Supplement Staples

by Linnea on 03/11/14
Here is my short list of supplement necessities that are always in stock in my pantry and why you should consider keeping them on hand as well..



1) A non-dairy mix of pre- and pro-biotics.  This particular bag is the 'equine' size, but it has the exact same formula as the canine/feline bag, it's just a larger quantity so don't let the horse fool you too much.  I pick up this digestive Formula at Ramsey Canyon Feed, but it should be in any Pet Club store.  It also contains digestive enzymes, which helps your pet break down their food more easily.  I like a non-dairy option as cow's milk is rather difficult to digest for really any species besides cows.  Additionally, many pets develop allergies to dairy milk.  The prebiotics help to feed the probiotics and as we all know probiotics are good to have on hand specifically for two reasons: 1) Digestive distress and 2) When your pet is on antibiotics - the probiotics help to reestablish the good bacteria in the gut that antibiotics wipe out.

2) Omega 3 fish oils.  Omega 3's are powerhouses - They help boost skin and coat health, they help to maintain healthy brain function and they also help keep joints lubricated.  Animals have different nutritional requirements than us, so make sure there are NO omega 9's as they do not need and cannot utilize them.  Speak with your vet about using an over the counter supplement and the quantity you should use for the size of your pet.  Sidebar:  sometimes starting fish oils at full strength can give pets loose stools until their GI system gets used to the extra oil, so weaning onto them is a safe solution.  At the same time, if your pet is constipated, a full dose of fish oils can help get things moving along.

3) Pure Pumpkin Puree - Pumpkin is nature's perfect GI balancer.  Whether a pet is constipated or has diarrhea, pumpkin helps to fix it!  It has a tastey dose of fiber and the water in pumpkin helps to rehydrate the body in the case of chronic diarrhea.  Anytime one of our pet's has some GI issue, I skip the traditional chicken and rice and instead give cooked ground turkey and pumpkin.  *If you buy the pumpkin canned, make sure it is PLAIN pumpkin and not the pumpkin pie mix, which is full of sugar.  Otherwise during the fall, pumpkin puree is easy to make and can be stored in the freezer!

4) Water-packed Sardines.  Basically I always have this on hand because our dogs and cats go bananas over sardines, and it can replace a fish oil capsule.  They come in different flavors so make sure it's only packed in water (and not hot sauce!).  A can is $1 or less and can be divided among your pets.  Even though Sardines are low on the marine food chain and therefore do not contain a concerning amount of mercury, I would speak to your vet if you want to make them a daily addition to your pet's nutrition.

Pet Parent New Years Resolutions

by Linnea on 12/31/13

We usually think of resolutions to improve ourselves but how about to improve our pets?  I made a small list of things to work on as a pet parent, but if you've mastered these, think about other ways you can improve your pet or your relationship with you pet..

1) Start brushin'!  In a perfect world, your pet's teeth would be brushed as often as your teeth are brushed but that's never going to happen in real life.  If teeth brushing already occurs at home, just make it more efficient or easier to remember.  Maybe keep the pet toothbrush and paste in the drawer of the coffee table, so when a commercial comes on, you can whip the brush out before your show comes back on.  If brushing is a new and foreign concept, ease your pet into it.  Pick a tastey pet toothpaste (I prefer the CET brand carried at your vet's office), brush only one tooth, give your pet a treat and you're done for the day. The next day brush a few seconds longer, treat, and done.  You're slowly introducing the brush and rewarding your pet for tolerating it.  Soon you can discontinue the treats!

2) Trim that tummy!  Obesity in dogs and cats has become an epidemic just like in humans.  Increase their exercise and decrease their portions and treats.  Reconsider the food that they're on as well.  If their food has rice, corn, wheat and other grains and carbs, it is an sneaky way to pack on the pounds.  Look into grain-free foods, where you get the same amount of calories in a smaller portion.  Or ask your veterinarian about the 'green-bean diet'.  It is better to be a slightly underweight than slightly overweight - extra pounds mean extra work on the joints, higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure (yes pets deal with these issues too!) and a higher chance of developing diabetes.

3) Routine vet checks.  Your vet can find diseases and illness in your pet long before you can - if you can give your vet a thorough description of your pet's activities (lounges around being lay all day, or excessive grooming, or sneezing a lot) this helps your vet to put together a puzzle of what your pet may be going through.  The minimum standard is 2 check-ups a year since pet's age much faster than we do, and it would be ideal to do annual routine bloodwork as well to keep an eye on important levels like liver and kidney enzymes.

4) Teach your old dog new tricks.  Work on some new behaviors this year and exercise your pet's mind!  Goldfish are trainable so that means even your cat is trainable!  You can work on new tricks with your pet or work on a behavior that has been driving you crazy!  Does your dog rush to the door when people come in and you're worried they'll escape?  Train them to sit on a small rug several feet away from the door.  If your cat insists on walking on kitchen counters, start teaching them to stay off them (it can be done!)

5) Invest in your pet's health.  You've been feeding the same brand of food for years and the same treats, and getting the same vaccinations year after year.  Start expanding your horizons and learn about preventative health for your pet.  Consider adding some supplements to their diet since many lose their effectiveness when they're cooked in kibble.  If your pet has an ailment like arthritis or diabetes, continue doing more research into alternative therapies.  Veterinary medicine continues to evolve the way human medicine does, stay current on new approaches to better help your furry family member.

What are some other suggestions for your resolutions for your pets?

Homemade Cat Toys

by Linnea on 12/25/13

Pet toys are so expensive these days and it's really easy to make a few of your own.  Here's the homemade version of a popular cat toy:

You can use any box that is not too deep for your cat to reach into.  Cereal boxes or pizza boxes are perfect for this.  If your leftover pizza box isn't all that greasy and you'd like to use it, just tape or glue a layer of parchment paper or even wrapping paper over the grease side - using either of these will keep the grease from bleeding through.

Cut uniform holes in the box - I chose a size small enough that a jingle bell can fit through, but a cat shouldn't be able to get his paw and the ball out.  I also chose to cut the holes in the box before wrapping....

I wrapped the box after cutting the holes, on purpose.  This way, I can still easily find the holes, cut into them and then wrap the edges and tape them back on the inside, giving it a smooth appearance so edges won't get frayed or easily torn if a nail catches it.

And tada! You just recycled a box, and if you don't have wrapping paper, you can use newspaper or just leave the box as-is (just remember to tape the opened end down).  Chances are, you already have plenty of cat toys you can put in there - a jingle bell, a crunchy shiny ball of something, a catnip mouse...

Bad Combinations of Pet Medications and Food

by Linnea on 12/06/13

Human doctors and pharmacists are great at telling patients about possible drug interactions and what to avoid while taking a certain prescription.  These cautions, for some reason, are often overlooked at veterinary hospitals.  Often times people will fill their pet's prescription at the local pharmacy instead of the veterinarian because it's cheaper, but pharmacists are not familiar with animal medicine and you may not be cautioned about possible interactions.

Because we usually have to hide our pet's medications in super savory treats, there is a high concern with interactions.  Here is a list of some bad combinations:

-Doxycycline/Tetracycline:  Do not use dairy products like cheese when using tetracycline antibiotics.  This includes the very popular doxycycline, which is almost always prescribed with upper respiratory infections like kennel cough.  The calcium in dairy products can prevent the body from absorbing the medication.  Cheese is a popular pill popper, but any high calcium food should be avoided with these antibiotics.

-Thyroid medications:  Should never be taken with a meal because the food absorption tends to inhibit the absorption of the medication.  It is best to give thyroid meds 1 hour before a meal, or 3 hours after.  This is especially true if your pet is on a higher fiber diet.

-Enalapril: ACE inhibitors cause the body to retain potassium so it is best to avoid high potassium foods.  This shouldn't be that much of an issue unless your pet has a taste for bananas or other high potassium foods.  You also want to avoid high sodium foods, so no hiding that enalapril in some salami!

-Cyclosporine: Many are not familiar with this drug, but it is an immunosuppressant for pet's that have severe allergies.  If your pet needs to go on fluconazole or phenobarbital, these can affect the removal of cyclosporine from the body.

These are just some possible interactions with more popular drugs used for pets.  Anytime your pet is prescribed a medication, ask your Vet about possible side effects so you can continue your pet's treatment with peace of mind.

The Scoop on Pet Insurance

by Linnea on 10/09/13

More and more companies are jumping on the pet insurance bandwagon but it is important to know that pet insurance is a lot different than human health insurance.  Let me break it down into sections...

What does pet insurance cover and not cover?

Most insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions.  If your dog has been diagnosed with a disease/illness, let's say hypothyroidism, then medications and further blood testing may not be covered.  Additionally, most companies will not cover dental cleanings (prophylaxis) because they consider them 'cosmetic', even though there is significant periodontal disease.  Any other procedures that fall under the cosmetic category also won't be covered (tail docking, ear cropping, perhaps even declawing).  Also, many companies do not cover alternative therapies like laser treatments, hydrotherapy/underwater treadmill, accupuncture... etc.  Wellness services like annual exams, vaccines etc., are not usually covered unless you opt for additional coverage.

Pet Insurance is mostly good for sudden illness or injury.  Often times there is a small waiting period between signing up for coverage and being to submit a claim (I've seen waiting periods of 7-14 days).  So it is mostly beneficial to cover you in an urgent medical situation like acute pancreatitis, a broken leg, torn ACL, or a run-in with some wildlife.  I have seen many companies actually cover the cost of euthanasia and cremation.  Insurance will also cover medications for the sudden illness/injury like pain killers or antibiotics, but usually will not cover supplements even when you purchase them from your veterinarian.  

What optional add-on's are available?

Some companies offer the option of add-on's for an additional amount of money.  For an extra cost, some companies will cover preventatives - this would include wellness exams, vaccines, heartworm testing etc.  Some of the more 'updated' companies have additional coverage to include alternative therapies and even dental cleanings!

What about discounts?

I've seen at least one company offer discounts for insuring multiple pets, as well as military discounts, or a slight discount based on your individual pet's information.  (A younger mixed breed dog will be cheaper to insure than an older pure breed dog.)  One company even offers a small discount if you pay for the whole year up front instead of monthly payments.

What is the process of submitting a claim?

In my experience of filling out claims when I was a veterinary technician, you (the owner) prints off a claim form and bring it to your hospital.  Your veterinarian (or a technician, if directed) will fill out the claim with your veterinarian's diagnosis (and their signature), and whether the pet is still under treatment or 'resolved'.  There might be a space where you or your vet's office will fill out the approximate amount of money you spent on the illness/injury based on your invoices.  When it's all filled out, you send the form back to your company.  I do not know the time frame of when you receive your reimbursement.

Name Your Price

You can usually chose the amount of coverage for the calender year as well as choosing your deductible.  You can choose for insurance to cover $1,000 for the year or even up to $20,000 for the year, and deductibles can be as low as $250 or higher towards $1,000.  This way you have an easier time choosing how much to pay on a monthly basis.

Some Pet Insurance companies you can check out online:

Embrace Pet Insurance

Veterinary Pet Insurance

Trupanion Medical Insurance

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

24PetWatch Pet Insurance

PetsBest Insurance

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

PetFirst Pet Insurance