Grieving Is A Natural Part of Healing: How To Cope With the Loss & Death of A Pet

Saying goodbye is never easy. There is always an overwhelming saddens when we lose a close loved one or friend. Well, the same holds true for our furry best friends also known as honorary family members. Pets play a huge role in our lives by providing us with companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love. So, one can clearly understand why the loss of a pet can be painful and heartbreaking.

Family pets hold such a precious place in our hearts and lives, one can't deny the strong human and pet bond. Many pet owners & caregivers celebrate their pets birthday, confide in their pets, have pictures of their furry companions hanging on their wall of fame or even carry their dogs mutt shot in their wallets. It is no surprise that with the death of a pet comes many tears shed, sorrow & emotions. Here are a few tips to help you or your friend cope with the loss of a pet during the grieving and healing process.

1. Grieving is natural. It is important to acknowledge your grieve and give yourself permission to express it. In the midst of all the sadness give yourself plenty of time and space to grieve the loss of your pet. It may take you some time to get to the point of acceptance, but in time their is healing. Don't be afraid or ashamed to shed a tear. Often times when you grieve the lost of a family member one can experience extreme sadness and depression. Remember, there is not one way to grieve and each person in your family may cope with the loss differently.

2. Speak with Support Group. Reach your arms out for a hug towards others with a sympathetic ear. It is important to open up, lean on, and speak with others about your loss who understand what you are going through. Having a strong support group of family members, counselors, ministers, friends, and loved ones can provide you with emotional support and aid in the healing process. Many animal shelters and humane societies offer support groups or counseling. Talk with your vet about groups, counselors or pet loss hotlines that can help you with the grieving process. It is amazing how sharing your pets story, what he or she meant to you, pets pictures and memories can make a difference in easing the pain.

3. In Memory of _____. Keep the memory of your pet alive. Celebrate the life of your pet by donating to an animal charity or rescue in your pet's name.

4. Re-channel Grief. Channel your grief into a positive way by sharing your love with animals in need. Volunteer one hour a week at an animal shelter.

5. Give Yourself time to heal. When your pet passes away don't run out immediately to fill the void by getting another pet. Give yourself time to grieve because rushing into this decision isn't fair to you or your new pet. . When the pain of losing your pet becomes more bearable, you can consider getting a new pet. There are so many deserving pets in need of a home, so when the time & your heart if ready consider adopting one from a local shelter.



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Knowing is Half the Battle: Answer to Common Pet Cancer Questions

With pet cancer on the rise it is always devastating to hear when a furry friend has fallen victim to this disease. But understanding this silent killer is half the battle. The stats are sad and astounding, for dogs over six years of age, 60 percent will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. Nearly half the deaths of pets over the age of 10 years fall victim to cancer.

There are nearly 100 different types of animal cancer. The most common type in cats is leukemia, and the most common cancers for dogs are lymphoma and mammary gland cancer. But there is hope and good news! With treatment advances and early detection, pets with cancer have a much better chance of survival. Here are answers to some common pet cancer questions. Let's not be silent to this silent killer, educating ourselves about cancer is the difference between life and death. Let's work together toward prevention and a cure.


What is cancer?

Cancer describes cell in the body that grow and divide at an abnormal rate & uncontrollable rates often forming tumors or masses. These growths can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).

Is My Pet At Risk?

Did you know that cancer is the #1 killer of pets. Although cancer is more common in older adult dog & cats, younger pets are still at risk. Make sure to do your research on your pets breed because certain breeds are more susceptible & predisposed to cancer. It is imperative that you understand your pets risk. By speaking with your vet you can take proper precautions. Also, early detection toward this silent killer is the difference between life and death and the key to good prognosis, successful treatment & recovery.

What are the pet cancer warning signs?

*Abnormal swelling that persist or continue to grow
*Sores that do not heal
*Weight Loss
*Loss of Appetite
*Bleeding or discharge from any body organ
*Offensive odor
*Difficulty eating or swallowing
*Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
*Persistent lameness or stiffness
*Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Why Is Early Detection & Diagnosis So Important?

Regular vet checkups play a vital life role in the early detection of cancer & other health issues. As loving pet owner it is important that you take your pet for his or her wellness exam twice a year. Annual blood screenings is helpful in detecting & effectively treating pet cancer. If the vet finds at abnormalities in your dogs health x-rays, ultrasounds and other diagnostic test will be preformed.

When should you see a vet if you suspect cancer?

It important that if you see any of cancer warning signs, lumps, bumps that don't go away or a change in your dogs behavior to seek help immediately. Don't wait, because the clock is ticking away with a good prognosis. But remember to not panic and remain calm because not all tumors or growths are cancerous. If you do find a lump on your pets skin or coat seek vet aid quickly, its better safe then sorry. Look for lumps that may appear at the site of a vaccination or injection which can signal a concern. Regular vet checkups will help to detect cancer that is affecting other parts of the body like your pets blood or internal organs that are not visible. Please take your pets annual checkups very seriously and mark your calenders so hidden health problems are detected & treated early.

