Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Thursday, January 10, 2013

Wheat Gluten in Pet Food: Can Be Harmful to Your Cat or Dog


Buyer Beware: Wheat Gluten is a Common Ingredient in Many Pet Foods. Here are just a few examples: Fancy Feast, Nutromax Cat, Natural Choice (the list goes on....). What is wheat gluten doing in the food? It's a cheaper source of protein than using real meat to convince you that your pet is getting nutrition when in fact, your pet is not. Wheat gluten is highly allergic and any cat or dog with bowel problems should not be eating food that contains it. If your pet has unusual, hard to diagnose problems such as hair loss on the tail, bouts of occassional vomitting or diarrhea, constant scratching---check your pet food label.  Look for grain-free, high moisture diets such as Instinct, Ziwi Peak and Primal.  

Many pet owners have cats or dogs that are having digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease or allergic scratching and itching.  Change your pet's diet!  Look for grain-free, high moisture diets such as Instinct, Ziwi Peak and Primal.  Just like with people, "you are what you eat".  Cats, especially are carnivores and have no need for food fillers such as corn.  It's very important to check the labels of your pet food.  In addition, all cats or dogs, regardless of their lifestage can benefit from two important nutritional supplements:
1)  Probiotics---these "friendly" bacteria provide the reinforcements for your cat or dog's immune system.  Probiotics are especially important if your pet has ever been on antibiotics.  We have had excellent success with the veterinary-recommended Power Probiotic.   
2)  In addition, it is essential to add purified, highly therapeutic fish oil to your cat or dog's diet.  Be sure the fish oil is purified for heavy metals and environmental toxins.  Fish oil may be added to some pet food brands, but pets generally need more than the small amount included in the food.  Fish oil provides many benefits including a lustrous coat, joint support, reduces allergy symptoms and so much more.  Amazing Omegas is purified with the highest standards and is third party tested.  Here is how the label reads:  Ask Ariel's Amazing Omegas For Pets: "This fish oil has not been chemically modified and hence supplies the Omega-3 fatty acids the way nature provides them. It is processed without solvents and is completely free of chemicals such as hexane. Third party testing also GUARANTEES that it is free of pesticides, PCBs, Dioxin and heavy metals including mercury."  








Monday, December 17, 2012

Is Curcumin (tumeric) Safe To Give Dogs? What are the benefits of giving Curcumin to Dogs?

Q:  My 7 year old german shepherd is slowing down.  I  give him glucosamine but had read about curcumin and was wondering if it was safe to give my dog and also would like to know the benefits.  Can you explain why to use curcumin and how it might help my german shepherd?

A:  Curcumin is an excellent product for pet joint support, cancer and inflammation.  This product is a powerful anti-inflammatory that is backed by extensive research.  We have seen excellent results with older dogs that are stiff and uncomfortable in helping to improve mobility and reduced pain.  Curcumin (aka as turmeric) is also helpful for cats.  It is easy to administer and economical.

Benefits of Curcumin for Dogs and Cats:
1)  Curcumin stimulates bile production.Helps to cleanse the blood of toxins and impurities by improving liver function.  
2)  Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.  In some studies, it has been shown to work nearly as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.
3) Very helpful for hip dysplasia, arthritis and pets that are slowing down because of it's anti-inflammatory properties
4) Benefits the circulatory system because it is a blood thinner and helps to prevent clots and excess cholesterol accumulation.
5) Powerful antioxidant which can lessen free radical damage
6) Some evidence on turmeric and cancer indicate that curcumin may help control cancer growth

Curcumin would be an excellent addition to any senior pet and especially any dog or cat that shows signs of fatigue, difficulty getting up and down stairs, limping or having trouble moving around.  Older big dogs such as german shepherds would especially benefit from using curcumin.