Saturday, April 29, 2017

Why Feed Your Pet A Grain-Free Diet?




You may be seeing a lot of pet food coming out with the "grain-free" label but may not understand what the hype is all about.  Here is a summary of why it's best to avoid grains in your cat or dog's food and treats:

What are grains? 
Grains are small, hard, dry seeds, with or without attached hulls or fruit layers, harvested for human or animal consumption.

Examples of grains in pet food:
--Rice
--Quinoa
--Corn
--Wheat
--Barley
--Wheat Gluten
--Rye
--Oats, oatmeal    
 
Why are grains found in pet food?
Cereal grains  are durable and when chemical preservatives are added, have a very long shelf life.  Grains contain some protein but are exceptionally high in starchy carbohydrates.   They can be easily mass processed and used as "fillers" in pet foods to add calories and protein at a fraction of the cost of adding meat, fish or poultry.  Even organic grains are overprocessed and high in carbohydrates.  Bottom line:  pet food brands include grains to provide calories and boost the protein level while minimizing the cost of expensive animal proteins.

Why are grains problematic for pets? 
Cereal grains can cause inflammation and an allergic response in many pets.  Symptoms of an allergic or inflammatory response can manifest in different ways.  A dog might be scratching and itching and a cat might be vomiting. Grains are high in starchy carbohydrates which can contribute to yeast overgrowth, a weakened immune system, diabetes and even cancer.

Feeding a high moisture, hypoallergenic, low carbohydrate diet such as a raw frozen diet is preferable and can eliminate a lot of the health symptoms you may be seeing with your pet that is eating a dry food with grains.  Remember, cats are carnivores and have no use for carbohydrates and dogs fare best on a low carbohydrate diet.

Brands That Contain Grains

Most pet foods contain grains unless they specify otherwise.  Here are just a few examples:

Diamond Dry Dog Food
Hills Science Diet
Iams
Purina Dog Chow
Royal Canin
Most "Prescription" Diets 
Many Kirkland dry foods

But aren't grains ok if they are organic?
Many pet owners assume feeding ingredients such as organic brown rice, organic barley and organic millet are beneficial for their pet because they are "organic".  Organic grains are much better suited for a vegetarian animal such as a rabbit, horse or cow.  Grains, even if organic, present the same health issues for cats and dogs as any other grains.

What is a grain-free diet?
A grain-free diet is often not a carbohydrate-free diet.  Many pet foods will remove the grains only to replace them with other high carbohydrate ingredients such as potatoes, rice, and peas.  This is why we don't recommend feeding your cat or dog dry kibble. To learn more, please read our article Facts You Should Know About Dry Dog Food and Cat FoodOver the years, we have seen dogs and cats feel best eating a combination of any of the following:  frozen raw diets, canned food diets, freeze dried raw diets, homemade vegetables and/or lean proteins mixed in.

Have a question about your cat or dog's diet?  Please visit www.AskAriel.com and review our complete library of pet nutrition articles.  




Thursday, April 27, 2017

Reading to The Pet Dog Helps Kids Learn

It has been shown that children reading to a dog can improve their reading skills, self esteem and have an overall increase in positive feelings associated with reading.  Many children are very self-conscious about reading aloud.  A dog is non-judgmental and it allows the child to focus on practicing the art of reading.  Reading to the pet dog helps kids learn!

Update:  After publishing our own post on this adorable topic, we since learned that the Laguna Niguel Library offers a Tales for Tails event on the 2nd Monday of every month where children can come and read aloud to trained therapy dogs.  This allows them to build their confidence and reading skills.  To learn more, please contact the Laguna Niguel library 949-249-5252.  The next event is Monday May 8 at 4:00 pm.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Best Kidney Supplements For Cats With Renal Failure



We wanted to share this testimonial from years ago as the same products that are helping cats with renal failure today were helping cats many years back.  These are the best kidney supplements for cats with renal failure.  They have proven themselves over time to work consistently for many cats.  The kidney remedies have the best chance to help when a kitty is just diagnosed but can still relieve symptoms in an older cat that has had the disease for awhile.  If your cat is experiencing symptoms of chronic renal failure (crf) such as vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, inappetance, please bring your cat to the veterinarian immediately for laboratory testing.  Most cats with kidney disease are dehydrated and need fluid therapy.

Tuesday Testimonial 2010: "I ordered herbs for Ranger, my 14 year old cat, on Friday Jan 29th. To my great surprise, they arrived here in Upstate NY on Monday Feb 1st! Ranger, my kitty was near death. She hid to sleep constantly. Usually cats hide to die. She was in really bad shape. I had one cat die of liver disease and two others from renal failure. Ranger is my third cat with renal failure so I know how they act before they die. Anyhow, Ranger was near death on Feb 1st when your supplements arrived. I ordered  Renelix, Kidney Health (and a few other kidney support products.) I gave them to her but assumed she was probably too far gone by this time and I was kicking myself for having waited too long. However, after 3 -4 days, she started eating more, was more alert, sleeping less and feeling so much better. I know she isn't cured...but your supplements are giving her more quality time with me. For that, I am truly grateful. I know she is 14 but I can possibly see that if she stays the same as she is now, maybe she will be around awhile more. THANK YOU!!!!!" Daniel   New York
Aug. 2011 (1 1/2 years later):  "My Kitty Ranger is still alive thanks to the wonderful products you sell.  She is now 15 1/2 years old."
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Find Your Perfect Pet on Petfinder.com

If you work full time, why not consider adopting a second pet through www.petfinder.com? There is a dog or cat of every size, breed, age and color just waiting for you to come rescue them. Looking online is great but you can also view homeless animals at shelters and many rescue groups show them at stores such as PetSmart and adoption events.  You can find your perfect pet through petfinder.com or any other rescue organization.  It is a misnomer that rescue pets have something wrong with them.  Rescued animals have no control over their lives and are in this unfortunate situation due to the circumstances of their owners. 


askariel1@gmail.com
Have a question about your pet? Email us at support@askariel.com

Monday, April 17, 2017

A Bonded Pair of Kittens Leads To a Healthier Cat

Kittens are high energy, curious and crave constant stimulation. Kittens are active at night and a single kitten may awaken you with jumping, pouncing and other hunting behavior. However, two kittens will occupy each other by finding interesting shadows to chase and games to play until they finally tire and fall asleep, too. Kittens who are able to remain with one of their littermates or a similarly-aged companion tend to be healthier and happier, and in the long run, better socialized pets.  If you are looking to get a kitten or cat in the future, adopting a pair will be a healthier and happier life for both you and your pets.

Thank you to @myfosterkittens for letting sharing these great photos with us!

Have a question about your cat?   Email us at support@askariel.com
Sunday, April 16, 2017

How To Find Pet Nutrition Advice on Instagram

Instagram websiteEaster 2

Join us now on Instagram! Be sure to follow @Ask.Ariel for cute pet pictures, videos and pet health tips.
www.instagram.com/ask.ariel



A Natural, Holistic Boutique For A
Happy & Healthy Pet!

AskAriel.com 

Have a question about your pet? Ask Ariel's supplements have been used in veterinary hospitals since 2005.  Send an email to support@askariel.com and our pet nutrition experts will be happy to assist you.  Please know we cannot provide veterinary advice but will be happy to include links to articles about how to treat a variety of pet conditions using natural supplements along with diet changes.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Special Needs Dog With MegaEsophagus Is a Happy Dog!

