So how do you go about successfully incorporating Blackie into your family’s life, with each and every family member having their own needs, wants, habits, and space? The key to successful cohabitation is respect – and not just for Blackie to respect your family, but for your family to respect Blackie. This mutual respect is the best way to ensure the maximum happiness for each and every family member.

How To Make Sure Blackie Respects You
You are doing a disservice to Blackie if you expect her to respect you without teaching her how. Consistent, clear training is the best way to ensure that Blackie understands the guidelines she is to follow. If, for example, she is not allowed to chew on shoes, but you buy her any shoe shaped toys, the message is unclear which shoes she may chew and which ones she cannot. It is better to buy her a toy she can chew on that mimics a shape of something that doesn’t exist in your home. If she is not supposed to beg at the table, then make sure her mealtimes are consistent in both time and location and that you only feed her in her dish.

Dogs do very well with routines, both learning them and keeping them - but that means that you have to keep them as well. Not only are you responsible for making sure you keep your routines, but you are also responsible for helping Blackie to do so. Things like making sure she gets enough exercise so she is tired and content enough not to be destructive in the house, are essential to helping her respect the rules you lay out for her – she can’t take herself out or feed herself. If you don’t take her out for four hours, and then she pees on your carpet, that’s not her being disrespectful to her, it is, in fact, a lack of respect for her on your part that lead to the accident in the first place.

How To Make Sure You Respect Blackie
It is extremely important that you are aware of Blackie’s needs, wants, and space just as much as she needs to be aware of yours. Her bed and her crate should be kept clean, and never moved about in the house on a whim during a cleaning spree. She needs to know that she has a safe space that she can go that belongs to her where she can be alone if she wants to. Make sure your children know not to poke at her or pull her out of bed or her crate by force.

Similar rules apply when she is eating. She needs to have a mealtime that is safe and uninterrupted, or she is likely to get snappy or anxious about food – neither of which are good traits for a dog to have. Make sure, in fact, that your children know never to pull at her, or push her around like she is some kind of toy. Make it clear to them that she is a member of the family, not a plaything. She is allowed to be tired, anti-social, and even cranky if she’s feeling it. She doesn’t have to play whenever the kids want to.

Finally, remember that you and Blackie are family. You may have fights or get cranky with each other, but that never ever means that you don’t love each other. Be sure after an incident where mistakes are made and the respect between you is unbalanced that Blackie is shown that she is still a member of your family. If she chews up a shoe, scold her, certainly, so it is clear what she has done wrong. Then you can give her an appropriate toy, a nice long scratch behind the ears, and remind her that she is loved, in addition to being respected.

Obesity
You’ve probably heard the startling news. Yes, even America’s pets are obese. Our pets get fat in much the same way that we humans do. They eat too much and they don’t get enough exercise. Dog food is specifically formulated to provide dogs with the right balance of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals. Their balance is not our balance. Furthermore, the feeding directions on the bag tell you just how many calories Hector needs per day. More than that, and Hector gets fat.

Obesity, in dogs as in humans, can lead to many health problems. More and more dogs are diabetic and require an insulin shot every day. This is just one consequence of getting fat on table scraps. A fat Hector could also develop heart disease and joint problems.

Allergies and Poisons
There are plenty of examples of foods that are perfectly safe for humans, but can cause illness and even death in dogs. Chocolate, garlic, and grapes are just a few. If you must feed Hector human food, do your homework and make sure you are not poisoning him. If he eats too much of a poisonous food, he will feel unwell, vomit, have diarrhea, and possible go into shock and die.

Dogs may also have specific allergies. If Hector has a food allergy and you unwittingly serve him his allergen, you’ll feel pretty bad later when he gets sick.

Pancreatitis
Eating too much fat can be very bad for Hector. In addition to leading to obesity and all the health problems associated with it, a fatty diet could give him pancreatitis. Our modern human diet is high in fat and we suffer the consequences, but only dogs get a swelling in the pancreas from too much fat. If not treated, it can kill your buddy. Signs to watch for are dehydration, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea.

