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Dear EarthTalk: Are as many cats and dogs being euthanized these days as back in the 1970s and 1980s when indiscriminate breeding led to explosions in pet populations? –Mary H., Knox, TN

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The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the leading non-profit devoted to animal welfare, reports that in the 1970s American shelters euthanized between 12 and 20 million cats and dogs every year at a time when there were 67 million pets in U.S. homes. According to statistics gleaned from the Asilomar Accords, which tracks animal shelter care and euthanasia numbers, U.S. shelters today euthanize three to four million animals, while there are more than 135 million cats and dogs in American homes.

“This enormous decline in euthanasia numbers—from around 25 percent of American dogs and cats euthanized every year to about three percent—represents substantial progress,” reports HSUS. “We will make still greater progress by working together to strike at the roots of animal overpopulation.”

These numbers are only estimates, as there is no centralized reporting protocol for shelters. However, the Asilomar Accords method is gaining momentum as a standard for more accurately tracking animal shelter care and euthanasia numbers; it posts annual statistics for some 150 different U.S. shelters on its website.

And what exactly are the roots of the problem? Foremost is irresponsible breeding—pet owners failing to get their animals spayed or neutered, leading to unwanted offspring. Some 35 percent of U.S. pet owners do not spay or neuter their pets, despite increasing public awareness about the pet overpopulation issue.

Image courtesy of lumix2004 (sxc.hu)

Another factor is low adoption rates: Only 20 percent of the 17 million Americans that get a new pet each year opt for a shelter pet; the vast majority buys from pet stores, breeders, or through other private arrangements. And six to eight million pets are given up to shelters or rescue groups every year for one reason or another, leaving these organizations with many more animals than they can place in homes.

Beyond these factors, HSUS also cites our society’s “disposal pet” ethos, whereby owners are quick to relinquish their pets for any number of reasons. The majority of shelter pets are not overflowing litters of puppies and kittens, but companion animals turned in by their owners. “To solve this problem, we would need to effect a cultural change in which every individual fully considers all of the responsibilities and consequences of pet ownership before adopting, and then makes a lifetime commitment to their pet.”

Image courtesy of suescopy (sxc.hu_

The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy is a coalition of eleven of America’s foremost animal welfare organizations concerned with the issue of unwanted pets in the United States. The Council and its partner groups, including HSUS, work to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce pet overpopulation through public education, legislation and support for sterilization programs.

As to what individuals can do, HSUS recommends spaying or neutering their dogs and cats, adopting from shelters or rescue groups, and considering all the ramifications of pet ownership before deciding to take on a cat or dog in the first place.

CONTACTS: HSUS, www.hsus.org; Asilomar Accords, www.asilomaraccords.org; National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, www.petpopulation.org.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Sustainable Pets: Addressing Overpopulation is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

If you are a dog or cat lover you know that protecting your animals from fleas and ticks is high on the list for responsible pet care. In the northeast and other parts of the country ticks can run rampant, so keeping them off pets is essential.

In August our chocolate lab, Mico, will be 12 years old. That’s 84 in dog years. She’s no spring chicken, but she can still swim for hours and run a few laps with the young pups in the neighborhood. During the winter months there’s no need to use flea or tick prevention-the ticks and fleas are hibernating. But now that spring has sprung they are back in action and prevention is key to keep them away from your pets and out of your home.

Toxic chemicals in conventional flea and tick control products

There are many different brands of conventional flea and tick control products on the market. Most contain toxic chemicals that can poison pets and harm people. Some of the chemicals are linked to cancer, allergies and asthma and are suspected endocrine disruptors. Pregnant women and small children are especially at risk.

For all almost 12 years of her life we have doused poor Mico in K-9 Advantix or Frontline (depending upon the vets recommendation). The Natural Defense Resource Council (NRDC) put together a handy list of flea and tick products, listing which chemicals are in each and assessing the chemicals’ toxicity. Take a look at Greenpaws Flea and Tick Product Guide to see if the product you’re using is considered toxic. K-9 Advantix and Frontline both fell between the “use sparingly” and “avoid use” categories. Both are pretty toxic and don’t belong on Mico.

The bottom line: Don’t use spot treatments such as K-9 Avantix and Frontline which tend to be very concentrated and, according to new studies, may pose a hazard to pets and humans.

Natural solutions for flea and tick prevention

Regular combing with a flea comb, bathing and vacuuming can reduce and control fleas.

