Cat and Dog Immune Systems – Symptoms and Solutions

A cat or dog immune system is the fortress against disease, cancer, and infections. It is the system that identifies what is acceptable and what should or shouldn’t be allowed in the body.

Unfortunately, there are times when a pet’s system might fail in a couple of different ways. First, the immune system may downgrade to the point where it does not recognize a foreign body, like cancer. Second, it might mistake something that is perfectly normal for something abnormal and work to destroy it.

These problems surface in a many ways:

? Auto-immune: Occurs when the body basically attacks itself. Auto-immune hemolytic anemia is a good example. This is where the body fails to recognize normal, healthy red blood cells and begins to destroy them. This causes lethargy, weakness, and depression among other problems for afflicted dogs.

? Neoplasia: Cancer. Cancer occurs when a cat or dog immune system fails to identify a problem. Cancerous cells go undestroyed and are allowed to grow and circulate.

? Immunodeficiency: This occurs when a pet’s body simply does not respond well enough to fight off infections. Immuno-deficient pets are afflicted with illness at a higher rate. Once ill, they have a much harder time restoring the body to good health. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in cats is an excellent example. This is similar to human HIV. The virus is not what kills the cat. Rather it is the suppression of the system that causes death because the cat cannot fight off illness.

? Hypersensitivity, particularly skin related: Allergies stem from the body’s immune system going into overdrive. A dog with severe allergies has a dog immune system that is responding to multiple stimuli, and allergies can often be difficult to decipher.

How a pet develops an immune problem is debatable. There is certainly some level of inheritance. Environmental stress factors like poor diet and poor living conditions could be contributing factors. Many holistic veterinarians feel that too many vaccinations might be the culprit in numerous immune problems, like cancer. And it must be remembered that as any pet ages, its immune system’s ability to protect the body decreases.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier, author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, suggests that the best solution is to provide immunity support throughout the pet’s life. In his article Immune System Support in Pets, Dr. Messonnier offers a few suggestions to help maintain a healthy immune system in one’s pets.

1 Minimize vaccinations and do blood titers to find levels rather than just doing annual vaccinations.
2. Try to use natural methods for flea control and limit the use of chemicals.
3. Feed a high quality, natural diet free of preservatives, or make a researched homemade diet.
4. Use vitamins, minerals, and supplements for support.

The general rule of thumb should be not to wait until a pet is ill or advanced in age to care for its immune system. Instead, take actions throughout its life to ensure the highest level of immunity support possible. A cat or dog immune system can only be as good as the vessel it is in, so it is imperative that the pet’s whole body be taken care of.

http://www.natural-wonder-pets.com/dog-immune.html. Gary Le Mon is a master herbalist specializing in natural health care for dogs and cats. See also http://www.natural-wonder-pets.com/.

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Pet Food Spending Troubles? Learn How to Get Them Without the Added Cost!

Tired of giving your animal companion pet food when it doesn’t show signs of enthusiasm?

Well, some pets are really hard to please. Because of that, you should be patient. As you can see, these animals are like children, who have their own preferences. You really have to take the time of day to pick the best kind of food for them, or else, they won’t eat.

This is a common problem that my family faced when we had a cat in the past. Our feline friend was terribly stubborn. It didn’t touch its food and showed loss of appetite.

Because of this, we had to try out numerous types of cat food, until it found its favorite. This is a very effective way but it can really be expensive.

Not to worry, there is a great way to do this without spending money. The only thing you have to spend is time.

Spend the time to find… Pet Food Samples.

These samples are available almost everywhere. Almost all manufacturers give these out for their customers. In a way, this is a marketing strategy for them. This benefits both parties. Apart from being able to choose food your pet will like, you will also:

1. Get various cat or dog food without spending.

2. Expose your pets to different tastes and aromas.

3. Compare which has the best ingredients and is best for your pet.

So, what are you waiting for? Find these now and experience getting quality pet food for your beloved animal friend!

Want to provide the best for your beloved pet?

You can definitely do so without worrying about your budget! Get some pet food samples.

If you need other things for your pets, you should check out this free resource on petfood direct coupons.

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How Do I Stop My Pet From Chewing?

You want to stop your pets from chewing, especially puppies? Animals are great but that gnawing is driving you crazy. So what can you do to stop it? The first instinct you might have is to chase the pet away from what they’re chewing on, yell, or grab the item out of their mouth. This might work at that moment but for sure they go right back at it when you turn your back.

The reality of the situation is the seriousness of the damage which can cost you a ton of money to repair or fix and the fact it drains you of your sanity. You quickly forget the fact of how cute and adorable they are and why you have them in your home to begin with. You want them to stop chewing now!

You should first determine if the pet is sick or not. Small puppies can have a condition called Pica. Technically speaking this is a term used to describe the craving and ingestion of nonfood items. If the vet let’s you know they are ok, then it’s time to move on with more civilized approaches.

Put yourself in your pet’s surroundings. By understanding what they see, smell and hear you’ll realize that using their nose, eyes mouth and ears are nothing more than naturally exploring their “turf”. When it’s “in their reach” they feel it’s fair game and chewing is something to do. Puppies especially find this appealing. When they do it, it is of the utmost importance to give them a stern “NO” while taking away the object.

It might really sound simple, but if you keep at it, your pet will ultimately get the idea. A pup is nothing more than a new born baby that needs to be taught. That stern voice and the accompanying “NO” will immediately stop them in their tracks. Afterward, get the item away from the pet without playing cat and mouse or tug of war. This only adds to the confusion for the animal and they’ll think it’s another game. This will only make matters worse.

Also it’s important to exercise caution. If the animal feels that threatened by your actions and becomes aggressive it may also be time for some free professional training. A free training course and video might just do the trick. This is especially true with a young adopted pet. You never know how they were treated and may be the root cause for their behavior.

If you can’t change the habits of your pet using these steps, it’s time to roll out the next plan. Being unresponsive isn’t a sign to give in but that a stronger deterrent may be necessary. This is where chewing repellents may be necessary. They are harmless to the pets and are nothing more than an annoyance to the animal. Ultimately the smell or taste of the product will be a keen reminder to stay away. It becomes associated with something bad or uncomfortable for the pet. Nothing more than a bad taste like burned food let’s say or a bad smell like a skunk we have to deal with.

As you train your pet to stop them from chewing on items, you need to replace those temptations with more appropriate items. Get them chew toys. They come in all shapes sizes and flavors and there’s never a shortage of what they might like.

Time may pass and you notice that your pet goes beyond the infant stages of chewing. You think, hey they’re older now so why aren’t they stopping? Like us they have a lot of common reasons. How about the fact that pets get stressed or they don’t have much to do and get bored. They could get lonely if you’re out all day or the simple fact is they may just like it.

Try not to leave them alone and unattended if at all possible. They’re just like a little kid and need to be looked after. May sure you do all the things we talked about, don’t leave items around and make them fair play. Make sure they have plenty of their favorite toys available. Also, don’t keep them in places where there’s lots of stuff to get their mouth on. Maybe a cordoned off area with gates limiting there access to non-essential items. If you get them to exercise more than a walk to go to the bathroom, they are less likely to get bored and use that as a reason to chew.

Occupying your dog’s time with things to do will keep them out of mischief. We get bored too but can find things to fill our time. Fortunately stores have plenty of solutions available to keep them going for hours.

Remember, there is no one right or wrong answer. Deterrents like chewing repellents work but you really need to spend time to determine what remedy is right for your pet. The most important thing for you is consistency and patience Pets are great. Don’t let the little things stop you from enjoying their company. You’ll be glad you did and so will they!

Thanks For Reading!

Hi and thanks for reading my article!

PetsShopDirect was started to develop an understanding for people and their pets. It provides articles, free training, news feeds and a great shopping experience. Please stop by and let us know what you think. Send an email to admin at petshopdirect.com with your comments. Thanks for your support. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Joe Cinova
http://www.PetsShopDirect.com

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Zhuzhu Pets – Do Fake Pets Have Anything Real to Offer?

My first pet was a gerbil I got when I was eight years old. I begged and begged for the little guy, and finally my parents gave in. Of course, like most kids, I got my initial thrill, and then the novelty started to wear off. But the responsibility didn’t, and I had to keep taking care of the gerbil for several years to come.

One night the little guy got accidentally crushed in a door. I used to let him run around for exercise, and he was on one of those runs when my sister opened the door and he got squeezed between the frame and the door. Blood was pouring out of his nose, and his legs looked broken. Mom helped me patch him up as best we could, and then it was a long night of waiting. Mom brought a hot water bottle and we covered it in a towel and put it next to where he was sleeping. I remember crying with Mom as we watched over his little body.

Miraculously, he survived, and went on to live for many years. But I never forgot that harrowing night. It was my first experience of watching helplessly while something — or someone — struggled to survive. I learned something that night. A hard lesson for an eight year old, but a good education nonetheless.

A few years ago my wife brought home a hamster that belonged to one of her client’s children. The kid had grown bored of the hamster, and the poor thing sat completely neglected on a shelf in his room. If it wasn’t for his mother coming in to feed it, it would have died and he would not have known the difference. My wife and I looked after that little guy for almost 3 years, until he died at a ripe old age. I was surprised to find myself nearly as saddened by the loss as I had been when my first gerbil died when I was a kid.

Zhuzhu pets are fake hamsters, that look and act like the real thing, but are actually electronic toys. Now, the attraction for many parents might be obvious; no muss, no fuss, and a nearly real experience of looking after a pet. But I see it as another step in the direction of losing all real experience for children.

A Zhuzhu pet is nothing more than an animated teddy bear. If parents are looking for a real learning experience for their child, then the responsibility of looking after a pet is a mighty good one. Forget to feed and water a real hamster, neglect it and don’t give it any attention, and you are in for one hard lesson. Knowing that it is one day going to die, and your child is learning a true lesson in life.

Of course zhuzhu pets and other such toys have their place in a child’s life, especially for the very young. But they aren’t going to teach kids anything about responsibility or the realities of life and death. For that, you might want to think about getting a real hamster.

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Mange Treatments From the Products Around Your Home

Many pet owners know just how expensive taking their pets to the veterinarian can be. However, it is also frustrating when the veterinarian treatments fail to cure the problem. Much of the time, the Veterinarian treatments for Mange do not work and are expensive. Mange is cause by tiny mites burrowing underneath the dogs skin.

If your pets skin is red and extremely irritated and your pet cannot stop scratching these are signs of a serious condition. The pets’ skin is no doubt, infected from these mites eating the skin of your pet. Your pet will not be able to stop scratching and will be miserable.

The mange mite can also affect humans however; it is, referred to as scabies in humans. The human treatment consists of doctor prescribed lotion or body shampoo used repeatedly to treat daily, until the mites are all, cleared away.

Some home remedies work much better and are, made from all natural ingredients. All of these treatments can be, made from products around your home. However, you must know that by using any of the home remedies found on the internet the remedies could harm your pet. Therefore, you should use caution and common sense before trying any form of treatment on your pet. These remedies can also treat the human condition and be harmless.

One such mange treatment found on the internet consists of a medium size bottle of baby shampoo and 20 drops of tea tree oil added into the baby shampoo. This can be, used for getting rid of fleas as well.

One similar treatment uses lavender shampoo and one teaspoon full of the tea tree oil then mix the oil and shampoo thoroughly the color of the lavender shampoo will chance slightly to a creamy purplish color. Do not wet your dog put the shampoo mixture directly on the skin and hair. Massage this into the affected areas and let the shampoo sit on the dog for five minutes. Use this shampoo to treat the dog thoroughly several times per week. You will begin to see the hair return on the effected areas.

Another treatment for the mange mite is to apply plain petroleum jelly to the affected area this is also an internet remedy. The reason for the applying the petroleum jelly is to suffocate the mange mites. The petroleum jelly will also help the dry scaling skin that the mites have created on your pet. The pet will welcome the petroleum jelly soothing the skin and preventing the constant itching.

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Pet Allergies and Finding the Cause of Them

Pet allergies are on the increase. You may well ask why. And you may well ask how to deal with them, so your pet recovers from them completely.

Getting to the cause of any problem makes for the best solution. Patching up the signs and symptoms, isn’t getting to the cause. And pet allergies are a warning sign that all is not well with your pet.

Let me give you an analogy. Suppose you are driving down the freeway and your red oil warning light comes on.

You have two choices. You can stop and get help to see what the cause may be. This can be time consuming and inconvenient.

Or you can keep driving and hope the problem is not serious. If it is, your engine is likely to seize a few miles down the road. This will cost you much more in inconvenience, time and money.

The same goes with health.

A healthy immune system shrugs off any disease or illness. A compromised immune system tends to allow anything and everything to attack.

So, if your pet’s immune system is compromised, ask your self why. And once you know that, you can deal with it.

One of the most common things your pet does is to eat. If you are feeding your pet a commercial, processed pet food this could be the cause of the problem.

Why?

Because processed pet food is nutrient poor. It consists of low grade meat (fat, road kill, waste from fast food outlets, rejects for human consumption and a lot you’d probably rather not know about). This is then padded out with a cheap filler, such as sugar or melamine or crushed nut shells.

And that’s the base of your pets ‘food’. Now add some toxic preservatives, that aren’t allowed in human food, but allows for a long shelf life.

Does this diet seem to be a good one for a healthy pet?

Compare that with a quality, raw (human grade) meat and bones diet. Do you think you pet’s immune system will be more healthy on this diet? Do you think pet allergies would be common, if fed such a diet?

Written by Madeleine Innocent.
Do you want to learn more about natural health, in particular homeopathy? Check out my free ebook Better Health for Cats, by clicking on the website link below.
http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

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Yes, Home Remedy Pet Care Products Are Better

I bet you keep wondering if you should use holistic pet care products for your cat or dog. Take a few minutes and read over these few facts to help you decide which products you should use for your pet. The best advantage for using holistic pet care products is the fact that they don’t contain chemicals or synthetics that commercial products contain.

Holistic products only contain natural elements, including herbs. The wonderful benefit of this is that your pet will be healthier and they won’t suffer from all the adverse side effects that the commercial products use. Holistic pet products are extremely affective for providing your pet with relief.

Holistic products and methods have been used for years to treat a variety of medical problems in both humans and animals. Today holistic products are used regularly because they are so effective.. When you are looking for a remedy or a treatment for a problem that your pet is suffering from, holistic pet products can provide you with the effective solution that you seek.

For instance, did you know:

? If you add a small quantity of garlic to a dog or cats breakfast can help protect them from fleas.

? Vitamin E can help your pets coat to shine, and can strengthen their resilience against fleas.

? If your dog has extreme itching problems, an oatmeal bath can give him relief.

? Neem, almond & lavender oils – These oils can be very effective against mange when applied externally to the affected areas on your pet.

? Aloe Vera gel & Tea tree oil – You can choose between these treatments and apply one of them topically to fight mange on your dog.

? Pumpkin seeds – Ground pumpkin seeds are know to have zinc. When a little is mixed in with your pets food, this can promote healing.

Holistic products are usually available at home and will save you a ton of money on vet bills. Take the time to learn how to use and apply these products and both you and your pet will be healthier.

I would like to introduce Mike Mullins who is the editor of the Natural Pet Remedies e-Course. If you want to learn more about caring for your pet using natural household remedies by reading straight talking information and receiving proven methods, grab your Free entry into his e-Course at http://www.remediesforpets.org today and let Mike show you exactly how you can care for your pet using natural methods. I have more helpful information at my blog site, please visit: http://www.remediesforpets.org

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Three Important Tips to Prevent Illness in Pets

What is the most important concern for you as a pet owner? It is, without a doubt, your pet’s health, right? There are three steps you can take to help prevent future illness in your pet.

Diet

A healthy diet is the most basic requirement of your pet. Feeding your dog an AAFCO approved diet will provide the 40 essential dietary components recommended for dogs. There are two AAFCO classifications:

Lower Classification: “Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles”
Better Classification: “complete and balanced”, nutritional adequacy was validated by animal feeding tests based on protocols from the AAFCO

Most branded foods that meet the “better” certification are fine for healthy dogs. Anything beyond this standard, such as organic or natural foods are more preference of the owner, vs. having a proven health benefit.

Natural health supplements

In addition to diet, many owners like to provide a natural remedy designed to support the immune system and the general physiology of the pet. While the clinical support for this type of approach is being researched in both human and pet health, many believe that they can provide some level of additional support. Given that the avoidance of disease is of course preferable to the actual disease, many owners believe it is a worthwhile investment, in the same way that a human multivitamin is not always something that is needed.

Any supplement you use should be FDA certified for quality.

Love and care

You love your pet. You know it, your family knows it, and your friends know it. How is your pet supposed to know it unless you show it explicitly? So, play with your pet, take it out for a walk, give it some toys to play with, get another pet as its companion, and do whatever you can to make your pet feel special.

This has two distinct advantages. One – when you play with your pet, it tends to stay physically active. Physical exercise, as you know, is very good for your pet’s health. Two – when you spend some time with your pet, it feels loved. It understands that you love it more than anything else and it makes your pet feel happy. This avoids stress and improves your pet’s mental and physical health. This is one of the simplest ways to prevent illness in pets.

It does not sound that hard, does it? It is very easy to remember – a healthy AAFCO approved diet, the possible use of a supportive natural supplement and lots of love and care. This is all your pet needs to live a long, healthy life So, follow these three tips to prevent illness in pets. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before adding anything to your dog’s diet so that your vet can provide a point of view and monitor any progress in your pet’s health.

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Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

Arthritis can be hard to diagnose, especially in cats.? Many times, the disease process has advanced markedly before it is recognized and diagnosed.? Look for these symptoms:

• Limping or favoring a limb after a famous “cat nap”
• Being reluctant to jump or climb stairs
• Crying out with pain upon movement
• Lethargic (appearing very tired and listless)
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

If you do suspect arthritis, take your animal to the veterinarian for a diagnosis.? Do not give over the counter drugs to your pet without asking the veterinarian.? Tylenol or Acetaminophen is deadly to cats.? Do not give Tylenol or Acetaminophen to cats at all.? Tylenol is synthesized or broken down in the liver, in cats and people.? We humans have the enzyme that can break it down into the usable parts, cats do not. ? People with liver damage may need to avoid taking Tylenol at all because of the challenges Tylenol presents to the liver.? Tylenol is lethal to cats though so do not give it, even in the infant size doses.

There are several different kinds of arthritis.? There is osteoarthritis, feline and canine arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.? Osteoarthritis is caused by a chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness.? Feline and Canine arthritis are caused by an infectious process, either bacterial infection or septic infection.? Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body is actually attacking itself.

Just as arthritis affects different areas in people, it affects different areas in cats and dogs.? The joints that are usually affected by arthritis are the hips.? It is known as hip dysplasia.? This occurs as a malformation of the hip sockets, allowing excessive movement in the joint.? This causes chronic inflammation in that joint.?

Dislocation of the kneecap is caused by the leg bones being malformed, allowing the kneecap to be pulled out of alignment.? This causes inflammation in the area.? This problem relates to poor breeding practices and low quality food.

Degeneration of the shoulder is caused by destruction of the cartilage in the shoulder joint.? This causes pain and inflammation in the joint.

Arthritis of the elbow is also caused by improper bone formation.? It is believed to have a genetic component.

Swelling and pain in the legs is seen in young dogs, even when they are only a few months old.? This problem relates to heredity, but it also indicates poor production of vitamin C.? Poor nutrition also enhances the problem.

Prevention of arthritis can be accomplished by feeding your pet a natural, wholesome diet.? Avoid commercial dog foods.? If you have a pregnant cat or dog, make sure that you are feeding it a natural diet, and not commercial dog food.? Also the mother should not receive any vaccinations during the pregnancy.

The regular use of Vitamin C with your pet can minimize the problem or possibly help to prevent it, along with the natural diet.? Prevention is so important because once the joint is deformed or damaged, it can be permanent.

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Dwarf Hamsters As Pets

People all across the world like to have pets. In some cultures having pets is not considered good whereas in most of the cultures there is no such limiting parameter. On the other hand, people think that keeping pets especially when they have children growing up is good, as this could induce the sense of responsibility in the young growing kids. Dogs, cats, birds are the most common pets that you could see around. Many people love to have dwarf hamsters as pets. They could have just one or more of these little creatures. They are very beautiful and furry with a small tail.

There are various kinds of dwarf hamsters, the most common once that could be seen around would be the Winter White hamster, Campbell’s Dwarf hamster and the Roborovski hamster. All these dwarf hamsters belong to the genus Phodopus except for the Chinese hamster. It has a different genus but most of the time this is counted in the list for the reason that despite being from the different genus the Chinese hamster has astonishing similarities to the others.

If you have these dwarf hamsters as pets then you need to be careful around so many things or else these would hurt each other being in the same cage. Usually the once that belong to the same breed and share the same physical structure should be caged together. It doesn’t mean that two different breed of hamsters can’t be in one cage, but then you would hear a lot of interesting sounds and scuffling. But, you need not worry much as the nature of the hamsters is not such that this could get into some serious fight. This would just be a minor friction between the two to make a point that who is the better one and who is the boss.

In case you had a single draft hamster for a long time in the cage, it would grow to being alone in the cage and if you are willing to introduce another one to the same cage, the first one might not like it. When you do something like that, ensure that you have an eye on the cage as the first one in the cage might not let the new arrival in cage rest in peace. Secondly, if you have more than one dwarf hamster in a cage and due to some reason you are moving some to other or some like arrangements. Always make sure that you are putting the dwarf hamsters who have been together in a cage before in one, rather than introducing a hamster to a new group altogether. This would cut a lot of stress for you.

You need to be careful about putting the male and the female dwarf hamsters in different cages, unless you are breeding them. The hamsters are quite matured sexually and from an early age they can mate. If the two sexes are not caged differently, the hamster is sure to get pregnant.

Having dwarf hamsters as pet is fun but the above mentioned precautions should be taken care of while caging them.

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