Bad Behaviors
Health problems will be the least of your worries if you get Hector hooked on table scraps. Behavior problems are sure to follow. If you think his sitting next to you with those sad puppy eyes is cute now, it will become very annoying when it occurs night after night. Hector will come to expect and even demand his tasty table tidbits at every meal. Cute and innocent begging can quickly turn into jumping, reaching, barking for food, and other irritating habits. And don’t think your food will be safe when you are out of the room. Once Hector has a taste for your meal, he will stop at nothing to get it. If you leave food out on the table or kitchen counter, he will find a way to get to it. Once you get him started, you may need a trainer to bring a halt to the madness.

Ok Foods for Hector
All of this doesn’t mean you can never give Hector human food. There are certain foods that are ok for him to eat and if given to him correctly will not create a behavior nightmare. Lean proteins like chicken are ok for Hector to eat. He can also have most vegetables, just be sure to check a poison list first. Be sure that anything you give him is plain, unseasoned, and without added fat. Give Hector your healthful treats when you are not at the dinner table so he does not become a mealtime begger.

Sweaters and monogrammed bandanas with home cooked-meals are truly a treat but Rocky barely notices them; sure, he looks handsome and his coat gleams and you spoil him as you would your favorite (or only) child, but dogs value things differently than humans. While it is a display of affection that we shower someone or something with gifts, Rocky really wants one thing from you and one thing only. The best part is you don’t even have to try to find it or run out and slam a fistful of dollars on the register pay station: it is you. Yes, all he wants is his human, his pack leader, his alpha, his belly-scratcher. It doesn’t get much warmer and fuzzier than that.

A Dog’s View of the World
Rocky is a pack animal and in the view of a pack mentality animal, the leader is the end-all–be-all of the subservient animal’s entire world. This is true in the wild and it is true of domesticated canines. The leader is afforded the best of everything: the best food, the most comfortable bed, eating first while the rest wait their turn, and all the added respect that comes with being the leader of the pack. In the wild, the alpha barely even looks at the rest of his charges, by and large ignoring them until they crawl up and lick at his face and mouth, begging for attention. In the human pack the dog gets much more attention naturally, elevating his status in his own mind and providing him with comfort, security and a special place in the pack. They will take what is given to them and be grateful, not noticing if a collar is designer or not. They do not care about designer names. They cannot read.

What hits home for a dog is how much time the pack leader spends with him, how much he is included in activities and how strong is his leadership. Rocky loves to run with his humans, he adores walking beside them; he is incredibly excited to participate with a hike into the hills and rocky out-croppings where he can see new things and smell new scents. Rocky loves to share these moments because in his mind, they are what make life good. You need not go to exotic locales; your backyard is good enough. You do not even need a ball or a Frisbee though you would not be remiss to have them on hand. A stick is good enough and in some cases, Rocky does not even need that much. You calling his name from one end of the yard to the other so he can run to you and back is what makes his day. Simple, sweet… life is good.

It Does Not Have to be Perfect
It is quite possible you are unable to run or go hiking or even walk very fast. That is perfectly alright. Rocky does not need those things, he would just enjoy doing them with you. A leisurely stroll around the neighborhood a couple of times a day, a game of fetch or even just accompanying you as you putter about the garden, Rocky simply desires your time. He wants your attention, your voice, your praise and to be pet or brushed. Set aside some time each day for a short grooming session, such as 10 or even 20 minutes and make it your alone time when he is your one focus. He will match your activity level or inactivity level; just remember that dogs do genuinely need exercise of some sort for their mental and physical health as well as a way to relieve boredom.

In your eyes he is part of the family and in his eyes you are his pack. He relishes time spent with his pack mates because that is how dogs think and socialize. You would be heartbroken to see your child left out of a game on the playground and it is much the same with Rocky when he watches his pack cavorting but is not allowed to join the fun. Make some time and room for Rocky and watch him shine!

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass (And Then Throw It Up)
This pair of pooches demonstrates a mystery behavior that most, if not all dogs seem to share. A practice that people cannot help but wonder about: both Sherlock and Watson like to eat grass, and both have been known to throw up after consuming the green stuff. Upon close examination of their grass chomping habits though, you would notice that neither throws up every time he eats grass – just sometimes. So, do Sherlock and Watson throw up because they eat grass; or do they eat grass in order to cause themselves to throw up? Well, who better to learn from than a dog named Sherlock, and his sidekick friend Watson?

Because They Like It
So, Watson is chewing on some grass. One of the possible intentions with which he is going about this is that he actually enjoys the taste of grass – many dogs do in fact. Just like a dog who eats garbage or dead animals, he is doing it simply because he wants to, because he enjoys it. It may not taste good to you, but kibble and milk bones probably don’t either.

Because They Need It
Some researchers and vets would argue that dogs need greens, like grass, in their diet. A dog in the wild is an omnivore, partially by proxy. If Sherlock, for example, were a wild dog, and were to eat a small animal like a mouse or a rabbit, he would also ingest the stomach of the creature, which would be filled with partially digested greens. Grass, for this reason, is a natural part of a dog’s diet, and so Sherlock and Watson eating the grass isn’t actually a problem – it is their version of a salad.

Because Their Tummy Hurts…
Many people associate dogs eating grass with dogs throwing up, because it is common, when a pooch like Watson is having indigestion, he will intentionally eat to try and ward off his bad stomach. What does grass do to help? Well, for example, when Sherlock eats grass when he has a bad stomach, the grass gets tangled in the contents of his stomach, thereby taking the irritant with it on the way back up. It is, in truth a very efficient way to start feeling better quickly.

So They Throw Up Because…
Watson and Sherlock do not actually throw up just because they eat grass, but rather, for a handful of other reasons associated with the practice. The first and simplest explanation is that Watson may eat way too much grass, or Sherlock may eat it too quickly, not chewing enough before expecting his stomach to process it. Not chewing the grass well enough, or just being too full can cause a dog to throw up, just as it can cause a human to throw up.

The biggest danger you face when a dog, like Watson or Sherlock, eats grass is that the grass may not be safe to eat at all. If it is covered in pesticides, lawn treatments, or weed killers, of course it will make him sick. These chemicals can make other animals and humans sick, too. To prevent your pooch from getting sick, either ensure that he is not eating contaminated grass, or if that is for some reason impossible, substitute other safe greens in his diet like string beans or cooked broccoli. “Elementary, my dear human,” is what Sherlock would tell you in regards to the whole thing, if he could speak that is.

Specifically, DDB focuses on dogs who have been chained or tied up outdoors and campaigns online using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter as well as other means to spread the word: “No more chained dogs.” The name of the new rehab center will be “The Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs.”

It has taken the group several years to raise the $600,000 to purchase the property. The fund-raising has been useful for gaining publicity and helping bring awareness to their efforts on behalf of chained dogs. Helping to change the nation’s thinking about how to treat and care for pet dogs is their mission, and at its core is their insistence that dogs function best as pets, socialized and integrated into a family structure, trained and cared for by their people, and not left alone or tied up.

Future Plans for Good Newz
While DDB has secured the funding to purchase the property, they do not intend to stop there. Renovations to the building and grounds are needed to transform the former mansion into a rehab center. Fencing is needed and additional renovations are planned, as they hope to eventually house and help between 300 and 500 dogs per year at the facility. A memorial for the dogs who were killed or died as a result of their involvement in the dog fighting world is also planned. In addition, Vicks’ former dog fighting site will be used as the organization’s national headquarters.

Chained Dogs – Abuse and Neglect
DDB works hard to raise awareness regarding the practice of chaining dogs. Offering information and assistance, including taking in and finding foster care for the dog, DDB volunteers work with owners to find solutions for dogs who are chained. Often these dogs are ill, mentally or physically from being chained by the neck for years of their lives. Many are emaciated, infected by intestinal or heartworm, and at grave risk for being harmed by wildlife.

In addition, statistics gathered by the Center for Disease Control and the Humane Society indicate that chaining dogs is a dangerous practice. The majority of children bitten by dogs over the past ten years were bitten by dogs that were chained. Trainers and behaviorists agree that the practice of chaining a dog is harmful to their social and emotional development. Chained dogs are at greater risk for becoming aggressive, misinterpreting human behavior and responding inappropriately to perceived threats. In a terribly sad and highly publicized case in 2009, a chained female dog killed a two- year-old child when the toddler wandered too close to her and her puppies.

From Chained Up to Members of a Family
DDB has stepped into this arena as a strong advocate for both dogs and children, working to publicize the dangers of chaining dogs. The group also works with law enforcement or local SPCA groups whenever possible to assist in removing dogs from owners willing to surrender dogs. Using a network of local coordinators and volunteers, homes are found for the dogs and often the dogs are allowed into a home and invited to become a part of the family for the very first time.

Rehoming these dogs can be difficult, as many of the dogs have both medical and training needs as well as emotional scars. Obedience, socialization and house manners are all new to these dogs and adoptive families have their work cut out for them. The rewards, however, are great, as most dogs flourish and blossom with care training and love.

It is wonderful for a change to be able to “report” that from something like the highly-publicized story of the Bad Newz Kennels could come a truly positive and uplifting story. It was difficult for dog owners and dog lovers to stomach such a horrendous story. But thanks to The Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs, awareness, healing and a future awaits dogs who might otherwise end up no better than the dogs in Vick’s dog fighting arena.

What is a Dog?
Stupid question? Not from this uber rational point of view. A dog is
• A 10-15 year commitment, depending on the age of the dog you choose
• A daily commitment of time spent exercising, grooming, training, feeding and playing. Don’t like spending you time doing any of those things? Hard cold facts, friends: dogs require a colossal investment of time – again, some breeds and some individual dogs more than others.
• An expense. Dogs can get sick or have accidents and rack up huge vet bills before you can say “wag your tail!” If you travel, you’re looking at more potential expenses of boarding or having a dog sitter come to your home. Even dog food can start to add up.
• A guaranteed emotional investment that will end with, in most cases, you outliving the dog. Are you ready to become attached and then let go when the time comes?
• Unbelievably destructive to furniture, clothing, shoes, carpets, even the walls themselves if their needs for exercise, companionship, and stimulation are not well met.

Good Reasons to NOT Get a Dog:
Vanity is probably the best reason to not get a dog. Whatever street credibility you imagine will come from owning a particular dog, rest assured, it won’t be worth it. Dogs are way too needy and way too messy and unpleasant to be around if they are treated like objects. Find something inanimate to beef up the vanity, but don’t get a pet. You’ll regret it, and the animal will suffer.

Don’t get a dog as a companion for very young children. Give your children your full attention and companionship for a few more years and consider a dog once children are old enough to be real partners in the care of the dog. Again, everyone will be happier this way. Babies and toddlers are just not a good mix with most dogs.

Don’t agree to get a dog to make someone else happy. Your children or your spouse won’t be able to take care of the dog 100% of the time (despite all their promises to the contrary) and dogs have four dirty paws and shrill barks and whatever else you might not enjoy. Fifteen years is a long time to live with an animal you don’t want.
Don’t get a dog exclusively for a job, whether that job is to be a competitive show dog or a guard dog, or any other job. Working dogs need loving families. Just like working people.

Reasons To Get A Dog:

• You have to love dogs more than you love cleanliness (wave bye-bye to clean clothes, a clean car, and a clean house).
• You have to want to feel deep, strong emotions on a regular basis. Dogs will make you dig deep, and feel love, anger, joy, and worry – possibly all within moments of each other.
• You have had a sober friend consider your resources and give you an honest and accurate accounting of what you can reasonably take on, and it includes a dog.

So here’s the funny thing: once you’ve met the preceding criteria, some of those other reasons might actually turn out to be pretty good reasons to get a dog. Dogs offer great companionship, protection, or deterrence and yeah, some dogs might even be chick magnets! But first and foremost – choose to get a dog (and not a cat or a fish or a new watch) because you love dogs so much you can’t imagine living life without canine companionship. If that’s where you start, you are guaranteed success.

But of course there is one complication to this whole equation. If you have a family, then you do have other people to answer to - and they are living with you right there at your workplace. The good news is that your husband or wife is a big boy or girl and can take care of him or herself, while your children – unless very young – are going to be away at school for a significant part of the day, giving you ample time to get things done. But there are two different kinds of children: those with two legs and those with four, and unless your four-legged children are unusually bright, they are probably not going to be spending their days off learning their ABCs. If you have a “son” or “daughter” who just happens to be canine, then you know your four-legged child (or children) is/are going to be right there with you, 24 hours a day. And like any child, your dog needs your love and attention.

So working at home for dog owners is inevitably going to involve a delicate balancing act. You have to get things done, and you need some good solid working hours each day if you expect to do them. But Spike is not just another piece of furniture decorating the place; he is indeed like your child. You want him to feel secure and content, and no dog is going to be able to feel that way without the companionship of his favorite human.

How to Make your Dog Happy Even When Your Time is Short
There is one key word that must be memorized by anyone facing this delicate situation: scheduling. It is essential that you establish a schedule that will not only let you get the hours in you need to get your work done, but also allow Spike to adjust to the fact that you are not going to be able to be there for him every single second of the day. Let Spike know he will be fed twice a day at the exact same time, and that his daily walk will come at the exact same time, and that your playtime will come at a regularly scheduled time and with a definite duration. Dogs have good internal clocks, and Spike will quickly realize there is no reason for him to be whining, barking or making a commotion when you are in front of the computer at 3 p.m., because walk time is 3:30 and not a minute earlier. Not only will this habit allow Spike to adjust to your habits, but it will also increase his sense of security, because he knows that walk time will be coming, even if it is not right now.

Another important thing is to simply be yourself. Treat Spike with the same positive, affectionate attitude that you always do, even at those moments when you are feeling pressured because of an upcoming deadline. The thing to remember is that your dog, more than anything, just wants to be with you, to be close to you. He doesn’t require endless amusement, just the knowledge that he is welcome beside you at each and every moment. If you want him to lie quietly nearby, not causing any disruption, while you work, then the best way to make that happen is to make him feel totally comfortable and happy just to be in your presence.

The Secret to Success: Enjoy Him!
Yes, it may be a balancing act, trying to pay sufficient attention to a pet while you are also trying to work. But you need to look on the bright side. You brought Spike into your home and kept him there to enjoy his presence, and if you decide to start working from home, then this means you can do that even more. And you don’t have to worry about the loneliness and isolation that sometimes accompany working at home all day either; one of your best friends (or more than one if you have multiple dogs) is going to be right there, keeping you company and bringing positive energy to your workplace.

There is no doubt – it you are willing to work with your dog, then he is going to be willing to work with you. Dogs are very intelligent, and they will soon figure out that Mommy or Daddy is doing something important, and that while they need to be loved and adored just like always, it is also important to let them get their work done without disruption. For the loving dog owner working from home, dogs can be a source of pleasure that will actually make it easier to get things done by bringing loving, supportive companionship. And if you get stuck on some kind of work problem, you could always ask Spike for some advice, too; because as every dog owner knows, your dog is actually the smartest one in the world!

The doctor suggests using cortisone injections on Samosa, which makes sense to you. Almost immediately you notice a difference. Samosa is almost his former self. He’s chasing down balls the way he did as a puppy and tackles those stairs like a champ. So moved you are that you purchase the Rocky movie and play its theme song for Samosa. You have your buddy back!

However, it seems that over time the effectiveness of wears off quicker with each shot. That’s when, instead of talking first with your doctor, you start doing research on the Internet. Article after article suggests that there are very few options available to you both, other than continuing with cortisone injections. One goes so far as to suggest putting Samosa down. Although putting his misery behind him is utmost in your mind, he hasn’t communicated he is ready to go yet, and so you turn to him and tell him, “As long as you have some fight left in you, so do I! You’ve been the most faithful and consistent companion to me and I am not throwing in the towel just yet.” And as if the universe responds to your situation, you find an article that piques your attention.

Canine Hip Replacements
Bigger dogs have been getting this procedure since the 1970s, but hip replacements for smaller dogs in the 6 to 30 pound range is a relatively recent development. It has only become possible in the past 5 years.

Since the procedure was licensed in 2005, 200 dogs from around the world have had hip replacements. The prosthetic canine hip is made from the same materials as a human prosthetic hip - titanium and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys. It is durable, sturdy, and well made, just like a human joint replacement.

Pros
As with any family decision, there are factors to consider before choosing whether or not a hip replacement is the right choice for your little Samosa. First off, what about the surgery would be advantageous for your pup?

The best thing about getting Samosa a hip replacement would be that he could return to the exact same level of physical activity as when he had use of his healthy, normal hip. Whether he is an athletic dog who participates in competitions, a hunting dog or even just a regular old dog who enjoys running around the yard. Samosa’s surgery would allow him to return to his former happiness and activity level.

The operation has a high success rate, and leaves only a small scar behind as evidence. Occasionally, there can be complications, just as with human surgeries of the same caliber, but most can be corrected with minimal extra time and costs. For example, one pug who had had the procedure done had a limp a few months after her surgery. A close inspection revealed that part of the prosthetic hip had come loose from her bone. A minor surgery to reattach the piece to her bone and the pug was as good as new.

Cons
Because the procedure is still in its infancy, the only data available or short-term. Only predictions can be made about what the long-term results of the procedure might be. Veterinarians have every reason to believe that looking long term, dogs will continue to both respond well to surgery and continue to live longer and without pain.

The cost is probably the biggest stumbling block for most people. The procedure cost approximately $5,000, which doesn’t include the physical therapy that your dog will need post operation. The cost is of course, worth it, but not always affordable, no matter how much you may love your little Samosa.

Other Joints that Can Be Replaced
There are other joints your pooch can have replaced, if need be. In recent years, knee and elbow replacements have joined hips in the category of ‘joint replacements available to doggies.’ 120 dogs worldwide have had knees replaced since 2007 when the procedure became widely available. Elbow replacements for dogs of medium weight – between 50 and 80 pounds – have been available since the 1980s. In 2008, a less invasive version of elbow surgery was introduced. The response has been favor with 90 getting the procedure.

Leader Dogs
Images of dogs leading the blind have been found as far back in time as the Roman Empire. In more modern times, the real push to train and use dogs as assistants for the visually impaired began after World War I in Europe when dogs helped injured war veterans. In the United States, several organizations for training guide dogs were founded after World War II. Since then, leader dogs have become indispensable companions to their owners. But highly trained dogs are not only for the visually impaired. They can assist those with hearing impairment and other physical or even emotional disabilities.

Hearing Dogs
With their excellent ears, dogs make great companions for the deaf and hard of hearing. Hearing assistance dogs are trained for three to five months to listen to distinguish between different sounds. They also learn to respond to hand signals from their owner and others. These dogs learn to alert a person to a particular sound using the sense of touch. They will use their nose to nudge their owner and then lead them towards the source of the sound. The sense of safety that these trained dogs can provide for their humans is invaluable.

Service Dogs
Dogs are also wonderful assistants for people with a range of other physical disabilities. People with limited mobility can greatly benefit from having a dog guide. They can be trained to retrieve needed items, open and close doors, pull wheelchairs, turn lights on and off and find other people for assistance. The can work with and around manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs or walkers. They can help someone with balance issues walk more steadily.

Even people with less obvious or less visible disabilities can benefit from a service dog. People who suffer from various mental and emotional disorders can use dogs to help them feel more comfortable and secure in their environments. Someone with agoraphobia may need a dog to be able to leave the house or a child with autism may use a dog to more easily interact with the outside world. Dogs can even assist with medical health problems. Thanks to the amazing smelling power of the dog nose, service dogs can detect when an epileptic is about to have a seizure or a diabetic has low blood sugar. These alerts can be life saving as the dog can alert his or her owner of the sudden drop in blood sugar or seizure and either get his or her owner to a safer place and are trained to alert someone else who can assist. Now if only they could get the tongue depressor or insulin and insert it, wouldn’t that be amazing?

For someone with a disability, getting a service dog can be life changing. A lot of work goes into training these amazing animals. Guide dogs for the blind are generally selected as puppies and are usually Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers or German shepherds. They live with a volunteer or trainer for proper socialization until they are old enough for serious training. Dogs for the hearing impaired and other disabilities don’t require quite as much preparatory work. They can often be selected from a shelter and do not need to be puppies. A service dog of this type should be between eighteen months and two years old and require a few months of training.

Whatever the need, a dog is there to assist. These amazing animals have long been connected to the human race. With their loyalty, abilities, and desire to please us, dogs have truly become our best friends.

Hairballs are one common health problem that all cat owners have likely encountered at one time or another. Brushing your cat frequently is one way to help reduce the incidence of hairballs; but during the warmer months especially, so much hair is being shed so steadily that there is really no way to stay ahead of it by brushing alone. This is why it is important for cats to have grass or something else green to chew. Cats actually chew grass when outside because they cannot digest raw green vegetation well, and grass tends to cause light preventative vomiting that breaks up hairballs before they can become a serious problem.

Arthritis can affect cats as they age just as it affects human beings. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are often recommended as supplements for people suffering from the symptoms of arthritis, and in truth these nutrients are probably even more effective in cats than they are in humans. As a cat’s body ages, it sometimes loses the ability to produce glucosamine and chondroitin in amounts sufficient to promote healthy cartilage production. Introduction of these critical substances to a cat’s diet through supplements can halt and even reverse the spread of arthritis. In fact it seems to work so well that it can stimulate the feline body to begin producing more of these nutrients naturally, and it may be possible in some instances to take older cats off of glucosamine and chondroitin after the effects of the supplements have taken hold.

Commercially produced cat food is a significant source of health problems in cats. Just like their human companions, cats tend to get too much processed food in their diets, and the results are nutritional deficiencies that can seriously compromise the functioning of a cat’s normally resilient body. For example, urinary tract blockages caused by crystal formation are directly related to over reliance on commercially produced dry cat food. More inexpensive than meat-based canned cat food, dry cat food lacks moisture, which causes problems because cats tend not to drink as much water as some other animals and need to get water in their diets. Without adequate water intake, cats can suffer from blocked urinary passages, and can eventually succumb to kidney failure if the lack of water is chronic. Perhaps even more disturbingly, the cancer epidemic in cats – and dogs as well – has been linked to vitamin E shortages. There are several subtypes of vitamin E, some of which are missing in commercially prepared cat foods – including the vitamin E subtype credited with the ability to successfully combat cancer cells in the feline body.

It appears that just like their human companions, what cats need are diets made up of natural foods loaded with important nutrients that help preserve and promote outstanding biological health. In many instances, the best sources of these foods actually overlap with the foods normally consumed by humans. Fresh lean meats (lightly cooked or raw in the case of cats), finely chopped vegetables, eggs, various seeds and nuts – these are just some of the foods that are apparently quite beneficial to the health of cats. So even though it is important to remember that cats are different from human beings, and have different nutritional requirements, it turns out that the keys to good health in people and their feline housemates are not as unrelated as we might have been led to believe.