Do you know about L.E.A.S.H. Animal Welfare Society?
Written on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015We recently adopted our beloved Jerry from L.E.A.S.H. What a superb dedication and love these people have for helping the forgotten dogs of our society. If you're looking to add a new dog to your family, please consider supporting this great cause.
Taken from www.leashsavinglives.com:
Located in Beautiful British Columbia and serving the Greater Vancouver & surrounding area, LEASH Animal Welfare Society is a BC non-profit dog-rescue Society.
We are a rescue, not a shelter, and are therefore a network of foster homes committed and united in the struggle against high-kill shelters and dog overpopulation.
Pancreatitis: How You Can Help Your Pet with Food
Written on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015Inflammatory disease of the pancreas is a growing concern for veterinarians and pet owners. Vets are noticing this issue coming up more frequently in clinical practice. But what is it? How is it diagnosed? What can cause it? What solutions do we have for helping animals with this problem? Nutrition is an important place to start. The pancreas is a digestive and endocrine organ so it’s logical to start by looking at foods that support healthy digestion and metabolic function. Chronic inflammation of the digestive organ could be a sign of improper diet, hormonal imbalance, blunt abdominal injury, poisoning, infectious disease, immune-mediated illness, and some drug therapies. Azotemia and increased liver enzymes are common with this condition. There are some breeds of dogs that are more prone to getting pancreatitis including Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, and Spaniels. German Shepherds are prone to pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) which can also lead to pancreatitis episodes and other health problems. It’s important to do an examination and lab work to determine the most likely cause and treatment. We will look at how we can feed the body and support the pancreas so it can function correctly.
Murphy
Written on Saturday, January 31st, 2015
Murphy “AKA Murphy doodle” is a 2-year-old labradoodle that suffered from food sensitivities that included vomiting, chronic diarrhea (never had a firm stool), and ear infections from the day we brought him home. He also had that "dog smell"…. The first year of his life required numerous visits to a conventional vet to try and mask the symptoms of his issues. Extensive use of antibiotics, prescription vet kibble, and other medications were introduced with limited success and numerous side effects. He also had a difficult time absorbing kibble diets and was significantly underweight.
After visiting a holistic veterinarian, he recommended that a natural diet be introduced as a solution to Murphy’s food intolerances and allergies. One of the raw food manufacturers that were recommended was 3P Naturals. Our vet and local retailer (Susi from Bark Avenue who is extremely awesome!) could not say enough good things about the cleanliness of the facilities and the quality of the product. We had never considered raw because we thought it was kind of "gross" but had exhausted every other food source with no luck. We visited Susi several times and asked lots of questions before we made the decision to switch to raw.
Since being introduced to a raw diet, Murphy has been a different dog with NO diahrrea, NO vomiting, higher energy levels, a calmer disposition, a wonderful fur coat, and no doggy smell. His weight holds perfectly on a balanced raw diet that 3P provides through their meat, organ, bone, and veggie combinations. I find this very convenient. I have no issues with the food and it is not at all what I expected when I thought about a "raw diet." I will never feed kibble again! Overall, we are extremely pleased with 3P and the support that can be received. Transitioning to a raw diet can be new and scary for some dog owners and having the level of expert support through 3P makes it very easy. If we hadn't made the switch to 3P Murphy would most likely not be here with us today… thank you for an exceptional product with so many different options.
Shelley, Chris & Murphy 'Doodle'
Switching Your Pet to Raw Diet Made Easy
Written on Sunday, January 25th, 2015It's about time we made this simple! Switching to raw doesn't have to be hard. The following article breaks it down into easy steps and helpful tips.
Urinary Tract Health in Dogs and Cats
Written on Tuesday, December 30th, 2014Diseases of the urinary system are common amongst dogs and cats. I'm regularly asked about these issues and so I've put together a guideline on the signs and symptoms as well as dietary solutions that may help you to solve the issue if you choose to take the holistic route. I find that with the appropriate dietary adjustments, most urinary issues can be resolved and/or the intensity of symptoms greatly reduced.
Brain Food
Written on Tuesday, December 16th, 2014Have you ever wondered if there is anything you can do nutritionally to enhance your dog’s intelligence? Well, there is! Fat balance is one of many important aspects of feeding a balanced raw diet. Sixty percent of the mammalian brain is made up of fat so in order for it to function at its best, it needs brain food, literally!
It has been proven that a healthy diet improves a puppy’s ability to learn faster and remember more. It also enhances an older dog’s ability to retain their mental sharpness and improves their overall sense of well-being. DHA (an omega 3 fatty acid) is especially important for improving memory, learning, and helping to fight mental disorders.
Which Bones are Best?
Written on Sunday, November 16th, 2014Many of the questions I have received this month have been bone-related so this article is the product of the great questions that were asked. We'll break it down into an easy-to-follow guide on how to feed bones safely and how to choose the best ones for your pet. Bones are a staple when feeding a balanced raw food diet and important for dental/skeletal health but there are many types of bones to choose from. We have a large variety of sizes and shapes to fit the needs of all types of dogs. Certain bones may not be appropriate for certain pets. This guide will help you to decide what kinds of bones will suit your animal best.
Little Rowan is home!
Written on Tuesday, November 4th, 2014Rowan has finally come home. She is a 9 week old Beauceron puppy with tonnes of personality and a great mind. She's loving her 3P Natural Chicken and Elk and her raw bones too! Starting a puppy off right with a raw diet is just about the best pet insurance one can have. It is also extremely important to ensure you are balancing the diet correctly to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Rowan will be working towards tracking titles in the near future. Her raw diet will help her stay mentally sharp and physically fit. Stay tuned and watch Rowan grow up as a raw-fed pup by following us on Twitter @3pnaturals or liking us on Facebook. What a fantastic little dog!
What About Water?
Written on Thursday, October 23rd, 2014Water is the most important nutrient for all living things. Dogs and cats are no exception. Water makes up 70-80% of an adult pet's weight. It dissolves natural and unnatural substances and acts as the root of all biological processes including digestion, circulation, and waste removal. Animals must hydrate themselves regularly throughout the day to stay healthy. Pets can hydrate themselves in one of two ways: by drinking water and/or ingesting foods that contain a high moisture content. If an animal is severely dehydrated and cannot ingest water on its own, it will need to be hydrated by a vet via intravenous or subcutaneous fluids. Animals can survive much longer without food (7-10 days) than they can without water (1-2 days). Severe dehydration is a medical emergency!