Natural Pet Health

Cats are excellent at self-grooming. Besides other reasons, they groom to heal wounds and minor abrasions with the ‘antiseptic saliva’. However, the cat tongue is rough and during the process quite a few loose or dead hair tend to stick to it, which are then swallowed. Hair tissue is not easily digestible and accumulates in the cat’s stomach or intestinal tract, forming what we know as a ‘hair ball’. A cat retches out the hair ball when it irritates the stomach. If the hair balls do not pass out with stools, they can block the intestinal tract leading to loss of appetite, Constipation and weight loss.

Formation of Hairballs is natural in cats. Unlike medical and physical conditions like feline Hair Loss, cat Dandruff and feline Acne, it does not require any complicated process for prevention. If you pay good attention to hair growth and hair shedding in your cat, you will be able to limit the accumulation of Hairballs in the cat’s body.

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What is Diarrhea?

When your pet has Diarrhea, the number of stools passed may or may not be increased but each stool will be much looser and more watery than normal. Diarrhea in pets can be related to something they have eaten, a Viral Infection, Bacterial Infection, worms, a foreign object they have swallowed and even diseases affecting other organs such as the liver or kidneys.

It can be very serious in young puppies, kittens and in Elderly pets as they can dehydrate extremely quickly. If your pet has diarrhea, make sure they have plenty of fresh water available at all times. If you have a very young or very old pet that is affected, or if you are at all concerned in any other way, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

What is RuniPoo Relief?

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What are Anal Glands?

Anal Glands, or anal sacs, are two small glands present in both dogs and cats situated just below and either side of the anal opening. These glands produce a substance that is secreted through ducts just inside the rectum when pressure is put on the glands- most commonly by the passing of feces.

This substance has a strong odor which is very unpleasant to humans but was probably useful to animals, especially in times gone by, for marking their territory.

What can go wrong with Anal Glands?

In modern-day domestic pets, anal glands can often cause health problems. Sometimes the anal gland secretions are not released naturally and build up - leading to thickening of the secretion, clogging of the duct and sometimes even infection and abscesses.

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What causes travel or Motion Sickness?

Travel or Motion Sickness is caused by movement in different directions, particularly when the animal is sitting or standing still in a moving vehicle, boat or plane. It can also happen when there is a loss of visual contact with the outside horizon or due to pressure changes in the inner ear during Air Travel.

These events may cause confusion in the balance center of the inner ear, leading to Fatigue, nausea, dizziness and even Vomiting. It is not known why some animals are more prone to Motion Sickness than others. Many will gradually become accustomed to traveling and motion sickness will disappear after a few regular journeys.

While the majority of animals overcome motion sickness and learn to enjoy the journey, others continue to suffer the symptoms throughout their lives. This makes any journey traumatic for both the pet and the owner.

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What is flatulence and what causes it?

Having a pet with flatulence problems can be very embarrassing - not to mention inconvenient, irritating and rather frustrating. But when you think about it, your pet is not having such a great time either.

Flatulence is generally caused by a build-up of gas in the stomach or intestines, which is often a result of undigested fermenting food. Some animals are simply unable to digest certain types of food while others have particular food sensitivities.

Often animals simply gulp air with their food, which then emerges as Intestinal Gas. Whatever the cause, the animal usually feels very uncomfortable. Flatulence is often accompanied by Bloating, abdominal pain, belching and wind.

What is Flatulence Preventer?

PetAlive Flatulence Preventer combines selected herbal and homeopathic ingredients to effectively relieve the symptoms of flatulence, gas, Bloating and Abdominal Cramps.

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What causes FurBalls?

Cats are avid groomers and seem to spend hours preening and licking themselves. Unfortunately this usually means that they end up swallowing a lot of loose fur which accumulates in their stomach to form matted lumps called FurBalls.

These are usually either vomited out or emitted with their feces. Problems arise however if the cat’s Digestive System is weak or if their nutrition is inadequate as the FurBalls may remain inside the cat and act as a cork causing a number of problems including Constipation, recurrent Vomiting and a build up of toxins.

What is FurBall Dr.?

PetAlive FurBall Dr. has been specifically formulated for cats who suffer from furball problems and contains a combination of selected Herbs and homeopathic ingredients to help with Digestion and elimination, thereby preventing the distressing problems associated with furballs.

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What are the main causes of Constipation in pets?

The most common cause of Constipation in pets is an incorrect diet. A lack of fiber (and sometimes excessive fiber) can be a problem as well as indigestible bones which can be swallowed and produce a cork-like blockage in the Digestive Tract.

Other causes of Constipation include worm infestation, lack of exercise and FurBalls (in cats). Symptoms of Bladder Infections (such as straining) can also sometimes be mistaken for constipation.

Constipation can lead to a build up of toxins, which can cause numerous health problems.

Symptoms of Constipation in Cats and Dogs:

* Straining to have a bowel movement with no result
* Abdominal Discomfort
* Loss of Appetite
* Bloating
* Going for long periods between bowel movements
* Hard, impacted stools

What is the conventional treatment?

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Domestic animals, like humans, are subject to the damaging effects of cooked and processed foods, food additives, environmental pollution and the Stress of modern day living. All of these factors can affect Digestive Functioning and lead to a range of Digestive Disorders.

Many holistic vets also blame over-Vaccination for the rise in chronic illness, including Digestive Complaints, in domestic pets. As pet owners, we try to do the best for our animals and to feed them healthy, nutritious food that will not harm them. However, advertising and the claims of pet food manufacturers have contributed to the misinformation surrounding what is best for our pets.

Commercial dried and tinned pet food is convenient and claims to be ‘better’ than any other form of food. In addition, our pets learn to like the food that we eat and who can resist those soulful eyes when a packet of chips or a cookie is around!

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