Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

From the Life's Abundance Blog Post 12/19/19

7 Signs of Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

As your furry friend gets older, are they showing signs of slowing down? Arthritis in dogs and cats can potentially be treated, giving your pet an active life for years to come.

Here are seven common signs that may indicate your pet has arthritis or other joint problems:

1. Limping
Did your cat land wrong when jumping off the couch or is it a sign of something else? If your pet's limping seems to be related directly to a potential injury, it's important to have it checked out by a vet.

But if your pet seems to regularly have issues with limping, it may be a sign of a developing condition that could impact their joint health.

2. Stiffness
Many of us pet parents relate to the extra time it takes to get going in the mornings or during cold weather. Just like us, arthritis may be to blame more than old age. When your pet's joints hurt, they don't want to move as much, and who could blame them? The trouble is, this causes their muscles to become even tighter and stiffer after long periods of time without activity.

3. Problems Moving or Standing
Tight muscles and achy joints can also keep your pet from wanting to move as much as they used to. You may notice that your dog or cat has problems standing up or moving around, almost as though their muscles are bound.

This isn't far from the truth — the lack of use and limiting motion can cause your pet's muscles to atrophy, making early treatment of arthritis in dogs and cats important.

4. Refusing Normal Activities
Is your pet no longer wanting to jump, climb or run as they once did? When joint disease and arthritis make these activities painful, your pet may not want to partake in them anymore. Though this could be a temporary situation, make sure to pursue treatment options if the behavior continues for more than a few days or weeks.

5. Snapping
Your precious pet may be the friendliest animal on the planet, but if they have suddenly become grumpy it's important to find out why. If an animal is in pain, touching may add to their discomfort. That's why it's vital to take a pet to the vet if you see them reacting to being petted or touched in certain areas.

6. Licking Sore, Swollen Joints
Animals lick their bodies to soothe pain — licking sore joints is no exception. When your pet spends significant amounts of time licking their joints, it's a good indicator that the underlying area is painful for them.

Some animals that are in pain can even end up creating bald spots from the continuous licking. The good news is that this is something you can easily watch for and monitor.

7. Shying Away from Attention
When your social butterfly has become a wallflower, it's because your pet is having a slightly different response to the snapping symptoms listed above.
To avoid pain, your precious pet is trying to avoid being petted, lifted or played with. It's vital that these symptoms be treated relatively quickly, before the temporary behavior becomes a permanent pet problem.

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By keeping an eye out for some of these symptoms and involving your veterinarian early, you may be able to help avoid years of chronic pain for your pet. For more advanced arthritis and joint treatments, talk to your vet about options such as cold laser therapy and underwater treadmills.

Pet parents in the know often turn to dog supplements and cat supplements that specifically support joints. Agility Formula for dogs and cats not only addresses joint health, but supports the entire musculoskeletal system. If you have a pet approaching middle age or just want to be proactive as they get older, try our Agility Formula and see what a difference it can make!

What's Dog's Real Age?

Courtesy of Life's Abundance Blog Post of  December 2, 2019

What is your Pup's Real Age?

We love our dogs — so much, in fact, that we are obsessed with comparing their age to our own. The problem is that the formulas we have used to calculate dog years may be completely wrong!

A new study of doggie DNA by the University of California, San Diego shows that young dogs with a lot of energy may actually be older than you think.

After comparing the results of over 100 labrador retrievers with around 300 humans, the study shows that:

• Dogs mature quickly in their first year, but their aging slows over time.
• By age two, the DNA of a labrador is similar to a human entering their early 40s.
• By age ten, a labrador is most comparable to a human aged 68.
• This data on dog years, yet to be peer-reviewed, shows many similarities between the aging process between humans and dogs, researchers found, with an eight-week-old puppy resembling a nine-month-old baby.

“The expected lifespan of labrador retrievers, 12 years, correctly translated to the worldwide lifetime expectancy of humans, 70 years,” researchers noted.

Unfortunately, the new equation isn’t as simple as multiplying our dog’s age by 7 to find out their age in human years. Here’s the formula: 16 x ln(your dog’s age) +31.

If you have a scientific calculator on hand, you can calculate the dog years to human years yourself — or follow the guide below. We’ve done the math for you!


The aging rates of different breeds could vary drastically, so future research will be needed to determine the differences. Studying different breeds with different lifespans could shed some new insight on the aging process of both humans and dogs!

Holiday Gifts for Dogs and Cats

The 2019 Holiday Gifts for Dogs and Cats are Here from Life's Abundance!

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It’s all wrapped up in holiday reindeer tissue paper with a pet product catalog and a seasonal Life’s Abundance branded box

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Owning a dog and Lifespan

Owning a Dog Can Increase Your Lifespan

Courtesy of the Life's Abundance Blog Post of 10/15/19

If you own a dog, you probably find yourself gushing to others about how great your four-legged furball is. Now, there are compelling new scientific studies that prove just how amazing they really are!

Published in Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association, the evidence shows that dog owners have a lower risk of death over the long term and are less likely to die from heart disease when compared to non-owners.

Researchers also determined that dog owners who experienced a heart attack or stroke had a significantly lower risk of dying from these causes when compared to non-owners.

The research shows that for dog owners:

• The risk of all-cause mortality is lowered by 24%, and the chance of dying from heart disease is reduced by 31%.
• The risk of death for heart attack patients living alone was 33% lower, and 15% lower for those living with a partner or child.
• The risk of death for stroke patients living alone was 27% lower, and 12% lower for those living with a partner or child.
• The studies were originally used to see whether dog ownership was associated with reducing cardiovascular mortality, but the data showed that it fought off other causes of death as well.

“These two studies provide good, quality data indicating dog ownership is associated with reduced cardiac and all-cause mortality,” said Glenn N. Levine, MD, chair of the writing group of the American Heart Association. “While these non-randomized studies cannot ‘prove’ that adopting or owning a dog directly leads to reduced mortality, these robust findings are certainly at least suggestive of this.”

So what is causing dog owners to live longer than non-owners?

There have been many documented mental and physical health benefits to owning a dog. When it comes to mental health, dogs have been known to reduce stress and increase social interaction.

“Dogs offer companionship, reduce anxiety and loneliness, increase self-esteem, and improve overall mood,” said cardiologist Dr. Dhruv S. Kazi, in an editorial that accompanies the studies.

Previous studies have also shown the physical benefits of owning a dog. Just petting a dog can lower a person’s blood pressure! In addition, “Dog ownership may increase time spent outdoors, which has an independent positive effect on cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Kazi.

In fact, owning a dog can end up improving other health measures such as blood pressure and heart rate. By walking a dog 20 to 30 minutes a day, owners will meet the American Heart Association’s recommended 150 minutes of weekly moderate exercise to improve their cardiovascular health.

If you were on the fence about adding a furry family member to your household, remember, walking your dog isn’t just good for your pup — it’s very, very good for you too!

Dog Training Tips

Dog Training: The Secret to Canine Cooperation Courtesy of Life's Abundance Blog Post
9/17/19

Tips for Dog Training

We love our dogs — and we want other people to love our dogs as well. This is why some basic dog training will enhance your bond with your dog while improving their relationship with your friends and family. Having a well-trained dog or puppy will make your life a whole lot easier and enhance your experience as a dog parent.

Whether you are interested in basic obedience training or simply want to teach your new puppy the house rules, the key to any successful dog training begins with the fundamentals: communication and consistency.


Here are some successful dog training tips:


Reward behaviors that you want to enforce
Obedience training can be overwhelming for new dog parents, especially when trying to break your dog from bad habits like jumping up on people, leash pulling or barking. Let's face it, trying to train your dog to do what you want him to do – like to 'sit' on request – is a more straightforward task than breaking your dog's bad habits. However, all good training methods utilize the fundamental principles of consistency and clear communication.

Most dogs are people-pleasers – they want to learn. But it is up to us as dog parents to be competent communicators. We must let our dogs know what we want to happen and ensure that we don't unintentionally reward undesirable behaviors to confuse our messaging. Rewarding your dog comes in many forms including verbal praise, pets and treats like Tasty Rewards.

Establish a routine
Dogs thrive on routine. It is easy to reinforce good habits when your dog understands what it is that you expect from them. If there are multiple people in your household, it is imperative that everyone be on board with helping to maintain a consistent routine.

When house-training a new puppy, begin by establishing a routine that includes not only when your puppy goes outside but also where. Establishing a regular time and place for potty breaks will help your puppy learn to recognize what the desired behavior is.

If you want to teach your new dog to sit on request, then everyone involved in puppy training must use the same cues to request that behavior. If half of the household is asking your dog to 'sit' but the other half is saying 'sit down' for the prompt, it can create a confusing situation for your new pup. It is critical to establish what the verbal prompts will be and make certain that everyone is using the same language from the start.

When 'no' means 'no'
Training your new puppy to understand the word 'no,' can be an effective tool. But be clear what you expect when you use that word. For instance, the word 'no' might be used specifically for those situations when you want your dog to immediately stop what they are doing – such as running out of the house or chewing on something they shouldn't. The key is to not overuse it.

