Rawhide Treats: Are They Safe?

Rawhide Treats: Are They Safe?

It seems like rawhide treats have been around forever. These familiar chews come in lots of fun shapes and flavors, and dogs generally enjoy them. They're also very affordable and they last for a long time. But there are also some health dangers associated with rawhide treats, so make sure you understand the risks before giving your dog this kind of item.

Rawhide is made from animal hide, which is not digestible. If your dog swallows a piece of rawhide whole, it can become a choking hazard. Swallowed rawhide cannot be digested. That means it must travel through your dog's digestive tract where the sharp edges of the undigested rawhide can cause internal damage. It is not uncommon for veterinarians like myself to examine an x-ray only to find obstructions from rawhide. In some cases they even require a surgery.

Many owners find that rawhide treats don't fit into their lifestyle of reduced chemicals. Rawhide goes through a lot of processing before it is ready for sale, including a chemical process where it is washed with degreasers and detergents then sterilized in hydrogen peroxide. With these things in mind, you might want to reconsider the use of rawhide as treats.

Few things bring your dog more enjoyment that chewing on a tasty treat. And yet, every year, untold numbers of dogs suffer from a variety of digestive issues as a result of consuming rawhide. Not only that, but frequently rawhide is preserved with harmful chemicals. That’s why we developed a line of chew treats made using pork products, which are much easier on your dog’s entire digestive system and are free from potentially harmful chemicals. Our pork treats are guaranteed to be not only safe, but incomparably appetizing to your sweet pup as well. Whether you have a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, there’s a pork treat made just for their size. So, say “goodbye” to traditional chew products, and give your dog something he or she can really enjoy – safely! Demand Life's Abundance Pork Treats!
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Recalls Natura Pet Food Recall Posted by Susan Thixton

Recalls

Natura Pet Food Recall

Posted by Susan Thixton on June 18, 2013 at 12:18 pm

From a press release issued by Natura Pet Food, the company is recalling all lot codes, all sizes, all UPC’s of Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Karma, and Mother Nature pet foods and treats.
Natura Press Release:
Natura Pet Issues Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk
FREMONT, NEBRASKA, June 18, 2013
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
These products were packaged in a single production facility. During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product. In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.
The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada. No canned wet food is affected by this announcement.
The affected products are:
Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats
All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes
All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats
All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes
All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats
All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes
All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Healthwise dry dog and cat foods
All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes
All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Karma dry dog foods
All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes
All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Mother Nature biscuits/bars/treats
All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes
All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them.
For further information or a product replacement or refund call Natura toll-free at 800-224-6123. (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST

Itchy, Dirty or Smelly Dog Ears? What You Need To Know

Dirty ears are a problem for everyone now and then… for dogs and humans alike. But when those dirty ears get so bad that they start to smell, you need immediate cleaning and perhaps even medical treatment.

You see, smelly ears area sign of infection. Ear infections are very common in floppy-eared dogs and dogs with long ear canals, as well as those with hair inside the ears.

However, ear infections can affect any dog. They range from bacterial, yeast tofungal infections and can be very difficult to get rid of.

What's even worse is how your dog feels with an ear infection: itchy … uncomfortable … restless … and then there's that rancid smell! Yuck!

Just ask one of my pet parents, Dan.

Dan has a six-year-old red basset hound named Ruby Tuesday who has been plagued with chronic ear infections throughout her life. He told me he always knows when she has an infection because Ruby starts shaking her head, pawing at her ears and rattling her collar. And the smell from her ears can knock you out. Dan told me the icky brown and black stuff that builds up inside her ears has about the worst smell he can imagine.

Ruby's infections have cost Dan and his family thousands in vet bills and medicines over the years. And just think about how terrible poor Ruby must feel!

After Ruby’s last infection cleared up, Dan started cleaning Ruby's ears regularly with a special ear cleansing solution that has finally put an end to the costly ear-infection routines of the past.

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for visiting a veterinarian. I see a lot of dogs like Ruby every week. And if your dog gets a yeast infection (Candidiasis) in her ears, she could harbor it forever. Yeast is extremely difficult to clear up.

The thing is, dogs can't clean their own ears – and they can’t tell you when their ears hurt. That’s why having a regular ear cleaning regimen is so important. Left untreated, chronic infections can lead to other problems including possible deafness.

If your dog has a lot of hair inside the ears, keep it well trimmed. If your dog swims, dry out the ears every week and after swimming (or more frequently as necessary). I also recommend using an ear cleaning solution on a regular basis.

Keeping your pet’s ears clean is a necessary part of keeping your pet healthy. Ear Care Formula Really Works! Cleans ears and eliminates odor. Dissolves ear wax. Removes dirt and debris. Soothes like only aloe vera can. Contains no alcohol and will not sting. Leaves ears dry, which keeps nasty ear debris at bay. Safe and gentle enough for puppies and kittens. Ear Care Formula contains a special botanical blend and gentle cleansers specifically developed to keep your pet’s ear's healthy. Item Size: 4 fl. oz.

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Bad Hair Day? How to Reduce Dog Shedding

When a dog has a bright shiny coat, it's a sign of good health.

But when your dog's coat is not healthy, that shine will fade away. You could also notice dandruff, scratching (from dry irritated skin) and a lot more shedding in your home (and on your clothes).

There are many reasons for shedding and skin problems. First and foremost, some degree of shedding is normal for all dogs. It's a natural process that occurs as old hair falls out and healthy new hair grows in to replace it. Many factors influence how much your dog will shed including breed, diet, sunlight, temperature, age and illness.

All dogs shed, but shedding can be significantly reduced with the right care. Here's what you can do to cut down on problem shedding and restore your dog's shiny coat:

• Regular Brushing and Grooming – In the wild when dogs run through trees and bushes, brushing against the limbs helps to naturally remove the old hairs in the dog's coat. Our pets spend most of their time indoors, which is why regular grooming is needed to remove that old hair from your dog's coat. The more you brush your dogs, the less loose hair will build up in their coat to then be shed in your house, on your clothes and on your furniture. Your dogs' coats will look shinier and healthier and regular brushing will help keep mats from forming. We definitely don't want dog hair on our clothes, furniture, bed• 

• Healthy Diet – A balanced healthy diet with the proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is essential to a healthy skin and coat.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – A good Omega-3 fatty acid supplement will help maintain healthy skin and coat and reduce shedding. ding and floors. And we certainly don't want our dogs to suffer from dry itchy skin and dandruff. Regular brushing and grooming is important to remove 

loose hair from the coat, and this healthy natural supplement will cut down on shedding and greatly improve the condition of your dog's skin and coat. 

How would you rate your companion animal’s skin and coat health? Does your pet have …

• Dry, flaky skin or a dull, brittle coat
• Oily, foul smelling skin or a matted coat
• Thin coat, excessive hair loss or red, blotchy skin
• Excessive scratching (especially, seasonally)

Keeping your companion animal’s skin healthy and coat shiny can prove very challenging. There’s more to skin-and-coat health than regular shampooing and daily brushing.
Even though the skin is the body’s largest organ, it takes a backseat to other organs when it comes to nutrition. In fact, the nutrients eaten by your pet go directly to the other vital organs first (such as the brain, heart, lungs and liver); as a consequence, the skin often suffers. Even if you are already feeding your companion animal a high-quality, nutritionally dense food, sometimes it’s just not enough to ensure skin and coat health. In fact, problems relating to the skin and coat are much more common than you might think as they account for a significant percentage of trips to the vet.

Skin & Coat Formula Can Help!
A comprehensive nutritional supplement, Skin & Coat Formula for Dogs and Cats addresses skin and coat health in a holistic way. Unlike ordinary skin and coat supplements that contain fatty acids and a few other ingredients, this formula supplies a whole host of additional nutrients that work together to address the complex factors that play a role in supporting skin and coat health. The nutrients featured in this formula can yield several health-promoting benefits. Here are just some of the highlights of how this supplement works …

In addition to skin-nourishing omega-3 fatty acids, this formula contains vitamin E and zinc, which help increase the effectiveness of the fatty acids. The vitamin A in this formula helps cells to grow and supports the naturally-occurring layer of oil on the skin, helping to keep it healthy and supple. This formula also contains vitamin C, which supports healthy collagen development. And to top it off, our new and improved Skin & Coat now contains seven different B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, d-pantothenic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, B12 and biotin), all of which work with the other nutrients in this formula to aid in the many complex chemical reactions required for healthy skin and coat.

If your companion animal’s skin or coat is less than perfect, try a bottle of Skin & Coat Formula with a comprehensive line-up of nutrients that work together to help support healthy skin and a shiny coat. 60 chewable tablets Your Price: $31.15 *Autoship Price: $23.85 Click Here To Order 120 chewable tablets Your Price: $54.94 *Autoship Price: $42.95 Click Here To Order