All Fish Oils Are Not Equal.

I found this really wonderful fish oil about a year ago at the American Box Club National Specialty. Ascenta is the only manufacturer of fish oil that I know of in the U.S. that makes the purity testing (quality testing) available to everyone who purchases a bottle. Through the lot number on each bottle you have access to the test results. The product is produced in Human, Canine/Feline, and Equine formulas and distributed by Enhanced Animal Wellness. Currently we retail the Canine/Feline lines and will soon carry the Human lines and can special order the Equine. The product is apparently also the most concentrated form of fish oil available. Even more concentrated than the Veterinarian prescribed fish oil pills...which have no quality testing available.

Here is a brilliant article concerning how all fish oils are not equal.

Fish oil Triglycerides vs. Ethyl Esters: As Nature Intended
One of the most controversial and debated quality issues is the fish oil’s molecular form – Ethyl Esters or Triglycerides. ...

Health Hazard of Routine Vaccination: placing our animals at risk (click titile)

Shirley's Wellness Cafe is one of the most informative sites for vaccine information. Please take the time to visit this site and learn about the dangers of over vaccination.

Natural Health Care and Natural Medicine - Optimum Health and Wellness for People and Animals

Vaccinations in Veterinary Medicine: Dogs and Cats: Vaccinosis

Dr. Michael W. Fox DVM - "Adverse vaccination reactions resulting in disease (so called vaccinosis) include injection-site fibro- sarcomas in cats, and various immune-system dysfunction diseases, possibly hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, various chronic skin conditions and kidney disease. More research has been done in dogs, where certain breeds and lines are particularly prone to develop vaccinosis. Conditions associated with same include encephalitis, seizures, polyneuropathy ( weakness, incoordination and muscle atrophy), hypertrophic osteodystrophy (shifting lameness and painful joints), autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, liver, kidney and bone marrow failure variously associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune mediated thrombocytopenia."

National Pet Food Awareness Day!

In an effort to create a national awareness program, and spread the concerns about many pet foods containing toxic chemicals and very low quality ingredients, May 21, 2009 has been proclaimed by TPFAI as National Pet Food Awareness Day. Many people are still very unaware of what they are feeding their pets and we hope to inform as many people as possible.

An important fact to share is that just because a particular food is a best seller in no way indicates it is a quality food. Most of the "best selling" pet foods are loaded with chemicals and the lowest quality ingredients available. Several of these best sellers are also some of the most expensive foods on the market. A holistic pet food must contain human quality ingredients and NO chemicals! Beware of the "best selling" pet foods.

Please send a link to our blog to everyone in your email list. Although everyone may not own a pet...everyone knows someone with a pet and this information could benefit both owner and pet alike.

The first step....AWARENESS!

Everyone should take the time to leaf through, and perhaps read, the book Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What’s at stake for American Power by Mark Schapiro. You might be shocked to learn the World Health Organization estimates that the deaths of at least five million people a year can be attributed at least partly to their exposure to toxic chemicals. The European Union has presented an unprecedented challenge to American industry…Get rid of the toxic chemicals, or we won’t import American products! Shocking? Well let’s talk about pet products. Logically, you would not assume that pet food/products are “cleaner” or “safer” than human products. And your assumption would be correct.

Until just now you may not have been aware of the toxic chemicals and ingredients in pet foods. Nor may you realize that feeding your pet the inexpensive foods found in grocery stores, (most) pet store, and “Super Stores” have the potential to make pets very sick, and very often are doing so. It is well documented that vomiting, excessive itching/scratching, diarrhea, skin problems, hair loss, cancer, pancreatic diseases, renal failure, thyroid and adrenal disorders, and the list continues. Research has linked all of these illnesses to the toxic chemicals, poor-quality protein, and by-products found in cheap pet foods. Conversely, a change to holistic, human-grade and chemical free foods is linked with the ability to correct many of these issues.

Don’t be fooled by the advertising on the bags. Labeling laws in the U.S. have more loop-holes than most major cities have pot-holes. “Natural” means only that it can be grown from a see planted in the ground. Don’t think the pictures on the bag really represent what will be found inside. Nor should you believe that, just because the food is green or orange, that you are purchasing peas and carrots. These are all gimmicks designed to coax you into just grabbing the best looking bag without really thinking about the contents. “They” don’t want you to think about it or to interrupt your “auto-pilot state of mind” when making a purchase. Read the label and beware of the chemicals. In addition to those, cheap foods contain mostly corn, fillers and other carbohydrate ingredients that make pets fat. Carbohydrate based foods are not highly digestible by carnivores, and dogs and cats are carnivores!

Holistic veterinarian medicine is on the rise nationally and finally catching on to what the holistic dog food industry has been saying for some 40-50 years. Google toxic pet foods, chemicals in pet foods, truth about pet foods, or check out Amazon.com for Ann Martin’s book Foods Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food; Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats; Andi Brown’s The Whole Pet Diet, and Shock to the System: The Facts About Animal Vaccination; and Pet Food And How To Keep Your Pet Healthy by Catherine M. O’Driscoll.

Our veterinarians are doing all they can to help resolve the illnesses they treat. However, until the poor nutrition and feeding program is addressed, most sick pets will not recover! According to the labels, Veterinarian Prescribed foods are only feasible for up to six months, and unfortunately contain chemical preservatives and few, if any, animal proteins. Prednisone and other pharmaceuticals are only band aids providing very little long-term benefit.

Switching to a holistic food you can yield amazing results. Healthier skin, almost no scratching/itching, and major health problems can many times resolve themselves as the immune system rebounds and starts to heal the body again. Don’t just believe what is written here! Do some research for yourself, talk to your friends currently using holistic foods, or visit a holistic pet food store where you will find very knowledgeable people who are there just for you! Anyone can afford quality food for their pets, and you will discover that holistic foods are not that much more expensive than most of the cheap foods. Prices range from about $11 to $25 for a 5lb bag. You really get what you pay for in the long run. Choose how you spend your money and realize it will either go into the pet or into the Veterinarian’s pocket. There are many choices when it comes to holistic foods. Pick a brand and visit the manufacturer’s website. On each website there is a store locator that can tell you where the closest retail store is located. We are wishing you and your pet the best in holistic health.

www.truthaboutpetfoods.com

www.ourdoodah.com

www.whole-dog-journal.com

www.thebark.com

TPFAI