Champ Says: Give thanks for your pets this Thanksgiving!

    

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? We sure are! After all, our company is all about making all sorts of delicious meals and tasty treats…just because they’re made for animals instead of humans doesn’t make any real difference. We appreciate the comfort and zest of a great meal, especially when surrounded by loved ones. That’s why the holiday seasons tend to be our favorite times of the year.

So, you’ve got family and friends coming over…you’ve got all your favorite recipes lined up…everyone is debating their favorite kind of pie…what are you forgetting?

Oh, right! The family pets! Thanks for the reminder, Turkey-Hat-Cat.

Our furry family members are just as much a part of the festivities as always. Since Thanksgiving tends to revolve around the big meal, it’s quite tempting to let them sneak in a few bites off the dinner table. Before you start letting them slurp up gravy or gobble down turkey scraps, here are a few reminders about dietary health for dogs and cats:

1. Keep an eye on your pet. They’ll be plenty tempted by all the goodies around the house and on the table and may try to sneak off with a snack. They don’t know that cinnamon roll could greatly upset their digestive system–but you do! And if you remain aware, you can keep them from getting sick later.
2. Turkey is fine to let your pet nibble…just not too much. A few tiny scraps are okay, but cut it off there. Also, be sure the turkey is fully cooked (no raw meat!) and remove excess skin and fat so the grease doesn’t cause trouble.
3. Cranberry sauce is also allowable, but once again, keep it minimal. Plus, try to limit it to low-sugar sauces rather than the super-sweet kind.
4. Keep them away from cake, cookies, and other bread foods–especially raw dough! If an animal eats raw dough, their internal heat can cause it to rise in their intestinal system, causing pain and bloating.



Turkey & Shrimp Diner

5. Don’t feed them anything with spices or herbs (like sage). Those can make meals delicious for humans but have various oils and resins that can be disruptive to an animal’s digestive as well as nervous system.

Could your Pet be Diabetic ?

                        

We’ve talked before about pet health issues such as heat stroke, holiday hazards, and even cancer. These are somewhat “downer” topics, I think we’d all agree as none of us want to think of our pets struggling with such issues. We want to imagine them happy and healthy all their lives with nary a trip to the vet to be seen. Sadly, though, that isn’t realistic. Sooner or later, something will afflict your beloved pet, whether it’s from outside circumstances or internal health issues. If we educate ourselves on the potential issues, though, we greatly increase the chances of giving our pets a chance to overcome the illness or enjoy a higher quality of life!

This month is dedicated to another major health complication that could spell serious trouble for your dog or cat…but which does have very manageable approaches to dealing with it.

Yes, pets can suffer from diabetes just as much as humans. There are three main symptoms that could indicate this condition:

·  Excessive Thirst – Is your dog or cat constantly drinking even if they’re not being particularly active or hot? Perhaps to the point where they’re getting bloated.

·  Frequent Urination –  Are they having to go outside or using the litter box far more often than usual? Maybe they’ve even begun peeing around the house when that’s never been a problem before.

·  Constant Lethargy – While pets certainly slow down as they age, if they never seem to move and never seem to have energy, that might be a warning sign–especially if it’s happening in conjunction with the previous two.

Let’s say you suspect your pet suffers from diabetes. What should you do? Unfortunately, there’s no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed in an effective manner so you can still help them enjoy an active and happy life.

Most importantly, a trip to the vet is the most surefire way to determine whether diabetes is the cause of their symptoms or not. You especially want to determine if it’s diabetes because this illness in itself can give rise to numerous other complications if not addressed. Early diagnosis gives your pet the best chance of living out a full life in the best-possible health.

Once diabetes has been diagnosed, daily insulin injections become part of the routine. Your vet will be able to help you get comfortable with this. Plus, alongside everything else, your pet’s diet will need to be carefully monitored. It’s all about achieving a balance of glucose and insulin levels in their system.

For more in-depth information, plus quizzes and checklists you can review both at home and with your vet, visit PetDiabetesMonth.com!

Do you have a pet who struggles with diabetes, or you suspect they might? What has your experience been like? How have you been able to care for them during this?