Keep your pets out of areas where ticks are prevalent –long grass and trees. This is a tough one for us since we are surrounded by woods and we love to walk Mico off road.

There are many natural options to repel ticks. Here are a few to try:

• Brewers yeast- Brewer’s yeast works by making the dog’s blood too acidic for bugs’ taste.
• Apple cider vinegar- Add no more than 2 tbsp. into a large bowl of water. Or make a spray of 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% water and spray onto your dog’s coat. Make sure you don’t spray in his/her eyes.
• Citrus rub- Cut a lemon into quarters. Put it into a jar and cover with boiling water. Let it steep overnight and put the solution into a spray bottle. Spray on your pet and rub in.
• Garlic-I’ve ready conflicting studies on the safety of garlic for dogs and cats. It seems clear that when large quantities of garlic are consumed by dogs it could lead to anemia and/or death. I’m going to stay away from garlic for the time being.
• There are also many all natural products on the market. When purchasing be careful to read through the ingredient list. Many of the “natural” products I came across did contain toxic chemicals. One product that looks promising is Ticked Off! ,which contains southern red cedar oil -another chemical-free, safe way to control fleas, ticks and other bugs.

When we buy flea and tick control products we make an assumption that they’re safe. However, the EPA isn’t like the FDA and they don’t require pet products to undergo field trials prior to approval. We need to let the EPA know that we do care what goes onto our pets and these toxic products shouldn’t be on the market.

Do you have any other natural remedies to share for flea and tick prevention?

Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested in this article. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet’s unique needs or diagnose your pet’s particular medical history.

Natural Flea and Tick Prevention for Pets republished with permission.

Lori

Lori Alper is the founder and editor of the blog, Groovy Green Livin. She is a green living enthusiast and lifestyle writer, consultant, mother, borderline vegan and recovering attorney. Lori is devoted to sharing and gathering information needed for living a green life. She believes that through each and every small, eco-conscious change each of us makes the world will become a healthier, safer place for us all. In her free time Lori can be found practicing yoga, pitching a baseball, running, cycling, skiing, cooking, or reading.

Natural Flea and Tick Prevention for Pets is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Supporters of an ecologically friendly lifestyle are aware of the innumerable different aspects that affect the health of our planet. It is not enough to try to reduce our most obvious effects on the environment; for instance, reducing our paper usage and utilizing eco-friendly modes of transportation. The harm that we inflict on the planet lies in areas of our life that are as basic as the food that we eat.

You might be aware of the fact that food that has been imported over long distances is incredibly harmful in regards to the environment because of the fossil fuels that were burned in order to get it to your home. Additionally, foods that have been grown with large amounts of chemicals and pesticides kill natural wildlife and irrevocably damage the welfare of our soil. Many people have therefore chosen to eat only natural, locally grown foods. However, if you truly want to support the health of our planet in every way possible, then you must extend these eating habits to your pets as well.

Traditional Pet Food: What Exactly is in Fido’s Dinner?

In short, pet food typically consists of the byproducts of human manufacturing that were deemed unfit for us to eat. In order to provide the balance of proteins and fats that researchers have recommended for our pets, pet food manufacturers add animal byproducts such as intestines, udders, and hooves that could potentially carry harmful bacteria. The food is then bulked up with industrially grown corn, and lots of it. The nation is currently experiencing an enormous surplus of this government-subsidized grain. Corn is grown in enormous quantities using environmentally harmful methods, wiping out the nation’s biodiversity. Pet food manufacturers use excess corn to provide pets with their nutritional allotment of carbohydrates, not because our dogs and cats are naturally disposed to eat it, but because it is incredibly inexpensive.

Green Feeding: Better for Your Pet and Better for the Planet

Dogswell - Nutrisca

The best and easiest way to feed your pet in a responsible manner is to purchase organic pet foods. These foods contain whole, natural ingredients that have been grown in a safe and sustainable manner. Because these foods are grown with the interest of the Earth in mind, they will also be much healthier for your pet’s digestion.

You should never hesitate to inspect the ingredient label on your pet’s food. The amount of chemicals, preservatives, and questionable ingredients will likely shock you. There is no better way to boost the health of both your pet and the world’s ecosystems than to purchase only responsibly manufactured foods.

Louise Baker is a freelance blogger and journalist who writes for Zen College Life, the directory of higher education, distance learning, and online degrees.

