Tag Archives: Dr. Harvey’s

Happy Merry HO HO HO

Some gifts for Cici this holiday season from our friends at Dogbook, a card and a bit of cash… thank you !!!

Photo on 2013-12-16 at 11.30

a lovely wooden tree ornament with her name on it from Marked Moments

Photo on 2013-12-12 at 11.52

and some yummy treats (we are also doing a giveaway for a bag of these)… just send us a photo of your dog in holiday attire (or near a xmas tree) and tell us why they’d love some treats.. (they could beg for their treats, and we will pick a winner by January 2, 2014.

Indigo Smokehouse Strips

made with real, premium cut chicken and bacon that are sourced from the USA. These USDA inspected smoked and cured treats are free of by-products, wheat, corn, and soy as well as, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives! What’s left is a deliciously meaty snack your pet will love. And indigo Smokehouse Strip are the first meaty treat of its kind that’s vacuum-sealsed for safety and freshness. And brought to you by PetSafe the makers of Lickety Stik!
Chicken: Chicken, Brown Sugar, Natural Liquid Smoke, Water, Condensed Cultured Skim Milk, Sea Salt, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract.

Cici loves them, thinks that they are woof woof yummy good… drool worthy even !!!

a few gifts have not yet arrived…maybe today…

Cici and I wish you all Happy Holidays and safe travels !!!!!

a doggie in Rohnert Park Animal Shelter named PIP that looks like my red toed girl… go get him a HOME !!!!

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Filed under adoption, California, dog dreams, dog friendly, dog treats, dogs, four paws up, holiday spirit, keep pets safe, pet care, Uncategorized

12 days of holiday gifts for your pets

All I want for xmas is …

Fifty-six percent of dog owners say they’ll buy their pets a gift this Christmas, but only 48 percent of cat owners plan a gift.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/08/pet-presents-holiday-season_n_1081502.html

Just over half of American pet owners will buy gifts for their pets this holiday season, and they’ll spend an average of $46 on their animals, with toys and treats topping the list, according to a new AP-Petside.com poll.

Sixty-eight percent of pets getting gifts can look forward to a toy, 45 percent to food or another treat, 8 percent new bedding, 6 percent clothing, 3 percent a leash, collar or harness and 3 percent new grooming products, the poll showed. (Some pets will get more than one gift.)

Sixty-two percent of U.S. households have pets, according to a 2011 survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). For many of those furry friends, life is quite good.

http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/questions/what-are-some-fun-gift-ideas-to-help-spoil-my-pet-this-christmas

1. Doggie wreath with toys and bones

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-type/animal-bug-crafts/animal-themed-crafts/cat-dog-crafts/dog-bone-wreath-662113/

2. Toys from Ruff Gear

Cici is not a big toy dog but she loves playing with the square ball… the shape is fun, I stuffed it full of treats, she is always up for food, and she had to wrestle with it to get the treats out.  she also liked the turnup, plays with it too.

http://www.ruffwear.com/SquareBall?sc=2&category=14

3. Toys from Quaker Pet’s Sherpa travel gear and resources for senior dogs (we will be devoting another whole blog post to senior gear so stay tuned)

Quaker Pet’s Sherpa line of travel products offer a great variety of items and several pet-friendly travel resources on their site at http://www.sherpapet.com
They also offer the new Hear Doggy! toys are great for dogs that chew on their toys.  the Hear Doggy “Flatties” (since they don’t have the stuffing)  are available in Rabbit, Skunk and Deer. And these ultrasonic toys come with a squeaker only the dog can hear, so you can enjoy a “Silent Night” while your pup is having a blast!  Tuned to an ultrasonic
range in the 24-28 KHz frequency, each Hear Doggy! squeaker is out of human
hearing range. Visit  Petsmart, Petco or online at www.republicofpaws.com.

4.  Stuff stockings full of your pooch’s favorite bones

5. Earthbath’s Green Tea travel wipes are great stocking stuffers for dogs and cats.

6.  How about a gift for you and your pooch. You can order pet food online and get it delivered right to your door. You can order through AdoptaShelter.com and as an added bonus have the animal rescue/shelter of your choice receive a monetary reward, too.

Or order through Mr. Chewy’s… not all dog food companies are listed yet (for instance, Dr. Harvey’s and Honest Kitchen are not) but many different types of kibble are… and we ordered some Stella and Chewy’s raw dehydrated lamb and Ziwi Peak, both very high quality foods. And the best part is having the products delivered to your home, price discounts are nice, too. They also offer dog treats (Cici’s favorites include Old Mother Hubbard and Zuke’s) and other goodies for cats, too. You can call 1-800-Mr-Chewy or visit their website…

http://www.mrchewy.com/b/dog-food

7.  Martha Stewart has a whole bunch of homemade gift ideas and instructions

http://www.marthastewart.com/275311/gifts-for-pets-and-pet-lovers/@center/307035/santas-workshop

8.  Canine Citizen bag for you and your pooch (stay tuned for another blog post to come)

Carries your dog’s stuff (waste bags/treats/ball) and your stuff too…made in the USA

Cici and I got the gray and violet bag and duh, I thought she was supposed to wear it but it is for humans to wear. Seems lightweight even stuffed with your dog’s stuff and yours. The Citizen Canine is primarily a treat bag (for training treats/rewards/bribes) with a poop bag dispenser built in. The treat compartment makes up the top two-thirds of the bag; the top edge of the pouch is stiffened to remain open for easy access, but closes with a drawstring so the treats stay inside otherwise. The treat portion is also big enough to fit a tennis or similar sized ball (or toy) if your buddy is more inspired by fetch than by food.

Poop bags dispense discreetly. One roll of compostable BioBags comes with the bag. There’s a nifty waist strap and a shoulder strap and there is a Guardian Light for nighttime. Another great feature: a front zippered pocket sized to fit an iPhone (room enough for ID/credit card/cash) AND a back zippered pocket sized for keys, change, or a clicker, so you can go out with the Citizen Canine bag and nothing more. $5 from each purchase goes to Old Dog Haven which takes in senior citizen dogs from shelters and either finds them new homes or provides foster homes for them in their twilight years or months.

The rope dog leash is better than recycled, seems sturdy, long lasting and strong, too. http://www.krebsrecycle.com/

 http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/DOG/TB2110

9.  Dr. Harvey’s Power Patties

Cici loves her Dr. Harvey’s Power Patties, one of her favorite treats, made from fresh, raw green tripe. The patties are easily digestible, add beneficial Vitamins and Minerals, digestive enzymes and good usable protein and essential fatty acids to a dog’s diet. Tripe is considered one of the most complete foods for carnivores and are very popular in Europe.www.drharveys.com

Cici could probably just eat Power Patties all day and nothing else… Cici’s Power Patty doggie diet… the treats for champions…

10.  A new doggie bed, your choice, there are many options, round, square or rectangle… there are chew proof ones, eco friendly, so many to choose from… I’ve been thinking about getting Cici a mattress from a baby crib

11.  Aromatherapy gift basket for your pet…could include your dog’s favorite (or yours) doggie shampoo, along with a bathing sponge and rubber duck and some aromatherapy sprays/spritzes for your pooch

12.  Bake something special. Pick up one of many dog-treat cookbooks and make a special treat for your pooch that you know is made of top-quality ingredients.

Ace’s Favorite Cheesy Dog Biscuits

1 1/2 cups rice/oat flour
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 pound buter
1 clove garlic — crushed
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup Almond Milk — or as needed

Grate the cheese into a bowl and let stand until it reaches room temperature. Cream the cheese with the softened buter, garlic, salt and flour. Add enough milk to form into a ball.

Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll onto floured board. Cut into shapes and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until slightly brown, and firm.

Read more: http://www.k9magazine.com/homemade-dog-treat-recipes/#ixzz1eASsMJwT

Christmas Carob Mint Dog Cookies

Combine 1 cup flour, 1 cup rice flour, oat flour, 5 drops mint flavoring, ¼ cup almond milk, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix all ingredients and roll out onto a floured surface to approximately ¼ inch thick. Cut with bone shape or holiday cookie cutters and position on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned. Cool the dip cookies halfway into melted carob or spoon the carob icing over half of each cookie. Make sure cookies are cooled down before storing, gift wrapping or giving to your pup. Store these treats in a sealed, airtight container for freshness.

http://pawluxury.blogspot.com/2009/12/seasons-eatings-droolworthy-homemade.html

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Filed under bones, dog friendly, dog toys, dog travel, dog treats, dog wear, dogs, eco friendly/green, family friendly, four paws up, gift giving, gifts for your dog, happy holidays, holiday gifts, holiday spirit, holiday tips, K9 travel, Martha Stewart, pet travel, tis the season, Uncategorized

healthy pet food: what does that mean?

the article below discusses a popular cat food…and the ingredients that are in this pet food when it is advertised as if there is a lot of fresh seafood within… when there is a lot of other stuff mostly and barely a sliver of seafood.

cigarettes, lies and pet food ads, http://www.naturalnews.com/024​210_food_pet_cat.html, beware, read ingredients in pet food, don’t buy pet food from grocery stores or even regular pet food stores.