Meet Wrangler!  He is feeling so happy all dressed up for Easter. Wrangler is a special needs dog rescued by the wonderful Leashes of Love Rescue, Inc. who saved him even though he has a life threatening condition. His awesome Mommy Gina Gina Gould gives him 24 hour care so that he can live a happy life with lots of love! Wrangler has a feeding tube in his tummy because if he aspirates the food he could suffocate. But in spite of all this, he lives a wonderful life playing and hanging out with his family and doggie friends. Just wanting to say thanks to ALL the wonderful rescuers who dedicate their time, money, love and energy helping pets like Wrangler and saving the lives of so many animals that would otherwise perish!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Pet Fooled--Investigative Documentary About What's Really In Pet Food


Do you really know what's in your pet's food? Are the ingredients in there because they are good for your pet or because the pet food industry has "sold" you on what your pet should eat?  Buyer Beware: Good advertising does not equal good ingredients.  In fact some of the best pet foods may be from brands you might not be familiar with because these smaller companies invest in quality ingredients and not in large scale promotions.  Marketing in the pet food industry can be especially deceptive and is made to appeal to you the consumer---making it easy, affordable and convenient for you to keep buying the food--regardless of whether or not it is actually good for your pet.  You might unknowingly be giving your pet treats and food that contains harmful ingredients even though the label might say "all-natural" "precisely balanced" or "nourishing"

Pet Fooled is a new investigative documentary about the the pet food industry. The inspiration for the investigative documentary, Pet Fooled (co-produced by Kohl Harrington and Michael Fossat) came from a passing comment made by Fossat’s groomer suggesting his dog’s itchy skin could be diet-related. The comment lead them on a six year journey of research and production that lead to an eye opening 71 minute film.  The film features everything from heartbreaking stories of pet owners who lost their pets from tainted jerky treats, examples of misleading information from pet food companies and pet industry lobbyist groups, and valuable information from holistic veterinarians. To view the movie, Pet Fooled is now available on most digital platforms (e.g., itunes, netflix, Hulu, Vimeo, Xbox, Amazon, etc.)
Monday, April 10, 2017

What To Do If Your Dog Lies Down While You Are Out On A Walk


You are walking along and your dog decides he has had enough and lies down and won’t move. What to do? If it is a sudden onset, see if you observe anything new with your pet's gait, limping, holding up a paw, panting excessively, abnormal breathing?   Do what you can to slowly bring your pet home and contact your vet right away.  if your pet is too sick to go back home, see if you can get emergency help from a neighbor or passerby.    A sudden onset of a pet not wanting to walk can be a sign of an injury or your pet not feeling well, especially in an older pet.   The most common veterinary problems that can lead to this behavior are knee problems, torn ligaments, excessive fatigue (or heat), heart issues and arthritis (especially in older dogs).  

Your veterinarian will examine your dog, take XRAYS and make a diagnoses.  Many times it could just be a sign that your dog has arthritis, a temporary injury or hip dysplasia.  But, it can be something more serious such as a disc injury or even cancer which will require further testing.   Sometimes medications are needed initially to relieve your pet's discomfort.  However, if it is due to arthritis, soft-tissue injury, then ArthroStride can reduce inflammation and help your pet get moving again.  

On occasion, some dogs may not want to go on a walk for behavioral reasons.  This can occur if the dog is carried most of the time, is afraid of something or had a negative experience on a walk (a dog bit or attacked them).  You can try coaxing your dog by taking them to a new environment to walk, using treats and building up their confidence over time.  Professional trainers are also helpful in this situation and can provide many tips as well. 
Friday, April 7, 2017

3 Good Reasons Not To Shave Your Double-Coated Dog


As the weather is warming up, we just wanted to remind everyone about the harmful effects of shaving your double-coated dog. Some popular double-coated breeds include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Siberian Huskies.  Most experts do not recommend shaving your double-coated, which is one that has a soft undercoat (which sheds twice a year) and an outer coat which will only grow to a certain length. 

Contrary to popular belief, shaving your double-coated dog does NOT make them cooler.  Dogs do not have a large network of sweat glands to regulate their body temperature during hot weather.  They only have them in the pads of their feet.  Most of their cooling takes place through panting.  So instead of helping your dog feel better, shaving   can have permanent long-term consequences affecting their health.

3 Good Reasons Not to Shave your Double-Coated Dog

*The undercoat protects the skin from sunburn, sun exposure (increasing the risk of skin cancer) and bug bites.

