Earth friendly dog toys

Cici has been enjoying these earth friendly new toys and she especially likes the squeaky ones. there is such diversity in the types of toys plus they are just plain fun and doggie mamas and papas can feel good about the ingredients that they are made with and how they are made. Affordable too. Every day is dog day, right.

 

Cici’s ears really perked up when she heard more about them.

 

 

These Honest Pet Products dog / cat toys are all organic, all natural toys, your dog’s best friend. for him/her to carry around and snuggle with, fetch, chew, and play with. made from organic wool, canvas, heavy rope, etc. Machine washable and dryable.
Non-toxic! Lead-free! Chemical-free! naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial so they are healthier and safer for dogs.  with various prices and sizes Each one is made by adults with disabilities in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

 

 

 

 

http://honestpetproducts.com/index.php

Chewy chewy dog bones

We all know that dogs love to chew on bones (and other items, but we won’t go into that here).  I have given Cici all kinds of chews and bones. I have given her raw bones, frozen, but she would chomp them up and I was always afraid that those large pieces of bones might hurt her. What to do? You gotta give your dog a bone to chew on but you are not supposed to give them cooked bones and raw bones can be hard too. (Pun intended).

 

How about a healthy alternative…  Mercola dental bones

 

 

 

 

We have long been a fan of Dr. Joseph Mercola online. The info on his website is quite good, alternatively delicious and healing. And his team includes Dr. Karen Becker, a vet. So, we were delighted to receive these dental bones for Cici’s review. And she LOVES them. She gets one per day and drools whenever I take one out to give it to her. And it is good for me because I know that they are great for her teeth. Win-win. All four paws up and two thumbs up !

 

Ingredients include: Organic brown rice powder, Tapioca starch, water, natural chicken flavor, Organic Pea powder, Brewers Dried Yeast, Parsley powder, Peppermint oil, Rosemary Oil and Vitamin E.  Gluten-free.

 

Some info on Dr. Mercola’s website about oral health in dogs:

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs show oral distress by age 3. It’s one of the most common health issues treated in animal health clinics today.

Dr Becker says in the video that telling you not to brush your dog’s teeth is like telling you to forego brushing and just chew granola. She suggests that our dog’s oral health is VERY important. And that is why it is important to brush your dog’s teeth every day. So these bones are not a substitute for that. (Although I admit am not a big fan of brushing Cici’s teeth).

 

 

Here’s a quick checklist to help you start taking better care of your dog’s teeth:

• Have your dog’s teeth checked and professionally cleaned at your family veterinarian – follow your vet’s advice as far as cleaning regularity
• Start your dog off with as clean a mouth as possible prior to cleaning or brushing
• Pickup a soft-bristled tooth brush and toothpaste from your veterinarian – human toothpaste and baking soda may not be good for your dog
• Brush your dog’s teeth on a daily basis – even with regular brushing, your dog may still need occasional professional cleaning
• In between brushing, find a healthy and tasty chew bone for your dog.

Avoid dog chews with these ingredients:

Here are some of the not-so-natural ingredients you’ll see listed:

• Gelatin: A potentially toxic animal by-product, created by boiling down various unused parts of animals such as skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective tissue.
• Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate (HSH): Low-carbohydrate artificial sweetener.
• Soy Protein Isolate: Known allergen, with reduced vitamin, mineral, and protein quality – and increased levels of potential carcinogens.

Mercola Healthy Pets Dog Dental Bones come in two sizes and contain absolutely no corn, soy, gluten, extra fat or sugar, or animal byproducts..

• Large Size (2.23 oz./63.4g) for dogs 25 pounds and over.
• Small Size (0.81 oz./22.9g) for dogs from 5 to 25 pounds.

And for puppies, senior dogs and dogs with delicate or missing teeth, Mercola Healthy Pets Gentle Dental Bones (1.43 oz./40.54 g) come in two sizes.

• Large Size (1.43 oz/40.54g) for adult dogs or puppies 15 pounds and over.
• Small Size (0.81 oz/22.9g) for adult dogs 5-25 pounds or puppies up to 15 pounds.

 

 

 

Happy Dog Travels

Whenever we travel, Cici has her own bag filled with goodies just for her… these are gotta haves, bring with us items that are crucial for a safe, happy trip. And below, we are sharing some of these items with you.

 

Some these items came in Cici’s Pet Box (the ones with a *)…a wonderful pick and choose pack filled with items that doggies love and need. One of the things we LOVE about PetBox is that PetBox gives you the option to pack your own box. And the items you have to choose from are not just any old products. They are premium products such as the ones below. Monthly subscriptions … we also love the cardboard box that the items come in. Another cool thing is that for every PetBox purchased, they feed a rescue animal. Oh and cats are not left out in the cold either. There are cat boxes, too.

Here is what makes PetBox unique, compared to other monthly doggie boxes:

All products are made in the US

– Toys and treats are customized by dog or cat size

– When you order a PetBox, it ships within 2 business days

– For every purchase, the company feeds rescue animals with the help of a new partner called Bogo Bowl

getpetbox.com

water

* bowls such as Outback Double Diner, two bowls in one, water and food, zips up easy, dries quickly

dog food/treats

pet naturals calming treats   http://www.petnaturals.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=2

pet naturals breath bars   http://www.petnaturals.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=700752021   spirulina, parsley, mushroom, cinnamon powder and yucca schidgera extract

*dog toys, a ball to chew on

a few bones and chews to slobber on

blankets, sleeping bag

towels to clean up muddy wet paws

green doggie first aid kit including Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, qtips, essential oils and more

photo, license, vaccination records and ID tags (microchip number)

*waste bags

extra leash, just in case

CritterZone Air Purifier and Odor Eliminator

supplements such as:

* Honest kitchen’s Perfect Form herbal digestion aid

 ASEA, herbal internal powder to keep fleas away, flea comb, and

shampoo, Miracle 2 soap and/or dry shampoo

* an O’Tom tick Twister to remove those icky ticks

* Slurp n Fresh oral hygiene and Kissable breath foam

Kurgo barrier and safety harness (doggie seat belt)  http://www.kurgostore.com/barriers-and-containment/

Keep Fido in her place

Cici loves to jump into the driver’s seat when I run into the store. I come back to find you-know-who drooling on the steering wheel and getting the front seat all hairy.

Here is where the Backseat Barrier™ comes in. Super stylish, this cloth barrier attaches to the back of your front seats, creating a soft wall between you and Fido…blocking that little space above your center console. She can still sit and peer through the mesh top; you can even reach back for a scratch if necessary. Most importantly, this barrier helps to keep you distraction free while driving, and keeps your pup safely out of the front of the car.

if I had a small dog, I would bring this to carry my dog in:

Sherpa bag

http://www.sherpapet.com/products/original-deluxe

Available colors:

• Black
• Brown
• Plum
• Gray

Available in Small, Medium & Large:

• Large – 19” long x 11.75” wide x 11.5” high
• For pets up to 22 lbs.
• Airline approved  **restrictions apply

• Top & side entry
• Mesh panels for ventilation
• Locking zippers
• Rear pocket
• Padded hand carry straps
• Adjustable, no-slip shoulder strap
• Machine washable faux lambskin liner
• Seatbelt / luggage strap

If i had a hairy dog, I would use this:cleaning mitt

Dual-sided Cleaning Mitt can be used wet or dry. It quickly and easily removes dirt and mud from all sizes of pet and all types of fur, leaving it clean and shiny. Use it at bath time too.

http://www.e-cloth.com/pet-cleaning-range

if I was traveling with children, I would also bring:

Pansy  in Paris: A Mystery in the Museum by Cynthia Bardes

What an enchanting little picture book about a little girl named Avery and her best pal Pansy (toy poodle). They go on an adventure, discover the joy of travel and solve a mystery. Written from Pansy’s point of view, adorable.

and two books for guardians:

Life’s a Bark by Larry Kay

What can you learn about love and life from your dog? This book is filled with 60 hilarious and heartwarming tales and tips and tons of great photos…  Play Fair, Praise Me, Listen Well, Honor my Feelings and more… Try this: pretend you’re a dog and look in the mirror…laugh out loud funny book

Medicine Dog book by Julia Szabo is an inspirational true story about a miraculous cure. One ailing woman’s journey to cure her best friend ends up healing herself. Julia Szabo’s dog Sam was very ill with osteoarthritis. Stem cells restored him to his former and younger self. She went to her doctor and asked to be treated like her dog. She suffered from a chronic inflammatory bowel disease and it took four years for her to become the first American to obtain the stem cell treatment herself.

 

Dog Pies

In honor of Pi day, thought we’d give some pie recipes for dogs…the first one is good for Thanksgiving or any time of the year. Pumpkin is good for doggies.  There is some variety, so enjoy. If you make any, let us know how they turned out.

 

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. can of pumpkin (plain)
• 8 oz. plain low-fat yogurt
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour, or a mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
• 3 – 4 Tbsp. water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Mix oatmeal and flour together in a food processor.
3. Add applesauce slowly, continuing to run the processor.
4. Add water slowly, using only enough to make a ball (too much will make the dough sticky).
5. Spray wax paper and muffin tin with olive or vegetable oil cooking spray.
6. Roll out dough onto wax paper and cut out 8 circles, about 4″ across (or divide dough into 8 small balls before rolling out).
7. Press individual circles into bottom and sides of muffin tin.
8. Bake for 8 minutes.
9. Let crusts cool, then remove from the muffin tin.
10. Fill each crust with about 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of canned pumpkin.
11. Top with a dollop of yogurt.

 

http://adventuresofadogmom.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/mini-pumpkin-pies-for-dogs/

 

Sweet Potato Pie for dogs

You can make the sweet potato or pumpkin puree blend anyway you want. If your pie filling recipe calls for milk, a good substitute is coconut milk. Coconut oil does the job of the butter and is safe and very healthy for most animals. A touch of cinnamon is a healthy spice as well that is enticing for dogs to throw into the mix. A little honey can provide more flavor in the mix if desired and approved for your pet. Sweet potato pie filling may also be combined with pumpkin puree. Sweet potatoes can be given to animals raw, boiled, or in the form of a full pie. It might sound intimidating and time consuming, but it’s actually rather simple.

Crust

Typical pie crust is not healthy for dogs, but a crust made with coconut flour (as opposed to grain-based crusts) can actually be a fun way to cook for your pets and give them added nutrition. Coconut flour is high in fiber and does not raise blood sugar levels, optimizes gastrointestinal health, and is gluten free.

To get the right size (if you want a smaller pie) and desired texture may require some experimentation, but the good news is that pets tend not to be too discriminative. You simply need something to place the soft sweet potato (or pumpkin) mix on. Simply add wet ingredients until your dough is moldable, and not too loose.

Here’s a good starting point (adjust as needed):

• The Benefits of Cooking with Coconut Flour for Pets
  Coconut flour hosts many nutritional benefits for pets and humans. It’s perfect for homemade dog treats and more.

Ingredients for Pet Safe Pie Crust

• 2 tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 cup Coconut Flour
• 3 Eggs (for carnivores and omnivores), or ice water/fruit juice/coconut milk)
• 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar (if you have it), (Apple Cider Vinegar is very healthy)
• 1/2 cup Shredded coconut, (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Honey, (optional, not for young animals)

 

http://melissaasmith.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-a-Thanksgiving-or-Christmas-Meal-for-Pets 

could make a Sloppy Joe’s type Shepherd’s pie for dogs

 

with one pound of ground beef or turkey

a can of tomato sauce

1 cup of chopped veggies, celery, carrots

mashed potatoes with cheese

burger buns or pie  crust

 

Cook up the meat with the veggies and sauce. Make the mashed potatoes and cover the meat with the mashies. Serve on burger buns or bake in oven in pie crust.

http://www.wagthedoguk.com/shepherds-pie-for-dogs/

 

Chicken Pot Pie treats for dogs

Ingredients
1/2 cup Chicken (cooked and shredded)
1/2 cup Peas (cooked and mashed)
1/4 cup Carrots (shredded)
1/2 cup Chicken Broth
1 1/2 cup Whole Wheat or coconut or all purpose Flour

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl combine all ingredients until well mixed.
3. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes with the cutter of your choice.
4. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheets and poke with a fork to prevent air bubbles. Cook for 15-20 minutes.
Cool and refrigerate.
* I brushed the treats before baking with an egg white for the shiny affect.

 

http://doggydessertchef.com/2010/05/15/chicken-pot-pie-biscuits/

 

Quiche for dogs

 

CRUST
Mashed potatoes (try to save some before you add all the butter and salt – or make them fresh for your tarts!)
1 egg
Pinch garlic powder
Olive oil

FILLING
5 eggs
½ cup milk
2 cups “stuff”
• We use lean ham, chicken, turkey, salmon or steak, along with bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, sundried tomatoes – whatever you have in the fridge that is tasty and dog friendly. Remember, you should never feed onions to your dogs, so leave those out.
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh herbs
• We like parsley (great with ham or steak) , basil (yummy with chicken or turkey) or dill (totally delicious with salmon)
1 cup, shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a medium bowl, mix together mashed potato, egg and garlic powder. Brush a tart pan with olive oil. Press mashed potato mixture into the pan, making sure it is as even a thickness as possible. Brush with olive oil. Place in oven and bake for 20 – 30 minutes or until lightly brown.

While the crust is baking, finely chop your “stuff” and set it aside. In a bowl, whip together the egg and milk. Once crust has baked, fill the tarts with your “stuff” and fresh herbs. Pour egg mixture into the tarts and top with cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the tops have “puffed” slightly and the cheese is golden brown.
Your dogs will be begging for a bite – and you don’t have to feel bad about giving it to them

http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2012/05/cooking-for-dogs-potato-crust-quiche.html

 

Frozen Peanut Butter and Banana pie

 

Ingredients

2 large bananas

4 cups Plain Mountain High Yoghurt OR Vanilla Mountain High Yoghurt

1 cup salt free, sugar free peanut butter

Directions

Take all ingredients and place in a blender.  Pulse until just blended.

 

Pour into pie pan and freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight.

 

Let thaw at room temperature for one hour before slicing, or put in microwave on medium heat for 2 minutes.

When ready to serve, put knife under hot water to make cutting easier.

 

http://yourdogsdiner.com/recipes-2/recipes-person-and-dog-friendly/frozen-peanut-butter-banana-pie/

 

 

New diet for Cici

 

well, I decided that I could not give Cici the antibiotics and steroids. I was getting anxiety attacks every time that I did. She was acting strange so that was that. And I also realized that the Neutralizer gel makes growths, warts and skin tags seem worse before they fall off so that is probably what the vet was concerned about, that the growth looked worse.

Now, am giving Cici a new diet. An anti-growth on the toe diet.

She is getting Nori seaweed with her food, quinoa which is an amazing food for dogs and humans, avocado, almond butter, and raw tripe as well as Bio-Preparation with her food… In addition, will continue to topically spray ASEA on her toe, give her ASEA internally and also put Miracle 2 Neutralizer gel on her toe (not at the same time as when I put the ASEA on her toe).

BioPreparation for pets from Optimum Choices, check out their web site at BioPreparation_for_animals The founder of the company believes that the anti-cancer properties are due to realignment and re-balancing of the body through the metabolism of the algae.

Nori seaweed, amazingly, I got some for her already and she will not take it plain but sprinkled into her food, she scarfs it all up. surprise surprise.

Nori contains porphyran which has been shown to cause the death of cancer cells. (Nori is a red seaweed. Red seaweeds are the source of carrageenen and agar agar.) Algae are also an important emergency food. Spirulina contains compounds which help the body extract toxins (similar to brown seaweed) and in a variety of ways assists in killing cancer cells.

10 sheets of nori a week for cici

will be cooking up the Quinoa and mixing it up with other food, too.

Right now, we still have Dr. Harvey’s K9 Health. We may get some of the new Oracle dog food with raw tripe. She loves their Power Patties (tripe). There is a price factor to consider but I think it will wind up being six of one half a dozen of the other. The K9 health (10 pound bag) lasts two months and I have to add meat/protein to it. Oracle comes in a 6 pound bag, do not need to add protein to it.

http://www.drharveys.com/blog/post/52-dr-harvey-s-oracle-tripe-for-dogs

Quinoa (keen-wah) is not a grain; its actually a seed related to the spinach family. When cooked, it is light, fluffy, a bit crunchy and has a pleasant subtle flavor. It cooks and tastes like a grain, thereby making it a great replacement for grains that are difficult to digest or feed.  It is used in many hypoallergenic foods for dogs.

Some of the great things found in Quinoa are:

1. Protein – It contains the 9 essential amino acids that help to build muscle
2. Magnesium – Which helps relax muscles and lower blood pressure
3. Fiber – Aids with proper elimination
4. Manganese and Copper  – A great team of antioxidants and cancer fighters

By far, Quinoa is higher in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper than wheat and barley.

