TO: Our Canine Customers
FROM: Canine Medicine Chest
RE: Benefits from the sun - Vitamin D
With all the information coming from the media about the hazards of the sun on people and animals, with all the sun screens that are touted to be so necessary or else we are going to die of skin cancer, it appears that today's society thinks of the sun as a villain. When you were a child do you remember your mother telling you to get outside and get some fresh air into your lungs and get some sun? Do you think it helped restore your energy and improved your
outlook on life? Do you ever wonder why the sun is regarded as a villain today? Well, maybe one might put this commercial bombardment into a little perspective.
The sun is vitally important to our health for many reasons. A key reason is that the sun helps the immune system. It has been shown to help with an animal's hormone system such as longer daylight hours in the spring time tends to activate reproduction and in people--to alleviate depression. The sun provides us with Vitamin D which helps with assimilating other vitamins and minerals. Is Rickets not a result of lack of sunshine?
The animal body really needs two hours daily of good sunlight (without sunglasses in order for the eyes to also absorb sunlight) in order to be emotionally and physically balanced. Going outside into the sunshine and fresh air with your pet whether it is a bird, dog, cat or rabbit is one of the finest things you can do for your precious pet.
Placing a pet near a window is helpful, but today's window panes normally have a small amount of UV protection built into the glass. Our suggestion if at all possible, take your little pal outside with you and both of you go for a nice long walk everyday. Obviously this is not possible for everyone, but we still wanted to share with you our
thoughts on the wonders of Mother Nature's own remedies to a multiple of health problems.
Common sense in dealing with the sun and its good and bad effects is really what seems to be missing. This is food for thought today.
Best regards,
The Team
