Healthy Dog Blog
About the Healthy Dog Blog
What makes a healthy dog? More than good genes are needed for a dog to reach his highest potential. It takes feeding a species-appropriate diet, minimizing exposure to environmental toxins and unnecessary medications, and plenty of exercise and love. We will explore these issues and more in the HealthyDogBlog.
Mary has been breeding welsh terriers since 1993 and following holistic rearing principles for much of that time. When comparing the life span of dogs she’s bred and kept with that of their littermates who were placed in homes that did not follow holistic rearing principles, the dogs she’s kept have lived on average of 18 months longer than their littermates.
Heatstroke can impair or kill your pet. Knowing the symptoms can help!
As we enter the hottest part of summer in the northern hemisphere, it’s important to keep an eye on your pets to make sure they are not overheating. Heatstroke is not a mere inconvenience. It can lead to damage to the brain, liver, heart, and nervous system. Conditions that increase the risk of heat stroke include leaving pets in a hot vehicle, humid conditions, lack of drinking water, obesity, and overexertion. According to Dr. Karen Becker, symptoms of overheating include:- Heavy panting or rapid breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Glazed eyes
- Vomiting, bloody diarrhea
- Bright or dark red tongue or gums
- Staggering, stumbling
- Elevated body temperature
- Weakness, collapse
- Increased pulse and heartbeat
- Seizures
- Excessive drooling
- Unconsciousness
Go to http://goo.gl/8dsLLB to read more about heatstroke. 
Dr. Jean Dodds has just released her 2016 vaccine protocol for dogs. This new protocol has one major change, the addition of a dose of parvovirus vaccine at 18 weeks of age.
Posted by Dr. Jean Dodds (original post): http://goo.gl/9Zod6q
The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
9 – 10 weeks of age
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
e.g. Merck Nobivac (Intervet Progard) Puppy DPV
14 – 15 weeks of age
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
18 weeks of age
Parvovirus only, MLV
Note: New research states that last puppy parvovirus vaccine should be at 18 weeks old.
20 weeks or older, if allowable by law
Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines
1 year old
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
This is an optional booster or titer. If the client intends not to booster after this optional booster or intends to retest titers in another three years, this optional booster at puberty is wise.
1 year old
Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines
Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit The Rabies Challenge Fund for more information.
W. Jean Dodds, DVM
Hemopet/ NutriScan
11561 Salinaz Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92843
Re-blogged with permission from Dr. Jean Dodds.
People, healthy dog blog, joyful play, exercise.
Seniors who walk their pet have a lower body mass index and fewer doctor visits, as well as an increase in social interactions. For more information, see Curl AL, Bibbo J, Johnson RA. Dog walking, the human-animal bond and older adults’ physical health. The Gerontologist 2016 available at http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/03/18/geront.gnw051.abstract
There are several super foods that can support your pet’s eyes. A complete species appropriate diet supplemented with natural antioxidants can go a long way in supporting the eye.
Unless otherwise stated, these foods should be fed raw and vegetables pureed to aide in digestion.
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Sweet potatoes (well cooked)
- Eggs (raw or lightly cooked)
- Sardines or Salmon (Salmon must be frozen for 7 days before feeding)
For more information on your pet’s eyes and how they function visits our friend Dr. Karen Becker at http://goo.gl/EmZtbk.
With more than 2/3 of cats and 3/4 of dogs having dental disease. It is the biggest health care problem in our pets— and the incidence is increasing.
According to the Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health 2016 Report, the incidence of dental disease has increased more than 20% in the last 10 years. Dental disease includes any health condition affecting the mouth, such as inflammation, tarter, gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth abscess. Pets with dental disease can develop bad breath and experience pain when eating. Dental disease can lead to high levels of bacteria in the mouth, which can enter the blood stream, causing blood infection and organ damage. It can increase the risk of diabetes complications and the risk of problems during pregnancy and even increase the risk of developing cancer.
Older dogs and small and short-nosed breeds are at higher risk. Highly processed manufactured pet food, especially those with large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates (includes cereals or grains) also increase the risk of dental disease. Many commercial pet foods contain 40% of these dental disease-causing products.
Various recommendations have been made for ways to prevent dental disease. By using these strategies, pet owners can avoid costly and risky dental surgeries, including dental cleaning requiring anesthesia.
- Add fish oil to the diet to reduce gum inflammation.
- Feed a species-appropriate diet. Some veterinarians report significant improvement in dental health when switching from kibble to a raw diet.
- Offer safe chew toys made of rubber (not plastic)
- Brush teeth or rub teeth and gums with a gauze-wrapped finger regularly using dental products developed for pets.
- Offer raw bones (beef marrow or knuckle bones, chicken wings or backs, gizzards), strips of dehydrated muscle meat or chews, or fully digestible dental chews. Limit chewing time to less than 15 minutes daily to reduce the risk of tooth damage in power chewers.
- Perform routine inspection of the teeth and mouth to check for foul breath, inflammation, unusual lumps or bumps, or damaged teeth. Address any problems promptly.
Imagine a quick, easy, and painless scan that can identify distortions that could potentially affect your current and future health. Then, imagine easy, painless techniques that could be used to correct those distortions even before physical disease develops. The technology to do that is available NOW!
We are all familiar with standard medical techniques that measure electrical activity on the surface of the body and use the results to identify distortions that need attention. For example, an EKG measures the electrical activity in the heart and the EEG measures the electrical activity in the brain. In both cases, electrodes are attached to the skin and the observed energetic or electrical patterns are compared with standard or ‘normal’ patterns to identify distortions. In a similar manner, a NES scan measures the energy and information in your body field and matches it to a standard set of energy and information patterns to identify deviations or distortions.
The NES body scanning technology is based on the science of quantum physics. Quantum physics tells us that our bodies are NOT mere machines with individual parts (e.g., the stomach, heart, liver) that work independent of each other. Instead, we are actually a vast network of cells and molecules that interact with each other and with the world around us by constantly exchanging energy and information. It is this energy and information that determine how the body operates or performs and is the foundation for the study of epigenetics.
The NES scan is performed by using a simple handheld device that scans the body field and transfers the data to software that returns more than 150 results. These results show the energetic and informational status of major organs and organ systems and provide data on environmental and nutritional influences, among other things. Distortions are shown in priority order so that they can be addressed in the most efficient sequence. The focus is not on diseases or symptoms, but the source of distortions across the entire body field and how best to address them.
Distortions are addressed by the use of oral liquid products called infoceuticals that re-introduce the correct information into the distorted body filed. The body accesses this information to correct the distortions. A handheld device called the miHealth is used to rejuvenate the body’s energy, release trigger points, and correct energy flow. In a segment on The Doctor’s Show (CBS) they referred to miHealth as “the brand new device you can’t live without.”
NES Health and its products do not cure, prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. Instead, the NES program allows a qualified NES practitioner to see beyond symptoms, to clearly distinguish the source distortions across your entire body field, and to address them specifically.
The NES program has mapped the body field for humans, dogs, cats, and horses. So, you and your animals can benefit from this technology. For more information on the NES system and how you can obtain a free scan (limit of 5) or to express an interest in our upcoming study assessing similarities and difference in the scans of people and their pets, please contact Mary Duafala at alphamedbioenergetics@yahoo.com
The NES Animal Scan
Why make your own dog treats when you can so easily purchase them at your local grocery or pet food store?
Three reasons. First, the treats you prepare from ingredients obtained at your local grocery will be made from far higher quality ingredients than most commercial dog treats. Second, the huge number of pet food recalls due to contamination has included dog treats. Just Google ‘dog treat recalls’ and you’ll be by amazed by the number of stories on the topic. By making dog treats or cookies yourself you can be assured that the ingredients are fresh and reduce the risks of feeding your dog tainted treats. Third, your dog with LOVE them!
It’s really not as hard as it might sound to make your own dog treats and there are plenty of resources out there to get you started. Some of my favorites are:
- How to Make Your Own Top-Quality Dog Treats, by the Whole Dog Journal http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_9/features/How-To-Make-Homemade-Dog-Treats_20607-1.html
- The Dog Treat Kitchen (http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/) gives great advice about making your own treats and offers many recipes to get you started.
Once you make treats a few times, you might even begin to create your own recipes! Your dog will love you for it.
While the terms vomiting and regurgitation are often used interchangeably, they describe very different actions. Knowing the difference can help to diagnose the cause and identify the best treatment.
When your pet ‘throws up’ he may be either vomiting or regurgitating. Vomiting is often described as an active process, with a variety of signs it is about to occur. In contrast, regurgitation is passive and may occur without any warning. While vomiting may be initiated by diet, toxins, or inflammation, regurgitation is usually related to diseases of the esophagus. Using the correct term when speaking with your veterinarian helps him or her to focus more quickly on the most likely cause of the problem.
Vomiting
Vomiting is usually preceded by signs of discomfort – contraction of abdominal walls, salivation, licking lips and finally heaving, followed by emptying of the stomach contents or even contents of the upper small intestine. The vomit may be yellow or orangish in color, indicating the presence of bile. However, bile is not always present. A pet may vomit either food, or if the stomach is empty, liquid.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is less commonly seen. There are no signs that the pet is about to regurgitate – it just happens. If solid, the regurgitus is typically tube shaped as it comes from the back of the pharynx or the esophagus. It is a mixture of food, saliva and mucous, but there is no bile present. If no solid food is present, the regurgitus may be fluid, saliva, and mucus only
Regurgitus
Here is a quick comparison of vomiting and regurgitation
This moving animation and comic strip show that physical limitations may not be limitations at all and should not stand in the way of happiness.
Enjoy this short film called “The Present.” It was created by Jacob Frey and Markus Kranzler in 2014 as a graduation project while they were students at Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany. It went on to win dozens of international awards
The film is based on a comic book strip by a Brazilian artist named Fabio Coala Cavalcanti. The boy opens up a box from his mother to find a small, excited puppy inside. The boy’s joy, however, quickly turns to disgust when he realizes the dog only has three legs. In the end, the boy realizes that the dog doesn’t let his physical situation stand in the way of happiness, and neither should he.
Blog re-posted from GreenMedInfo LLC – original blog link: http://m.greenmedinfo.com/blog/latest-study-human-pet-bonding-says-you-may-be-under-spell-0
Do you melt when you look into your dog’s eyes? Does your cat have you wrapped around her little fuzzy paws? You’re not alone! New science unlocks the mysteries of human-animal bonding and how our animal companions manipulate us into loving them—for our good and theirs.
People have a long history of living and bonding with domesticated animals. A recent genome study concluded that dogs may have been domesticated as far back as 34,000 years ago.[1]
Today, our animal companions are as beloved as ever with the American pet population expanding from about 40 million cats and dogs in 1967 to more than 114 million in 2012. Roughly two-thirds of US households now include at least one pet.[2]
Not only are pets on the rise, but the significance of our human-animal relationships seems to be deepening. A growing number of young adults are trading in their human partners for the four-legged kind. Many report experiencing greater distress from the loss of a pet than from a breakup.[3] In a recent poll, a surprising 38 percent of dog owners reported loving their pets more than their partners![4]
Our animal companions obviously bring lightness and joy to our lives, but science now reveals they may be bringing much more.
The Magical Healing Powers of Animals
In addition to offering companionship, animals benefit people in a number of different ways. For example, animals have developed special defenses over the millennia to ensure survival in the wild, and some of these have benefits for humankind.
Dog’ saliva has been found to heal wounds due to a protein called Nerve Growth Factor. Human wounds treated with NGF heal twice as quickly as untreated wounds. The purring of a cat can help mend broken bones and soft tissue injuries because they purr at 20 to 50 Hertz, a frequency range found to promote tissue healing. And a protein from the venom of the Malayan pit viper is being used in Europe to treat strokes and blood clots.[5]
Even if you don’t own anything as exotic as a Malayan pit viper, your dog or cat may be bringing you an abundance of gifts. Science shows that pet owners are reaping an amazing number of health benefits, including the following:
- Reduced risk for heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, and better odds of surviving and recovering from a heart attack, regardless of the severity[6] [7]
- Better physical fitness and higher levels of activity, overall[8]
- Improved stress management and coping, reduced risk for depression and anxiety; lower levels of cortisol, and higher levels of “feel good” neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin[9] [10] [11]
- Less pain and improved quality of life for those suffering from fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and other conditions[12] [13]
- Fewer allergies, better immune function, and improved health and longevity[14]
- Higher attractiveness and trustworthiness to others, more social support and reduced isolation[15] [16]
- Early warnings for seizures, cancer, low blood sugar and even death, as animals have sensory abilities reaching far beyond those of humans, making them excellent service companions[17] [18]
Pets Reduce Allergies and Help Build Children’s EQ
For children, family pets offer unique benefits, both physically and emotionally. Dogs can forestall the development of allergies in children raised with them.[19] [20] A study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology [21] found exposure to dogs in infancy, especially around the time of birth, can lower a child’s risk for allergies. This effect is so strong that even an expectant mother can reduce the likelihood of her child’s developing allergies by living with a dog.
The emotional benefits are even more profound. Kids who grow up with dogs and cats tend to show greater compassion and empathy, which is referred to as “emotional intelligence” or EQ.
According to kindergarten teachers, EQ is the strongest predictor of a child’s success in school, even more so than reading or writing skills. Caring for a pet teaches children compassion, self-esteem, and responsibility for the care of another, as well as improving cognitive skills, mitigating stress, and numerous other benefits.[22] [23] [24]
Children with autism are sometimes better able to interact with animals, and this may actually improve their ability to interact with people. Science shows cats are especially helpful to autistic children, increasing their social interactivity and improving communication skills, tactile and eye contact, smiling and laughter.[25]
Oxytocin Creates Friends with Benefits
Why do cats and dogs hold this almost-magical power over humans? Recent discoveries are beginning to provide an answer: hormones.
A recent groundbreaking study was the first to identify a hormonal bonding effect between humans and other species, which may help to explain how dogs became domesticated thousands of years ago.[26] According to the study, when your dog looks into your eyes, he activates the same hormonal response as an infant. The mutual gazing between dogs and their owners triggers the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” in the same positive feedback loop as in a mother and newborn.
Of the duos who spent the greatest amount of time gazing into each other’s eyes, male as well as female dogs experienced a 130 percent rise in oxytocin levels, and both male and female owners showed a 300 percent increase.[27]
Produced by the hypothalamus, oxytocin is the hormone responsible for mother-infant bonding, flooding each with feelings of happiness, trust and well being. In addition to its role in bonding and relationships, oxytocin confers physical health benefits as well, including reduced pain and inflammation, which could explain some of the health benefits of pet ownership outlined above.
But oxytocin may explain only part of our connection with dogs. A prior study found dogs to be sensitive to human social cues, such as the intention to interact with them when making eye contact. According to Medical Daily:[28]
Dogs tend to speak through body language and facial expression, which makes them better equipped to figure out our moods and what makes us happy, among other things.
Dogs are not the only species casting oxytocin spells on humans—cats are taking full advantage as well.
Crazy Cat Ladies May Not Be So Crazy After All
A recent study[29] found that cats attach to humans as social partners, not just for the sake of obtaining food. This research is the first to show in detail that cat-human relationships are essentially identical to human-human ones, at least biochemically, with cats frequently stepping into roles of surrogate children in nurturing homes. This of course will not be new information to cat lovers.
Petting a cat is found to produce an immediate oxytocin release in both cat and human—but if that human is a woman, the effects may be far more pronounced. This study and others confirm that, while cats have plenty of male admirers, women initiate contact with their kitties much more often than men, and vice versa. Female owners also have more intense relationships with their cats, and cats especially adore—and manipulate—their ladies. Cats are cashing in on human maternal instinct!
Rather than an amusing eccentricity, “crazy cat ladies” may actually be unwitting victims of chemically modulated feline manipulation. I’ll leave proof of that hypothesis to the scientists—but ladies, consider yourself warned. [30] [31]
Regardless of whether or not we humans are being manipulated by our animal friends, the benefits of sharing our homes with them cannot be denied. Science has proven that if you want to live a longer, healthier, happier life—and raise your children in an environment that cultivates compassion and responsibility—then adopting a pet may be just the prescription.
[1] Hord, J. “Man’s best friendship at least 14,000 years old.” From the Grapevine October 12, 2014
[2] AVMA US Pet Ownership Statistics
[3] Clarke, K. “Pets as partners: Growing number of young singles treat cats and dogs like replacement girlfriends and boyfriends.” National Post July 18, 2014
[4] Mazza, E. “POLL: 38% Of Dog Owners Love Their Pet More Than Their Partner.” Huffington Post August 27, 2015
[5] “5 Animals with Incredible Healing Powers.” Goodnet January 9, 2015
[6] “Can Pets Help Keep You Healthy?” NIH News in Health February 2009
[7] McCandless, SG “Top 5 Health Benefits of Owning a Pet.” Animal Planet
[8] Brown, SG and Rhodes, RE. “Relationships among dog ownership and leisure-time walking in Western Canadian adults.” Am J Prev Med. 2006 Feb;30(2):131-6 PMID: 16459211
[9] Borchard, TJ. “6 Ways Pets Relieve Depression.” PsychCentral
[10] Coren, S. “Health and Psychological Benefits of Bonding with a Pet Dog” Psychology Today June 7, 2009
[11] “5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health” WebMD
[12] NFMCPA Animal Assisted Therapy
[13] Izzo, M. “Study: Pet therapy may help cancer patients” Daily Record January 14, 2015
[14] Benjamin, K. “10 Benefits of Being a Dog Owner” Mental Floss
[15] Tse, I. “7 Surprising Health Benefits of Dog Ownership” Live Science November 30, 3012
[16] Story, C. “7 Surprising Benefits of Owning a Pet” Renegade Health August 18, 2014
[17] “Cancer-detecting dogs approved for NHS trial” The Guardian August 8, 2015
[18] “Cat Detects Owner’s Breast Cancer Before Doctors, Saving Her Life” Huffington Post July 26, 2012
[19] Epstein TG, et al. “Opposing Effects of Cat and Dog Ownership and Allergic Sensitization on Eczema in an Atopic Birth Cohort.” J Pediatrics February 2011;158(2):265-271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.07.026
[20] “Dog ownership is associated with reduced eczema in children with dog allergies.” Science Daily October 1, 2010
[21] Gern JE et al. “Effects of dog ownership and genotype on immune development and atopy in infancy.” J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Feb;113(2):307-314 PMID: 14767447
[22] Vatan, S. “Kids who grow up with dogs and cats are more emotionally intelligent and compassionate.” MNN March 22, 2016
[23] Daniels, D. “Want to raise empathetic kids? Get them a dog.” Washington Post April 14, 2105
[24] Pets in the Classroom Study American Human Association, July 2015
[25] Cara, E. “Children With Autism Can Become More Social With A Cat By Their Side” Medical Daily July 19, 2015
[26] Nagasawa, M, et al. “Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds.” Science 17 April 2015;348(6232):333-336 DOI: 10.1126/science.1261022
[27] Grimm, D. “How Dogs Stole Our Hearts.” Science Magazine April 16, 2015
[28] Borreli, L. “Man’s Best Friend May Boost Immune System: 6 Health Benefits Of Owning A Dog.” Medical Daily April 8, 2015
[29] Wedl, M et al. “Factors influencing the temporal patterns of dyadic behaviours and interactions between domestic cats and their owners.” Behavioral Processes January 2011;86(1):58-67 doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2010.09.001
[30] Green, T. “Do Cats Emit Something That Makes You Love Them?” The Nest
[31] Viegas, J. “Science of cat ladies? Felines bond with females, study shows.” NBC News February 24, 2011
Valerie Burke, MSN is a Clinical EFT practitioner and freelance health writer in Olympia, Washington, with backgrounds in both allopathic and integrative medicine and a Master’s Degree in Nursing Science. Her areas of interest include nutrition and energy psychology, and integrating principles of holistic health to create balance in mind, body a spirit. Valerie is the author of “Is the Paleo Diet Right for You?“ You can learn more about her at www.valerieburke.net.
© Tuesday, April 5th 2016 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.
We’ve previously talked about the positive impact of being happy and the negative impact of stress. But, how can we achieve happiness and reduce stress in our busy lives?
Dr. Mercola recently published a post on this topic in which he gives some great tips for achieving happiness. His 9 tips for a quick mood boost are listed below and many apply to both us and our dogs!
- Get up and get moving – Excessive inactivity increases the risk of depression, while exercise causes the release of feel-good substances.
- Get outdoors – Exposure to bright outdoor light enhances mood and improves energy.
- Reach out to others – Having relationships improves well-being. Reach out to your friends and schedule a play date for the dog!
- Complete a task you’ve been avoiding – You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment!
- Organize and de-clutter – Clutter can lead to internal discord for us and our pets.
- Do a good deed – Helping others provides a natural mood boost.
- Smile – Even if you have to fake it at first, that smile will eventually come naturally and be accompanied by happy thoughts. And, when you smile at others, they may smile back, creating a positive feed-back loop for you both! It’s much easier to smile and to engage with others when you are with your pet.
- Donate something – Donating naturally makes you feel good.
- Learn something new – You and your pet might both benefit from learning something new together.
Dr Mercola also lists various foods that can boost your mood. For more information, read his post at http://goo.gl/Vuz1hS
Do you tend to see the body as a machine, that, when it malfunctions, needs to be fixed? Dr. Bruce Lipton, PhD, suggests that 90% to 95% of chronic health problems are actually a result of ‘driver error!’ Watch this short video to learn more.
The change from spring to winter and back to spring again has gotten everybody under the weather at the house, including Kota.
There is nothing that Kota likes more when he is sick than to lay on the heated blanket on the couch. He pushes everybody else off and claims the blanket as his own. He even tries to push me off! Kota is actually a big baby when he gets sick, not wanting to do anything, even go to his dish to eat. When he is under the weather it never lasts long and before you know it he is back on his feet again!
Stress is an important cause of disease in humans and animals and the impact is more profound as we age.
The level of stress is reflected in cortisol levels – the more stress, the higher the levels of cortisol in the body. Increased cortisol levels suppress the immune system, decrease cognitive function, and enhance tumor growth in us and in our pets. Two studies conducted in dogs reveal some interesting information
- Long-life is associated with lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. To learn more about this study visit http://goo.gl/Yhhq58
- Joyful play reduces stress, while aggressive ‘play ‘increases stress. To read the full report, go here http://familydogproject.elte.hu/Pdf/publikaciok/2008/HorvathDM2008.pdf
While this research is in dogs, similar results have been shown in humans. How do you and your dog de-stress? This just may be one of the most important questions you address for a long, happy, healthy life!
As a result of rising concerns about the Zika virus, individuals living in or traveling to areas where the Zika virus is found are turning to insect repellants for protection against the Zika-carrying mosquito. But, what about our pets? Are those same insect repellants safe for them?
The Zika virus can be transmitted to humans via infected mosquitoes and, at the suggestion of the CDC, many people in at-risk areas are turning to DEET-containing insect repellants for protection (http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/fs_mosquito_bite_prevention_travelers.pdf). DEET is contained in products such as Off, Deep Woods Off, Sawyer, Ultrathon, and Cutter. Labeled instructions for application should be followed to improve the human safety of DEET-containing products. But, what about the safety of these products for our pets?
DEET-containing insect repellants should NOT be used on cats or dogs because they lick their fur and, overtime, could potentially ingest large amounts of DEET. Pets may also ingest DEET by licking the skin and clothing of humans who have used the product or from environmentally applied DEET. DEET ingestion can result in drooling, wobbly gait, seizures, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
A safer alternative that can be used on people and pets and that is on the CDC list of recommended agents is Oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is available for humans under the tradename Repel. Repel has a very strong odor and may not be appropriate for pets, however pet-safe lemon eucalyptus is available from Daisy Paw.
Current evidence suggests that dogs and cats may contract the Zika virus, but that the virus does not replicate and infect their bodies http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/139357115231/zika-dengue-pets#.VsIuY_krKUl). Nonetheless, some people use insect repellants on their pets to protect them from a variety of mosquito-borne diseases. If you choose to do so, please avoid DEET-containing agents and, if you use DEET-containing products for yourself or your family, protect your pet from ingesting it.
Our friends at Dogs Naturally, have written an article on natural mosquito repellants for your pet, available at http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/natural-mosquito-repellents/