Is your cat or dog showing signs of inactivity? Sometimes this is a sign of their joints not working properly. Joint pain, as is the case in humans, can be aided by the addition of glucosamine to the diet. The availability of Glucosamine and Chondrotin Sulfate can be supplemented to your pet’s diet so as to aid in the joint and overall physical health of your pet.

Glucosamine is key in the formation of pet’s cartilage as well as collagen production, the absence of which leads to health problems in your pet’s joints and skin. Joint health is essential to upkeep in order to keep your pet pain free. The cartilage between our bones acts as a shock absorber when we walk or run, and if it’s deteriorating or not properly lubricated pain can ensue due to arthritis. If your pet is in pain, they will not be able to exercise and will likely gain weight as a result, which in turn can lead to even more health problems.

There are no foods that contain Glucosamine, it’s a naturally occurring amino acid in the body. If your pet is diabetic, the provision of supplemental glucosamine must be given with care as a risk is posed. As is the case with all dietary supplementation, the guidance of a veterinarian must be sought in order to ensure that the proper type and amount of Glucosamine is being provided. Glucosamine should always be given to your pet along with a meal to ensure proper absorption as well as to reduce digestive problems including nausea or indigestion.

As independent as they are by nature, the feline requires extra nutrient care in the form of mineral supplementation. Core meal cat diet most often does not contain all minerals necessary for optimal health and vital longevity. For this reason, we will take a look at just two minerals that the cat needs in this article, some which are present in normal cat food and others that need to be provided in the form of a supplement.

Calcium, with and without phosphorus, and phosphorus by itself are essential minerals for your cat’s health. The ratio/balance and quantified requirement varies with age and should best be administered with the advice of a veterinarian. Because those foods which are high in calcium are low in phosphorus and vice versa the providing of proper balance for your cat is very difficult and most often requires supplementation outside of the cat’s regular cat food diet. Not providing enough calcium in your cat’s diet, especially when they are developing, will effect the strength of their bones.

Phosphorus on the other hand is required to enable the absorption, or uptake, of calcium. Calcium sourced from Poultry, Lamb or Fish meal would need to be supplemented with Phosphorus as these meat meals do not provide Phosphorus and therefore the calcium content would not be absorbed as well otherwise. True meat, not meat meal, on the other hand can be used to source Phosphorus as well as Calcium. Another means of getting both Calcium and Phosphorus from a core-diet element is through bone meal.

There are many supplements available to provide Calcium and Phosphorus to the cat, for instance in chewable tablets. It is important that you check with your veterinarian to make sure that the proper ratio of these two minerals is being provided in whichever supplement that you choose to be best suited to your cat’s specific health needs (age, for instance).

As with all nutrient intake, ingesting too much or too little will result in imbalances in the body and health issues may thereby manifest. Having the intake of essential fatty acids balanced is equally important to stave off health problems. Here we will take a look at the role, and necessity of balance, of essential fatty acids Omega 6, Omega 3, and Omega 9 play in dog and cat health. We will first examine the notion of preventative healthcare vs. supplementation to simply assuage the health effects that often-times result from an unbalanced lifestyle/diet.

Modern diets have much evolving to do, especially when caring for pets who by nature are unable to articulate complaints of ailments and who therefore may have health problems that go unnoticed for longer without treatment. All in all, pet health is approached at this time in a way similar to the way human health longevity is attempted to be preserved – in a reactionary way. In other words, only when we see a health problem manifest is care taken to help resolve the issue. Preventative human healthcare is relatively new to the mainstream, which takes the approach of trying to balance lifestyle and dietary needs before rectification of discomfort becomes necessary via medication and/or dietary supplementation. This same issue of preventative vs. reactionary health care for pets is also present in our society, though pet supplements are becoming increasingly popular in the interest of pet owners desiring a longer, carefree life for their pets which are normally considered part of the human family.

With preventative care, dietary needs must be properly met in order to help ensure imbalances that lead to health problems do not occur. Nutritional supplementation, both in humans and pets, can be dangerous as often-times it’s a lifestyle-route that’s administered in excess. Worried that your pet may develop poor skin or fur due to the main diet you feed them being sub-par and you can’t afford raw, natural core, holistic diets for your pet? Many pet owners will consider an addition to their pet’s diet with fatty acids due to this fear, the supplementation of which is generally quite inexpensive (think flax seed oil, one bottle can last 6 months or so for a pet if not longer and this costs $10 on average… if you can’t afford a high-quality diet then this supplementation is logical). The problem is proper balance with current diet, as that care is taken that over-administration is yielded against.

Giving Omega fatty acid 6 and 3 in equal proportions to your dog, for instance, can result in health problems. Omega fatty acids must be added to your pet’s diet such that Omega 6 is given in a higher amount than Omega 3 in a ratio between 5:1 and 10:1 – and you see, this already is complicated enough that the advice of a veterinarian is needed to asses your pet’s specific breed, genetic predispositions, age and current health issues (if known) so that you can best regulate the fatty acid balance necessary. On the other hand, if not enough of these essential fatty acids are given to your pet you can see a slew of deficiency-related health problems arise, including but not limited to: fur loss, delayed would healing and susceptibility to infections, skin eruptions, male sterility, liver problems, miscarriages, any one of the spectrum of arthritis-related pet conditions, kidney failure, heart health deprecation, physical growth and learning retardation, gland issues and weakness. In short, it’s essential that fatty acid intake is guided and balanced as with all nutritional supplementation in your pet.

There are many cat breeds, and more health problems than breeds to be concerned about! Your cat’s diet is essential to making certain the their health is rounded out. Often times their core diet needs to be supplemented, depending on breed, age or genetic predisposition. Regardless of life stage however, it is important to make sure your cat’s food is entirely all natural.

There are many products on the market today that tout ‘all natural’ front-of-package labeling though reflect questionable ingredients on the back. A cat kibble bought at your local grocer likely is ‘all natural’ by technical standards, containing corn or other grain fillers sprayed after dehydration with some basic vitamins. As with human diet, absorption of vitamins without a holistic approach bars their benefit from ever being felt. For this reason, cat food must be truly natural and at best raw so that the vitamins touted on the labeling can in fact be absorbed.

Most cat owners do opt to supplement their cat’s diet just as we humans do with the addition of vitamins, minerals and/or enzyme supplements. Balancing their supplementation with other nutrients that specifically compliment the specific nutrient being supplemented will aid absorption. Other supplements can be combined though it is essential that you verify safety with your veterinarian.

Some popular cat supplements include Cat’s Claw, Glucosamine and Omega 6 essential fatty acid. Cat’s Claw is noted to enhance immune system activity and inflammation inhibition as well as having anti-viral, anti-microbal and anti-tumor properties. Cat’s claw’s anti-inflammatory properties are naturally beneficial in treating rheumatism, arthritis, gout and bursitis in the feline. Glucosamine is also helpful for cats experiencing rheumatism and arthritis. Omega 6 fatty acids aid in preventing and treating skin and fur problems.

Taking preventative measures in your cat’s diet and veterinary care can stave off costly and unpleasant future health problems. Vaccinations are suggested by veterinarians for kittens, and supplementing your cat’s diet with required nutrition not provided in their main, daily diet are two routes by which you can help maintain your cat’s health.

The core cat vaccinations available can prevent Feline influenza, Feline calicivirus, Feline panleukopenia and Rabies. There are also vaccinations available to prevent Chlamydophila felis, Feline immunodeficiency virus and Bordetella. For the core vaccinations there are often low-cost cat clinics that offer these treatments, so there is hardly any reason why a cat owner shouldn’t provide this route of preventative care.

There are many cat supplements available, the administration of which can be combined with the advice of your veterinarian. Customizing your cat’s diet of regular cat food and cat supplements can seem costly at first, though the long-term benefits including possibly reduced veterinarian visits often outweigh this investment. Different cats have different health-needs, especially if already experiencing health problems. Tailoring the cat’s diet to breed-specific and health-condition-specific healing is as holistically necessary and delicate as the human diet and requires a certain level of knowledge and experience. Supplementation of cat diet’s should always have the consideration of a veterinarian, though you can do your own research online to get an idea of what’s available. Fatty acids, for instance, can be provided through lecithin supplements or Flax Seed Oil. These prevent skin and coat problems, even some ear problems. Sometimes skin / coat problems in cats can be caused by nervousness, so combining the Fatty Acid cat supplement with something that calms the nerves may also be advisable. All natural cat supplements comprised of essential oils such as Skullcap, Chamomile and Catnip are known to calm the nervous cat. There are many other cat supplements that you can combine to tailor your cat’s diet, and you can read about them here on our site or consult your veterinarian.

Many cat-lovers are interested in the more exotic selection of breeds than the domestic. Some of the many exotic cats that are pure-bred include Bengal, Chausie, Pixie Bob and Persian. Here we will discuss the history, disposition and some characteristics of each. When looking to purchase any pet, to ensure their long-term pet health it is essential that you know the breeder is reputable and this can require some research online and via your veterinarian. WhyPetSupplements.com has many articles that discuss what to look for in a reputable breeder, so feel free to browse our articles!

The Bengal kitten can be purchased from a reputable breeder and is a relatively new hybrid. Bengal cats are noted for their ‘wild’ appearance will have a personable temperament provided they are several generations removed from their Asian Leopard wild ancestor. The Bengal Tiger species on the other hand is not related to the Bengal cat at all. Their coats are spotted, and they are more vocal than their domestic counterparts having more of a chirping, crying nature of speaking.

The Chausie is a hybrid of the domestic and Jungle cats, with the domestic breed used being the Abyssinian. The males can grow to be quite large, clocking in at 25 pounds! The female Chausie cat breed is significantly smaller, however. The Chausie kitten and cat may require special nutritional diets due to a high instance of digestive track problems. Considering this aptitude, if you have a carpeted home or own expensive rugs the choice of this breed as an addition to your family may prove more costly than anticipated when purchasing the Chausie kitten from a breeder. Commercial cat food, which we’ve discussed in other articles here on this site, contains wheat fillers and gluten – two ingredients to which the Chausie can have an intolerance so they may require a special cat diet and cat supplement regiment.

The Pixie Bob was originally considered to be exotic due to Bobcat lineage however this has since been dispelled, though we will discuss the Pixie Bob cat here due to the prior exotic assumption under which this cat was sold. They are bred to resemble a Bobcat, with a short tabby coat. The Pixie Bob kitten will grow to be quite large, with the average adult male clocking in at nearly 18 pounds and their female counterpart at 14 pounds. They are intelligent, active yet calm, friendly and mesh well with other pets. Because the genetically diverse Pixie Bob is derived from inbreeding they are prone to many health problems.

The first Persian cat dates back to the 1600’s, have the look of an old man with a large moustache due to their short, furry muzzle, and are commonly seen in cat food commercials. There are numerous types of purebred Persian cats available from breeders. All types of Persian cats are susceptible Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), though breeders claim to screen for and remove from breeding those with this genetic defect.

There are many other exotic, pure-bred cats available and we will discuss more of them in detail in a later article. Due to the inbreeding often required to ‘invent’ these breeds they can be susceptible to health problems that can be an added cost not considered when making the investment in these dear kittens. Making yourself aware of the proper nutritional requirements for these cats, as with all pet dietary needs, is one of the most important roles of the pet owner. Pet supplements can also be discussed with your veterinarian so as to stave off some future health problems that can plague your cat’s longevity.

Within the first three days of birth a kitten requires colostrum in their diet.  This substance is necessary for enhancing growth and immune system health.  These few days of colostrum from the kitten’s mother is thereby essential to best prepare your kitten for a healthy life.  This non-milk substance is available in supplemental form should the mother not be available; either way the administration of colostrum in the first three days of a kitten’s life is necessary to ensure basic kitten health and survival.

Colostrum is not the only necessary nutrient derived from mother’s milk making the nursing process very important for a period of about eleven weeks.  Immunity and growth, core essentials for preventing kitten health problems, are dependent upon the nutrient density of mother’s milk.  The required nutrient diet of kittens can also be supplemented if nursing is not an option.  If nursing your kitten is possible it is likely the easiest option, in addition to being the healthiest, as the mother is producing the milk and delivering it at the correct temperature and most natural formulation available.

Speaking to a veterinarian about the health needs of a kitten is essential, especially if considering the supplementation of vitamins or minerals outside of a normal, core cat/kitten diet.  Luckily the supplements that are available, if needed, are easy to administer as they are in liquid form.  Your veterinarian can demonstrate how to feed your kitten, though you can expect to need something to give the droplets of milk to the kitten.  There are a variety of different options available, and several may need to be tried out before your kitten settles into being able to nurse from one.  Think eye dropper, a plastic syringe (from local pharmacy or veterinarian – note this is NOT the sharp syringe it is a special all plastic one for making droplets into a pet’s mouth), even the tip of your finger.  If the kitten’s mother is not available, make sure the litter has a warm bed to simulate a mother’s warmth.  A heating pad, on low, with some bedding on top could serve this purpose.  When a kitten’s health and nutrition needs are met you are ensuring it’s survival, and long-term health.

The quality of the pet food that you serve your cat or dog has an influence on their health, just as the food that we eat can help ensure health longevity or incur minor to severe premature health inconveniences.  Eating fast-food for instance (you, not your pet…hopefully) can increase your waistline.  There are quality issues to be considered in your pet’s diet as well.  Not all pet food is created equal, and the affects on your pet’s health are significant enough to justify careful consideration by the responsible pet owner.

Nutrient content is crucial for cats and dogs of all ages and types.  The ‘empty-calorie’ does in fact exist in food choices for our pet’s health, just as we see in the food available to us.  Corn chips, for instance, may seem like a good option as corn is a grain after all – and that’s one of our food groups.  For one, over-consumption of one food group and not the rest will leave you nutrient-starved (even if your belly feels full)!  Furthermore, the ‘corn’ in corn chips is often referred to as ‘over-processed’, and this concerns our diet health in that processing can strip vitamins, minerals and other digestive benefits needed for the ‘food group item’s nutrients to be properly absorbed and ‘count’ as fulfilling the dietary need.  

While our pet’s food seems to provide a much easier means of nutritious sustenance than our own diets (where we need to scramble to combine so many different types of foods) in it’s two daily scoops, some variants to pet diets can also be necessary.  First note that switching your pet’s food or diet suddenly is not recommended by veterinarians due to the shock it can present to the animal’s health.  Gradual introduction of food supplements to pet food can be a means to providing any nutrients essential for your pet’s unique health situation that may be lacking in their normal diet.  

Of primary importance is the quality of your pet’s core diet.  Know the ingredients, do your research on the internet then run what you find by a veterinarian to assure the finest pet health care.  As mentioned before, corn is a part of the human food groups, though is it as necessary for a cat or a dog’s diet?  If corn is on the ingredients list for your cat or dog food is it included to benefit the animal’s health or as a cheap filler without much regard for your pet’s health needs.  Also as mentioned above, the less processing your pet food has undergone can mean more readily available nutrients.  Once your pet’s core dietary needs are met to the best of your knowledge and budget, consider pet supplements for your cat or dog to round-out their nutritional intake and optimize pet health.

Kitten supplements are sometimes given shortly after birth in the case of the mother-producing mother not being available to nurse her litter.  This is how young the administration of kitten vitamins can occur!  This kind of kitten supplement can be compared to the milk that we feed human children – both are fortified with essential minerals and vitamins and are formulated the levels of protein, fat and carbohydrates found in mother’s milk. However, do not feed kittens the human version!  

For most cat breeds, kittenhood spans ten to twelve months from birth.  The weening from kitten milk, whether supplemental or natural from the mother, normally occurs 8 to 12 weeks from birth.  When the kitten graduates to chewable food, there are specially formulated cat foods for this age of their growth.  You can also find a specially-crafted-for-the kitten supplement to deliver any nutrients not found in youth-tailored kitten diets.

If essential amino acids or minerals are not contained in your kitten’s core diet (i.e.  arginine, taurine, methionine, histidine, lysine , phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, tourine) they can be supplemented with vitamins.  Fats, carbohydrates and proteins are much-needed to support brisk kitten growth and should be given through the kitten’s core diet as their main source.  A kitten vitamin can provide needed minerals, amino acids and omega acids for instance though it’s important to make sure the other building blocks are included in the kitten’s core diet.

It is highly unlikely that one product can provide all needed pet nutrients as some vitamins need to be taken in combination with other vitamins for proper absorption.  Furthermore, there are some cases when combining some vitamins in one meal can counteract their benefits or even have a negative impact on your pet’s health!  For this reason, pet food nutrition is a wise item to research and ask your vet about.  Also, this lends itself to getting each pet nutrient from a separate product or dosage so that you can mix-and-match as needed for your pet’s specific health status.

For instance, your pet might be old and have arthritis.  Another person’s pet might be old but recovering from cancer.  Then there is the pet owner who’s animal’s coat is dry.  Let’s take a look at how these three different situations beg for different combinations of pet nutrients.  An animal who is old in age needs a boost of many nutrients, and this is common across most breeds and species (of course the combination is specific to the species).  Though an older pet with arthritis will benefit from additional Glucosamine in their diet to help lubricate their joints.  A different older pet may need the same core aging-pet supplements as other aging pets but because of a history with cancer and special mix of nutrients is needed to promote healing and prevention of cancer relapse in the animal.  Then there is another pet who is generally vibrant and healthy despite older age though has a problem with a spotty coat and hair loss at times.  This older pet would benefit from nutrients targeting  his or her coat in addition to older-age pet supplements.  These pets sharing the same old-age nutrient needs also require their own custom pet food nutrition to promote longevity.

Natural pet nutrition is  often considered against synthetic vitamins, for instance.  Natural pet food can be more expensive but conversely provides a meal with less fillers and more nutritious ingredients.  There are even natural pet foods that come raw and you cook fresh for your pet!  Fresh pet food, like fresh vegetables vs. canned or frozen, can contain more ‘alive’ nutrients than dried food.  Human-grade pet food is another option, though it is unclear how this is more nutritious than other raw, dried or wet pet food.