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Showing posts with label Great. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Great. Show all posts
Heated Dogs Beds and Heated Cat Beds Can Provide Great Arthritis Relief
For any pet owner, providing a loving and comfortable environment is just one small way of returning the unconditional love and devotion our four-footed companions endlessly provide. For some of these faithful friends, as the years creep closer to old age, they can begin to show signs of achy joints and various level of discomfort associated with arthritis. Perhaps you have noticed that they are a little stiff after a nap, or that they appear to have some pain or stiffness in cold or damp weather. Whatever you have witnessed, seeing your loved one in pain breaks your heart and you simply want to provide some level of relief. Of course, your vet must be an integral part of any dog or cat's physical needs program. But in my quest to provide as much relief and comfort possible for my aging pals, I have found a few low tech tips that are particularly effective at providing relief.
Just like in humans, one of the best forms of relief for joint pain is providing warmth. You may think this sounds non-sophisticated, but it works. It is particularly important to provide warmth to your pet's body during colder temperatures or on damp days. This type of weather can cause joints to become especially stiff or swollen. The heat works to relax muscles and their spasms which are caused by the pain. Relaxed muscles relieve stress on the joints and provide overall improved joint flexibility. The heat also allows blood vessels to expand increasing circulation to the affected areas. Although a hot water bottle can be used, this is a very temporary heat source, quickly dissipating and requires constant attention. The best way to provide continual warmth is through a heated dog bed or a heated cat bed. Once your pet begins to feel the soothing warmth on his sore and painful joints, his heated pet bed will became an oasis of relief. The heated pet bed will also give your dog or cat relief from sleeping on the hard surface of the floor which tends to only aggravates the arthritic condition. Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints and if your pet continues to sleep on floors that are hard and cold this could actually cause the arthritis to worsen. Lastly, the soothing warmth will have a calming effect on your pet and allow for a restful sleep.
An essential part of the plan I have placed my aging pets on is nutritional supplements. Just like in humans, nutritional elements can affect the wellness of your pet's body and its ability to support joint health. The most common natural supplement recommended for the relief of arthritis in dogs and cats is glucosamine. Glucosamine is the primary glue that keeps connective tissue and bone together and may help alleviate joint pain and discomfort. It has also been reported to be useful in the prevention of arthritis. Additionally, Sea Cucumber and Shark Cartilage are both reported to be excellent sources of a host of minerals and protein that may supply the therapeutic protection for joints and the surrounding tissues our pet needs. I have given all three of these supplements to my arthritic pets and have found positive response and relief for my pets each time I have used them.
I believe one of my dog's favorite forms of relief from arthritis pain is slow and gentle massage. Slow and gentle massage is the only type of massage we should conduct ourselves. Anything more intense should be done by a professional or under instruction from your veterinarian. Massage not only provides a loving bond between you and your pet, but it loosens and relaxes the muscles which will tighten with the onset of pain. The blending of massage and a heated pet bed will definitely provide a winning combination.
To read more about this topic or several other pet care articles and blogs, go to Pet Crates and More . Looking for that perfect heated bed to provide warmth to your pet; visit the website of Pet Crates and More for some terrific products. With more than 20 years of management experience, Sandy Stone blended her passion for animals with her business acumen and started Pet Crates and More, a business offering products aimed at providing comfort for your pets. Heated Dogs Beds and Heated Cat Beds Can Provide Great Arthritis Relief
For any pet owner, providing a loving and comfortable environment is just one small way of returning the unconditional love and devotion our four-footed companions endlessly provide. For some of these faithful friends, as the years creep closer to old age, they can begin to show signs of achy joints and various level of discomfort associated with arthritis. Perhaps you have noticed that they are a little stiff after a nap, or that they appear to have some pain or stiffness in cold or damp weather. Whatever you have witnessed, seeing your loved one in pain breaks your heart and you simply want to provide some level of relief. Of course, your vet must be an integral part of any dog or cat's physical needs program. But in my quest to provide as much relief and comfort possible for my aging pals, I have found a few low tech tips that are particularly effective at providing relief.
Just like in humans, one of the best forms of relief for joint pain is providing warmth. You may think this sounds non-sophisticated, but it works. It is particularly important to provide warmth to your pet's body during colder temperatures or on damp days. This type of weather can cause joints to become especially stiff or swollen. The heat works to relax muscles and their spasms which are caused by the pain. Relaxed muscles relieve stress on the joints and provide overall improved joint flexibility. The heat also allows blood vessels to expand increasing circulation to the affected areas. Although a hot water bottle can be used, this is a very temporary heat source, quickly dissipating and requires constant attention. The best way to provide continual warmth is through a heated dog bed or a heated cat bed. Once your pet begins to feel the soothing warmth on his sore and painful joints, his heated pet bed will became an oasis of relief. The heated pet bed will also give your dog or cat relief from sleeping on the hard surface of the floor which tends to only aggravates the arthritic condition. Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints and if your pet continues to sleep on floors that are hard and cold this could actually cause the arthritis to worsen. Lastly, the soothing warmth will have a calming effect on your pet and allow for a restful sleep.
An essential part of the plan I have placed my aging pets on is nutritional supplements. Just like in humans, nutritional elements can affect the wellness of your pet's body and its ability to support joint health. The most common natural supplement recommended for the relief of arthritis in dogs and cats is glucosamine. Glucosamine is the primary glue that keeps connective tissue and bone together and may help alleviate joint pain and discomfort. It has also been reported to be useful in the prevention of arthritis. Additionally, Sea Cucumber and Shark Cartilage are both reported to be excellent sources of a host of minerals and protein that may supply the therapeutic protection for joints and the surrounding tissues our pet needs. I have given all three of these supplements to my arthritic pets and have found positive response and relief for my pets each time I have used them.
I believe one of my dog's favorite forms of relief from arthritis pain is slow and gentle massage. Slow and gentle massage is the only type of massage we should conduct ourselves. Anything more intense should be done by a professional or under instruction from your veterinarian. Massage not only provides a loving bond between you and your pet, but it loosens and relaxes the muscles which will tighten with the onset of pain. The blending of massage and a heated pet bed will definitely provide a winning combination.
To read more about this topic or several other pet care articles and blogs, go to Pet Crates and More . Looking for that perfect heated bed to provide warmth to your pet; visit the website of Pet Crates and More for some terrific products. With more than 20 years of management experience, Sandy Stone blended her passion for animals with her business acumen and started Pet Crates and More, a business offering products aimed at providing comfort for your pets. Food Allergies on the Rise
Grass Allergies
One thing is clear. Food allergies are on the rise in the U.S. and in most western countries for reasons that are unclear. There is a fair amount of confusion about food allergies and why they are more prevalent. True food allergies are triggered by a protein in the respective food that provokes a strong reaction by the immune system. A reaction can occur in only a few minutes or up to a few hours after ingestion of the food. Skin reactions like profound itching, rash or hives are present with food allergies 90% of the time. Wheezing and shortness of breath are also very common. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea is much less common. Severe reactions can progress rapidly in children or adults. Significant food allergies usually begin within two hours after ingestion of the food. Anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction, can progress rapidly and be profoundly dangerous without prompt medical attention.
Grass Allergies
Food poisoning from eating tainted or contaminated food is much more common and is easily confused with a true allergy. Food poisoning is typically a one time event that is not reproducible. It can occur as a mini-epidemic affecting more than one person at a time although a single person can obviously be the only victim. Individual reactions to food like a migraine after eating chocolate is not an allergic reaction. Lactose intolerance manifested by cramping and diarrhea after eating dairy products is not an allergy. An adverse reaction to a number of different foods or processed food ingredients is not a true allergy.
Grass Allergies
Although peanut is the allergen most often associated with severe or fatal reactions, any food has the potential to cause anaphylaxis. The most common food allergies in childhood are milk, egg, and peanut. Most children outgrow their milk, egg, wheat or soy allergies. The most common food allergies in adulthood are peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Peanut allergies tend to last a lifetime. In recent years more attention to food manufacturing practices and labeling have acknowledged this problem. Many variables can affect the severity of food allergies. How a food was prepared, the amount ingested, presence of an acute or chronic illness, medications, alcohol, or even exercise can affect a reaction. There can be other mitigating circumstances. Severe reactions do not usually occur from mere touching a food, nor from the smell of food. Ingestion is necessary. However steaming or roasting the food product so it was aerosolized could create enough exposure in selected individuals through inhalation.
Grass Allergies
Confirming a reaction as allergy to a specific food can be difficult. The history of a reaction within the appropriate amount of time is probably the most helpful clue. Both skin and blood tests have some problems. Although they can be very sensitive in detecting an allergy they do not correlate to the specific reaction more than half of the time. A negative test is more valuable that there is not a true allergy, but not a guarantee. The predictive value of a positive test is murkier and must be correlated carefully with the history. Consulting your health care provider or an allergy specialist may be necessary to sort this out. As there is no cure for food allergies, prevention relies largely on avoidance of the particular offending food.
After many years pediatric experts recognized that food allergies have continued to rise in spite of recommendations to avoid highly allergic foods during the first 1 to 3 years of childhood. Research has left a difference of opinion about how to best avoid allergic problems in children. Some experts suggest introducing small amounts of foods such as peanuts at an earlier age. Some think that regular small amounts may allow the individual to acclimate to the food in question. At this point there is no consensus about when and how much is appropriate. Going slowly and being a patient parent when it comes to introducing new foods to your young child seems sensible. There is no evidence that delaying foods makes a difference in allergic reactions once a child is older than six months and is physically mature enough to handle and swallow soft or thick food products. Family history of reactions may be a clue of what to expect in your young child. Adults or children who demonstrate other conditions related to hypersensitivity such as eczema and asthma may be more likely to have food allergies.
Understanding the hallmarks of severe allergic reactions and how to get prompt medical attention remain very important. Thoughtful attention to dietary challenges is the key to avoidance in allergic individuals. Consult your health care provider to maintain balanced nutrition in your diet. Food allergies need not cramp your style too much.