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

Click Here for Trailer

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.)

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. 

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

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

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

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

Posted 4/3/24

Molasses, commonly found in pet treats, may seem like a wholesome ingredient, evoking images of traditional, healthy indulgences, but in reality, can pose problems for your pet. Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production from sugarcane or sugar beets, primarily utilized for its sweetening properties. While molasses derived from sugarcane contains trace amounts of beneficial nutrients like vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and potassium, the most common type of molasses used in pet products are lower quality and originates from sugar beets and is essentially sugar (sucrose, glucose, and fructose).

Products incorporating molasses, whether from sugarcane or sugar beets, often bear labels like "all-natural," "naturally delicious," or "all-natural flavoring," conveying an impression of healthfulness. However, molasses possesses a high glycemic index, potentially elevating your pet's blood sugar levels.

How High Blood Sugar Can Affect Your Pet's Health

Feeding foods that have a high glycemic increase increase your pet's blood sugar levels. We all want to indulge our pets so why is this a problem? If you are giving your pet the same treat every day or foods that are high in sugar, over time, this will increase in your pet's blood sugar on a consistent basis. Here are health issues that might occur from feeding dogs and cats foods high in sugar:

Obesity- high blood sugar levels contribute to obesity similarly to humans. Consistently elevated blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance. This resistance can cause the pancreas to produce more insulin, which may stimulate appetite and promote fat storage, ultimately leading to weight gain. Managing blood sugar levels through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and appropriate medical treatment is essential in preventing obesity and its associated health issues in dogs and cats.

Diabetes - is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) due to insufficient production or utilization of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Symptoms of diabetes in pets include increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss despite increased appetite, lethargy, and recurrent infections. Untreated diabetes in dogs and cats can lead to severe complications like diabetic ketoacidosis, cataracts, nerve damage and kidney disease. Managing diabetes in pets requires lifetime care.

    

Dental and gum problems- high blood sugar in cats and dogs can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow in the mouth, leading to the formation of plaque on the teeth. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, causing gum inflammation and tooth decay. It can also weaken the immune system, making pets more vulnerable to infections in the mouth. In addition to managing your pet's blood sugars, practice good oral hygiene and get regular check-ups.

Yeast overgrowth- elevated blood sugar in dogs and cats can contribute to yeast overgrowth primarily due to the favorable environment it creates for yeast (fungus) to thrive. Elevated blood sugar levels provide excess glucose, which yeast organisms feed on, promoting their growth. Additionally, high blood sugar can weaken the immune system leading to skin infections, ear infections, and digestive problems in dogs and cats.

Cancer- high blood sugar in dogs and cats can potentially contribute to cancer in a few ways. It can fuel the growth of cancer cells by providing them with the extra glucose they need to multiply. It can cause inflammation throughout the body, creating an environment that supports tumor growth and it can weaken the immune system, making it less effective in fighting cancer cells.

Molasses and Sugar In Pet Treats

Many experts assert that added sugar has no nutritional merit in a dog's or cat's diet, but despite the apparent risks, molasses remains prevalent in numerous cat and dog treats. It is most commonly found in moist, chewy varieties of treats, solely for the sake of enhancing flavor and palatability. Offering your pet a "naturally" flavored treat may seem appealing, but there are much healthier treats that can contribute to your dog or cat's well being. Consider freeze-dried raw treats from reputable brands like Stella and Chewy's, Halo, Primal, or Instinct. There are organ meats like freeze-dried liver that pets love. These healthy treats prioritize your pet's health and well-being without compromising on taste or enjoyment.

Author: Susan Davis

Revised and updated:  4/3/2024

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.  Use  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