Tag Archives: Nu-Cat Bite-Sized Soft Chews by Vetri-Science

Nutritional Support for Pets

nutrition_petsJacquieIconBy Jacquie Eubanks
BSN, RN

Did you know that Professional Supplement Center carries an array of quality supplement lines for dogs, cats, kitties and senior pets? Similar to their human caregivers, all pets need shelter and lots of love and attention. Additionally, pets require a nutritious diet, exercise, annual dental and medical checkups and protection from outdoor pests. Regular vet visits and preventative steps can help to support total pet wellness. In addition, pets can benefit from nutritional supplements to keep them healthy, prevent chronic disease and support health concerns. General health concerns for pets include heartworms and common parasites, intestinal issues, obesity, infectious diseases, kennel cough, urinary tract infections and bladder stones, dental disease, skin problems, joint issues, allergies and cancer.

PetNutVid

Vitamins and minerals are as critical to a pet’s health as they are to human health, as they aid, support and help regulate bodily functions from joint health to digestion to muscle growth. Even with a well balanced, high quality diet, pets can develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can sometimes have serious and long lasting health effects. In addition to overall health support, specific reasons for supplementing can include:

  • Joint discomfort – Aging pets often develop painful and debilitating joint conditions. Larger breed dogs are more susceptible to joint disease than cats or smaller dog breeds. Common signs of arthritis include stiffness, limited movement and noticeable pain.
  • Home cooked meals – Preparing fresh healthy meals for your pets is wonderful, but may not provide all the essential vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. Consider fulfilling nutritional gaps with a multivitamin and mineral supplement.    
  • Diagnosis of vitamin or mineral deficiency – In this case, your veterinarian may recommend a single supplement. Many commercial dog foods contain fillers and starches and may not contain the proper amounts of nutrients to adequately support pet health.
  • Diagnosis of a disease – Often times allergies can result in dermatitis, a chronic skin disease that will progressively worsen, causing itching and discomfort. Zinc deficiency is often an underlying cause. Zinc supplementation, especially when combined with essential fatty acids, can be helpful in resolving symptoms of dermatitis and improve the quality of the skin and coat. Urinary tract infections and stones are a common pet problem. After treatment for the infection, probiotics may be recommended to help prevent recurring UTIs and support immune and digestive health.

Along with proper nutrition, daily exercise and weight management, nutraceuticals can help to keep pets healthy and comfortable as they age. As part of an overall wellness strategy, supplements that are commonly recommended for pet health maintenance include:

  • Essential fatty acids – Essential fatty acids provide anti-inflammatory effects, aid body performance, boost the immune system and help maintain critical brain function. Plus, they help to maintain healthy joints and a shiny coat. Taken in conjunction with joint supplements, essential fatty acids may help ease arthritic pain and other joint symptoms.
  • Glucosamine with Chondroitin Sulfate – Popular for both humans and pets, this combination formula helps maintain healthy joints, improves flexibility and assists joint cartilage hydration.
  • Probiotics – Probiotics, which provide healthy microbiota to aid digestion, also support the immune system and may help reduce symptoms of stress.
  • Antioxidants – Antioxidants such as vitamin C are vital to support the health of bones, blood vessels, teeth and the immune system. This essential nutrient is particularly helpful during times of sickness, stress or separations from owners and may play a role in protecting against some normal aging processes.

Multivitamins and minerals aid overall health for pets of all ages. Growing puppies must get the vitamins and minerals they need to ensure proper growth, healthy tissues and strong bones. Senior pets tend to absorb less nutrients from their food and may not meet their daily needs for optimal health. Obese pets that are put on restricted diets often lack adequate vitamins and minerals. Super active pets or pets under stress may also require supplementation of essential nutrients. Ill or recovering pets with limited appetite may not be receiving adequate daily requirements. In addition, processing and storage of commercial pet foods may destroy the nutrients they are meant to contain.

As always, it’s a good idea to discuss pet supplementation with your veterinarian before embarking on a supplement program. Remember also that not all supplements are created equally, so be sure to choose a high quality brand you trust to help your furry family member live a long and healthy life.

Professional Supplement Center offers these and many other high quality pet supplements. Questions? Call us. We would be happy to assist you.

Joint Care for Medium and Large Dogs (VETERINARY PRODUCT)Joint Care for Medium and Large Dogs by Nutritional Frontiers – This comprehensive and synergistic formula contains glucosamine, MSM, essential fatty acids and chondroitin sulfate in support of hip, joint and connective tissue function in dogs of all ages. These tasty chicken liver flavored chews provide the specific ingredients needed to support joint structure, flexibility and comfort for healthy, aging or injured dogs. Also available Joint Care for Cats and Small Dogs.

 

Canine Basic Nutrients (VETERINARY PRODUCT)Canine Basic Nutrients by Thorne Vet – This complete vitamin and mineral formula contains a broad range of highly absorbable nutrients necessary for optimal health, vitality and quality of life. Canine Geriatric Basics also available to support the needs of aging pets.

 

Nu-Cat Bite-Sized Soft ChewsNu-Cat Bite-Sized Soft Chews by Vetri-Science – These chicken liver flavored soft chews provide complete vitamin and mineral support for cats of all ages and breeds. The formula also provides digestive enzymes, essential fatty acids and amino acids for total physical and mental wellness support.

 

Vetri-Probiotic BD Chicken Liver FlavorVetri-Probiotic BD™ Chicken Liver Flavor by Vetri-Science – This canine product contains pre- and probiotics along with digestive enzymes to support proper digestion, normal bowel regularity and gas reduction. These ingredients support healthy immune function along with microbial balance.

 

Small Animal Anti-Oxidant (VETERINARY PRODUCT)Small Animal Anti-Oxidant by Thorne Vet – Formulated for both cats and dogs, this complete formula provides potent plant-based antioxidants along with amino acids to aid in promoting eye, heart, blood vessel, liver, lung, skin, neurological and immune health.

 

References:
The Top Ten Dog Health Problems. http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/common-dog-health-problems.aspx
10 Pet Health Tips. http://pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-checkups-preventive-care/10-pet-health-tips-new-year/page/0/7

Fat Cats (and Portly Pups)

fat_catJacquieIconBy Jacquie Eubanks
BSN, RN
 

There’s little doubt that we love our canine and feline family members. In fact, according to the Association for Pet Obesity, we are loving them directly into a shortened lifespan and a reduced quality of life. Many of us consistently reward our pets with treats and feed them the leftovers from our dinner plates in addition to their own pet food. Statistics show that more than half of our dogs and cats are overweight and one in four is classified as obese. Many may not realize that, like obese humans, pets who are overweight are at an increased risk of osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, ligament and joint injury, kidney, heart and respiratory disease and the list goes on.  

The epidemic of pet obesity in America is directly correlated to our own obesity rates and is mainly the result of overfeeding and lack of exercise. Just as the rate of obesity in humans has risen sharply, the incidence of pet obesity is startlingly high. Further contributing to the problem is the fact that a large percentage of pet owners do not know their pets are overweight. Nor do they recognize the health hazards of pet obesity. Are overweight pets the new normal? If you can’t tell just by looking, how do you know if your pet is overweight? Veterinarians use a 9 point scoring system, with 1 representing emaciation to 9 equaling grossly overweight. The ideal number to reach is 5, as that is considered the healthiest weight score.

To rate your pet, check the rib area first. You should be able to easily feel but not actually see the ribs. If you cannot feel them at all, your pet needs to lose weight. Still not sure? Check the area near the base of the tail, the spine, shoulders and hips. You should be able to feel a slight amount of fat over these areas. If bones are protruding, your pet is too thin. If you can’t feel any bones at all, it’s diet and exercise time. Now view your pet from above and you should be able to see a distinct waistline. If there is no waist or you see a protruding belly, your pet is grossly overweight. Lastly, look at your pet from the side. Although breeds vary, you should be able to see what’s called an abdominal tuck, where the area behind the ribs is smaller in diameter than the chest. A severe abdominal tuck means your pet is too thin. No abdominal tuck, your pet is overweight.

Before starting a pet weight reduction program, consult your pet’s veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues. Get advice on portion control and the proper food for your pet so you can help your pet to gradually reach and maintain an optimal weight and restore their energy, vitality and overall wellness. If you have determined that your pet is not overweight, take steps now to prevent obesity. Encourage exercise. Long walks are good for pets and their humans. Choose the correct type and amount of food to ensure your pet’s diet includes the proper amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Limit commercial treats to no more than 10% of your pet’s total daily calories.

Just as in humans, pet weight creeps up over time. Once you and your vet have selected a suitable food and determined how much to feed, weight loss should happen. Although overweight pets consume more calories than they require, eliminating calories too drastically is not recommended. Be patient and slowly increase physical activity to aid weight loss, help reduce appetite and increase your pet’s resting metabolic rate. In addition to regular walks, give your dog more opportunities to be active by taking them outdoors to play. Both you and your pet will receive the benefits of additional exercise and reduced stress.

Although obesity is less common in cats, we’ve all seen our fair share of overweight kitties. Encourage indoor cats to exercise by playing with them frequently. If you have an outdoor cat, it may be harder to monitor their food intake, as you don’t really know what they are hunting, catching and consuming outdoors. When possible, confine your cat to your house to better control caloric intake and give the neighborhood birds and small mammals a break.

The amount of daily calories that an average, lightly active spayed or neutered pet requires is surprisingly low. Absent a medical or genetic condition, a 10 lb. cat needs only 200 calories, a 10 lb dog 200-275 calories, a 20 lb dog 325-400 calories and a 50 lb dog 700-900 calories. It’s critical to measure the food and be sure everyone in the house is on board to ensure treats are limited. Better yet, switch out commercial dog treats for healthier items such as peeled apple or pear slices, steamed carrots or green beans, or sliced sweet potato. (Steer clear of grapes, raisins, onions, garlic and citrus, which are harmful or toxic to pets.)

When calories are restricted, your dog may increase begging for food. Be compassionate and caring and give them extra love and attention. If possible, try to feed several divided portions throughout the day, while being careful not to exceed the daily total. Weigh your pet every week or two to monitor progress. Expect to see a 1-2% weight loss each week based on total body weight. Restricting your pet’s food intake is not easy, but the returns are great. Pets who maintain an ideal weight often live an additional two years. In dog years, that’s a lot of additional time to spend with you.

Make a commitment to your pet’s weight loss and you may find yourself getting into better shape as well. A successful weight management plan requires permanent changes in the behaviors that encouraged the weight gain. If taking your pet for longer or more frequent walks gets you off the couch, all the better for everyone. Owning and walking a dog can have a measurable impact on your overall health, as studies show that dog owners are more likely to get their recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise and are more liable to stick with the exercise long term.

Veterinary products that support weight loss, nutrition and overall health include:

Vetri-Lean Plus For Dogs
 
Vetri Lean Plus Chewable Tablet by Vetri-Science – This advanced chicken liver flavored formula for dogs contains clinically tested ingredients that aid weight loss by supporting appetite control, muscle building and fat burning.
 
 
Canine Basic Nutrients (VETERINARY PRODUCT)
 
Canine Basic Nutrients by Thorne Vet – This product provides a complete range of highly absorbable multivitamins and minerals in support of canine health and vitality. Non-GMO formula. Canine Geriatric formula also available.
 
 
 
Nu-Cat Bite-Sized Soft Chews
Nu-Cat Bite-Sized Soft Chews by Vetri-Science – This complete multivitamin and mineral formula is suitable for kittens and cats of all ages. Specific formulation contains over 40 nutrients including digestive enzymes to support absorption and utilization, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for additional overall support.
 
 
Formula V1 Vet-Zimes (VETERINARY PRODUCT)
 
Formula V1 Vet-Zimes by Ness Enzymes – This formula for dogs contains multiple digestive enzymes for optimal assimilation of all nutrients. Highly active enzymes are concentrated from cultivated plant sources in a base of pure plant fiber in support of overall health.
 
 
 
References:
 
How Do I Determine if My Dog is Overweight?  http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=661
 
Overweight Pets. https://oregonvma.org/care-health/overweight-pets
 
Overweight Dogs.  https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/overweight-dogs
 
Fruits and Veggies for Pets.  http://trupanion.com/pet-care/fruits-and-veggies-for-pets