Joint Health in Pets – What to Know

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JWhen it comes to your pet longevity, maintaining joint health in pets is going to make life much easier down the road as your pet ages.

Signs of Joint Issues in Pets

Have you noticed your pets are doing less, or having difficulty with everyday activities? Examples are: problems getting on a couch, going up the stairs, or jumping easily into your car. With more athletic breeds, maybe they aren’t running as long, or don’t want to participate in play. Beyond the aforementioned early signs of joint problems, there are more overt signs such as holding a limb up or holding the limb funny. Rarely do pets show obvious signs of joint pain, it’s a slower process to obvious pain issues. This is why many pet owners opt for preventative care when it comes to their beloved pet’s joints.

Dog Breeds Prone to Poor Joint Health

In general, larger size and weight predisposes joint strain – making larger and overweight dogs prone to both developmental and degenerative joint issues. That’s another great reason to keep your pet at a healthy weight for their particular breed.

There are, indeed, specific breeds that tend to have more joint related problems:

  • Newfoundlands have the highest prevalence of cruciate ligament disease of all dog breeds.
  • Rottweilers have more knee and ankle issues than other breeds.
  • Bernese Mountain dogs are prone to elbow dysplasia.
  • Dachshunds are quick to develop joint problems in their back due to their long, low torsos.
  • German Shepherds are predisposed to hip dysplasia, as well as other joint issues such as arthritis.
  • Labradors are prone to obesity, which will intensity the stress on joints.
  • Great Danes have prone to hip and/or elbow dysplasia and arthritis due to their huge frames and fast growth.
  • Saint Bernards also have hip and elbow dysplasia issues due to their huge, fast growing bodies.
  • Old English Sheepdogs are prone to hip dysplasia.
  • The Mastiff is another breed that is prone to hip and/or elbow dysplasia.
How to Prevent Poor Joint Health in Pets

If your dog is on the above list or showing signs of poor joint health, there are preventative steps you can take.

Many veterinarians recommend supplementing with glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin when a dog is as young as one year old (or at the time when they stop growing). Another holistic option is supplementing with fish oils and/or green-lipped mussels, which are anti-inflammatory and generally have fewer side effects than medications. A 2013 study found increased concentrations of plasma omega-3 fatty acids and improvement of peak vertical force in dogs fed a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel.

If you’re looking for a good supplement, check out our CannaNatural which contains joint supporting ingredients such as green-lipped mussels, as does our CannaCrush and CannaCrush Immune Supporter. All Healthy Hemp Pet Company products contain organic hemp, which helps with pain and inflammation, making our products perfect for current joint pain or preventative joint care.

**Article Cited: Rialland P, Bichot S, Lussier B, et al. Effect of a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel on pain behavior and functioning in dogs with clinical osteoarthritis. Can J Vet Res 2013;77(1):66-74. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3525174/

 

 

 

 

Does Your Pet Have Allergies?

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Does Your Pet Have Allergies blog post

Does your pet have allergies? This is a topic we get asked about a lot. Yes, just like people, pets can suffer from allergies. There are three main types of allergies that can affect cats and dogs: food allergies, allergies to flea bites, and environmental allergies.

If your pet seems especially itchy, you may wonder whether (s)he’s suffering from allergies. There are additional signs to watch for, but scratching is the most common. The other signs of allergies in pets include:

  • Compulsive paw licking is a common sign of allergies in dogs.
  • Scratching and biting themselves to relieve itching can indicate allergies in pets.
  • Rear scooting or licking the anal region is a symptom of histamine reaction in dogs.
  • Skin infections are a serious sign and side effect of allergies, related to chronic scratching.
  • Hair loss and increased shedding is a common sign of allergies in both cats and dogs.
  • Pet dandruff is a common sign, since allergies severely dry the skin out in pets.
  • Respiratory issues in cats are a sign of allergies. Cats are far more sensitive than dogs to environmental pollutants and poor air quality.
  • Ear infections, particularly in dog breeds who have floppy ears such as hounds and cocker spaniels. The common sign is excessive head shaking and red, waxy ears.

Environmental allergies can be provoked by outdoor allergens such as grass or pollen or indoor ones like mold, dust mites or fabrics. Environmental allergies can be genetically inherited, and some dog breeds are more prone to allergies such as germen shepherds, cocker spaniels, bichon fries, golden retrievers, and labradors.

Limiting (and if possible preventing) exposure to pet allergens is key to managing allergies. Prescribed antihistamines and/or corticosteroids often help control symptoms, while specialty shampoos or other topical therapies minimize your pet’s itchiness and may reduce excessive scratching.

