After 1 week of her frenzied scratching, I decided to try out some holistic remedies for allergies.  What do you know… they worked!

Below you will find some holistic home remedies for your pet’s allergies:

• Nettles:You can find this in many forms at your all natural foods store or drug store. Look for it in either capsule form, powdered form, tinctures or in dried ‘tea’ form. Administer about half of the dose they suggest on the container. I get either the tea form or the capsule form and then sprinkle them over her morning stew. During peak allergy season, administer up to 3 times per day.
• Benadryl: I know this is a human drug… I am not one to use it on a regular basis either! But, if your pet is itching or is in so much discomfort that they are chewing/scratching sores into their skin, then this might be an immediate option for the severe case of allergies. Administer a half pill up to 2 times a day.
• Aloe Vera:Aloe Vera has miraculous healing properties! Buy some Aloe Vera gel or cream and rub it on itchy parts of your dog’s body. This can also be used on open wounds. It will not only help to ease the itching, but it will help to heal their skin as well.
• Comfrey:  Comfrey can be used as a general topical soothing agent. It works best when you buy it in salve form or mixed in with a cream. I love ‘Wise Woman Comfrey Salve.’ It is an olive oil based salve that is good for just about everything! Rub this right on their itchy parts, making sure it gets rubbed deep into the skin.
• Olive Oil: Go ahead and add a little oil to your dog’s food. Olive oil is a great, safe way to add some moisture and comfort to your dog’s coat and skin. Plus it makes them look fabulously shiny!
• Eggs: Eggs are a great holistic way to nourish your dog’s coat and skin. I buy local, free range and organic eggs and give them to Daisy raw. But if you do not feel comfortable with that, just soft boil a couple and give them as a mid-day treat. Again… this will do wonders to your dog’s coat.

Try these things and see if you notice a change in your dog’s allergies over a 3 day period. Along with some or all of these remedies, brush your dog often and DO NOT bathe your dog if it is at all possible during allergy season. Bathing removes the natural oils from your dog’s coat and skin causing it to become dry and itchy which can aggravate your dog’s allergy symptoms even more.

Also, keep an eye on your dog’s eyes and ears. If their eyes become gungy, clean them out with a damp clean cloth as often as needed. If their ears are hot, red, irritated and have a musty smell, think about taking a cloth and putting some hydrogen peroxide on it. Then rub about 1 knuckle into their ear and rotate, making sure to really get in the crevices. Be sure not to go too far into their ear so you do not damage it. If their ears continue to be red and irritated after a week, take them into your veterinarian to make sure they do not have a serious ear infection.

Happy Allergy Season to ALL!

I usually cook stew for Daisy, but when I board her I find that stew doesn’t ‘travel well.’  So I created a meatloaf off of my friend B.A.’s recipe.  It has the same nutritious ingredients that her stew has, just with a few twists and not as much liquid.  I cut the meat loaf into servings, put each serving in a separate zip lock bag and then add a couple calming herbs to help ease her anxiety while I am away.

Here is the recipe:

2lbs of ground beef, venison or buffalo

1 bunch of celery

6 med-large carrots

3 med apples

4 eggs

2c dry rolled oats

2c peanut butter

2c whole milk cottage cheese (optional)

1/4c olive oil

In a food processor, finely process the carrots, celery and apples.  You may need to do this in 2 or 3 batches.  Place in a large mixing bowl.  With hands, mix in rest of the ingredients until evenly mixed.  Put even amounts in two large baking pans.  Spread evenly and put in a 400degree oven for 30-40min.  Look for slight browning on the edges of the pan.  Pull out and allow to cool till only warm to the touch. 

For a 50lb dog each pan will have 4 servings: 2breakfasts/2dinners.  You can change the serving size according to your own pet’s weight.  Put each serving in a separate zip lock bag or container and in each serving put: ¼ dropper chamomile calm and ½ tablet of chewable acidophilus.   See my post on Anxiety for more information on chamomile calm.

When you bring the food to the boarding facility, tell them to keep it refrigerated and to give your dog one bag/container of food in the morning and one in the evening.

Most anxiety in pets is due to the separation of you from your pet.  This is more commonly known as Separation Anxiety.  Here are some behaviors, signs, symptoms and all-natural remedies for you and your pet. 

BEHAVIORAL signs/symptoms of Separation Anxiety in pets:

(Resource: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=2266)

1. Overly anxious behavior due to separation from owner or unable to see owner.
2. Obsessively following or ‘checking on’ owner in the home
3. Pacing
4. Excessive salivation
5. Prolonged barking, howling or whining
6. Hyperactivity
7. Excessive scratching, chewing or digging
8. Urinating and/or defecating in the home
9. Destruction of owners’ personal property
10. Overly excited behaviors once owner returns such as jumping, running in circles, licking, rubbing against owner, whining.

PHYSICAL signs/symptoms of Separation Anxiety in pets:

(Resource: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=2266)

1. Broken teeth from excessively chewing/destroying of owner’s personal property.
2. Torn nails and/or foot pads from excessive scratching/digging.
3. Torn skin from trying to ‘escape’ while left alone in a crate and/or home.
4. Excessively worn foot pads from pacing, running, excessive movement due to pet’s inability to self-calm or stop anxious behaviors.
5. Loss of hair in patches due to stress.
6. Sores on skin from excessively biting or scratching skin that is not otherwise afflicted.

CAUSES of Separation Anxiety:

Separation Anxiety is not fully understood in animals.  It is hard to communicate directly with our furry friends and therefore it is hard to fully retract their innermost thoughts.  However, one can translate some of their behaviors and conclude that their anxious behaviors could be due to:

1. Previous Abuse- If an animal was rescued, they may be expressing behaviors due to previous abuse and/or neglect from previous owners.
2. Fear- Animals have fears just like us!  Animals can be afraid of being alone, of being caged, even of storms!  Loud noises, dark places and strange occurrences can all contribute to an animal’s personal fears.
3. Personal Disposition- Each animal has it’s own personality.  Just ask anyone!  They will tell you how their pet exudes their own ‘personal traits.’  Some animals are more prone to anxious behavior due to body chemistry, hormones, breed and/or upbringing/training. 
4. The Unknown- Since Separation Anxiety is not fully understood in animals, there are a lot of unknown factors that may cause this disorder.

WHAT TO DO for your animal if you think your animal has Separation Anxiety:

Having had multiple animals with various Anxiety disorders, I have honed in on some wonderful, all-natural remedies for Anxiety in Pets.  Please note that these remedies are not guaranteed and may have varying effects on your pet.  These remedies are not meant to take the place of your primary Veterinarian.

1. Training- I found that by taking Daisy to simple training classes (even through she knew all the basics) helped her to feel more in control.  She already knew a lot before going into the class, but the personal training time between her and I allowed her to gain some control and feel confident in our bond.  She learned to ‘self-soothe’ through good behavior.
2. Pet Massage- Being a massage therapist for both humans and animals, I found that there are some great massage/pressure points that can help your pet either immediately or on a long term basis.  One point to quickly mention are to rub the base of the ears slowly and working your way to the tips.  (more will be written at a later date)
3. Consistency and Love- Number one… LOVE YOUR PET.  Yes they need boundaries and discipline, but they also need and want your LOVE!  Also, being consistent with your routine in the beginning stages of your pet’s life with you (no matter what age your pet is) is critical to them feeling comfortable.  Every time you get up, go to bed, leave the home or return home, do the same thing every time.  Here is an example of how I do this for Daisy: 
   1. When I leave the home, I gather my purse and jingle my keys. 
   2. I sit on the couch with my jacket and purse until Daisy calms down and lays on her bed in the living room (it used to take her up to 20 min, now it only take about 1 min). 
   3. I get up and put peanut butter in her large Kong (you can use another toy that your pet likes, just make sure it is a toy they LOVE!)
   4. I let Daisy out for one last ‘potty break.’ 
   5. I bring her inside, shut bedroom/bathroom doors so she is safe from harmful items/substances
   6. I give her the Kong and while she is distracted I leave the house.
4. Herbal Supplements- I am not afraid to give Daisy supplements.  I have been using herbal supplements for years on myself, my family and my pets.  Here are some very specific herbs that have helped Daisy tremendously!
   1. Chamomile- I use a chamomile tincture that is specific for children called ‘Chamomile Calm by Herbs For Kids.’  This is a great, mild tincture that will help to ‘take the edge off’ when your pet just needs to calm down slightly.  For instance, if your pet can not calm down while you are home.  I give Daisy, who is 50lbs, ½ dropper full. You can get this and other similar tinctures at any holistic food store or drug store.
   2. Valerian- I use a valerian tincture that is specific for children called ‘Valerian Super Calm by Herbs for Kids.’  This is to be used only once in a while and during the most stressful situations.  It is MUCH stronger than Chamomile.  It can be instrumental in your early stages of controlling anxiety or when you will be making huge changes in the pet’s life/routine.  You can also get this and other similar tinctures at any holistic food store or drug store.
   3. I have also seen some various ‘calming tablets’ at pet stores and other online stores.  Just make sure you read the instructions and ingredients and consult your Veterinarian or Holistic Animal Consultant before trying any of these remedies.

After learning just how much it would cost me to get that brown plaque off of Daisy’s teeth, I started doing some research.  I found that there are natural ‘tooth scrubbers’ in nature.  I was a little hesitant when I started giving her some of these natural tooth cleaning items, but once I saw the results… we were both hooked!

1.  Raw beef marrow bones and neck bones:  The natural connective tissues and strength of the raw meat in these two items was key in removing plaque from Daisy’s teeth.  Within 1 week I started to notice a reduction in plaque and within 1 month her teeth were completely clean!  I give her raw bones 3-5 times a week and she continues to have clean teeth and a healthy heart!  Raw bones have natural oils and fats that are very healthy for your dog and can actually help their coat, nails, bones and total health!  After all, dogs were chewing on bones long before we came into their lives!  You can get raw beef marrow and/or neck bones at most grocery stores or butcher shops.

2.  Raw foods:  Does your dog like fruits and vegies?  You might not even know that they like them!  Daisy LOVES frozen broccoli, raw carrots, raw apples with peanut butter, watermelon rhinds and many other fun fresh foods!  Try a few with your pet and see how they like them.  Note that dogs should not have excessive amounts of fat, should not have onions and are extremely illergic to chocolate. 

3.  Ropes:  Does your dog like to play tug of war?  Daisy does!  One of her favorite toys are huge, thick, natural fiber ropes with knots in them.  We go and buy rope by the yard, tie it up in knots and play…play…play!  The fibers in the rope naturally ‘brush’ her teeth.  It is a win-win!  Note that you should use cloth fibers/threads and try not to use plastic ropes.  If you do use plastic ropes, make sure that you do not leave it laying around while you are not around.  Your dog could chew off chunks of this rope and could severely injure itself.  Also, you should throw away cloth ropes that seem too dirty, moldy or smell funny.  This could be a sign of mold, bugs or other fungus that could harm your animal.  Just use common sense and you will be fine!

2lb organic/free range ground beef, bison or venison

½ bunch of fresh celery coarsely chopped, including leaves

4 med-large carrots coarsely chopped

1c Barley or other low-glycemic grain (stay away from white starches while animal is in acute inflammatory state)

½ bag fresh/frozen cranberries (1/2 canned will do if you have nothing else)

3 med-large apples coarsely chopped

1c smooth peanut butter to taste

Combine ingredients in a large pot and add water till 1-2 in from the top of the pot.  Turn burner on med-high and boil for at least 20 min or until you feel that the meat is cooked through.  Let cool with cover on until warm to the touch.  Put in refrigerator to keep preserved until ready to serve.  1 pot will serve a 50lb large breed dog for 3 days, serving 3c in the am and 3c in the pm.  You can alter the recipe to your dog’s liking and size.

Alternative Supplements During Acute Infection (optional):

1 dropper of chamomile extract for children

1 tsp of colloidal silver

1 capsule of Golden Seal Extract

NOTE:  The use of cranberries in this recipe helps to change the acidity of the urine and thus helps to clear and strengthen the urinary tract.  The use of apples in this recipe is due to apples containing D-Mannose, a component that naturally binds to bacteria such as e-coli and flushes it out of the urinary tract.

The Research and Story Behind the Recipe:

Daisy, our rescued black lab mix dog, had acute UTI’s from age 5months to 11months.  She was on constant antibiotics and was in a state of inflammation and infection all the time.  When our vet finally told us that there was really nothing more to do but to perform an ‘investigatory surgery’ on her, I put my foot down. 

For a long time, I have been against prolonged use of antibiotics.  After my own research and the gathering of advice from various experts, I have found that prolonged use of antibiotics can severely deteriorate the immune system.  Without proper rehabilitation, the body is left defenseless against even the simplest of pathogens.

I took Daisy off of antibiotics and pre-processed food completely.  I didn’t even ‘wean’ her off, just cut her off ‘cold-turkey.’  I then developed this stew to specifically combat inflammation and UTI’s.  Within 2 weeks. Daisy’s symptoms were reduced.  Within 1 month she had no symptoms while in a low stress environment (ex: home).  And within 4 months, she had little to no symptoms after a highly stressful situation (ex: being boarded for an extended time). 

I spent over $1000 on Daisy’s UTI’s in the first 4months that I owned her.  Since I started cooking for Daisy, I only have to take her in for regular shots and heartworm meds!

*See http://www.mavourninrose.com/animals/ for links and resources regarding this post.

As many of you know, dogs who come from an abusive/neglectful home bring along with them a slew of physical and emotional problems.  Daisy’s issues were as follows:

1. She was malnourished and her ribs were showing severely.
2. She had dry/itchy skin.
3. She had a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection since age 5months).
4. She had severe separation anxiety and other various emotionally disturbed behaviors.

My heart was broken as these issues started to surface.  One after the other would arise and it seemed overwhelming, as though we may never bring her to a state where she could enjoy life again.  What had her previous home done to her?!

We started asking our veterinarian, experts and other pet owners for advice on how to handle these issues.  The most common thread running through all of their advice was, ‘consistency and love.’  Keeping this in mind, these were some of the tribulations that we dealt with while overcoming Daisy’s issues:

1. She cried herself to sleep for 3 months, every night.
2. She would urinate or defecate in her kennel at night for the first month.
3. She would lick and/or chew on her hind quarters, skin and legs when we would leave her alone.
4. She would bark until her vocal chords were ‘horse’ when we would not pay attention to her or when we would leave her alone.
5. Due to her UTI’s she would need to be let out to urinate every ½ hour to every 2 hours or else she would urinate on her bedding or our rugs.
6. She was unable to settle down and relax without being completely exhausted to a point of ‘crashing.’
7. She would exude symptoms of separation anxiety such as when we would return from leaving her alone, she would whine excessively, rub herself against us in an uncontrolled manner, urinate multiple times, chew/destroy small items in our home, lick us excessively and seem extremely excited to a point of her exhausting herself.

Stay tuned to hear how we overcame Daisy’s trials and tribulations…

Upon buying my first cottage style home in Minneapolis, I had ‘the bug’ to find the perfect new puppy for my new life!  My significant other, Jason, and I were bound and determined to find a fun-loving, medium-large breed pup about 1 year old.  All we knew was that we were definitely going to adopt! 

We had applied to meet quite a few other pups in the area.  When we finally received communication from the local shelters, we were saddened to find that our new puppies were already adopted or that they were no longer for adoption.  Over and over again we would say, “Well, that dog was just not meant for us!” 

Until… one day we received a call from C.A.R.E.S. in Wyoming, MN saying that they had two lab mix puppies, both 7months old and ready for new homes.  We immediately scheduled a time to go up and meet the two puppies. 

Buried in the mass of dogs that greeted us at the door, was this skinny, black puppy, with the most beautiful caramel eyes!  She took one look at Jason and I and it was over for all three of us!  She was the one we were waiting for… or were we the ones she was waiting for?

We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into…

Here begins the story of a young puppy, her humans and her journey to health!