Health & Safety - Gayle Martz

Do you make this mistake with your dog?

According to Dr. Marty Goldstein — one of America’s top veterinarians — canine health is on the decline.

Some breeds have even seen their average lifespans cut in half over the past 30 years.

And it all boils down to one thing — nutrition.

“Unfortunately, most commercial dog foods are full of artificial preservatives, additives, heavy grains, and low-quality proteins,” he explains. “Even foods that claim to be ‘healthy’, ‘organic’, or ‘natural’.”

“To make matters worse, most commercial dog food is cooked at high temperatures, which can actually destroy most of the nutrients.”

And research shows the low nutritional value of these foods is a major contributor to low energy, digestive issues, joint discomfort, bad breath, smelly or mushy poop, itchy skin, and a host of other common problems in dogs.

However, after years of studying the issue and even writing a best-selling book, Dr. Marty says he has finally found a way to fight back.

Read the full article here.

Keep your dog safe when traveling by car with a special dog seatbelt restraint.

Here’s a video which shows some good options. Ask your Vet what they recommend as well.

Zane the Alpaca is loving life with is new wheelchair at the Lillymore Farm.

Find out more about Zane, alpacas and other animals in residence at the Lilymoore Farm Sanctuary. Voted one of the top destinations in the Hudson Valley of New York, you can get tickets to visit and lead an alpaca on a walk thru the woods. Quite the experience. #lilymoorefarm #alpacas #alpacasanctuary https://www.lilymoorefarm.com

Keeping Your Dog Safe During The Summer

The Heat is On” is not only a hit by Glenn Frey but an accurate description of summer 2022! On the first day of summer, almost 35 million people were under heat advisories in the US. In Paris, where I spent the month of June with my beloved KoKo, all-time heat records were broken. During the summer months, when temperatures are typically higher, I follow this rule: If I am hot, so is KoKo! Especially since she can’t dress for the weather like we humans can (that fur coat is year-round!). Despite it being so hot, we still had a fabulous time in Paris and were able to enjoy all the wonderful things I love to do in the city, including eating at outdoor cafes!

I want to share my favorite tips on how to keep your dog safe during the Dog Days of Summer!

Imahge of Gayle Martz hugging her doggie

Stay Hydrated

Before walking out the door with your dog, make sure you have cold water on hand. It’s even better if you can add ice cubes to it. Some dogs (usually big ones) can have it poured into their mouths, but if you have a small dog, don’t forget to bring a container for them to drink out of. In case you forget, don’t be afraid to ask someone for water for your dog. On one of the hottest days in Paris, everyone was so kind to KoKo and brought her water everywhere we went, one place bringing a container so large she could have bathed in!

Keep Cool

During the summer, move over man… air conditioning is a dog’s best friend! If you don’t have an air conditioner and you have a pet, it might be time to look into getting one! At the very least, keep fans going when you are home. When you are on the go, I recommend purchasing small, travel fans that are battery operated. A quick search online for “fans for baby strollers” and you will see you have lots of options to choose from. If it’s good enough for a baby, it will be good enough for a fur baby! Frozen water bottles can be used and pressed gently on the skin of your dog to bring down body temperatures when you are out, and then when the water melts, you can use it to keep your dog hydrated! At home, use wet washcloths and/or a cold shower (or hose!) to cool your dog down. There are also great products on the market to help cool dogs such as cooling collars and mats. Read more

How to trim a difficult cat’s nails.

Best to have a human trimming partner and gently scruff the cat.

Why Bone Broth is The Ultimate Superfood For Senior Dogs

As our dogs age their appetites may begin to wane due to dental soreness, arthritis pain or decreased activity. Seniors that don’t take in adequate levels of essential nutrients like amino acids, potassium, zinc, and calcium are at a higher risk for illness. Bone broth is an easy and delicious way to give your older dog a power punch of nutrition and the calories she needs to keep her active and feeling great!

Physicians and veterinarians have long hailed bone broth as a superfood, using it to help ease symptoms from many common ailments. Dr. Kaayla Daniel, vice president of the Weston A. Price Foundation and coauthor of the book, Nourishing Broth, calls it “an old-fashioned remedy for the modern world.”

Dr. Daniel notes that bone broth is especially beneficial for joint and gut health. However, since many modern ailments can be traced back to poor nutrition and digestion, she considers it a healing addition to any diet.

Read the full article on iheartdogs.com

CBD for Pain Management in Dogs: A Beginner’s Guide

CBD and Gabapentin For Dogs: Can Dogs Take CBD and Gabapentin?

How CBD Works In Your Dog’s Body to Modulate Pain

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an interconnected chain of receptors found in your dog’s brain, their nervous system, glands, and organs. Scientists don’t fully understand the ECS yet (it was only first discovered in 1992) but its believed to help maintain balance within the body.

All mammals—humans, dogs, and cats included—rely the ECS system to regulate immune response. CBD oil interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your dog’s body and acts as a natural neuroprotective agent with multiple health benefits. The cannabinoids in the oil open up two-way communication between endocannabinoid receptors to allow the body to either increase or decrease the immune response as needed. CBD oil is the natural way of regulating the system to maintain the perfect balance.

The reason CBD seems to help modulate pain is that many dog’s bodies are deficient in cannabinoids. Supplementing with CBD increasing cannabinoids in the body and restores balance to the ECS system.

Read the full article on Cannanine.com

Once Unwanted, Pup Becomes a Hero When He Saves Little Girls From Kidnapper

Melissa Lambert didn’t want to adopt a dog. Her husband, Thom, had been willing to bring home a furry family member for years, but Melissa was not on board. However, she would frequently take her three daughters to their local animal shelter to give some love to the pets there, but she hadn’t thought to bring one home. That is, until she met Edgar.

Edgar is a brown and white Treeing Walker Coonhound, a handsome boy, or as Thom Lambert says, insanely handsome.

Melissa didn’t know what it was about Edgar that drew her to him, but she knew he belonged in her home. The sudden change of heart was a welcome surprise for Thom and he encouraged her to apply to adopt him. They didn’t know what a huge difference it would make.

Read the full article on iheartdogs.com

How Service Dogs Sniff Out Seizures

Dogs can detect epileptic seizures up to 45 minutes before they occur.

Panda the Miniature Guide Horse is a Superpet

A miniature seeing eye horse can live 30 to 40 years! What a fabulous idea.