If your dog’s eyes suddenly seem cloudy or bluish-grey in color, he or she probably has cataracts. If the cataract is small, your dog’s vision won’t be impaired greatly.  However, if you think your dog might have a cataract, it is really important to monitor it because depending on the severity, it could result in blindness.  As in all physical matters, the first thing you should do is take your dog to the vet for an eye exam

Signs and symptoms of cataracts

You can often tell if your pooch is developing cataracts if his eyes seem cloudy or appear to be bluish-grey in color.  However, this cloudy and discoloring of the eye is natural for the lens of a dog that is older. This condition will not put the dog’s vision in as much harm as the cataracts will. But, any cloudiness at all found in your pooch’s eye is a sign for you to see your vet.

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts can be caused by a number of factors including old age, eye trauma, or as a result of another underlying condition such as diabetes. Genetics are the most common factor of a dog developing cataracts. The condition may already be present at birth or can develop when the pup is only one to three years old.

How to care for cataracts

Cataracts can not be prevented, but there are steps you can take to make sure that your dog will continue to be able to see, especially when the cataract is caused by a medical condition such as diabetes. Try examining your pet’s eyes on a regular basis.  As mentioned above, make sure to take your dog to the vet once his eyes appear cloudy or bluish-grey or if you think he is having trouble seeing.

If you have a medical history of your dog, that would be helpful since cataracts are usually inherited. Aside from that, know any other condition that your pet has that may have contributed to the cataracts, such as eye trauma or diabetes.

When a cataract is left untreated, it could slip from the surrounding connective tissue that holds it in place.  In turn, it would be loose and able to float around in the dog’s eye where it may settle and block the eye’s natural fluid drainage. This can result to glaucoma which can lead to permanent blindness. Cataracts may also start to dissolve after some time which may cause deep and painful inflammation in the affected eye.

If your dog is found to have cataracts, your vet will offer advice and a course of action for treating them, either surgically or with medication.  I hope that your dog never has cataracts.  But, don’t be worried if he or she does; there is medication available and your dog can still live a long and healthy life.

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Does your cat come to you when you call his or her name?  While this seems like the easiest of tasks, not all cats naturally do so.  Some run to the door when you arrive home and call them, while some cats just yawn.  Or maybe your cat comes come to you when he or she hears his breakfast meal being prepared as you open up the canned food?  Whatever the case, you can train your cat to come to you.

Cats react naturally to sounds and treats!

When you are training your cat to do anything, always have some healthy treats ready.  We want your cat to learn how to come to you, but not gain weight in the process!

Cats react to sounds and higher pitched voices.  So, when you call out to your cat make sure you use a higher tone of voice.   Cats are more attracted to a happy higher tone.  If you do the opposite, they think they are being punished.

Next, cats generally respond better to a shorter name, so if your cat is named Socrates, you might want to use “Socky” or “Sock’ when calling him.  And if you do change the name to “Sock” this will become your cat’s training name.

If your cat doesn’t react to a name, try a sound

Some cats react better to sounds than names.  You could use a bell or clap your hands to start the training.  Whatever you decide to use, only use it for this training exercise.

Try to train your cat in steps

Start out a few feet away from your kitty.  Call your cat’s name or clap your hands and place the treat (or favorite toy) on the floor a couple feet in front of you. The smell of the treat or the sight of the toy should attract your cat to it.  If your kitty responds by approaching, give her plenty of praise and, when your cat has eaten the treat or played with the toy, pet her and in a higher pitched voice, say good jog.

If your kitty doesn’t respond, try it again.  Remember only to put a little healthy treat out so your cat doesn’t get fat in the process.  Try it a few times and then it’s time to give your kitty a break.

Increase the distance

Next increase the distance you are away from your cat when calling him or her. Soon your cat will come to you from another part of the house.  If your cat has easily graduated to this phase, try calling your cat without a treat and only praise.  Most cats will be happy enough to get a nice rub down or some affection.

If your cat is now running to you when you call his or her name, you succeeded.  And, you can use this similar type of training technique to get your cat to do other things.   I trained my cat, Sammy, to open the door to my bedroom, but using a high pitched voice and shaking his dry food so he knows there is a reward on the other end.  Start with the ‘call’ and keep on going!  

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Guest Blog Post - Terry Goldman

Please read this wonderful article by Terry Goldman who is half of the team (with her husband Michael Goldman) of the Healthy Pet Network.  It is really informative and gives us great tips to prevent cancer in our beloved pets.

Can Cancer be prevented in pets?  Yes, it can.  Much of the problem today is that the medical profession is hell bent on treating the clinical signs or symptoms with a disregard for treating the cause. Remember, if you treat the cause there will not be any clinical signs or symptoms.

Here are some common sense things that you can do to keep your pet healthier.  By following these recommendations throughout your dog’s lifetime you may be able to limit his exposure to certain toxins which can exacerbate this hormone imbalance thus leading to cancer.

1.  Water

Many holistic vets warn against drinking tap water because of some of the chemicals that may be in it.  They will recommend that you filter your water.  It is important to change your pet’s water frequently so that it remains fresh and clean at all times.

2.  Limit vaccinations

There is a great debate today, in the pet community, concerning whether or not our pets are being over-vaccinated.  Do some research and educate yourself on this subject.  Many states require that dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies every three years and some veterinarians continue to tell clients that their pets need annual rabies shots.  Many experts, myself included, believe that over-vaccinating our pets stresses their immune system and may contribute to developing cancers.

3.  Reduce toxins in your home.

Cigarette smoke and other toxins are not good for your pet.  Keep secondhand smoke away from animals.  If at all possible, install a filter system in your home, to reduce pollution in your home.  Be very careful with cleaning products used in your home.  Many of them use chemicals which can be bad for your pet.

4. Be careful not to overfeed your pets.

Obesity can lead to cancer and other health problems.  An estimated 40 percent of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese.

5.  Choose healthy foods for your pet.

Whether you feed your pet kibble, canned, homemade or raw food, choose foods that contain high quality ingredients and antioxidants.  Avoid foods with ethoxyquin and other artificial preservatives, colors or dyes.  Look for foods with more natural ingredients.  Nutrition is one element of pet health that YOU control. High quality nutrition will maximize your pets health potential enabling them to live a long life.

6.  Consider safe flea control.

When choosing flea and tick control for your pet, you should consider whether you are able to get by with natural solutions instead of the products with more chemicals.  Topical flea and tick products can do the job but they contain some very strong chemicals. It may take longer for less toxic methods to work but they have the advantage of being much less harmful to your pet in the long run.

7.  Be extremely careful of yard chemicals.

If you use pesticides and weed killers you may be putting your pet at risk.  The National Cancer Institute reported that they found that dogs whose owners used certain weed-killing products had two times the rate of lymphoma as dogs whose owners did not use them.

8.  Exercise regularly.

Regular exercise with your pet is important for good health.  It strengthens the immune system, stimulates the heart and cardiovascular system, helps digestion and generally helps the whole body.

9.  Limit stress.

There is the natural stress that comes from your pet being excited about your coming home, or excited about wanting dinner, but do your best to limit the things that cause your pet undue stress, such as upheaval in the household, neglect, being left outside in the cold or the absence of a loved one.  Keep your pet reassured and keep the anxiety to a minimum.  Please remember that outlook and attitude play a huge part in you and your pet’s health.  By keeping your pet happy and content you will be contributing greatly in your pet’s good health.

Michael and Terry Goldman run the Healthy Pet Network, which is an Interactive Online Community and Network of pet owners, animal lovers, health care professionals and experts in their related fields, providing education, information and the products and services to promote and enhance “Whole Animal Health”.    They will be coming out with a book soon, so keep your eyes out for the release.



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