Green Feeding for Cats and Dogs is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Free of salt, sugar, additives and preservatives, Becca’s Barkery treats and biscuits are baked fresh daily using only all-natural, human-grade ingredients. They use ingredients like farm fresh bacon, eggs, cheddar cheese, yummy peanut butter, fresh tomatoes, zucchini and carrots, and sweeten with molasses and pure honey.

I can tell you that our resident guinea pig, ur…em, Quality Control Agent, is thoroughly enjoying the Bacon Egg & Cheese flavor.

I had a chance to chat with Becca’s Barkery founder Rebecca Essenburg Kalch, to learn the story of their beginnings, what’s on the horizon for them, and yes…if I can eat them too!

Give 'em yummies from Becca's Barkery! is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

A Social Media Event Designed to Increase Awareness of Potential Health Risks will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010

courtesy ABCnews.com

SeaYu^® Enterprises, makers of Clean+Green® eco-friendly pet stain and odor removers, is declaring Friday, August 13^th unlucky for chemical fragrance by founding the first ever Fragrance Free Day! Fragrance Free Day (#fragrancefreeday) is a social media event by which people are asked to tell the world via their social networks that they’ll go “fragrance free” for one day.  This awareness campaign comes at a time when, according a recent report by ABC News, “Congress and the cosmetics industry are both calling for tighter regulation of the chemicals used in cosmetics and other personal care products due to concerns over possible carcinogens and other toxic ingredients.” http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/toxic-cosmetics-draw-congressional-attention/story?id=11228491

As part of the event, the company will host a live Q&A on Twitter, featuring SeaYu’s CEO Quincy Yu, organic chemist Dr. Stephen Ziman and veterinarian holistic pet health expert Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM. Anyone with questions on the safety of products they’re using for personal care can Tweet them with the hashtag #fragrancefreeday on Friday, August 13 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST and have their question answered by one of the experts through SeaYu’s Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/seayu).

“Fragrance Free Day gives concerned consumers a chance to help spread awareness of the dangers associated with fragrance/chemicals in personal care and household cleaning products by pledging to go “fragrance free” via their social networks,” said Quincy Yu, CEO of SeaYu Enterprises. “We encourage everyone to help the world breath easier by pledging not to use any fragrance products for one full day.”

According to the report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group, “Not So Sexy, the Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrances,” they found 14 secret chemicals not listed on the labels that are associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.  The study also notes that numerous other products used daily, such as shampoos, lotions, bath products, cleaning sprays, air fresheners and laundry and dish-washing detergents, also contain strongly scented, volatile ingredients that are hidden behind the word “fragrance.”  The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) has weighed in, too – they state that fragranced products – like air fresheners, fabric refreshers and traditional cleaning products -are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality, which can lead to health issues.

“Animals have faster metabolisms and smaller lungs than humans, so not only are they processing harmful chemicals used in the home more quickly, they are also breathing them in at a faster rate,” said Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM “Because animals are closer to the ground, they are more often in direct contact with these harmful substances making Fragrance Free Day of special importance for pet owners everywhere.”

More information is available via Quincy Yu’s blog post about Fragrance Free Day and also via the Fragrance Free Day event page on Facebook.

Key Facts:

• Fragrance Free Day is Friday, August 13^th, an social web event created to help spread awareness of the dangers of harsh chemicals and fragrance in personal care products
• Everyone can participate by pledging to go “Fragrance Free” for one day via their social networks (Twitter, Facebook, blogs etc.)
• From 12 pm – 1 pm EST on Friday, August 13^th, experts will be answering questions via Twitter – questions should be sent with #fragrancefreeday on Twitter

Resources:

• Fragrance Free Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139865449376889&ref=ts
• Clean+Green by SeaYu on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/seayu
• Dr. Carol on Twitter: http://twitter.com/carolonpets

• Clean+Green by SeaYu on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CleanandGreen
• Quincy Yu’s blog: http://www.odorandstainremover.com/wordpress/
• Clean+Green by SeaYu Website: http://www.odorandstainremover.com
• Dr. Carol’s Website: http://www.drcarol.com/

Courtesy Meagan J. Ellis, Kel and Partners, 617.904.9393, ext. 128.

Be Clean and Green…have a Fragrance Free Day! is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

The Little Seed

The Little Seed was started by new moms Soleil Moon Frye (or as some of you might remember her as Punky Brewster) and Paige Tolmach when ‘finding stylish eco-friendly clothing wasn’t easy’. The all-exclusive line for Target is slightly limited to solid brightly colored organic onesies, pants, bibs, towels and blankets. Along with a few hat and bootie sets to spice things up in the cooler months.

