Good Grooming Can Save Lives « About Petco – Petco"s Company Information Site

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Mia West

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mwest@west-pr.com

Good Grooming Can Save Lives

In Honor of Pet Cancer Awareness Month,

Petcoâ„¢ Shares a 7-Point Grooming Assessment That Can Help Save Lives

San Diego, CA (May 2013) – The reality is that, just as with humans, cancer can strike any pet, and sometimes a pet parent can miss warning signs. The best way to protect and care for the complete health of your pet is with routine veterinarian visits that can identify physical, mental, social or emotional changes.

In addition, groomers have saved the lives of numerous pets by noticing both gradual and rapid changes in a pet’s physical health, helping to identify cancer in its early stages. In honor of Pet Cancer Awareness Month, Petco™ is sharing its 7-Point Grooming Check-In used by their groomers to help pet parents recognize red flags.

Groomers don’t see the pet as frequently as a pet parent, so it’s easier for them to spot physical and behavioral differences. By logging notes on the pet’s health during each grooming visit, they can compare notes from previous visits and track any differences. The information is shared with pet parents so they can take their pet to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

Below are the seven key areas Petco groomers pay close attention to:

Eyes: A pet’s eye color should be bright. If a pet’s eyes are dull in color or have a green or yellow discharge, there may be an underlying issue such as an allergy, infection or something more serious. Bloodshot eyes could signal an issue, as well. However, a dog that is stressed may have bloodshot eyes, so it’s important to evaluate the situation and determine how long the condition has been present.

Ears: It’s natural for a pet to have an odor to its ears, but when the odor is strong, there may be an issue. Ears that are swollen, tender and have discharge are also critical red flags.

Nose: Look for changes in texture and color. A prolonged dry, cracked nose, particularly with loss of pigmentation, scabs or open sores, should be examined by your veterinarian sooner rather than later. Contact sensitivity and nasal discharge are also warning signs.

Mouth: Groomers, of course, look for old, decaying teeth and swollen gums, which could be signs of gum disease. But when teeth look healthy and the gums are puffy, it may signal another underlying health issue.

Paws: Cracked pads typically result from irritants, diet or rough terrain, and are not necessarily indicators of a more serious problem. However, the pet should still be seen by a veterinarian.

Skin & Coat: Groomers run their hands along the pet’s body to check for bumps, scrapes, lumps, hot spots, warts and matting. Lumps or other growths can be a sign of cancer. Any raised surface should be examined by a veterinarian.

Underside: Swollen anal glands can be a sign that they need to be expressed, but if a pet reacts negatively to being touched, have a veterinarian examine the area.

If any of the above warning signs are present, have the pet examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pet Cancer Research Fundraiser

Cancer is the #1 disease-related killer of our dogs and cats and Blue Buffalo and the Petco Foundation have teamed together to find a cure for this terrible disease. Last year, together they raised more than $ 1.5 million, exceeding their goal by $ 500,000. This year the team hopes to inspire donors to help exceed their goal of $ 1.5 million. For each bag of Blue Buffalo dog or cat food purchased at Petco stores across the country from May 4 to May 26, 2013, one dollar will be donated to pet cancer research and treatment. Donations of any amount will also be accepted at Petco registers or online so customers can contribute as much as they like to the cause. Petco is also asking those already touched by pet cancer to share their story or to gain inspiration from pets that have beaten the odds by visiting their Virtual Memorial Wall. To donate or to share a story visit: www.petco.com/pca.

About Petco

Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $ 110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

About Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Company, located in Wilton, CT, is the nation’s leading pet food company, and provides a complete line of healthy and holistic natural foods and treats for dogs and cats. Blue Buffalo products are sold nationwide in PETCO.  For more information visit www.BlueBuffalo.com.

About The Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research

The Blue Buffalo Foundation For Cancer Research was established in 2003 by The Blue Buffalo Company, a manufacturer of healthy and holistic dog and cat foods under the BLUE™ and BLUE Spa Select™ brand names. Finding a cure for pet cancer is one of the top priorities for The Blue Buffalo Company because its founders have had some personal experience with this disease. “Our dog Blue, a large breed Airedale and a great pal, had three bouts with cancer,” said Bill Bishop, Blue Buffalo’s CEO. “After Blue was diagnosed, we wanted to find out all we could about pet cancer, and were amazed to learn that it is the leading disease-related cause of death for both dogs and cats. So one of the first things we did after starting our pet food company was to establish a foundation to raise money for pet cancer research, and raise awareness among pet parents of the early warning signs of this disease.” 

