Vet | Holistic Select

Archive for the ‘Vet’ Category

May 2013 Ask the Vet

04.22.2013 | 01:08 pm

Q. My cat has noticeable dandruff. Is this normal and is there anything I can do about it?

A. It is normal for your cat’s skin to slightly slough away resulting in what is commonly referred to as dandruff. Especially in cold winters, low humidity can dry the skin of an animal causing excessive flaking.

Diet can play a role in helping to prevent dandruff. Be sure the foods you are feeding are complete and balanced and contain optimum levels of the essential fats to encourage a healthy skin and hair coat. Diets like Holistic Select® canned and dry recipes for cats provide whole-body nutritional support for a healthier skin and coat.

Brushing your cat will help remove the flakes. Most cats are very particular about proper grooming and so when you see dandruff, it may be more than just the normal flaking of the cells of the skin. If your cat has excessive dandruff, it is important to have the problem checked by your veterinarian to determine the cause so an effective treatment can be developed.

Q: I have a 5 month old, 1 lb 6oz teacup Miniature Pinscher. I got her this past weekend and would like to start her on your products. Since she’s under two pounds, I’m not sure how much to feed her, which recipe, and how often?

A: Holistic Select Small and Mini Breed Puppy Health Recipe dry dog food would be a great diet for your Min-Pin. I would suggest starting with ¼ cup per day divided into three feedings. By feeding this higher fiber recipe over multiple meals, you may help to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be common in smaller breed puppies. Keep in mind that this is a starting point and that feeding guidelines are meant to be just that – a guideline, which can be adjusted for different variables such as activity level, sex, time of the year, metabolic rate and more. I recommend adjusting the amount fed so as to maintain a slightly lean body mass while allowing for your puppy to grow at a healthy pace.

Be sure to transition her diet from her current food to Holistic Select slowly, over 7 days to assure no digestive problems occur during the switch.

Holistic Select Small and Mini Breed Puppy Health Recipe dry dog food is formulated to contain more protein and fat than regular puppy foods to meet the needs of highly active smaller breed puppies. This special puppy food also has an ideal amount of DHA, an Omega 3 fatty acid known to improve brain development and five different probiotics for digestive health and enhanced immune system function.

Tags: Digestive Health, Vet

March Ask the Vet

02.22.2013 | 01:25 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month Dr. Townshend answers your questions about a Siamese cat’s chronic vomiting and reducing gas for a Red Heeler.

Q: I have two Siamese cats. The female mother cat throws up her food, daily. My vet tells me there is nothing I can do for her. What (if anything) can I do? I have tried many different brands and types of food, including foods with higher meat/protein content and fewer grains. Do you have any suggestions?

A: There are many reasons a cat might throw up his food. Although sometimes this can be a reaction to food, there are many other possible causes. It is certainly not normal for a cat to throw up daily, and I would recommend working closely with your veterinarian to make every effort to resolve the issue.

When trying to pinpoint the reason for your cat’s chronic vomiting, consider the following possible causes:

1. Eating too fast can increase the potential for vomiting regularly. Hairballs building up in the stomach can also cause the problem. Adding a small amount of oil to the diet may help. Try olive oil or canola oil, about a teaspoon full daily. Make sure you feed the cats separately as eating together may cause stress and cause the mother to eat too quickly.

2. A change in the normal bacterial flora of the GI tract may be a problem. Supplementing with Probiotics such as Holistic Solution®, for a few days may help.

3. Foreign body in the stomach could also be a cause. Be sure your veterinarian has ruled that out with a series of X-Rays if needed.

4. Pathogenic organisms in the upper parts of the digestive tract have been known to cause vomiting. Many times they can be eliminated with antibiotics.

Q: My 1 year old Red Heeler has a lot of gas. What can I do to help him with this issue?

A: Excess gas can be a frustrating problem. Eating too quickly and gulping in excess air can cause the problem. Feed frequent smaller meals in a quiet location where there is no stress or competition for the food.

Changing the bacteria in the digestive tract may help. Supplement with a “Probiotic” such as that contained in Holistic Solution® for a week to ten days may resolve the problem.

Changing the protein and/or the carbohydrates in the diet may help. If you are feeding a chicken based diet, try lamb or fish such as in the Holistic Select single protein recipes (Anchovy, Sardine and Salmon or Lamb).