Is Pet Cancer Treatable?

In many cases pet cancer is treatable, but early detection & treatment is crucial to your pets outcome. With the help of ongoing cancer research, advances in veterinarian medicine and organizations on the front line working to find a cure there is hope. There are so many treatment options available which not only help to treat the disease but improve your pets quality of life. Speak with your vet about these treatment options and do your research beforehand so you can ask any and all questions before making a decision.

Pet cancer treatment options will be based on the type of cancer and how far it has progressed. You may be referred to a cancer specialist or vet oncologist who will work with you to determine the proper course of treatment that's right for your pet. Some of the cancer treatment options may include: surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. There are also some effective homeopathic cancer pet treatment options available which takes an holistic approach. Please seek the advice of a certified vet or holistic vet and do your research first.

What Are Some Common Cancer Terms?

Learning that your pet has cancer can be scary & hard to cope with. But like your qualified vet it is important for you to be in the know when discussing your pets health & options. Here are a few definitions worth remembering.

Tumor-A growth made of abnormal cells, also known as masses or lumps. Tumor can be either benign or malignant

Benign Tumor- non-cancerous growth usually confined only to the affected area.

Malignant Tumor-cancerous growth capable of spreading to other parts of the body

Metastasis-The spread of cancer cells from the primary affected area to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Let's not be silent to this silent killer anymore! Bark the word that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month and advise your friends on the important of annual vet checkups. Lets remember paw pals who lost the cancer battle, celebrate the lives of survivors, and give hope to those suffering. Let's see Spot run toward a cure!

Is your dog or cat a cancer survivor? We would love to hear about your pets heroic winning battle. Give someone suffering the gift of hope! Share your pets story by commenting below.




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Canine Cancer Diet: The Recipe for Helping Your Dog Fight Cancer

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, you may feel a sense of hopelessness. You begin to ask the worrisome question "What can I do?". One of the best things you can do for your dog besides the best proper treatment, love & support is to provide them with a nutritious, healthy diet. Many dogs suffering from cancer will require a special diet high in protein, unsaturated fats, omega 3's and low in complex carbohydrates & sugars. Starve cancer cells by avoiding sugar.

Many pet owners have decided to get out their doggy cookbooks. The debate still continues over raw diet and its cancer fighting benefits. Some pet owners opt to feed their dogs a raw diet, while other suggest that raw meat is never good for a dog undergoing chemotherapy and who has a low immune system. Remember, before you start your dog on any diet, you should consult with your veterinarian or holistic vet first and do your research. Every dog is different and each dog requires individualized care.

Its important that after the cancer diagnoses that your dog stays on your vets consistent & strict cancer fighting diet. This will increase your dogs chances of survival & prognosis. Like humans, a good diet also helps to boost & strengthen dogs immune system. Here are some tips to ensure your dog has a healthy and balanced diet that will help in their fight against cancer.

Its important for your dog to have protein rich food. So, what are some good sources of digestible animal protein?

Feed your dog beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, canned fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines, eggs and dairy products such as whole fat yogurt and cottage cheese. Some holistic vets suggest that dogs should eat animal proteins and some vegetables, but no foods derived from grains. They believe plant-based grains or proteins promote, rather than restrict, the growth of cancer cells.

Now on to the topic of fat content..

Its important that your dog has good a amount of fat in their diet. Meat is a good source of fat, and the fattiest meats include lamb, pork and goat. When feeding poultry, leave the skin on, which is where most of the fat resides, and use dark meat, which is higher in fat, rather than light meat. Eggs also contain fats. Canned fish is also a good source of fat. Remember that a diet high in saturated fat is very beneficial. Omega 3's found in salmon, fish & flaxseed oil can be placed in your dogs food daily (not recommended for dogs undergoing radiation therapy).

Fight Canine Cancer with Nutritious Homemade Dog Recipes

Here are some homemade dog food recipes for canine cancer sufferers from our friends at ehow. Dish up! These recipes are better healthy options then processed foods. Dogs with cancer should avoid commercial dog foods which is high in grains, starches and sugars which fuel cancer cells.

Recipe #1. Mix together 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli, 1/2 cup of cooked yellow squash and 4 oz. of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. Then add meat to the mixture. You may add 1 pound of ground beef or 1 pound of chopped chicken. This recipe will make 2 servings for a 50-pound dog or one serving for a 100-pound dog.

Recipe #2. Mix in a large bowl: 1 can salmon, 1 hard-boiled egg, 1/2 cup of chopped spinach or cabbage, 1/2 cup of carrots and 4 oz. of low-fat cottage cheese. Servings are same as above.

A dog with cancer will understandably lose his appetite, resulting in malnutrition. One simple way to stimulate his appetite is to warm his food up to release the aromas in the food. Make sure before feeding that the food is properly cooled down before serving.

Is your dog or cat a cancer survivor? We would love to hear about your pets heroic winning battle. Give someone suffering the gift of hope! Share your pets story by commenting below.




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Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !