The study shows pet owners are confused by the overwhelming number of pet foods, fad diets and conflicting advice. And while obesity can be linked to disease, age and genetics, it is most often a result of poor lifestyle choices.
Getting our pets to a healthy weight requires working with our veterinarians to help select a nutrition plan that ensures our pets get enough nutrients and calories for their breed, age and level of activity. As with our own weight management, incorporating a few simple, common sense solutions can help us help our furkids reach their fighting weight.For dogs, regular structured walks are important for physical health and socialization. Obedience training is great for pups or rescue dogs since it not only increases physical activity, but also socializes them and challenges their brains.
For cats, dogs, birds and small pets, there are an enormous selection of food and treat puzzle toys for any age or life stage, which not only challenge pets mentally, but also slows down eating to improve digestion and create a feeling of satiety.Getting creative with treats is easy! Look for healthier, low calorie treat options with limited ingredients you know are healthy. 5 Calorie Superfood Dog Treats contain 4 natural ingredients rich in fiber (to keep them satiated), plus Omega 3 fatty acids (to promote healthy skin and coat).
By lodging a few treats inside an inexpensive shin bone, they're likely burn off more calories than they consume - while they "earn" their rewards - all while stimulating their mind and preventing boredom.Keeping simple, healthy, portion controlled snacks on hand helps us better manage our pet's weight (not to mention our own!) When combined with a realistic, simple goal, such as walking Max for 20 minutes after dinner 3 times a week, we develop easy habits to help us manage and maintain our pet's weight - as well as our own!
Wishing you all a happy, healthy spring!
Barbara
]]>According to The American Veterinary Association
If you have been keeping up with regular at home oral care for your pet, congratulations! If not, we encourage you to consider having your pet's teeth examined by your veterinarian and taking advantage of this month's savings if your pet needs a professional cleaning.
After your pet's teeth have been professionally cleaned by a veterinarian, then your furkid(s) should be started on an at-home oral care plan that will prevent plaque - and tartar - from building up on teeth again. Look for a toothpaste with a seal from The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste has the VOHC seal, is (video) fast and easy to use - plus NO toothbrush is required! Cats and dogs love the natural London Beef Broil & Rotisserie Chicken flavors, and it's safe for puppies and kittens. Starting off your little furkids with a fast, easy oral care plan gives them the gift of health and saves you time, money and worry!
Wishing you and your furkids a happy, healthy February! 😻
Barbara
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In either case, the glucose in the body cannot be used effectively, which leads to a litany of health problems. Diabetes is a serious, irreversible condition for which there is currently no cure. Early detection & proper treatment are critical, as uncontrolled diabetes leads to devastating effects on the body, and ultimately death. Overall, treatment is similar across animals and humans.
With diabetes, the goal is to balance blood sugar levels by balancing food intake with insulin (or oral medications) and exercise. Carbohydrates have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels.The higher the carb intake, the more blood sugars will increase.
The glycemic index measures how quickly and dramatically a food will increase blood sugar levels. Low glycemic foods, such as veggies, whole grains (e.g., oats), most fruits and other complex carbohydrates (e.g., legumes) are ideal, since they release glucose slowly and steadily, without causing sharp spikes in blood sugars.
As a Type I diabetic for 35 years, fiber is my friend because it helps reduce the rate at which glucose gets released into the blood stream. 5 Calorie Superfood Dog Treats are an excellent snack for diabetic dogs because they're rich in fiber from the combination of whole oats, chia seeds, natural fruits and veggies - my dogs share them with me (especially before long walks!)
Keeping your fur kid active is important, since exercise helps lower blood sugar levels. Plus, it increases metabolism to help the body use insulin more efficiently. A small snack before exercise can help prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too rapidly (hypoglycemia). An activity plan should be discussed with your vet to avoid complications.
Diabetes requires consistency, planning and discipline, but our pets are more than willing to oblige! And the joy of seeing them feel healthy & happy is worth it!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! 🍗
Barbara
]]>Simply put, fiber is the bulk & roughage found in natural foods that optimize numerous body functions, improving overall health in both pets AND people.
There are 2 type of fiber - soluble & insoluble. Soluble fiber is found in healthy foods like oats, beans, fruits & veggies. It absorbs water, transforming into a gel-like substance in the colon. Insoluble fiber adds bulk, helping food to more quickly pass through the stomach & intestines. Most foods have a combination of both types.of fiber.
- Creates a feeling of satiety & fullness
- Reduces cholesterol
- Stabilization of blood sugar levels
- Decreases fat absorption
- Helps reduce heart disease
- Slows down digestion
As the busy holiday season approaches, we tend to overindulge ourselves - and our pets. So it is smart to plan ahead and stock up on some tasty, low calorie, high fiber treats to help curb cravings and minimize some of the predictable holiday over indulgences.
You’ll find fiber in all of Really Natural's edible offerings, including 5 Calorie Superfood Dog treats, Mini Apple Dices, Dried Papaya and Pineapple.
Wishing you a beautiful fall season! 🍁
Barbara
]]>No matter the type of pet you own, it all boils down to overall diet & exercise (the same is true for us!) Decreasing portions goes a long way. And adding some short walks a few times a week can make an enormous difference.
Another fun way to get your pets engaged in eating less, while slowing down the speed at which they eat, is to incorporate a food puzzle at meal or snack times. Puzzle toys are available for cats, dogs & other small pets and they not only keep your pet learning, but they encourage slower digestion which helps keep your pet feeling full longer.
Treat time is a fun way to connect with our pets, helping with training, bonding - or rewarding just because you love 'em!
Small dried papaya & pineapple dices make portion control easy, plus they work great in puzzle & foraging toys that help prevent boredom & mentally challenge birds, rabbits, sugar gliders & other small pets.
For people, they make a great addition to salads, baked goods & trail mixes. A few papaya dices with a dash of curry powder can transform a boring chicken & veggie dish into a tasty, exotic meal with minimal calories & effort!
Celebrate summertime with delicious, tropical, healthy treats you can share with your feathered & furry kids!
Wishing you a beautiful summer season! ☀️
Practically speaking, Petsmile is our favorite because
The fast & easy "swipe on formula" doesn't require a toothbrush
The London Beef Broil flavor is LOVED by both cats & dogs
Just 2 - 3 weekly applications are required
It's a fun, interactive, bonding experience for you AND your pet
Your pet thinks it's a treat!
Wishing you a Naturally Beautiful Day! 😻
Barbara
Apple pectin is a soluble fiber that binds to fatty substances - like cholesterol & toxins - in the digestive tract to promote their elimination. So it helps to improve gastrointestinal health AND lower cholesterol. Plus, the antioxidants & vitamin C in apples may also help with degenerative conditions like joint disease. As a type 1 diabetic for nearly 35 years, I can attest to the benefits soluble fiber has on blood sugar levels.
The core & seeds of apples are considered toxic to animals and should NOT be consumed by animals. These mini dices are natural apples that have had the core & seeds completely removed, making them a safe, delicious & healthy treat for pets of all sizes, including cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, chinchillas, flying squirrels, prairie dogs - and more.
With no preservatives and no added sugar, these diced apples make a nutritious, tasty snack that can be given right out of the bag to small pets, or used as a topper sprinkled over meals a couple of times weekly for dogs and cats. Plus, they come from a human food facility so you too can enjoy them - I love them on peanut butter sandwiches!
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! 🍎
Barbara
Since allergies are tied to the body's autoimmune system, naturally strengthening the immune system from the inside out can help prevent (or at least decrease the symptom severity of) skin inflammation and infections. When taken over time internally, krill and coconut oils can benefit inflammatory, allergic skin issues that can lead to painful infections.
For external symptoms like dermatitis, itching, rashes, insect bites, itchy / inflamed skin and more, a well formulated herbal healing salve helps calm, soothe & heal irritated skin conditions, while helping prevent skin infections - without chemicals or side effects.
Wishing you a beautiful and healthy spring season! 🌼
Barbara]]>flora. Chlorophyll's alkaline properties can help maintain a balanced pH level to reduce acidity in the body, naturally protecting the body from the inside out.
]]>The alkaline properties of chlorophyll can help maintain a balanced pH level to reduce acidity in the body, naturally protecting the body from the inside out.
Our senior beagle LOVES Sweet Breath which contains a potent form of a chlorophyll juice concentrate, combined with peppermint essential oil. It is a healthy, inexpensive way to achieve a quick minty flavor burst in the mouth - and when used regularly, it helps decrease stinky body odors over time that Max (AND Max's dad!) sometimes generate!
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day 🌿
Barbara
]]>Tartar buildup on teeth should only be removed by a licensed veterinarian. Once tartar is removed, at home care can prevent future troubles. Petsmile meets the Veterinary Oral Health Council effectiveness standards for inhibiting plaque growth. It's quick, easy & doesn't even require a toothbrush - just swipe a finger with Petsmile on across you pet's teeth 2 to 3 times weekly. Cats & dogs LOVE the natural London Beef Broil taste so they think they're getting a special treat!