An at home allergy treatment that’s getting more attention recently is PCR hemp oil for treatment of allergies in pets. PCR hemp oil may reduce allergic reactions throughout the entire body, calms anxiety and reduces your pet’s need to chew and lick. As an anti-inflammatory, PCR hemp oil may also relieve systemic inflammation that causes hives, blisters, and whole-body itching in pets. Our CannaBalm is an all-natural salve that may soothe skin from rashes and ease allergy related discomfort. We’ve had customers report great success treating pet allergies with our CannaNatural and CannaDrops, which are a biscuit and liquid formulation. All our Healthy Hemp Pet Company products contain PCR hemp oil and other natural ingredients.

While allergies cannot be cured, there are many ways to help manage them to keep your pet more comfortable. If symptoms persist, consider a trip to your veterinarian for testing and a more serious treatment plan.

How to Spot and Treat Dental Pain in Pets

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How to Spot and Treat Dental Pain in PetsAs a pet owner, the safety and wellbeing of your pet is a huge priority. Sadly, our pets can’t tell us when they’re suffering from a toothache or any other type of oral issue. Untreated oral pain in pets can result in more severe health problems such as infections, loss of teeth, and other issues.

Here are some common signs of dental pain in pets to watch for:

Bad Breath

The odor is a byproduct of the bacterial metabolic process. In pets with periodontal disease, there is more bacteria in the mouth, and so the odor increases. Doggy breath isn’t normal and needs to be evaluated and/or treated.

Different Behavior

Chewing on one side of the mouth, dropping food, running away from the food dish, crying when yawning, hiding, not grooming themselves and acting a little grumpy are all signs of dental pain in pets. You know your pet better than anyone, so look for abnormal behaviors and make a note of them to discuss with your veterinarian.

Bleeding

Bleeding from the mouth is typically due to periodontal disease, but it could also be evidence of fractured teeth, lacerations or even ulcers on the tongue or gum tissue or the presence of an oral mass. Look for thick, ropey saliva, spots of blood found on toys or pet bedding, and also drops of blood in the water or food dish. If the periodontal disease is severe enough, you may notice bleeding from the nose or bloody discharge when your pet sneezes. Call your vet clinic with concerns.

If you’re looking for help with oral care at home, our Healthy Hemp Pet Company CannaSpray can help. This spray application is best for pets with oral care concerns and to helps support gum tissue health in pets. Read this Healthy Hemp Pet customer testimonial who found success in treating her dog’s Periodontal Disease with CannaSpray.

You can order Coconut CannaSpray or Salmon CannaSpray on our website or check a retailer near you.

Organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil… what the what?

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Organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil blog post photoYou may have noticed recently that we’ve changed what we are calling our hemp oil. We are now referring to it as organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil. We’ve always been a full transparency hemp company and will continue this even when our label designer is left scratching their head in confusion. 😉

To explain this change a little more, we thought a short Q&A with our founder, Dave, was in order to help you understand why this change is important, and to help you understand what organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil means.

 When looking for hemp oil what should you look for?

The first thing to always look for is where was it grown. Always choice hemp grown in the USA, it’s cleaner and not full of toxins like hemp from elsewhere. The next thing to watch for is how was the hemp extracted? You don’t want an extraction method that uses too many chemicals. Our preferred extraction method is Vapor Distillation, which is 100% chemical free. Are you able to find Certificates of Analysis for the hemp? As a full-disclosure company, we have COAs onsite for anyone to see at any time. And lastly, always choose a full-spectrum hemp oil.

What does full spectrum mean?

Full spectrum or whole plant extract is oil extracted from the hemp plant which contains all the cannabinoids found in the plant. In addition, Omega fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes are found in full-spectrum hemp oil. All good things that you want!

What does terpene rich mean?

Terpenes rich means that the whole plant is used in the extraction process and retains the terpenes which are fragrant compounds that give cannabis unique properties. Terpenes work synergistically to enhance the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids, resulting in an entourage effect. You should always buy a hemp oil product that has as many terpenes as possible.

Why choose PCR oil instead of CBD oil?

We get it, hemp terminology is confusing and seems to change often! PCR hemp oil has all of the tools (cannabinoids and terpenes) from a cannabis plant. Whereas CBD hemp oil is only one of the tools available, the cannabinoids. Opt for a PCR hemp oil to get all the benefits possible.

When checking label ingredients of hemp products what is the best hemp oil to look for?

There are three ways to extract hemp oil from the plant: ethanol, CO2, and Vapor Distillation. Vapor Distillation offers the cleanest extraction and uses zero chemicals, only heated hair. Look for how the hemp was extracted, look for a full-spectrum PCR hemp oil and when you can, choose organic!

We hope this helps explain why using organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil is so beneficial to your pets!

 

National Pet Wellness Month

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National Pet Wellness Month FBOctober is National Pet Wellness Month. It’s the perfect time to make sure you’re giving your pet the preventative care they need. This is the easiest way to help your pet live a longer and healthier life! National Pet Wellness Month is a national campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and something we are happy to promote!

We put together a list of tips to help you prioritize your pet’s wellness:

Annual exams

Pets should visit the veterinarian at least once a year. Annual exams are a great opportunity to check on the overall health, and check on vaccination status.

Spay/neuter

Not only do the procedures prevent individual medical problems such as mammary and testicular tumors and uterine infections, spaying or neutering also helps curb pet overpopulation. Spay and neuter surgeries can be safely performed as early as 8-12 weeks of age.

Weight management

Veterinarians classified 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats were classified as overweight or obese. Prevention is much easier to accomplish than treatment. Make sure your pet is eating the right food and getting enough exercise.

Balanced diet

Commercial pet food makes it easy to provide a nutritionally balanced and complete diet. Pet foods contain all of the nutrients pets need in the appropriate quantities. If you’re feeding your pet homemade food, ask your veterinarian for a supplement recommendation.

Dental care

Have your pet’s teeth and oral health checked annually. If left unchecked, dental disease can lead to kidney problems or nutritional issues if the pet cannot adequately chew and digest food. Brushing your dog’s teeth at home is a great way to keep this in check.

Senior pets

As animals age, their dietary requirements and their ability to digest certain foods changes. As pets age, they lose some ability to concentrate urine, so they need to produce more, and need more water intake. Talk to your veterinarian about feeding your pet better quality proteins and avoiding red meats like beef and beef by-products. Doing this will decrease the workload on the kidneys and help prevent diseases and health issues from developing.

Pet comfort

To make senior pets more comfortable, consider purchasing our pet hemp products. CannaCrush and CannaCrush Immune Supporter are excellent for aging pets who need a little extra pep in their step. For younger pets who need help with situational anxiety, pain or other elements we have a range of hemp products to choose from. If you need help choosing the right hemp product for your pet, we are here to help! Just ask.

Five Tips for a Happy Cat Month!

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Healthy Hemp Pet Company Happy Cat Month

September is Happy Cat Month!

Created to spread the word about the health, happiness, welfare and value of companion cats. Cats are often viewed as self-reliant and less in need of medical care than other pets. This is simply not true! Cats deserve proper care, good nutrition, routine veterinary care and the ability to live a happy and enriched life.

Here are five ways you can improve your cat’s happiness:

Cat Health

Find out how frequently your vet clinic recommends coming in for wellness visits. This will depend on the age and condition of your feline friend, so be sure to ask. Make sure your feline is being seen regularly by your veterinarian. If your cat is taking medication(s), make sure they haven’t expired and aren’t missing doses. If you’re looking for holistic ways to treat your cat for a variety of conditions, check out our ground option for pets: CannaCrush. We also have Salmon CannaDrops and Salmon CannaSpray, both applications are great for felines!

Cat Identification

Verify that you have a correct address and phone number on your cat’s collar and tag. Consider Microchipping your cat as well. If your feline friend escapes or gets lost, having this type of permanent ID will make a reunion between you and your pet much more likely.

Cat Nutrition

Are you buying high quality cat food? Cats are carnivores and don’t always thrive on a grain only diet. Cats are the healthiest and happiest when they get protein-rich food. If your cat normally eats dry food, add some canned food as an extra treat! The canned cat food is higher in protein and comes with the benefit of extra hydration that cats need.

Cat Entertainment

Make sure your cat has spaces to explore, climb, and hide. You can even entertain your cat with television! Cats can also be walked on a leash with a harness. This helps so they can periodically and safely experience the world outside their window. If unable to walk your cat outdoors, consider setting up a perch near a window so they can see outside.

Cat Hunting

Yes, you read that correctly. It’s likely your pet eats out of a dish or bowel, which doesn’t encourage a cat’s natural hunting instinct. Consider finding a food toy that lets you hide dry cat food inside, so they can hunt for food.