Purrfect Catscape

Spring is full swing and summer is within sight. There is nothing better than making the most of the  season by gardening with your cat. What a purrfect time to plan and plant a fun and safe garden for your feline friends!

The style of garden you decide to design will drive the type of reaction you get from your cat. Planting a classic garden with rows of cat-safe plants in a small area may have your friend walking through them and perhaps catching naps. If you incorporate potted plants, shelves, scratch posts,  chairs and fences your cat may be encouraged to roam and play. Cats are natural prowlers, so they will love a garden where they can stalk, jump and act out their natural instincts.

A good mix of big plants, pots and wooden structures gives cats exactly what they want -- shade on the hot days and sun on the cooler days. The more interesting you make your garden, the more fun they will have. Designing areas that your cat will enjoy also enhances the overall beauty and dynamic of your garden. 

Create a fun adventure playground for your cat. Cats love to climb and will use almost anything for a scratching post. To protect your trees, try installing vertical logs or 2x4's of varying heights for your cat to climb on and scratch (wrap these with sisel rope for bonus points). Try adding a fence,  cat tree or shelf somewhere in your garden because elevation is exactly what our feline companions want. Cats love to climb and watch over their world, so think about including such vantage points for them to enjoy.
Cat toys aren't only for in the house! Attach toys to pieces of yarn or twine and hang them, at varying heights, around the garden. When breezes blow their movement will entice your cat to chase them and play.

 Make sure that your cat always has access to a fresh clean water source. A solar powered fountain can provide this while adding a charming touch to your garden.



When it comes to populating your garden, cat-safe plants include heather, sunflower, bamboo, rose, violet, lavender and snapdragon. Herbs that are safe (and beneficial) for your cat include parsley, sage, mint, dill, rosemary, cilantro, tarragon and basil. We all know that cats go crazy for catnip. This plant is a member of the mint family and contains an essential oil that has a euphoric effect on cats.

Though this list is not complete, some plants to avoid using in your garden or home include; lilies, peony, foxglove, buttercup, mistletoe, holly, rhododendron and wisteria. Also, do not use cocoa bean mulches as they are highly poisonous to both cats and dogs.

AVOID CHEMICALS! I cannot stress this enough! Pesticides, slug bait, rodent bait, weed killers, lawn fertilizers -- these products are TOXIC TO ANIMALS and harmful for the environment. Take the time to research and USE ORGANIC ALTERNATIVES!

Cats are territorial and the presence of other cats in the garden can be a source of conflict. They may even deter your cat from enjoying his own garden. If your garden or yard is fenced, installing a plastic mesh at the top will deter other cat's from entering and yours from leaving.

By utilizing your imagination and taking a few health considerations into account, you and your feline buddy will enjoy many hours of garden happiness together.

A Natural First Aid Kit for Your Pets

We strongly suggest having a first aid kit, stocked and handy, for your pets. For those that want to take a natural approach, there are herbal and homeopathic remedies to consider adding to your kit that can help with concerns such as cuts, burns, insect bites, nausea and stress.

Homeopathy embraces the notion that the body can heal itself and the symptoms are a sign that the body is in a state of repair attempting to restore its own health. Homeopathic remedies can even be administered along with traditional treatments for better results.

Here are some basic homeopathic and herbal remedies every natural first-aid it should contain. Always consult your veterinarian before administering any new remedy to your pets.

ARNICA is a useful addition because it not only relieves pain, it also reduces associated swelling in cases of bruises and muscle strains.

When using arnica pellets, use 30c and give two every four hours for two days, then two pellets three times a day.

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS is considered to be a versatile herbal remedy. It can be applied as a tea or ointment on wounds, cuts, abrasions, rashes and insect bites. It speeds the healing process, decreases pain and inflammation and due to its antimicrobial properties, decreases infection.

To treat a wound, mix 6 drops of calendula tincture in two tablespoons of water. Apply to the wound and cover it with a gauze wrap. This will help reduce pain while you seek assistance from your vet.

Calendula 6x can be given orally. One tablet (pellet) fed twice daily can help control overgrowth of yeast in the bowel and help the healing process after a bout of colitis.

NETTLE LEAF OIL is one of the simplest remedies for insect bites and stings. Rub one drop directly onto the bite or sting area to bring quick relief. If swelling is present, you can apply an ice pack (use a towel between your pet's body and the ice) and remember to remove it every 3 - 5 minutes before replacing it again. This will help prevent tissue damage from direct cold temperatures.

ALOE VERA cannot be beat when it comes to treating burns and wounds. It is soothing and cooling and improves circulation in the affected area. Aloe contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which support efficient healing.

Purchase an organic gel with no preservatives, sweeteners or flavorings that is suitable for human consumption. Ingesting large amounts of aloe can cause tummy upsets so after topical application, monitor your pets so they do not lick the area too much.

CHAMOMILE or PEPPERMINT TEA can be given to cats or dogs that have been nauseous or experienced diarrhea. I have noticed improvement when giving one teaspoon at a time, every 20 - 30 minutes. Make sure the tea is room temperature or cool and does not include caffeine, sugar, honey or artificial sweetener.

SLIPPERY ELM powder is an effective remedy for diarrhea (and one that helps alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and constipation) that can be purchased at many co-ops and health stores. Mix one teaspoon of the powder with one cup warm water, then give your pet one teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight, three times a day.

Bach's RESCUE REMEDY is great to use at the time of trauma, vet visits, in new environments and during thunderstorms. A few drops in your pet's mouth or water bowl (or on food) will help them handle and process stressful situations.

Take time and make a few preparations now to reduce the stress of urgent situations should they arise and keep your pet as comfortable as possible while seeking veterinarian aid.

All of the herbal and homeopathic advice shared in our blog is based upon our personal use and experience. 

It is not intended to replace veterinarian consultation, care or guidance.

Cold Weather Goat Care

Although they are hardy farm animals, goats do require a higher level of shelter from snow and cold. Many goat owners bring them into a barn and provide a thick layer of bedding for them and safe access to the outdoors where they are able to warm in the sun and absorb important Vitamin D.

A three-sided shelter with the open side away from the wind direction will help keep them warm. Goats can easily become chilled if the weather is rainy or snowy and they do not have adequate roughage. Some people think that increasing a goat's grain intake during the winter will help keep them warm. What most effectively helps goats create their own heat, is roughage. Keeping hay in front of them will help goats maintain their body heat. 

It is important that you are pro-active with regular parasite control for your goats. Research is showing that many types of worm larvae lay dormant until the animal stressed. An animal that is not fed properly, is too cold and does not have access to fresh water, will become stressed. When this happens worm larvae will hatch and migrate throughout your goats' body with devastating effects.

Support your goats through the winter by taking pro-active steps. Here are a few things to remember:

• Shelters are in good repair - covered with no area for leakage, strong enough to withstand winds and snow, give enough protection to keep the goats out of the cold, damp weather.
• Enough shelters for all animals.  Remember goats do not always share well. You might need to add some wooden pallets to "divide" the shelter areas so more goats can use the shelter.
• If feed areas are not in shelter areas, some sort of cover should be available that will keep the goats and food dry.

• Have enough paddocks/areas if you need to switch goats around - as an example, one or two goats are not being allowed in shelters or not allowed to eat their share - these goats would need to be in an area of their own.
• Goats are up to date on worming and hoof trimming.
• Remember goats need extra nutrition during the cold winter time - feeding grain or some alfalfa in the night time allows their rumens to work through the night helping to keep them warm.
• Have goat coats or people sweatshirts cut to fit ready for goats if you see some shivering.

• Fences in good repair.
• Quarantine pen available should you need it.
• Have your hay in storage, covered well. If you find a "steaming" hay bale remove immediately from other hay to keep from starting a fire.
• Have grain stored in covered containers - winter time causes unwanted little creatures to search for easy sources of grain.
• Have extra water available should lines freeze or other reason for not being able to have fresh water.
• Be prepared to provide hot water to the goats on days where their water is very cold or has ice in it or is ice!
• Start immune enhancer/vitamins to help goats stay healthy through the winter. These can be human holistic/herbal type or regular immune enhancer vitamins. 
• Keep minerals (should include selenium) available for the goats at all times in a dry area.
• Start on probiotic powder when feeding grain to keep their rumens at a good functioning level of good bacteria.
• Make sure your first aid kit is well stocked - you may find a storm is brewing and you cannot get out to the feed/farm store.
• Check lumbar score of each goat often – lumbar score shows what condition the goat is in.
• Check coat thickness to be sure they are ready for winter - if selenium deficient, coat may not be able to grow thick for winter cold.
• Keep an eye on hay and grain to be sure there is no growing mold brought by winter moist weather.
• Try and keep other wild critters from getting into your goat's water buckets - they may be carrying leptospirosis.
• Have older goats?  They are going to need special attention.
• If you have pregnant does who may have due dates during winter weather - be prepared with kidding stalls and kidding supplies.  These does may also need some special care so watching them closely is advised.  If you do have kid goats born in the cold weather, advice is "keep them warm" and the doe's body warmth is sometimes not enough.  If the kid goat seems chilled or your barn is cold and the heat lamp is just not keeping the area warm enough I advise bringing the kid goats inside – don’t lose them from the cold.

Rrraw Feeding for Your Cat

Making your own cat food is easy. Once you do it a few times, it gets even easier. Most people end up feeding a combination of homemade, commercially made raw diets and whole meats. This is actually preferred, variety is important, both in the types of meat and the different recipes. This variety helps to even out the nutrients provided. 

Typically, a healthy adult cat should eat 2 - 4% of its body weight per day (double that for kittens up to a year old) and be fed twice daily. As an example, a ten pound cat, eating 3% of its weight would intake 4.8 ounces a day. Kittens should eat about every four hours, and senior cats often do better eating three or four smaller meals per day. 

If your cat is not at an ideal weight or has existing medical conditions, consult a qualified animal nutritionist, a holistic veterinarian, or your current vet prior to beginning a new diet.

When embarking upon a homemade food for your cat, the basic ratio guideline to follow is:

83%  meat

  7%  bone

  5%  liver 

  5%  other organs 

Important supplements to have on hand include:

Taurine powder

Vitamin E capsules

Vitamin B Complex (powder or capsules containing powder)

Wild Salmon Oil (do not use cod liver oil as it contains high levels of Vitamin A which can be toxic for your kitty)

Lite Salt that is iodized (or use regular iodized table salt but use 1/2 the amount any recipe calls for)

Psyllium Husk Powder (Temporary use is beneficial in the prevention constipation as your pet adjusts to its new diet.)

Both recipes call for eggshell powder. You can make this yourself by leaving the shell's nutrient rich membrane, removing the egg white from the shells and drying them in a 300 F oven for 10 minutes. Allow them to cool then grind to a fine powder using an old coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.

Raw Chicken Dinner

4.5 lb   boneless chicken thighs and breasts (If they have skin, remove it from half of the meat.)

   7 oz   chicken liver

  14 oz  chicken heart (If you are unable to locate chicken hearts, add 4,000 mg taurine to the amount listed below, plus 3 ounces of thigh meat.)

   8 oz   spring or filtered water (do not use unfiltered tap water)

   4       egg yolks

   2 tsp egg shell powder (Grinding the shell of one large egg yields approximately 1 tsp of powder.)

2,000 mg taurine

4,000 mg fish oil

   200 iu  Vitamin E

   200 mg Vitamin B complex  

   4 tsp psyllium husk powder (optional)

Mix together well, serve a meal fresh and freeze the rest

Raw Rabbit Dinner

3 cups    rabbit meat (ground or chunks)

1/3 cup  chicken liver

1/2 cup  chicken heart

   1         raw chicken or turkey neck, chopped (DO NOT COOK)

1/2 cup  cooked carrots, diced small

   1         egg

   1 tsp   fish oil

   4 tsp eggshell powder

3,000 mg  taurine powder

Mix well, serve appropriate portion and freeze the rest 

Raw Food Recipes for Dogs

I have received several requests from dog owners, for raw food recipes that I have used. The two recipes that I have chosen to share are among my dogs' favorites and were originally sourced from, Dogs Naturally Magazine.

Rule of Thumb - When feeding a homemade raw diet healthy, moderately active adult dogs should be fed 1 - 3% of their body weight. Therefore, a 50 pound dog would be fed 1 - 1.5 lbs per day.

Please note - puppies require larger amounts! Owners need to look at what the ideal adult weight is expected to be and feed for that future weight. For example, a 15 lb puppy that is expected to weigh 50 lb at maturity, should be fed 1.5 lbs per day.

* Preparation note: puree vegetables for more efficient digestibility

Chicken & Beef Delight

20 - 25%  Boneless Chicken Thighs and/or Breasts
20 - 25%  Beef (stew meat or ground)
10 - 30%  Beef Hearts and Liver
  5 - 10%  Green Beans
  5 - 10%  Broccoli
        15% Ground eggshell or bonemeal

mix well, serve fresh or freeze portions for later use


Beef with Greens

20 - 25%  Beef (stew meat or ground)
10 - 30%  Organ meat (hearts and liver)
  5 - 20%  Kale
  5 - 10%  Collard greens
  5 - 10%  Apples
  3 - 5%    Ground eggshell or bonemeal

mix well, serve fresh or freeze portions for later use

Always confer with a canine nutritionist to ensure that your pet is getting the nutrients they need. 

Bundle Up & Wipe Down

No matter what the temperature is, windchill can threaten a pet's life. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads is at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps. For this reason, small, short-haired and closely clipped dogs often feel more comfortable wearing a coat or sweater - even during short walks. Remember to remove the coat or sweater while your dog inside to prevent overheating.

Rock salt and other chemicals used to melt ice and snow can irritate or injure your pet's feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel after walks, before they lick them, which may irritate their mouth.

Dogs are at a particular risk of salt poisoning due to the rock salt used on many area roads. Store your personal snow/ice melting salts in a safe place. If your dog ingests rock salt, contact a veterinarian immediately. 

Another potential risk on paws is antifreeze. Antifreeze is a deadly poison. It has a sweet taste that often attracts animals, especially those looking for hydration during snow and ice conditions. If your pet has walked through a spill, it is important to wash their feet as soon as possible. If ingestion has occurred, immediately transport them to the nearest vet! 
If you keep antifreeze at home make certain that pets and other animals cannot access it. Also, consider switching your use to coolants and antifreeze made with propylene glycol which are less poisonous to pets and wildlife.

When taking my dogs on snow or ice conditions, I use dog boots. Not only do the boots protect their feet from ice cuts or snow accumulation, they also provide a barrier between their paws and harmful de-icing chemicals.
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Taking a few simple precautions will help you and your pets to enjoy outdoor winter exercise and fun. 

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Prevent and Treat Insect Bites with Homeopathy

A weak immune system is not limited to the rescued or malnourished animal. Pets are often exposed to toxins, drugs and chemicals that can weaken the immune system. When the body is in a weakened state, insects and parasites can more easily move in.

If you wish to treat any insect or parasite problem in your dog, the immune system must be functioning in a healthy, strong manner. First on your list should be improving the overall nutrition of your pet. Natural diets that are low in carbohydrates are a good option because grains and starches convert immediately to glucose, creating an environment that both internal and external parasites love.

The homeopathic medicine perspective helps owners address both the prevention and treatment of insect bites. Specific homeopathic remedies can reduce swelling, redness and itching and speed healing and others improve and support the immune system. For me, there is relief and satisfaction knowing that by addressing parasite issues with homeopathy, I reduce the toxic load on my pet's immune system, liver and excretory organs.
The same remedies that teat bites can be used to prevent them by reducing the animal's susceptibility to them. This is called, homeoprophylaxis - giving a nontoxic dose of the medicine that treats a specific ailment before exposure in order to prevent the ailment. This practice has over a 200 year history of use and recently has been studied and verified by HL Trexler.

Homeopathic remedies like Staphysagria, Ledum palustre, Grindelia, Cedron and Urtica urens are used in cases of mites, fleas, lice, mange, midges, black flies, horse flies, deer flies, chiggers, bees, wasps and spiders.

Here are brief explanations of each I mentioned to help you decide which will best help your pet's condition. * Please remember, when in doubt or in case of an emergency, contact your vet or one familiar with the use of homeopathic medicines.*

Cedron 
Indicated for use when snake bites or insect stings occur and there is trembling and numbness of the whole body. Good to administer if your pet has been subjected to multiple mosquito bites.

Grindelia robusta
Use for bites from fleas that cause itching and burning, for cases of poison oak, and in the treatment of ulcers with swollen, purplish skin

Ledum palustre
Due to its anti-tentanus properties, administer in cases of puncture wounds from objects or insects that show long-lasting discoloration afterwards. Also use for swelling, itching, inflammation, red spots and rash such as in poison ivy exposure.

Staphysagria
Indicated for inflammation that is the result of an insect bite. The area may be difficult to heal and what you observe can range from redness and swelling to ulcers with green or yellow pus, hives, or scabby sores that ooze water.

Urtica urens
Effective remedy for itchy, raised, red blotches such in the cases of nettle rash (especially if reaction worsens each year), elevated hives, prickly heat when intense burning and itching is present.

You can try any of the signal remedies above or a ready made blended product (frequently found at select health food stores, natural pet supply stores and online). Homeopathy is known to be both safe and effective. It is safe because the homeopathic medicine is inherently nontoxic due to the unique dilution process of the substance from which it is made. They are odorless and do not interact with medications or other preventative measures.