1. Quinoa is rich in protein and can be a good substitute for meat-based-proteins in your dog’s diet.

2. Quinoa works as a good filler. Mix it with other foods and the dog may find it an interesting mixture. Several dog owners have been experimenting with adding quinoa with other ingredients like salmon and boiled eggs.

3. Quinoa is rich in Vitamin B12 essential for dogs. In fact there are a number of other important nourishment that quinoa packs as well.

4. The magnesium in quinoa keeps blood pressure under check.

5. Quinoa is quite filling and packs in proteins in place of carbohydrates. This keeps the dog’s obesity levels under check. Labradors, some retrievers and a few other breeds have a natural tendency to gain weight.

6. Quinoa has a nutty flavor and (at least) some dogs quite like it.

Quinoa for Dogs – the Againsts

1. Quinoa has a lot of fiber and dogs find it hard to digest. Dogs have shorter intestines, unlike us humans, and cannot digest cellulose or fiber. A number of owners reported observing complete quinoa seeds within their dog’s excreta.

2. A few dog owners said that their dogs had digestion problems to the extent of diarrhea and vomiting. However, in most of these cases, the dogs seemed to have been fed with uncooked quinoa. It may be that the quinoa in a few cases may not have been rinsed properly as well and the dogs may have lost their digestion because of saponins.

Useful tips and agreements

1. Nearly everyone agreed that quinoa may be given to dogs but in moderation. Instead of making quinoa a part of the dog’s daily diet, it may make greater sense to feed him the food twice a week.

2. Uncooked quinoa is a big no-no. While a number of owners give raw meat to dogs, raw quinoa is not a good idea. Dogs find it difficult to digest it. Nearly all owners who reported seeing whole quinoa seeds in their dog’s excreta had fed raw quinoa to their dogs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7645421

eat spray lick

took Cici to the vet this week. she has lost 12-14 pounds… she had fleas (do not see anymore, thankfully), she may have worms, and she has a terrible skin infection. Without her cone on her head, I have to be REALLY vigilant, or she will make a bloody mess of her rear end in under two minutes.

Questions I have not yet asked the vet (we go back for a follow-up in two weeks)… did the fleas drink 12-14 pounds of her blood or did the worms eat up all of her food (because I was feeding her twice as much as normal and she kept dropping weight)… is she EVER going to stop scratching, itching and chewing on herself????

Lessons learned again:  even when you want to do the best thing, all natural remedies and treatments need to be advised by and / or treated by a knowledgeable pet expert / holistic vet.  I learned that Cici cannot tolerate essential oils (she gets rashes) and some recommended home remedies do NOT work to relieve itching or fleas. I found out that grains and coconut oil, for instance, sweetens the blood and attracts fleas. I stopped giving it to her immediately.  gave her a nice grass fed beef broth made with parsley, a clove of garlic and water, for two days…

the vet techs gave her a medicated bath and I gave her one too at their instructions and she is still itchy…  she was given confortis for the fleas, a de-wormer pill, and is on antibiotics twice a day (hidden in hot dogs)… she is eating a grain free diet for the next couple of weeks (rabbit, turkey burgers, and meat meat meat), not prescribed by the vet… but hoping to hulk her up.

also hope to strengthen her immune system so that she can get her weight back.  have found a way to give Cici ASEA every day, add some raw meat or butter to it and she licks it right up… since I have been giving this to her, she does not seem as scrawny, bones do not seem to be protruding as much. I spray it on her itchy spots and when she chews on herself to alleviate the itch and the spray works really well…

ASEA helps cells work more efficiently and empowers the body to repair itself. It also increases cellular efficiency and intercellular communications… amazing molecules

I also hope to be able to get these products for Cici that were recommended by Pet communication expert Kate Solisti…

the company that offers these products is earthanimals.com 

HERBAL INTERNAL POWDER (Yeast Free): Formulated by Dr. Bob Goldstein

Ingredients: Alfalfa Powder, Garlic Powder, Blue-Green Algae (Spirulina), Kelp Powder, Papaya Leaf, Nettles Leaf, Hawthorne Berry Powder.

Herbal Internal Powder is a culmination of organic herbs for flea and tick prevention, it is “yeast free” for dogs and cats that can be sensitive to yeast. It contains, the highest quality ingredients rich in minerals that will help cleanse and purify the blood, support circulation, help deter fleas, ticks,  mosquitoes and black flies. Taken regularly, the Herbal Internal Powder makes your animal less attractive to infestation.

By simply adding the powder to your animals daily diet, the combination of the minerals and herbs, helps to change the odor of the dog and cats blood chemistry, so that fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies do not like the odor or taste of the blood. The odor is undetectable by humans and is loathed by bugs, therefore they do not like to imbed or go on the animal at all! At the same time, building their immune system. We believe the healthier the animal the less likely for any infestations. It works! Over 20 years of proven testimonials!

No More Flea Drops

An organic, herbal remedy designed to help alter the chemistry of your dog or cats blood scent, so the scent of the body is loathed by fleas. It helps assist the dog or cat in his/her defense against flea infestations and flea bite dermatitis.  We suggest adding the drops over and above The Herbal Internal Powder or Internal Powder.  The drops, in liquid form have a high absorption benefit and will enhance the powder for ultimate prevention from fleas.

Ingredients: Garlic, Wormwood, Yellow Dock, Alfalfa, Nettles, and Kelp.

has your dog ever lost weight? had a bad skin infection?  had worms?   what did you do to fatten them up again?  stop them from itching?

have you ever tried sleeping with a conehead?  either the cone winds up on my legs or on my head…

Find the coneless dog head…

oh there it is, with dog bed ear (humans get bed head, apparently dogs get bed ears)…

contemplating her bath today / wondering who to call to get her out of it…

alas, she had her bath and is now conehead once again…

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

Conehead

well, now we are working with raw apple cider vinegar diluted with water and sprayed onto her as well as giving her some every day with her food and the coconut oil… both of these work really well and do not get her splotchy blotchy and rashy like any of the essential oils have…

Cici has good days and bad… when I slather her up with Dr. Harvey’s healing cream and/or coconut oil, she does better and then she starts chewing and scratching again. I have a cone on her but she can get it off.

This has been a real challenge.  The apple cider vinegar helps with the itchies and the bugs (repelling them) so I think the combination of stuff works…  when she sees me coming with the spray bottle she has been running into the closet to hide, poor sweetie.   She barks at me with the cone because she thinks that she cannot do anything when it is on her head.  Any tricks that you have used that work on your dog when you have to spray stuff on them and/or make them wear a cone?  How do you overcome the itchies???

Apple Cider Vinegar (raw) 

Start with a one-teaspoon dose mixed into your dog’s food twice a day for a 50 lb dog (adjust accordingly by weight) and if necessary increase up to about 1 tablespoon twice a day for the same size dog. For skin application, you can spray on or rub apple cider in directly, or for sore or open wounds mix the ACV with equal parts water before application to the dog’s skin. In the case of pests or parasites, bathe your dog and then apply a 50:50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water. Allow this to air dry on your pet to kill off fleas, ticks, ringworm, etc. and to prevent future infestations and/or infection. You can also spray your dog with apple cider vinegar before going out for a walk, in order to repel fleas and ticks naturally.

Apple cider vinegar has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties that give the immune system a good boost, arming your dog with the strength to ward off pests like fleas and ticks and also diseases like parvo virus in dogs and parvo in puppies.

ACV will calm the redness and swelling while providing your dog with some much needed relief.  ACV can be poured directly on your dog’s fur after a bath and then rinsed, which will cure dandruff, rejuvenate hair and help balance the PH levels in the body.

Apple cider vinegar has also been found to be helpful in the treatment of the following: allergies, osteoporosis, cancer, candida, high cholesterol, constipation, muscle cramps, diarrhea, depression, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, bladder problems, metabolism and stiff joints.

We may also do this…

A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and borax is one of the best remedies used for mange. However, be sure to not confuse borax with boric acid. Use one to two tablespoons of borax for every 500 cc of 1% hydrogen peroxide, making sure that it thoroughly dissolves. Bathe the dog in it once a week. Do not rinse off and do not wipe the dog dry. Let the solution dry naturally so that it can be absorbed by the skin. Please note that this treatment should not be used longer than a two month period.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/029853_canine_mange.html#ixzz2b91cL3Ba

You can get 20 Mule Team Borax (pure borax)  at Target

Put the dog in the coconut

Ok, well, I always wanted to be a sleuth… Reading Nancy Drew books when I was a pre-teenager, I imagined what it would be like to solve mysteries. Fast forward to yesterday. I had a chance to figure out (once again) what is going on with Cici’s sensitive skin (why it keeps getting rashy and blotchy and itchy).  First, I realized after slathering her up with cream that she did indeed have fleas. Saw several critters fleeing as I slathered. Been trying different natural remedies for the fleas and the rashes and it seemed last week that the coconut oil plus spraying the bedding with a mixture of water and Oregano oil was working. Cici LOVES the coconut oil, laps it up as well as licks it off her fur but the rashes and itchiness was going away.  It is organic virgin Coconut Oil from Trader Joe’s. Am going to get a few more jars.  They’re about $7 for a jar (16 fl. oz).

Coconut oil has other benefits … skin smells good. weight loss, if that is an issue, keeping your dog slim and trim. Keeps the yeast away. Helps with arthritis / joints.

“the lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Capric and caprylic acid have similar properties and are best known for their anti-fungal effects.”

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

http://www.petside.com/article/coconut-oil-miracle-jar-dogs

Until yesterday it seemed to be working. And it was strange because she had slept with me (as she did last night too) and I took her for a walk and fed her, gave her a few treats and she seemed just fine and dandy. Then I had brought her back to the bedroom for her after breakfast nap and noticed that she was all blotchy and rashy again. What possibly could have happened? I kept going over the events and decided to look up the ingredients of the treats. Voila.  I also found out that I gave her too many of them. (Am not a big follower of instructions but sometimes it is important to do so). It was suggested to give only 1 or 2 a day and I had given her five or six or seven. Oops.  Not only that but one of the ingredients was rosemary.

A few weeks ago when this all had started up again I had sprayed her with an all natural flea spray that ALSO had rosemary as one of the ingredients.  I think I also oversprayed her too. She did NOT have a problem, I don’t think, with the Salmon oil that had rosemary in it but maybe that is not true. All I know is that there is a common denominator here and it seems to be the MISSING LINK.

So there you have it folks.  No more Rosemary for Cici. It is good to be cautious when it comes to herbs, essential oils, and other natural remedies as well as regular treatments. Some may be too strong for you and/or your poochie pals. Tea tree oil, clove, oregano, cinnamon bark, are some oils that can burn when put on the skin (and more). They have beneficial properties but proceed with caution, dilute, dilute, dilute and for some, do not use at all.  Ask your vet (holistic vet). Tis better to be safe than sorry… don’t let the flea bugs bite !!!!

Lickiest tongue in the west

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151540622537545

 

 

Put the dog in the Coconut…

Greatest story never told

It is that time of year again… time to think about the Earth… actually, EVERY day is earth day as long as we live on this planet.

A few ways to consider making your pets greener this year and contributing to the health of the planet.

1. Feed your dog raw, fresh homemade food (locally grown organic) and/or pet food without pesticides, chemicals, processing (no kibble or cans)…

It was found in a study that our pets live longer when fed a natural diet and it is better for the planet.

http://www.findavet.us/2010/04/dogs-fed-processed-food-die-earlier-study-shows/

Our favorite food, Dr Harvey’s has a new dog food (and cat food) called Oracle… which includes meat… we have not tried it yet but am sure that Cici will LOVE it…

• Just add water for a complete meal in minutes!
• Makes homemade and raw feeding easy.
• Freeze-Dried Raw USDA Meats
• No Preservatives or Chemical Additives
• Available in Grain-Free Formulas

http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/74-oracle

2.  Consider using natural therapies for your pets… acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, hydrotherapy, homeopathic remedies, music and supplements are easier on the body and planet. Even can be easier on the wallet if you consider the high cost of vet care and drugs.

A green pet first aid kit

http://celiasue.com/2011/04/20/green-pet-first-aid-kit/

3. Teach your kitty how to use the toilet and/or use corn, wheat or newspaper pellets instead of clay and clumping clay litter.  Clay and clumping clay litter can have health hazards for kittens and cats and the mining of the clay is detrimental for the earth.

http://www.citikitty.com/

4. Become informed and educated about New Energy, Free Energy and

energy propulsion that can bring us to a new era of universal peace, eradicate poverty, and more.

It is time for the truth to be known: we are not alone in the Cosmos…and
WE ARE NOT ALONE — HERE ON EARTH.

Dr. Steven Greer, founder of the worldwide Disclosure Movement and the Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence is working with Emmy award winning filmmaker Amardeep Kaleka and his team at Neverending Light Productions to produce one of the most significant films of our time.

This film exposes the greatest story never told:

“Once people understand that classified projects have figured out how UFO’s operate, they will realize we no longer need oil, coal and nuclear power. This is the truth that has driven the secrecy.”

On April 22, today, the film Sirius, will premiere in Los Angeles.  You can download it to watch it at home.

Sounds too good to be true? Check it out here…

http://siriusdisclosure.com/NewEnergy/?referrer=67107932mlo0n9

Easy to be SuperGreen

Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Green Superfood bar…

I am always looking for treats and snacks that are easy to bring with me on the go, to the dog park, shopping or traveling. I get hungry and my blood sugar drops and before you know it, I become grumpy and growly and sweaty. And I do not eat enough greens in my diet. I have also been seeking how I can eat my greens without the yucky taste.  These new Green Superfood bars hit all the right notes… yummy tasting, easy to carry, healthy and flavorful without all the junk of a candy bar. I have never had green foods taste this good. In fact, I couldn’t even taste the green foods. Now that is how I like them. Check out the ingredients below…(Note: not recommended for dogs due to chocolate in the bars)…

The new Green SuperFood Chocolate Chip Coconut whole food energy bar features organic nuts and dates and is sweetened with organic Palm Nectar. It has 240 calories, 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of healthy omega fats, 13 grams of sugar and 36 grams of carbohydrates.  In addition to the Amazing Grass Green SuperFood blend, it also contains the following organic ingredients:  Rolled Oats; Brown Rice Syrup; Coconut; Rice Crisps; Almonds; Dates; Peanuts; and Peanut Butter.

The new Green SuperFood Sweet & Savory Almond whole food energy bar combines the saltiness of organic nuts with the sweetness of organic raisins and the richness of organic chocolate.  It has 210 calories, 6 grams of protein, 13 grams of healthy omega fats, 13 grams of sugar and 21 grams of carbohydrates.  In addition to the Amazing Grass Green SuperFood blend and Sea Salt, it also contains the following organic ingredients:  Roasted Almonds; Roasted Peanuts; Brown Rice Syrup; Raisins; Dark Chocolate; Pumpkin Seeds; Cashews; Agave; Rice Crisps; Vanilla Extract; Almond Butter; and Flax Seeds.

The energy bars feature Amazing Grass Green SuperFood, a blend that provides more organic whole leaf greens per gram than the competition, and contains no soy lecithin fillers.  The blend consists of the following organic ingredients:  Wheat Grass; Barley Grass; Alfalfa; Spirulina; Spinach; Broccoli; Acai; Maca; Carrot; Beet; Rose Hips; Flax Lignans and Peppermint.  It also contains Raspberry, Pineapple, Green Tea, L. Adidophilus, Alpha and Beta Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Lactase and Cellulase.

The new flavors are available nationwide at Whole Foods Markets.  They are all:  raw; cold processed; gluten, soy and dairy-free; kosher; and vegan (except for the flavors with peanut butter and whey).

http://www.amazinggrass.com

For the majority of people, stress and consumption of unhealthy processed foods can create an acidic imbalance in the blood that, among other problems, can cause the body to store water and build up fat in the arteries (cholesterol) as protection from acidic blood.  The rich chlorophyll content and high alkalinity of Amazing Grass Green SuperFood helps to combat acidity and restore blood to the optimal pH level.  It also promotes improved circulation, digestion and regular elimination.

The Amazing Grass Green SuperFood blend is a unique and potent combination of nature’s most nourishing, cleansing and rebuilding green superfoods including more than 70% certified organic ingredients and an enhanced digestive enzyme and active probiotic blend to improve nutrient absorption.  Amazing Grass Green SuperFood combines nutrient dense green food concentrates with other uniquely powerful ingredients like açaí and maca.  Sambazon? Acai, is a purple berry loaded with antioxidants, healthy omega fats, fiber and protein that grows in the Amazon Rainforest; and maca is a nutritious root grown at high altitudes in Peru that is known to be an adaptogen that boosts the immune system and provides sustained energy, vitality and mental clarity.

Amazing Grass’ mission is to educate the world about the benefits of green superfoods and the improved quality of life from healthy eating habits.  In addition to the Green SuperFood Whole Food Energy Bars, Amazing Grass also offers a variety of organic Green SuperFood, Amazing Meal, Kidz SuperFood, Wheat Grass and Amazing Trio Powders as well as Organic Wheat Grass Tablets.