]]>Oral health issues of the gums and teeth are common in both dogs and cats - by age 3, more than 75% have some form of tartar buildup on teeth, especially if they are not receiving regular teeth cleanings at home. Just like people, regular oral care can prevent oral disease from manifesting into serious, life threatening health problems.
Once tartar is removed, at home care can prevent future troubles. Petsmile meets the Veterinary Oral Health Council effectiveness standards for inhibiting plaque growth on teeth. The fast & easy formula doesn't even require a toothbrush - just dab a pearl size drop of Petsmile on your fingertip & swipe across you pet's teeth 2 to 3 times weekly. Cats and dogs LOVE the natural London Beef Broil taste so they think they're getting a special treat!
Our pet's oral health care is one thing we can do to increase the years of love we get to share with our furbabies!
Wishing everyone a beautiful, healthy February! 💖If your furkid or feathered friend received new toys, bowls, cage or other accessory during the holidays, there is no time like the present to keep those items fresh & free from inevitable odor buildup. Small exotics, pocket pets and messy birds often throw food in addition to going potty inside their cages, creating a dirty, stinky habitat. And despite regular cleanings, bacteria attaches itself onto surfaces & into crevices of every item in your pet's cage, resulting in pungent odors.
Start off 2018 clean with a unique, non-chemical odor-prevention solution. The biodegradable product is safe for pets, humans and the earth. And like everything at Really Natural Pets, you can use it in your own habitat too (...not that any of us humans ever create odors!)
Wishing everyone a beautiful, healthy new year! 🎇
Barbara]]>The above principle applies to pets AND people. And as the body ages, gets ill or develops disease, the formula may need to be slightly adjusted. For example, a body typically needs fewer CI as it becomes older.
Keeping low calorie snacks readily available helps us manage our weight any time. 5 Calorie Chia Dog Treats are tasty, generously-sized biscuits for athletic, diabetic or overweight pups in all life stages! For people, small pets & birds, our Sweet Treats have half the sugar & calories as regular dried fruit and no sulfur.
]]>The most reliable, timeless principle is "Calories In" (CI) vs. "Calories Out" (CO). Calorie management offers real life flexibility as long as overall balance is followed. In general, more physical activity allows for more calories without weight gain (and vice versa).
The above principle applies to pets AND people. And as the body ages, gets ill or develops disease, the formula may need to be slightly adjusted. For example, a body typically needs fewer CI as it becomes older.
We all tend to eat more & exercise less during the holidays. And eliminating stress is challenging for all of us. Pets are particularly sensitive to OUR stress levels which may contribute to destructive behaviors. When it comes to weight management, we're responsible for managing our own own waistlines along with Buddy's.
Keeping healthy, tasty, low calorie snacks on hand can help us manage our weight during this crazy time of year. 5 Calorie Chia Dog Treats are scrumptious, generously-sized biscuits for super active, diabetic or overweight pups in all life stages! For people, small pets & birds, our Sweet Treats have half the sugar & calories as regular dried fruit and no sulfur. Tastier AND healthier than fruitcake!Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! 🌼
Barbara
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! 🌼
Barbara
Paying more for poor quality is no deal. Seriously, check the ingredient list next time you are shopping to see for yourself.
A single snack solution for birds, small pets - and owners - with less sugar, lower calories, less unnecessary packaging clutter (and waste), no unnecessary preservatives - for less money? Yep! 😍
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! 💕
Barbara
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Designed for dogs, but healthy for people too!
Most of the time, managing our pet's weight is in our control. Smart choices include portion control & regular exercise. Senior pets may be less active & require fewer calories. All-natural 5 Calorie Superfood Dog Treats may help, especially if your dog is overweight or diabetic.
Certain breeds may gain weight more easily, but you can stimulate a pet's metabolism with smaller, more frequent meals.
Pet foods now require calories to be listed on packaging, while several medical sites provide healthy weight & calorie calculators for a pet's age, weight & body condition.
Small daily changes pay off by improving overall health, happiness - and comfort!
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As with people in the U.S., well over half our pets (cats & dogs) are overweight. Some pets may have an underlying health condition that predisposes them to gain weight, so at least 1 physical checkup annually can help identify a health issue, and if your pet has developed a health condition, working with your vet to manage that condition is critical.
In general, managing our furkid's weight is in our control. Smart choices, like portion controlling food AND providing regular exercise are as important for your pet as they are for your own weight management. Veterinarians & nutritionists who develop pet diets are experts in advising the correct feeding size based on an animal's weight. So whatever type of diet you choose, follow the recommendations printed on the label of your pet's food. Here are a few other tips if your pet needs to shed some pounds:
1) If Buddy is a senior, he's probably less active & will require fewer calories. Perhaps our all-natural 5 Calorie Superfood Dog Treats could help?
2) Certain breeds, like beagles & basset hounds, gain weight more easily. You can stimulate a pet's metabolism by shifting to smaller, more frequent eating - like the human version of "grazing." A simple trick is to reserve part of each meal & then feed a few pieces throughout the day or night as "treats"
3) Calories matter! In 2014, AAFCO began regulatory procedures on pet food manufacturers requiring calories on food labels so pet foods show calories on labels. Other products, like snacks, chews, cookies & supplements are not required to list calories on the label, but most manufacturers will provide it on request. Knowing how many calories your pet gets daily is key to managing his weight.
Based on your pet's current age, weight & body condition, PetMD has a healthy weight calculator to help you determine your pet's ideal weight. Dr. Becker at Mercola's Healthy Pets provides formulas to calculate the calories your cat or dog requires daily to maintain current weight - and she provides more detail on tips for healthy weight loss.
4) A general rule of thumb for approaching weight reduction is to decrease food volume by 10% and monitor results. So, if your pet gets 1 cup per meal, decrease by 1 1/2 tablespoon (per meal). To be safe, check with your vet because age, breed, type of diet & other issues are relevant.
Managing Buddy's weight over his life pays off by helping him maintain overall health, happiness and comfort that is likely to increase his longevity.
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! 😍
Barbara
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Whether food, supplements, treats or chews, scan ingredient lists for healthful foods - like real meat, dried vegetables & heart healthy grains like oat flour. Ingredients listed at the top represent the main ones used in the recipe. A good rule of thumb is to avoid meat by-products, soy & corn which may contribute to allergies, weight gain, digestive difficulties and other health issues. Clean, healthy, human grade ingredients provide additional nutritional support and health benefits to help prevent or delay disease. How ingredients are prepared is also important - for example, cooking healthy foods at high temperature strips natural mineral & vitamin content.
While a healthy, well-formulated pet food gives pets the fundamental nutrition they need, a high quality supplement is particularly important, especially for pets who have additional needs related to digestion, heart, joints, skin, coat, allergies, brain, immunity and more. Just as we take supplements to fill voids in our own diets, pets often require supplementation too.
Our pets are an important part of the family and their nutritional needs require more than us just buying food. After all, we want them by our sides as long as possible - happy AND healthy!
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! 😍
Barbara
]]>Anesthesia-Free Dentistry:
This procedure is a newer trend of scaling pet teeth to remove tartar stains on pet teeth. It is considered a cosmetic procedure that does not address underlying oral disease. Further, it may inadvertently result in injury or infection. More details on Anesthesia-Free Dentistry can be found in a recent article from Healthy pets with Dr Becker.
Professional Dental Scaling by a Licensed Veterinarian:
If your pet has existing tartar (brown buildup) on its teeth, a licensed veterinarian is the only professional - by law - who can safely provide dental scaling under anesthesia.
While it is completely understandable to be concerned about your pet's safety, The Safest Way to Clean Your Pet's Teeth by Dr. Watts should ease your mind.
While anesthesia is never 100% percent risk-free, pre-treatment evaluation & modern medical techniques minimize risks. In fact, millions of dental scaling procedures are now safely done annually in veterinary hospitals.
Before anesthesia, a veterinarian evaluates the general health & size of a pet to determine the proper drug & dose. During treatment, continual monitoring is performed. Vets are well trained in all of these procedures. Here's a brief overview:
1. Dental tartar is firmly attached on a tooth's surface so removing tartar can only be safely AND properly done with ultrasonic and sonic power scalers, along with sharp-edged hand instruments.
2. Professional dental scaling happens on each tooth surface above AND below the gum line. The most critical cleaning happens between the gum & the root of each tooth, where there is active periodontal disease. It is not possible to access the area of each tooth on a non-anesthetized pet.
3. Inhalation anesthesia keeps pets comfortable & pain free during the procedure, allowing the vet to access & treat affected dental tissues. Further, the pet's airway & lungs are protected from accidental aspiration.
4. During anesthesia, a complete oral exam is also performed to allow the vet to check all teeth surfaces facing the tongue (which no pet will allow when fully awake). Without this comprehensive check, areas of disease & discomfort are likely to be missed.
