Do herbal and homeopathic remedies work on pets?

Article courtesy of Native Remedies

"In the wild, animals instinctively seek out healing herbs to help them when they are ill or undernourished. In fact, Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine, respected dogs very highly for their ability to seek out and eat medicinal herbs in the wild. This ability is shared by other animals, including cats. We are coming to realize that nature often has the answers - but animals have always known this! Natural medicine can help your pet just as it can help you. While there is always a place for conventional veterinary medicine, natural medicine can compliment conventional veterinary care and in many cases do just as well. I have applied the same care and research that have gone into our Native Remedies range for adults and children to the development of pet-friendly, safe and effective natural remedies for animals. As always, all remedies are formulated to the highest therapeutic standards and manufactured under strict pharmaceutical conditions for your peace of mind and the well being of your pets. " Michele Carelse, Clinical Psychologist.

"When a veterinary surgeon practices the use of homeopathic medicine and is asked why he does so, he may give one of several answers. The simple answer would be that the results are good, an emphatic answer would be that homeopathic treatment has no unpleasant or dangerous side effects, while still achieving successful results.

The PetAlive Homeopathic range has been formulated with this knowledge and is specifically designed to treat your pet in a holistic and natural manner."

Dr. Glenn Ferguson
M-Tech Homeopathy
Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Natural products for your pet's health are available from Pet Alive, a branch of Native Remedies. Visit the site to learn more about how you can protect your pets' health and ensure that they live long and healthy lives. Click-here NOW!

Bathing Your Cat

Article courtesy of Native Remedies
by A. Grano

Cats are usually pretty self-sufficient at grooming themselves, given their coarse tongues and flexible bodies. And while excessive cleaning can strip the natural oils from the skin that are essential for a healthy coat, some cats may require an occasional bath, sometimes just two or three times a year.

Outdoor cats can become especially dirty, and some long-haired breeds in particular are prone to becoming oily. Regular brushing is also recommended in between baths to reduce shedding.

Before attempting a bath, be sure to consider the following points that will help make your cat bathing experience easier for both you and your feline friend!

* Avoid medicated shampoos, as the licking nature of cats means they can easily ingest common shampoo chemicals like parabens, sodium laurel sulphate or petrochemicals. Natural shampoos are a gentle yet effective alternative!

* Be prepared before bathing. Have the sink, tub or basin ready with tepid or warm water, a no-slip mat, and several towels.

* Trim, brush, then bathe. Attending to your cat’s claws will help reduce scratches, while brushing out knots is easier to do on dry fur than wet fur.

* Bath time! Place cotton balls in your cat’s ears to prevent water from entering, and use a washcloth to clean the face and head. Massage shampoo all the way to the roots and be sure to wash thoroughly to avoid any residue.

Tip: Choose a natural shampoo containing catnip to encourage a happy bathing experience, plus chamomile to promote a sense of calm.

* Drying and done! Squeeze out all the excess water you can before wrapping your cat in a towel. Rub against the grain from tail to head, using a second towel as needed to get the cat as dry as possible. Allow to air dry, and brush out any knots.

Finally, reward your cat with his or her favorite treat for being such a good sport!

Get more info on PetAlive Clean-Cat Shampoo - Non-irritating, calming cleansing shampoo formulated for cats

Cats Get Arthritis Too

Article courtesy of Native Remedies
by D. Braun

Arthritis is a disease that continues to get worse as your pet ages and the affected joints become inflamed. The cartilage in the joint is slowly destroyed by everyday wear and tear and once it gets to a certain point, the body begins to help further the destruction.

Many times you cannot even tell if your pet has arthritis. Other times you will be able to hear creaking in their joints or see the inflammation.

There are many things that can cause arthritis in cats including injury, infections and certain diseases. Some breeds such as bulldogs and dachshunds are more prone to arthritis due to their body and bone structure.

When you take your dog or cat to the vet they will need to know about any history they have had with injuries. They will ask questions about how mobile your pet is and if you have noticed any creaking or cracking sounds when they stand up. They will probably take X-rays and maybe even blood tests to help them give an accurate diagnosis.

There are many things you can do to help prevent arthritis in your pet with one of the most important being their diet. An organic diet that is full of vitamins and minerals is the foundation of keeping your beloved dog or cat healthy and pain-free.

Also be sure to take your pet out for some light exercise everyday to ensure their joints stay strong and their muscles and tendons retain flexibility. A game of chase the mouse will often help cats with arthritis. Your dog might not want to go with you for a walk if they already have arthritis but you should encourage them to come along. A light walk will help to improve the circulation of blood through the joints and ultimately ease the discomfort your dog is experiencing. It will also help to cleanse them of the inflammation-causing substances that build up in their joints.

If your pet has already been diagnosed with arthritis then there are several herbs and homeopathic remedies which can be helpful in managing arthritis and its associated discomfort. Glucosamine, lecithin, harpagophytum procumbens, natrium sulfate, arthrospira platenis, natrium phosphoricum and calcium fluoride can all be helpful to your cat or dog.

The importance of keeping your pet’s weight controlled cannot be overstated. A pet that is overweight will be more likely to get arthritis because of the extra work their joints have to do in order to simply support the added fat. If your pet already has arthritis, the added weight will make it a lot more painful for him/her to move around.

Natural products for your pet's health are available from Pet Alive, a branch of Native Remedies. Visit the site to learn more about how you can protect your pets' health and ensure that they live long and healthy lives. Click-here NOW!

Get More Info on PetAlive SlenderPet to Help Your Pet Regain and Maintain Their Optimum Weight

Get More Info on PetAlive Muscle & Joint Support For Relief of Pet Arthritis, Rheumatism and Joint Disease

What Type of Cat is Right for You?

Article courtesy of Native Remedies
by B. Chancey

Adopting any new pet is an important decision. When adopting a cat though, common misconceptions occur, such as thinking that they are all similar in shape and size. Actually, there are some important differences amongst breed and gender that must be considered before introducing a new feline friend into your life.

Does Sex Matter?

Behaviors are markedly different between male and female cats. An unneutered male cat may conduct such behaviors as urine spraying, while an unspayed female may cause frustration with vocalization and “rolling” when they are in heat. If you are already a cat owner you may have already seen these behaviors displayed.

Another thing to consider with most breeds is weight differences between males and females. Take for instance the Norwegian Forest Cat; a male can weigh up to 16 pounds and a female up to 12 pounds. This breed is very good with children, great for first time cat owners and is good around other pets. They are not easily stressed, and adapt better to change than many other breeds of cat.

Kid Friendly

Cats definitely have personalities and are all different in the way they deal with small children. Make sure the breed you are interested in tolerates rough handling. Exposing young kittens (after the age of 2 weeks) to children is usually best. Families with children should consider cats with easygoing, gentle, and relaxed temperaments.

Ragdoll cats also named the “puppy cat” may be the right fit for any family with small children. Ragdolls enjoy playtime but will usually refrain from being boisterous or overly demanding. However, if you are looking for a small pet this may not be the one for you. Females average up to 15 pounds and the males at a whopping 20 pounds. The Norwegian Forest Cat is another breed that is very good with children and great for first time cat owners. They also adapt well to being around other pets. These cats are not easily stressed, and adapt better to change than many other breeds of cat.

A Cut or a Trim?

Some owners love to groom their cat, while others would love to devote less time to the act. All cats should be groomed regularly, however there is a fine line as to what “regularly” means for specific breeds. Longer-haired cat’s coats can become easily matted if they are not thoroughly brushed and you will spend time cleaning the hair off of furniture and your clothes.

The most obvious short-haired breed (or hairless) is the Sphynx. With the Sphynx there is no need to worry about constant cleaning of hair; however, they do need frequent bathing due to the excessive amount of oils on their body. The Sphynx only averages 10 pounds, are great around children, and are quite curious. Another option for a short-haired cat is the American Shorthair, like the Sphynx it is great for families with children. The American Shorthair is a gentle, quiet cat and a good match for a first time cat owner.

Other things to consider:

* Advantages and disadvantages of adult cats versus kittens
* Purebreeds versus mixed breeds
* Advantages and disadvantages of crossbreeds
* Energy level of cat
* Quiet or talkative