dog health Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Here’s Why You Might Want To Use Hemp Oil For Dogs

November 2, 2018 by Mandy

Nowadays, there is so much buzz surrounding hemp and the health benefits it has for pets and people. It is easy to understand why since hemp oil for dogs can be seen as a superfood due to its many nutrients that can be seen as vital for health. As hemp grows in popularity, gaining the reputation of a wonderful supplement humans can use, the exact same thing happens in relation to dogs. If you ever wondered why so many pet owners recommend hemp oil for dogs, here are the main reasons you should be aware of.

GLA – Gamma-Linolenic Acid

The dog is capable of synthesizing gamma-linolenic acid, which is an Omega 6 fat, but deficiency is common. GLA is really important for the body and a deficiency can lead to premature aging, diabetes, cancer, skin problems, digestive issues and arthritis. The dog basically needs a good supply and hemp oil is capable of offering just that. Some of the really common GLA health benefits are:

Managing inflammation and pain associated with arthritis– This was supported by a study published in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Skin Allergies are reduced– GOLA can help manage atopic dermatitis.
Anti-Cancer– GLA-rich diets can modulate inflammation and will boost the immune function of the body. GLA will inhibit cancer cell growth for various tumor types. Also, apoptosis is stimulated while the negative effects of cancer drugs are reduced.
Weight management– GLA will help turn on the dog’s fat burning mechanism while increasing energy levels.

Omega Fatty Acids

Contrary to popular belief, Omega-3 and Omega 6 fats are working together inside the body in order to manage inflammation. In hemp oil we have the ideal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6, 1 to 3. This is a balance that is really important for overall health.

Dogs that suffer from long term chronic inflammation usually end up with different health problems. The common ones are heart disease, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cancer and liver disease. By simply adding some hemp oil to the diet, such disease can be prevented. Omega-3 fats will also be really beneficial for the dog’s skin, brain, eyes, immune system and joints.

Antioxidants

In hemp oil you can find high quantities of vitamin A and vitamin E. These are really strong antioxidants capable of helping the pet’s immune system because of the effect on free radicals. You need to know that free radicals appear as the dog absorbs various toxins from chemicals, pollution, processed foods, pesticides, drugs and vaccines. Oxidative stress appears and the dog is faced with damaged cells, DNA and proteins. Antioxidants will promote overall better health.

Phospholipids

These are molecules that help cells maintain internal structure. Because of the high content of phospholipids in hemp oil for dogs, various health benefits appear, including liver damage repair, immune function boost, gastric acid reduction, arthritis pain management and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

On the whole, hemp oil is actually better than the really popular fish oil that is often added to the diet of dogs. It is something that you want to learn more about.

How to soothe an anxious dog

December 14, 2017 by Mandy

From changes in their environment and separation anxiety, to long car journeys or the sound of fireworks, pets can become distressed and anxious for a wide range of reasons. Dogs in particular are highly sensitive creatures and will often respond to extreme stress by displaying bouts of disturbing or even destructive behavior.

Seeing a cherished pet behaving in this way can be extremely distressing for the owner. Thankfully there are many steps you can take to help reduce the level of anxiety in your dog. Read on to learn more about the symptoms, prevention techniques and options for treatment that can help restore peace of mind for both you and your dog.

For humans, compounds found in the marijuana plant have a positive effect on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain. Research has suggested that some of the main phytocannabinoids — specifically, the phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) — have been shown to have positive effects on receptors in the brain that cause anxiety, says THC Physicians.

What is making your dog anxious?

The three most common causes of anxiety in dogs are fear, separation and aging. Sources of fear may be obvious, such as the sound of thunder during a storm or explosions from nearby fireworks, but some dogs can also become fearful at the sight of people wearing hats or carrying umbrellas. Your dog may also become extremely anxious during a trip to the vet.

Around 14 per cent of dogs are believed to suffer separation anxiety. If your dog has started destroying the furniture or chewing up shoes, or if your neighbors report long periods of barking or howling during your absence or you return to find your dog has urinated or defecated in your home, this could be the cause. Dogs can also become more anxious as they get older and their mental faculties begin to decline, making it more difficult for them to understand what is going on around them.

Coping strategies

One of the most common ways to treat anxiety is with medication. The over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl, will make your pooch drowsy so that it can better deal with a stressful situation such as a long car journey, but sedatives are not always the best solution.

In the case of separation anxiety or stress that results from changes in the environment such as moving to a new home, there are several strategies you can employ to help your four-legged friend to cope.

A good starting point is to look into what your dog is eating. If you dog seems hyperactive and behaves as if it has too much excess energy, switching to a high protein but low carbohydrate diet can help. You should also make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, both indoors and out, and gets to play plenty of games with you and members of your family. The more enjoyment your dog has in all aspects of its life, the less it will focus on the negative emotions that emerge during times of stress.