I was recently approached by the PR folks for Beneful. They’ve got  some new pet food they’re promoting and wanted to send me a sample so I could tell you all how yummy Cici thought it was. Since there was Healthy in the name of the product, I decided to check out the health of the ingredients. Unfortunately, I was correct in assuming that the ingredients were not at all healthy. The ingredient list was hidden, you have to click to see it. These people are so forthcoming about what a great product they’re offering pet owners NOT.

And of course, the manufacturer is Nestle’ who sends infant formula to the third world with ingredients that are not ok here and gmo-laden chocolate to our shelves. And Purina, these are the same folks.  But we’ve all seen their commercials for Beneful, with the cute dog and his owner playing with Mr. Fuzzy Blue man toy…  must be good food. Not if you think your dog deserves REAL protein, no grains and actual nutrition.

http://www.beneful.com/Dog-Food/Healthy-Fiesta/#shown

INGREDIENTS
Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), rice flour, chicken, soy flour, water, propylene glycol, sugar, tricalcium phosphate, salt, phosphoric acid, animal digest, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, sorbic acid (a preservative), dried carrots, dried tomatoes, avocado, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, added color (Yellow 5, Red, 40, Blue 2, Yellow 6), Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.

and this is what they tell you it has, yum, festive accents of avocado and tomato (does not say dried bits because then no one would buy it)…

Healthy Fiesta provides balanced nutrition to help keep your dog happy and healthy, made with wholesome ingredients including festive accents of avocado and tomato.

and golly gee whiz the other two “healthy” products Harvest and Radiance have remarkably similar ingredient lists, with a few variations… and yet this is what they advertise:

Healthy Harvest® dog food supports your dog’s health and happiness with its complete and balanced nutrition, featuring soy and other real, wholesome ingredients.

where? did I miss the real wholesome ingredients????  and soy is not wholesome, and whee is the complete and balance nutrtion, must be written in invisible ink???

and then there is the other product they wanted Cici to try, the prepared dog food that looks just like beef stew, hearty roaster… doesn’t that look and sound delish?

Here’s the ingredients for the so-called Premium dog food:

Water sufficient for processing, beef, wheat gluten, liver, green beans, meat by-products, corn starch-modified, carrots, barley, artificial and natural flavors, salt, calcium phosphate, soy flour, potassium chloride, added color, calcium carbonate, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, choline chloride, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin A supplement, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, sodium selenite.

http://www.beneful.com/Dog-Food/Savory-Beef/#shown

don’t think feeding your pet unhealthy junk food makes for a healthy happy pet, in my humble opinion.

Better to feed your dog a healthy food choice like Canine Health by Dr. Harvey’s… add meat/protein and oil and hot water, cook for 8 minutes and feed…

Canine Health is made from 6 certified organic grains, 9 vegetables and 14 herbs.

Dr. Harvey uses only the finest organic and all-natural human consumption ingredients in Canine Health. Canine Health is made with no dyes, no preservatives, and no chemicals.

what I have noticed with Cici is that she scarfs up all of the food from Dr. Harvey, licking the bowl clean, she loves this food. With a couple of other healthy raw dehydrated foods she eats, she leaves some of it at the bottom of the bowl and has gotten tired of it. With Dr. Harvey’s, I get the 5 pound bag which lasts about a month (less or more depends on the size/weight of your dog) and costs about $40 + the cost of the meat, and shipping the product to my home.  I also get her raw beef soup bones from the grocery store, freeze them and then give them to her. That way, the bones do not splinter and Cici does not choke on them. You can order the food directly from Dr. Harvey (he is really nice, I talked to him on the phone because I had questions and was impressed that he was so accessible) or from Amazon and/or your favorite online pet food company. I would NOT recommend doggiefood.com as it took Two WHOLE weeks to get the food.

Dogs, cats and snakes are carnivores, with sharp, interlocking teeth designed to grasp prey.

Cats and snakes are obligate carnivores, which means they must consume a meat diet to maintain health, whereas dogs are scavenging carnivores, who, in addition to a meat based diet, can consume other types of foods without dire consequences.

By nature’s design, rabbits and horses were never intended to consume meat. Dogs and cats were not designed to eat or digest grains. So, as you would expect, when you feed your dog and cat companions foods they were not designed to eat, you’re asking for trouble.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/05/11/your-pet-s-good-health-begins-in-their-gut.aspx

your pet eats too much dry food

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/07/07/pets-protein-dry-food-and-disease.aspx

You could also make homemade food such as the BARF diet (Bones and Raw Food):

In a blender or food processor make about 500 grams of crushed raw fruit and vegetables. The vegetables can include pumpkin, spinach, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, corn, squash, mushrooms, peas, beans, etc. Just about any vegetable you can find. The fruit can include apples, bananas, oranges (peeled), tomatoes, kiwi fruit, etc. Again, anything in season. It is very important that the fruit and vegetables are processed into a fine pulp so the dog can’t pick them out. It is also important that all the ingredients are raw, as many of the nutrients are lost when cooked.

Combine 1/2 kg of processed row fruit and veggie’s and 2 kg of raw lean meat and add bones. To this mix add the following: 5 whole raw eggs

3 table spoons of flax seed oil or Cod Liver Oil

3 tablespoons of brewers yeast

3 tablespoons of kelp powder

3 tablespoons of vitamin C powder

half a tub of plain yogurt or cottage cheese

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Filed under food, healthy dog food, holistic vet, homemade dog food, raw bones, Uncategorized

fleas and allergies and bites on dogs, oh my

Cici is still itchy and scratching herself, but after discussing the situation with Dr. Harvey’s office and Dr. Richmond’s office, I’ve been putting coconut oil on her skin and she is loving the taste of it too. I LOVE essential oils but Cici has had strong reactions to them sensitive girl that she is. Coconut oil is supposed to help with itchies and a lot of other situations. Am going to start taking it myself as well. We also got some spirulina. (Read about the health benefits at Dr. Mercola’s website).   I love Dr. Harvey’s herbal protection shampoo, smells yummy and has all good organic ingredients. Cici survived her bath. And she is eating Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health.  Only thing is that yesterday something bit her. And I got bit, too. Do not know what the bites are from. Ugh.

Once she got the hang of it, she LOVED having her belly and chest rubbed with the coconut oil (raw unrefined) and licked it off my fingers, too.  I think we have a winner.

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/coconut-oil-benefits.html#2

Coconut oil has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal functions. Coconut oil alleviatesskin allergy symptoms (e.g. itching, dry skin and hair coat) and protects the skin against cancerous growths. When used topically, coconut oil can:

  • Disinfect cuts and promote wound healing.
  • Improve dogs’ skin and hair condition, making the hair coat smooth and shiny. It can also eliminate the dog’s body odor.
  • Clear up numerous skin problems, such as warts, eczema, dandruff, precancerous lesions, ringworm, bites and stings.

an interview with Dr. Annette Richmond, holistic vet in Pacific Grove, California

do you have general suggestions for dogs who are itchy?  what do you look for and/or what should pet owners consider if their dog is constantly itchy, scratching and licking their paws?

Of course check for basic things like fleas first. If none, then I am thinking a food or environmental allergy. So then I always start with looking at the diet. A diet that is NO grain, high quality and easily digestible proteins, preferably organic is what I recommend.

Raw food is the best. Home cooking is terrific too. But if those options don’t appeal to the owner, then the brands I recommend include; Taste of the Wild, Orijen, Wellness, just to name a few.

Eliminating any treats that don’t fall in that category too. Supplementing with fish oils is therapeutic for itchy skin as it is a natural anti-inflammatory.

Use shampoo that contains therapeutic quality lavender oil and chamomile on a weekly basis, a high quality shampoo with oil will not dry out the skin. There are a few homeopathic anti-itch remedies as well.

Environmental allergies are tricky to diagnose, but all the above will help with that too. A blood test is easily performed to check for either food or environmental allergies.

are certain breeds more susceptible to fleas or allergies?

Yes, there are certain breeds affected by skin problems. All the breeds with extra skin folds: English bulldogs, Shar-peis, Mastiffs, and Pugs. Other breeds include: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and West Highland Terriers.

are allergies seasonal or get worse during hay fever time? do dogs get hay fever? are there plants/grasses that make dogs sneeze and itch?

Some allergies are definitely seasonal for pets, as there are many environmental grasses and trees that make dogs itchy. So if these are in bloom, or growing well, dogs can be adversely affected by them. Dogs usually don’t sneeze like people, but may have inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes.

how can pet owners prevent or treat fleas and allergies naturally?

Essential oils are a wonderful flea and tick repellent for dogs. Cats are too sensitive to the oils and I don’t recommend them for cats. One product line I carry is Only Natural Pet, they have an oil that is put along the back of the dog once weekly and also a spray to put on anytime the dog is going out. This product line also carries a flea powder that is made of diatomaceous earth which dries up the flea eggs and larva, and also contains essential oils as a repellent (this powder is safe for cats). These types of essential oils are used by humans for the same effect.

best diet/foods for dogs with allergies, sensitivities, digestive issues?

Organic, no grain, high quality protein. I recommend raw food whenever possible. There are many raw food brands. Starting the dog off slowly with just little bits to get them used to it, and supplementing their diet until they eat only raw food is the purest diet that their digestive tract is designed to handle. Raw meats can also be cooked if owners prefer. I also recommend probiotics and digestive enzymes along with the meat.

what do you think about comfortis and over the counter flea treatments? drugs for allergies (steroids)?

I don’t like to use any of the strong flea medications, they do build up in the environment and because there aren’t any long term studies on these products, I don’t feel comfortable recommending them for ongoing treatment. However, if an owner is dealing with a severe infestation, doing one dose after a good bath may be required once in a while. Many general practitioners will give steroids without trying some of these other treatments first. Only in very severe cases is a steroid warranted.

any other thoughts about itchy dogs esp. during summer?

Baths are wonderful with the right type of shampoo that puts good quality oils back onto the skin and all the other things I mentioned above.

About Dr. Richmond

Dr. Annette Richmond graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She became a certified veterinary acupuncturist through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society which is a world recognized certification program. Dr. Richmond has been integrating acupuncture in to her practice since 1999, and has continued the study of natural medicine, Eastern and Western herbology, homeopathy, flower essences, healthful diets, and nutraceutical support. She incorporates all of these into her natural medicine clinic to treat most common ailments. The clinic also includes a canine and feline physical rehabilitation component helping pets before and after orthopedic and neurologic surgery, pets that suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia and much more.

www.naturalveterinarytherapy.com

some relevant articles written by Dr. Richmond for Canine Coastal Magazine

http://www.naturalveterinarytherapy.com/coastal_canine_magazine_articles

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Filed under guest blog, holistic vet, interviews, itchy red ears, organic, Pacific Grove, Uncategorized, vet

all natural flea patrol

apparently, the most commonly used flea repellants are actually pesticides. what a great idea NOT… pesticides POISON our plants so now let’s POISON our pets… where do they get these ideas??? oh yeah, the companies that produce this are out for MAKING MONEY and do not care about the health and safety of the consumer and their pets. It is as simple as that.

comfortis, the flea preventative, that the holistic vet gave to cici is organic, how nice, an organic pesticide… meanwhile, i did some research and found out that some dogs have taken this product and had seizures or died. talking about the RISKS far outweighing the benefits, aka OVERKILL… not a risk am willing to take… so I gave the six month supply back to the vet and have found a REAL holistic vet in the area, who I will be interviewing and/or she will be guest blogging soon… sheesh…

anyhow, while I was at the pet store getting CIcI some food, the ladies there also gave me some suggestions… for fleas

there is some kind of zapper, uses electromagnetic force to not kill the fleas but keep them out of the pet’s field, sounds kind of strange to me, it is called Shoo tag

The key to shoo!TAG™ is the three dimensional electromagnetic frequency embedded in the magnetic strip. shoo!TAG combines with the body’s electrical field to produce an expanding barrier effect, keeping targeted pests away.

offers protection for your dogs against Flea, Ticks, Fleas and Mosquitoes.

NO Chemicals, is Odor-Free, Waterproof and is safe for pets, people and the planet.

shoo!TAG™’s magnetic strip is encoded with beneficial frequencies and resonances and an electromagnetic charge bearing a polarized energy signature, which when introduced into the bio-energetic field of the wearer produces results.

shoo!TAG™ is calibrated to specific animals and specific insects to repel targeted pests. This is possible because various insects and pests react to frequencies. These frequencies are introduced into the bio-energetic field of the wearer. These specific frequencies and resonances have proven to disturb targeted pests and create a barrier.

they told me that it works… but I don’t know if I am wanting dazed and confused fleas to fall off cici and onto me and then I’d have to wear one of these tags too

http://shootags.com/

costs $20-30 and lasts 4 months or more

the vet has a flea powder, and a flea bath

Dr. Harvey’s has an organic herbal protection shampoo, and spray, no chemicals, and a concentrated dip (so for far less than I spent at the vet, I could have gotten good food for Cici plus all of these products, dang, but hindsight is 20/20 did not think of this until today). This is what Dr. Harvey says about allergies, too.

http://www.drharveys.com/pages/dog_allergies

Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerine, Organic Chamomile Extract, Organic Stinging Nettles Extract, Organic Sage Extract, Organic Calendula Extract, Organic Hops Extract, St. John’s Wort Extract, Horsetail Extract, Polysorbate 20 (Vegetable Source), Catnip Oil, Erigeron Oil, Neem Oil, Citronella Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Geranium Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Organic Rosemary Extract

http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/53-herbal-protection-shampoo

http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/55-herbal-defense-concentrate

http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/54-herbal-defense-spray

and then there is this flea powder, nontoxic no chemicals and a flea busting shampoo

http://fleabusters.com/Products/Rx_Plus/index.html

http://fleabusters.com/Products/Rx_Shampoo/flea_shampoo.html

Until recently, the only treatments available to treat fleas contained dangerous insecticides. Even though these products are still available, they can be unsafe for some pets and small children. Fleabusters® Flea Shampoo

is a safe and healthy way to kill the fleas on your dog or cat.

It is also imperative to treat your home, otherwise pets will quickly become infested again. Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water, and let it soak in soapy water for at least fifteen minutes. Thoroughly vacuum or steam clean any furniture, rugs and flooring, and dispose of the vacuum bag in an outside trash receptacle (and the water from the steam cleaner away from your home). When vacuuming, pay special attention to base boards, ventilators, under furniture and anywhere else fur and lint accumulate. Before vacuuming, treat your carpets and upholstery with environmentally safe Fleabusters® Rx for Fleas Plus® which, when used properly, will rid fleas for a year. If you still see fleas 48 hours after using the product, vacuum more frequently.

active ingredients are derived from coconut oil, jojoba and hemp

shampoo is $15 and powder is $40

there are also some essential oils, since cici is so sensitive and allergic, she is not able to deal with them… lemongrass is one of the oils that was suggested at the pet store… purification blend has some oils within the compound which can be too strong for cici and may be for your dog too.

Cedar is a natural flea repellent but not sure about putting it on cici. Making a homemade flea collar by sprinkling a bandana with various essential oils and tying it around her neck for a natural flea repellent collar. Have to reapply the oils to the bandana once a week.

Spraying her with a mixture of water and lemon might work for you. Right now, I have water mixed with raw apple cider vinegar to spray her with. She just gets a warning before I spray her. Cici is a real sissy when it comes to anything like this. She gets scared and starts shaking if I actually spray her, so this is not a great option for her to actually get the water mixture onto her.

Planting Tansy, a fern-like plant, around the perimeter of your outdoor pets environment will also help repel fleas. Do not plant Tansy where your pet can eat the plant, because it does have low levels of toxins.

another method is liquid dish detergents can be very effective in killing off fleas, but we specifically recommend Dawn’s dish detergent for washing pets, as that is what many animal rescue organizations use. Bathing your pet, or even your own hair, with Dawn’s dish detergent can be a safe and effective method for killing off fleas. This approach is most commonly used for dogs, but if you think you can handle washing your cat, just be sure to wash off the soap well afterwards. Do not wash your pet more than once a week or else it may be over drying! It was suggested that first you wash with Dawn and then another shampoo that puts the oils back in the fur. Makes sense to me and am going to do this.

Am also giving Cici a splash of raw apple cider vinegar in her water once a day. The vinegar is also supposed to repel fleas. One teaspoon of cider vinegar to 2 cups of fresh water is recommended.

And not sure about garlic. There are mixed reviews about garlic for pets/dogs.

how about you? do you have an all natural flea / bug repellant that you like to use?

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Filed under au natural dog, bathing your dog, bugs, holistic vet, Uncategorized

sayeth the dog…

these beds are mine, sayeth the dog…

these cookies are mine, sayeth the dog (Cici found a box of cookies behind a cash register at Macy’s, threw them to the ground and ate at least ten cookies, plus she got a bunch of cookies at the SPCA Benefit store)  these are from Dr. Harvey

http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/20-barkotti

uh oh now I’m in the dog house, NOT NOT NOT MY dog house, sayeth the dog

now that’s more like it, sayeth the dog,  🙂

http://www.dogcentral.info/extreme-dog-houses/

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Filed under dog crazy, dog dreams, dog prayers, dog speak

green is the color of my pink belly eco-puppy…

if your dog is a tree hugging, eco friendly type of holistic hound, loves to go au naturel, and is the rough and ready type of K9, and you share his love for the wild and pristine environment, then here are a few ways to green your holistic minded hound dog…

1, Spay and neuter and adopt a dog from an eco friendly shelter or rescue group, do not buy from a puppy store or puppy mill

2. Feed fido only healthy food and gourmet organic canine treats, homemade, raw, Paul Newman’s, Organix, Evo, Honest Kitchen, California Natural, Pet Promise, and other good brands

3. Use only green cleaning products such as Thieves from Young Living

4. Bathe your pooch with nontoxic shampoos and grooming products such as Vermont Soap Organics Pet Wash

5. Toys: play catch with a recycled rubber ball, turn old socks into tug toys
and you can also purchase toys that use certified organic dye-free fabrics from PurrfectPlay and other companies…


http://www.purrfectplay.com/dog-toy-products.php

6. Beds and bones:  let Fido rest in an organic cotton bed, fluffed up with stuffing made from recycled plastic bottles.  Bone up on the best raw, organic bones

Eco-chic pet beds from Paw Digs. Eco Slumber™ beds combine eco- fabric, made with 85 percent recycled fibers and then filled with 100 percent recycled fiber fill.

If you Must Carry your pup around in your purse, why not try green carriers by Eco Hound’s urban pet hemp carrier. Eco hound manufactures products made from sustainable and renewable sources such as hemp and organic cotton which are gentle to humans, animals, and the environment.

7. Use recycled, reusable, portable pet food and water containers.

Check out GreenPeople’s list of where to find green pet supplies around the world .

8. Preserve the environment by cleaning up after your dog with biodegradable doggie waste bags…Flush Poop, a flushable bag that is safe for the plumbing and biodegrades. This way the stuff is in the toilet and not garbage cans. Products: Oops I Pooped, Dog Poo Poo Bags, Biobags, Skooperbox or you can build a doggie waste composter in your back yard…

An episode of Renovation Nation featured a family that built a dog waste composter in their backyard. Here is how they did it:

1. Buy a metal garbage can. They are easier to move than rubber or plastic.

2. Poke holes in the garbage can. Remember those jars that you kept bugs in as a kid. Do just like you did then. You can use a drill if you want.

3. Dig a hole and put the can in it. Make sure that that top of the can is flesh with the surface of the soil.

4. Pour some water and bacteria in the can.

5. Add the pet waste.

Did you know that the average dog excretes over 250 pounds of waste a year?  that adds up to 10 million tons of waste annually… Some cities won’t let you throw pet waste into the regular trash. Dog waste composting is a great way to aid the environment and to green up your pet and garden.

Note:  Don’t use dog waste compost on food crops.

9. If you have to dress up your dog, get environmentally friendly dog clothing  Dress up your pup in an organic cotton tank with a recycled belt collar. All hemp collars from Earthdog.

10. Bring your dog to a holistic or green friendly vet such as Dr. Harvey…

11. Stay at pet friendly eco-lodges and environmentally friendly (aka Green) inns such as MacCallum House, The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek, The Stanford Inn, in Mendocino

12. If you must put your dog in the dog house, make sure that you let her rest in a green dog house  (build your own or you can purchase at your neighborhood all natural pet store)

13. Take care of your dog’s training with a green dog trainer (Read The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller), you want your pooch to learn in a positive, uplifting, inspiring, nonviolent, nontoxic dog training environment (no choke collars, no hitting or beating your best friend!)

14. You can even find Green pet sitters and doggie daycare facilities if you scratch deep enough

15. Make sure your pet is protected with Green pest care… There are some nontoxic Tick and flea repellent products such as Flea Free which makes an organic tick and flea repellent and Rara Avis Tick Spritz


http://store.better-flea-control.com/shampoos.html

For ticks, you can make a homemade recipe that includes mostly vegetable oil and rose geranium oil — 2 tablespoons to 10 drops. Another natural repellent is pennyroyal

http://aunaturelk9s.org/

16. Fluoridated water is not healthy for either humans or your dog … so use distilled, purified, reverse osmosis water (Dasani is water left over from soda pop, not healthy water)

17.  Give the gift of health with acupuncture, reflexology, doggie massage and dog yoga

18.  Research and educate yourself about vaccines and pet microchips

a truly green puppy was born in New Orleans…

green-puppy-2

Healthiest hounds

* The Mutt
* Affenpinscher
* American Foxhound
* American Water Spaniel
* Australian Terrier
* Border Terrier
* Cairn Terrier
* Canaan Dog
* English Foxhound
* Field Spaniel
* Finnish Spitz
* German Pinscher
* Goldador
* Harrier
* Ibizan Hound
* Irish Terrier
* Irish Water Spaniel
* Labradoodle
* Lakeland Terrier
* Manchester Terrier
* Norfolk Terrier
* Norwich Terrier
* Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
* Pharaoh Hound
* Plott
* Polish Lowland Sheepdog
* Puggle
* Saluki
* Schnoodle
* Scottish Terrier
* Sealyham Terrier
* Shiba Inu
* Skye Terrier
* Sussex Spaniel
* Welsh Terrier
* Wire Fox Terrier
* Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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Filed under au natural dog, green, healthy dog food, holistic healing for animals, holistic vet, homemade dog food

tripe: it’s not just for cows anymore…

tripe, it’s what’s for dinner, not… 

http://www.drharveys.com/dogs/index.asp

 

I had heard about Dr. Harvey’s dog food and we just received a few samples… Cici was very excited… and could not wait for me to rip the package open and give her a treat… although she already ate breakfast, a kangaroo treat in her kong, and a couple strips of turkey bacon… I deliberated and decided I would give her one little Power Pattie, which looked small and harmless… hah!  she has been barking at me ever since and whining to give her more more and more… I finally gave in and gave her another one… boy, did she gobble it up… (and she is usually not that into treats so much)… 

 

I had not read what tripe is, sounds kinda yucko to my human sensibilities, Beef tripe is usually made from only the first three of a cow‘s four stomach chambers, doesn’t that sound yummy, ugh, but I would say that the proof is in the woofs and tail wagging ! 

 

the warning is absolutely true… 

  • WARNING: Dogs and Cats love Power Patties so much that they are apt to steal the whole bag. Power Patties should be placed in a carefully chosen and concealed place. Dr. Harvey’s will not be responsible for stolen or captured Power Patties. Also, please be aware that giving Power Patties may result in overwhelming amounts of joy and kisses. Now you can’t say we didn’t warn you!

Cici also taste tested the Veg-to-bowl food.  You soup it up and add it to the regular dog food… she slurped it up along with her dry food… left some in the bowl and came back to it later… guess she was a little full from being a little piggy all day…   it is great to know that she is getting some veggies, because she doesn’t like to eat them raw or otherwise usually… 

Here are the ingredients: 

  Sweet Potatoes*, Carrots*, Diced Potatoes*, Zucchini*, Broccoli Florets*, Green Beans*, Peas**, Beets*, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek Seed, Garlic, Ginger, Papaya Leaf and Peppermint Leaf 

* Dehydrated ** Freeze Dried

And there is a healing and first aid cream, to put on her skin, too… she sure needs that… 

 

would love to try the canine herbal tea and bee pollen and have a tea party with Cici and some doggie friends one of these days…

 

also have some parrot food and kitty cat treats… those will be given away to some lucky birds and cats… 

All in all, Cici and I give a tail wagging woof woof FOUR PAWS UP to Dr. Harvey’s, K9 approved dog food and treats… 

 

 

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Filed under animals, dog friendly, dog treats, dogs, four paws up, healthy dog food, homemade dog food, K9 approved, mutts, pet care