The Whole Picture

These days, we see many animals with skin, gut or behavioural issues. These issues are not really the issue – we need to look beyond the symptoms or the issue and address the root cause – we need to look at the whole animal and the whole picture they are presenting.

What do we mean when we say we need to look at the whole picture – well exactly that – the WHOLE picture – not just the food our animal eats, the behaviour they display or the exercise they do – but the WHOLE picture!

What does the WHOLE picture look like? Well, it includes…

NUTRITON – Good nutrition is key to good health – physically, mentally and emotionally. Food is the fuel of the body and brain. If you want a healthy body and brain you need to provide them with high quality fuel. For dogs and cats, that is a high quality raw whole food diet such as The Complete Meal and bones.

UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIOUR – We need to understand our animals and why they act or react the way they do. Instead of commands and unrealistic expectations, we need to take the time to learn their language and live with them in a way that fosters trust, respect and empathy.

CREATING A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT – we all want to be able to relax and feel safe in our environment and our animals are no different. We need to think about our environment – is it calm and relaxing, do our animals have a choice as to where they sleep, are our floors non-slip and comfortable for them to walk on so as to decrease the risk of injury and worn muscles and joints? Is our environment safe and secure and designed to meet not only our needs but that of our animals?

ENSURING THE RIGHT TYPE OF EXERCISE – Continuous fast paced exercise only creates long term stress and damage for the body and brain. Yes, our animals race and run when playing, but only for very short periods of time. They are not designed for hours of high intensity running and exercise. Natural agility is great for them – for dogs this can be slow sniffing walks on long leads where they are using their natural gait, walking over sticks and branches, under logs, up hills, around trees, on sand, etc.

CORRECT FITTING WALKING EQUIPMENT – a good fitting harness such as a “H-Style Harness with a Y front” is one that is supportive and comfortable, allowing free range of movement in all muscles and joints, so no pain or sense of restriction is felt.

CHEMICALS – Limit the amount of chemicals your animal comes into contact with. Consider natural cleaning products for your home, natural lawncare products as well as natural flea, tick and worming products. Everything that goes onto your animals skin, enters their body and will have an effect on their health.

Think of all of the above as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – if one piece is missing – you can’t finish the puzzle – you don’t get the whole picture.

Think of your animals health and well being as that jigsaw puzzle… if one or two pieces of the puzzle are missing… the picture is incomplete. And if you are dealing with a health or behavioural issue an incomplete picture may mean an incomplete resolution to your issue.

Food for thought….