Holistic Pet Health

Cat or dog, you’ve come to the right place! Holistic veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve and cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy are here to help!

Cat Senses

Science has discovered what many cat-lovers have known for years... most cats depend more on their vision than on their sense of smell! I could have told you that when I brought my freshly-shaved dog home one summer afternoon. My "watchcat" Spencer took one look and attacked instantly, drawing blood on both the dog--and on me, when I tried to intervene. He didn't spend a nanosecond analyzing any smells... it was a lightning reflex arc from eyeballs to claws! But to give science credit, the British researchers did develop a ...

2017-03-23T14:17:35-07:00September 20th, 2015|
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E-Cigarettes: Dangerous for Pets

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/a-warning-to-pet-owners-who-use-e-cigarettes?Wt.mc_id=facebook The ASPCA Poison Control Center says that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) often contain high concentrations of nicotine, which is a dangerous poison for dogs and cats. Nicotine exposures are increasing, and the types of exposures are changing. In 2012, e-cigarettes made up 4.6% of total nicotine exposures (including tobacco cigarettes, nicotine gum, e-cigarettes, and nicotine patches), but in 2013, this number increased to 13.6%; and it's expected to continue rising. Nicotine is dangerous for pets, and e-cigarettes and refills can contain far more nicotine than regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes are filled ...

2017-03-21T19:21:26-07:00June 25th, 2015|
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Feline Hyperthyroidism

Updated 5/2/25 A serious disease called "feline hyperthyroidism" has risen to epidemic proportions since the first cases were diagnosed in 1979. It is a worldwide phenomenon, though worse in the U.S. than other countries. Hyperthyroidism (hyper = too much, thyroid = a hormone-making gland), is seen mostly in older cats age 10 or more. Watch Floppy Cat's interview with Dr. Jean here (a written transcript can be found below the video by clicking "show more"): In people, the thyroid gland is "H" shaped, and located at the base of the ...

2025-10-27T17:43:28-07:00April 4th, 2015|
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Animal Communication

Many thanks to our guest author, animal communicator Kate Solisti!  The art of listening to an animal and actually receiving something back from them is based on two things: (1) Love and (2) Intuition. I have been a professional interspecies communicator for over twenty years and in that time have helped many people rekindle their natural abilities to open and receive information from non-speaking beings through their intuition. It is my belief that the heart is the seat of our intuition and innate wisdom. In order to access these, we ...

2017-03-21T19:22:08-07:00April 2nd, 2015|
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Animal Pain

That idea that animals suffer pain that needs to be treated is, believe it or not, still not completely accepted by veterinarians. In fact, not so long ago, veterinarians deliberately withheld painkillers from animals post-surgery, on the misguided philosophy that “the pain will keep them quiet so they don’t hurt themselves.” Even when veterinary organizations do acknowledge pain, they may still get it wrong. For example, the mission statement of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA) says that the organization “believes that animal pain and suffering are clinically important conditions that adversely ...

2017-03-21T19:22:31-07:00July 20th, 2014|
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Flea and Tick Product Dangers

A big thank you to my dear friend Dr. Michael Fox (www.drfoxvet.net) for allowing me to reprint this urgent bulletin! BAYER’S NEW CAT, DOG, HOME & YARD INSECTICIDALS:  WHAT IT MY PORTEND FOR THE EARTH COMMUNITY By Dr. Michael W. Fox I posted my concerns last year about Bayer’s dog and cat “Seresto” anti-flea and tick collars that contain a nicotine chemical (imidacloprid) that can cause seizures, thyroid gland damage, mutations, abortions and birth defects, (and is a class of widely used agricultural chemicals implicated in the catastrophic demise of ...

2017-03-21T19:24:02-07:00March 18th, 2014|
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Grape and Raisin Toxicity

Updated November 10, 2025 Beginning in the 1990s, veterinarians began seeing dogs who developed acute kidney failure after eating grapes, raisins, or currants. The cause was a total mystery for decades. But in 2021, tartaric acid (the basis of cream of tartar) was discovered to be the part of grapes that cause them to be toxic to pets. The amount of tartaric acid can vary in grapes by their type, how they were grown, and how ripe they are, which could explain why some pets get very sick while others ...

2025-11-11T00:17:41-07:00February 1st, 2014|
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Choosing an Omega-3 Oil for Your Pet

Updated November 2025 You may already know how important Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is for dogs and cats. I consider it to be the #1 most important supplement you can give your pet. The anti-inflammatory effects of Omega-3s EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) have been thoroughly researched. Omega-3 supplementation has proven to be beneficial for dogs and cats for a wide variety of conditions, including chronic kidney disease(1), arthritis(2), allergies(3), and skin and coat problems(4). Veterinary experts recommend up to 1000 mg/day of EPA/DHA to treat cancer, autoimmune, and ...

2026-05-12T19:49:54-07:00January 24th, 2014|
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Inflammation and Health

Many feline diseases of aging are caused by chronic inflammation, including arthritis, kidney disease, and even cancer. Inflammation kills cells directly and also deposits toxic inflammatory by-products and other “sludge” in the extracellular matrix that surrounds the cells. This toxic build-up reduces the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes between cells and blood, which creates a fertile environment for parasites, disease-causing organisms, and abnormal cells that can thrive in such damaged environments. Find out what you can do to keep the immune system healthy and prevent the signs and diseases of aging.

2019-06-30T13:54:36-07:00December 6th, 2013|
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Food Allergies in Cats

Cats often develop "food intolerances" or "food allergies" to ingredients found in commercial cat food. Currently, the most common allergies in cats are: chicken, dairy, fish, beef, lamb, and eggs. However, an allergy can develop to any protein to which the cat is repeatedly or constantly exposed. The symptoms of food allergy are typically skin-related and/or digestion-related. Skin symptoms include rashes (particularly around the face and ears), excessive licking (typically paws, legs or tummy), and red, itchy ears. Digestive symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. These are similar to the symptoms ...

2016-03-24T23:15:18-07:00November 19th, 2013|
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Feline Obesity

By Jean Hofve, DVM Obesity is a serious problem for our feline friends; it affects more than half of American cats today. Many serious health problems can result from obesity, including arthritis, diabetes, liver disease, heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract problems, skin conditions, and many more. When possible, prevention is better than cure; don't allow your cat to become overweight in the first place. Pay attention to your kitten's growth to make sure he does not fill out "too much." The average weight gain for a kitten is approximately one pound ...

2017-02-21T18:12:06-07:00November 18th, 2013|
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Fiber Facts

By Dr. Jean Hofve Recently there has been renewed interest in fiber as a pet food ingredient. One pet food manufacturer published an article on the Internet condemning beet pulp in pet food as unhealthy if not downright dangerous, while others are touting the benefits of the latest fiber source, pecan shells. There is a lot of myth and misunderstanding concerning fiber, so let's take a closer look at this controversial ingredient. The term "fiber" (or "roughage") applies to complex carbohydrates that are resistant to mammalian digestive enzymes, although certain ...

2014-02-19T07:35:48-07:00November 18th, 2013|
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College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies

by Jean Hofve, DVM Before last week, I had never heard of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT). But I am tremendously excited about this organization, and I think a lot of our readers will be interested to learn about it. CIVT is an international educational organization that brings science to holistic animal care--a desperately needed perspective! It primarily provides courses for veterinarians, but it isn't limited to just vets. For example, they offer courses that lead to certification as a Natural Animal Therapies Consultant. For anyone interested in working in the animal ...

2017-03-23T14:21:04-07:00May 9th, 2013|
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