ANIMAL
For a long, healthy life!
WELLNESS SPECIAL NUTRITION ISSUE
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an I Suppommune rt for yo Bundle u your p and et!
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THE BEST
TRAINING TREATS
DOES YOUR DOG REALLY HAVE
FOR YOUR DOG
6
HEALTHY FATS FOR DOGS
ANXIETY ?
Saving Dogs and Cats in WAR-TORN UKRAINE THE BEST DIET FOR
DO YOU HAVE A
PREVENTING OBESITY
“ H IGHLY SENSITIVE PET”?
IN CATS
Inside!
FALL 2023 Display until Dec. 11, 2023
VOLUME 25 ISSUE 4
Weight loss recipes AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
CONTENTS Fall 2023
Columns 12 CANINE
BEHAVIOR
Does your dog really have separation anxiety?
Understanding the differences between separation anxiety and separation-related behaviors will help with the diagnosis and treatment of an affected dog.
26 NEED TO KNOW
58
Features 16
20
The best training treats for your dog
T reats play a huge role in dog training, but the wrong kind can lead to weight gain. Let’s look at some healthy, tasty treat training options your dog will be happy to work for!
reasons why being in nature 3 is good for your dog Spending time in nature with your dog enhances physical health and mental well-being for both of you, while strengthening your bond of love and companionship.
22
ow to support your dog or H cat’s gut health
50
ackling obesity in dogs T and cats — simple low-cal recipes to try
Find out why supporting your dog or cat’s gut health is one of the most important things you can do for his overall well-being.
Find out why obesity is so bad for your dog or cat, and help her lose weight by addressing exercise and diet, including some nutritious low-calorie recipes.
4
Animal Wellness
Do you have a “highly sensitive pet”?
If your dog or cat seems overreactive, anxious, or easily overwhelmed, she may be a “highly sensitive pet”. Here’s how to tell, and how to help her navigate the world with less stress.
28 YOUR
RESCUE ANIMAL
Adopting the right dog or cat for you
Falling in love with a certain shelter dog or cat, and want to adopt him? That’s great — but first of all, find out if he’s the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
32 HEART HEALTH Supplements to support your dog or cat’s heart Heart disease in dogs and cats has a variety of causes, from dietary deficiencies to genetic predisposition. Read up on the supplements that help support your best friend’s heart.
50
74 36 SPOTLIGHT
Rescuing dogs and cats from the war in Ukraine is an international effort
The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on millions of lives, human and animal. Here’s how animal rescue organizations are saving dogs and cats affected by the conflict.
40 FELINE NUTRITION The best diet for preventing obesity in cats
Diet plays a huge role in the health and longevity of your cat. Feeding her the way nature intended helps prevent obesity and other health problems.
44 AT THE VET
Taking your dog or cat to an integrative vet Here are some tips to help you prepare for an appointment with an integrative veterinarian, so you can get the most out of your visit.
54 EATING WELL
6 healthy fats for dogs
Fats and oils aren’t bad for dogs. In fact, some can be exceptionally good for them. Take a look at six healthy fats and oils that can enhance your dog’s well-being.
36
70 FUN FACTS
Why do dogs like belly rubs?
72 MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
Why mushrooms are so good for your dog’s gut microbiome
64 FELINE
58 YOUR
HEALTH
NEW DOG
5 nutraceuticals for cats who are losing weight
Adopting a new dog? Follow these 10 steps to success
Cats that lose weight because they don’t eat for long periods are said to have cachexia, and can develop serious health problems. Five nutraceuticals can help manage this condition.
Whether you’re a firsttime dog parent, or are adopting your second, third (or tenth!) dog, following these ten steps will help ensure success — and a happy, healthy companion!
68 ANIMAL
62 WORKING
BODYWORK
DOGS
How dogs are helping people with Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s service dogs are a relatively new concept, but they can make a positive difference to the lives of people diagnosed with this devastating disease.
How acupressure helps brachycephalic dogs breathe easier
Flat-faced dogs are undeniably cute — but they’re prone to respiratory problems. This acupressure session can help your brachycephalic companion breathe better.
Departments 8 From the Editor
77 Newsworthy
48 Product picks
80 Let’s get social
57 In the News
81 Marketplace
70 Good News
81 Classifieds
Social Media
From Lion’s Mane to Maitake, edible mushrooms are rich in prebiotic fiber and other nutrients that help improve the health of your dog’s gut microbiome.
74 SELF CARE
How being a cat parent improves your health — top 5 benefits
Being a cat parent helps keep the doctor away! Here are five ways that sharing your life with a feline friend can improve your health and well-being — physically and mentally.
78 SMART CHOICES
Choosing a boarding kennel for your dog
Your guide to finding a boarding kennel that will provide the best possible care for your dog.
82 ANIMAL HERO
Community celebrates life of beloved therapy dog
Tips, contests and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Nutrition videos, recipes and more! Animal Wellness Magazine
Tips, pet photos, and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Crafts, laughs, and more! AnimalWellness
www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
5
TRAINING TIPS
The Best Training Treats for Your Dog by Tonya Wilhelm
Treats play a huge role in dog training, but too many of the wrong kind can lead to weight gain and other issues. Let’s look at some healthy, tasty treat training options that your dog will be happy to work for!
W
hen training a dog, it’s vital to use positive reinforcement methods. In a nutshell, when she does something right, you add something desirable or pleasant. This most often involves giving her treats. The problem is, most commercial treats are high in carbs and calories, and made with synthetic flavors, colors and preservatives that are bad for your dog, especially in large quantities. So since you’re going to use a lot of treats during the training process, it’s crucial to pick something that’s nutritious as well as palatable. This article looks at healthy training treat choices that your dog will look forward to receiving.
16
Animal Wellness
THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGH-VALUE TREATS In order for your dog to want to repeat a behavior, he has to view the reward as something valuable and worth working for.
HINT: The value of a treat is up to your dog, not you.
You may think a certain treat is super valuable, but your dog turns his nose up at it. Or maybe he gobbles it up inside the house, but not outdoors or around distractions. To be successful, you need to ensure your dog thinks the reward he’ll receive is top-notch, wherever he happens to be.
KEEP THE REWARDS COMING The other important thing to keep in mind when training your dog is that you want to reward him often and frequently. Don't be stingy. The more you practice and reward your dog, the better and more reliable his behavior will become. Again, this means your training treats should be nutritious; think of them not as extra calories, but as calories that can be used for his daily nutritional needs.
CHOOSING YOUR TRAINING TREATS
1.
When buying treats, flip over the package and read the ingredient panel. The actual list of ingredients is key – not what the manufacturer puts on the front of the bag. Remember, the latter is a form of advertising. Take a deep dive and investigate all those ingredients. Are they healthy? Are there any unnecessary fillers? HINT: If the treats have fillers, you will be adding calories but not good nutrition.
2.
Go for treats made from real meat, veggies, and fruit, which are all foods your dog can eat as part of a healthy diet. If the treats contain only these ingredients, you can easily swap out some of his regular food for these healthy treats. Foods that are good for most dogs include rabbit, beef, pork, chicken, fish, lobster, lamb and venison; vegetables like squash, pumpkin, and carrots; and fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears and cantaloupe.
Make Your Own Dehydrated Training Treats A healthy and easy way to make your dog's training treats is with a food dehydrator, which removes moisture from the food without burning it. When making a batch of dehydrated treats, think of a trail mix that includes a mixture of meats, fruits and vegetables your dog enjoys. These treats can be stored in the freezer to keep them fresh; just remove a week’s worth at a time and place them in your dog’s training treat jar.
DEHYDRATING MEAT CHUNKS 1. Remove and discard any fat from the meat. 2. Thinly slice the meat into 2” pieces. You want relatively
small pieces because once the meat is dehydrated, it will be very difficult to break. Slicing the meat while it’s slightly frozen allows for a more even cut.
3. Arrange the meat slices on a dehydrator tray, but do not overlap the pieces.
4. Dehydrate to the consistency your dog prefers — approximately 12 hours.
5. Allow the meat chips to completely cool before removing them from the tray.
DEHYDRATING GROUND MEAT 1. Place ground meat in a jerky gun or inside a piping bag. 2. Pipe the meat onto a dehydrator tray in consistentlysized strips.
3.
Dehydrate until done — approximately six hours. The treats should be dry to the touch but still somewhat flexible.
4. Allow the treats to completely cool before removing them from the trays.
DEHYDRATING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 1. Wash all fruits and vegetables prior to dehydrating. 2. Remove and discard any seeds, cores or skin. 3. Slice the fruits and veggies into 1/2” pieces. Because they consist mostly of water, they will shrink a lot, so don't be afraid to dehydrate bigger pieces. Unlike meat, fruits and vegetables are easily broken after being dehydrated. For raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries, simply place the entire berry on the tray — no need to cut them!
4. Arrange the fruit and veggie pieces on a dehydrator
rack, and dehydrate them until they’re the consistency of chips — approximately 15 hours.
5.
18
Allow the chips to cool completely before removing them from the trays.
Animal Wellness
HINT: If your dog has allergies to certain meat proteins, look for treats made from alternatives such as venison or rabbit.
3.
Real meat is not only a nutritious training treat, but also one most dogs consider highly valuable! Freeze-dried or dehydrated treats made from single meats are readily available in pet stores and online. Look for natural, limitedingredient products with no unpronounceable additives.
HINT: Don’t give your dog too many liver treats. While liver is a healthy organ meat, too much can lead to a vitamin A overdose. For training treats, it’s best to stick to muscle meat, and save the organ meats as part of your dog’s regular diet.
4.
You can also easily provide your own dog training treats. Determine which healthy foods in your fridge or pantry your dog most enjoys — small pieces of lean chicken are a good option, along with tiny balls of ground beef or turkey, or small pieces of cut-up vegetables such as carrots, broccoli or green beans. Blueberries or bits of melon also make tasty and nutritious treats. Try and go for organic meats and produce if you can.
HINT: Cheese may seem like an obvious choice for training treats, but too much isn’t good for your dog.
As you can see, there are all kinds of choices when it comes to dog training treats. It all boils down to providing something healthy and nutritious, but also tasty enough that your dog will regard it as a reward worthy of his efforts!
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