*The coat provides insulation in the winter and allows air to circulate and cool the dog in the hot summer.

*Shaving can permanently damage the dog’s coat and it may never return to normal.

For a more indepth discussion, please visit our prior article on this topic
Thursday, April 6, 2017

Probiotics Help Rescue Dogs Find Loving Homes

Throw Back Thursday--Rescue dog Spirit pictured here in front of PETsMART about 15 years ago. I rescued him from a high kill shelter in Los Angeles and brought him to our adoption fair in Orange County. Spirit was having digestive issues and loose stool making it hard to place him. My experience in dog rescue helped me to gain knowledge about the value of holistic care for pets. In the rescue world, it is much harder to find homes for big dogs than small ones. All of our Ariel Rescue dogs were taken to the veterinarian for a full exam before adopting them out, but a big dog with loose stool was a deal breaker. Knowing about the value of probiotics for humans, we gave the probiotics a try. Success! Spirit found a loving home and we started using probiotics with the rescue dogs. A few years later Ask Ariel was founded and we developed our Power Probiotic based on these wonderful results. .#rescuedogs #naturaldog #petnutrition #doglovers #rescuedogsofinstagram #petsupplements #petsupplies

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Save A Life--Fundraisers For Homeless Huskies in West Covina and Oxnard


Two Fundraisers for Husky Haven of Los Angeles:

Husky Haven of LA is hosting two fundraisers and desperately needs donations.  Husky Haven of Los Angeles is a 501 (c)(3) organization that saves the lives of homeless animals.  Truly a noble cause. 

Two events coming up---one in West Covina and the other in Oxnard.  Please let animal lovers know as this group is desperately in need of donations.

Here is the information posted on Husky Haven of LA Facebook page:

We would LOVE to meet you, your SIBE or MAL or any CANINE and NEED your support.
Both these events are fundraisers and ALL you need to do is show up and ENJOY food and beverage !!!

Bun Street Cafe Tuesday April 11th
FIRST, on TUES, APR 11th, Shirley P's good friends at
BUN STREET Cafe in West Covina are donating 20% of
proceeds from 4 to 10 p.m.
BUN STREET is very popular..
There is a pet friendly patio. There will be give aways and/or raffles for your best friend which we will be announcing.

Whole Foods, Oxnard Thursday April 13th
SECOND, on THURS APR 13th, we will be at WHOLE FOODS,
Oxnard from 4 to 7. This event is hosted by ALASKAN BREWING
to introduce their new IPA HUSKY. It was so popular it is actually sold out but there was a load reserved for this event.   Alaska Brewing will donate $1 from each pint purchased
This is a great night at the 50's CAFE trailer inside Whole Foods since it is Thurs night Burger special which features burger, side and brew on tap!!!  We will also have giveaways which will be posted.
PETS are welcome
More info will be sent out but please mark your calendars.
Please email:
EMAIL: huskyhavenofla@hotmail.com

If you can't attend, please make a donation of any amount on www.huskyhavenofla.org
Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Molasses The "Natural" Ingredient That Shouldn't Be In Your Pet's Treats