Exercise is also important in reducing gas. Keep in mind that some gas is normal so don’t expect it to go away completely.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

November Ask The Vet

11.11.2012 | 11:28 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

Q: I have 2 small dogs (a Maltipoo and a terrier mix), both less than20 pounds. I have heard that I should not feed them wet food every day, but I feed them 1/2 can of wet food and I leave the dry out for them to eat throughout the day. I also give them some snacks throughout the day. Is this okay? Should I change my feeding schedule at all?

A: There is no problem feeding any dog a combination of canned and dry food as you have described. I would be careful to only feed enough each day to maintain a slightly lean body condition (that goes for small dogs and larger dogs as well).

Canned foods are nutritious and a great complement to dry diets. They can add variety to the diet and encourage proper nutrition in dogs that are picky eaters or having trouble maintaining adequate weight. They do contain significant calories and that should be considered when making up the daily diet.

Q: Our cat appears to have allergies. She is licking her feet and legs nonstop and we don’t know what to do. We are thinking of switching her food to help with the issue. Any suggestions?

A: Seasonal allergies are usually not associated with food, as the food is fed all year long and one would expect food-related symptoms to also be all year long. Feeding a diet with good levels of Omega 3 fatty acids would help to reduce some of the inflammation that may be causing the licking. All of the Holistic Select feline dry recipes contain optimum levels of fatty acids. Supplementing with additional fish oils, such as salmon oil, during the most difficult times may help. Keep in mind that for the general health of your cats, we also recommend feeding a canned diet in order to increase water consumption as that is also critical for the health of our feline friends.

Work closely with your veterinarian to identify the offending environmental allergens, and eliminate them from exposure.

Tags: Vet

September Ask the Vet

09.17.2012 | 10:35 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month Dr. Townshend answers your questions about dogs that eat grass and senior pets.

Q: I have been feeding both my terriers (pit bull and Rat/Jack Russell) Holistic Select Duck Meal Recipe for over a year because I know it is good food and good for digestion, although all summer they have been grazing on grass in our neighborhood. Is this food lacking or not satisfying their system? What should I do? The pit bull almost craves eating the grass.

A. Dogs eating grass is a common occurrence, especially in the spring and summer, when the grass in tenderer. There is still much speculation to the cause, from ridding the body of parasites to induce vomiting to adding fiber, or even that the pet is bored or just likes the taste of grass. There is no conclusive information and the reason your pet eats grass is still a mystery in the veterinary profession, though it is considered normal behavior.

Most dogs do not vomit after eating grass, nor does it indicate any sort of nutritional deficiency. Quality natural pet foods like Holistic Select undergo significant testing to ensure your pet is getting a complete and balanced formula.

Some grass may contain intestinal parasites or have been sprayed with herbicides and/or insecticides, which could be harmful if ingested. Other than that, your dog should not experience any harmful effects. Keep your pups well exercised, with plenty of fresh water available, and be mindful of neighbors’ yards that may have toxic herbicides.

Q. I have been feeding my 14 yr. old Golden Retriever Holistic Select Tuna, Salmon & Shrimp Recipe canned dog food, mixed with Holistic Select dry dog food. Her appetite isn’t what it used to be; sometimes she’ll eat it and other times she walks away. I started feeding her canned dog food only and for now she is eating that. She still eats her hard treats and any people food. Do I need to transition slowly to other Holistic Select canned dog food varieties, like I would with another brand or another dry food?

A. Great idea! Older dogs can lose interest in food unless it is really tasty. Mixing canned food with the kibble and/or rotating the diet can stimulate interest and spark the appetite. It is important to maintain your senior dog’s appetite so your pet does not experience significant weight loss.

You should experience no problems rotating Holistic Select canned dog food recipes. I suggest including dry dog food as often as she will eat it, as it offers nutritional benefits not found in any canned foods, including Probiotics (for digestion & immune support) and Glucosamine (supports joint health).

Holistic Select Senior Health Recipe dry dog food is designed specifically with the older dog in mind. It provides ideal levels of protein, fat and supplements that can benefit an older dog, including 2x the amount of Glucosamine than our other adult health recipes!

Also note that some older dogs suffer from dental issues, which can make them reluctant to eat dry food unless they are very palatable (as most treats are). Visit your veterinarian to be sure your pet’s teeth and gums are healthy.

Tags: Vet

August Ask the Vet

07.22.2012 | 10:55 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month Dr. Townshend answers your questions about vitamin supplements for dogs and increasing water intake for summer.

Q: I feed Holistic Select to all my dogs, who range from five months to ten years of age. They eat different varieties, one eats Holistic Select Puppy Health, one eats Holistic Select Lamb Meal and one eats Holistic Select Weight Management dry dog food recipe. Is there any reason to give any of them vitamins as a supplement?

A: It’s great that you have adjusted each pet’s diet in order to provide for their life stage or special needs. Meeting a pet’s specific nutritional requirements will certainly promote a long, happy and healthy life for your pets. All of the Holistic Select diets are not only complete and balanced, but they also go beyond basic nutrition to provide optimum levels of nutrients including vitamins and minerals. There would be no benefit in supplementing with a general vitamin and mineral supplement, and doing so could even alter the nutritional balance by providing excessive levels of those vitamins and minerals.

Q: I’m feeding my dog Holistic Select Dry Dog Food and I’m wondering what I can do to provide more sources of hydration for my dog this summer. Should I sometimes add water to his food? Should I offer canned dog food occasionally?

A: Dogs that are on exclusively dry diets will generally drink enough water to maintain adequate hydration. Increasing activity will usually encourage more water consumption. Holistic Select Canned dog food recipes include flavorful broths that provide almost 80% liquid per can, but they also contain additional calories so you must be careful to reduce the amount of dry food being fed when you add canned food to the daily diet. Check the feeding guidelines on your dry dog food bag to determine combination feeding amounts. I would not recommend adding water to the dry dog food because it can soften the food and encourage dental plaque. Hot water will kill the probiotics on the food and should never be used. Also, if you add water and your pet does not eat it all right away, the food can spoil and cause gastrointestinal issues.

If you want to encourage more water intake, you might flavor the water in the water bowel. Add just a small amount of canned food to the water in order to make it more appealing. Keep in mind that the water will need to be changed regularly as it too could spoil.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

July Ask the Vet

06.27.2012 | 09:24 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr. Al answers reader questions about shedding, dental health and food allergies.

Q: My 5 year old Golden Retriever has been on Holistic Select Lamb Meal Recipe for about 1 year now. She has for the past 2 months had very itchy paws and ears. Our vet says she is allergic to her food. I want to try another Holistic Select product. Which one do you recommend? (Our vet suggests a single protein which is why I have her on this product). Her daughter, 2 years old is doing fine on this product.

A: Sorry to hear that your Golden is having skin issues. Many times the symptoms of allergies are expressed in the skin as you described. Keep in mind that this could be an environmental allergy and not related to food. If that is the case, work with your vet to control the symptoms. Most environmental allergies are to seasonal irritants and will pass.

We are seeing more food allergies to lamb. Many vets feel that dogs have been exposed to lamb in pet foods for so long it has allowed allergies to develop to this protein source. Thankfully there are three other unique single protein recipes in the Holistic Select^® line of dog foods, Holistic Select Duck Meal and Anchovy, Sardine and Salmon Meal dry dog food recipes, as well as the NEW Adult & Puppy Health Salmon and Anchovy & Sardine Meal dog food recipe which is so new it isn’t in most stores yet, but should be available withing the next few weeks. I have had good luck with the fish recipe and Golden Retrievers in the past. Keep in mind that any time you change diet and suspect an allergy you should transition slowly to the new recipe and give it at least two months (provided there is no worsening of the condition initially) as it can take that long for the allergens to get out of the system. In the meanwhile, do not give any treats with other protein sources or table food, or it will not be clear what is causing the allergy.

There is no definite way to tell for sure if it is a food allergy or an environmental allergy other than treating for both for now. Certainly work closely with your veterinarian and do all you can to relieve the symptoms and, if you choose, change the diet. If things improve, you may try to go back to the lamb recipe in a few months. If the symptoms reoccur you will know it was in fact a food allergy. If they do not reoccur be aware that the symptoms may come back this time next year.

Q: My sister seems to think that dry dog food is the best for her dog instead of wet canned food. She said dry is better because it helps clean their teeth, is this so?

A: That’s a great question. Many pet parents like to top the dry food with canned food or even meat supplements that are as soft as canned foods. It can provide additional nutrition, if weight is an issue.

I think the best way to answer your question is to first put the question in a human perspective. We humans brush our teeth daily and even twice daily, yet we still need to have our teeth cleaned annually or even more frequently.

The point is, that no matter whether we feed all dry for or we feed some softer food, we are still going to have to have our pet’s teeth cleaned at some point. Feeding just dry food may slow the process but not by much.

Q: My sister seems to think that dry dog food is the best for her dog instead of wet canned food. She said dry is betterbe cause it helps clean their teeth, is this so?

That’s a great question. Many pet parents like to top the dry food with canned food or even meat supplements that are as soft as canned foods. It can provide additional nutrition, if weight is an issue. It of course is a special treat that enhances the bond between the pet and pet parent.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

Ask The Vet

05.18.2012 | 05:01 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

Q: I have read that Taurine is important in cat food. It’s in all your dry cat food. Why is this?

A: Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that cats need but cannot make. So, a purified form of the amino acid is added as an essential feline dietary component to help avoid Taurine deficiency, which can lead to feline reproductive failure, central retinal degeneration or dilated cardiomyopathy. Dietary Taurine requirements in cats are highly dependent on ingredient sources and processing. That is why all three Holistic Select® Dry Cat Food recipes include added Taurine at guaranteed levels

Q: My black lab is going to be 10 years old in July – are they any special ingredients he should be getting in his diet?

A: Some senior dogs may require more lean protein in their diet, as they may not be able to metabolize proteins as efficiently as they once could. Taurine is also a beneficial ingredient, as this amino acid helps to maintain your senior dog’s eye & heart health. The Holistic Select Vitalize Senior Health Recipe is customized based on those special needs of senior dogs, and even guarantees Glucosamine at double the levels of the adult health recipe, to help maintain hip & joint health in your aging dog.

Of course, all dogs are unique, so I also recommend having his medical condition and body weight assessed during an annual veterinary senior pet exam. A physical examination, blood work and a urinalysis can help you rule out some chronic problems. Don’t forget to measure his body weight on a scale, and get your vet to help you score your pet’s body condition. A fecal egg check will help rule out internal parasites. Understanding your senior dog’s health will help you to proactively support his vitality.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

May Ask the Vet

04.22.2012 | 11:32 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month Dr. Townshend answers your questions about a dog with bad allergies in the spring months and a young dog with loose stools.

Q: My dog experiences pretty bad allergies in the spring. He begins licking his feet and is generally itchy. What food should I feed him to help control his allergies?

A: Allergies are an all too common problem in dogs. There are generally two causes of allergies; food and environment.

Food allergies are almost always due to a protein in certain ingredients in the diet. Beef, dairy products and the protein in wheat are common food allergens, along with chicken and soy. Food allergies are determined and controlled by feeding a single protein that the dog has not been exposed to in its diet recently. Holistic Select® makes three such diets, Radiant Adult Health Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Recipe (all fish), Radiant Adult Lamb Meal Recipe, and Radiant Adult Duck Meal Recipe, which do not contain any of the more common allergens found in some pet foods.

When switching to a new diet for suspected allergies, one should always transition slowly over at least 5-7 days. Also keep in mind that it may take up to two months before the problem is resolved as it can take that long to rid the body of the offending allergen.

Environmental allergies include sensitivities to fleas, dust mites, grass, molds, pollens and other things found in the environment. You mentioned that the licking begins in the spring which suggests to me that the predominate allergen is environmental, and is likely associated with the season, so pollens or grass molds could be the culprit.

I suggest that you work with your veterinarian to determine the cause and then affect a solution. Since the cause is likely to be something the dog steps in while outside, medications may be necessary as it will be difficult to completely eliminate them from the dog’s environment.

Q: Our one-year-old dog has had a problem with loose stools ever since we adopted him. Other than that, he’s a very healthy dog. He currently eats a dry food with cottage cheese mixed in. Is there a food we could give him to firm up his stools?

A: I assume that you have had the pet examined by your veterinarian and there were no problems such as parasites (intestinal worms) or bacterial problems.

Many times, younger dogs suffer from loose stools because they do not have the proper levels of Probiotics in their digestive system.

Probiotics are the essential bacteria we all must have in our digestive system in order for it to function properly. They also enhance the immune system. All Holistic Select® dry recipes contain multiple Probiotics, as well as the Prebiotics needed to help the Probiotics perform optimally in pet’s digestive tract.

I would also suggest jump-starting your young dog’s digestive health with a specific Probiotic preparation like our Holistic Solution®, to help his digestive system achieve optimal health as soon as possible.

Tags: Vet

March – Ask the Vet

03.02.2012 | 11:15 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Holistic Select Staff Veterinarian Dr. Al Townshend answers your questions about puppy nutrition and helping your dog lose weight.

Q: I have a Yorkie puppy who is 8 months old. She is a picky eater and is currently eating Holistic Select Canned Puppy Recipe. When would be a good time to switch to Holistic Select Small and Mini Breed Adult Health Dry Food?

A: I would recommend that you wait until your puppy is a year of age. Then, you can gradually begin adding Holistic Select Small and Mini Breed Adult Recipe to the diet, slowly reducing the amount of canned food day by day. This method will slowly get your puppy used to eating her dry adult food. You can also add a bit of Holistic Select Canned Chicken Recipe to the dry food to further entice her taste buds.

Q: I have teacup poodle that is overweight about one pound. What can I do to bring her back down a healthy weight? She even eats if she is not hungry and currently I feed her your Holistic Select Small and Mini Breed Recipe adult dog food.

A: We should never feed to satisfy a dog’s appetite as that will surely end in overfeeding. One pound of extra weight for a teacup poodle can be a significant percentage of excess weight.

Provided there are no medical issues, the only way we have to get weight off our pets is to increase exercise and reduce the amount of calories you feed. We pet parents have 100% control over what we feed and how much our pets eat. Reducing the amount of food you at feeding by about 10% and increasing daily exercise should slowly return your poodle’s weight to an ideal level.

Tags: Vet

The Benefits of Quinoa and Oatmeal

02.17.2012 | 01:50 pm

Compared to other grains, oatmeal is higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbohydrate calories.

Holistic Select dog and cat food recipes are formulated with our Unique Digestive Health Support System of Prebiotics, Probiotics, Natural Fiber and Digestive Enzymes because we believe total body health begins with digestive health.

Fiber is a key component of Holistic Select’s Unique Digestive Health Support System, promoting digestive regularity by helping to move food waste from the digestive tract through the colon at an optimal speed, ensuring adequate stool volume. Examples of quality, natural fibers include oatmeal and quinoa.

1. The Nutritional Benefits of Oatmeal

Oatmeal may be relatively new to the pet food industry as a whole, but it has been included in Holistic Select® recipes for years because of its effectiveness as a nutritious and effective natural and holistic ingredient for both dogs and cats. Natural, whole grains have always been known to be healthy and nutritious for our pets, if prepared properly and used in the correct amounts; oatmeal is no exception. In fact, Oatmeal is probably one of the best grains used in some pet foods today. Technically, oatmeal is ground oat groats. Groats are the hulled grain; in this case, hulled whole oats. Compared to other grains, oatmeal is higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbohydrate calories.

It is a great natural source of iron, manganese, zinc and B vitamins as well as essential fatty acids and antioxidants. The protein in oatmeal is an ideal complement to the meat proteins found in all of our foods. It contains almost a complete list of the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) vital to a complete and balanced diet. Many vets feel that the protein in oatmeal is very hypoallergenic (less likely to cause an allergic reaction) and therefore an ideal nutrient to be included in a diet formulated for pets suspected of having a food sensitivity or allergy. Due to its fiber content, pound for pound, oatmeal contains less carbohydrate calories than other grains. This makes it an ideal ingredient to support weight management as well as optimum bowl function. The soothing properties of oatmeal can help a pet with some digestive issues.

Natural antioxidants in oatmeal help to protect the pet from the toxins in our environment thought to be responsible for many of the diseases and conditions seen in pets. Oatmeal has a very low glycemic index, and is lower in glutens than most grains. Both are important in controlling blood sugar levels and reducing digestive issues for pets.

All Holistic Select dry cat food and dry dog food recipes include oatmeal as a healthy grain source.

2. The Nutritional Benefits of Quinoa

Quinoa_spotlight1 Organic Quinoa, chosen as an ingredient in Holistic Select Dry Recipes for its hypoallergenic properties and high digestibility, is rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron and B vitamins, and is an excellent energy source. Quinoa’s high protein content is considered as good as that in milk.

Interestingly, technically Quinoa is not a grain, but a seed related to spinach, swiss chard and beets. It has been cultivated in South America for over 5000 years. The Incas called it the “Mother Grain”.

Since the 80’s consumers in North America have seen Quinoa on the shelves in grocery stores. Those shoppers interested in a more natural diet with holistic benefits have embraced the value of this unusual ancient nutrient. The nutrient value exceeds all of the grains commonly used in pet foods.

Although we do not use Quinoa as a significant protein source, it does contain more protein than any grain. In addition, the amino acid profile is ideal, which is essential for tissue growth and repair.

Quinoa is a great source of complex carbohydrates with a very low glycemic index, making it an ideal carbohydrate for diabetics. It is also gluten free which is ideal for animals with digestive issues and food allergies or intolerances.

It is lower in calories than grains and is an excellent source of fiber, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, folate and B vitamins.

In addition, Quinoa contains what are known as prebiotics that feed the “good bacteria” or probiotics essential to the health of the digestive tract.

Many call Quinoa a super food, and we are proud to be one of the first pet foods to include this nutrient dense ingredient in some of our foods for Dogs and Cats.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet