Most consumers know that the majority of cleaning products on the market can be toxic for companion animals. Compared to previous generations, we worry a lot more about “sensitivity”, “allergies” and “toxicity”. Shockingly, Americans use at least 62,000 chemicals that haven’t been adequately studied for safety, much less even tested by the EPA![1]

Much of that dizzying array can be found in any grocery store’s cleaning aisle. It’s hard for even conscientious consumers to know the level of toxicity they’ve unwittingly invited into their homes. More...

Charitable work is core to our mission of well-being for all. It’s so important to us that every order placed aids homeless animals.

As the charitable arm of Life’s Abundance, The Dr. Jane Foundation provides financial support to small and medium-size rescue groups who work to prevent animal homelessness, abuse and chronic neglect.

We dedicate a portion of our profits from the sale of Life’s Abundance products into our non-profit’s funding reserves. In the span of several years, we’ve awarded funding to nearly 100 groups! More...

Every red-blooded American can tell you that Independence Day celebrations are loud, bright, off-the-hook salutes to freedom. Wherever there are fireworks, you can expect loads of noise. Only, for dogs, this annual event is less a matter of patriotic partying and more like pant-inducing petrification.

The sounds and smells of Fourth of July festivities, to the keen hearing of canines coupled with their acute sense of smell, make for a potentially horrifying experience. Especially considering that celebrations begin shortly after dark and can last for hours. And possibly, be repeated for two or three nights running.

From elaborate stadium displays to small neighborhood gatherings, fireworks can be absolutely terrifying for canines. Heartbreakingly, some dogs have even been known to die as a result of fear-induced trauma and shock. So, what can we do as pet parents to protect our precious pups from outsize fear?

This episode of Pet Talk gives you all the information you need to help prepare your pet kid for the upcoming holiday. Dr. Sarah not only provides tips for helping to begin desensitizing your pup now, as well as behaviors and symptoms to be on the lookout for when the fireworks start ‘bursting in air’.

To learn more about the health-promoting and incredibly tempting Life’s Abundance treats featured in this episode and other Pet Talk episodes, visit the following links.

Tasty Rewards Training Treats
Buffalo Bully Sticks
Buffalo Meat Strips

Is your dog overly fearful of fireworks? Have you found anything that helps them to deal with their anxiety, especially if it’s something not covered in this short episode? Be sure to share your story with us in the comments section below.

Urinary tract infections in people are fairly straight forward. Sufferers experience pain during urination or a frequent urge to go that is a false alarm. For us humans, going to the doctor is usually the next step, whereupon a course of antibiotics is prescribed which usually resolves the problem. Unfortunately, urinary tract infections for dogs and cats aren’t often a simple matter. These infections oftentimes have underlying causes, such as urinary stones, anatomical abnormalities, incontinence, hormonal conditions, stress or even cancer, any of which can contribute to recurrent disease. To ascertain just what’s causing your pet kid’s urinary tract issues really does require the expertise of your veterinarian. Urinary tract conditions can be painful and debilitating, and it is important to detect the signs early for the best chance of solving the problem. More...

It’s time once again for an update from our non-profit charity, The Dr. Jane Foundation. This month, we’re excited to share news of another financial award to a noble group of rescuers based in Marina del Rey, CA. Founded in 2002, Forte Animal Rescue received their first grant from our non-profit in 2011, so this recent application allowed us to see how this group has flourished over the last four years.

Staffed solely by volunteers, this small non-profit has big aspirations. Not only do they save dogs of all sizes and shapes (and the occasional cat, too), they devote considerable time and energy to improving their community with education initiatives while also working to stem the tide of pet overpopulation. Forte rescuers pride themselves in providing a 100% no-kill safety net for abused, neglected and abandoned canines. More...

Sometimes, dogs behave badly. Going nuts when there’s a knock at the door. Over-reacting to the tiniest of threats. Freaking out over having their nails trimmed. Worst of all, if the proper steps aren’t taken early on, behaviors like anxiety and aggression can become the norm, rather than one-off instances.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah and her canine assistant, Alma, demonstrate two effective training techniques that can be used to overcome unpleasant reactive canine behaviors. We’ll be covering the topics of desensitization and counter-conditioning, plus why it’s important to set realistic goals. And above all, try to have fun whenever you’re training … your dog will thank you for it.

To learn more about the health-promoting and incredibly tempting Life’s Abundance treats featured in this episode and other Pet Talk episodes, visit the following links.

Tasty Rewards Training Treats
Buffalo Bully Sticks
Buffalo Meat Strips

To learn more about leash reactivity, watch February’s Pet Talk episode “Leash Safety Made Easy”.

It’s time once again for an update from our charitable wing, The Dr. Jane Foundation. This month, we’re excited to share news of another financial award to an amazing group of caregivers based in Highland, MI. Founded in late 2004, Community Sharing is an outreach organization that provides support and food assistance to hundreds of families and their companion animals. More...

Pet parents postpone vet visits for all manner of reasons. Some fear what the veterinarian will find during the examination, while others worry about the costs. Regardless of the reasons for not keeping an appointment, the advantages of regular check-ups simply cannot be understated … especially if you’ve been noticing something different about your pet kid. More...

Thanks to improved diets and more comfortable lifestyles, dogs are living longer lives than previous generations. Another aspect of the longevity puzzle is the breakthrough in advanced veterinary care. Treatments used exclusively for people have now become staples for the care of companion animals. This episode of Pet Talk reveals one of these areas of specialty: canine rehabilitation therapy. More...

This month, I’d like to talk to you about a subject that’s near and dear to my heart. Finding the perfect pet food that reflects both your expectations and represents the best veterinary science has to offer. In particular, we’ll be addressing the top three concerns of pet parents when it comes to grain-free dog food and cat food.

Are these concerns valid or are they misrepresentations of reality? The truth may surprise you!

1. Are Grains Responsible For Pet Allergies?

While your pet could have a grain or gluten allergy, the chances are rare. Food allergies or adverse food reactions are abnormal reactions to ingredients found in everyday foods. Recent estimates indicate that less than 5% of skin diseases in dogs and cats are accurately diagnosed as being caused by a food allergy. Even though the incidence of adverse food reactions remains unclear, a lot of pet parents believe that grains are prime suspects. However, the most commonly identified food allergens among dogs and cats are proteins in beef, dairy, chicken, soy and corn. Food allergies can cause itchy skin alone or even gastrointestinal problems as well.

The place where many pet parents get confused is comparing canine or feline food reactions to celiac disease in humans, which is a heritable autoimmune disease associated with a hypersensitivity to gluten proteins in wheat, barley, and rye. There has been a very rare similar heritable gluten sensitivity described in a small number of dogs with the symptoms being weight loss, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, but celiac disease and adverse food reactions in companion animals are rare.

2. Do Grains Have Any Real Nutritional Value?

Whole grains, like the ones used in many of our foods, contain the entire kernel. Whole grains are used in human and pet food because they pack a nutritional punch. Not only are they a good source of carbohydrates, they also contain essential fatty acids, amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein and even antioxidants! They add to the nutritional profile of the food, which means that they add to your pet’s nutrition as well. The grains used in our foods meet or exceed the criteria of the European Community, which currently exceed U.S. standards for quality.

3. Do Pets Digest Grains Well?

Some pet parents believe that carbohydrates from grains are not easily digested by dogs or cats. Like other mammals, cats and dogs have a metabolic need for carbohydrates in the form of glucose. Glucose fuels many parts of the body, including the brain, nervous system, red blood cells, the kidneys, and the female reproductive organs during pregnancy and lactation. If the diet fails to provide sufficient carbohydrates, the body can manufacture glucose by robbing it from amino acids (the building blocks for protein) and triglycerides (in fat), but this is hardly ideal. Both dogs and cats will utilize glucose from ingested carbohydrates to meet their needs. Additionally, both species have sufficient digestive enyzmes to allow for the efficient digestion of properly cooked carbohydrates. We know that not only is the quality of the grains important, but also the manner in which they are cooked. Our foods are prepared in such a way that the grains are broken down during the cooking before they enter the intestines, allowing them to be digested more easily.

So What is the Truth?

The key take-away from all of these points … you must feed the food that most closely meets your own standards and expectations for your pet kid. After all, you know them better than anyone! For all of you who want the best grain-free option for your companion animal, I’m pleased to tell you that we now carry a grain-free dog food and cat food! 

Grain-Free Formulas That Are Nutritionally Balanced

Like all our foods, our grain-free dog food and cat food offer excellent, balanced nutrition. Rather than relying on grain content, these natural formulas do have carbohydrates such as peas, potatoes and a selection of healthy vegetables in the grain-free dog food and cat food. Ideal for all life stages, our newest nutritious foods provide another great option for pet parents who want the best for their dogs and cats. For detailed information about these products, including ingredients, guaranteed analyses and more, check our website today!

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

  Dr. Jane Bicks