Diet Can and Does Affect Your Dog’s and Cat’s Mental Health
Cats, dogs and humans have more
serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) than in the brain. A
diet that disrupts that natural balance of the GI tract adversely
affects brain function and moods. A diet which exposes your dog or cat
to heavy metals and toxins creates toxic loading on your pet’s entire
system including the brain. Canine dementia (Canine Alzheimer’s) is
caused by the same triggers that cause human Alzheimer’s. Heavy metals
present in processed food, chemical toxic overload etc. Just because a
food is advertised as natural, holistic, organic does not mean that the
food conforms to any of those terms. For example if one or more of the
ingredients in an Organic pet food are sourced from China – organic
becomes meaningless, more on that further below.
A truly good diet, when approached holistically is:
Life Expectancy for Canines and Felines is Decreasing – not IncreasingA truly good diet, when approached holistically is:
- Your dog's and cat's best defense against infections, other illness, insects and parasites, chronic disease and injury
- Of prime importance in treating and remedying health issues
- Of prime importance for mental and physical health and longevity
- An amazing tool to mitigate and/or eliminate dependency on conventional drugs
- A invaluable way to save you heart ache and copious amounts of money thrown away on unnecessary, inappropriate and/or ineffective treatments prescribed by some veterinarians.
Prior to the 1950′s the expected
lifespan for a dog was twice what it is today. Golden retriever’s are
now known as the ‘Cancer Dog’ – with life expectancy hovering around the
9 to 10 year mark. If this was pre-1950 you could expect your Golden to
live 17 to 18 years.
Shocking – yes.
Preventable – yes…
But only if you put in place a holistic plan for your dog’s and cat’s health and well being.
Why is Canine and Feline Health on the Decline?
Dogs and cats are over-exposed to
antibiotics, over medicated, over vaccinated, over-prescribed
chemical-based insect and parasite preventatives and are on diets that
do not support short or long term mental and physical health. I avoid
these health deteriorating pit-falls with my own dogs and assist my
client’s to do the same.
Chronic disease in our canine and feline
companions is on a rapid upward trajectory - just as it is in our
human population. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, cancer,
colitis, diabetes, oral health issues such as gingivitis – more than 160
inflammatory diseases are on the rise. Acid reflux, canine Alzheimer’s
(also known as canine dementia), thyroid and gastrointestinal
conditions, urinary tract issues (infections, crystals, stones) – the
panacea of illness affecting our animal companions is on a sharp upward
tract. While conventional drugs can be used to treat a symptom, such
drugs do not form the basis for a long-term remedy. Conventional drugs
can cause mild to extreme adverse reactions – and in the short and long
term they can also trigger other serious health conditions.
While cancer can be said to be a
‘naturally’ occurring condition, a condition for which canines and
humans have been subject to for many thousands of years – the broad
array of cancer types and the number of dogs acquiring cancer can no
longer be categorized as ‘natural’.
Cancer’s expanded repertoire is a man-made situation.
Why is the incidence of cancer so high?
Chronic Infections
In 2012 and 2013 ear infections
were the #1 reason for a trip to the veterinarian in the category of
non-life threatening conditions. Why is the incidence of ear infections
so high? The largest single trigger is commercial processed dog ‘food’. Other significant contributing factors are commercial dental care products, shampoo, off-the-shelf and prescription spot-on and ingested insect parasite preventatives, other conventional drugs, over vaccination, household cleaning products, lawn and garden chemicals, etc.
The allopathic veterinarian’s standard response to an ear infection is prescription of conventional antibiotics. The allopath seeks to treat the symptom (in this case the ear infection) but does
not take a strategic and informed approach to remedying the root cause
of the symptom. The end-result – chronic ear infections and now an
increasing incidence of dogs and cats with antibiotic resistance, a life
threatening condition.
The antibiotic suppress the immune
system leaving the dog or cat susceptible to further infection. The
allopathic veterinarian will often prescribe additional conventional
drugs – steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as
prednisone which further destabilize the health of the dog or cat.
Meanwhile the root cause of the chronic condition is not addressed or
may be incorrectly addressed via prescription dog or cat food (some of the worst food you can give your dog or cat).
In addition to these unfortunate choices
of intervention, the allopathic veterinarian may prescribe a
conventional topical treatment (i.e. shampoo, ear drops, skin ointment).
These conventional topical treatments typically contain toxins,
carcinogens and known allergens.
To make matters worse not all holistic veterinarians are actually holistic in their approach.
So if you have been struggling to assist your dog or cat with chronic
ear infections, eye infections, paw and skin infections, you now have
more insight as to why your veterinarian’s approach failed.I choose a truly holistic approach becasue it is a strategic approach designed to prevent and resolve issues – not mask and worsen issues. A true holistic approach maintains health naturally – from the inside out, addressing overall well-being.
Dog and Cat ‘Food’
The pet food industry leverages hot words like ‘holistic’, ‘natural’, ‘balanced nutrition’, ‘species appropriate’, biologically appropriate’. Did you know that these terms are not regulated?
The majority of ‘food’ products
available in pet stores and veterinarian offices are processed (as
opposed to whole, natural, unaltered) foods. These processed foods are
stripped of their original nutritive value from over-processing after
which synthetic additives are added to compensate. These products
contain both listed ingredients and hidden ingredients. The listed
ingredients in many products pose major health issues for you dog or
cat, as do the hidden ingredients.
1. How to analyze / understand the listed ingredients;
2. How to look for analyze / understand the hidden ingredients;
3. The ins-and-outs of canine and feline dietary requirements;
2. You are at the mercy of the pet-food and veterinary industry.
Unfortunately approval of food ingredients (listed and unlisted) and food composition by organizations such as AAFCO, Health Canada and the FDA are no assurance of quality nor of safety.
Even the ASPCA gets it wrong when it comes to listing foods that are good and bad for your dog. Coconut, dairy (specifically cheese, yogurt), garlic, lemon, herbal tea
are just a few of the valuable nutraceuticals and herbs that the ASPCA
writes-off as ‘dangerous’ for dogs. When used as they should be these
nutraceuticals an herbs are very beneficial for the majority of dogs.
Yet truly dangerous substances for dogs and cats such as corn are not listed by the ASPCA as dangerous. This is just shameful.
The pet industry is without a doubt a difficult place to navigate.
Unbiased information, not tainted by corporate sponsorship, lobbyists, greed and misinformation is hard to find.
Unbiased information, not tainted by corporate sponsorship, lobbyists, greed and misinformation is hard to find.
Dogs and cats
deserve better of mankind.
Providing my clients with unbiased information is something that I feel very strongly about.
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
πΏ Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats π π
πΏ Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs π
My Holistic Client Services are Available Worldwide:
πΊπΈ USA
π¨π¦ Canada
π¬π§ UK and other European countires
π¦πΊ Australia and other Oceania countires
ππ° Hong Kong and other Asian countries
π¨π· Costa Rica and other Central American countries
πͺπΊ European countries
πΉπΉ Trinidad and Tobago and other South America countries
πΏπ¦ South Africa and other African countries
πΈπͺ Sweden and other european countries
π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates
Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:
π± FaceTime
π± Facebook video or voice calling
π» Skype
π Phone
π§ Email
πΆπ»♀️ In-Person
Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats ππ
For more information go here.
✅ Maintain Health, and;
✅ Address Health Issues and Conditions:
✓ Treatment and Remedy
✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols
✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention
✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease
✅ Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
✅ Advice and Recommendation:
✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried
✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked
✓ Super foods
✓ Treats - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried, gently cooked
✓ Herbs
✓ Alternative Medicines
Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs π
For more information go here.
In-person Sessions - available locally
Voice and Video Sessions - available worldwide
✓ Obedience Training
✓ Behavior Modification
✓ Psychological Rehabilitation
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
✓ I choose to maintain my objectivity in selecting best-solutions for my individual client's needs.
Contact me
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
Providing my clients with unbiased information is something that I feel very strongly about.
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
πΏ Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats π π
πΏ Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs π
My Holistic Client Services are Available Worldwide:
πΊπΈ USA
π¨π¦ Canada
π¬π§ UK and other European countires
π¦πΊ Australia and other Oceania countires
ππ° Hong Kong and other Asian countries
π¨π· Costa Rica and other Central American countries
πͺπΊ European countries
πΉπΉ Trinidad and Tobago and other South America countries
πΏπ¦ South Africa and other African countries
πΈπͺ Sweden and other european countries
π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates
Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:
π± FaceTime
π± Facebook video or voice calling
π» Skype
π Phone
π§ Email
πΆπ»♀️ In-Person
Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats ππ
For more information go here.
✅ Maintain Health, and;
✅ Address Health Issues and Conditions:
✓ Treatment and Remedy
✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols
✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention
✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease
✅ Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
✅ Advice and Recommendation:
✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried
✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked
✓ Super foods
✓ Treats - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried, gently cooked
✓ Herbs
✓ Alternative Medicines
Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs π
For more information go here.
In-person Sessions - available locally
Voice and Video Sessions - available worldwide
✓ Obedience Training
✓ Behavior Modification
✓ Psychological Rehabilitation
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
✓ I choose to maintain my objectivity in selecting best-solutions for my individual client's needs.
Contact me
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld