25 Common Foods That Can Be Toxic for Your Pet

Click Here to link to a page of 25 common household items that can lethal to the pets you love. I have no affiliation with the author or website, but thought it would be good to share as it is so important to know that there are everyday items in our homes, that can turn what was supposed to be a great day at home snuggling with our pets to a nightmare at the veterinary emergency room. 

25 Common Foods That Can Be Toxic for Your Pet

Need to know more about de-skunking?

See Dr. Kim Bloomer's bark n blog for some ideas of natural ways to get rid of those skunky smells from your pet. Want to know if tomato juice really works??? Want to know what the professionals use when searching for a safe remedy when a skunk dog comes across their salon? Read the thoughts from Dr. Kim Bloomer, Natural news, and well, ....me.

http://www.bark-n-blog.com/2009/03/16/natural-de-skunk-methods/#more-3050

Tear Stains, pH Levels & ACV

Tear staining is something dog groomers definitely see on a regular basis. Most of the time, from a groomers perspective, it is the same shave out in the corner of the eyes on every 4 to 6 week groom. Most pet owners do not realize they themselves have the power, and most likely the remedies at home to take charge of their pets overall health. It just takes a little education that's all.

Tear staining is caused for any number of reasons which first must be diagnosed by a veterinarian. It is necessary to understand what you are first dealing with. The idea is to take a holistic approach to the problem, and not to just cover the problem with a temporary fix. First of all, lets take a look at just a few of the reasons why tear staining can pose to be a problem as stated in snippets from the Merck / Merial Manual for Pet Health.

Eyelash Abnormalities:

Extra eyelashes or misdirected eyelashes on the edge of the eyelid can cause watering eyes, development of blood vessels in the cornea, and slow healing sores and scarring in the cornea. If extra lashes are causing damage, or sticking out through the back of the eyelid causing pain, it may be necessary to discuss surgical options with your veterinarian.

Inflammation of the Eyelids:

Can result from generalized inflammation of the skin, inflammation of the conjunctiva, local glandular infections, or environmental irritants. Fungi, mites, and bacteria can infect the eyelids which can lead to a generalized inflammation. Eye Inflammations of this nature requires a whole body therapy. Hmmm. What a concept isn't it? To look at the "whole" dog. This should probably be done for any case realistically.

Tear Duct Inflammation:

This can be caused by obstruction of the tear sac and the attached nasal tear duct by inflammatory debris, foreign objects, or masses pressing on the duct. It results in watering eyes and conjunctivitis that is resistant to most treatment, and occasionally a draining opening in the middle of the lower eyelid. If there is an obstruction of the duct, a simple flushing of saline solution or sterile water may unblock it.

Now, back to a groomers world and point of view. I feel aside from the above stated that this can also be a cause of a unbalanced pH system along with unbalanced diet, as well as genetics. I have seen tear stains reversed and cleared, or at the very least better alleviated when approached with a sense of love and healing to care for the "whole dog". I will share some natural home remedies that can easily fit right with some love and caring for your dogs overall health .

First things first. Lets take a good look at what you are feeding your dog. Is it from your everyday local pet store? Chances are, if it is, there is not much you can tell me that will convince me you are feeding your dog a nutritious and balanced diet. Pet foods with color additives and certain fillers will stain the mouth area and excrete through the tear ducts. Even those "expensive" and "natural" foods. As commercial pet food and pet diets is a whole different topic on its own, I will leave you with a great book to read for your own learning pleasure. There is a new and updated third edition by Ann N. Martin called 'Food Pets Die For, Shocking Facts about Pet Food'. A great read, and should be in every pet owners home. My opinion regarding diet is to look at a natural fed diet, preferably a raw diet. If that is not possible, home cooked is probably next best. There are lots of websites and group forums that dedicate interest to raw, natural and cooked canine diets. I suggest to try google search for information, and check out yahoo group forums. I would like to suggest this group as an excellent place to start learning about canine nutrition. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalHealthCareForDogs/ This group is owned and moderated by 2 veterinary naturopaths and canine nutritionists.

