Tag: cats

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Your Dog and Cat

May 21, 2016 / Jasmine Cabanaw

Guest Post By Payal Bhandari M.D.

There’s been a lot of buzz about the health benefits of coconut oil lately. It’s not just a marketing stunt; over 1,500 studies support this trend. But as a pet owner you may wonder: is it really healthy for my pet, too? Absolutely! As long as you don’t overdo it, your pets can also reap the benefits of this amazing fruit.

Coconut oil contains more than 85% Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) which are easy for the body to burn and convert into energy. This plant-based oil doesn’t contain any cholesterol, and helps us maintain a healthy weight.

Coconut Oil Benefits

Here is a list of some of the benefits your pet can gain from eating coconut oil:

Coconut oil is good for the digestive system. It’s easy to digest, increases the absorption of nutrients, promotes the growth of healthy bugs, successfully treats inflammatory bowel disease, and even improves bad breath.
Coconut oil successfully treats skin allergies and irritations while it soothes wounds and helps them heal quickly. We all know pets like to lick their wounds, which can be a problem when ingesting some salves, but with coconut oil, there is no risk.
If your pet suffers from arthritis or ligament problems, coconut oil can help soothe the pain.
Coconut oil can give your pet a healthy skin and coat. Apply coconut oil directly to the coat and skin, let it absorb for five minutes, and then rinse. This will leave the coat sleek, soft, and glossy. This treatment also minimizes odor.
The MCTs in coconut oil support weight loss, improve metabolism, and help to burn fat. MCTs also balance insulin levels which can prevent and control diabetes.
Coconut oil is a natural energy booster. The quick acting MCFA fats in coconut oil increase a pet’s energy level.
Coconut oil can prevent infections by fighting against parasites, bacteria, and fungi.

How Much Coconut Oil Does My Pet Need?

It will take some time for your pet’s body to adjust to coconut oil, so start slowly and build the dosage up over two to three weeks. If you give your pet too much coconut oil, it will cause diarrhea and a greasy stool. If you see that happen, cut back on the dosage.

Suggested dosage for your dog: Start your small dog or puppy off with ¼ teaspoon per day, and 1 teaspoon for larger dogs. The optimal dose is 1 teaspoon of coconut oil daily for every 10 pounds of weight.

Suggested dosage for your cat: To start with, feed your kitten ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil per day. An adult cat can start with a ½ teaspoon. The optimal dosage is 1 teaspoon for a kitten, and between 1 and 3 teaspoons for an adult cat.

Why not try coconut oil out for your pets? Your pets will thank you when they feel more energetic and have the sleekest coats on the block.

About the Author
Payal Bhandari M.D. is a holistic family physician at her practice, Advanced Health. She provides personalized, comprehensive primary care to families and individuals of all ages in San Francisco since 2005. Her integrative style blends the best in western and eastern medicine to effectively transform health.

Learn How to Do Yoga with Your Cat

March 21, 2016 / Jasmine Cabanaw

Guest Post By: Payal Bhandari M.D.

Yoga is all about discovery and self-awareness while reducing stress and anxiety. What better way to do this than with your feline friend?

Cats are wonderful companions, and according to studies their purring has a therapeutic effect on humans. For instance, the risk of heart attacks is 40% lower in cat owners. Their calming effect helps to lower your blood pressure.

It is a different and wonderful experience to de-stress, breathe, and move together. Here are a few yoga poses you can do with your cat that will bring you closer together and enable you to communicate deeper. While doing these poses, be mindful of your cat’s needs. Don’t stress if your companion doesn’t want to sit still with you. It will get easier over time.

1. Breath Awareness

Start off with a gentle breath awareness exercise. This exercise will quiet and calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve self-awareness.

Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor and the knees bent. Your feet should be hip-distance apart. Breathe comfortably while listening to your breath. Try to make your breathing as smooth and relaxed as possible with slight pauses between breathing in and out. Continue this for about 12 breaths.

Your cat is a natural at breath exercises, so listen to the breathing of your cat to guide you. Take these moments to let go of distractions and focus on your time together.

2. Warm Up

In a seated position, bring the soles of your feet together while enfolding your cat with your legs. Place your left hand on your right knee and your right hand behind your back. Look over your right shoulder behind you while keeping your shoulders down and your spine long. Repeat this on the other side. Next drop your chin towards your chest to release tension on your neck. For an added stretch you can interlace your hands behind your neck and let the weight of your arms give you a deeper stretch.

Let go of all tension and anxiety and focus on the calmness of your cat.

3. Warrior Pose

Stand with your legs 3 to 4 feet apart. Turn your right foot 90˚ out while turning your left foot slightly in. Bend your right knee 90˚ to come into a side lunge. Make sure your knee doesn’t extend over the ankle. Gaze over your right shoulder while holding your cat in your arms. Hold for a minute while feeling the strength you garner from each other. Repeat on the other side.

4. Downward Dog

Start on all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Walk your hands a few inches forward and spread your fingers. Slowly press your hips towards the ceiling until your body resembles an inverted V. Your feet should be hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Keep your shoulders away from your ears. Hold this pose for three breaths.

5. Child’s Pose

Sit comfortably on your heels. Roll your torso forward and bring your forehead to rest on the floor, while lowering your chest as closely to your knees as possible. Extend your arms in front of you while enveloping your cat in your hands. Hold this pose for a few moments while you relax together.

Practicing yoga with your cat will give you the opportunity to share time and relax with a being that you love. Over time, you’ll feel more relaxed, and you’ll see a deeper relationship developing between you and your little friend.

About the Author

Payal Bhandari M.D. is a holistic family physician at her practice, Advanced Health. She provides personalized, comprehensive primary care to families and individuals of all ages in San Francisco since 2005. Her integrative style blends the best in western and eastern medicine to effectively transform health.

Book Review: A Valuable Lesson in “Jordy the Jaguar”

October 12, 2015 / Jasmine Cabanaw

Welcoming a new addition into your family is a joyous event, but not always for everyone involved. Any pet owner and parent can relate: sometimes siblings do not want to get along.

In the children’s picture book Jordy the Jaguar author Meryl D. Day takes us into the home of Fred and Mary, and what happens when they decide to bring a new cat into their family. The existing family cat, Tallie, is not very thrilled to suddenly be sharing her home with a new sibling.

Jordy the Jaguar is a cute story of friendship and family, and is also a helpful tool for parents who are welcoming a new child into their home. Many children will relate to Tallie and the trouble she has with feeling jealous and having to share.

The book provides a valuable lesson for children: that being friends is more rewarding than being enemies. And also helps parents understand what older children may be going through when a younger sibling enters the picture.

In addition to the valuable lessons, the illustrations in Jordy the Jaguar are colorful and fun, and the story weaves through the book with a rhyme and cadence that children will delight in.

To learn more about Jordy the Jaguar visit Facebook.com/Jordythejaguar