Dogs love routine and get very flustered if their expectations are not met. Try to take your dog out for walks at roughly the same time each day and establish an order of events for some parts of a pre-walk routine, such as attaching a collar, so that you dog eventually learns that it is only when a collar has been fitted and you reach for you coat that a walk is imminent. This will prevent your dog from getting excited about you putting on your coat, only to realize that you are merely running an errand and leaving your pet at home for a short time.

Pot for pets

If you want try an alternative to traditional sedatives, consider treating your pet using oils that contain CBD, a product derived from marijuana plants. Unlike THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, this substance will no produce any kind of high. CBD is widely used to treat a wide range of common ailments and diseases in humans, but it has also been shown to be equally effective when used with pets.

Pets suffering from separation anxiety, seizures and a range of other conditions may benefit from taking doses of CBD oil which is mixed with olive oil and delivered orally. As with its use in humans, medicinal CBD does not create any of the psychotropic affects usually associated with marijuana, so you never have to worry about your dog having hallucinations or feeling even more anxious as a result of CBD treatment.

Swaddle your dog

The key problem with sedatives is that you have to give them to the dog well in advance of the event for them to be fully effective, and you can’t often predict when a storm is going to arrive, or a firework display is going to begin. If you wait until the noises have started before you deliver the sedative, you may have already missed the window of time during which they would be of benefit to your pet.

Some owners attempt to desensitize their dogs to loud sounds by playing recordings of thunder storms or exploding fireworks over a period of weeks or months, starting with small exposure and rewarding the dog for not showing signs of stress. Although this can work with some dogs, not all will respond to such fake sounds the way they do to real ones.

Though some pets may become used to the sound of the recordings, they will still become stressed and anxious during periods of extreme weather. This is partly because the sound of the recordings come from inside the house, which dogs consider to be a relatively safe environment. When similar sounds are heard emanating from outside the house, stress levels rise once again.

One extremely popular, non-medical treatment for fear-related anxiety is the ThunderShirt, a specially designed garment that wraps tightly around your dog’s torso and, in doing so, provides sensations that lead to a great reduction in anxiety.

The device was invented in 2008 by Phil Blizzard to help his dog, Dosi, who would become highly distressed during thunderstorms. One night, along with his wife Patricia, Phil wrapped a t-shirt around Dosi and then covered this with packing tape to increase the pressure on her torso. Almost immediately, Dosi stopped shaking and lay down. It was the start of a business which now enjoys annual revenues in excess of $15 million.

How You Can Ensure Your Dog’s Oral Health is Excellent

September 28, 2017 by Mandy

Have you ever stopped and given consideration to your dog’s oral health? Regardless of age or breed, oral health is an important issue to be aware of in any dog. Poor oral health in a dog can lead to infections, sore gums, teeth falling out, rotting tooth sockets, and more. Reports from vets state that about 85% of dogs who are over the age of four are currently suffering from some sort of periodontal disease.

Unfortunately, dogs’ mouths are somewhat of a breeding ground for bacteria, which means it’s very easy for things to spiral out of control. So, what can you do as a pet owner to help keep your dog’s oral health in check and prevent these painful issues from occurring? Here are some steps you can follow.

Schedule Regular Visits to the Vet

If you can’t remember the last time you took your dog to the vet for a routine check-up, chances are it’s well overdue. It is suggested that a normal, healthy dog, between the ages of one through ten, should be visiting the vet yearly for a check-up. Obviously, if the dog develops other health issues they would need even more regular checkups.

During the check-up, the vet will be able to take a look in their mouth and identify any potential problem areas. Some vets even have designated staff that deal with dog dentistry. Take, for example, the California Veterinary Specialists who have a dentist as part of the staff. What this means is that if there are problems, you can have them dealt with right there in the same office.

Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Just like you brush your teeth, your dog needs that same attention and care. Many dog owners feel apprehensive about brushing their dog’s teeth and feel it won’t be an easy process. It will take some getting used to, but this is when reward treats can come in very handy. Once your dog realizes that it won’t hurt them, they may actually start to like it.

It’s a good idea to start out small and only brush for 30 seconds. You can build up over the course of a few weeks until you’re able to brush each side of their mouth for a couple of minutes, every other day.

Don’t Ignore Bad Breath

While you may just think it’s normal for your dog to have bad breath, in reality this can be a warning sign that something is going on with their oral health. It’s a good idea to take your pet into your vet and have them take a look.

Give Your Dog Food that Helps with Dental Health

Today, there are all kinds of food, treats, and toys that have been specially designed to help aid oral health. This can’t replace the act of brushing their teeth, but they can certainly be helpful to give. These products are typically used to help with tartar and plaque control.

All of these steps will help you to keep your dog’s oral health well under control.