Optimum Choices

01/16/2026

Holistic Canine Nutrition: Powering Dog Wellness Conference!

Ready to Power Up Your Dog’s Health? Join Dr Roland Thomas, NMD, at the Holistic Canine Nutrition Conference!
FREE multi-speaker webinar is ALL WEEK
Discover simple, science-backed ways to feed for wellness and longevity
Is feeding your dog fresh, healthy food starting to feel confusing or overwhelming? Are you not getting support on your journey from your current veterinarian? You’re not alone — and the good news is, there’s help!
My colleague, veterinarian Dr. Jeff Grognet, is hosting the Holistic Canine Nutrition Conference — and you’re invited! After 13 successful events, this one was created especially for dedicated dog parents who want to nourish their four-legged friends naturally and confidently.
You’ll learn from leading experts who break down everything from balanced fresh diets to integrative health support. Here’s a taste of what’s in store:
• Extending your dog’s lifespan through nutrition.
• Simple, practical steps to start feeding fresh or raw.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine insights for modern feeding.
• Plant-based and hybrid nutrition options.
• Evaluating commercial pet foods with confidence.
• Key supplements for health and vitality.
• Nutrition for dental health and digestion.
• Cannabis, mushrooms, and other holistic options.
• Bodywork and microbiome balance for thriving dogs.
Dr Roland Thomas will be speaking on how I fed my dogs, and cats throughout their long life, how they never ended up at a veterinarian, how they died peacefully of long life at home. And I will sharre how BIOPREPARATION formulas for pets supported their healthy life.
The conference kicks off January 14th and runs for 7 incredible days. Each day features 3 or more expert sessions, available for 48 hours — so you can watch at your own pace from anywhere: home, office, even while exercising!
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Claim your complimentary ticket here:
[https://lg403.isrefer.com/go/RoThConf14/RoTh/]
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If you love your dog and want to give them the best life possible through better nutrition, this is the event to attend. Dr. Jeff has generously opened access to my community — let’s make the most of it!
See you there,
Roland Thomas, NMD

10/15/2025

Running vs. walking: new research found "time and speed"🚶‍♂️ are not critical to getting good health benefits. A U.K. study (JAMA Neurology, 2022) showed in order to prevent dementia, a step count of 3826 steps per day was associated with 50% of maximal observed benefit. Benefits increased slightly up to 9,826 steps/day but no significant benefits above that step count. Walking at a purposeful or brisker pace can further increase the benefit, with 6,315 purposeful steps (40+ steps/minute) leading to a 57% reduced dementia risk. An optimal step count of 6000 to 8000 steps has been suggested to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality. 🚶🚶‍♂️

09/19/2025

Although this will not effect any Denver pet stores, it is a good proactive animal compassion step.

There aren't any pet-selling shops in the city, but supporters call the ban a "proactive" move against puppy mills.

09/09/2025

STOP Supplementing Symptoms:
Are you flushing your benefits/money down the toilet (and letting your pet p**p out the same) by taking or giving to your pet, isolated supplements and synthetic vitamins? Instead, consume whole foods and our whole food products like Nature intended. More details in our newsletter: https://www.optimumchoices.com/December_2007.htm

09/04/2025

Did you know research shows that absorption and utilization of nutrients from laboratory-made, isolated supplements (i.e., Vitamin C pill or fish oil capsule), is only 20-25% at best? Instead, get 90-95% of the nutritional benefits by taking (or giving to your pet) whole foods and our whole food products. Discover more at:
https://www.optimumchoices.com/Vitamin_C.htm
https://www.optimumchoices.com/Whole_Food_Products.htm

Why whole food nutrition is better than supplements and vitamins

05/19/2025

Although she does not look thrilled in the photo, Lily passed her Advanced Petsmart Dog Training Class last week. We now take her to be tested for her Canine Good Citizen Certificate.

05/01/2025

PET your cat (and dog) daily, even after they are rescued.

BREAKING MEWS: Study Reveals that Actions Speak Louder than Words for Terrified Shelter Cats

(MEDICAL/RESCUE) Queensland, Australia — When it comes to cats who suddenly find themselves in an animal shelter, we kitties are at a huge disadvantage; in the wild, we're prey. So, in our minds, anything we don’t recognize might eat us. Suddenly, we’re surrounded by strange people, strange animals and strange smells. Stuck in a cage, we're positive something at that shelter wants to have us for dinner. All we can do is cower in the litter box. That doesn’t make us any more adoptable.

Fortunately, recent research offers insights into how humans can help shut-down kitties feel more at ease.

A peer-reviewed study from RSPCA Queensland, recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, reveals that the key to transforming a nervous, litter box-hugging bundle of nerves into an adoptable charmer isn’t baby talk or treats—it’s six minutes of petting per day.

Researchers tested various “gentling” techniques—aka touchy-feely trials—on fearful shelter cats. They wanted to know whether head-to-tail strokes, soft talking, and peaceful human presence would ease feline stress in shelter and hospital settings.

The study showed:
• 6-minute silent sessions worked best: Kitties hung out near the front of the cage, relaxed on the floor rather than retreating to a perch, and showed adopt-me behaviors like purring, eating, and drinking.
• Three 2-minute sessions: Less effective. Probably too much like speed dating.
• Petting with soft talking: canceled out benefits—cats withdrew or zoned out.
• Longer sessions (9 minutes): Also good, but no big bonus over 6 minutes.
• Strangers: New handlers got a cold reception—only familiar faces earned a purr.

Rejecting conversation was the real shocker. The same cats who relaxed and purred during silent sessions stiffened, retreated or parked themselves in the litter box when volunteers started chatting during cuddles. The vocalizations canceled out the calming benefits entirely. Apparently, “Who’s a fluffy baby?” backfired.

Trust Building: One Human at a Time
In the second part of the study, the chill vibes only showed up when the same human provided the pets over the 4-day period. Newcomers didn't receive the same warm reception.

While the research didn’t directly test what happens when multiple people form individual bonds with the same cat, it does suggest:
• Each individual human has to earn our trust. Everyone starts from scratch. Feline approval, it turns out, doesn’t transfer. Even if one person builds rapport, the next human will have to do the work themselves.
• However, it’s not harmful for multiple people to build new relationships—as long as it’s done gradually, thoughtfully, and one at a time.

It’s worth noting that extended petting sessions aren’t every cat’s cup of catnip tea. Different floofs may need different strategies—or just more time and patience to come around on their own. It’s estimated that 20% of kitties aren’t fans of being petted, even if they’ve been socialized to humans.

And for some kitties with arthritis, unknown injuries, hyperesthesia, past abuse, or a timid nature, even gentle touching might cause them to go into full retreat mode. (McCune, 1995.) These cats might need a bit of trial and error to discover what tickles their whiskers.

Why It Matters
Shy, shut-down, or stressed-out cats often get overlooked in shelters—not because they’re unlovable, but because they’re invisible. This gentling technique helps terrified cats show who they really are, not just who they are under stress.

Even better? It doesn’t require fancy equipment, specialized training, or extra money. Just calm hands, quiet time, and the ability to not fill the silence.

So if you’re in clinic, rescue, shelter work or fostering, and wondering how to help homeless furballs blossom into their best self…Shhh. Just pet. The science has spoken.

Source: “The effects of the frequency and method of gentling on the behavior of cats in shelters” by Liu S, Paterson M, Camarri S, Murray L, and Phillips CJC, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2020;39:47–56). DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.07.007

McCune, S. (1995). The impact of paternity and early socialisation on the development of cats' behaviour to people and novel objects. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 45(1–2), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1591(95)00603-P

12/12/2024

Lily graduated from Beginners Training, complete with cap & tassel.