1. Vomiting and Diarrhea
2. Cancer
3. Lameness
4. Skin infections
5. Allergies
6. Ear infections
7. Cruciate (knee ligament) injuries
8. Foreign body ingestion
9. Urinary tract infections
10. Periodontal disease

Many of these conditions are fairly common every year, such as ear infections, but a new one to make the list this year was periodontal disease. Many pet owners are unaware that you should really be brushing your pet’s teeth daily. This applies to both dogs and cats. It may seem like a tedious chore in the beginning, but once you and your pet get used to it, it will become easier and just another daily routine. The hardest part is getting started. There are several types of toothpaste in the market, but make sure you get one specifically for your pet. Human toothpastes can upset their stomachs. If you can’t do it every day, then shoot for every other day.

Just so you can be on the lookout, here are the most common signs of oral disease:

- Yellow and brown tartar buildup
- Bleeding
- Bad breath
- Red inflamed gums
- Difficulty chewing
- Change in eating habits
- Pawing at the mouth

Very scary is that cancer is number 2 on the list of top medical conditions. We’ll write more about that in the next post. Look for it!

1. Calculate Calories – Most of the feeding guides on food bags are for active, unspayed and unneutered pets. That means if you have an older, spayed or neutered indoor lap potato, they are eating 25% more than they should. Your best bet is to ask your veterinarian to calculate the proper number of calories your pet needs each day.

2. Measure Meals – A pet owner’s single greatest tool in the fight against excess weight is a measuring cup. Too many pet owners just fill the bowl or guesstimate how much they’re feeding.

3. Tactical Treating - If you’re going to give your pets extra goodies, make ‘em count. Throw out those cheap, junk-treats and choose low-calorie, no-sugar treats that provide a health benefit. There are many functional treats that provide a bonus, such as helping to keep teeth clean or promote mobility.

4. Vital Veggies - As an alternative to highly processed store-bought treats, try offering baby carrots, green beans, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, sliced apples and bananas or ice cubes. These naturally nutritious tasty tidbits are a healthy option for many dogs. For cats, try a flake of salmon or tuna when you’re feeling generous. While you’re at it, put down the potato chips and share a carrot with your pooch. You’ll both be healthier for it.

5. Hustle for Health – Just like us, daily exercise is the most powerful in ensuring a long, pain- and disease-free life. For dogs, as few as 20- to 30 minutes of brisk walking is all it takes to boost immune function, improve cardiovascular health and reduce many behavioral problems. For cats, try playing with a laser pointer, remote-controlled toy or ball of paper for 5 to 15 minutes each day.

6. Smart Supplements – Again, just like us, our pets benefit from supplements, especially as they get older. Almost every dog, cat and person can benefit from taking a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement. These powerful fish oils pack a potent anti-oxidant punch that has been proved to help prevent numerous diseases.

7. Cut Down the Carbs – Most pet dogs and cats don’t need a high-carbohydrate diet. Yet that’s exactly what most of us feed our pets. Many diets contain 60% or more carbohydrates when you analyze the food label. Look for low- or no-grain options with a protein source as the first ingredient

Want more details? Check out this article!

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/01/seven-secrets-to-keep-your-pet-trim/

Just the other day we shared what the AP has found to be the most popular cat names for 2011. Here are the most popular dog names:

15. Ginger
24. Jake
23. Sasha
22. Bear
21. Toby
20. Harley
19. Lola
18. Jack
17. Roxy
16. Lucky
15. Sophie
14. Princess
13. Sadie
12. Maggie
11. Chloe
10. Rocky
9. Charlie
8. Coco
7. Molly
6. Lucy
5. Bailey
4. Daisy
3. Buddy
2. Max
1. Bella

Was your dog’s name on the list? Post on our facebook page and let us know!

https://www.facebook.com/OrganicPetSuperfood

Happy Holidays!

A recent pet care poll (taken Oct 13-17 2011) shows that this year more people took their pets to the vet than ever. Eight in 10 pet owners took their companions to the vet in the past year. Though this number is higher than ever, a lot of people are saying they’re still reluctant to take their fuzzy friends to the vet because of high vet costs getting in their way. Vet visits cost owners on average $505 this past year, with over $1,000 being spent on pets with serious illnesses.

Though the survey reflects few people thinking their vet is taking advantage of them with high vet costs, a lot of individuals are still reluctant to bring their pets to the vet because of the fear of not being able to pay. To read more of the article, follow this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/pet-care-poll-most-owners_n_1118076.html

What I find most interesting about the article is it doesn’t mention anything about preventative health care for pets. We spend a lot of time practicing preventative healthcare with ourselves, so why are our pets any different? Organic Pet Superfood’s products are great as an every day supplement in your pet’s diet. IMMUNITY is our most popular supplement as every day preventative healthcare because it enhances the immune system which will most likely help keep your pet healthier!

I’ve just read an article from the Michigan Humane Society that brings up a lot of good points regarding giving pets as presents for the holidays. They say while they encourage adoptions year-round, they want people to be cautious when giving pets as gifts.

Kevin Hatman, Michigan Humane Society’s public relations coordinator, says, “A lot of people do come in looking to give pets as gifts, but that’s not something that we generally recommend unless people come in with the person and know exactly what pet they’re going to have,” Hatman explained. “They need a chance to meet the pet first and understand the commitment involved.” He makes the good point that giving a pet is the same as giving a 12-15 or even 20 year commitment and that might not be for everyone.

Hatman has some great ideas for how to still give someone the gift of a pet while ultimately giving them the decision to choose the pet. He suggests giving a starter kit of pet supplies such as a leash, food, and a brush with a note that says you’d love to go to a shelter and pick out a pet together. Another great idea would be to give a gift certificate for an adoption at the Humane Society. Almost every local shelter offers these types of certificates, so inquire at your local shelter. What great tips!

For thousands of years, Shiitake mushrooms have been a symbol of a long life in Asia. The number one thing these mushrooms are known for in terms of health is their incredible effects on the immune system. However, one musn’t overlook the role Shiitake mushrooms can play in the cardiovascular system. Recently scientists have found that these mushrooms can help protect us against cardiovascualr disease. Essentially, Shiitake mushrooms help protect our blood vessels and keep things running smoothly.

Another unique plus is the fact that Shiitake mushrooms are a great source of iron, which can sometimes be a nutrient that is hard to maintain in animal’s diets. As far as non-animal sources go, these mushrooms are at the top of the list for iron levels. Additionally, Shiitake mushrooms are super sustainable. They are easy to grow and don’t have a negative impact on the environment when being harvested. How awesome!

It’s no wonder Shiitake mushrooms are found in heafty doses in DIGESTION, IMMUNITY, and JOINTS!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

You wonderful people:

I am in tears over how thankful I am to have stumbled upon your product.

My 15 month old Dogue de Bordeaux has suffered from d.mange and staph infections for most of his life. He has been losing his hair in clumps! We thought it was a thyroid issue, but when the full thyroid panel came back OK, I just felt helpless. A lifetime on antibiotics is no life at all.

Your Skin and Coat powder came to my attention and I thought, “what the heck!”  HOLY COW!!! I have doubled his dose for 6 days and I am not kidding when I say it is a miracle. His lesions have mostly healed (and no new ones) and his shedding has cut in half!

THANK YOU< THANK YOU<THANK YOU!!

Sarah W. 
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Awesome! Check out SKIN + COAT here!

As found on www.dailycamera.com Tips provided by ASPCA & Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Attention, animal lovers: it’s almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA and the Humane Society of Boulder Valley recommend taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying “trick or treat!” all the way to Nov. 1.

No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms — especially dark or baking chocolate — can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au natural or donning a festive bandana.

Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

Tips provided by ASPCA & Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

http://www.dailycamera.com/lifestyles/pets/ci_19113847

Between 70-80% of the global supply of glucosamine are sourced from Chinese shellfish. While the rate of growth for this source has slowed, demand hasn’t let up at all and in fact has grown. As a result, the quality of glucosamine supply has taken a hard hit.

Considering the issues within the market, it’s no wonder consumers have been turning to other alternative methods for joint pain. A lot has been tried to reduce stiffness and joint pain in pets, and study after study proves that Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) is the most effective natural choice for joint health in both humans and animals. NEM is made up of naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans (including chondroitin and hyaluronic acid) as well as collagen and other proteins that help lubricate the joints, which have been shown to ease pain and stiffness.

Not only is NEM more effective in general, but results can appear quicker with less of the product taken than they do with traditional joint remedies such as glucosamine supplements. For instance, in a study a 500mg once daily dosage of NEM was shown to reduce joint pain after just 10 days, compared to the standard 1500mg daily dosage of glucosamine that typically takes two to three months before yielding any benefits. Finally, the safety of NEM is also significant in that there are no known side effects as compared to the vast effects associated with glucosamine, such as soft stool, diarrhea, fluctuating insulin levels, and possible shellfish allergic reactions.

Another interesting thing to note: NEM is sourced from essentially what would be trash! Have you ever hard boiled an egg and noticed that thin, sheer coating that’s around the egg you can peel off? That’s the eggshell membrane! This is something that would typically be discarded, but instead can be used to ease discomfort in your pet. A win all around!

It’s no wonder that NEM one of the ingredients in our JOINTS product. At Organic Pet Superfood, we believe strongly in keeping pets healthy while also minimizing our impact on the environment. We feel that NEM is a great way to go about that!

For more information on NEM, check out: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Eggshell-membrane-may-outperform-glucosamine-for-joint-health