With the upsurge of pet care as a popular interest, treating our pets with the same care we extend to ourselves or our children is becoming standard. This is fantastic for most caregiving trends, except for some excessive grooming that may secretly be driving our dogs and cats batty. Another exception is the trial diets and pet supplements being provided to our pets. It is great to have our cats’ or dogs’ well being becoming of paramount interest, though it is of utmost importance that changes – especially in diet – are executed gingerly and with the care / guidance of a veterinary professional. Otherwise, our best efforts could prove more harmful than we ever would have intended for our loved pets.

The interest in shifting our dogs’ diets from grocery store-available kibble, wet or semi-moist (generally junk) food is a very positive trend for pet care in general. It is important that any dietary changes are given in a slow, transitional manner so as not to shock your pet’s system. The dietary choices being made include pet supplements to round out the availability of pet’s nutrition, and also encompass a switchover to different core diets themselves. This is where a debate between raw and cooked cat and dog food comes in.

Raw foods for pets seem like a logical move because our pets were once carnivorous, predatory animals. Raw pet food can be good in some cases in that it provides necessary enzymes, though on the other hand it can present salmonella or E. Coli bacteria that can make your pet ill. Cooked food for our pets, though we may think it to be a balanced meal having vegetables, rice and meat, may not be at all providing what your pet needs nutrition-wise. So where does this leave the pet-owner in choosing the best pet food for their cat or dog? First, have your pet examined by a veterinarian and then utilize the consultation session to ask questions about how to tailor the best diet to suit their specific health, breed, genetically predisposed or age-needs. Often times you will be recommended a pet supplement to fill in what isn’t being provided in the suggested core diet. Making certain that your pet is receiving the best diet available is an investment in their future. Keeping your pet healthy may seem costly, though the vet bills that could be incurred by neglecting their dietary needs early-on in life could require more of a sacrifice.

Is your dog tired? Is your dog showing signs of joint pain? Is your dog’s fur thinning, are they overweight, or is your dog’s health having any other slew of apparent health problems? Diet enhancement may be considered as a way to aid your dog’s failing health, and pet supplements are as key to rounding out their diet as is the case with human diet (as in how we take multi-vitamins, probiotics, etc.).

The term diet ‘enhancement’ is a misnomer as supplementation really should be considered as part of the core dog food diet. As a ‘human’ we know how difficult it is to meet all dietary needs as dictated by the nutrition pyramid without supplementation… the same principle applies to pet health and dog food needs as well! There are genetic predispositions, aging prevention measures and general health considerations that all can be addressed head-on with proper nutritional administration. Pet supplements play as key a role in replacing the missing nutrients – vitamins, minerals and enzymes – not found in your readily available dog kibble.

It’s best to provide your dog the diet necessary for health so as not to see these health issues come forth, though if you see your dog having skin or fur problems then fatty acids should be considered as a means to increase collagen production. If your dog is having pain getting up or veterinarian-diagnosed joint problems (i.e. arthritis or degenerative joint disease, etc.) the addition of glucosamine via dog diet supplementation may be necessary. Insofar as dog weight issues are concerned of course proper measurement of food is key. If your dog is tired this may be caused by many health problems, including joint pain (which as we just mentioned can be aided by the addition of glucosamine to the pet diet) though other causes may be at play. If you wonder ‘why is my dog tired’ there are many dog energy supplements available that will aid their general alertness and interest in life in general, however… unmet dietary needs are usually related to your dog’s lack of energy (just as we see in us humans). All dietary supplementation in dogs should be first reviewed with your veterinarian after first reviewing your pet’s health status and genetic history.

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.

In addition to exercise, proper diet and general nutritional dog supplements canine health can be rounded out in such a way that’s catered and tailored. For instance, there are some health issues that plague dogs later in life that can be helped with certain dietary dog supplements that cater to specific health needs. Here we will look at some of the most common dog health issues and the dog supplies that can be provided to help ease, or altogether avoid, these problems thus enriching your dog’s health late into life.

Arthritis in dogs is as common with old age as it is with humans, and with similar symptoms. And although the dog cannot speak, per se, to complain about this ailment, it will be evident that they are experiencing pain. Further confusing is that there are about twenty different types of arthritis that can plague your dog, each with their own symptom and having an affect on a different part of the dog’s body. Some types are general, affecting the entire body (Inflammatory Arthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease, Auto Immune Arthritis etc.) and others are joint-specific (Knee Arthritus, Hip Dysplasia, Shoulder Degeneration etc.). A supply that can supplement your dog’s diet is Glucosamine, which serves to ‘lubricate’ the joints thus easing the ailing affects of dog arthritis.

Digestion issues in dogs can be abated with the addition of yoghurt and Kefir, homeopathic dog supplements, to your dog’s diet. These supplies contain ‘good’ bacteria which aid in your dog’s digestive process. Kefir, for instance, has bacteria that will colonize in your dog’s digestive track thus reducing intestinal disorders by reducing gas and improving solid wastes (and also removal) making for an overall promotion of proactive dog health. This supply can also aid your dog’s coat and skin health, as well as assuage anxiety issues.