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Good Dog Health Includes Healthy Feet

By Linda Cole

We don’t always realize how important our feet are until something causes them pain. A dog’s feet are equally important for them. Their paw pads and feet are pretty special and without healthy feet, a dog would have trouble getting from one place to another. It’s important to pay attention to a dog’s feet to make sure they stay sound. Healthy feet can make a big difference to a dog’s wellbeing.

Dogs don’t walk on the soles of their feet like we do. They walk on their toes, which is one reason why it’s important to keep their nails trimmed to maintain healthy feet. Their feet act like shock absorbers and give them the traction they need to do all kinds of things. The rough paw pads are extra shock absorbers that help dogs make quick turns, leap for Frisbees and run or sprint with enough endurance to finish their task. Each foot has four pads, and each pad makes contact with the ground.

Toenails that are left untrimmed can cause the dog to slide back on his paws more, putting more strain on his legs. When they don’t set their feet properly because of long toenails, it interferes with how they walk and their gait will be off. Toenail biting generally means the nails are too long and need to be trimmed (for detailed instructions, see How to Give Your Pooch a Pedicure. Nails should also be inspected to make sure there are no injuries to the toe that might have caused an infection. It’s possible for dogs to break a toe or a bone in their foot. We can accidentally break a dog’s toe if we step on their foot.

A dog’s healthy feet need attention from us to help keep them in good shape. Dogs that do a lot of hiking, running and activities where they make sharp turns or jumps can damage their paw pads. Cuts, sharp rocks, rough terrain, rock salt, cracked pads, slivers of glass, splinters, burrs, fleas, insect bites, bee stings, scrapes or tiny rocks that get caught between the pads or toes can all turn a dog’s healthy feet into painful ones. Even a slow walk around the neighborhood gives dogs a chance to step on something that can cut their paw pads. Regular inspection of their feet will catch most pesky injuries before they can become infected and cause problems.

Matted hair can bother dogs, especially ones who have long hair between their paw pads. Small rocks, frozen snow or ice, rock salt and other foreign objects can become caught in the hair. The long hair also makes it harder for the dog to get good traction. As a responsible pet owner, you can help by keeping the hair trimmed even with their paw pads.

Minor foot injuries are simple to take care of at home with over the counter medications made for dogs that can clear up minor cuts and infections. However, any time you find a wound on your dog that’s become infected and is warm to the touch, swollen or painful, it needs to be taken care of by a veterinarian. Prescription medication or ointments may be needed.

A dog’s paw pads are pretty tough, but even healthy feet are no match for asphalt or cement on a hot day. Since we usually have on shoes, it’s easy for us to not even notice how hot asphalt or cement is. A dog’s pads can be burned if they walk on these hot surfaces. Keep your dog in the grass on hot summer days to help protect their pads. Metal on a hot day can also be dangerous for a dog’s feet, and can burn their pads.

If your dog is limping, refusing to walk, licking at his feet or chewing, or if you see redness or blisters, part of a pad missing or the pads look darker than they should, these can be signs your dog has burned pads. It’s always a good idea to have a vet evaluate burned pads to make sure they don’t require antibiotics or other medications. If the burn is deep, infection can set in.

Winter snow and ice can cause injuries to a dog’s paw pads too. Read Winter Paw Care for Dogs for information on how to take care of your dog’s feet during the winter months.

Good dog health includes healthy feet. Limping, whining, chewing or signs of swelling indicate something is wrong with your dog’s foot. Careful inspection can usually tell you what’s bothering your dog. Quick and responsible action is needed to keep a simple cut or minor infection from becoming a problem. It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s feet to help keep them (and him!) in tip top shape.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Turmeric and Curcumin - Good for Your Dog’s and Cat"s Health

 

Adding Turmeric (Curcuma longa) to your dog’s, cat’s daily diet can provide your dog and cat with a vast array of health benefits.

Turmeric, a spice is derived from the root of the Curcuma longa (also known as Indian Saffron), a perennial plant of the ginger family. The exact genesis of the plant is not known as the plant’s original origins are lost in the history of ancient trade; however it is likely that the plant originated in South East Asia or South Asia. 

The Curcuma longa’s root system includes oblong tubers – similar to those of the ginger plant. The tubers are boiled or steamed, dried, and then ground. The resulting powder has a pungent slightly bitter flavour.   

Although dogs have a much better sense of smell than humans – a dog’s noise has a minimum of 300 million olfactory sensors to our paltry 3 million, the dog’s sense of taste is less than ours (a dog averages 1700 taste buds whereas a human has 9000 taste buds). This means that the slightly bitter taste of turmeric is not off-putting for the majority of dogs. My dogs and cats have turmeric mixed into their food daily.

