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Which Pet Is Better For Your Health? Cats vs. Dogs

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I am a self-proclaimed dog person. Not because I don't like cats, but they tend to make me sneeze. Plus I like that most dog owners are forced to walk more because of their pets. That being said, there are health benefits to both animals, so take this quiz to see if you know which pet does what for your well-being.

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Take the quiz

Factors Contributing to Overweight Pets

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I was watching the Martha Stewart Show recently while I was on the treadmill at the gym. On this episode she had her veterinarian, Dr. Marty Goldstein, as a guest to talk about overweight pets. It was interesting to hear Dr. Goldstein's opinion on the three factors that can contribute to overweight pets because (in my opinion) they are rather similar to the factors that can contribute to overweight humans...

To read what they are read more

Diet: First and foremost, a pet's diet must be regulated. The order of ingredients on a nutrition label is so important because whatever is listed first is the most prominent ingredient. The serving size your pet should get might be far different from the recommended amount on the bag or can. Above all, limit treats. Many people question whether wet food is better than dry food. It generally takes more processing of the food to get it into a bag than into a can. Processing destroys the vitamins, enzymes and natural integrity of the food; processing makes it less whole, so generally wet food is healthier.
Metabolic Deficiency: There are natural fat burning enzymes called L-Carnitine and chromium picolinate, which you can get at health food stores. They work well and are all natural. Before giving your pet any sort of supplement or medicinal remedy, consult your veterinarian.
Exercise: The best exercise for a dog is jogging with him or having him retrieve a stick or ball. Twenty to thirty minutes of really good exercise a day is recommended, the more the better. For cats, increase play and encourage movement around the house.

I know the whole diet and exercise bit seems like common sense at this point, but it never hurts to reiterate it, does it? Helping your pet lose weight may also lead to helping you lose weight too. Want to really make your dog run? Consider getting a Chuck it ($7.60) ball launcher to make your dog go the distance to retrieve the ball. Buy it from Amazon.com. If you go this route, be sure to get yourself moving as the Chuck It really takes all the effort out of throwing the ball. For a sure way to get both your heart rates up: Do rounds of jumping jacks after you chuck the ball until Fido brings it back to you.

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Testing For Allergies - No Need for the Pricks?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:45:00 -0700

If you ever thought you had allergies, I bet you've been through the awful skin test at the Allergist's office. The test includes about 40 pricks on your back, injecting you with tiny amounts of certain allergens such as dust, cat dander, and pollen. Then they wait about 20 minutes to see how your body reacts. If your skin creates a swollen bump, much like a mosquito bite, then the doctor knows what you are allergic to. If your skin doesn't react, the doctor would proceed to give you 12 more pricks containing more potent formulas of the same allergens - 6 on each arm. These allergens are injected deeper into you arms, than the pricks on your back. OUCH!!

I can tell you from firsthand experience, that the test is NO FUN. The appointment can take upwards of 3 hours. The skin test definitely isn't ideal by any means, but for a while, it was the only test available.
There's actually another much less traumatic test that can be used. It is a blood test - 1 prick - looking for immunoglobulin E, or IgE.

I wish I knew about this when I was going through my allergy testing. Want to know why I didn't? Then read more

The reason this easier, less painful blood test is not used more could be a money issue. If an allergist performs the skin test, they get paid. If they have to send your blood away to a lab, then the lab gets paid. Allergists also feel that the lab isn't as qualified to interpret the blood test. Hopefully these issues will be resolved soon making the blood test more readily available.

This test will change the lives of all those who know they have allergies, but fear the skin test ordeal to pin point their allergies. Most people just mask their symptoms with over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines.

Fit's Tips: Since Spring is just around the corner (read tomorrow) and it is a season loaded with pollen, you might consider getting tested if you think you have allergies. Ask if your allergist provides the blood test if the dreaded skin test is all that is stopping you.

IMPORTANT: Pet Food Recall

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I am sick and tired of dealing with recalls, after the Oscar Mayer Chicken and the contact lens solution. Now 90 brands of pet food are being tied to kidney failure in cats and dogs. I believe in creating a fit family and that includes the pets!!!

On Saturday, Menu Foods, a Canada-based company recalled 50 brands of dog food and 40 brands of cat food. This includes pet food made by Iams, Nutro, and Eukanuba.

An unknown number of cats and dogs have suffered kidney failure, and already 10 have died after eating the affected food. As a precaution, Nestle Purina PetCare Company and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. voluntarily recalled some of their pet food that was made by Menu Foods.

The pet foods that were recalled were made with wheat gluten that had been purchased from a new supplier. There is suspicion that this could be the cause, but nothing has been determined yet.

The "cuts and gravy" style products sold in cans and pouches are among some of the affected products. Consumers are being advised to stop using these and the others on the list.

Want to know which pet foods are on the list? Then read more

Menu Foods makes 17 of the 20 top pet foods in the North American pet foods. If you're concerned about which products have been recalled, you can check out the Menu Foods website for a complete list.

Fit's Tips: If you have been feeding your pet any of the foods on the list, and they seem to have a loss of appetite, are vomiting, or just not acting like himself or herself, take them to the vet immediately to get checked out.

Cat hair extract (Injection)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:07:23 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Cat Hair Extract (kat hare-EX-trakt)

Used to test for allergy to cats. Also treats symptoms of allergy to cats.

Brand Name(s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if your skin test shows that you are severely allergic or not allergic to cats. You should not receive this medicine if you have an autoimmune disease or a bleeding disorder.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
Any reaction to your skin test should appear about 20 minutes after your shot. Some reactions may appear later. Your doctor or caregiver will watch you for signs of allergy for at least 30 minutes after your shot.
If you receive this medicine to treat a confirmed allergy, you will need to have a shot every 1 to 4 weeks. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a topical steroid medicine such as hydrocortisone, Aristocort®, or Cortaid®). Tell your doctor if you are using an allergy medicine such as cetrizine (Zyrtec®) or loradatine (Claritin®).
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using blood pressure medicines such as atenolol, metoprolol, Inderal®, or Toprol®. Tell your doctor if you use medicine for depression such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Norpramine®, or Vivactil®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have heart disease.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have asthma, fever or flu symptoms. Tell your doctor if you have recently been exposed to cat hair.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Light-headedness or fainting.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dizziness, weakness, or muscle cramps.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain.
Pain, itching, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given.
Runny or stuffy nose.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5123

Healthy Cooking Tips From Cat Cora

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Food Network personality Cat Cora, and author of the book Cooking From the Hip, has given eDiets these healthy cooking tips:

Buy Seasonal, Fresh Ingredients. Cat says using fresh ingredients is one of the best ways to ensure your meals will be healthy and taste great. She frequently visits her local farmers' markets to find foods to include in her recipes, especially fruits and vegetables at the peak of their season.
Use Organic Products. Do organic products really make a difference? According to Cat, the answer is YES! She advises using sustainable organic products as often as possible.
Add Flavor Without Adding Fat. According to Cat, another key to healthy cooking is to make sure you find ways to add flavor to your meals without increasing the fat content. She says there are plenty of flavorful seasonings that contain little or no fat, including citrus products, herbs, spices and vinegar.
Grill, Braise or Roast Meats. You can grill, braise or roast meats instead of frying them to save calories. Cat says using recipes for braised meats can be particularly healthy, because these dishes usually require a very lean cut of meat.
Substitute Healthier Ingredients. Cat reminds people not to be afraid to substitute healthier ingredients in their recipes. For instance, she says you can use yogurt instead of sour cream in sauces or olive oil instead of butter.

Workout Those Hands with The Cats Paw

FitSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 08:45:00 -0700

We (especially all us web junkies) use our hands a lot more than we think. The problem is that most of the time our hands are used forcefully in only one motion: The closing motion.

Even something as simple as typing is a closing motion that means that there is constant gripping, squeezing and constriction in your hands and wrists. Not good. Like any muscle in the body, the ones in your hands are no different; in order to keep balance we must exercise opposing muscles, which many of us don't even do in our larger muscles, let alone our hands. This constant repetitive and strenuous inward activity creates an imbalance that can lead to problems such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other overuse injuries.

The Cats Paw ($9.99) exercises the opening muscles of your hands and arms, which restores and maintains your body's natural balance. The Cats Paw counteracts all this constriction and restores balance by exercising the opposing muscles. It's easy, fast and affordable. I've been using mine for a few weeks now and my hands feel great. Whenever I am at a lack of words sitting here at my computer, I grab my Cats Paw and bang out a few reps -- Afterward my hands feel really good. (Plus it is an opportunity to stop staring at your computer screen for a minute.) Buy one today from CatsPaw.com.

Get in Gear: Nike Water Cat

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Ok, they have all-terrain vehicles for the road. What about all-terrain vehicles for your feet?

Nike will be introducing (not quite yet) a radical new shoe design made for land and water. Well not quite radical, KEEN has been making shoes like this for years (and they are a much more environmentally conscious company than Nike - but enough of the rant).

They're lightweight, and the sole is rubberized so you'll have good traction when hiking through wet trails.

Nike Water Cats can also be used for water sports like kayaking or white water rafting (which you're all into, I know) to protect your feet from sharp rocks and nibbling critters.

They're flexible so they can easily be packed into a backpack for your next outing. Hopefully, they'll hit stores by the time the warm weather arrives.

Neti Pot Use Could Cause Sinus Problems?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:00 -0800

Pollen and cat fur are not my friends, and when I become so stuffed up I can't smell a thing, I turn to my neti pot. It looks like a little teapot. You fill it with warm salt water, place the spout in one nostril and as the water passes through your nasal passages and comes out the other nostril; it helps get rid of irritants and mucus so you can breathe easier. I know it sounds medieval, but it really works whether I'm stuffed up from smelling flowers or if I have a cold. Last Spring I was happy to hear that science backed up the use of a neti pot to relieve congestion, but I've got some bad news for my fellow neti pot lovers. A new study shows that long-term use of the neti pot can actually cause sinus problems. The study followed 68 people who used their neti for a year, and then took a break for a year. The rate of sinusitis actually dropped by 62 percent in the year that the participants stopped using the neti pot.

Researchers believe that the mucus in your nasal passages acts as a defense against infection, and flushing it away disrupts your body's immune function. They recommend that neti pots be used every once in a while to relieve congestion, but should not be used daily for an extended period of time. If you have issues with constantly being stuffed up, see your doctor so they can help figure out the cause of your congestion and how to treat it.

If you've never heard of a neti pot and want to see how it's used, check out a how-to video when you read more.

Source: Flickr User Thirteen Of Clubs

Weekend Workout: Three Moves for a Healthy Back

FitSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:30:25 -0800

You may not be able to see it, but that doesn't mean your should neglect it. I am talking about your back. A strong back is an essential part of a strong core, and it can help you maintain proper posture and prevent pain. Grab a mat and give these three moves a try that will strengthen and increase flexibility in your back. Repeat all three exercises for a total of three rounds.

Cat Cow

Superman Booty Lifts

Camel Against the Wall

Still itching for more mini-workouts? Check out these Weekend Workouts to learn how to tone other areas of your body.