Give Your Pet A Health Check In 5 Easy Steps

20/01/2014 – י״ט בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – י״ט בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – 09:01

Your Overweight Cat http://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/your-overweight-cat-ma.html

While many of us think about improving aspects of our health and wellbeing as we kick-start the year, this is also a great time to check the health of your furry friends at home. Here is a 5-step checklist that will help monitor your cat or dog’s health:

1. Weight: Let’s face it, during the holiday season many of us ‘treat’ our pets with scraps of left-over meat and other food… it happens.Here’s how to see if Rascal or Mittens has had a bit too much turkey under the table:
1. You should be able to feel the hip bones and shoulder blades when you apply moderate pressure to the areas.
2. When applying gentle and light pressure to the ribs, there should be no fat covering them.
3. The bit of loose skin hanging below the lower jaw is called the dewlap. When your cat or dog is overweight, the dewlap thickens and hangs heavier than usual.
4. Overweight cats usually have a hanging belly, instead of it being tucked in and covered with free, moveable skin. Dogs tend to expand around the waist area, making them look round and chubby. In addition to having a fuller waistline, being sluggish and out of breath are other signs that your dog or cat needs to go on a diet and get regular exercise more often.

2. Skin and Coat: Pay attention to the skin underneath the coat by brushing it back. Look for any bruises, flaking, rashes or reddening of the skin. By pinching the skin around the neck area, you can determine if your pet is suffering from mild dehydration — if the skin stays tented it’s normally an indication that your cat or dog needs more fluid.

Itchy skin caused by fleas, mites or an allergy, may cause your pet to scratch or bite themselves. Finding the cause of what irritates their skin will save them from feeling traumatised. Conditions like ringworm and demodex (an infestation of tiny, cigar-shaped, eight-legged mites) are more serious because they make the fur fall out.

Look for ‘flea dirt’ by combing the coat vigorously. Flea droppings show up as black specks on the skin and can be told apart from sand by placing the debris and dirt you’ve brushed out on a wet paper towel. If flea droppings are present, they will dissolve on the paper, leaving behind a red pigment — your pet’s blood, which has been swallowed by the flea.

3. Eyes: Your pet’s eyes should be clear and wide open with no discharge or swelling around the lids. The pupils should both be the same size.

Hold a small ball in front of your pet, moving it from side-to-side. Your pet should follow the movement. If not, it may indicate that they are not seeing properly, due to ageing or damage caused by scaring (after a fight or rummaging in the hedges) or an eye infection.

4. Oral health: As a general rule, your cat or dog’s teeth should be clean, white and smooth, and their gums should be salmon-pink and moist, with no signs of swelling. The black blemishes on some dogs’ gums are perfectly normal.

Pale or dry gums may be a sign of shock. Bright red and swollen gums could indicate carbon-monoxide poisoning — however this is rare. And yellowish gums can signal liver dysfunction.

Yellow or brown tartar build-up on the teeth can cause gum disease and even gingivitis (red, swollen and bleeding gums), which usually is caused by a bacterial infection.

5. Ears: Gently remove earwax from the inside of the ears with a warm washcloth. There should be no discharge or swelling on the inside of the ear. Touching the base of the ear should not be painful. If you suspect that your pet might have an ear infection, visit your vet as soon as possible since long-term ear infections can cause narrowing of the ear canals and it can also damage the eardrums.

It’s worth doing these health checks on a regular basis, even if your pet appears to be healthy. If you suspect that Rascal or Mittens may be suffering from an underlying condition — especially when you see signs of infection — book an appointment with your vet sooner rather than later. After all, we call them our ‘best friends’ so we have all the reason to treat them as such.

Cat Exercise

How to Have a Healthy Outdoor Cat

http://www.pcpsi.com/2013/03/12/healthy-outdoor-cat/

Natural flea and tick remedies that avoid exposure to toxic chemicals

Monday, September 17, 2018 by: Zoey Sky
https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-09-17-natural-flea-and-tick-remedies.html

(Natural News) When it comes to pet care, fleas and ticks are some of the most annoying problems that you may have to deal with. These parasites spell bad news for your pets – particularly dogs and cats – because they cause diseases, itching, and skin damage and infections.

There are different pet care products that can get rid of fleas and ticks, but they are linked to negative side effects. This is one reason why concerned pet owners prefer to use homeopathic flea and tick remedies instead. Thankfully, there are safe home remedies that you can use to keep these pests off of your four-legged pals.

Homeopathic remedies are natural treatments that are safer to use because, unlike store-bought medications, they don’t contain harsh chemicals or other toxic ingredients.

If your pet has fleas or ticks, try some of the remedies listed below.

Black walnut hulls – Black walnut trees produce a natural acidic insecticide called juglone that seeps from the tree’s leaves and roots then permeate the nut hulls. The acid from the juglone inside the hulls helps repel fleas. Black walnut hulls are available in capsule or liquid form.
Brewer’s yeast – Brewer’s yeast, a popular natural supplement, can be combined with garlic to make an effective flea home remedy. Brewer’s yeast is sold in both powder and tablet form. The correct dose depends on the form of yeast that you use. For the powdered form, the recommended amount is half a teaspoon per pound of body weight. For tablets, follow the dose directions on the product label.
Cedar oil – Cedar oil is a natural repellent for nasty ticks. To get rid of ticks, apply cedar oil on tick-infested areas on your dog. Do not spray the oil into your pet’s face and eyes. Take a soft cloth, spray some of the oil on it, then carefully wipe the cloth around your dog’s face.
Citrus – To prepare a natural tick repellent oil from citrus fruits, take some organic lemon or orange peels then boil them. Let the mixture cool, then apply it directly to any affected areas on your dog.
Garlic – Fleas hate the taste of garlic, and one way of protecting your dog from fleas is feeding him some garlic. This makes his blood inedible to the parasites. Garlic is available in pill form, but using garlic cloves or powder is more effective. Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, and author of “The New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats,” explained that the recommended amount for dogs (per pound, per day) is as follows: 10 to 15 pounds = half a clove of garlic, 20 to 40 pounds = one clove, 45 to 70 pounds = two cloves, 75 to 90 pounds = two and a half cloves, and 100 pounds and over = three cloves. Take note that you can’t feed garlic to a dog with a pre-existing anemic condition. (Related: Natural remedies for keeping creepy crawlies off people, pets and livestock.)
Sulfur – Dietary sulfur is a crucial nutrient. Sulfur, a component of various amino acids, is also a natural flea repellent. Once ingested, sulfur creates a scent on the skin of dogs that keeps fleas away. Sulfur can be given in either liquid or tablet form. Mix dietary sulfur into dog food or administer it orally.

The power of the elements: Discover Colloidal Silver Mouthwash with quality, natural ingredients like Sangre de Drago sap, black walnut hulls, menthol crystals and more. Zero artificial sweeteners, colors or alcohol. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store and help support this news site.

Even products labeled “natural” are not always safe. Check the label carefully for dosage directions and always monitor your dog after using a homeopathic medication. Consult a veterinarian before using any of the remedies above to ensure that it is safe for your pet and that it won’t cause any negative side effects. Ask if the remedy you plan on using could affect your pet’s allergies or other pre-existing conditions.

Try some of these natural remedies to keep harmful parasites like fleas and ticks off of your furry best friends.

Read more articles about natural flea and tick home remedies for your pets at PetHealth.news.

Sources include:

Homeo-Pathic.ESY.es

OrganicDailyPost.com

Tu B’Shevat-How and What to check for Bugs

10/01/2014 – ט׳ בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – ט׳ בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – 15:17

It’s time for Tu B’Shevat

A Rare Opportunity to Plant Fruit Trees in Israel

Closeup of floating insects when barley is submerged.

Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for trees, is this coming Thursday, January 16, 2014.

From: Rav Lazer Brody Why in the world does Judaism require a New Year for trees?

Here’s a better question: The nations of the world, in protesting our right to the Land of Israel, claim that all the other religions are fine with living in a variety of countries, so why must the Jews have their own land?

Many Jews don’t know the answer to this seemingly-probing question. Yet, the answer is surprisingly simple. It also explains why we have a special New Year for trees, when it’s a special mitzva to plant trees all over the Land of Israel.

From:Ask OU Kosher
Q: Are there any kashrut concerns with plain vegetables?

A: Yes. Different varieties of certain fresh or frozen vegetables could potentially contain insects, which are considered not kosher and prohibited. Vegetables that have this concern must be checked before they are prepared or consumed, to ensure that there aren’t any insects hiding in cracks, crevices, or grooves of the vegetable. Moreover, canned vegetables could potentially be cooked in equipment that also processes genuinely non-kosher products, such as pork and beans. Vegetables that are from Israel are also subject to additional requirements of mitzvos hateluyos be’aretz.

Below are links to PFD files from the various rabbonim and institutions with their instructions as to what fruits require inspection and how this is done
From Jerusalem Kosher News: Tu B’Shevat & How and What to Check

Tu-b’Shevat Seven Species

R Vaye Tu B’Shevat 5774

R Landau 15 Shevat 5774

Kosarot Tu B’SHevat5774

Eida Tu B’Shevat

המכון מצוות התלויות בארץ טו בשבט

ר וייא טו בשבט תשעד

המכון תורה והארץ טו בשבט

Rav Elchanan Elgrod: Breslov Posek-The laws and customs of Tu B’Shevat-24January2013

click to Download

R Vaye Tu B’Shevat 5774 Page 1

R Vaye Tu B’Shevat 5774 Page 2

Click here for larger image

R Landau 15 Shevat 5774-Page 1

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R Landau 15 Shevat 5774-Page 2

Kabbalistic Tu B’shvat Seder

On Tu B’Shvat, you can ponder a world-full of fruits for hours.

by Yitzhak Buxbaum http://www.aish.com/h/15sh/ho/48965616.html
– Copyrighted material used with permission from A Person is Like a Tree: A Sourcebook for Tu BeShvat, by Yitzhak Buxbaum (Jason Aronson Inc.), available from www.bn.com.

(1) INTRODUCTION

Tu B’Shvat is the New Year for the Trees. As in all other points in the Jewish calendar, Tu B’Shvat offers a unique opportunity for insight into living and personal growth. Throughout the centuries, Kabbalists have used the tree as a metaphor to understand God’s relationship to the spiritual and physical worlds. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, in his 18th century classic The Way of God, teaches that the higher spiritual realms are roots that ultimately manifest their influence through branches and leaves in the lower realms.

In the 16th century, the Kabbalists of Tzfat compiled a Tu B’Shvat seder, somewhat similar to the seder for Passover. It involves enjoying the fruits of the tree, particularly those native to the Land of Israel, and discusses philosophical and Kabbalistic concepts associated with the day. Among other things, the seder is a great way to appreciate the bounty that we so often take for granted, and to develop a good and generous eye for the world around us.

The seder presented here is based primarily on the Kabbalistic work, Chemdat Yamim, later published separately under the title Pri Aitz Hadar.

PREPARATIONS

To enjoy this experience in your own home, try to prepare the basic items mentioned below. Don’t worry if you can’t find all these items; do the best you can. Since the order and the contents of the seder do not follow a specific Jewish law, there is much room for flexibility and creativity.

You will need lots of fruit, including:

The seven species by which the Land of Israel is praised:
1. Figs
2. Dates
3. Pomegranates
4. Olives
5. Grapes(or raisins)
6. wheat and barley (in the form of bread, cake or cereal)
Various nuts with the shells (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, coconut), and fruits with peels (oranges, pomegranates, avocado)
Other fruits with edible seeds (e.g. blueberries)
Other fruits with inedible pits (e.g. peaches, plums)
Wine or grape juice, both white and red
charity box

Important note: Since insects are not kosher, check your fruits to make sure they are bug-free. Bugs are especially common in figs, dates, and dried apricots. To check, split the fruit in half and look carefully before eating.

(2) THE SEDER BEGINS

The leader asks:

Why do we celebrate the New Year for fruit trees on Tu B’Shvat?

All say:

Since the Holy Temple was destroyed, the Jewish people could no longer bring the First Fruits (Bikkurim) to Jerusalem. On Tu B’Shvat we offer instead the fruit of our lips, to praise God for all the fruit trees in the world.

A participant says:

Tu Bishvat marks a new period for taking tithes, a portion of which is given to the poor. Therefore:

When a person is privileged to eat in the presence of God, he must show his appreciation by giving charity to the poor and feeding them, just as God in His bounty feeds him. ( Zohar – Parshat Trumah)

At this point it is appropriate to pass around a ‘pushka’ to collect tzedakah. After the seder, the money should be donated to a worthy cause.

A participant says:

The Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashana says that Tu B’Shvat is New Year for the TREE (singular). This reference to a singular tree alludes to The Tree — the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden.

And God said: ‘Let the earth put forth grass, herb-yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit of its kind.’ ‘Fruit tree’ means the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which put forth blossoms and fruit. ‘Bearing fruit’ is the tzaddik, the basis of the world. ‘Of its kind’ means all the human beings who have in them the spirit of holiness, which is the blossom of that tree. This is the covenant of holiness, the covenant of peace — and the faithful enter into that kind and do not depart from it. The Tzaddik generates, and the tree conceives and brings forth fruit of its kind. ( Zohar – Bereishit 33a)

Meditation:

One should intend that he is eating at the celestial table before God, in the Garden of Eden before the Divine Presence. ( Raishit Chochma — Shar HaKedusha)

Take a few moments and think deeply about being in the company of God… sitting at His table… experiencing the sublime spiritual pleasure of a relationship with the Creator Himself.

Discussion questions:

A) When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they were permitted to eat only fruits and vegetables. Only after Noah’s Flood did God permit meat. In what ways is it considered spiritually higher to eat meat? And in what ways is it considered spiritually higher to be a vegetarian?

B) There were two trees in the center of the Garden: the Tree of Life (representing Torah and eternal life) and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (representing death and distortion). Another way of expressing this distinction is that the Tree of Life is objective wisdom, while the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is personal experience. Why would Adam and Eve have chosen to eat from the latter, especially since God had explicitly instructed them not to?

A participant says:

Man’s very name — Adam — is derived from the word Earth, adama. While man is at once the pinnacle of creation, the master and caretaker of the world, he is also dependent on the earth for his most basic needs. The Torah, in outlining the negative commandment of destroying fruit trees, refers to man himself as a tree of the field (Deut. 20:19). Our sages learn from this verse a prohibition against any needless destruction. In other words, fruit trees serve as the archetype for man’s relationship and responsibility to his environment.

It was through a mistake in eating fruit that caused Adam and Eve’s exile from the Garden of Eden. Eating fruit is a metaphor for our interaction with this world. Correct usage leads to a perfected world and spiritual bliss. Misuse leads to destruction and spiritual degradation. The seder of Tu B’Shvat is our opportunity to rectify the past iniquity and return once again to our rightful place within the Garden.

All say:

Adam and Eve erred by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. To correct this mistake, we eat our fruit today with pure intentions, as if from the Tree of Life.

A participant says:

Rabbi Chaim Vital wrote:

My teacher [the holy Arizal] used to say that one must intend while eating the fruits [at the Tu B’Shvat Seder] to repair the sin of Adam who erred by eating fruit from the tree.

Partaking in the physical world inappropriately, for its own sake, lowers us spiritually and diminishes our enjoyment. The solution is to engage in the physical world as a means to a worthy end — i.e. appreciating the greatness of God who created all.

(3) THE SEDER CONTINUES

A participant says:

In the Talmud, Rabbi Abbun said: In the next world, a person will be judged for all the fine fruit that he saw but did not eat.

Rabbi Elazar fulfilled this teaching. Although he was very poor, he saved up small coins which he kept in a special pouch, to purchase new fruits as they came into season. He tried to make a blessing over every kind of fruit at least once a year.

Why is one held accountable for not eating a new fruit when presented with the opportunity?

Because each life form, even fruit, is entrusted to a specific angel. By saying a blessing over a fruit, we empower that angel to reproduce more of that fruit. One who refrains from partaking of a fruit deprives the world of the spiritual influence that the blessing would have provided. ( Chemdat Yamim )

The Talmud says that someone who eats and doesn’t say a blessing is considered a thief. Why? Because every aspect of God’s creation is inherently holy. So when one eats a piece of fruit, he is depriving the world of a piece of holiness. A blessing re-infuses the world with holiness. Eating without a blessing, however, lowers the level of holiness in the world without replacing the loss — and is regarded as theft. (Maharal of Prague)

A participant says:

The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidut, was once visiting the home of Rabbi Yaakov Koppel. When Rabbi Yaakov danced in front of his Shabbos table for an hour, the Baal Shem Tov asked to explain this unusual custom. Rabbi Yaakov replied: Before I taste physical food, I absorb the food’s spiritual essence. In doing so, I become so excited that I sing and dance!

The leader says:

Everything in the physical world is a metaphor for a deeper spiritual concept.

Eating is to the body, what knowledge is to the soul. When we eat, we internalize the good part of the food — and through that we grow and develop. Similarly, when we learn a new piece of information, we must chew it over, digest it, and integrate it into our very being. Only then can we truly grow in wisdom and spirituality.

(4) GRAIN PRODUCTS

Now comes the part we’ve been waiting for: drinking wine and enjoying other delicacies!

Wheat and barley are the first two of the seven species connected to the greatness of the Land of Israel, as it says: A land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey (Deut. 8:8).

We begin by eating bread or cake. When Tu B’Shvat falls on Shabbat, it is appropriate to incorporate the seder into one of the Shabbat meals, using challah as the bread.

The leader says:

Before saying the blessing, let us pause and reflect on our good fortune. God has given us innumerable blessings, enabling us to enjoy this food. God could easily have arranged for humans to be nourished by photosynthesis like plants, or by eating bland oatmeal, or by taking pills. Instead, He created a seemingly endless variety of appetizing and nourishing foods for us to enjoy. He gave us taste buds, and many miraculous organs with which to eat and digest the food.

A blessing is a thank-you note to our Creator. The sages say: Who is the wealthy person? The one who is happy with what he has. The more we appreciate our gifts, the more sincere is our thanks, and the more sublime is our pleasure.

If eating cake or cereal, recite the following blessing:

Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam, boray minay mezonos.

Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates species of nourishment.

If eating bread, begin with the washing of the hands, twice on both hands and say:

Kabbalistic Tu B’shvat Seder-wash

As we raise our hands, we remind ourselves that the food we are about to eat — even though it was made by a human being — ultimately comes from God. As the verse says: He would feed him with the finest wheat (Psalms 81:17).

Without speaking from the time of the washing, we then recite the blessing on the bread:

Kabbalistic Tu B’shvat Seder-bread

A participant says:

The verse says: ‘When you eat the bread of the Land, you shall bring an offering to God’ (Numbers 15:19). This refers to the waving (tenufah) of the Omer. Tenufah can be read as tenu feh — give a mouth. The mouth is symbolic of the honor we give to God. Hence the Omer was waved to show that we give to God this mouth, since the chief praise of God is when the Jewish people give Him honor and glory.

Why was the Omer made from barley and not from wheat? Because barley ripens first. Wheat (chita) is the more perfect food, being symbolic of the elimination of sin (chet). There are those who say that wheat is the plant with which Adam sinned. ( Zohar – Balak 189a)

Meditation:

Savor each bite of the cake or bread. Appreciate that God loves us and created everything for our good.

(5) FRUIT

On Tu B’Shvat, we eat the fruit by which God Himself praises the Land of Israel. As the verse says: The trees have borne their fruit, fig tree and vine have yielded their strength. Children of Zion be happy, rejoice in the Lord, your God. (Yoel 2:22-23)

If you have a preference, eat the fruits in the order you most enjoy. Otherwise the order of eating should be: olives, dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates.

Say the following blessing and then eat one of the fruits:

Baruch Ata Adod-nai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-aitz.

Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

If there is a seasonal fruit at the table which you have not yet tasted this season, say the following additional blessing before eating the fruit:

Baruch Ata Ado-noi, Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam, sheh-he-che-yanu vi-kee-yimanu vi-hee-gee-yanu laz-man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Take each fruit one by one, as the appropriate paragraph below is recited. Enjoy the many unique flavors and textures. Reflect on the reality that the Creator of time and space wants us to take pleasure in everything that He put into the world.

Participants take turns saying the following paragraphs:

Olives:

God called your name ‘a green olive tree, nice and beautiful fruit.’ (Jeremiah 11:16)

Your children shall be like olive plants around your table. (Psalms 123:3)

Rabbi Yehoshuah Ben Levi said: Why is Israel compared to an olive tree? Because just as the leaves of an olive tree do not fall off either in summer or winter, so too the Jewish people shall not be cast off — neither in this world nor in the World to Come. (Talmud – Menachot 53b)

The Sages taught: Just as olive oil brings light into the world, so do the people of Israel bring light into the world. (Midrash — Shir HaShirim Raba 1:2)

Dates:

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree (Psalms 92:13). The righteous are fruitful and sweet, just like a date palm.

Your stature is like a palm tree (Song of Songs 7:8). Just as the palm tree doesn’t bend or sway, so too the Jewish people.

No part of the palm tree is wasted. The dates are for eating; the Lulav branches are for waving in praise on Sukkot; the dried thatch is for roofing; the fibers are for ropes; the leaves are for sieves; and the trunk is for house beams. So too, every one of the Jewish people is needed. Some are knowledgeable in Bible, others in Mishnah, others in Aggada (homiletic understanding of the Torah). Still others perform many mitzvot, and others give much charity. (Midrash – Bamidbar Raba 3:1)

Grapes:

Just as a vine has large and small clusters and the large ones hang lower, so too the Jewish people: Whoever labors in Torah and is greater in Torah, seems lower than his fellow [due to his humility]. (Midrash – Vayikra Raba 36:2)

Figs:

Rabbi Yochanan said: What is the meaning of ‘He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit’? (Proverbs 27:18) Why is the Torah compared to a fruit tree? Figs on a tree do not ripen all at once, but a little each day. Therefore, the longer one searches in the tree, the more figs he finds. So too with Torah: The more one studies, the more knowledge and wisdom one finds. (Talmud – Eruvin 54a)

Pomegranates:

Let us get up early to the vineyards. Let us see if the vine has flowered, if the grape blossoms have opened, if the pomegranates have budded. There I will give you my love.

If the pomegranates have budded. These are the little children who study Torah and sit in rows in their class like the seeds of a pomegranate. (Midrash – Shir HaShirim Rabba 6:11)

For discussion:

Rami Bar Yechezkel once came to Bnei Brak and saw goats grazing under a fig tree. Honey was dripping from the figs and milk from the goats — and they became intermingled. He said: Behold, a land flowing with milk and honey! (Talmud – Ketubot 111b)

Ask participants to share a story or experience he/she had while in the Land of Israel.

(6) WINE:

At the Tu B’Shvat seder, it is traditional to drink four cups of wine, similar to the Passover seder.

First Cup – pure white
Second Cup – pale pink (white with a drop of red wine)
Third Cup – darker pink (with more red added)
Fourth Cup – almost totally red (with only a drop of white)

A participant says:

White wine represents nature in potential. Red wine represents nature in full bloom. On this day, we begin to leave the winter behind and move into a period of renewal and life.

It is stated in the Zohar: Wine has two colors — white and red. White is from the right side [of kindness]; red from the left side [of strength and judgment].

As we progress from white to red, we move from potential to actuality. We are able to appreciate God’s judgment as well as His kindness. We see God’s design and goodness in the world with increasing clarity.

A participant says:

Wine rejoices the heart of man. This refers to the wine of Torah. Yayin (Hebrew for wine) equals 70, the numerical value of Sod, meaning secret. [Wine represents the hidden aspects of the Torah.] ( Zohar — Parshat Pinchas).

A participant says:

The Talmudic section dealing with agriculture is called trust in God. When a farmer plants a seed, trust in God gives him the strength to survive the winter. On Tu B’Shvat he begins to see that trust rewarded.

Similarly, when we plant a seed for personal growth, it requires trust and patience to survive the ‘cold,’ before we see the fruits of our labor.

We will now drink four cups of wine (or grape juice) in conjunction with four different categories of fruit. Each of these pairs correspond to each of the four spiritual realms (from lowest to highest):

action — asiah
formation -– yetzirah
creation -– briah
emanation of pure Godliness — atzilut

Each level becomes more spiritual and connected to the Creator. As we eat, we elevate the fruits — and ourselves — through the various levels, rising higher and higher.

A participant says:

The Almighty said: Although wine can be a source of trouble in this world, in the future I shall make it only a source of joy, as it says: ‘And it shall come to pass on that day, that the mountains will drip with sweet wine’ (Yoel 3:18). (Midrash – Vayikra Raba 12:5)

Pour the first cup of wine (all white):

All say the following blessing, and then drink from the wine (if you haven’t already done so during Kiddush):

Baruch Ata Adon-ai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-gafen. Blessed are you God, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the vine.

Slow down and really enjoy the taste of the wine. The most prestigious universities offer courses in wine tasting. There’s a lot to appreciate in life. Be a connoisseur!

The leader says:

We now eat fruits with inedible shells or peels. For example: nuts, pomegranate, oranges, avocado. The edible part of the fruit corresponds to perfection and purity, while the inedible is connected to deficiency and impurity. This is parallel to the realm of action (asiah), the lowest of the spiritual worlds — a world which is enveloped by materialism, just as the fruit is enveloped in its peel/shell.

A participant says:

Rabbi Tarfon compared the Jewish people to a pile of walnuts. If one walnut is removed, each and every nut in the pile is shaken and disturbed. So too, when a single Jew is in distress, every other Jew is shaken. (Midrash – Shir HaShirim Raba 6:11)

A participant says:

As it is the virtue of a nut to be closed in from all sides, so too the Heavenly Chariot which goes out of the Garden of Eden is hidden on all sides. And just as the four sections of a walnut are united at one side and separated on the other, so are all parts of the Heavenly Chariot united in perfect union — and yet each part fulfills a specific purpose. ( Zohar – Shmot 15b)

Meditation:

As you toss away the peels and shells, see one of your bad character traits (anger, impatience, etc.) being tossed away. In your mind’s eye, picture the bad trait as the shell. Then, as you toss it away, feel the trait leaving you. That’s not the real you. The real you is the fruit… delicious and nourishing. See the trait going into the garbage.

(7) CUPS 2, 3,4

Drink the second cup — pale pink (white with a drop of red).

The leader says:

We now eat fruits with inedible pits. For example: dates, olives, peaches, plums, cherries. This stage is comparable to the realm of formation (yetzirah).

The edible parts of the fruit represent holiness. Pits represent impurities which have penetrated the holiness.

As the color of the wine begins to gets darker, we can start to see potential turn into reality. The inedible part has now moved from the outside to the inside of the fruit. This is an advancement toward purity. In addition, the inedible part is no longer waste; it is a seed with potential to grow.

Meditation:

Imagine one of your bad traits as this seed. Really see it. Then, see that trait growing and developing into something great. This trait no longer holds you back, but propels you forward. Many great people have turned their faults into assets. You too can become great.

Drink the third cup of wine (dark pink).

The leader says:

Now we eat fruits that are completely edible: blueberries. This is the realm of creation (briah), the highest level in the created world. (The three lower worlds — asiyah, yetzirah, and briah — are referred to as ma’aseh bereishit, the act of creation. )

Meditation:

Things are coming close to their full potential. Even the seeds are now edible. They not only have future potential, but are also delicious and ready to eat right now.

Think about an area of life you would like to improve. Picture your ideal self. Realize that’s the real you. Now, for the rest of Tu B’Shvat, actually be that person. Act as if you’re already there. The experience can be transformational.

Drink the fourth cup (red with a drop of white).

The leader says:

We now taste the fruit on the table with the best fragrance. This is comparable to the realm of pure Godliness (atzilut). This level is called the ma’aseh merkava, the act of the Chariot. The prophet Ezekiel saw a Chariot in his vision relating to the mysteries of creation.

A participant says:

In Leviticus 23:40, the Esrog is described as pri aitz hadar — fruit of the majestic tree. The Esrog is the most spiritual of all trees, as it’s fruit and bark both have fine taste and smell.

On Tu B’Shvat, when all trees are judged, it is fitting to pray for a beautiful Esrog during the coming Sukkot.

A participant says:

The sense of smell is the purest and most elevated. It is through the nose that God invested Adam with a soul, as it says, God breathed into man’s nostrils a breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Since there is no perceptible physical matter to smell, it is the most spiritual and Godly of the five senses. Burning the fragrant incense was designated as the holiest act of the Jewish year — performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.

(8) CONCLUSION

The leader says:

Eating 12 different fruits is significant, since this corresponds to the 12 different arrangements of the four-letter ineffable Name of God. Upon eating the 12th fruit, we recite the verse:

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit each person under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Micah 4:3-4)

Eating 15 different fruits is also significant, since this is the numerical value of Yud-Heh, the Name of God which connects the physical to the spiritual, between this world and the next world. In the Holy Temple, the Levites would sing each of the 15 Shir HaMa’alot Psalms as they ascended each of the 15 steps.

After-blessing:

After enjoying all the wonderful pleasures that God has given us, we complete the process with a meaningful, heartfelt thanks to the Creator.

Those who ate bread say the full Grace After Meals. Otherwise, we say the three-faceted blessing — including the relevant lines for cake, wine, and/or fruit, plus the special insertion for Shabbat if applicable. The text of these blessings are found in the ArtScroll Siddur (www.artscroll.com).

A participant says:

Rabbi Abba taught: There is no more revealed redemption — no greater indication of the impending redemption — than that which the verse (Ezekiel 36:8) states: And you, mountains of Israel, you shall give forth your branches and you shall bear your fruit for my people Israel, for they shall soon come. (Talmud – Sanhedrin 98a)

Rashi explains: When the Land of Israel will give fruit bountifully, this is an indication of the impending redemption, and there is no greater indication than this.

Conclusion:

We come to the end of the Tu B’Shvat seder. We have only touched the surface of the true meaning of the holiday and of the significance of trees and fruit in God’s creation. That is the beauty of the Jewish calendar. Each year we celebrate the same holidays, yet each year we grow and develop many new insights.

The rest of the evening is spent singing and learning Torah. Next year in Jerusalem!

Published: January 26, 2003

Dry Bones Tu B’Shevat-5784

A Rare Opportunity to Plant Fruit Trees in Israel

Monday, 18 January 2021 https://www.brodyhealth.com/2021/01/hashem-is-so-fantastic-just-yesterday-i-posted-a-full-length-shiur-about-the-importance-of-fulfilling-the-mitzvoth-of-the-l.html

Hashem is so fantastic! Just yesterday, I posted a full-length shiur about the importance of fulfilling the mitzvoth of the Land of Israel, especially with Tu B’Shvat a week from Thursday. After the shiur, I had this gnawing feeling at my heart. As a lover of the Land of Israel and a tree-fruit farmer who has planted hundreds, maybe thousands of trees all over Israel, I can’t begin to explain the importance of planting fruit trees in settling our holy homeland. You see, a high-tech professional can work from his desktop or labtop anywhere, but a tree farmer has his hands, heart and entire life here in the Land of Israel. In fact, when you partner with a Torah-observant tree-fruit farmer in Israel, you also partner in the mitzoth of orlah, neta reva’i, trumah, maaser, shemittah and yishuv ha’aretz, settling the Land of Israel.

With amazing Divine Providence, my good friends at IsraelTrees.org, a branch of Zo Artzeinu, contacted me this morning and asked if I’d like to offer people the opportunity to plant fruit trees in the Land of Israel. They had to be kidding! Of course! Right now, farmers in Israel begin planting now for the upcoming Shmitta; you can share in this fantastic mitzva and in the blessing that goes along with it. But I made a deal with them – if anyone comes to them from my recommendation, they have to double the plantings. I don’t care how they do it, but they agreed – a deal’s a deal, and everyone’s a winner. Here’s your chance for a really meaningful Tu B’Shvat. When you order the trees, fill in the Promo Code box, “Lazer“, and you’ll get double the trees to your credit. Hashem says, “I will ordain My Blessing for you” (Leviticus 25:21); double the planting, double the Blessing!

Tu B-shvat-opportunity to plant fruit trees in the Land of Israel.

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By Staff | Posted in Aliyah: Jewish immigration to Israel, Chagim - Holidays | Tagged 15 Shevat, Checking for Bugs, Kabbalistic Tu B'shvat Seder, Kosher, Tu B'Shevat | Comments Off

Madam – Your cat is too fat

22/10/2013 – י״ט במרחשוון ה׳תשע״ד – י״ט במרחשוון ה׳תשע״ד – 18:33

Obesity in Cats … and What to do About an Overweight Cat

petMD Staff October 31, 2201 https://www.post-gazette.com/pets/pet360/2011/03/02/Obesity-in-Cats-and-What-to-do-About-an-Overweight-Cat/stories/201103020555

This Thursday, April 19, 2012 photo provided by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Steketee holds Meow, a 2-year-old tabby at the shelter in Santa Fe, N.M. Meow, arrived at the shelter weighing in at over 39 pounds, after his elderly owner could no longer care for the feline. The shelter plans to put the cat on a special diet so he can lose weight gradually. Adult cats typically weigh between 7 and 12 pounds. (AP Photo/Santa Fe Animal Shelter, Ben Swan)

Ever wonder what to do about your overweight cat? Overweight and actually obese cats outnumber cats of normal weight and are being seen more and more commonly by veterinarians for various disorders. In fact, obesity in cats can predispose the cat to diabetes, hepatic lipidosis and arthritis.

However, weight loss plans in cats needs to be approached very carefully. Here we will try and assist you with your overweight cats so that your kitty won’t have to be encumbered by obesity.

A 2011 study by APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention) found that over 50 percent of cats were either obese or overweight. So what is happening that predisposes our domestic felines to a life of sedentary obesity?

The answer is multifactorial but to simplify, just remember this: any individual mammal (dog, cat, horse, human, etc.) will gain body weight if it consumes more calories than it burns as fuel for energy. That’s pretty simple, but true.

In nature, food acquisition has never been a sure thing for any creature — not for canines, felines or humans. So food acquisition has always been accompanied by physical exertion to capture (or cultivate) and consume the food.

It is only in recent times that the unnatural situation of food excess, readily acquired and consumed with little accompanying physical exertion, has become a way of life. We humans have figured how not to have to do all that work of capturing and cultivating to build up stores of food.

Through agricultural expertise we have learned how to grow food and raise livestock and to have those food sources readily available and in abundance … just in case we get hungry! We learned how to refrigerate, dry, preserve and store foods in large quantities that assured us we would not have to endure long and unsuccessful hunting forays nor suffer through famines.

We have also created the very same food acquisition assurances for our domestic dogs and cats. They, as we, no longer have to hunt to survive. Indeed, we no longer even have to live outdoors.

It’s interesting that our pets have mirrored our own tendency to have trouble with weight control. The major difference, though, is that we humans have complete control over what our pets eat and how much they eat. Unless your cat is sneaking into the fridge and making ham and cheese sandwiches late at night when no one is around, the only way they get to eat is when YOU place the food in front of them.

Every veterinarian has repeatedly heard a serious-minded cat (or dog) owner state “I know you think she’s overweight, Doctor, but it isn’t from the food! She hardly eats a thing.”

Well, is the pet overweight from high calorie air? Maybe it’s the water … or from laying on that couch all the time. That’s it! The couch is making the kitty fat, not the food.

Seriously, far too many pet owners truly believe that food intake has nothing at all to do with their pet’s weight and no amount of counseling will convince them otherwise. If that describes your position, read no further because the rest of this article is all about how to feed the proper food and in the correct quantity so that the cat will lose weight safely or maintain an optimum weight. There will be nothing in this article about the effect of high calorie air, water or comfortable furniture on the cat’s weight problem.

Any cat that is overweight should have a physical exam performed, exact weight measured and blood and urine tests run. It is vital that normal thyroid hormone levels are present and that the cat has no physical or metabolic dysfunction.

If the cat is physically normal — other than the abnormal body weight from fat deposition — then a gradual and careful weight loss program can be instituted.

First, let’s look at what the causes of obesity are and what we can do to correct OUR mistakes …

Free Choice Feeding

The main reason for feline obesity (as well as obesity in other mammals) is the consumption of too much food. Deny it all you want but it is a fact.

What we do…
Many cats are fed “free choice,” which means there is food available all the time and the cat eats whenever it wants. (Pretty unnatural for a true carnivore that evolved as a hunting machine!) Free choice feeding has probably been the biggest single factor contributing to feline obesity.

What we should do…
Feed two to four small portions daily and control the amounts fed so that over a period of time the cat does not gain weight. Many pet owners must downsize what theythink is a “normal” portion. A meal for a 175-pound human might weigh 16 to 24 ounces. A seven-pound cat weighs 1/25 of the 175-pound human.

So a cat’s meal should proportionally be about 1/25 of a human meal. That comes out to between 0.6 and 1.0 ounce of food per meal for a seven-pound cat… about the same weight as a mouse. Cat owners must stop thinking in terms of “cups of food” and start thinking in terms of ounces of food.

Carbohydate

Cats, unlike most mammals, have no carbohydrate-digesting enzyme called Amylase in their saliva. Humans and dogs do and actually begin the digestion of carbohydrate in the mouth. In the intestine, amylase secreted from the pancreas breaks down large carbohydrate molecules into absorbable smaller units of glucose. Cats have measurably less amylase activity than humans or dogs. Nature did not intend the kitty to be a carbohydrate consumer.

What we do…
We purchase convenient, attractively packaged and preserved dry foods mainly because we can pour it in the bowl and forget it. Dry pet food must have higher levels of flour and sugar than canned foods so that the kibble will stay uniform and not fall apart. Spoiling doesn’t readily occur because of the preservatives so the kitty can eat whenever it wants and we don’t have to prepare cat meals very often. Unfortunately, especially with dry diets, because of the metabolic biochemistry that converts the high carbohydrate content in almost all of today’s commercial cat foods into stored fat, the cat is really at risk for weight gain.

What we should do…
Feed a diet consistent with the nature of a true carnivore… a meat based diet. An ideal feline diet will have a high protein level in the 35 to 45 percent range on a dry matter basis (meaning the percent in the diet when the water has been removed) and moderate fat content with a low percentage of carbohydrate (grains).

A multitude of research reports have proven that diets high in protein and fat are most beneficial for carnivores. Cats cannot handle large carbohydrate loads efficiently. After a meal rich in carbohydrate the feline’s blood level of glucose tends to stay higher than normal for long periods of time. They become persistently hyperglycemic and this long term stimulus on the beta cells in the pancreas — the cells that produce insulin — renders those cells less sensitive to the blood glucose. As a result less insulin is secreted to bring down the blood sugar level. Nutritionists call this “down regulating’ of the beta cells; the insensitivity of the insulin secreting beta cells leads to what is termed “insulin resistance”. This scenario is a prelude to diabetes.

Protein

We all know how cats crave mice and birds as a food source. A natural source of nutrition for carnivores, mice and birds are a perfect diet for a cat. Did you know that a mouse or a bird is composed of only 3 to 8 percent carbohydrate? And most of that is actually from what the prey was eating and is in the prey’s digestive tract. The rest is water, a few minerals, and mostly protein and fat.

What we do…
Many of us purchase dry cat foods, some with food coloring to make it look like meat and with flour and sugars and preservatives. We buy these dry foods partly because they state that it is COMPLETE and BALANCED for cats and because it is convenient for us to pour a few days’ worth of food into a bowl for the kitty to eat whenever it wants. Unfortunately, most dry cat food brands are relatively low in protein… especially the less expensive brands that state a grain such as corn as the first (major) ingredient.

Another associated problem is the myth that we often feed our cats (and dogs) too much protein. This indefensible myth… that protein causes kidney problems… is totally unfounded and has caused more dogs and cats to suffer from poor diets than just about any other cause. Go here to see reasons why this myth is just that… a myth with no scientific affirmation.)

What we should do…
We must feed cats a diet with high percentages of protein and fat and low percentages of carbohydrate (grains) if we expect them to maintain optimum body weights and a proper state of nutrition. Protein is THE key nutrient in a carnivore diet. On a dry weight basis… where the percent of ingredients is determined without any water in the ration… a feline’s diet should contain 35 to 45 percent protein, 40 percent fat, and possibly just a small percentage of carbohydrate. (Remember… a true carnivore needs NO carbohydrate in the diet.) Some nutritionists suggest 25 percent carbohydrate, 50 percent protein, 25 percent fat.

Cat Treats

We seem to think we need to reward our cats with food — and that’s why cat treats are so popular. Nearly every cat caretaker has relented, too, when our cat has begun to vocalize, roam restlessly and seem to “need something”. This is normal interactive behavior for a cat and has no relationship to the cat being hungry! But we perceive the kitty to be hungry so we give it a treat as a snack. And most cat treats are specially flavored to be irresistible to cats, otherwise they wouldn’t sell well and there’d be no profit for the manufacturer.

Give your cat a treat for vocalizing and you have rewarded it for vocalizing, and you have just taught the cat to vocalize even more. If you MUST give cat treats to your cat, read below how to do it logically and nutritionally.

What we do…
As sensitive and caring humans, we always want to reward our kitty by providing extra special treats. Most treats for cats have high levels of carbohydrate (flower and sugars) and lots of flavor enhancers to entice the cat to eat even when it is not hungry.

Cats that annoy us with vocalizing and pretending that they are starving to death sometimes are rewarded for that annoying vocalizing by being given a treat to “keep ‘em quiet”. When we provide the treat we reinforce the vocalizing, effectively rewarding the cat for making all that racket, and essentially training the cat to make even more noise!

What we should do…
Stop feeding treats to the overweight cat. IF you think your cat NEEDS a treat, cut up little bits of cooked chicken or fish and feed as a natural protein treat… not a treat made from grains, food coloring, propylene glycol, and flavor enhancers. And NEVER feed a treat as a means of stopping a cat from vocalizing because it has the exact opposite effect and actually reinforces the cat’s vocalizing/begging behavior.

Label Recommendations

All pet foods come with Recommended Feeding instructions. The problem is that these recommendations are NOT absolute requirements even though most pet caretakers think they have to feed their pet the recommended amounts. Most house cats (and dogs), if fed at the amounts stated in the label recommendations, will eventually become overweight.

Pay attention to your pet’s body weight (size) and just by simple observation decide if it is overweight. If so, don’t feed so much.

What we do…
Feeding the “Recommended” daily portions indicated on pet food labels will nearly always result in feeding more calories than the animal needs for an average day’s energy requirements. The carbohydrate excess, unneeded as fuel for metabolism or physical activity, gets converted to fat and stored in the cat’s fat reserves.

The odds are very high that if you feed the size and numbers of meals suggested on the pet food label’s feeding recommendations, the cat will end up overweight.

What we should do…
Adjust the amount fed to the cat’s body character and physical activity. If the cat looks and feels overweight, it is! You are feeding too much for that cat’s daily needs for energy for exercise or physical activity; and regardless of what the pet food label’s suggested amounts to feed are, you must feed less than that if the cat is to have a normal (healthy) body weight.

Exercise

What we do…
We fill the bowls with food and water, clean the litter box, and say “See you later, Kitty, I’m off to work.” OK… let’s say that you can’t help it. You simply are not going to change the food amounts, kinds and portions you have always been feeding your overweight cat. If you are to be successful in promoting weight loss in your cat you will have to increase its’ energy (calorie) burning activities.

This is much easier to do with a dog by taking it for a walk or run, throwing a ball, swimming, etc. Good luck going for a run with your cat! Most cats spend most of their time sleeping on the couch, are left alone for long periods of time and really have nothing happening in the home that would trigger a carnivorous hunter’s interest levels. There is nothing to chase, nothing to hide from, and nothing to stalk and run down. There is nothing else to do but to take cat naps!

What we should do…
To assist in improving the kitty’s physical activity, you can add some interactive play toys to the cat’s environment. Consider adopting a friendly and playful cat from the local shelter so the solitary cat has “someone” to interact and play with. Many people believe two cats are more fun to have and more entertaining and no more trouble than a single cat. You can also buy toys that simulate an escaping prey and that really interest the cat in play behaviors. Cats can be exercised but you may need some imaginative toys and ideas to get the job done.

What Should You Feed a Cat?

Cats, unlike us humans, obtain food satisfaction less from carbohydrate than they do from protein intake. Give them a high protein mouse and they are as happy as can be. One mouse would make a good meal for an average sized cat. A typical mouse is made of 20 percent protein and 9 percent fat and lots of moisture.

And now that you know that the cat is a true carnivore, that its metabolic pathways have been set by natural evolutionary processes to efficiently utilize meat protein as a major component of the diet, you understand why a carbohydrate rich diet simply does not make sense for felines. Cats are not plant-based grazers; they are hunters of other animals and to reach an optimum state of health they must comply with what nature programmed them to be. There are no vegetarian diets for cats.

No matter what your own personal preference is regarding the ingestion of meat, by nature’s own rules the cat requires meat in its diet. One small aspect of this need for meat is the cat’s requirement for ingesting preformed Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)… preformed in another non-feline mammal.

As the cat’s caretaker, you have complete control over what your cat eats, how much it eats and how often it eats. Do not worry about the teeth and gums “not having some abrasion to clean off the tartar.” Cats and dogs being fed soft meat-based diets have far fewer oral health problems than those consuming dry, grain-based diets. Other good dry food products will demonstrate protein levels above 30 percent and fat levels above 18 percent in the Guaranteed Analysis table on the pet food label. Usually these diets are the “Growth” or “Puppy” or “Kitten” diets… and these formulations can be fed for life in a healthy individual that does not require a therapeutic diet.

If you still fear the erroneous myth about “too much protein” being “bad” for dogs and cats or that protein “causes” kidney damage, you really need some facts. There are numerous documented reports that will allay your fears and will update you on correct research. The myth about protein causing kidney trouble was extrapolated from research done on rodents many decades ago; the myth developed a life of its own in spite of being refuted by proper research on dogs and cats.

Weight Loss Diets

Getting an obese cat to lose weight needs to be done gradually… no crash diets allowed! Cats have a unique metabolic response to fasting and whenever a feline’s food intake is rapidly and markedly depressed, a serious and potentially fatal disorder can occur called Hepatic Lipidosis.

One of the reasons for the success of a high protein diet for feline weight reduction is the importance of an amino acid called Carnitine. Carnitine is present in good quantities in muscle tissues, but found in miniscule amounts in vegetable matter. This amino acid plays an essential role in the uptake of stored fat reserves and conversion of fat by the liver back to into glucose. The ability to mobilize fat tissue to be used as glucose for energy (and for subsequent weight loss to be accomplished) requires carnitine in the process. Supplementing a cat’s diet with L-Carnitine in amounts approximating 250 to 500 mg per cat per day will aid in mobilizing fat into glucose and will improve the health of a cat that is on a weight loss program.

The Plan

First, your veterinarian needs to do a thorough physical exam, blood chemistry profile including Thyroid hormone evaluation, and record an accurate weight for the cat. Then you should gradually… over a period of three to four weeks… add greater and greater proportions of the suggested feline weight-loss diet. Mix the new diet with the old, slowly decreasing the percentage of the old diet and increasing the percentage of the new one.

Pay close attention to how much the cat is eating every day. When the cat acclimates to the improved, high protein diet (fed in small amounts frequently during the day), reweigh the cat at four-week intervals. If there is no weight loss at all, or even some weight gain, the amount of food you are allowing is simply too much.

You may be thinking in human-sized portions, not feline. Remember the mouse. Every three to four weeks reweigh your cat on the same scale each time so that accurate weight measurements are done. A fifteen-pound cat should not lose more than half a pound in four weeks. (Remember the Hepatic Lipidosis problem!)

Always be observant and report to your veterinarian any time a cat stops eating for two or more days. (That’s one of the subtle problems with the “free choice” method of feeding. We often do not notice that the cat’s food dish is still full until the cat is well into a fasting mode. When cats are sick the first clinical sign is often a loss of appetite; so a non-interactive, free choice feeding protocol provides less information to us than an interactive portion controlled feeding method.) Any cat that hasn’t eaten in three days is in trouble! Seven days of fasting actually impacts the cat’s immune system.

Once you have established a feeding plan that induces gradual weight loss over a period of months the cat will reach a point where weight maintenance occurs. At this optimal weight the cat should not “look fat” nor “look skinny”. You’d be surprised how much more active and alert the cat will be at an optimum weight. You have successfully avoided the probability of diabetes, arthritis and hepatic Lipidosis. Your cat will probably live a few extra years and have a much better quality of life … and that will make you happy, too!

To get a cat to lose weight, do the following after consulting with your veterinarian:

1. Have a thorough physical exam, lab tests, and accurate weigh recorded. Be sure to rule out hypothyroidism or other metabolic disorders.
2. Feed less food than you have been
3. Feed foods high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrate
4. Feed small portions at intervals (2x to 4x per day) rather than continuous free access/ free choice
5. Increase the cat’s activity/exercise by enriching the cat’s environment.
6. Reweigh the cat at three to four week intervals to assess your weight loss diet’s progress
7. Reconsider the total daily amount fed if weight gain or no weight loss is noted
8. Once the cat is at an idea weight, adjust the total amount fed so that the cat’s body weight remains stable.

***

NOTE: ABOUT RAISING KITTENS

Veterinary nutritionists suggest that we expose very young cats to a variety of food types and textures. Cats are staunch creatures of habit and if a kitten is raised on a dry food kibble diet only, the odds are high that it will reject any non-kibble diet later in life. (It might not even know what to do with a captured mouse!) Food preference can be set on canned food, too.

As kittens are developing, be sure to provide a wide variety of food types, textures, and tastes so that later in life, if weight loss diets are required, you will be able to select a type and texture that will be in the cat’s best interest.

Remember…high quality, meat-based food, control the amount fed, provide more exercise, and be persistent. Help your pet live a longer, leaner and more enjoyable life.