Can I use essential oils around my pets?

Can I use essential oils around my pets?

Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

The real quick answer is yes. How you use them and especially if you use them on yourself or your pets, the source and quality of the essential oil is very very important. I do recommend the AnimalEO.com oils. Dr. Shelton does a great job at sourcing her oil. Another good oil blend for calming is an essential oil blend called Pet Remedy and you’ll get a lot of sources from around the world. It goes into their diffuser to help calm pets. But in general, to go back to the question about using strong odors or essential oils around your pet. The best strategy is to upgrade your pet’s diet to improve their balance and their ability to withstand any external influences. Strong odor can be a stressor to the body and by upgrading the diet you build the resilience of your pet and decrease the chance of any problem. 

Hi, I’m Jeff Feinman, HolisticAction veterinarian from HolisticActions.com. Here to answer any of your pet questions. So thank you and talk to you soon!

Related Symptoms: 

  • Anxiety
  • Fleas/ticks
  • Aggression

Suggested Treatments: 

  • Pet Remedy oil diffuser and Calm-A-Mile
  • Evict and Away from www.animaleo
  • Boost in a Bottle

DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

 

Dr. Jeff

Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

My Dog Seems To Be In Pain While Walking Or Running. What Should I Do?

My Dog Seems To Be In Pain While Walking Or Running. What Should I Do?

Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

It always depends on the individual, your dog individually. The number one treatment is to go to the vet and get any diagnostic tests that the vet thinks need to be used. Maybe blood tests looking for Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. Those may include x-rays or other, more advanced diagnostic testing. 

The treatments for symptoms of limping dogs, or a dog that appears to be in pain or limps, symptoms like slow getting up or getting down, not wanting to go up and down the stairs, or decreased B.E.A.M (behavior, energy, appetite, mood) in any way, and the main treatments for those kinds of symptoms are weight loss, so make sure that your dog is not at all overweight and maybe even try to get them a little bit thin. The thinner a dog is, the less pain they will have with their joints. Treatments like core exercises, physical therapy, gradual walking, and other energy-building treatments that raise cellular energy and the ability of the body to heal are beneficial. Treatments like the therapeutic sniff walk, snuffle mat can help your dog. And then, of course, you have your treatments that are supplement-based like fish oils, deer velvet, or other known supplements that we use all the time for stiff and arthritic dogs that appear to be in pain.

I’m Jeff Feinman, a holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut, and I’m answering pet parent questions for HolisticActions!. Thank you for joining! 

Suggested Treatments: 

  • Weight loss and fresh food feeding
  • Core strengthening exercises
  • Assisi Loop

Related Symptoms: 

  • Slow to stand or lie down
  • Slow to climb stairs
  • Limping

    DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

     

    Dr. Jeff

    Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

    Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

    What Cat Food Brands Would You Recommend?

    What Cat Food Brands Would You Recommend?

    Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

    The answer is really no commercial brands, in that I, as a veterinarian that focuses on vitality and energy, I prefer fresh food feeding, meaning a non-processed, non-commercial cat food. But if you’re going to have a brand of cat food, make sure it’s a wet-canned cat food, not a dry cat food. 

    I want to go a bit into the symptoms that your pet may have that tell you if s/he needs a diet upgrade. Those include dry coat, shedding a lot, dandruff, and low B.E.A.M (behavior, energy, appetite, mood). 

    The number one treatment for those symptoms is to raise the quality of the food, going from commercial to fresh food. The food could be cooked or raw, anything that is given in variety and moderation. But certainly, stick with the wet food for cats. Dry food can predispose cats to things like obesity, diabetes, and other health issues including kidney disease. The number one treatment for a cat with an unknown diet is upgrading the diet to a fresh food.

    I hope that answers your question. I’m Jeff Feinman, holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut, and I’m answering pet parent questions for HolisticActions!. Thank you for joining.

    Related Symptoms: 

    • Decrease in BEAM
    • Dry and scaly coat
    • Digestive symptoms

    DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

     

    Dr. Jeff

    Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

    Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

    How does juvenile renal disease affect dogs?

    How does juvenile renal disease affect dogs?

    Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

    It depends on the context of the individual. The most common symptom that I see is actually no physical symptom but rather detection on a routine blood test. It’s a good reason to get routine blood tests at your veterinarian periodically. They likely do it before any routine surgical procedure. 

    But symptoms you’ll commonly see other than no symptoms are things such as stunted, decreased growth, drinking a lot, urinating a lot, and other urinating symptoms, changes in appetite, symptoms like vomiting, symptoms like diarrhea. 

    The treatments really will depend on your individual pet’s diagnostic workup but treatments like upgrading of the diet while  decreasing the phosporus, treatments like supportive supplements like AminAvast and Rx renal, and many other treatments that your veterinarian will work with you to find a solution.

    Hi, I’m Jeff Feinman, here in Weston, Connecticut. I’m answering pet parent questions for HolisticActions. Thank you for joining. 

    Suggested Treatments: 

    • fresh food feeding
    • A phosphorus binder like Aventi kidney complete
    • AminAvast

    Related Symptoms: 

    • Drinking a  lot (polydipsia)
    • Urinating alot (polyuria)
    • Decreased appetite (dysrexia and anorexia)

      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

       

      Dr. Jeff

      Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

      Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

      I think my older dog has dementia. What should I do?

      I think my older dog has dementia. What should I do?

      Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

      The symptoms: being out of it, wandering and getting lost, or hitting things, can be really tough for your pup to live with and for you. What do you do? Well, the first thing you can do is engage your pup as much as possible, so they can get engaged with their environment. The best treatment in my mind is a therapeutic sniff walk, which is you just taking them out and letting them go sniffing, you know, not walking but sniffing around, and through engaging with all the environment for miles around. The sniffing (in people as well) will raise cellular energy and help the body heal faster. 

      Other symptoms can show, like going to the bathroom in the house instead of outside, symptoms like wandering aimlessly, really any kind of cognitive symptoms like the kind of things you would see in Alzheimer’s for a person. There are many, many treatments, but start with the DHA fish oils. I love Smartzyme, which is a vital DHA, the only species producing algae that may actually help your pet produce their own DHA and help itself. It can be a great, life-saving treatment. There are many other treatments for older dogs. Cholodin is one supplement that is validated as a treatment for dementia. 

      There are many other things but I cannot stress enough the therapeutic sniff walk. It’s the number one, two, three, and four. Therapeutic sniff walk and the treatment of a good fresh food diet, as I know you’re already feeding. 

      Hi Jeff Feinman, holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut answering your questions about your pets, so thank you and we’ll talk soon.

      Vist HolisticActions! for more holistic pet care information.

      Suggested Treatments: 

      • sniffing
      • engagement
      • cholodin supplement
      • senilife and other supplements formulated for dementia symptoms

      Related Symptoms: 

      • staring at the wall/door
      • sundowners
      • inappropriate elimination
      • not remembering commands

      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

       

      Dr. Jeff

      Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

      Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

      What should I do if my dog continues to bite people?

      What should I do if my dog continues to bite people?

       

      Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

      If your dog has been biting people and is now continuing to bite people, you want to look at the full context of the symptom, the behavior symptoms, because the continuation of biting may indicate an earlier training issue. It could be a socialization issue. It could be a medical issue. It depends on the full context of the symptoms. Symptoms like is your dog happy otherwise, happy in any specific situations or only in specific situations. There could be symptoms of aggression that are triggered by certain people or places, so it would really depend on the full context. 

      The treatments kind of depend on a bit of the context of the symptoms, and we’re talking about the symptoms before biting, of things like the ears going down, the tail going down, the hackles going up, the body posture. Dog’s have pretty good dog-to-dog visual communication. It’s just up to us to us to get to be as good as the dog and knowing if the dog is gonna be aggressive or more likely if he’s scared and the fear is gonna end up as a possible aggression. 

      The treatment if he’s continuing to bite is to get with your vet and check out medical problems, especially the thyroid, as the thyroid is known to be associated with aggressive behavior issues, and then start working intensively with the trainers.

      Hi, Jeff Feinman, holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut, answering your questions about your pets. Thank you, and we’ll talk soon!

      Visit HolisticActions! for more holistic pet care information.

      Suggested Treatments: 

      • most important treatment is determining the context and triggers
      • training based on what your pup loves
      • conventional drugs like prozac
      • holistic support w/flowers and reiki

      Related Symptoms: 

      • growling, lifting lips
      • snapping, crouching
      • BEAM symptom changes

      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

       

      Dr. Jeff

      Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

      Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

      How Can I Help My Dog With Hip Dysplasia Feel More Comfortable?

      How Can I Help My Dog With Hip Dysplasia Feel More Comfortable?

      Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

      There are many ways to help your dog with hip dysplasia feel better. They include acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, Homeopathy, Flower Essences, Reiki normalizing weight, if needed, anti-inflammatory herbs, such as Boswellia, turmeric, and ginger, nutritional supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and formal canine rehabilitation like physical therapy, and underwater treadmill exercise.

      Hi, I’m Dr. Jean Hofve, a licensed veterinarian with HolisticActions!. I hope this helps. Thank you!

      Suggested Treatments: 

      • Herbs
      • homeopathy
      • nutritional supplements

      Related Symptoms: 

      • Hard to get up
      • lameness
      • can’t jump

        DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

         

        dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

        Dr. Jean

        Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

        She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

        How Often Do Dogs Need Rabies Shots?

        How Often Do Dogs Need Rabies Shots?

        Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

        Well, the rabies vaccine is required by law pretty much everywhere. You can contact your local animal control and find out what the legal requirements are for dogs in your area. 

        Rabies is a public health hazard, and it is endemic in wildlife throughout the United States. It is very important that your dog be vaccinated for rabies. Killed virus vaccines that are available. There are no other kinds at this point. They are effective, but it does require both of the two shot initial puppy series at least within a year of each other. This is how you get full immunity. Now, how long that immunity lasts is up for debate. Holistic veterinarians believe that— I’m one of them— that the rabies vaccines once your dog is fully immunized last for 5 to 7 years or more. 

        However it is important to comply with the laws in your jurisdiction. If your adult dog has a medical condition, like autoimmune disease or cancer, then it may be possible to have your veterinarian write a letter exempting your dog from the rabies vaccine. This does not work in all places but it is worth a shot if you want to minimize your dog vaccinations. I hope this helped!

        Hi, I’m Dr. Jean Hofve with HolisticActions.com. Thank you.

          DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

           

          dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

          Dr. Jean

          Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

          She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

          How Do I Cure My Dog’s Bad Breath?

          How Do I Cure My Dog’s Bad Breath?

          Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

          Well, first it is important to remember that doggy breath may be very common but it is not normal. In fact, we consider it to be an early warning sign of disease that may arise down the road. So, the first thing to consider with doggy breath is the teeth. You definitely want to have your veterinarian examine the teeth and make sure there’s no tartar or decay or inflammation of the gums all of which can certainly contribute to the doggy breath. 

          The other main thing to consider is diet. Highly processed foods like kibble and even canned food are not the ideal diet for a dog. They are inefficiently digested and the odors arising from the digestive system can be a big factor in doggy breath.

          What I would suggest is to use raw bone (not long bones like shins) but the ends of bones or vertebrae from beef, chicken or turkey, depending on the size of your dog, can help remove or prevent tartar from gaining a foothold on the teeth. They need to be given at least once a week to have this effect. 

          The other thing I would suggest is consider switching your dog to an all raw diet. This has many benefits. It is live food. It is fresh. You control the ingredients and the benefits both to doggy breath, teeth cleanliness and health are unmistakable. 

          Hi, I’m Dr. Jean Hofve with HolisticActions.com. Thank you.

          Suggested Treatments: 

          • Dental care
          • Healthy diet
          • Immune supporting supplements

          Related Symptoms: 

          • Smelly mouth
          • Doggy breath

            DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

             

            dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

            Dr. Jean

            Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

            She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

            My dogs barks and kicks at night. Is he having nightmares?

            My dogs barks and kicks at night. Is he having nightmares?

            Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

            Dogs actually do dream a lot and small dogs actually dream more than big dogs. When your dog is in deep REM sleep and barking, whining, or running make paddling motions with his feet, those are definitely dreams. It is a sign that your dog is in deep REM sleep and should not be disturbed. The key to whether these dreams are actually nightmares is how they behave once they wake up. Is he just distressed or anxious or just seems abnormal? Then, the quality of the dream may be more nightmarish.

            However, you want to be careful about over interpreting a dream as being a nightmare. It is very common and normal for dogs to vocalize with barking or whining, make paddling motions with their feet like they’re running but really he may just be chasing a tennis ball, wrestling with a buddy, or out on a hike with you. If you have concluded that this is indeed a nightmare situation, then there are holistic treatments you can try.

            For example Flower Essences, homeopathy, calming nutrients like Thianine and Tryptophan or herbs, calming herbs like chamomile, passion flower or hops. If the behavior is extreme or persistent, it may actually be a form of seizures. This is definitely something to check out with your veterinarian because there are medications that can manage that in addition to the holistic treatments I mentioned. So, I hope you and your dog both sleep well and peacefully and enjoy good dreams. 

            Hi, I’m Dr. Jean Hofve with Holisticactions! Thank you. 

            Suggested Treatments: 

            • Don’t disturb dreaming dog
            • Herbs/homeopathy if distressed

            Related Symptoms: 

            • Movement or barking when asleep

            DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

             

            dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

            Dr. Jean

            Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

            She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

            How To Treat Cherry Eyes In Dogs

            How To Treat Cherry Eyes In Dogs

            Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

            That’s a great question because it depends on the situation. Most frequently, cherry eyes, which is like a prominence of the third eyelid in the corner of the eye so it looks like there’s a mass growing out of the corner of the eye but it’s frequently seen in young animals

            The most common treatment is no treatment. Just keep the eyes lubricated or don’t do anything at all, and they go back on their own. The cartilage frequently slips in and out so you may or may not see cherry eye. If that’s not working or if it’s bothering your dog, then surgical correction is the next step, and there are two ways to correct that. One is, which is done nowadays, is to attach the membrane down and size it so it doesn’t collapse again. The other way used to be to just remove the third eyelid, but we found that doing that actually increased chance of dry eye and other dry problems. 

            So that’s it for today! I’m Jeff Feinman, licensed holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut to answer common pet parent questions. Thank you for coming, thank you for watching, and we’ll all talk soon!  Visit Holistic Actions! for more holistic pet care information. 

            Suggested Treatments: 

            1. No treatment – wait
            2. Keep eyes lubricated
            3. Surgical correction

            Related Symptoms: 

            1. Prominence of the third eyelid in the corner of the eye

              DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

               

              Dr. Jeff

              Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

              Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.