The Honest Kitchen - pet food with a passion

1. PUT THE TAGS ON – Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with his tags securely attached, all weekend. Is the contact info on the tag up to date? If you’re staying away from home, consider sticking a strong piece of adhesive tape on the tag, with a LOCAL phone number (perhaps the person you’re staying with), and / or your cell written on it. It could save valuable time and prevent an unwanted overnight stay in the shelter.

2. GET THE CRATE OUT – If your dog is crate trained but you don’t use it full time, consider pulling it out this weekend. The crate can ensure she’s extra safe, and unable to bolt, due to fear of the fireworks. A crate is especially useful if you’re taking your dog  somewhere unfamiliar. If the crate’s not an option, make sure every door and window is very securely closed, with drapes drawn. Getting loose is one of the biggest dangers for a pet on July 4th.

3. STOCK UP ON BONES – A raw, juicy marrow bone can provide a couple of hours of contentment and much needed distraction for a dogs who’s being left alone, or getting stressed by firecrackers and other July 4th noises. If you aren’t comfortable with raw bones, consider an interactive toy such as those made by our friends at Planet Dog – you can stuff it with treats, cream cheese, peanut butter or even an Honest Kitchen meal.

4. THINK TWICE ABOUT PARTIES – Many of us feel better if our pooch is by our side, especially on a holiday weekend. But it’s worth thinking twice about whether to take him along to every party. He might feel more secure left at home in his own surroundings. Maybe a fellow party-goer has a dog who could come for a puppy play-date and keep yours company? If they get along well, two’s company – and they’ll likely provide some comfort to each other at an otherwise lonely or anxiety-inducing time.

5. CONSIDER CHAMOMILE – This tried and true herb can calm a s stressed pet, just as it does a person. Add a little chamomile tea to a meal before you leave, to help her relax amid the noise of fireworks and revelers in the street outside. Leaving a TV or radio on can also help to alleviate anxiety, by drowning out the sounds of firework displays.

6. MONITOR MEALS – Make sure you know what your dog’s being fed by others (or stealing for himself). Parties can be a treasure trove of meat on dangerous cooked bones, scalding hot grills, poisonous alcohol and candies with the lethal sweetener, Xylitol.

7. HYDRATION ‘S VITAL- If you’re leaving your pet for a period of time, make sure there is PLENTY of fresh clean water available for the duration, so she doesn’t dehydrate. Adding ice cubes to the water bowl will keep it cooler, longer (our Ice Pups will make it extra special). Shade is equally important and of course, don’t expect Fido to spend time in a car.

Five Tips for Holiday Safety this Winter

Travel

If you travel over the holidays and take your pet with you, be sure he wears his identity tags at all times. Being in a strange place can make pets anxious and more likely to bolt – and less likely to find their way back to you. If traveling by car, be sure to take lots of regular potty breaks to avoid discomfort and the risk of bladder infections. A secure carrier or pet seatbelt can make the trip safer for everyone, too.

Food & Treats

Try to keep to your pet’s usual routines for exercise, and particularly meal times. Don’t switch diets when you travel, and prevent your pet from gorging on holiday leftovers which can trigger GI upset and pancreas problems when fed in excess. A moderate amount of leftovers, of course, is fine for most pets and can add some healthy variety and extra nutrition to her meals.

Parties

If you have holiday parties at home, make sure your pet is secure and safe when the door is being frequently opened and closed. Ask visitors to respect your pet’s likes or dislikes regarding being petted or held – this is especially important with children in the house who may not yet have good ‘pet manners’. Remember that party poppers and balloons can be very startling to pets who aren’t seasoned party-goers. Reassure and confine your pet appropriately to help reduce stress.

Hazards – Holiday decorations

Many holiday decorations like glass baubles and tinsel can be potentially fatal for your pet if swallowed. Make sure young puppies don’t have free access to decorations on the tree or around the home. Holiday goodies like chocolates, macadamia nuts and candies can also be harmful so be sure to keep these out of reach, too.

Plants

Holiday plants like Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe and Poinsettia are all hazardous (and potentially fatal) if consumed. Keep them up high and out of reach. The stress of the holidays with lots of visitors, disrupted routines and travel can sometimes cause a pet to try nibbling on foliage to try to ease anxiety-related tummy aches. Fresh, growing wheatgrass (available from many health food stores) is a much better option.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

As you prepare for Halloween festivities, keep these safety pointers in mind to make sure your animal companion stays out of harm’s way.

1.       Guard the Halloween candy – chocolate and certain sweeteners such as Xylitol can be fatal for pets so be sure to keep your Trick-or-Treat stash stored safely and out of reach.  Remember that empty plastic and aluminum wrappers can be just as dangerous as the candies themselves.

2.       If your pet does consume a large amount of chocolate or candy, make a call to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control for guidance. If in doubt, take your pup or kitty to the vet in case medical intervention is required.

3.       Don’t take Fido Trick-or-Treating – Many pets can be frightened by unusual sights and sounds that come along with Trick-or-Treating, so keep them at home for their own safety. Nervous pets can feel very alamrmed when kids in costume try to pet them, and this could result in a fear based bit in extreme cases.

4.       Keep them secured – If you’re staying home to greet Trick-or-Treaters, make sure your pet is secured before answering the door in case they take fright and try to escape. Use a crate ideally, or confine them in a room where they will be safe and calm. Put on the radio or TV to drown out any outside noise that might frighten them.

5.       Although you’ll likely be busy with Halloween preparation all day, make it a priority to exercise your dog and really tire him out during the day so he can rest during the evening. . This will help alleviate any pent up energy and reduce anxiety.

6.     Keep Halloween decorations containing electrical wires or other dangerous parts, well out of your pet’s reach. Nervousness and anxiety from being outside the normal daily routine, can make a pet even more likely to exhibit behaviors like destructive chewing, so Halloween represents double the risk.

7.       A pet-safe chew toy, or better still, a raw beef marrow bone, is an excellent way to keep your dog occupied and happy when there are lots of distractions outside or within your home.

8.       Keep cats safe too.  Black cats in particular can be exposed to increased risks on Halloween, if they become the subject of terrible pranks, sacrificial rituals by some, or stolen as props for the evening. Keeping cats in a spare bedroom or bathroom with access to a litter tray is the best idea to keep them out of harm’s way.

9.       Be extra careful with lighted candles or Halloween lanterns. An over excited or panicked pet can knock over a flame just as easily as a child.

10.   Don’t dress up your pet in a costume, unless he or she is very used to, and comfortable with, this form of animal ‘humanization’.  Many pets feel extremely anxious when made to wear a costume, and an incorrectly fitting costume can become dangerous if it has the potential to become displaced, causing a strangulation hazard or obstruction vision and causing panic.

Here are five useful tips for safe and happy travels with your animal companion!

• Never leave your pet in a parked car. Pets can overheat much faster than people and even a few minutes in a hot vehicle can be fatal.
• Always keep a collar with current tags, on your pet. If you’re away from home, make sure the tag includes your cell phone, or a contact number for the place you’ll be staying.
• Take frequent potty breaks. Having to ‘hold it’ too long can cause health problems like urinary tract infections. Everyone will be more comfortable with frequent rest stops to empty bladders and stretch the legs.
• Try to keep some creature comforts, the same. Even if you pup loves to travel, some journeys can be stressful especially if there are lots of different places to stay along the way. Keep beds, blankets, bowls and toys the same as they are at home, for a more relaxed journey. Keeping food consistent will help reduce the risk of tummy upsets, too.
• Take along a first aid kit for you and your animal companion, just in case. Along with the usual essentials like bandages, wound cleanser, tweezers and a soft muzzle, take along some Rescue Remedy, along with the homeopathic remedies  Apis (bites and stings) Arnica (bumps and bruises) Arsenicum (vomiting and diarrhea) all in the 30c potency pellets and Calendula cream for minor cuts and scrapes.

Fear and anxiety are some of the most common emotional problems to plague domesticated pets in the United States. Sometimes a past trauma or bad experience is to blame, other times it’s a lack of proper socialization during the formative early months. In other cases it just seems to be an individual pet’s genetic makeup and inbuilt character that makes them nervous. Some dogs or cats become terrified of strange objects, unfamiliar places, the dark, cars, or just about anything. Even thought we try to reassure them, they are unable to rationalize what they’re afraid of. Sometimes, this can develop into a serious issue, for example extreme fear of fireworks or thunderstorms leading to a pet bolting away from home.

Socialization is extremely important especially between the ages of 12 and 20 weeks when a young puppy’s mind is so impressionable. It’s vital that he have many positive and varied experiences with all sorts of sights, sounds and places and an opportunity to meet lots of different people and pets. Some socialization is also important before age 12 weeks but care should be taken to avoid contact with strange dogs or feces that could carry contagious diseases to which he doesn’t yet have immunity.

In extreme situations of fear and anxiety that develop into long term stress, diarrhea and vomiting, compulsive self-licking or chewing and other behavioral problems can occur.

Herbs

Chamomile is a very helpful herb for easing anxiety. You can simply make a tea by steeping a chamomile teabag in hot water for a few minutes and adding the brew to his food.

St John’s Wort is another popular herbal remedy for anxiety and stress since it relieves troublesome symptoms without sedation.

Nutrition

B-complex vitamins are very helpful for stress. Vitamin B12 and Folic acid are especially helpful. The amino acid phenylalanine is also used for anxiety; it helps to form a state of natural relaxation and has a positive effect on mood and behavior. In Traditional Chinese medicine, fear may stem from hereditary weakness involving the kidney or heart. Barley and Oats nourish these organs and the nervous system. Adding 1 teaspoon to ½ cup of these thoroughly cooked grains to the diet may help calm an anxious pet.

Flower Essences

Honeysuckle is useful for more straightforward cases of separation anxiety.
Gorse is useful for despair and grief, especially when an owner has passed away
Rock rose helps to calm terror that manifests as trembling, cowering and panting as though the world might end.

Mimulus helps with fears of everyday life – strange places, the dark, and strangers or crowds for example.

Larch helps to cultivate bravery and courage along with emotional security.

Walnut helps to build up a sense of security and emotional independence.
Chestnut Bud can help as a preventive for a young dog, so that he can learn form his experiences and process new information to assist him in becoming an emotionally stable young dog.
You can add 3 drops of any or all of these flower essences to you pet’s water bowl. Some people also apply flower essence to their pet’s paws or ears.

Homeopathy

Arsenicum album is a very useful homeopathic remedy for fear and anxiety that are caused by a deep-seated insecurity – those pets who are constant worriers.

Aconite especially good for animals who bite when they are frightened, especially when going to the veterinarian. Use 1-3 pellets (depending upon the animals size) 30 minutes before a vet visit to calm the animal.
Gelsemium is good for the animal who becomes weak, shaking with fear in the rear legs. Use 1 dose.

Training

If your pet has developed anxiety or fear about something, gradual de-sensitization is a good approach to help him resolve his issues. For example, if he’s petrified of crowds, start off by introducing him to a very small group of people, maybe as few as two and give him lots of praise and treats in exchange for approaching them and saying hello. Once he accepts the small group, try to have other people join in the same session, or take him somewhere where he’ll meet a few more people next time. Again, lots of praise and treats are vital as he shows willingness to interact. Try to ignore fearful behavior and don’t pick him up if he’s afraid! You could also try walking on the opposite side of the street to a school as children are arriving or leaving, so he can observe a crowd form a distance.

For fear of loud noises like fireworks, you could utilize the crate, offer something like a marrow bone to keep him occupied and perhaps turn on the TV or play some music to help drown out the noise. Make sure your pet is secure and unable to clamber out a window and come to harm.

A crate can be a useful training tool by providing a safe place for your dog to lie down when he’s anxious. It’s also important that a worried pet have the opportunity to exercise and play regularly, and have an outlet for their energy.

Fear of strange objects can be overcome with a similar approach. Drop treats in a trail leading up to the scary item so that he can approach slowly and get rewarded along the way. Don’t force him to approach but gently coax him along. If you sit close to the item he may be more likely to approach. Once he gets really close, you can give an extra special treat and lots of praise so that he starts to form a positive association with the object of his fear.