Holistic Dog Care Defined

Holistic Tips
by Dr. Jane Bicks, Lifes Abundance Blog Post, April 21, 2011

The holistic approach to veterinary care has different meanings for different people. Essentially it means just what the name indicates - looking at “the whole” and not the individual parts.

Holistic practitioners consider the whole of a companion animal’s being and how every discrete part works in relation to every other part. Fundamental to this mindset is that everything is interrelated and nothing occurs in isolation.

Furthermore, holistic veterinarians don’t only focus on physical aspects; they also consider the emotional, mental and spiritual elements. Holistic health boils down to balance; imbalance leads to dis-ease. It’s important to remember that physical signs of illness may often be the last to appear, and that mental and emotional imbalance can lead to disease, too.

In the United States, veterinary medicine is usually divided into conventional and holistic medicine. In the conventional tradition, veterinarians focus almost solely on the physical evidence. Holistic medicine, which originated from ancient cultures (such as, Asian, Indian, African and Native American Indian) takes into consideration the mental and spiritual aspects, as well. In the treatment of their patients, holistic practitioners often use herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathy, energy medicine and other alternative methods. I believe in an integrative approach, taking the best of all forms of medicine and combining them to produce a modern holistic approach.

In addition to the internal workings of a companion animal’s body, holistic health explores the influence of external factors for their direct or indirect impacts on the body. In the case of companion animals, this includes their shelter, social interactions, levels of exercise and mental stimulation, diet, vaccination history, and any potential exposures to toxins.

A cornerstone of the holistic approach is nutrition, because the quality and type of foods consumed will play a significant role in overall health, on all levels. For example, studies show that an adequate intake of B complex vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (like those found in fish oil) can help to promote emotional and mental health, for companion animals and humans.

A vital component of holistic care is taking a preventive stance - promoting wellness and balance to prevent illness in all its forms. Maintaining an excellent diet, stimulating the mind for emotional and mental well-being, and exercising appropriately for your pet’s age and body type are all critical to the holistic approach to leading a balanced life.

I advocate these practices beginning as early as possible, so you won’t have to come see a veterinarian for imbalance and illness later in life. If their furry little bodies are in balance, and thus in good health, then the risk of disease is reduced, as is the need for pharmaceuticals.
While conventional medicine is highly valuable, sometimes it doesn’t tell the whole story. Fortunately, increasing numbers of conventional veterinarians are adopting a more integrative approach. Wellness programs and educational outlets (like this blog post) are empowering pet parents to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their beloved companion animals.

The bottom line is that it is possible for you to develop and adopt a preventive care plan for your furry family members. In most cases, I recommend that pet parents work with both a conventional and a holistic veterinarian to foster a balanced life for their companion animals.
In the coming months, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holistic tips for companion animal care. Look for future posts on this blog to help your whole family achieve a new level of balance, and wellness.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals,

Dr. Jane Bick,
Lifes Abundance Dog Food Formulator

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Learn more about Dr. Jane's Holistic Dog Products including Lifes Abundance Dog Food, Lifes Abundance Dog Treats, Life's Abundance Wellness Food Supplements for Dogs, Holistic Ear Care Products and more.

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Allergies and Healthy Skin and Coat

Healthy Skin and Coat
Info obtained from: www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/canine-allergies.html

(Remember to always check with your vet before introducing new products to your pet. Many vets are now recognizing the need for holistic allergy treatment instead of the tried and true (and possibly ineffective or dangerous) standby of corticosteroids. If your vet is not helpful, keep looking until you find someone you are
comfortable with. Remember that the success or failure of treatment will rest mainly on you. There is no magic pill to deal with many of these problems. Unfortunately, there is also not necessarily a "cure", only systematic treatment options.)

Is your dog's coat not as lusterous as it used to be? Is it dull and course. Does your precious dog suffer from skin sores and excessive scratching. Does your dog have hot spots?

A majority of skin and coat problems are believed to be caused by allergies and poor pet food ingredients. Allergies may also play a role in chronic ear infections.

About Food Allergies or Food Sensitivities:

Dogs are not allergic to a dog food per se, rather they react to one or more of the ingredients found in the food.

Some of the most common culprits are beef, pork, chicken, milk, whey, eggs, fish, corn, soy, wheat and chemical preservatives.

Many animals are now developing allergies to lamb as well. This was once thought to be very hypo-allergenic, but the more it is used, the more sensitivities are springing up.

The first step in diagnosing a food allergy is to eliminate all possible allergens and feed ONLY a homemade diet with ingredients the dog has never eaten before. The diet should be a protein and a starch. Good examples are one part lamb, rabbit or venison mixed with two parts rice or potatoes. NOTHING else can be fed during this time; no biscuits, chewable heartworm pills, chew toys or any table scraps! You must also keep the dog away from feces if he or she is prone to eating stool.

This diet should only to be fed for a short period, while testing for allergies. It is not nutritionally complete enough for long term use. Check with your veterinarian before beginning the test. If the symptoms improve during the trial diet, go back to the original food for several days. If symptoms reoccur you know that something in the food is causing the reaction.

The next step is to return to the trial diet and add one new ingredient a week (i.e. add beef for one week and if no symptoms occur add corn the next week for one week).

Once you have discovered the allergen you can look for a commercial food which does not contain that ingredient. (The author of this blog recommends Lifes Abundance Dog Food.  Lifes Abundance does not contain wheat, corn, soy or chemical preservatives that are known to cause allergies in some dogs. Lifes Abundance Dog Food has never, ever been on a pet food recall list either.)

Keep this in mind too. Just because a food is labeled "Lamb and Rice" or labeled with another so-called commonly known as hypoallergenic ingredient do not immediately assume it is hypoallergenic. Many of those dog foods contain wheat, corn, soy, beef or chemical preservatives.

This process of elimination is trying and time consuming. It may take up to 10 weeks to see an improvement. However, some professionals believe that it is the best method available to test for food allergies.

In the meantime, you might consider switching your dog to a food that has been successful for dogs with food allergies such as Lifes Abundance Dog Food. If your dog shows improvement you know you are dealing with a food sensitivity, you just won't know which ingredient to avoid. If there is no improvement, you will need to begin the elimination testing.

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From Blog Author:

In order to help overcome your dog's frustrating and often time painful symptoms, think about a thorough and holistic approach. Lifes Abundance offers a holistic line of products that work together synergistically.

First, think about switching to a wholesome, nutritious food such as Lifes Abundance Dog Food to provide a solid daily nutritional foundation. Once a good foundation is established, a daily supplement is required because every pet has unique nutritional needs. Advanced Daily Supplement with Phytonutrient Power provides the additional nutrients to support the optimum health of your precious dog.

If your dog is itching and scratching, Soothing Mist for Dogs and Cats may help. Its an herbal blend that enhances the natural life cycle of healthy skin.

Ear Care Formula for Dogs and Cats cleans ears by bringing dirt and debris to the surface. It also helps eliminate odor and helps dissolve ear wax. It soothes the ear during application and long after. It does not contain alcohol.

For those older dogs or those dogs that have a tendancy toward joint problems consider Agility with Glucosamine and MSM. It's a natural, holistic multi-action joint support supplement.

When bathing your dog or cat, Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist for Dogs and Cats are just what your pet needs. The shampoo and conditioning mist are naturally infused with a harmonizing blend of certified organic herbal extracts, pure plant botanicals and natural fruit extracts. These products detangle and nourish the coat's natural condition, leaving it soft, luxurious and fragrant.

If you give your dog a treat, think about giving a healthy treat such as Life's Abundance Wholesome Hearts or Tasty Rewards Training Treats.

All of the above mentioned products are designed to work well together and the may help in providing your dog with an abundant, happy and healthy life.

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Blog Sponsored by Life's Abundance Dog Food

Click the following to order products listed on this post:
Lifes Abundance Pet Products

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