Develop well-defined cues to shape other behaviors. If you want to break your over-eager pup from the habit of jumping up on strangers, then it may be more useful to use a specific cue like 'off.' Simply repeating 'no' for any undesirable behavior can lead to uncertainty, or lose significance from overuse. Remember, be specific and use distinct commands to produce more positive outcomes.

The power of recall
Training your dog to come to you when called is an extremely valuable behavior that provides a measure of safety and security for both you and your pup. As with any other dog training exercise, a clear direction will produce a consistent outcome.

To begin with, always use your dog's proper name. Most dog parents have several nicknames for their pups, but when working on recall or other dog training exercises, it is imperative to stick to your dog’s proper name. Save your favorite 'pet' names for cuddling on the couch or informal playtime.


There are many tools and methods to use when training your dog or puppy, but the most successful training outcomes depend on clear communication. Be fair, be consistent, and reward your dog for good behavior. A well-trained dog who understands your expectations will have more confidence, be allowed more freedoms and be a much happier canine.

Toxic Algae and Dogs Swimming

From the Life's Abundance blog post 8/19/19:

Toxic Algae: Is it safe for my dogs to swim?

On a beautiful sunny August day, three dogs named Abby, Harpo, and Lizzy went for a swim at a pond in Wilmington, North Carolina. They were happy and healthy pups. And by the days’ end, all three were gone. The cause: toxic algae.

It sounds like a scene from The Blob or straight out of your worst nightmares. How can something as benign as a swim in a lake turn deadly? Sadly, these tragic stories are popping up in the news from the Pacific Northwest all the way down to the far reaches of the southeast. The good news is, knowledge is power. You can avoid these potentially devastating situations by being aware of your pet’s surroundings. Information is hard to find and often confusing, even for a veterinarian- so I put some information together that I hope you will find helpful. Here’s what all dog owners need to know about toxic algae blooms:

What is toxic algae?
Blooms of blue-green algae derive from small bacteria called cyanobacteria. In large numbers, these bacteria aggregate to resemble a greenish sludge on the surface of bodies of water. While the current blue-green algae blooms in the news are associated with lakes and ponds, algae blooms occur worldwide in all types of bodies of water. Some, but not all, forms of these algae produce deadly toxins. These blooms are called Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB).

Why is this happening so much lately?
While toxic blooms are nothing new, they do happen more frequently in the hot, sunny days of summer and fall. Summer rainstorms also dump nutrient-rich runoff into bodies of water, fueling the algae’s growth. Slow-moving water is more likely to experience blooms, hence the increased incidence in ponds and lakes versus oceans and rivers.

Do toxic blooms only affect dogs?
No, the toxic effects of HABs can affect many animals. We see these incidents most commonly in dogs because they spend more time swimming than other pets. In addition, they often swallow water while they are swimming and are more likely to ingest a toxic dose.

These toxins can cause illness in people, birds, and other wildlife. In addition, the toxins can be absorbed by fish and shellfish, causing a chain reaction in the food supply. A 2015 outbreak on the West Coast decimated fisheries, causing die-offs of fish and shellfish from Alaska all the way down the California coast.

What are the effects of the toxins?
When a dog swallows water with algal toxins or grooms the algae off his fur, the effects can be seen in minutes to hours. Algae produce different types of toxins that affect the liver, GI tract, and neurologic system. With liver disease, clinical signs start in minutes to hours and include vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, seizures, and weakness. With neurotoxins, pets can also fall ill in minutes to hours. Affected animals produce excessive saliva, experience tremors, have difficulty breathing, seizures, or collapse. Both types are deadly. Even touching toxic algae can cause skin irritation or respiratory inflammation.

Regardless of the specific toxin, any of these symptoms after swimming in a lake should be considered a medical emergency. There is no known antidote to the toxin. Your veterinarian can provide supportive care and treat the symptoms, but sadly many dogs succumb to the illness.

How do I know if a lake or pond is experiencing a HAB? Is all algae toxic?
Not all algae produces deadly toxins. In fact, most do not. That’s the good news. The bad news is, one cannot tell simply by looking whether an algal bloom is toxic or not. Blooms often produce a greenish scum on the surface of the water, but can appear brown as well. Sometimes there is no mat on the surface at all and the water simply has a greenish tint. If you see water that looks like this, don’t take chances. Keep yourself and your pets away unless you have specifically been given the green light by your local municipality.

According to the CDC, the following warning signs indicate a body of water that is potentially unsafe:
Avoid entering or playing in bodies of water that: smell bad look discolored have foam, scum, or algal mats on the surface contain or are near dead fish or other dead animals (for example, do not enter a body of water if dead fish have washed up on its shore or beach)

Is there an agency that monitors water safety?
Suspect water can be tested to determine whether toxins are present in the water. Just because the water in one lake is deemed safe, it doesn’t mean the lake a few miles away is also safe.

To reiterate: these blooms are found across the globe, in lakes, ponds, and oceans. Your county or state health department is usually your best resource for finding out the current status in your area. Some states list “HAB Incident Reports” indicating harmful algal blooms in the region, such as this site maintained by the California Water Quality Monitoring Council.

A last word of caution: In an era of tightening budgets, routine monitoring is not the standard in many places and testing may not occur until after a problem is noted.

When in doubt, just stay out!

Dogs and Heat Exhaustion

Protect Your Dog from Heat Exhaustion by Life's Abundance

from their blog post 7-18-19

Every summer, our local parks department posts warning signs at the trailhead of my favorite hike warning of the dangers of overheating. Not for people. For their dogs.

The trail is five miles round trip, winding up a rocky mountain with little shade and no access to water. If you get into trouble out on the trail, you have to either be carried out or airlifted. Fortunately, most people heed warm weather warnings for themselves, bring enough water and have the appropriate hiking attire, all of which help make rescues a rare event. The same cannot be said for their dogs, unfortunately … hence the sign.

Dogs love us and want to go along with whatever we ask them to do. This leads to dangerous situations when well-meaning nature lovers, who just want to include their canines in summer activities, forget the very real risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in dogs.

Risk Factors

Heat exhaustion doesn’t come out of nowhere, making it a problem we can both anticipate and prevent. That’s a good thing! While any pet or person can experience this condition, there are specific risk factors that you need to be aware of that make some dogs more susceptible to heat than others:

Age: Both the very young and the very old are more affected by heat. Regulating body temperature is a complicated physiological process, and pets at both ends of the age spectrum have more difficulty fending off temperature extremes.

Breed: You can’t walk ten feet these days without encountering an adorable Frenchie or Boston Terrier, but hopefully those walks are taking place early in the morning (hint, hint). Any squishy-faced breed (referred to as brachycephalic) is more prone to heat stroke due to their anatomy.

Coat: When I first adopted my black lab Kekoa, I was shocked at how much more quickly she heated up during walks. Why? Dark-coated fur absorbs more heat. In addition, those beautiful thick coats that keep breeds like Huskies toasty in the snow can also predispose them to heat-related illness.

Weight: As if we needed another reason to warn against carrying extra pounds, obesity is a known risk factor for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

All of these risk factors add up. Let’s just say, if you have a black-coated, overweight, senior French bulldog, you might as well just follow them around with a fan and a thermometer all summer (and get them on a diet!).

Early Warning Signs

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are progressive illnesses. It takes time for a pet to go from normal body temperature to dangerously hot. During that process, he or she may exhibit any one of the following signs, meaning it’s time to stop what you’re doing and get into the shade.

Panting: Yes, dogs pant as part of the normal cooling process- but if they’re panting so much they can barely pause to take a sip of water, they’re too hot.

Drooling: Excessive drooling is a sign of heat exhaustion. Paradoxically, so are dry gums. A pet’s mouth should be moist but not dripping with saliva, nor should the gums be dry to the touch.

Red gums: Gums should be pink. Dark gums, which can look nearly red, can signal a problem.

Late-Stage Warning Signs

If your pet exhibits any of these during hot weather, I would proceed to a veterinarian immediately. Left unchecked, heat stroke can sadly lead to kidney failure or even death.

• Difficulty breathing
• Staggering gait
• Seizures
• Petechiae (pinpoint red spots on gums & mucous membranes)
• Blood in stool or tarry, dark stool

What Should You Do if You Suspect Heat Exhaustion or Stroke?

If you’re not sure how severe your pet’s symptoms are, you can always call your local veterinary ER for advice. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with something as dangerous as heat stroke.

Avoid the temptation to douse your pet in cold water. It can actually worsen things by causing the peripheral blood vessels to constrict. You can spray your pet with cool (not cold) water while you proceed to the ER.

The best solution is, as always, prevention. Make sure pets have plenty of access to shade and cold drinking water when they’re outside during warm weather. Keep them indoors entirely during significant heat waves. Avoid walks during the middle of the day. If you’re going on a hike where help is not likely to be easily accessible if you run into trouble, over-prepare.

Have a fun, and SAFE, summer!

Dr V

Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, DVM