The Little Seed

Prices range from $7.99 for onesies and pants to $12.99 for two swaddling blankets, making it easy to stock up on what you need now and later.  All of the essentials are made with ’100% organic cotton fibers, and passes the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification process, meaning every item is rigorously tested for 100 substances that are harmful to health’. Meaning not only is it safe, it’s super soft and comfy just for baby and his needs .

The line will be available from July 4th until October 16th, so stock up on your baby’s essentials. It’s ‘never too early to sew the seeds of care and responsibility’.

Megan

Megan Zietz is the creator of the cheap chic fashion blog, The Frugalista Diaries. Megan has a passion for fashion, great deals, and refining personal style. It’s all about looking and feeling like a million bucks without spending it.

When baby goes eco – The Little Seed for Target is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

The real story of the life of a greyhound is not even close to nice.  When housed at the race track, they spend about 20 hours of the day confined in small cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around.  If their stats are below par, they are retired from racing.  A retired female may end up as a brood, spending years on a farm breeding more potential racers.  Some retirees end up in veterinary research labs because greyhounds have a universal blood type and because they are so docile, they are easy to handle.  The lucky get adopted, and the remaining get destroyed.

Over 15,000 greyhounds were registered in 2009⁽¹⁾. More were born but got culled as they were not suitable for racing.  Many suffer broken legs or necks, spinal cord paralysis or go into cardiac arrest while racing and have to be put down. Some states do not require that records be kept on injuries or deaths, which I suppose is deemed too much information for the public.  The industry does admit though to destroying thousands of greyhounds each year, which is estimated to be as many as 3,000⁽²⁾.

I was shocked when I recently read that greyhounds tested positive for cocaine at a track in Birmingham.  It’s hard for me to even get my head around this act of cruelty.  My husband took me to our local track to see the deal firsthand.  What I saw was mostly shady characters who probably consider gambling their “job” and a few semi-normal people that might have been just looking for something different to do on a Saturday night.

Thanks though to the tireless efforts of GREY2K USA, a non-profit group headed by the talented  Christine Dorchak, who serves as both President and General Counsel, only 23 tracks are still operational in 7 states: Alabama  has 3 tracks, Arizona one, Arkansas one, Florida has 13, Iowa has 2, Texas one, and West Virginia has 2.  Gone most recently are the tracks in Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Oregon.

This amazing group has been able to ban greyhound racing by working with state politicians to pass the Greyhound Protection Act while defeating attempts to keep tracks alive with subsidies and tax breaks, or the back door approach where promoters lobby for a law legalizing slot machines to save the live racing.  If the tracks are successful at getting slots, they remain economically viable, and the dogs continue to remain disposable commodities.

Defeating dog track owners is no easy task.  It has taken the hard grassroots approach of collecting thousands of signatures in order to place a measure to end dog racing before voters.  People were shown state records documenting hundreds of injuries, along with actual video footage of terrible collisions that are common occurrences and photographs of the endless confinement greyhounds endure.  This hard proof gave the greyhounds a voice.  And the numbers and force of the people proved that small groups of people really can bring about big change.

There is currently a blogger dedicated to seeing that that last remaining track in Arizona is closed.  She discusses the issues associated with this industry in no uncertain terms.  There are also something like 350 greyhound rescue groups throughout the U.S. comprised of volunteers that find ways to transport, feed, medically treat, house, and market these dogs to the public.  If a track closes, these groups network in an effort to place dogs across states.  You can imagine the constant work involved to make even a dent in the number of greyhounds needing homes in a state like Florida with a whopping 13 tracks.  What does this say about my state of Florida?  Gambling trumps animal welfare?

I was initially put off to hear that my local rescue group was neutral on racing, but then it occurred to me that they are dealing with ruthless people, and this is their way of getting in to make the saves.  I had the experience of going with members of a rescue group to pick up dogs as space had become available.  We went to a kennel that was full of all these beautiful dogs in all their wonderful colors stacked in crates with their almost human eyes looking so intently at us as if to say, “please pick me.” It was heart-wrenching to leave with only two, and no one can convince me that another group came to that particular kennel to pick up the rest.

