Better Than a Pill!

Author: Ashley Mitek

Patients stricken with congestive heart failure and confined to a hospital bed are traditionally prescribed several medications to help control the disease. One new treatment has recently made headlines in its ability to decrease high blood pressure, significantly lower blood epinephrine levels (the fight or flight hormone) and lessen anxiety. The only catch is this new "drug" doesn't come in the form of a pill; it is merely a ten-minute petting session with a dog, according to a new study released by the University of California.

Animal owners have known for years that pets improve their quality of life and combat loneliness, but medical researchers had remained skeptical until recently. Today, more research is being conducted in the field of AAT, or animal assisted therapy.

Mary Kelm is an Assistant Dean in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. Every summer she takes a group of veterinary students and their dogs to the juvenile detention center in Urbana, IL. What started out years ago as an informative talk on dog fighting for the young inmates, unexpectedly turned into a therapeutic event as well. "For a few minutes they can be regular kids again," she says.

Kelm explains that when she asks the young inmates, who range in age from 13-18, if they have ever seen a dog fight, they all unequivocally reply, "Oh yeah," reflecting that it was part of their everyday life living in urban areas. She lets the teens talk about what they have seen and how exciting it had been for them to watch before she drops the bomb. While the inmates are petting the several dogs wandering around the room she asks, "So how do you think the dog feels in the fight?"

After that the room falls silent. Watching these children interact with the dogs, "that's when you see that they are really just kids that have lived in a horrible environment. For one hour, these tough inmates turn sweet," she explains.

The veterinary school fraternity, known as OTS, also visits a local nursing home every month with students and their pets. Elizabeth is a second year veterinary student who brings her dog, Lexie, on the trips.

"Everyone seems to really enjoy the interaction and invariably relate stories of their past pets," mentions Elizabeth. "We meet a lot of interesting people that enjoy playing with our pets, but they also really like storytelling or having a conversation."

New studies show having a dog in a nursing home can reverse loneliness, increase residents' self esteem, and has the added benefit of making even withdrawn people come out of their shell to chat. AAT is also now being used to help abused children and those with psychiatric disorders, where it has shown to significantly increase their coping abilities and self-efficacy.

The full benefits of AAT are yet to be realized, but researchers have made quite a bit of progress. With this new study on heart failure patients clearly showing dogs have an effect both on a patient's psychiatric well being, and even more surprisingly, their physiological well being, who knows what other diseases one good dog and a good petting can cure.

For more information visit the University of Minnesota's Web page on animal assisted therapy (http://www.censhare.umn.edu/AAT.html). If you are interested in doing AAT with your pet it is imperative that it be up to date on vaccinations and receive a behavioral exam qualifying it for therapeutic use. As always, contact your local veterinarian if you have questions.

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at www.vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/.

Does Your Pet Suffer from Adrenal Imbalance or Cushing's Disease?

The adrenal glands are two small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. They are orange in color and covered in a connective tissue capsule that is hidden in a layer of fat. These glands are made up of two parts – the adrenal cortex (outside) and the adrenal medulla (inside). The adrenal glands work together with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain to produce a number of different hormones essential for the overall health and functioning of your dog.

The health of the adrenal glands is vital to systemic functioning and wellbeing and adrenal balance and harmony plays a crucial role in wellness on every level. From this, it is easy to see how imbalance (over or understimulated adrenal glands) can severely affect your dog’s health Maintaining adrenal balance is therefore key to promoting health in your furry friends

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Cushex Drops:

Read what others experienced when they used Cushex Drops for their pets!

“We tried your Cushex Drops for our 14 year old Maltese and are very impressed. It is wonderful to find something all-natural and safe that actually works! I have told my vet about your product and how well it works- he can see the difference in our Maltese as well and says that he is going to recommend your product in his practice!”

—Marlene

What are Cushex Drops?

PetAlive Cushex Drops contains a blend of both herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially selected to target adrenal health and balance in pets. Each ingredient of this natural remedy has a specific role to play in maintaining adrenal function, balanced corticosteroid, fluid and electrolyte levels and supporting the health and integrity of the coat and skin.

Cushex Drops are easy to administer and the dosage can be adjusted to suit pets of all sizes.

Guaranteeing quality, effectiveness & safety

PetAlive uses a superior set of standards and processes when creating all of their natural products. They combine high-quality raw ingredients, that are laboratory-tested, with good manufacturing practices.

Their Full Spectrum Approach uses the Whole Spectrum manufacturing method to guarantee that their products are of the highest quality, safety and effectiveness.

Cushex Drops contain no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by the PetAlive One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

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Do Cushex Drops really work?

Both customer testimonials and an extremely high reorder rate indicate that Cushex Drops are very effective. In fact, it has literally been sold to thousands of customers in virtually every country around the world with tremendous success!

How long have Cushex Drops been on the market?

Cushex Drops were created by our Clinical Psychologist – in conjunction with our expert team of homeopaths and naturopaths – who has been providing them to her clients, with great success, for more than ten years.

"…My poor dog’s coat is looking healthier.. This natural remedy really worked!"

“Thank you for such a wonderful remedy. My poor dog’s health was in a state due to Cushing’s and this natural product really helped. I am so pleased that her coat is looking healthier and her hair has stopped falling out everywhere. I’m also relieved that we have managed to avoid surgery as Kendra is an old dog now and I would hate to put her life at risk.”

—Carryn J

Herbal and homeopathic remedies can play an important role in promoting the health and balance of your dog’s adrenal glands and a holistic approach is the best way of contributing towards your pet’s general health.

Due to the vital importance of adrenal balance, it is not surprising that natural medicine has the answers! After all, organ and systemic support is one of the cornerstones of a holistic approach and the key to natural health care! By supporting adrenal health, the natural approach aims to facilitate wellbeing across a number of body systems, thereby encouraging wellness and vitality every day!

How can Cushex Drops help your pet?

Use Cushex Drops to:

• Support the health of your pet’s adrenal glands and encourage normal functioning
• Encourage health of coat
• Maintain healthy blood pressure and normal blood sugar levels
• Support normal urination and healthy fluid and electrolyte balance in the body
• Promote optimal strength and health of the skin
• Improve digestive functioning

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Does this sound too good to be true?

It isn't… We can prove it!

PetAlive is so certain that you will be completely satisfied with their Cushex Drops that they offer a One-Year unconditional money-back guarantee*.

Simply try Cushex Drops for at least 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied – for any reason – return the product within 1 year for a complete refund (less shipping fees).

"After two months on Cushex, Bandit's pot belly is smaller, his hair has stopped falling out, his body temperature is more regulated, and his desperate thirst has leveled off. "

“My 10 year old Shih Tzu was diagnosed with Pituitary Cushing's. Given his age and other factors, I decided to treat the Cushing's holistically and homeopathically and found Cushex. After two months on Cushex, Bandit's pot belly is smaller, his hair has stopped falling out, his body temperature is more regulated, and his desperate thirst has leveled off. Thank you for providing a viable alternative to Lysodren and other standard treatments!”

Cushex Drops are a very effective natural remedy for complete adrenal gland wellness and have a very high success rate!

Cushex Drops contain no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by their One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

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Since we choose for our dogs what they get to eat, we should know what exactly is in that can of dog food we bought from the grocery. Since we all believe that the key to a good life is a healthy diet, then that should also go for your dog. And natural dog foods may be the way to ensure their well-being.

Many experts blame the abundance of cheap processed foods for many of the ailments of modern people: heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are directly caused by the overconsumption of low nutrition carbs, sugars, and fats. It's also the same case with dog food: there are a lot of ingredients that serve as filler or preservative that may in fact be harmful for your dog's health.

An example that can be found in many ingredient bales is "meat byproducts." These are "clean parts other than meat" that are rendered from "slaughtered animals," the parts being, specifically "lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, stomachs and intestines," according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Even worse, there isn't much regulation going on as to what the source of these "parts" is – stories abound, and a lot of them are backed up by evidence, of the dead animals that go into the rendering plants: animals killed on the highways, 4D (Dead, Diseased, Dying, Disabled) animals, and even dogs and cats that were put down in pounds!

Thankfully, public outcry has significantly lowered the processing plants that accept that last ingredient. But if you really want to be sure, get rid of all your dog food that has meat byproduct as an ingredient, and instead, opt for natural dog food. There are varieties, like Lifes Abundance dog food and Flint River dog food, that use only natural ingredients: meat from free-range chicken, or lamb, or fish caught off the North Atlantic coast like menhaden.

Because you're not feeding your dog junk, switching to natural dog foods means your dog will require less per meal. This not only makes up for the higher price point, but also consider: less food means less scooping up after your dog!

Natural dog food is a great way to make sure that everything you're feeding you dog is good for him, and not just inexpensive but overprocessed, unhealthy junk food. Brands like Lifes Abundance dog food and Flint River dog food contain only the essential ingredients for nutririon, with meat from chicken, lamb and fish, along with grains and other healthy ingredients.

- Melinda Smith

Does Your Pet Suffer from Dog Cough Symptoms or Other Dog Breathing Problems?

In the wild, animals instinctively seek out plants that will help to support health in various body systems. It therefore makes sense that as owners, we can help our domestic pets by making herbal and other natural supplements available to them.

As part of a holistic approach to pet health, natural remedies can help to build and strengthen your pet's immune system, encourage the elimination of toxins, and generally improve the overall health of your animal.

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KC-Defense:

Read what others experienced when they used KC-Defense for their pets!

“After using KC-Defense on my Afghan, I will never send her to the kennels without it again! At least I can be confident that she is protected as her system is very sensitive. This product is great! Once again, I have been very impressed by your service and your products!”

—Brent

What is KC-Defense?

KC-Defense is a 100% natural remedy which combines herbal and homeopathic ingredients with selected biochemic tissue salts for the support of the respiratory system (chest, airways and throat) and as a tonic for the immune system – thereby helping to keep pets free of infection by promoting health in these important body structures.

By supporting immune system health, you can also feel more confident when your pet has to go into environments like kennels, catteries or other places where there is a risk of infection.

KC-Defense may be used as a preventative tonic or for more immediate support when needed.

Guaranteeing quality, effectiveness & safety

Pets Alive Remedies use a superior set of standards and processes when creating all of their natural products. They combine high-quality raw ingredients, that are laboratory-tested, with good manufacturing practices.

Their Full Spectrum Approach uses the Whole Spectrum manufacturing method to guarantee that their products are of the highest quality, safety and effectiveness.

KC-Defense contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by a One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

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Buy Risk-Free NOW! Quality, safety and effectiveness of all of all products are guaranteed. Review the one-year unconditional money-back guarantee. Retail Price: $47.95 Your Price: $37.95

Does KC-Defense really work?

Both customer testimonials and an extremely high reorder rate indicate that KC-Defense is very effective. In fact, it has literally been sold to thousands of customers in virtually every country around the world with tremendous success!

How long has KC-Defense been on the market?

KC-Defense was created by our Clinical Psychologist – in conjunction with our expert team of homeopaths and naturopaths – who has been providing them to her clients, with great success, for more than ten years.

"…she was noticeably better in 1-2 days! Thank you!"

“We adopted our baby Boxer from a pet store ……… and used your KC-Defense, in combination with the Immunity & Liver Support (and) she was noticeably better in 1-2 days! Thank you!”

—Sharon, MD, USA

Natural remedies can also help to promote health in the respiratory system, and there are many herbs which have been used for centuries to help promote easy breathing and clear lungs and chests in people as well as animals. In more recent times, clinical research has often confirmed what natural healers have always known!

How can KC-Defense help your pet?

Use KC-Defense to:

• Calm the throat and chest in dogs, cats, puppies and kittens
• Use as an effective respiratory tonic to promote clear chests and easy breathing
• Promote the immune system and maintain the body’s natural ability to resist
• Infection – especially before a visit to kennels and veterinary surgeries

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Your Price: $37.95

Does this sound too good to be true?

It isn't… We can prove it!

Pet Alive Remedies is so certain that you will be completely satisfied with their KC-Defense that they offer a One-Year unconditional money-back guarantee*.

Simply try KC-Defense for at least 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied – for any reason – return the product within 1 year for a complete refund (less shipping fees).

"Within just two days, we saw immediate results. Now at 3 weeks, he is doing great. THANK YOU!!"

“We rescued a …. 9 week old male Pom. …….We decided to just give KC-Defense a try. Within just two days, we saw immediate results. Now at 3 weeks, he is doing great. THANK YOU!! He is now a robust little guy that is so much fun.”

—Patricia, TX, USA

"KC-Defense is incredible!"

“KC-Defense is incredible! When we adopted a puppy from the pound, we …(gave KC-Defense to her and) …our 7 year old Daschund mix… I will definitely recommend this to my friends.”

—Becky Moreno, CA, USA

KC-Defense is a very effective natural remedy that promotes respiratory health and clear throats in dogs and cats, puppies and kittens and has a very high success rate!

KC-Defense contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by a One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

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Do you remember what a good nutritionist always says? The closer to the natural state the food we eat is – the better it is for our health. The same is true for canines. If you think about it, animals have lived off organic substances in the wild for thousands of years and survived, why should right now be any different? Feed your pet delicious raw dog food and get him in his healthiest and best shape yet.

Raw dog food is convenient to make – you don’t have to cook or make elaborate preparations to get it going for your pet. Break turkey and chicken necks, backs and legs with the skin that covers it and mix it in your dog’s meals. This supplies the calcium and fat in your dog’s nutritional requirements.  Serve meat and organ meat with fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots and cucumber for added variance.  Chop the food well to avoid any choking incidents.

As you are planning Fido’s meals, always remember to add whole grains and fruits in your dog supplies. Fruits especially give the needed antioxidants that will help protect your pet from certain diseases. You can season the meals with special herbs and spices to make it more interesting. Garlic is a good ingredient to put in but mind how much of it you add – too much garlic may be bad and result in unfortunate digestive problems for the pet.

When walking the dog, there will probably be times when he will eat the grass on the park and your neighborhood’s lawn. Do not yank the leash when he does, let him be. Grass will cleanse his colon and more than that, assists in the elimination of whatever undigested food left in the dog’s system.

A benefit of serving your pet a raw and natural diet is a set of beautiful white teeth and fresh breath on the dog – as fresh as a canine’s breath can be at least. It is because of the enzymes contained in organic food. There is also less toxins in natural food which is the usual culprit in bad breath on dogs when bits of food get stuck in between the animal’s teeth.

Another good excuse to change to a raw diet is the significant decrease in the amount of dog poop; as well as the foul smell this usually gives off. You can know how to improve their diet with how their stool looks like. Soft and mushy stool needs to have more bones included in the meals. If the stool looks too hard on the other hand, you need to increase vegetable portions in the dog’s meals.

The best thing perhaps in serving this kind of diet is that you do not really need a lot of dog supplies in terms of ingredients, and the gains you get can certainly be significant. Allergies and wounds are mended faster; coats take on a glossy sheen; they have boosted energy levels – really, aside from regular check-ups, you will not be seeing your vet a lot anymore. Make the transition from processed food to natural food gradual but begin as soon as possible – it may be the best thing you will ever do for your pet.

Dogs are one of the best animals to have around – it makes sense that the most popular pet people choose to have are this happy and furry breed. They're not called man's best friend for nothing. Because of their popularity, there are more studies done on dog health problems that can help pet owners understand and help these animals overcome specific canine sicknesses.

There are a lot of dog diseases out there. Some of these are a result of external parasites that disrupt a regular canine’s generally uneventful life. You can deal with these fleas and ticks by using any of the medicated shampoos and soaps out in the market today.

Internal parasites are more dangerous and more subtle in its manifestation during the initial stages of infestation. Examples of these are the tapeworms, hookworms, intestinal worms and heartworms which are very painful for the dog. This can be avoided by ensuring a clean environment and providing a healthy diet rich in vitamins for your pet.

Herpes virus,  parvovirus, distemper, influenza and canine hepatitis are viral diseases that canines are susceptible to. The most commonly associated of all viral diseases is rabies. Rabies is contracted when another infected mammal bites your dog. Prevent rabies from becoming a possibility by finding out whether your dog needs regular vaccination shots.

Any change in the dog’s behavior should be monitored closely. Unless it is brought about by natural circumstances like the atmosphere, environment or having a new visitor – you must watch out for any changes because this will be indicative of canine sicknesses he already has. Correctly reading dog symptoms will help your dog immensely.

Some changes you should be alert for are anxiety, listlessness, weight loss, shaking, frequent falling and being tired all the time. When you see these symptoms, watch for a few days and make a record of your observations including the time it started and patterns of behavior. Keep the canine in a stress free environment to prevent worsening of his condition. If no improvements are forthcoming, it’s time to visit the vet and have him checked-up.

Dogs cannot articulate when they are in pain; they are not equipped to adequately express any distress they may have. There are some breeds that have a high tolerance for pain which makes isolating whatever problem a difficult task for its owner. Aside from whining and howling, look at their posture. If they are stooped and lick at particular areas of their body—it is probably the source of their soreness.

Some other dog symptoms you must be aware of are hair loss, loss of appetite, discoloration, lumps and crustiness in the skin, coughing and vomiting. Sick dogs strain to urinate and when they do, it is only in small amounts so look out for this. Inspect the canine’s eyes and nose for discharge and foul smell.

Dog health problems are distressing yes, but they are often easily addressed once the condition has been correctly diagnosed. Make it a point to visit your vet regularly so any infection may be arrested in its earlier stages, thus ensuring your pet’s health.

- by Jennifer Kayte

Our dogs mean more to us than anything – with the probable exception of our human family of course. That is why when we learn about serious ailments that they may be suffering, we suffer alongside with them. One of the more worrying conditions is congestive heart failure in dogs.

What exactly is canine congestive heart failure? This is a condition resulting from a deformity in the canine’s heart structure, specifically, it’s chamber walls. Either the walls are congealed and the ability to pump blood is diminished; or the walls are stretched too thinly, making an enlarged heart, incapable of pumping adequate blood for the dog.

Whichever the scenario – it is not pretty. Indeed, it has been a reason for distress for the owners who have to deal with their pets undergoing this condition. Fortunately, we have resources on natural healing for dog with congestive heart failure available that we can apply to alleviate the suffering of our pets.

As with we humans, an effective way to develop the dog’s cardiovascular system is by engaging him in consistent and appropriate physical activities. A game of catch and Frisbee in the park or even just jogging or walking around the block will be beneficial to Fido’s heart. You will get quality time out of it, as well as encourage better circulatory function. Study your pet as you exercise together, if he gets tired more quickly than normal, consult your vet as soon as you can.

Another essential aspect in successfully preventing congestive heart failure in dogs is having a good diet. Commercial pet feed have processed chemicals that may be detrimental to your dog’s systems in the long run. Provide him with a diet that is low in sodium and rich in nutrients like Vitamin E, Calcium, Taurine, Omega-3 fatty acids and L-carnitine. Serve large portions of yams, squash, broccoli, carrots and beets alongside chopped raw meat and healthy grains.

There are several natural healing for dog with congestive heart failure supplements that your pet can also take. Herbs that will fortify the walls of your arteries are Crateagus oxycantha and Hawthorne. Two other beneficial supplements that improve canine blood pressure are Kalium phosphate and Arnica Montana.

You have to discuss with your veterinarian before you take on these remedies for your dog. Sometimes, your pet might have other sicknesses and mixing remedies could further complicate his condition. Also, the dog’s weight, age and other underlying factors will be considered when determining the remedy.

Symptoms of this condition include labored breathing, excessive salivating, becoming easily tired, and having a bluish tongue and grayish mouth.

Chest X-rays and ultrasound will aid in correctly diagnosing the problem. It is of utmost importance that we get the correct prognosis because giving the wrong medication or treatment may lead to critical damage or death to the canine. Find out the findings and do what is needed to fight the sickness.

As much as possible, employ remedies that are natural and holistic before anything else. However, if these are not enough anymore, medications are available for dog heart conditions. Continue to have regular check-ups to prevent escalation of whatever canine disease your pet might have.

Evidently, it is natural that you want only the best pet food for your beloved animal. These days, there are a good number of dog owners that have started employing homemade dog food diet instead of the commercially offered in the market. Why? They believe it is the most excellent way to prepare pet food.

When the massive pet food melamine contamination scare broke in 2007, many people had been concerned about the safety of commercial diets. That's why people feel that homemade dog food promotes their dog's health and well-being better. It is inevitable as you would never want to let your dog eat pet food be fed with preservatives – going natural is always the best way as they say.

Also, as there are dogs that have medical issues such as allergies, many pet owners feel that these medical concerns are better managed through the use of homemade diets.

In truth, some dogs have multiple concurrent allergies that no commercially prepared food has yet to be particularly designed to treat. This is the edge of homemade pet food preparation as it lets ingredient manipulation for better nutrient absorption.

The main objective to formulating any kind dog food, whether pedigree dog food or homemade or otherwise, is to provide a nutritionally balanced food. This is necessary to maintain your dog's overall health and well-being. As evaluating a homemade dog food diet for complete nutrition can be difficult, it is an imperative that you as pet owners to do some research.

Keep in mind that any homemade dog food must begin with a good source of protein and carbohydrates. Some fine protein sources are broiled pork loin, roasted skinless chicken breast, ground beef, hard boiled egg, and cottage cheese.

On the other hand, potential sources of carbohydrates for your dogs include cooked long-grained white rice, baked white potatoes, cooked oats, enriched spaghetti and pearled barley.

Although there are nutritional companies that can also provide you with recipes for homemade pet food, it is vital to carefully choose the ingredients in preparing your dog's diet.

Lastly, it is best to have a good nutritious meal plan for your dog. However, your pet still needs to be monitored vigilantly for any sign of allergic reaction or malnourishment.

-The idea of homemade pet food sounds appealing for dog owners. After all, it is but logical to prefer home-cooked diet to something out of can or packet. And absolutely, there are some concerns over the safety of some commercial pet food. While homemade diet for your dogs can be safe and nutritious, is yet to be widely approved by veterinarians.

- Melinda Smith

Not very many people give careful consideration to the matter of dog food, let alone the extent to which the meals they prepare influence dog health. Most conclude that the matter of feeding their dog is simply about keeping a large stock of food tins and/or dry pellets and leave it at that. However, if you truly care for your furry friend, then it is important for you begin taking his health seriously by looking for dog food that guarantees his nutritional well-being.

To be fair, the reason why dry pellets and tins continue to sell is because of the convenience they give dog owners. Food tins are moist and tasty, and when unopened, keep very well in the pantry. Dry pellets on the other hand, can be left out for days in the dog's feeding dish, which means that there is no need to sit and watch the dog finish his food. He or she can merely eat and leave at whim.

Still some would argue that you can't deny the value of convenience that the dry pellets and food tins can afford a busy dog owner. They would even say that current attention given to dog health is merely a marketing fad designed to exploit the hippie guilt of consumers who buy into organic produce and fair trade coffee. However, this does not change the fact that many brands of dog food are filled with unhealthy components that are unfit for consumption.

Furthering confusion is the fact that many companies exploit the liberal interpretation of "natural" exercised by food labelling regulation authorities by selling products falsely branded as "natural." In practice, it is possible to pass something off as "natural" even when it is filled with processed intestines and cow brains. Therefore, make sure the brand of natural dog food is from a trustworthy company.

Sojourner Farms is one such company. That it is independently owned by a veterinarian means that they can be counted on to understand what is healthy for dogs. They specialize in a brand of natural dog food which reconciles the convenience of most commercial brands with the objectives of health and nutritional well-being that they have set for their company. Sojos food is made from a variety of fresh ingredients such as vegetables, nuts, herbs and grains and meant to be served with fresh meat and prepared with warm water. As such, Sojos make a great alternative to kibble.

This article attempts to shed light on the lack of attention given to dog health by most dog owners by describing how the conveniences of most dog food is offset by the fact that they are made mostly without any concern for a dog's nutritional well-being. To that end, one must consider purchasing natural food for their dog from trustworthy companies. Sojourner Farms is one such company and their line of Sojos food is a great alternative to kibble.

- Melinda Smith

Although the dog is considered to be man's best friend and his most loyal and faithful companion, little thought is given to how they are fed. Many rely solely on dry pellets or food tins, mass-produced goods of convenience made with little to no consideration for a dog's nutritional well-being. If you truly value your furry friend, then natural dog food is the only way to take his health seriously.

Yet with all due fairness, canned food and dry pellets are very convenient. Dry dog food can be left out for days in the feeding dish, which means there is no need to watch over the dog to ensure he finishes his meal. He or she can merely come and go at his stomach's urging. Canned food on the other hand, keeps fresh unopened and ensures a moist and tasty meal no matter how long they're been in the pantry.

That said there are some who would contend that natural dog food is merely a trendy fad spawned from the same hippie urges that have made organic produce and fair trade so fashionable. The reality of the matter is that the convenience of commercial dog food comes at a price. Most brands are filled with disgusting animal by-products, unhealthy gluten and other components not suitable for consumption by dogs.

Worsening matters is the fact that many companies conceal this fact through false advertising and roundabout labelling techniques. Because the term "natural" is interpreted very liberally by food labelling regulations, it is actually possible to sell cow brains and processed intestines and still proclaim it as "natural dog food." As such, you should pay attention to which companies actually deal in authentic natural products.

For example, Honest Kitchen is a company that attempts to merge the convenience of dry food with the healthiness of all-natural ingredients. They take fresh ingredients such as real meat, organic grain and vegetables and place them into a dehydrated process that can be rehydrated with warm water later. The result is a wholesome and colourful meal full of nutrition that can be had with convenience.

Merrick Dog Food, on the other hand, specializes in wholesome meals that have all the storage convenience of canned food, but with all the aesthetic qualities of human grade food. Their products are free of preservatives, hormones, animal by-products and chemical additives. Some of their varieties include a multi-grain and meat ensemble called Puppy Plate and a wholesome chicken and turkey combo for older dogs called the Senior Medley.

This article introduces readers to the benefits of natural dog food as a nutritional alternative to the staple forms of commercial dog food which are filled with unhealthy components. While commercial dog food can be very convenient, they do little for a dog's nutritional well-being. However, do not be fooled by false advertising notions of "natural" and turn only to trustworthy brands such as Merrick Dog Food and Honest Kitchen.

- Melinda Smith