PROVIDE A LONGER HEALTHIER LIFE FOR YOUR PETS:
BUILD A BETTER BODY TODAY - 5 STEP PLAN

Ava Frick, DVM

There is a simple 5-step plan than will give your pet a better chance for optimal health. Those steps are; feed a better diet, supplement to fill the gaps, chiropractic visit every 6 months, regular exercise, and avoid toxin exposure where ever possible.

EATING BETTER: There is nothing like nutrients from whole food. Processing eliminates much of what nature provided. Feeding your dog or cat the options of a raw, home-cooked, dehydrated, or freeze dried, and yes, even some canned formulas, can more closely resemble what their body was designed to consume. Reading labels can be confusing and a big name company does not always correlate with optimal ingredients. There are some clever home cooking recipe books. Two of my favorites are Barker’s Grub by Rudy Edalati and Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way by Beckloff and Dye.

SUPPLEMENT TO FILL THE GAP: Age, disease conditions, eating processed diets, drugs and stress can further deprive the body of essential nutrients. There is much that can be done with whole food supplements and herbs to create a wellness within your pet. Making available to the body those vitamins and minerals that the cells need to function is the goal of Standard Process®. They now have animal formulas to make optimal nutrition easier. Visit them at www.standardprocess.com

CHIROPRACTIC EVERY 6 MONTHS: It used to be said, “Nothing runs better than a well oiled machine.” To keep the body running, the spine needs to have optimal movement and the way to make certain that is happening is with regular chiropractic visits. When selecting a chiropractic physician (DVM or DC), ask for credentials and references. Training is important and certification by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association would be the best insurance for the safety of your pet friends. www.avcadoctors.com

REGULAR EXERCISE: Yes, regular means daily. It’s good for the heart, lungs, digestion, joints and weight. And it’s good for the walker as well as the walkee. If either of you are in questionable shape, start slow and work up on a gentle gradient. Nothing can set you back quicker than soreness. For cats that need exercise try a laser-light show. Many enjoy chasing the red dot. Cats like to eat on the average of twelve times a day so moving their food around the house can be exercise. Get a schedule that works and stick with it. Before long everyone will be feeling better.

AVOID TOXIN EXPOSURE: Toxins are more prevalent than you may believe. We get exposed to deleterious elements on a daily basis without even being aware of it. Educate yourself on the toxins that you can prevent exposing your pets to. Start with not over vaccinating, and limit pesticides and herbicides when possible. Read the warning labels on all drugs and products used around your pets.

Dr. Ava Frick is owner of Animal Fitness Center, the only full service animal rehabilitation center in Missouri offering pain management, nutritional counseling, chiropractic, acupuncture, and physical rehabilitation. www.petbodybuilders.com 636.583.1700