My greyhound Buddie, who raced for a short period under the name Mr. Pibb, is an amazing recycled dog.  He is gentle and loving and gives standing hugs if allowed.  He is an ambassador for his breed using his charm to get hugs and kisses by people everywhere he goes.  Most tend to think greyhounds are full of energy, but the truth is they are used to lying around and being active for only short periods of time.  Other things that people usually don’t know is that greyhounds don’t bark, they have a sweet smell, and barely shed. They walk right by your side on a leash, and many enjoy cats.  What more could you ask for in a pet?

If you are interested in learning more about greyhounds or adopting go to www.grey2kusa.com.

⁽¹⁾ National Greyhound Association, Breeding Stats, 2009.

⁽²⁾ National Greyhound Association, KABC Channel 7 ABC TV, February 20, 2009.

Jellie

Jellie Stanton is the creator of HumanWear, eco t-shirts for males, females & babes donating a percentage of sales to GREY2KUSA to help end greyhound racing.

My Recycled Greyhound is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Dogs and cats are living, breathing creatures, and they do leave a carbon “paw print” just as we leave a carbon footprint.  As they are just animals though, it is up to pet owners and not pets themselves to see to it that their carbon paw prints are limited.  Almost every decision a pet owner can make regarding his or her dog or cat has an impact on the pet’s carbon paw print.  Collectively, several bad choices could have quite a negative impact, but smart and eco-friendly choices on the other hand can have very positive effects as well.

An effective way to manage your pet’s carbon paw print is to construct a pet waste composter.  Most pet owners simply scoop up their pets’ waste, put it in a plastic bag, tie it off, and throw it away.  Such practices can lead to a contaminated water supply, and even cause epidemics among wildlife.  With a composter, pet waste is stored underground, and decomposed, this improves the soil greatly.  It is also a far less wasteful practice than simply wrapping it in plastic and tossing it.

If you live in a high-rise or a condo where you have either a small garden or no garden at all, building a composter may not be possible.  If you must use bags to dispose of your pet’s waste, buy only 100% biodegradable bags, made from GMO free corn.  Stay away from any bags that contain any trace of polyethylene, as this chemical is not good for the environment.

Your pet’s diet also has an impact on his or her carbon paw print.  A lot of dog and cat food goes through a lot of processing and contains a lot of chemicals.  You should insist on only organic pet food.  Organic pet food will mean toxin free waste.  Apart from the positive environmental impact of organic pet food, your dog or cat will also enjoy better health.   Dogs can actually be trained to subsist on a vegetarian diet with some patience.  From an ecological standpoint, this is actually the ideal situation, if you have the patience and the commitment to do it.

Every purchase you make for your pet can affect the size of his or her paw print.  Choose wisely when buying things like toys, cages, and other accessories.  When possible don’t buy products from China.  It is true that as China has emerged as the world’s factory, goods from there are cheaper.  The downside is that goods from China need to come a long way, and the freighting consumes a lot of energy.  Factories in China are not designed to be eco-friendly and produce the highest emissions in the world.  So while they may be cheaper, save buying of Chinese manufactured products to those in Asia.

Victoria Knight works with the Pet-Super-Store, the dog bed store, to promote an all-natural way of living to animals and pet owners.

Manage Your Pet’s Carbon Footprint is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Dear EarthTalk: I’m told that, despite improvements in recent years, pesticides in flea collars are still harmful to pets and humans. Are there ways to minimize fleas without resorting to chemical concoctions? And is anything being done to ban these dangerous products from store shelves?

– Nancy Trouffant, Lancaster, PA

Americans spend some $1 billion each year on products designed to combat fleas. Many of these products do their jobs handsomely, but two of the most egregious chemicals widely used in flea collars, tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur, have been shown to cause damage to our brains and nervous systems, and are known human carcinogens. Residues containing these chemicals can stay on a pet’s fur—and whatever he or she rubs up against, including your rugs, furniture and children—for weeks on end.

Michael, courtesy Flickr

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that residue levels produced by some flea collars are 1,000 times higher than which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe for children to be around. Previous campaigning by NRDC and other nonprofit groups convinced the federal government to ban six other dangerous pesticides formerly common in flea collars, but tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur are still wreaking havoc on the environment and human and pet health.

In light of these dangers, what’s a concerned pet owner to do? For starters, ditch the collar and buy a flea comb. NRDC reports on its GreenPaws.org website that regular combing of a pet can help reduce fleas while allowing owners to monitor the extent of a given flea problem. Fleas caught in the comb should be drowned in soapy water. Also, vacuum frequently to rid your carpets, floors and crevices of fleas and their eggs. Dispose of any used vacuum bags immediately so fleas don’t escape and re-infest the room.

