Tips for Maintaining Your Pet’s Health When You Have Moved South for the Winter
by
Dr. Cathy Alinovi, Solely Holistic Veterinarian
Birds
aren’t the only ones compelled to fly south for the winter. If you’re one of
our proud winter residents with pets, you know that sometimes travel and
environment change can bring on health problems for your furry friends. The
problem is, now, you’re away from your regular veterinarian and the last thing
anyone wants is an emergency situation.
My
work as a 100 percent holistic veterinarian, in Downtown Clearwater, has led me
to the following pet health “hacks” that will help keep your pet in tiptop
shape while you’re enjoying the sun and sand.
Hack #1: The biggest thing we do for our
pets is feed them. Providing the best nutrition and water is critical for good
health, just like with us. “Food” that has a long shelf life is not truly food,
certainly not food that protects and maintains health. Ideal health comes from “real food”—
regardless of species. In my book, Dinner
PAWsible, I offer dozens of fun recipes for everyday use, but just keep it
simple. Consider mixing up some good old fashioned meat and vegetables for
Fido, hold the kibble. Whole food options will keep your pet healthy, youthful
and insanely excited at meal time! Also, if you don’t drink the water, neither
should your cat or dog. Give them the good stuff, too.
Hack
#2: One downside of the year-round
warmth in our beautiful city is that we don’t get a good freeze to kill off the
bugs, like fleas and mosquitoes. But, strong chemicals don’t have to be your go-to
solution. Essential oils repel insects and can help make pets less tasty to
flying critters. Also, avoid walking at dawn or dusk as that is prime time for
bugs that bite! If you have your own yard, consider monthly cedar shavings in
the yard which will significantly decrease the insect population and allow you
to get the same results as most commercial pesticides but without the toxic
chemicals.
Hack #3: The stress of travel and new
surroundings can occasionally bring on a little diarrhea. As long as your pet
has good energy and is not vomiting, there’s no reason to panic. Have
some canned pumpkin on hand to mix into their food; it’s a great way to
normalize the intestines naturally.
Hack
#4: No matter where you’re from or how
long you’re here, keeping your pet in tiptop shape is easier when you follow
the basic health tenets you’ve adopted for yourself: less chemicals and processed
foods, more clean air, plenty of fresh water and daily exercise.
Dr. Cathy Alinovi, a solely holistic
veterinarian, helps clients find only natural solutions to their pets’ needs.
Healthy PAWsibilities, Natural Pet Wellness Center, is located at 423 Cleveland
St., Ste. 100, Clearwater. For more information and appointments, call
727-510-3665, email [email protected] or
visit HealthyPawsibilities.com.
