As Articulate Animals grows and matures, so does the ArticulateAnimals.com website! The basic look and feel of the site are the same, but visit the website periodically for new and updated information, including new Frequently Asked Questions, audio clips, and past issues of the Articulate Animals newsletters.

Also new on the website is my pricing for 2009. In appreciation of all of you with whom I've had the pleasure to work in the past, the old pricing will be honored until April 1st, at which time the new fees will be in effect.

If you have had the good fortune to have an animal in your life for many years, you have probably witnessed some changes in the understanding and marketing of pet foods over the years. As more and more is known about animal health and well being, our quest for information about appropriate foods and overall nutrition increases. I would guess about 80% or more of my consultations include some component of an animal's diet. Sometimes the client/guardian needs clarification, and sometimes the animal will comment on their diet and make requests. There is so much nutritional information to gather and digest (no pun intended), and I'm certainly NOT an animal nutrition expert - I seek nutritional advice regularly from professionals. Following are holistic veterinarian Dr. Diana Roberts' comments on some of the most frequently discussed topics from my animal communication sessions.

Diana Roberts, DVM, graduated from Michigan State's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994 and practiced in upstate New York for four years before moving to Colorado. Dr. Diana enjoys working with small animals and over the years has incorporated acupuncture, herbal and homeopathic remedies, and nutritional guidance into her practice. She opened her own veterinary clinic, Harmony Animal Wellness, in September 2006. Dr. Diana lives in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, three cats, three dogs, and two horses.

Q: I feed my dogs primarily dry food because it seems as this will help with keeping their teeth clean and their gums healthier.

A: It is actually a myth that dry food saves dog's mouths. Many dogs that eat exclusively dry food have horrific oral disease. Genetics and home care really are the biggest factors involved in how healthy their mouths stay. Some breeds are truly genetically predisposed to fast tartar buildup (greyhounds and daschunds, for example). Brushing the teeth daily helps, but just as humans still need professional cleanings despite at least 2x daily brushing, so do most pets. There are some products shown to help reduce plaque buildup - ask your DMV.

Q: I have an elder, and I have recently started buying food with Glucosamine to help keep his joints healthy as he ages.

A: Foods with glucosamine rarely have enough to be truly useful for the animal, and the foods are not regulated as to quality or quantity of that glucosamine.

Q: I know it is best for my dog if I set specific meal times and take his/her food up if s/he doesn't eat it in a certain amount of time (i.e. feast and famine). However, I've always let my cat graze by leaving her food out and available to her 24/7.

A: Cats are *definitely* not designed to graze!! They are genetically designed to have periods of fasting between big meals. Grazing allows for constant demands on their insulin production and can predispose them to diabetes as well as obesity. Canned food in measured meals are ideal for cats. (This topic could be a whole newsletter itself!)

Q: We are very careful to never give table scraps or "people food" to our dogs. They get only canned and/or dry dog food.

A: Table scraps are generally not harmful to pets....depending on what's on your table! If you wouldn't eat it, don't ask your pet to do so! Be especially careful with bones and high fat foods; otherwise, the occasional tidbit should be fine if your pet is in good health and not prone to easy GI upset. Don't make scraps the bulk of his diet, just an occasional treat!

For more information about animal nutrition, talk with your local holistic veterinarian.