In the case of an extreme infestation, a professional steam carpet cleaning might be your best bet. As for your pet, frequent soapy baths are a great way to control fleas. Pet bedding should also be washed weekly in hot water. Outside of the house—where your pet romps and frolics—keep your grass and shrubbery clipped short to increase dryness and sunlight, which inhibits fleas. Nematodes—all-natural non-chemical biological agents available at most garden stores—will get rid of fleas in problem areas outdoors.

Of course, all this diligent work might still not be enough to keep fleas at bay, so you may need to turn to products formulated with essential oils that repel insects but do not harm pets or people. Be sure to start with small doses and monitor pets and family for allergic responses. Another non-pesticide option is S-Methoprene, a so-called Insect Growth Regulator which halts the growth of chitin, the substance that creates an insect’s exoskeleton, and won’t harm humans or pets. S-Methoprene is best used as a tool in preventing an extended infestation since adult insects are unaffected by it.

With the federal government apparently uninterested in banning tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur from flea products, NRDC is taking the issue straight to the people. Via its GreenPaws.org website, users can customize a letter to PETCO and PetSmart, the nation’s two largest pet supply retailers, asking them to stop selling products containing such dangerous chemicals. And whether or not these companies will heed the call may well depend on consumer behavior, so the more you buy safer alternatives, the better.

CONTACTS: U.S. EPA, www.epa.gov; NRDC, www.nrdc.org; GreenPaws.org, www.greenpaws.org.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

The Dangers of Toxic Flea Collars is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Holistic and Healthy

Holistic medicine sometimes known as “natural healing” places its emphasis on the whole body, taking into account environmental, nutritional, physical, and emotional factors. It is also referred to as alternative medicine because it embraces techniques that are not readily accepted by traditional practices.

Holistic medicine has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years and has begun to be used in treating pets and animals. Holistic medicine, formerly trivialized by the conventional medical community, has started to gain credence, and many times where traditional medicine has failed to produce results, holistic medicine is increasingly being used to find solutions.

Holistic medicine embraces a wide range of alternative therapies ranging from the use of herb, physical therapy, massage, homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy. Veterinarians have become more willing to work with pet owners who would like to try alternative therapies to help prolong and improve their pet’s quality of life.

Most of the time, holistic medicine is turned to as a last attempt to cure a condition conventional medicine has failed to find answers for, but sometimes conventional medicine and holistic medicine work hand in hand to create optimal results, for example a dog who has just had surgery may benefit from holistic therapy which can help decrease the time needed for healing.

Acupuncture and acupressure have become popular in treating and alleviating many conditions such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and even stomach disorders. Many pet owners prefer the natural treatment holistic medicine offers over more traditional drugs such as steroids and painkillers.

Trigger point therapy is another form of holistic medicine that is gaining traction among pet owners. Trigger point therapy involves the massaging of painful spots that can aid in relieving pain in limbs and muscles. Chiropractic therapy is also used in trigger point therapy as well as acupuncture.

Herbal therapy is yet another method of holistic care especially when traditional drugs and medication don’t produce the desired results or when the side effects of using these medications outweigh their benefits. Herbal therapy should only be conducted under the supervision of a veterinarian as many herbal potions are very potent and can be toxic under certain circumstances. Many proponents of herbal medicine claim that herbs such as wormwood or black walnut can safely be used for treating internal parasites in dogs. Valerian and passionflower are touted by herbalists as having sedative powers and licorice is thought to contain anti-inflammatory powers.

Perhaps the most important aspect of holistic medicine exists in good nutrition. The most important thing you can do for your pet is to ensure you feed him only the best food possible. Organically grown beef, fowl, and fish are healthy foods to feed your dog. Avoid cheap brands of commercial dog food as they contain many harmful additives and preservatives and can seriously damage your dog’s health in the long run. Always try to feed your dog wholesome, organic meats and vegetables to ensure he is getting the nutrients he needs to thrive.

Don’t be afraid to do further research on holistic medicine. Used in conjunction with conventional veterinary medicine, you can greatly improve your pet’s quality of life and perhaps even lengthen his life span.

Victoria Knight

Victoria Knight works with the Pet-Super-Store to promote an all-natural way of living to animals and pet owners.

Holistic Approach to Dog Medicine is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag