Going Au Naturale
I've been studying about dogs. Not just food and training (which is a torturous journey at times - the dude just won't stop jumping on people!!), but health care.
I have been studying holistic veterinarian websites, books, and magazines. You can look here and here. And the dog magazine I have subscribed to is WONDERFUL!
Learning about the whys and hows of traditional vet practice will leave you overwhelmed, confused and then very pissed off. My first visit to the vet with Clancy ended up costing me nearly $300. After learning about the vet "care" industry, it really should have consisted of a de-worming if needed, questions about diet, nutrition, exercise and one round of rabies and a distemper shot... for life. NO, really... one rabies shot will actually last the average dog 10-15 years of protection. And, if you think about it... for a city dog like mine, when the HECK is he going to be able to have a run in with a rabid racoon? There is a big movement in the dog world that is really shaking things up.
Did you know that garlic is a natural repellant for all things fleas and ticks? It is a strong antioxidant and when giving to a pooch on a regular basis it actually protects your pup better than Advantage or Frontline? did you know that Frontline and Advantage can cause serious, serious illness in your dog or cat? Some vets have even created entire studies to tell us that garlic is very bad for dogs. Why? Because it means they will sell less chemicals to you. You're putting on (I did too) chemicals that we don't spread on our lawns because it causes cancer and can poison our kids. And then we PET our dogs and hug the kids... sharing the pesticide all around.
So.... there is an all natural product out for dogs. It costs about half as much as the Advantage and Frontline. Its called Bug Off and you buy it here.
Also, consider this. Vets sell dog food. According to the Whole Dog Journal and every animal nutritionist and behaviorist, the food they sell is pretty much crap in a bag. Anything made by Purina is mostly grains and fillers. They sell it and call it Science Diet or Veterinarian whatever. Read the labels. It's shocking. Is it surprising then that most vets will tell you that feeding your dog a raw diet is risky and unhealthy. Think about that for a moment. Raw fed dogs have amazing coats, super clean teeth and stay healthy.... very healthy. But 3 or 4 times a year these same vets will drug up your pooch and scrape the crappy food off his teeth. Because the food is bad. And you get to pay them for this. My dog has the whitest and shiniest teeth. Its crazy. He eats top quality kibble once a day and has a meat fest and raw meaty bones every night. If I could afford it, I would skip the kibble altogether.
Okay, so there's my rant. Vets are mostly in it for the dough. Not all, but mostly. So, learn something, protect your pet and save yourself some cash! Toss the Frontline, buy some garlic supplement for dogs, feed excellent quality food and your dog or cat will never have a flea again. Ticks HATE garlic... so they'll stay away too.
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.
I have been studying holistic veterinarian websites, books, and magazines. You can look here and here. And the dog magazine I have subscribed to is WONDERFUL!
Learning about the whys and hows of traditional vet practice will leave you overwhelmed, confused and then very pissed off. My first visit to the vet with Clancy ended up costing me nearly $300. After learning about the vet "care" industry, it really should have consisted of a de-worming if needed, questions about diet, nutrition, exercise and one round of rabies and a distemper shot... for life. NO, really... one rabies shot will actually last the average dog 10-15 years of protection. And, if you think about it... for a city dog like mine, when the HECK is he going to be able to have a run in with a rabid racoon? There is a big movement in the dog world that is really shaking things up.
Did you know that garlic is a natural repellant for all things fleas and ticks? It is a strong antioxidant and when giving to a pooch on a regular basis it actually protects your pup better than Advantage or Frontline? did you know that Frontline and Advantage can cause serious, serious illness in your dog or cat? Some vets have even created entire studies to tell us that garlic is very bad for dogs. Why? Because it means they will sell less chemicals to you. You're putting on (I did too) chemicals that we don't spread on our lawns because it causes cancer and can poison our kids. And then we PET our dogs and hug the kids... sharing the pesticide all around.
So.... there is an all natural product out for dogs. It costs about half as much as the Advantage and Frontline. Its called Bug Off and you buy it here.
Also, consider this. Vets sell dog food. According to the Whole Dog Journal and every animal nutritionist and behaviorist, the food they sell is pretty much crap in a bag. Anything made by Purina is mostly grains and fillers. They sell it and call it Science Diet or Veterinarian whatever. Read the labels. It's shocking. Is it surprising then that most vets will tell you that feeding your dog a raw diet is risky and unhealthy. Think about that for a moment. Raw fed dogs have amazing coats, super clean teeth and stay healthy.... very healthy. But 3 or 4 times a year these same vets will drug up your pooch and scrape the crappy food off his teeth. Because the food is bad. And you get to pay them for this. My dog has the whitest and shiniest teeth. Its crazy. He eats top quality kibble once a day and has a meat fest and raw meaty bones every night. If I could afford it, I would skip the kibble altogether.
Okay, so there's my rant. Vets are mostly in it for the dough. Not all, but mostly. So, learn something, protect your pet and save yourself some cash! Toss the Frontline, buy some garlic supplement for dogs, feed excellent quality food and your dog or cat will never have a flea again. Ticks HATE garlic... so they'll stay away too.
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.
Comments
Post a Comment