Glaucoma in dogs: natural home remedies
“Eyes are the reflection of the soul”.
I don’t know about you, but when I look deep into my dog’s eyes, I see him thinking, analyzing and understanding what I’m telling him.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that dogs can suffer from. It results from an increase in intraocular pressure and is a very painful condition, which can lead to complications such as loss of sight.
Does this disease remind you of something? This is likely because humans can get glaucoma too. That said, glaucoma in animals is generally more painful, as the pressure in the eye tends to rise to higher levels than in humans!
Does your dog have glaucoma and are you worried about seeing them in pain, about seeing their quality of life deteriorate? In this article, we present natural solutions, a gentle holistic approach to help you support your pet and offer them a better quality of life.
The post What Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe for Dogs? by Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Have you ever perused the produce section of your grocery store and marveled at the display of fresh strawberries in the middle of winter? Or wondered how dozens of apple varieties are available all year round? Welcome to the transportation age, where fruits and vegetables grown halfway around the country — or the world — can wind up in our stores and on our plates any time of year.
Sure, it’s convenient, but at a cost: higher prices, loss of freshness, decreased nutrients and unwanted chemicals, to name a few. The apples in your store’s produce section could be a year old and treated with fungicides and a chemical called 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to slow down the natural ripening process.
So, how do savvy shoppers snag the freshest, healthiest fruits and veggies? They buy seasonally!
Purchasing local produce grown in-season has tons of benefits: It’s typically less expensive because you’re not funding a long trek from farm to store; it’s fresher, which means packed with more nutrients; and it’s less likely to be sprayed with pesticides or coated with other chemicals. You can also feel good knowing that when you buy seasonally, you’re supporting local farmers. Score!
But wait. What’s all this got to do with your dog?
Fido and Fluffy can reap the health benefits of in-season produce, too! Here are my top seven produce picks you, and your dog, can enjoy right now.
Apples
Apples can help protect your dogs heart! Photography by: ©All Produce | Getty Images
Ditch the 1-MCP and opt for orchard-fresh apples bursting with polyphenols that defend the body against oxidation from dangerous free radicals. Apples help regulate blood sugar, protect the heart, benefit neurological health and provide anti-cancer benefits. They may even boost memory and help protect against neurodegenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease in people. Bonus: Apples are high in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that may help soothe irritated intestines and ease diarrhea.
Tip: Avoid the Granny Smith variety, which can be too acidic for some dogs.
Bell peppers
Bell Peppers contain plenty of vitamins and minerals for your dog. Photography by: ©All Produce | Getty Images
Bell peppers are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including vitamin C, folate, potassium and beta-carotene. The red variety contain more than one-and-a-half times the vitamin C as green bell peppers and more than 10 times the amount of beta-carotene because they have ripened longer on the vine. Antioxidants in bell peppers are important in fighting free radical damage and protecting the body against cancer. Red bell peppers are also chock full of lutein and zeaxanthin for supporting eye health.
Tip: Never feed your dog spicy peppers, which contain capsaicin and can cause serious allergic reactions or gastric upset.
Blueberries
Blueberries are filled with antioxidants. Photography by: ©All Produce | Getty Images
Fresh blueberries are nutritional powerhouses, packed with vitamins and minerals, including C, K and manganese. Their beautiful purple-blue hue comes from anthocyanins, phytochemicals that help reduce inflammation, fight cancer, improve memory and protect the heart. Pterostilbene is a potent antioxidant in blueberries that may help manage diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels, inhibiting development of cancerous tumors, boosting cognitive ability and reducing risk for metabolic syndrome.
Tip: Feed right in your dog’s bowl, mix in with food, or freeze for a refreshing summertime treat.
Broccoli
Broccoli has many vitamins, minerals and even a cancer reducing compound in it. Photography by: ©All Produce | Getty Images
Broccoli is a member of the Brassica family, also known as cruciferous vegetables. Rich in vitamins C, E, K and folate, and minerals like potassium and magnesium, broccoli also contains
sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates. When glucosinolates break down, they form biologically active compounds, such as isothiocyanates and indoles that exert powerful anti-cancer effects, including protecting DNA from damage, blocking the spread of cancer cells and inducing cancer cell death.
Tip: Avoid for dogs with hypothyroidism, as isothiocyanates interfere with thyroid function. Cooking will help reduce this effect.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe contains vitamins and carotenoids that help aid vision! Photography by: ©All Produce | Getty Images
Sadly, cantaloupe is often associated with the pale-fleshed, dull-tasting version we find in breakfast buffets and withering fruit cups. But fresh, in-season cantaloupe, such as those found in local farmer’s markets, is bursting with color, flavor and nutrition. Cantaloupe contains a healthy dose of antioxidants vitamin C, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, as well as B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium. Cantaloupe also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids shown to benefit eye health.
Tip: Cantaloupe makes a sweet, cooling treat your dog will enjoy on a hot day.
Peppermint
Peppermint is great for soothing your dogs upset stomach! Photography by: ©All Produce | Getty Images
Peppermint is a cooling herb that can soothe upset stomachs and ease indigestion. It helps alleviate spasms and calm the muscles of the intestinal tract, enabling trapped gas to pass. Peppermint may also contain antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It’s strong, so a little goes a long way. You can give your dog peppermint in the form of fresh chopped leaves. Start slowly and work up to about ½ teaspoon for a small dog, ½ teaspoon for a medium dog and 1 teaspoon for a large dog. Bonus: Peppermint will freshen your dog’s breath!
Tip: Never give your dog human peppermint products, which can contain toxic ingredients such as xylitol. Avoid peppermint if your dog has gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), as it can worsen symptoms.
Zucchini
Zucchini is rich in vitamins including B2, B6, C, K, riboflavin and folate, minerals such as potassium and magnesium and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. Zucchini is rich in fiber, making it an excellent food to support digestive health. Research also shows that zucchini can help rid the body of dangerous free radicals, decrease inflammation, lower blood sugar, benefit eye health and support healthy blood pressure.
Tip: Feed steamed or chopped raw. I find that most dogs easily digest zucchini, including the skin.
Fruits and vegetables can vastly improve your dogs health,so be sure to give them a try! Photography by: ©GlobalP | Getty Images
Of course, be sure to only feed dog-safe fruits and veggies to your best friend! Bon appetite!
To find out which produce is in-season where you live, check out seasonalfoodguide.org. Just plug in your state, the season and — voila! — up pops a comprehensive list.
Thumbnail: Photography by: ©Photoboyko | Getty Images
About the author:
Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS, is an award-winning canine health writer, nutritionist and creator of Plant-Powered Dog, the plant-based dog nutrition and lifestyle website. Her mission is to help dog guardians worldwide raise thriving dogs through a compassionate plant-based diet that positively impacts the well-being of all animals and the planet.
Learn more about feeding your dog a healthy diet on dogster.com:
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- Ask a Vet: Is There an Ideal Diet for Dogs?
The post What Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe for Dogs? by Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The post Common Rescue Dog Behavior Issues by Victoria Stilwell appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
I have worked with rescue dogs for over 20 years, and I’m always impressed with their resilience and courage. Most dogs end up in shelters through no fault of their own, but their ability to bounce back from even the most tragic of situations shows just how incredible they are. These dogs have nothing “wrong” with them except that they have been dealt an unfortunate card.
I encourage prospective pet parents to go to a shelter first because rescue dogs make such incredible pets, and while some dogs might find the transition from shelter to home overwhelming, most acclimate quickly and easily. There will be an adjustment period for the whole family when any new dog comes into the home. Dogs previously raised in nurturing environments tend to be more adaptable to new things, while those that have had little social contact or positive experiences with people and other dogs will need time to acclimate.
When your dog comes home
Your dog will have to learn a whole new set of guidelines and adjust to novel experiences in your home. She might have never walked on carpet, seen a cat, been around a child, heard the noise of a vacuum or seen a television. So, it could be overwhelming for her to begin with.
You might find that your dog has toileting accidents, chews the furniture or barks when she’s left alone. These behavior issues are very common and can be resolved with time, patience and the help of a certified positive trainer if necessary.
Create a toileting routine
As soon as your dog comes home, start housetraining basics immediately, and take her out to toilet every hour. Pay special attention to times when she is more likely to go, such as after she has eaten, woken from a nap or after vigorous play. Once you have established a successful toileting routine, you can cut the amount of outside visits to a normal adult schedule, about four to five outings a day.
Create a safe space
Give your dog a bolt-hole or safe space to go to, as the freedom to take herself off to safety if needed will increase her confidence. This space is off-limits to visitors and any young children you might have. Separate this space from the rest of your home with a baby gate so your dog is safely contained but not isolated from the family. Use this space when you cannot actively supervise your dog to avoid toileting accidents, and give her appropriate chew toys to play with so she is not tempted to chew on your furniture or household objects.
Dogs with a history of abandonment can feel anxious on separation. Help her cope by tiring her out with plenty of activities and then leaving her in her safe zone for short periods of time to relax. Make sure she is close to other dogs you have in your home so that she does not feel isolated.
Take it slow
If your dog comes from a puppy mill situation or hasn’t had much experience outside, too much space all at once might be overwhelming. Take things slowly, and let her get used to being in your house and yard before you introduce her to the outside world. If she refuses to go on a walk, the world is still too much for her, so observe her body language and go at her pace. She will let you know when she is ready.
Make time for play
Enrichment is a wonderful way to help any dog acclimate. Teach your dog how to use her nose by playing scent-related games or help her solve problems by giving her dog puzzles and activity toys. This will activate her thinking brain, which will focus her attention onto learning and problem solving rather than feeling worried.
My family and I have only ever had dogs and cats from rescue situations, and we have successfully transitioned them into our home by understanding their needs, giving them time to adjust and teaching them the life skills they need to acclimate successfully. We share our home with Jasmine the Chihuahua and Bella, our Shih Tzu. These dogs enrich our lives every day, and we couldn’t imagine living without them.
Thumbnail: ©OvalStudios | Getty Images
About the author:
Victoria Stilwell, dog trainer, TV personality, author and public speaker, is best known as the star of the TV series It’s Me or the Dog, through which she reaches audiences in more than 100 countries. Appearing frequently in the media, she’s widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior, is editor-in-chief of positively.com, CEO of the VSPDT network of licensed trainers and the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior — the leader in dog trainer education. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter at @victorias.
Learn more about dog behavior and training at dogster.com:
The post Common Rescue Dog Behavior Issues by Victoria Stilwell appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
