dogs or... Read more →

Original Article On DogsNaturallyMagazine Recently, I was working with a dog who was suffering from severe itching and hair loss. After we went through the usual dietary factors, we started to go over her environment and eventually her grooming products. Her diet was perfect, her home environment was as non-toxic as you can get. Then, I came across a new wellness product she had been using that contained polyethylene glycol. This product touted that it quickly healed wounds and could be used as a post-surgical application to speed the healing... Read more →

Article originally on PetFoodIndustry.com Food poisoning isn’t only a human problem, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, which says that pets are also at risk if they eat foods that are contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. Two of these bacteria—Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes—are particularly dangerous to both pets and humans, says the FDA. test Raw pet food consists primarily of meat, bones and organs that haven’t been cooked, and therefore are more likely than cooked food to contain organisms that can make a dog or cat sick, says William... Read more →

Original Article From http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/normerica-repackaged-re-dated-stale-dog-treats-say-ex-employees-1.2670465 Two former Normerica Inc. warehouse workers claim the Ontario-based pet product company had employees routinely switch pet treats between different brand name packages and re-date them after they were imported from China and Thailand. They claim mouldy and stale pet treats were sent out to stores for sale. Duck, sweet potato and chicken jerky treats imported by the company and sold by Loblaw, Costco and other retailers are among brands suspected of making dogs ill. The former Normerica employee said warehouse staff used heat guns to... Read more →

If you’ve ever noticed a foul odor wafting from your pet’s hind end, there's a chance that anal sacs may be the source of the problem. As any pet parent will tell you, nothing smells as uniquely terrible as the material emitted from these glands. In some mammals, including dogs and cats, anal sacs are small pouches which store secretions from the glands between the internal and external sphincter muscles. A dog or cat can discharge the material collected in the sac through these ducts. One thing this liquid has... Read more →

See the FDA Website for the complete article "Get The Facts About Pain Relievers For Pets" Dogs are Not Small People. Tinker Bell’s owner isn’t alone. When owners see their dog or cat limping or showing other signs of pain, they often think about giving their pet an over-the-counter pain reliever for people. But even if data show an NSAID is safe and effective in people, the drug may not be safe and effective in dogs because the drug may: Last longer; Have a higher absorption rate in the stomach... Read more →

The Humane Society of the United States gives only 1 percent of the money it raises to pet shelters. Surprised? You might be, if you’ve seen HSUS’s TV ads—you know, the ones full of needy dogs and cats. You, like most Americans, might think HSUS gives most of the money it raises to pet shelters. HSUS doesn’t. You, like most Americans, might think that HSUS is an umbrella group for humane societies. It isn’t. You might thin...k that HSUS at least runs one pet shelter. It doesn’t. Learn more at... Read more →

Tainted Jerky Treats are still in the news and making dogs sick. Please be a concerned consumer and pay attention to the products you are purchasing. Life's Abundance offers Tasty Rewards Training Treats as an excellent alternative. Tasty Rewards, as well as any of the Life's Abundance products, have NEVER been recalled. The company has been in business for 15 years. Stop taking chances with your dog - order Tasty Rewards today! Article From Rikki Mitchell CREATED Dec. 23, 2013 TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The numbers keep climbing. According to the... Read more →

Gathering your family together for a delicious, festive feast is a holiday tradition. And, while you don’t have to completely exclude your pets from the celebration, you do need to watch out for the seemingly harmless holiday fixtures that could wreak havoc on their health. In this month’s informative episode of Pet Talk, Life's Abundance staff veterinarian Dr. Sarah sheds light on the things pet parents shouldn’t put under the Christmas tree. From errant table scraps, to cookies left out for Santa, to the delightful treats made for friends and... Read more →

I consider companion animals as family members. I believe that their diets should be as healthy and delicious as our own, which is why I have dedicated my life to researching the best foods and products for our pet kids. Although there are significant differences in nutritional requirements and taste preferences between dogs and humans, new compelling research published this year suggests that canine diets, and subsequent genetic profiles, evolved in order to cohabitate with humans. Part of the ancient mystery of the makeup of the modern canine has been... Read more →

Nearly 600 pets have died and more than 3,600 have been sickened in an outbreak of illnesses tied to contaminated jerky treats made in China, federal animal health officials said in an October 22nd statement. The epidemic is so severe that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is turning to vets and pet parents across the nation for help. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine said, “This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we’ve encountered.” Companion animals have exhibited symptoms within hours of... Read more →

This article came from the FDA website on In a recent two-year study, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) screened over 1,000 samples of pet food for bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.1 (The illnesses are called “foodborne” because the bacteria are carried, or “borne,” in or on contaminated food.) The study showed that, compared to other types of pet food tested, raw pet food was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. The Pet Food Study Raw pet food was not included in the first year of... Read more →

This is positive in two states so far - Ohio and California but only have seen these two articles out of Ohio. No matter what, be on the lookout for any possible signs of this Canine Circovirus. The Circovirus is a virus typically found in pigs, not dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, neurological problems, a lack of appetite and lethargy. This is serious because if it is left untreated a dog can die within 48 hours. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian... Read more →

This is from the Delmar Law Group website: NUTRO DOG FOOD LITIGATION – CLASS ACTION CASE SETTLED IN SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT On September 11, 2012, the Del Mar Law Group, LLP (led by class action lawyers John Donboli and Sean Slattery) obtained a Final Approval Order and Judgment against The Nutro Company in San Diego Superior Court. The case alleged that Nutro misled consumers by claiming that its dog food products contained live Bacillus microbials. In fact, the dog food products at issue were sold with a “Guaranteed Analysis”... Read more →

I am piggybacking off the previous article regarding Cats here (http://health4uandpets.typepad.com/healthproducts/2012/12/greenies-pill-pockets-for-cats-100-natural-the-bag-says-it-so-it-must-be-true-right.html). Sure enough - same story with Greenies Pill Pockets for Dogs. The bag states "All Natural" but their websites tells a different story. Direct from their site (http://www.greenies.com/dogs.aspx#/products/dog-pill-pockets) GREENIES® PILL POCKETS® Canine Treats are 100% all natural tasty treats with a built-in pouch — ideal for hiding a tablet, capsule or liquid medication — so that most dogs don’t even notice there’s medicine inside. They’re the #1 veterinarian-recommended choice for giving pills.* * Data on File, The Nutro Company... Read more →

Purina came out with a new food and new website - Purina Be Happy Dog & Cat Food The pet food claims "it helps keep them healthy on the inside, and happy on the outside." Can a pet food really make your dog or cat happy? This new pet food - Be Happy - is a product of Purina Pet Foods. The Be Happy website states "For us, pets are the true happiness heroes. When we watch a dog chase his tail or a cat soak up the sun, we... Read more →

FDA failing to protect pets from jerky treats, nonprofit claims - http://www.petfoodindustry.com/46839.html Food & Water Watch, a US nonprofit organization that works to ensure safe and sustainable food and water, issued a statement, in which the organization claims that the US Food and Drug Administration is failing to protect pets from potentially toxic chicken jerky treats made in China. According to Food & Water Watch executive director, Wenonah Hauter: "Since 2007, thousands of American dogs have fallen ill or died after eating jerky treats made in China. In the past... Read more →

The FDA is expanding its investigation into possibly tainted dog treats. The FDA has added duck jerky treats and sweet potato jerky treats to the list to test for potentially harmful chemicals. And Safeway told NBC Bay Area today it has discontinued orders of Milo's Kitchen Chicken jerky treats to its stores nationwide. However, the store will continue the sale of the products still on shelves. This decision comes on the heels of thousands of complaints from pet owners, reporting their dogs were sickened or died after eating certain chicken... Read more →

Stainless Steel Bowl Notice Petco has determined that one of its foreign suppliers used stainless steel mistakenly containing small quantities of Cobalt-60 when fabricating certain orders of certain SKUs/models of stainless steel pet food bowls. Cobalt-60 is a radioactive material commonly used in industrial gauging equipment and other uses. We don’t know for certain how it got into our product, but we believe it came from scrap metal that had some Cobalt-60 accidentally mixed in. The affected products were found to emit low levels of radiation. The Cobalt-60 levels in... Read more →

This is a reprint from http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/07/20/sweet-potato-dog-treats.aspx?goback=%2Egmr_4165972%2Egde_4165972_member_136750303 By Dr. Becker It seems there’s another dog snack from China to worry about: sweet potato treats. According to the Veterinary Information Network (VIN)1, vets are now reporting health problems linked to sweet potato treats similar to those related to chicken jerky treats also made in China. Test results on sick dogs show kidney problems similar to the symptoms of Fanconi syndrome. Most dogs recover, but there have been some deaths related to the chicken jerky treat problem. Symptoms may show up within hours... Read more →

I found a very interesting video on YouTube about Wellness. The man shows that Wellness Whitefish and Sweet Potato actually has tons of bones in their food (and some hair). What I found really interesting were many of the comments state he planted the bones. The bag is sealed and he scoops from the top of the bag. He also uses a new scooper so it's not like he's "planting" the food. Also, it does appear this video has been professionally done - really anyone can make a video look... Read more →

Police in China are investigating after the discovery of a batch of "fake" pigs' ears reportedly made from gelatin, according to state media. In the latest food safety scare to hit the country, the bogus ears were discovered in a market in Ganzhou city in the eastern province of Jiangxi in late March after a customer complained of a strange smell when cooking them, the state-run China Daily newspaper reported. Food safety officials tested the "ears" and found they had been made from gelatin and the chemical sodium oleate, commonly... Read more →

Many consumers believe chicken is the better product and when they see chicken meal they don't realize that it is better. You have companies like Blue Buffalo that boast "Real Chicken" in their advertising and that makes people think that they need "Real Chicken" and when they see Chicken Meal they don't think it's "real." I found this article from Dr. Ron Rompala and he does a great job of explaining this: The recent problems with pet owners have encountered involving contaminated foods has many people paranoid. Pet owners want... Read more →

Does your litterbox smell? What about those dog beds....especially after it runs and Fido comes in and lays in his bed? Instead of masking the smell with harmful chemicals, use the Life's Abundance BioDeoderizer! It's safe for pets and gets rid of odors fast! BioDeodorizer gets rid of odors by digesting their sources, utilizing friendly bacteria that eliminate organic wastes. Safe for use on tile and carpet, trash receptacles, recycle bins, hampers, even drain lines! Eliminates odors from pet beds and pet accidents on carpet and grout, and freshens litter... Read more →

Last month, we launched a new series about ‘holistic’ health care for companion animals. Remember, holistic care entails viewing the body as a whole as well as how every discrete part works in relation to all the other parts. In keeping with a holistic mindset, this month I want to address fleas. Flea season is, or will very soon be, upon us again and the treatment of fleas illustrates how important the holistic approach is. If you’ve experienced problems with fleas, or if your dog or cat is itchy, ask... Read more →

The holistic approach to veterinary care has different meanings for different people. Essentially it means just what the name indicates - looking at “the whole” and not the individual parts. Holistic practitioners consider the whole of a companion animal’s being and how every discrete part works in relation to every other part. Fundamental to this mindset is that everything is interrelated and nothing occurs in isolation. Furthermore, holistic veterinarians don’t only focus on physical aspects, they also consider the emotional, mental and spiritual elements. Holistic health boils down to balance;... Read more →

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is one of the most common canine hormone imbalances. This was not always the case. In recent decades, hypothyroidism diagnoses are on the rise. What’s going on here? In mammals, the endocrine system is a system of glands, each of which secretes a type of hormone directly into the bloodstream, that regulate the body. The thyroid gland, one of the largest endocrine glands, controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, regulates calcium and controls the body’s sensitivity to other hormones. The thyroid is... Read more →