Skin and fur health in dogs can also be aided with the addition of fatty acids to their diet. There are nearly 70 fatty acids available, and all play an important role in the structure of cell generation and many chemical body reactions (such as hormones and overall dog energy). The dog’s liver and other tissues can produce many of the required fatty acids, though the one the dog cannot make on it’s own is Linoleic Acid (Omega 6 fatty acid). This one fatty acid that is missing from the dog’s inherit nature is called an essential fatty acid as it’s supplementation is necessary to ensure optimal dog health. Omega 6 can be supplemented by certain dog supplies found at reputable dog stores, or naturally in fish or Flax Seed oil, for instance.

Most dog food that you will find at your local grocery store will be dry, semi-moist or wet. Dry dog food is also termed ‘kibble’, and what you will find of this type without seeking out better-brands will be mostly based with corn or grain-based fillers. Dog kibble’s benefit is that it can help keep the dog’s teeth clean, though with all dog foods that are accessible (i.e. at your grocery store or local pet store) the nutritional density must be considered. Most dry dog food is simply sprayed with the vitamins and minerals listed on the label after the drying process is done to the grain-base. This delivery of vitamins is not as ideal for absorption as when the dog nutrition derived from natural sources. Please note that a dog food can be labeled as ‘all natural’ and still undergo this process. Wet food, which is most often sold in canned form, on the other hand provides more protein than the other types of dog food. Semi-wet dog diet is often served in single-packets. Regardless of moistness-level, a dog’s diet must be tailored to breed, size and age. There are ‘alternative’ dog diet’s available, including raw food that you would cook and serve just as you would serve yourself (and of comparable quality).

Aside from protein-levels and doggie-dental maintenance qualities, there is so much more to know about how dog food relates to your furry-friend’s health than is promised on the labels on said dog foods sold at mainstream grocery stores. Even if you suss out a good alternative source for your dog’s diet, are you sure that it’s providing all nutrition necessary to maintain your pet’s health and longevity? As is the case with the human diet, and our seemingly-impossible-to-satisfy Food Guide Pyramid, the dog diet is nearly as complex. Nutritional supplementation, or the addition of certain dietary needs directly rather than organically derived, is often necessary to keep up with the scheme that nutrition experts have proven relevant for extending health and vitality.

Awareness of your dog’s health, and aging, is key to determining a well-rounded diet for your pet’s health. A puppy in it’s earliest days requires collistrum to ensure that their immune systems are built strongly enough to sustain life-long health. Most dogs require certain dietary attention catered to specific health manifestations, such as coat-health, weight issues or temperament. Pedimenz is a pet supplement that we offer that can round our your dog’s diet. Taking care early-on to ensure that your dog’s dietary and emotional needs are met can mean the difference between disabling health conditions later in life and maintaining a happy-natured pet companion. The investment, both in time, veterinarian consultation, specialized core diets and nutritional supplementation is as likely to ensure the longevity of your pet’s health as is the same care-approach to our own, human health. Dog food and dog health are intrinsic to pet health and longevity.

Labrador Retrievers are a popular dog breed due to their friendly disposition.  They require an active lifestyle and a healthy diet to match.  As with all animals, ensuring that nutritional needs are holistically met early in life will paint a healthy future for their active, playful life.  Taking the time to learn about your labrador’s nutritional needs early in their life also will instill in the owner a habitual routine of being involved in the pet’s health needs.

As pups, labradors require collistum which is a nutrient found in the dam’s milk (their mother) that is required to build the immune system.  Ensuring that this nutrient is present in the labrador retriever puppy’s diet will set the stage for their long-term health.  If it’s missing from the lab’s diet, with immune system development then being repressed the owner can expect a possibly very sickly dog.  The good news is that because it is naturally provided in the mother’s milk, there’s no reason to worry about having some costly supplement.  If however the mother isn’t present and the milk needs to be supplemented, it is essential to find a milk replacement that contains collistum.

Usually we do not ‘get’ the puppy until days or weeks after birth, and this is a concern because the very first days of the puppy’s life are nutritionally most important to ensure long-term health.  The nutrition that a puppy labrador gets, or doesn’t get, in the first few days of it’s life seriously sets the stage for how healthy they will be in all future life stages, even into old age!  For this very reason it is essential that lab puppies are adopted from a reputable breeder.  The money you may think you are saving by purchasing a labrador retriever from a less-expensive breeder will likely cost you tremendously down the line.  If the breeder did not fulfill the nutritional needs of your puppy in the first days of life, as discussed above this can mean that your lab’s long-term health will be greatly jeapordized – and this can cost a pretty penny in vet bills.  Purchasing a labrador puppy from a pet store can be just as risky!  If you purchase from a pet store it is so incredibly essential that you take the time to ask questions about where they purchased the puppy from, and even investigate the place where they bought the puppy from on your own via phone calls or inquiring emails.

In short, puppy and dog nutrition is important to maintain health and thereby a necessary investment to prevent costs, and physical pain/health problems down the line.  When inviting a puppy, labrador retriever or otherwise, into your family it’s essential that the future costs of caring (including proper nutrition and pet supplements) are seriously considered aside from the whimsical infatuation that comes with seeing that cute pup in a window.  Purchasing your labrador puppy from a reputable source, costs aside, will help ensure the longevity of the active, playful and loving life you wish to have them in your life for.

As with most mammals, early-stage development sets a tone for the remainder of your dog’s health life.  For this reason, supplementation of a dogs’s food diet with extra needed vitamins or minerals can be necessary even in a puppy’s neonatal first month.  Especially if the mother is unavailable to nurse, making sure that a puppy gets all nutrients necessary for prolonged health is a new pet owner’s priority.  

The core nutrients needed in the early stages of puppy development include protein, calcium, phosphorus and the Omega Fatty Acids.   Each plays a unique roll in supporting the rapid development that occurs in this stage of the dog’s health preparation for life.  Protein is especially important as it’s necessary for the parts that are physically growing the most in the puppy phase i.e. bones/joints and muscles.  Protein also supplements parts of puppy development that the we can’t see such as immune system and internal organ/brain growth.  Providing ample protein to your puppy ensures that they survive a happy youth and maintain their health through adulthood and old age.  

Certain nutrients are more required by one type of dog breed than another, so it is best if you check with your veterinarian regarding your specific puppy’s health needs.  Also relevant is the background of your puppy.  Even if you acquire a puppy at, say, three months of age it is important to know the health history, including living conditions, methods of breeding and general rearing practices.  The first three days of a puppy’s life are most important for getting necessary nutrients, as well as the weeks that follow.  For instance, take care if you are planning to ‘adopt’ a puppy from a ‘pet mill’ (often times your local pet store may get their puppies from such a place, and may not admit this fact if asked due to the shame that surrounds this particular ‘puppy source’).  Puppies who spend their earliest, most delicate days, weeks or months in a ‘pet mill’ are rarely provided the necessary dietary and physical care required for a healthy long-term life.  While the cost may seem enticing at the moment, do consider that the money you will save in such a puppy purchase will likely end in unnecessary and expensive veterinary and emergency pet health services.  

If you are ‘in charge’ of nursing a puppy and the mother isn’t available there are many premium puppy milk replacers and supplements available.  For instance, calcium may need to be supplemented in addition to the milk replacer (speak with your veterinarian regarding the best pet food options for your specific dog health needs).  Once weaned from milk the requirement of premium-grade pet food is still prominent.  Basic pet foods can contain grains that deliver Microtoxins and Vomitoxins (sounds like ‘vomit’ for a reason), substances that are not good for your dog’s health and can actually prohibit the absorption of any trace nutrients that a cheap pet food may actually contain!  Spending money on high-quality pet food, and veterinarian-advised pet supplements can prevent health problems later on in your dog’s life thus saving your wallet in the long-term.

Maintaining a natural balance of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 in your dog’s food diet boasts many pet health benefits.  Their role in your pet’s health support are quite vast including healthy skin, hair and cardiovascular fitness as well as healthy blood pressure.  Nervous system and organ development and functioning are also optimized by these fatty acids.  A dog’s joint, respiratory system, immune system and gastrointestinal health and functioning are also reliant upon the Omegas.

There is debate regarding whether sourcing Omega fatty acids from different sources may effect their nutrient density and absorption, and we urge you to do some of your own research into these concerns prior to considering a trusted dog supplement.  For instance, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)’s are replacing ‘naturally’ occurring food and supplement sources as scientists are creating ‘better’ food (read, cheaper to produce).  The FDA assures that the nutrient density is not effected by modifying the genetic structures that form our food, though there is debate that more research is necessary to guarantee that these foods are a safe and reliable dietary alternative.  

With regards to Omega 3 fatty acids, if supplemented from flax seed versus fish oil the benefits to your dog will be measured by any existing health conditions such as asthma, allergies, heart disease, kidney disease or arthritis.  If your dog is suffering from any of the above conditions sourcing your Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil is debated as better absorbed than from flax.  This is due a lower level of the enzymes required to convert Omega fatty acids as related to such conditions.  Unfortunately many pet owners are unaware that the source of their Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids can possibly be preventing their absorbtion, often times when attempting to alleviate the same symptoms that are linked to dog’s inability to process the fatty acids in the first place.  Again, it is is important that you do your own research online and present what you find as pertaining to your specific pet’s conditions to your veterinarian.

When the correct ratio of these three Omega fatty acids is present in your dog’s diet their synergistic benefits are best felt.  For instance, maintaining the desirable balance between Omega 6 and Omega 3 is said to be required for proper prostaglandin production and healthy skin and coat.  Omega 9 is generated in the necessary trace amounts by a healthy dog, though when supplementation is advised this fatty acid is most often sourced from Virgin Olive Oil.  Omega 9 fatty acids support healthy cardiovascular function and cholesterol levels.

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.

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.