How to Use Moxxor Omega-3s
Discover Dr. Jean's favorite Omega-3 supplement for pets and people!
BEMER Weekly Calls
Note: If you are new to Little Big Cat, or haven't heard about the BEMER, an extraordinary therapeutic device from Europe, click here to learn more! Every Monday we have an informational phone call about the BEMER. The focus for our call on Monday, March 19th, will be the BEMER Veterinary line. I will be a guest on the call, which I invite you to join. You will be able to ask questions of all of our experts, including me! We have an exciting line up of experts, including veterinarians, equine therapists, athletes training ...
Hemp Oil and CBDs
As a veterinarian (and a big fan of actual science!), I have been very cautious about using or recommending any form of marijuana (Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and hybrids) for pets. Dogs and cats can become extremely ill from consuming marijuana. They are highly sensitive to the psychoactive component, THC, which interferes with neurotransmitter function. Marijuana toxicity is a serious and growing problem in pets, especially in states where medical and/or recreational marijuana is legal; the strains of the plant used for this purpose are extremely potent. "Edibles" may be ...
Top 10 Cat Medical Conditions – And How to Prevent Them!
Veterinary Practice News publishes an annual "Top Medical Conditions in Cats," based on insurance claims made to pet health insurance companies. For 2017, the list includes: 1. Bladder or urinary tract problems (aka feline cystitis, FIC, or FLUTD 2. Periodontitis/Dental disease 3. Chronic kidney disease 4. Vomiting 5. Hyperthyroidism 6. Diabetes 7. Diarrhea 8. Lymphoma 9. Upper respiratory infection per cat 10. Allergic dermatitis One notable addition to the list this year was lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph glands, which are all over the body. This cancer ...
Cats, According to Two Holistic Veterinarians
Recently Dr. Jean did an interview with her pal, Dr. Judy Morgan, on Dr. Judy's radio program. They covered all sorts of cat topics, from nutrition to declawing. Listen here: http://dreamvisions7radio.com/are-you-raising-your-cats-to-optimize-health/#more-32978
Vaccination Update
Recently I did an interview with Jenny of Floppycats.com on vaccines. We talked about the how, when and why, kittens, Ragdolls, titers, and whether and which vaccines are needed or not. You really want to know the new info about titers! Listen (or read the transcript) here: http://www.floppycats.com/vaccines-for-cats-an-interview-with-dr-jean-hofve.html For complete information on cat and dog vaccines, see our comprehensive article on Vaccination.
Improve Microcirculation for Health and Healing
Figure 1 Updated 6/30/19. The body’s circulatory system is the key to healing. Every modality, from surgery and drugs to massage, herbs, aromatherapy, homeopathy, and all forms of detoxification, depends on this vast, miles-long network of blood vessels to deliver oxygen, remedies, and nutrients to all the cells of the body, as well as remove waste products and carbon dioxide. The circulatory system works the same way in all mammals, including cats, dogs, horses, and humans. (See Figure 1.) It carries red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other ...
The Most Important Supplement for Your Cat
The most important supplement I recommend for cats is Omega-3 fatty acids. They have deep and profound effects on every cell, organ, and tissue in your cat's body. Omega-3s are needed by every cell membrane, and they also have major anti-inflammatory effects. Helping your cat’s immune system keep inflammation in check is absolutely crucial to good health. I recommend MOXXOR green-lipped mussel oil as a truly superior Omega-3 supplement. The capsules are tiny and easy to give your cat, and the pure oil and antioxidants are the most concentrated, powerful ...
Dr. Becker’s Homemade Flea & Tick Repellent Spray
My good pal Dr. Karen Becker has homemade recipes for flea, tick, and mosquito repelling spray... you can mist them directly on the fur, or spritz it on your hands and stroke on the fur. Shake well before applying. Store in the refrigerator. Apply every four hours as needed. These are effective, but you should still hand-check for ticks just in case, since they can carry so many diseases. Dogs: 8oz water 5 oz apple cider vinegar 10 drops Neem oil 10 drops Catnip oil 5 drops of ONE of the following ...
Lilies that Kill!
Lilies are beautiful, and lovely to see in the spring. They're especially common now, as Easter approaches. BUT... Lilies are extremely dangerous for cats. If your cat goes outside and brushes against a lily in your neighbor’s yard, the tiny amount of pollen that sticks to her fur, when she licks it off, is enough to cause acute, fatal kidney failure. Symptoms may include: Poor appetite Lethargy Vomiting Diarrhea Unusual thirst Inappropriate urination Scanty or absent urination Seizures Death Many plants are toxic to pets, especially bulbs, including: Lilies (any plants in the Lilium ...
Indoor Air Pollution
This might surprise you: it's very likely that the indoor air in your home is more polluted than the air outside! There are many factors, most of which are totally within your control. Some factors present a serious health hazard for your cat! Read on to find out more Air fresheners have become ever more varied and more popular over the years. Indeed, the number of sprays, plug-ins, scented candles, and other fragrance delivery systems has exploded; up to 75% of American households use them. But very little attention has been ...
Cat Vision & Eyesight: Common Myths Debunked
With many thanks to our special guest author, Amber Kingsley! Cats have been our companions for many thousands of years, dating back to the days of ancient Egypt where they were worshipped and given elaborate burials. Soon they spread throughout Europe, first to Italy and later to England. In this distant past, they were always appreciated for their keen ability to keep the rodent population under control. We’ve all heard those common expressions about cats that are pretty far-fetched: for example, that they have nine lives, or that black cats are ...
Clean Teeth for Good Health
This is such an important subject! We're proud to feature this guest post from our friend Lana Fraley Rich, Catsultant®, at www.Catsultant.com. Cat's mouth being irrigated after veterinary dentistry procedure Here is an important question for you: Do you know if you have any dental diseases? You may not know for sure, unless you are having regular dental checkups or you are having some kind of discomfort or bleeding. It is not uncommon for people to have asymptomatic dental disease. Many people don’t seek treatment until the problem becomes more advanced ...
Epigenetics
Epigenetics is the study of changes in the way genes are expressed that do not involve DNA. It turns out that DNA isn’t in charge the way we once thought it was—it's the proteins around the DNA that really control gene expression. These proteins are influenced by the environment. This means that anything in the environment can have a profound effect on any organism, including animals and people. Research in the new field of epigenetics shows that many factors experienced by your pet, or even your pet’s ancestors—from vaccines, medications, diet, and even stress—can ...
Toilet Training for Cats
Our good friend Jo Singer recently spotted an old idea being given a disturbing new life: toilet training a cat. And sorry, no... this is not a "how to" article, it's about "why not"! A 2001 book by Dr. Eric Brotman on the subject is once again the media. Brotman's doctorate is in clinical psychology, not veterinary medicine; that may explain his is utter ignorance about cats! As Jo points out in her article, it is vital to be able to monitor a cat's urine and feces output. In fact, it's one of the best ways ...