The scent of turmeric is reminiscent of oranges and ginger. Once it is dried and ground into a powder the scent is slightly bitter and medicinal.

Turmeric is a deep, warm yellow-orange color. The rich colour of turmeric comes from a naturally occurring pigment in the Curcuma longa tuber – the pigment is called Curcumin. Curry gets its colour from curcumin and some of its flavour from turmeric. Turmeric is a mainstay of India dishes and is also used as a substitute for saffron. 

This revered spice has been used as a dye, flavouring and medicine since 600 BC. Turmeric is a very important spice in India – its use dates back 4000 years to the Vedic culture. India is the main source of the world’s supply of Turmeric, China and Indonesia also grow and produce the spice.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Curcumin is thought to be the principal pharmacological agent in turmeric. As an ancient medication turmeric was used in traditional Asian medicine as a blood purifier, liver ailment mediator, for the healing of skin diseases and sores and wounds and as a stomach tonic. In Thailand turmeric was used as an astringent, anti-diarrheal agent, appetite stimulant, as a carminative, to treat dizziness, gonorrhoea, peptic ulcers and as a topical treatment to stop bleeding, treat insect bites, treat teeth and gums, eradicate ringworms and heal wounds.

Today, turmeric is one of the most extensively researched herb-spices for pharmacological use. It is favored for its potentially beneficial use in treating and/or reducing symptoms linked to an extensive range of health conditions due to its excellent qualities as an:

• Analgesic (pain fighting);


• Antibacterial;


• Anti-inflammatory;


• Anti-oxidant;


• Antiseptic;


•  Anti-tumour agent (anti-carcinogen);

Turmeric has been shown to be effective in preventing and/or treating:

• Aids in fat metabolism and weight management;


• Allergic respiratory disorders – Ashthma;


• Arthritis;


• Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties relieves aches and pains associated with arthritis (see additional information under curcumin below);


• Beneficial for trauma from accidents as it helps lower serum levels which would otherwise cause massive inflammation leading to the shutdown of the heart and other organs;


• Artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries – heart disease) by lowering bad LDL cholesterol;


• Bacterial infections – the volatile oil is an external broad spectrum antibiotic which acts to prevent bacterial infection in wounds;


• Blood purifier – beneficial in the treatment of skin disorders;


• Cancer inhibitor;


• Cardiovascular conditions;


• Chemotherapy – reduces the negative side-effects of chemotherapy;


• Detoxifier – turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier;


• Disinfectant for wounds and burns (antiseptic and antibacterial);


• Digestive disorders;


• Turmeric induces the flow of bile which acts to breakdown fat;


• Protects against injuries caused by some medications;


• Helps prevent gas/bloating;


• Inflammation (turmeric’s anti-inflammatory quality has been compared to topical hydrocortisone);


• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD;


• Memory disorders;


• Neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve)


• Peptic ulcers;


• Skin disorders;


• Strengthens ligaments.

Other Health Benefits of Turmeric

• High in fiber;


• Rich in vitamins (high in vitamin B6 and potassium) and minerals (high in iron and manganese);


• Excellent for metabolism health and a natural weight-loss aid.


• Turmeric is even more powerful as a cancer inhibitor when teamed up with cauliflower…of particular importance to prevent prostate cancer. 


• 
  This dog-food recipe includes both turmeric and cauliflower.
  

Health Benefits of Curcumin

• Anti-oxidant (anti-aging);


• Anti-Angiogenic (tumour preventing);


• Anti-Carcinogenic;


• Anti-Diabetic;


• Anti-Inflammatory;


• Anti-Apoptotic (preventing cell death i.e. from radiation);


• Anti-Metastatic (inhibits the over-growth of cells);


• Cardiovascular Protection;


• Lower LDL (bad) Cholesterol;


• Detoxer;


• Imuno-modulatory (immune system enhancing);


• Neuro-Protective (protects the Central Nervous System – CNS).

Anti-Inflammatory – curcumin has been shown in numerous studies, to be comparable to the potent conventional medicines hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone as well as over-the counter anti-inflammatory agents. But unlike these conventional mendicants curcumin does not have toxic side-effects.

Cancer Inhibitor – due to its powerful antioxidant properties. Curcumin is effective in protecting colon cells from free radicals that can cause damage to healthy cell DNA – of particular importance as cell growth in the colon is particularly rapid. Curcumin also helps the body destroy mutated cancer cells thereby stopping the spread of cancer throughout the body. Curcumin enhances liver function – the liver is a primary toxin filter for the body, so enhancing its function supports health in many ways. Curcumin is also considered to inhibit the growth of the protein that is thought to be instrumental in triggering tumour formation. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit transcription factors (the ‘master switch’ that regulates genes required for tumor formulation).

Lower Bad Cholesterol and support Heart Health – Curcumin is a messaging molecule that communicates with genes in live cells. This active agent of turmeric directs cells to increase the production of messenger proteins that in turn direct the creation of receptors for LDL (Bad) cholesterol. An increase of LDL-receptors enables the liver to clear more LDL from the body.

Preventing Toxic Loading and Liver Damage – The liver plays a huge role in detoxifying the body. As dogs are exposed to ever increasing amounts of toxins in their diet (i.e. as found in many commercially produced dog foods and treats, dental care products – dental chews and toothpaste) and their environment (i.e. household cleaners, road salt, grass, shampoo etc.) the incidence of liver damage and liver failure is exponentially increasing. Turmeric boosts the ability of the liver to de-toxify.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - clinical studies have proven that curcumin provides highly powerful antioxidant effects as its ability to neutralize free radicals is substantial. Free radicals cause the painful inflammation and eventual damage to joints.

Defence Against Neurological Diseases of Old-Age – as curcumin is able to turn on gene codes for the production of antioxidant proteins it provides enhanced protection against some neurological diseases brought on by old age.

Weight and Metabolism Management–If your dog is overweight you might want to try adding either turmeric or curcumin to his/her daily diet…new research by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that curcumin helps to speed up metabolism.

The Dog Food Industry and Turmeric

Many commercial dog food manufacturers are now putting turmeric in their dog kibble. But please don’t be fooled by advertising – the inclusion of turmeric in commercially prepared dog kibble is not an indication that the kibble is a nutritionally balanced quality product. 

The quantity and quality of the turmeric included in the food may be insufficient to have any positive effect on your dog’s health and worse – the turmeric may be of poor quality (i.e. grown with pesticides). 

Turmeric is becoming a ‘hot word’ in the pet food manufacturing sector, just as ‘omega’ and ‘probiotic’. As the pet food industry – at least in North America) is unregulated pertaining to their use of terms vs. factual substantiation of actual quality/ratio of ingredient. 

Manufactures rely on the ignorance of the consumer – profit before ethics. I have yet to see a commercially prepared dog kibble that includes the appropriate ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids. Adding ‘probiotics’ to commercially prepared dog kibble is a ridiculous conceit as the heat required during processing of the kibble kills the probiotic microorganisms, thus rendering them useless. 

So just as with omega fatty acids and probiotics – your best bet is to add turmeric directly to your dog’s diet – do not expect the trace amounts included in some dog foods to benefit your dog’s health.

Adding Turmeric (or Curcumin) to Your Dog’s Daily Diet

 

• Mix turmeric in with your dog’s or cat’s dry or wet food,




• To increase the bio-availability of Turmeric, when adding turmeric to your dog’s food in the bowl also add coconut oil (see this article)





• If you home-cook your dog’s or cat’s food you can add turmeric to your dog/cat food recipe;



• My dogs get turmeric on a daily basis in their homemade dog food and also sprinkled on top of their daily ration of fresh food along with other herbs and spices.



• You can also add turmeric to homemade dog treats

What Type of Turmeric (or Curcumin) is Best…

You can use powder (most commonly available), crushed or fresh root. I use the powder form (ground turmeric). The quality of turmeric varies vastly. Turmeric sold is in the typical grocery store and bulk food store is mass produced, grown with pesticides and herbicides and is, as a result low in beneficial potency. For maximum benefit it is best to purchase turmeric from a reputable supplier of high-quality organic turmeric.

How To Store Turmeric (or Curcumin)

• Fresh turmeric rhizome should be kept in the refrigerator;


• Turmeric and/or curcumin powder should be stored in a tightly sealed, container and kept in a cool, dark, dry location.

Turmeric and Curcumin is a Natural Dye

 
When feeding your dog turmeric powder on top of food, just make sure you don’t place your dog’s and cat’s food bowl on a surface such as a cherished carpet as the deep yellow-gold colour of the spice can stain the surface it falls on.

Cautions

• If your dog or cat is pregnant there is a chance that turmeric might stimulate the uterus.


• If your dog or cat is suffering from gall bladder or bile duct issues don’t include turmeric in their diet.


• If your dog or cat suffers from acid reflux don’t include turmeric in their diet.


• Turmeric night slow blood clotting so stop using turmeric two weeks before surgery.

Interactions

Drugs that slow blood clotting – if your dog or cat is on an anticoagulant / anti-platelet drug don’t include turmeric in their diet.

