Top 10 Cat Breeds in 2014

Top 10 Cat Breeds in 2014

1. The Persian- Persians are affectionate and loyal but need their long fur groomed daily.
2. The Maine Coone-Large kitties with a long flowing coat:  gentle personality.
3.  The Exotic-bred to be similar to a Persian but with short hair
4.  The Siamese-They like to “chat” with their owners and are very active.
5.  The Abyssinian-They’re slim with a shiny coat; very playful and friendly.
6.  The Ragdoll-these kitties go limp when picked up, much like a doll...should be kept inside as they are very docile and won’t defend themselves.
7.  The Birman-friendly, outgoing, and love to be around humans.
8.  The Shorthair-the "happy medium" kitty--medium in size and temperament
9.  The Oriental- a quiet breed and act a lot like Siamese cats.
10.  The Sphynx- climbs anything, is and lively and athletic. They have no fur, and come in a multitude of colors.

Source: http://trend-junky.com/ 

Each breed may have genetic predispositions to certain conditions that will need to be addressed in their lifetime, but ALL cats can benefit from good nutrition and supportive supplements to aid in having a long, happy, and healthy life.  We have found adding Power Probiotic and using a fish oil like Amazing Omegas will help your cat fight off viruses and supports their overall health.

Protect Your Pet from Pancreatitis

At holiday time and all the time, it's fun to pamper our pets!  But, please be careful with table scraps.  Table scraps can be high in fat and may contain spices and unusual ingredients that can make your pet sick.  Instead, keep a variety of treat options handy (freeze dried food and treats work great!) so that you can pamper your pet with foods that will keep them healthy and happy.  Lypozyme is great to keep on hand as it improves digestion of fats and can help ward off pancreatitis. 

Pancreatitis is inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. It can occur in  mild or severe forms and can be triggered by eating table scraps or a fatty meal.  Pets can also get pancreatitis from eating spoiled food so be careful to keep trash tightly closed.  Symptoms of poor digestion related to fat absorption can include gas, bloating, swollen abdomen and elevated pancreatitic enzymes. Our veterinary-approved Pancreatitis Kit includes 3 formula (Lypozyme, Liver & Gallbladder , Power Probiotics) that contain powerful enzymes and nutrients to support cats and dogs with pancreatitis.  If you suspect your pet may have eaten inappropriate food and is now not eating or showing signs of lethargy, inappetance, vomiting or diarrhea, please contact your veterinarian immediately.  This can often happen when house guests are there so please keep a close eye on your pet when food is being served, especially on lower tables such as those near a couch.

May is Pet Allergy Awareness Month

Your pet can suffer from allergic symptoms , just like people, when their immune systems start recognizing everyday substances (dust, grass, shampoo, food items) as dangerous. Despite these allergens being common and harmless to most animals, a pet with allergies can have an extreme reaction to them. Allergens can be inhaled, ingested or come in contact with your pet's skin, so as their body tries to rid itself of these substances, a variety of reactions can occur. They can show up as skin, digestive and/or respiratory symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Allergies In Dogs And Cats include:

• Itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin
• Increased scratching
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Itchy back or base of tail (most commonly a flea allergy)
• Itchy ears and ear infections
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Snoring due to an inflamed throat
• Paw chewing/swollen paws
• Constant licking

The first step would be to limit your pets exposure to known allergens as much as possible.  Of course it may be impossible to completely eliminate them (especially during certain times of the years). Holistic intervention can be very effective.  If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, a diet change to a hypoallergenic diet can be helpful. For skin and environmental allergies, it is important to support your pets immune system and calm the inflammation.  To learn more about how to help your pet with allergies, click here. 

When You Feel Like You Are Not A Good Pet Owner

Have you ever felt this way? Recently have received a few emails from great pet owners contacting us because they wonder that they are not "good enough" or the right fit for their pets. The owner can feel badly because their pet is not feeling well or having immune challenges and the pet owner becomes frustrated thinking it is somehow their fault or that somehow they are not doing enough for their pet. The person may be working full time, or not be able to spend as much time with the pet as they would like to. Well....just the fact that the person is feeling this way, is a sign that the pet owner IS a good owner, IS sensitive to their pet's needs and is kind enough to care. It the people who leave their dogs all day in the sun with no water, or "forget" to feed their pets because they are too busy, that should be feeling this way. Please remember, your pets do love you and you are a good pet owner. Sometimes pets are just reflecting sadness, because you may be sad. Sometimes, it is just a tough time, but the sun will shine through again!  Give your pet a hug and spend extra time at your next opportunity. 

Easy Kidney Supplement for Cats

Toby

“Toby is a Persian cat 15 years old. Last year he was diagnosed with Kidney disease along with a UTI. Toby was fed, what we thought was a healthy diet. Toby would not eat the food and was getting weaker every day, he couldn't defecate and he wasn't urinating. You could see and feel every bone in his body, his eyes were glazed over and his coat was dull. Toby would sit and stare at the wall--he had given up. We made an appointment to speak to Susan Davis. She gave us all the information we needed to save Toby's life. Toby now eats a healthy diet and takes a few supplements such as Kidney Terrain, Kidney Health and Power Probiotic. The products all are easy to give and even a fussy cat will eat them.

Toby is a changed cat. He is healthier than he has ever been in his entire life! He has gained weight, has a beautiful coat, bright eyes, plays like a kitten, purrs constantly and loves his food. We are only sorry that we didn't know about Ask Ariel before. Susan has given Toby a new lease on life and he loves it!”

Peden Family
New York 2012

One of the most common diseases, as cats age,  is kidney disease.  Kidney disease may be hard to detect in the early stages, but some of the symptoms you may notice are increase urination, increased thirst, weight loss, vomiting, and discomfort in their back.  Early intervention can be the key to your pet maintain a high quality of life, while battling kidney disease.  A kidney-friendly diet, and supplements that help the kidney function (and remove toxins) can help a great deal, but pet owners might find it difficult to give supplements to finicky kitties.   Fortunately,  Kidney Health,  is a product that contains a very palatable powder that just mixes into your cat's food.  The enzyme, in Kidney Health, helps to break down protein, enhancing digestion and reducing the workload on the kidneys.  We highly recommend the product as it seems to improve kidney values and symptoms and is an easy supplement to administer for CRF.