Molasses is found in many pet treats and can cause a variety of health issues for your pet. The ingredient evokes an image of a good, old fashioned, healthy treat.  But is it really?  Molasses is a byproduct that is produced during the making of sugar from sugarcane or sugar beets. It is used primarily to add sweetness and flavor to foods. The molasses which comes from sugarcane is mainly used for human consumption and does contain some amount of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and potassium.  However, the molasses primarily used for the pet industry is made from sugar beets and is basically sugar (sucrose, glucose and fructose) and is not considered human-grade.   Products that contain molasses (from sugar cane or sugar beets) will often be marketed as “all-natural”, “naturally delicious”, “all natural flavoring”, etc., making them sound very appealing and healthy.
Molasses has a high glycemic index and can raise your pet’s blood sugar.  Elevated blood sugar can cause a variety of health problems including: obesity, yeast, diabetes, dental and gum problems, weakened immunity and even cancer (cancer thrives on sugar). Many experts feel that added sugar has no place in a dog’s (or cat’s) diet. So, why is it found in many cat and dog treats (especially moist chewy treats)? Pure and simple, flavor; in an effort to make their treats more desirable. A healthy pet treat won't contain grains, fillers, rendered animal byproducts, artificial preservatives or added sugar (which maybe labeled as molasses or honey).  Giving your pet a “naturally” flavored treat may sound nice..... but think of this analogy....it is like giving your diabetic child candy.  We do not recommend any treats for cats or dogs that contain molasses.  Instead choose one of the many healthy freeze dried raw treats from brands such as Stella and Chewys, Halo, Primal or Instinct.
Examples of Dog Treats That Contain Molasses
Earthborn Holistic EarthBites  (select varieties)
Fruitables (select varieties)
Wet Noses Peanut Butter Molasses Big Bone Dog Treats
Merrick Grain Free Gluten Free Power Bites Dog Treats

Examples of Cat Treats That Contain Molasses
Zukes Cat G-Zees (contains both molasses and maple syrup)
Natural Balance Perfect Bites (contain both molasses and maple syrup)
Monday, April 3, 2017

Causes Of Blood and Mucous In Your Pet's Stool

IBD KIT
If you notice blood or mucous in your pet’s stool, it is important to take your pet to your veterinarian right away for a fecal exam.   Listed below are some of the causes:  

Possible Causes of Blood and Mucous in a Pet's Stool
  • Parasites/Worms-such as Giardia which is a single-cell organism that infects a dog’s intestine.
  • Colitis - Pets with colitis can have mucous or blood in their stool.
  • Dietary Indiscretions- food allergies, food intolerances or when the diet is changed too abruptly
  • Foreign Body/Bowel Obstructions-Dogs may eat things that they cannot digest such as a sock or toy which can result in a surgical emergency if the object isn't passed quickly
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)- which is an irritation and inflammation in the large intestine
  • Colon Cancer or Intestinal Lymphoma- the pet may have diarrhea, vomiting and discomfort similar to IBD
  • Bacterial overgrowth--Pets can get into trash but also some breeds are more prone to SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
  • Parvovirus- most commonly seen in puppies, parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea with blood and mucus.
Many of these conditions can decrease absorption of nutrients, affect their appetite and cause pets to lose weight rapidly.  Once your veterinarian determines the cause and your pet is treated, you can then consider natural supplements and diet changes to help relieve any continued discomfort or symptoms.  For example, giardia, worms and parasites can be treated short-term with medication, but may leave ongoing inflammation in some pets.  Us Power Probiotic along with our  IBD Kit to help relieve digestive discomfort long-term.  The Kit repopulates friendly flora, helps control harmful bacteria and relieves indigestion and stomach discomfort in pets.


Author:  Susan Blake Davis
First posted:  4/3/2017
Updated:  2/2/2024
Saturday, April 1, 2017

There's a New Sheriff in Town

“On March 13th, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office welcomed two new deputies to the department, K-9 Sarah and K-9 Phantom. K-9 Sarah and K-9 Phantom came to the department by way of a grant from the Animal Farm Foundation of New York and Universal K9 of San Antonio Texas. The two foundations have taken on the mission to show that Departments do not need to spend $15-$20,000 for a pure breed German Shepard or Belgian Malinois to search and find illegal drugs, at the same time giving dogs destined for a life in a shelter or euthanasia a second chance at life serving Law Enforcement Officers and Departments around the country…”

What might surprise you is K-9 Sarah is a Pitbull and K-9 Phantom is a Pitbull-Boston Terrier Mix.  These, often misunderstood breeds are all too often left in shelters because of their bad reputation, but this shows that they can be trained to be of great value to society. Sarah and Phantom were trained for one purpose (narcotics detection) and will not be used in a capacity of criminal apprehension or “bite work” We wish them a long and productive career!