Additional Information on Herbs and Spices for Dogs

You can read this article for:

• A list of Herbs and Spices that AreGood for Dogs;


• Benefits and Uses of many Herbs and Spices for Dogs;


• List of Herbs and Spices that Are Not Good for Dogs; 


• When Should Herbs & Spices Not be Introduced to Your Dog’s Diet;

Daily Herbal Intake Based on Dog’s or Cat’s Weight
The table below provides a general guideline for herbs/spices based on your dog’s weight. The information provided in the table is an extract from Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dogs Care.
 

Dog’s, Cat’s  Weight	Sprinkles (on dog’s food once/day)	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	a bigger pinch about	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches-1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs 10-	2 pinches-2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

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Feel free to leave a comment below – if your comment is polite, informative etc. I will publish it. If your comment is a quick question, I will answer it if time permits…

If you require additional assistance with your dogs you can engage me to do an in-person session if you live in the region of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Ottawa Valley

(i.e. Ottawa, Hull, Alymer, Orleans, Bells Corners, Manotick, Vars, Kanata, Stittsville, Smith Falls, Fitzroy, Carp, Arnprior, Renfrew, etc.) 

  and surrounding areas 

(i.e. Brockville, Smith Falls, Perth, Kingston, L’Original, Val-des-Monte, St-Pierre-de-Wakefield, etc.)

(i.e. Brockville, Smith Falls, Perth, Kingston, L’Original, Val-des-Monte, St-Pierre-de-Wakefield, etc.)

or if you will be visiting the area from out-of-town.

If you reside elsewhere you can engage my consultation service, details of which are provided just below…

My Hourly Fee

$ 100.00/hour in Canadian funds.

Purchasing Consultation Time:

Client’s often start out by purchasing an hour of my time and then augment that if required to suit the situation;

Or you can – if your situation requires it, purchase whatever block of time you want (i.e. multiple hours).

Methods of Payment:

Email Money Transfer and Credit Card via PayPal

1.0 Email Money Transfer:

1 hour = $ 100.00 in Canadian Funds;

For payment via email money transfer I provide you with a password (security information).

2.0 Credit Card via PayPal

1 hour = $ 100.00 + $ 5.00 PayPal Transaction fee = $ 105.00 Canadian Funds;

For payment via PayPal I send you a PayPal invoice to enable payment.

Method of Consultation – Canada, USA and Abroad (i.e. UK, Asia, etc.)

If You Are Located In:

1.0 Canada:

I can work with you via:

Phone with follow-up by email, or;

Via email only;

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone you provide me with your phone number and I will call you at the mutually agreed upon Consultation time.

2.0 USA:

I can work with you via:

Phone with follow-up by email, or;

Via email only;

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone:

You call me at the following number 613-622-7958, at the mutually agreed upon consultation time.

3.0 ALL OTHER GLOBAL LOCATIONS(i.e. UK. Asia, etc.):

I can work with you via:

Via email only, or;

Phone with follow-up by email…

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone:

You call me at the following number 613-622-7958, at the mutually agreed upon consultation time.

To Set-up a Consultation

Step 1 – Identify how you would prefer to pay for the consultation;

  Payment options as noted above are:

o    email money transfer, or;

o    Credit card via Paypal.

Step 2 – Identification of a consultation time that works for both our schedules;

Step 3 – You then pay the fee for the amount of consultation time you want to purchase;

Step 4 – Consultation takes place on the agreed upon time.

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Related Articles

For related and additional articles on dog and cat, care, health, training, nutrition and animal advocacy go to thispage.

———————

the Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer Services

Training;

Behaviour Modification;

Rehabilitation;

Nutrition;

Health

Whether you are experiencing dog behavior problems and would like assistance, or just want to bring your dog up to be a well-balanced canine -  I offer both a local and international service for people with one or multiple dogs. 

I work with all breeds – from small (i.e. Yorkie, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, etc.), medium breeds size (including Pit Bulls) and large breed dogs…

In-person SessionsDog Training, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Rehabilitation – Ottawa, Ottawa Area, Outaouais, Ottawa Valley

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Sessions,Advice via email for National and International Clients – Dog Training, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Nutrition, Health 

Contact me at

 email ottawavalleydogwhisperer@gmail.com

Office 613-622-7958
Cell 613-293-3707

Apple Cider Vinegar is Good For Your Dog, Cat and You – Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for centuries for its medical properties and as a dietary supplement. In Greece, around 400 BC the father of modern medicine – Hippocrates prescribed ACV with honey to treat many ailments. By the later part of the 1700s about 70% of all farmers in USA’s New England states owned-operated apple cider milling/pressing equipment.  Due to the many uses and availability of ACV, it became a common currency of exchange – particularly in rural areas where coins were comparatively in short supply.

 

Naturally fermented, unpasteurized, organic ACV contains ‘mother of vinegar’ – a cloudy sediment-filled liquid which contains the healthful properties of ACV.

Distilled, pasteurized, over-processed ACV (the type of ACV that is available at most the grocery stores), lacks the beneficial properties of unpasteurized, organic ACV as the pasteurizing, filtering process destroys the ‘mother of vinegar’.

In this article you will learn about…

• The beneficial properties of ACV;


• Health benefits of ACV;


• The many beneficial ways to use ACV for your dog’s health;


• Dosage (provided for dogs, cats, humans)


• What to look for when buying ACV;
  


• Cautions, side effects;

 Beneficial Properties In Mother of Vinegar

• Acetic acid (the primary active ingredient);


• Amino, Lactic and Propionic Acid;


• Anti-bacterial – when used topically and ingested, ACV inhibits the growth of bad bacteria;


• Anti-fungal;


• Anti-viral;


• Vitamins and minerals including:


• Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2 and B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pro-vitamin Beta-Carotene, Vitamin P (bioflavonoids);


• Potassium – protects against tooth decay, heart-healthy as it helps to keeps blood pressure in-check – ACV is an excellent source of easily-absorbable potassium;
  Pectin – helps lower LDL (bad cholesterol);


• Potash – source of fibre.

Health Benefits/Uses of Organic ACV

Aids Digestion
ACV helps to stimulate stomach acid. Stomach acid aids the digestion of protein and fats.

De-Toxer ACV helps to clean the blood and liver of toxins. A constant and heavy toxic load forces the liver to work overtime – eventually leading to organ fatigue, toxicity and finally organ failure. A dog can end-up carrying a serious toxic load as he/she may ingest and otherwise absorb multiple toxins in the course of a typical day…for example:

• Many commercially manufactured dog food (dry kibble, wet canned food, treats);


• Fluorinated water;


• Road-salt (very carcinogenic);


• Chemical-based household cleaners (breathing in the vapours, licking surfaces, lying on chemically cleaned surfaces);


• 
  Surface contact and/or ingesting grass treated with fertilizers and pesticides. 

Dietary Supplement

ACV can be used topically and as a dietary supplement. As a dietary supplement ACV can be added directly to your dog’s fresh drinking water or to one of your dog’s daily meals. I add ACV directly to my dogs’ food once a day.

Dosage (human dosage provided at the bottom of the article):

• Small Dogs (and cats) up to 14 lbs – 1 tsp;


• Medium Dogs (and cats) 15 lbs to 34 lbs – 2 ts;


• Large Dogs:




• 35 lbs to 84 lbs – 1 tbs;


• 85 lbs to 134 lbs – 1.5 tbsp;


• 135 lbs to 200 lbs – 2 tbsp.

Ear Care

• ACV can be used to clean your dog’s ear;


• ACV can be used to treat yeast –based ear infections.

• 
  Combine equal parts of ACV and distilled water, mix the solution; 
  


• 
  With a syringe or dropper, gently drop about 10 drops of the liquid into your dog’s /cat’s ear – make sure that the syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal – the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal. 
  


• 
  Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

Caution – do not use this treatment if you dog’s ear drums are perforated or punctured. To learn more on about ear infections, causes and treatments continue reading here.

If your dog is prone to yeast-based ear infections…

• Most cases of yeast-based ear infections in dogs are a result of Candida (overgrowth of bad bacteria in the GI Tract which causes leaky-gut syndrome and results in yeast infection which may surface in the ears, paws, etc. 


• Grains in a dog’s diet are the number one cause of food sensitivity leading to yeast infections!


• Sugar in a dog’s diet can cause Candida – many commercially made dog treats/dog food contain both grains and sugar!

• So, to cure the problem you have to do two things:  




• 
  Get the intensity of the infection – inflammation, under control = the treatment; 
  


• Fix your dog’s diet – this is the long-term maintenance portion of the solution = the remedy.

Fur and Skin Health
ACV helps prevent dry skin, promotes the growth and maintenance of healthy fur and is effective in the treatment of:

• Acne – apply undiluted ACV with a soft cloth or cotton ball;


• Burns (minor) – apply undiluted ACV with a soft cloth or cotton ball;


• Hot Spots;


• Skin Infections.