Minerals in water:

Avoid hard water and any tap water. Opt for purified or spring water. Minerals in the water may stain other areas too. Such as facial hair, or anywhere where the water drips. Use a stainless steel bowl as to properly sterilize on a regular basis. Well, so far we have addressed the common things to consider as possible effects of tear staining. Genetics also plays a role, but can still be at least alleviated.

Most Products Are Hype:

As a professional groomer, we have lots of products that promise results of eliminating tear stains. Let me be the one to break the news first. Its mostly hype. As they do help a little bit but only if done on a very regular basis, they are just another product to cover up a symptom. Just like most pet shampoos out there. Or like beauty creams for humans. It does very little or nothing if used alone. Just like humans, beauty starts on the inside for the effects to take place on the outside. What we put into our as well as outside our bodies affects our largest external organ, ....... our skin. Same applies for animals. This brings me to mention the importance of balancing our body system.

pH Levels:

We addressed the need for proper nutrition. Now it is very important we balance the dogs pH level. A dogs normal range for canine pH level should be between 5.5 - 7.2

Shampoos used for grooming should be pH balanced for dogs but that can still be altered when diluted with water. This is also another reason why human shampoos should not be used on animals as human pH levels are different. The greater the shampoo dilution ratio, the closer the resemblance to the waters pH. If your water pH level varies greatly, a water softener can help control the and monitor chemicals, minerals, and microorganisms. Otherwise unbalanced levels can upset the natural, healthy flora of the dog's skin.

Now how do we do this on the inside? And help with tear stains at the same time?

We need something to help neutralize acid and alkaline. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (aka: ACV) has been known to have many health benefits to humans and animals. Including balancing proper pH Levels. Balancing pH Levels for your canine will not only help eliminate tear stains, but prevent sickness, disease, and parasites while restoring vitality, energy, and elasticity to skin. Yes! This is good for you too! You can read up more on the health benefits of organic apple cider vinegar by google searching, or reading 'The Healing Powers of Vinegar' by Cal Orey. Braggs also has a book of his own or you can check out their website at www.bragg.com

Here is the daily recommended dosage to add to your dog's purified water or spring water for a healthy pet tonic. For dogs with skin sensitive yeast allergies, opt for white distilled vinegar over ACV.

1 tsp. ACV for cats or small dogs up to 14lbs.

2 tsp. ACV for dogs 15 to 34 lbs.

1 tbsp. ACV for dogs 35 to 84 lbs.

Adjust more or less if necessary.

Natural Antibiotic, Colloidal Silver:

Colloidal Silver is a powerful, natural antibiotic and infection preventative. When an antibiotic is necessary, do your homework on CS. CS disables the oxygen enzyme for single celled pathogens such as viruses, fungus or bacterium. Within minutes the pathogen suffocates and dies. What makes CS differ from pharmaceutical antibiotics is that CS does not destroy beneficial tissue celled enzymes as they are different from the enzymes of that of single celled life. This makes CS a good choice for humans, animals, plants and multi-celled matter. As with anything, moderation is the key. It is in my opinion that CS should only be taken when a natural antibiotic is needed, and not for a daily use. CS can be purchased in a dark spray bottle, and can be directly sprayed to open eyes of the animal. I would spritz the eyes twice a day for 3 days up to two weeks depending on the case. Refer to your holistic vet for a proper dosage. Out of personal experience, CS has worked great for my pet rats when needed for eye or eye/respiratory infections. Be sure to buy top quality grade and pure Colloidal Silver, and avoid buying the cheap stuff. Natural antibiotics is also another topic deserving of its own blog focus, so I would do your google homework! And as always, check with your holistic veterinarian.

In Conclusion:

What can you expect by following the above natural health protocals just to rid of tear stains? Excluding the use of CS, here are a few things.

1. Less to zero ear infections
2. No Fleas!
3. Less dermatological problems
4. No body odor
5. Ideal body weight
6. More energy
7. Higher Immunity Levels
8. Healthier coat
9. a Happier dog
10. and LESS TO ZERO TEAR STAINS!

This article is for educational purposes only and not meant to replace veterinary care or diagnose or prescribe for medical problems.

References: Braggs book on ACV, The Healing Powers of Vinegar, Merck/merial Manual for Pet Health, apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com, all-natural.com, ISCC Super Coats Module.