cashew

Interesting to hear this guys. It was a chinese herbalist who told me about rice heating the blood up as well as an Asian friend - along with other foods, one of which were mandarins (not that you'd feed those to a dog). The yahoo group nznaturaldog is loaded with nutritional tips and info and the list members there also seem to prefer oats over rice. Breeders on that list add soaked oats to their version of Tukka Thyme - as opposed to rice for the reason mentioned above. I guess it maybe comes down to the individual dog - and what works best for each dog perhaps? The Chinese always have a concept of the Yin (cooling) and Yang (heaty) in food. My father will warn me from using too much beef/mutton (heaty protein) as opposed to chicken (cooling protein). But too much chicken will cause arthritis (due to the Yin in body) to act up so there must always be a balance. Well, such knowledge is passed down from generations so it is really up to one's beliefs. I don't give my dog rice as it is way too high is sugars and will cause teeth rot and higher chances of yeast infections??? I prefer soaked oats. A very sweet lady once told me to give my dog pasta (she's Italian). So I think feeding dogs can be a cultural thing. :D There is a whole new knowledge in heaty and cooling fruits. Mandarins are known to be heaty---over consumption of it causes sore throats to humans (as told). Watermelon is a very cooling fruit, great for mouth ulcers and the "heaty" body.

Hi Shoshana, I am not too sure why the link didn't work :D . In any case, the website is http://www.neemaus.com.au/shop/index.php I am also seeking natural alternatives for my dog. So far, I think such powders are easiest to administer without any sticky feeling from sprays....

I am quite tempted to try this for my little one...neem powder. Seems to be the safest around now. http://www.neemaus.com.au/shop/index.php?t...product_id=1722

Dear all, I am wondering what you stock in your emergency medical kits for your dogs. I know that food poisoning may be a top killer so do you have anything to induce vomitting if you know that your dogs have ingested poison? I hate to think of my helplessness if that crucial few minutes may save my dog's life. I read up on natural ways of forcing salt water down dog's throat and so on. But I recall that there is a pill we can put into a dog's eye that will induce vomitting almost immediately. Anyone knows if we can stock a few of that just in case? Thanks in advance for all your advice!

I know of a vet who recommends a tofu diet for dogs with a tonne of allergies. Soy beans are supposed to be a great protein source but I suspect dogs have difficulties digesting huge quantities. I guess a few beans won't hurt...I love the green soy beans too.

I had a 10-hr job before and what I can say is nothing soothes me more than grooming my dog at night after a tough day at work. Something about holding the comb and giving my boy a good groom. Happiness is spending that 10-minutes touching and holding my little boy alone. I think that bonded us tremendously. Sometimes I try my best to teach owners of obviously neglected dogs the joys of doing basic grooming. It is really sad to find people giving all sorts of lame excuses for not taking care of their animal Some owners even laugh at me when I told them dogs really really appreciate a good massage

The worst thing we had done was to drive a heavily matted Afhgan Hound back to the owner---untouched. We refused to groom simply because the poor dog had absolutely no way to keep her coat in that state it was brought in! I think there were dried poop all over as well...it was in such a sorry state! The owner refused to listen and just happily drove off and shouted" you do what you have to and make sure her coat comes back silky". The owner then badmouthed us to everyone I bet. ANyway the last we heard, she had to clip her dog--DIY. No groomers could offer any help and one even successfully sold her a set of clippers! I guess she figured if she had to spend "extra" money to clip, she could DIY. Many owners often forget that groomers are the ones who first discover any problems---infected ears, skin, etc etc. I often wonder why people want to get long coated dogs if they cannot commit even 10mins a day to brushing. Lame excuses to blame it on not having the time to. I get rather annoyed when some owners ask for the "cheapest" dog food available and comment that they can't afford to spend $$$ on dog food. Then i see them smoking away outside the shop---i mean if one can afford "luxuries" I am sure he can afford normal dog food.

Can't comment on the ones you have mentioned but I have used Metro Air Force Dryer for my pet schnauzer. It takes around 30mins to dry the little bugger at home as I got the basic model (cadet). When I worked with a friend in his pet grooming business, we used the professional model (also Metro Air Force) and we were quite satisfied. But I am not too sure if the shipping costs would be worthwhile here or if there is a local agent. What I like about metro is the portability and ease in movement. But the noise level is rather high so we sometimes use earplugs alongside.

So sorry to hear of Bindi's upset GI tract. I recalled that when my dog was recovering from his parvovirus with a totally wrecked GI tract, he was having the runs for weeks. I loaded up on probiotics and consulted a natural therapist who suggested slippery elm. Steamed pumpkin also went well but I stayed off rice. I didnt fast my dog because he had and wanted food so going by that I fed him small meals. I actually gave him manuka honey as well. I do that with all my foster dogs with bad runs. I made a broth from liver/chicken for them to drink as well. Keeps hydration levels up.

I put my dog on herbal tinctures for preventive measures (heartworm) for about 6 yrs. I used to live in a high-risk area. So far, things are well. However, one vet told me that since the "medication" I used were for preventive measures, I would never know if they had worked for my dog. Her point was that commercial pdts have been "proven" to work. But she had no issue at all with my convictions to natural products. I realised that after going on a barf diet, my mini schnauzer does not even need worming products. He has been on a barf diet for 5 years and I have no issues with worms at all. But I feed my boy Greenpet's herbal tablets once a week, just in case. Been doing that for the last 2 years.

I used to live in the southeast asia. What I learnt in controlling ticks in the extremely hot & humid climate is to always ensure that ticks are often "bombed" away in the house. We use products such as "Tick Bombs" and various types of tick controlling products for our homes. Just make sure that you evacuate your animals before you start the war with ticks. Besides using frontline on dogs, I have come to realise that eliminating ticks in the house is also very important. Ticks are known to live without a host for up to 6mths and they can hide almost anywhere in our homes! I also wash my pet beddings in diluted bleach every week. Call me paranoid but I "bomb" my house almost once in 3 months (and I send my dog to stay with his grandparents for that!). Even so, I was told recently by the vet that my dog had tested positive for E canis (even though he is totally healthy now).