As a Treatment for Hot Spots and Skin Infections

For hot spots and skin infections:

• Bath your dog in a warm (not hot!) Rooibos Tea, and;


• Then do a second rinse using:




• 1 part ACV to 3 parts water – if the effected spot is small you can use a soft cloth or cotton ball to apply both rinses.


• If the skin is broken dilute the ACV mixture further (1 part ACV to 4 parts water);




• Then be very careful as the acidic nature of ACV can cause stinging/pain; 


• Test a small area first by dabbing the ACV/water solution with a cotton ball onto a tiny test area, do not do a full soak on skin with broken areas without testing first!


• My dogs are very tolerant of ACV and have never reacted to it with discomfort.

Skunk Odour treatment

• Sponge undiluted ACV onto fur and skin – avoiding eyes;


• Allow the ACV to dry;


• Follow with non-toxic, non-carcinogenic Shampoo and Rinse

GI Tract Health – Promotes Growth of Good Flora
ACV is a prebiotic and helps maintain the proper acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract.

• Prebiotics feed probiotics;


• Probiotics are the healthy microorganisms (good bacteria) that reside in a dog’s GI Tract.


• When the population of good bacteria is depleted bad bacteria can flourish resulting in candida and other health issues. 


• Helps prevent and remedy constipation;


• Helps regularize bowl movements;


• Helps keep the colon clean.

Metabolism Booster, Appetite Reducer

If your dog, cat or yourself have a slow metabolisim – adding ACV to the diet can help increase the rate of metabolism. In addition to ACV, turmeric is another excellent metabolism (and immune system) booster. Both can be added to the diet. My dog’s get both turmeric and ACV as part of their daily diet.

In addition, ACV can be taken in-between or before meals to stave-off hunger. If you need your dog to loose weight you can also add some fresh fruits and vegetables to his/her diet in between meals. This will help keep the GI tract clean, detox, provide antioxidants and important vitamins and nutrients. But it is important to know which fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs and proper preparation to ensure maximum benefits. You can read about that here.

Treatment, Remedy for Eye Infections

Distilled Water and ACV (room temperature)

Not for use with pink-eye

• Combine;




• 2 tbs distilled water with;


• 4 drops of ACV;


• Stir well;


• Drop 2 to 3 drops in the eye two to three times a day until the infection clears;

If you would like to understand more about eye infections…

• Typical Causes of an Eye Infection;


• Typical Signs that Your Dog’s or Cat’s Eye May Be Infected;  


• Typical Signs of Pink Eye – Conjunctivitis


• 
  Contagiousness of Eye Infections
  


• 
  Treating and Curing Eye Infections
  




• Topical Treatments


• Ingested (Dietary) Remedies 




• Duration of Treatment


• When To Get Your Dog or Cat to Your Veterinarian


• You can read this article.

Insect Repellent – Natural, Safe

Parasites such as fleas, ticks mosquitoes and worms do not do well in an environment that is not supportive of their life and reproductive requirements. Such parasites do not like acidic environments. ACV is acidic and therefore not an attractive substance for these parasites. The following topical treatment kills adult fleas and is soothing for the dog’s skin…

Topical Treatment for Infestation of Fleas
Toxin and Carcinogen-free Pet Shampoo

This treatment kills fleas as they will drown in the soapy water, the after shampoo rinse and spray acidifies the surface of skin and fur making it an inhospitable environment for fleas…

You will need:

• An 8 oz bottle;


• Tea Tree Oil;


• 100% Aloe Vera Juice;
  


• ACV;


• Fresh, clean water.

Preparation

• 
  Pour the shampoo into the 8 ounce bottle;


• Add 10 drops of tea tree oil;


• Add 1 tablespoon of aloa vera juice;


• Shake well.

 Treatment

• 
  Shampoo Your Dog;


• Wait 6 to 10 minutes.

Rinse Your Dog

• 
  Then rinse with ACV diluted in water – 1 tablespoon ACV for every pint of water.


• Allow your dog to shake the excess water off;

 After-Rinse Spray

• Then follow-up with a spray of equal parts ACV to water;  


• You can also add fresh squeezed lemon juice;


• Do not get the shampoo, rinse or spray in your dog’s eyes;


• The spray can be used on a daily basis and may be used several times a day.

Body pH Balance – Restore, Maintain Good pH Balance

ACV is an excellent aid to restore pH balance. Poor diet can disrupt the pH balance of your dog’s blood. Acidification of the blood creates a foot-hold for the development of various illnesses.

AVC for Cleaning

Daily exposure to the air born vapours, droplets, and surface residue of chemical based household cleaners are one of the villains a dog’s system must fight to stay healthy. You can help reduce the daily stress on his/her system by making your own dog friendly household cleaners. In addition, many of the chemicals are lethally poisonous to dogs and other animals. You can use ACV as a multipurpose cleaner either on its own or with fresh lemon juice and/or baking soda. I use ACV to clean counters, floors, carpet etc. ACV is an amazing all-purpose house-hold cleaner. To learn about the many ways you can use ACV to replace chemical based household cleaners read on here.

Cautions, Side Effects
If your dog is on insulin or diuretics do not add ACV to his/her diet without consulting your veterinarian as there could be an interaction between the insulin/drugs and the ACV. When ACV is taken with a meal, ACV slows the rise of blood sugar – this suggests that a reduced amount of insulin is required to process the food. The dosage of insulin you give your dog may have to be adjusted to account for lower blood-sugar levels.

Dogs who are suffering from an irritated intestinal tract lining should not take (ingest) ACV.

What to Look for When Buying Organic ACV

Make sure you are purchasing ACV which is:

• Organic;
  Organic ACV has more nutrients than non-organic ACV;


• Organic ACV does not have the high-levels of toxins (pesticides and herbicides) present in ACV made from non-organic apples;


• Unfiltered;


• Unpasteurized – you should be able to see a little sediment floating at the bottom of the bottle.

Additional Information – Pertaining to Human Dosage

1tbsp of organic un-pasterized ACV mixed with water can be:

• Consumed prior to meals to stave-off hunger, speed-up the metabolism and as, well provide all of the benefits noted above;


• Consumed after a meal to remedy:




• Heartburn problems;


• Acid reflex.

As ACV is very acidic it is much easier to ingest when it is mixed with another liquid. Mix your dosage of ACV with one of the following:

• 8 oz of water;


• 8 oz of cooled green tea;


• 8 oz of Rooibos tea.

Maximum Dosage for Humans:

2 tbsp three times a day.

Note – the precautions provided above for dogs are also applicable to humans.

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Related Articles

For related and additional articles on dog and cat, care, health, training, nutrition and animal advocacy go to thispage.

Feel free to leave a comment below – if your comment is polite, informative etc. I will publish it. If your comment is a quick question, I will answer it if time permits…

If you require additional assistancewith your dogs you can engage me to…

1.0) Do an in-person session(see details below)

2.0)  Do a phone/email consultation (see details below)

1.0) In-Person Sessions are available to you if you live in the region of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Ottawa Valley and Region.

(i.e. Ottawa, Hull, Alymer, Orleans, Bells Corners, Manotick, Vars, Kanata, Stittsville, Smith Falls, Fitzroy, Carp, Arnprior, Renfrew, etc.) 

  and surrounding areas 

(i.e. Brockville, Smith Falls, Perth, Kingston, L’Original, Val-des-Monte, St-Pierre-de-Wakefield, etc.)

or if you will be visiting the area from out-of-town.

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My Hourly Fee

$ 100.00/hour in Canadian funds.

Purchasing Consultation Time:

Client’s often start out by purchasing an hour of my time and then augment that if required to suit the situation;

Or you can – if your situation requires it, purchase whatever block of time you want (i.e. multiple hours).

Methods of Payment:

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For payment via email money transfer I provide you with a password (security information).

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I can work with you via:

Phone with follow-up by email, or;

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The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone:

You call me at the following number 613-622-7958, at the mutually agreed upon consultation time.

3.0 ALL OTHER GLOBAL LOCATIONS (i.e. UK. Asia, etc.):

I can work with you via:

Via email only, or;

Phone with follow-up by email…

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone:

You call me at the following number 613-622-7958, at the mutually agreed upon consultation time.

To Set-up a Consultation

Step 1 – Identify how you would prefer to pay for the consultation;

  Payment options as noted above are:

o    email money transfer, or;

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Step 2 – Identification of a consultation time that works for both our schedules;

Step 3 – You then pay the fee for the amount of consultation time you want to purchase;

Step 4 – Consultation takes place on the agreed upon time.

Contact me at

 email mailto:ottawavalleydogwhisperer@gmail.com

Office 613-622-7958
Cell 613-293-3707

Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer Services

Training;

Behaviour Modification;

Rehabilitation;

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Health

Whether you are experiencing dog behavior problems and would like assistance, or just want to bring your dog up to be a well-balanced canine -  I offer both a local and international service for people with one or multiple dogs. 

I work with all breeds – from small (i.e. Yorkie, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, etc.), medium breeds size (including Pit Bulls) and large breed dogs…

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Contact me at

 email mailto:ottawavalleydogwhisperer@gmail.com

Office 613-622-7958
Cell 613-293-3707