Sophie, our 10 year old beagle just had her teeth cleaned last month for the 1st time since we got her 8 years ago. Thankfully, she had very mild tartar & required no tooth extractions. We took her to the vet hospital at 8 am and this was her 1 hour after returning home...
Bottom line: The sooner you start at-home care, the less often - and less likely - you will have to have their teeth professionally cleaned!
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day! ☺️
Barbara
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Most cats & dogs have tartar on their teeth by age 3. Regular oral care can prevent disease from manifesting into serious, life threatening health problems. Petsmile is approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to inhibit plaque growth. It's easy to use & doesn't require a toothbrush - just swipe a finger with Petsmile on it across you pet's teeth! Plus cats & dogs LOVE the natural London Beef Broil flavor!
No time like the present to start a tradition that actually extends the years of love you will share with your pet!
If you already regularly brush your pet's teeth a few times weekly, your vet may tell you a cleaning may not be necessary this year, which can be a pleasant surprise that also saves you a lot of money! If you have not kept up on your pet's oral health, we encourage you to start this February.
In an article from Pet MD, oral health issues of the gums and teeth are common in both dogs and cats. Just like with people, regular oral care can prevent oral disease from manifesting into serious, life threatening health problems.
Once tartar is removed, at home care can prevent future troubles. Petsmile is approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to inhibit plaque growth. It's so easy to use & doesn't require a toothbrush - just swipe a finger with Petsmile on it across you pet's teeth! And pets LOVE the natural London Beef Broil taste.
No time like the present to start a tradition that actually extends the years of love you will share with your pet!
While steam cleaners, abrasive tools & harsh products may help remove sticky gunk, no matter how hard or often you clean, the mess returns because cleaning doesn't create an "easy to clean" surface.
Cage & Toy Shield creates a natural, non-stick surface that makes cleaning quick & easy. The no rinse Shield is safe & effective on ANY surface that will come into contact with pets AND humans, including kitchen & bathroom counter tops, pet habitats, eating surfaces, cars - and more. It is an unscented, non-chemical treatment with odor elimination solution. The unique, plant based formula provides a non-stick - but not greasy - surface that also helps prevent rust formation.
Product manufacturers often say you need different products for different cleaning jobs in your home - for example, this product to remove odor in a kitchen, that product to do the same job in a bathroom. But have you noticed these products often have nearly identical formulations? Many natural product companies spin the same kind of stories.
We believe a natural product should be safe to use, period, no restrictions. This means you shouldn't have to put on eye gear to eliminate an odor. Or be careful where the product is used - the product is safe for ALL residents under the same roof, no matter how many legs they have or whether they're covered with fur, hair, feathers or just skin.
Our natural, no rinse odor control Cage & Toy Wash can be used on kitchen & bathroom counter tops, floors, pet habitats, eating surfaces - and more. The unscented, non-chemical odor elimination solution makes it difficult for odor-causing bacteria to grow so it's effective on pet accidents in habitats - or on the kitchen floor. Yet it's so safe, it can be used on toys, bowls or anything that will come into contact with pets or humans.
Many Cage & Toy Wash customers who originally purchased the product to control cage odor now use the product throughout their home. It's a new way of thinking & living that saves money, time, water - and storage space!
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day!
Barbara
If the animal passes all parts of the screening process, it will be certified through Project PUP to become a visiting therapy pet. Our very own Sophie became a Project PUP Volunteer in 2011 and has brought comfort & joy to terminally ill patients of all ages.
"Pet therapy" provides a way to connect pets with people who are unable to have a pet due to illness or age. There is a lot more demand than there are volunteers. If you live in the Tampa Bay Area and have a pet that you think might be a good candidate, we encourage you to consider reaching out to Project PUP at 727-497-3005 about having your animal screened. Pet therapy not only provides great comfort to people, but it also mentally enriches pets!
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day ❤️
Barbara
]]>Typically, a 10% decrease in daily food intake, combined with 15 minutes of exercise a few times per week makes a big difference. Whether you engage your pet in rigorous play, or take Buddy for a short walk, excess fat will get burned. Check out nine year old Sophie strut her stuff below!
And if your pup enjoys a few daily treats, 5 Calorie Superfood Dog Treats are a healthy, delicious, filling way to satisfy between meal cravings and help your furkid shed extra pounds (or maintain an already svelte figure!)
Have a Naturally Beautiful Day!
Barbara