Can Your Pet Benefit From Both Probiotics and Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes and probiotics are both important for maintaining a healthy digestive system in pets, and using them together can provide synergistic benefits.

Digestive enzymes help break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body, but they do not provide any new beneficial bacteria for the gut.

Probiotics, on the other hand, contain live beneficial bacteria that can help improve the balance of the gut microbiome which can improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system. They can be especially helpful for pets with digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diarrhea, or constipation. However, probiotics do not necessarily help with the breakdown of food. Using both digestive enzymes and probiotics together can provide a more comprehensive approach to support your pet's digestive health.

In Loving Memory Of Legend

In loving memory of Legend, our beloved husky who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. Legend was a true survivor, rescued from Tijuana and against all odds, lived a full and happy life in spite of his severe hip dysplasia, epilepsy and liver cancer diagnoses in Sept 2021.

Over the years, Legend proved to be a true legend indeed. He had a larger-than-life personality and was a friend to all. Legend was always up for an adventure, whether it was a hike in the woods or chasing squirrels at Dana Point Harbor. He was a faithful companion, a loyal friend, and a constant source of joy and comfort.

As Legend grew older, his spirit never dimmed. Even as his health declined, he remained brave and determined. He fought through his challenges with grace and dignity.

Legend may no longer be with us in physical form, but his spirit will always live on. We will never forget the joy he brought into our lives and the memories we shared with him. Rest in peace, dear Legend, and know that you will always be loved and remembered.

How To Give Omega-3s To Your Pet

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a vital role in maintaining your pet's overall health, including their skin, coat, joints and immune system. Here are some ways to give your pet omegas:

High-Quality Pet Food: Raw frozen or raw freeze-dried pet food contains omega-3 fatty acids. Adding a few pieces of raw freeze-dried salmon or cod can be an excellent source of omegas.

Omega-Rich Foods: Foods, such as salmon, sardines, and other oily fish, are naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You can also add flaxseed or chia seeds to your pet's food, which are good sources of omega-3.

Omega-3 Supplements: You can give your pet omega-3 supplements in the form of fish oil that can be added to your pet's food. Amazing Omegas are a blend of natural anchovy, mackerel and sardine oils. It’s gently manufactured to supply the omega-3 fatty acids the way nature provided them for an enhanced benefit to your pet. Packed in glass bottles to maintain freshness and to prevent toxins from plastic from leaking into the oil.

Antioxidant Rich Vegetables For Your Pet

Here’s an assortment of vegetables you might consider adding to your dog’s diet. Other vegetables include pumpkin, zucchini, butternut or spaghetti squash and dandelion greens. Some cats will eat asparagus, pumpkin and squash. Adding vegetables to your pet’s diet has many benefits. They contain enzymes, vitamins, minerals and prebiotic fibers to support immunity. They are rich in antioxidants which fight aging. The fiber helps pets with digestive issues and keeps them feeling full longer. Adding vegetables doesn’t cost much. You can pick up some frozen vegetables and look for ones that are on sale. Just be sure to avoid mixed vegetable medleys as they might contain ingredients like onions which are poisonous for pets.

Time To Check Your Pet's ID

This week is National Pet ID week. It may sound a bit boring but the anguish of having a lost pet is something you don’t ever want to deal with. Most pet owners assume it will never happen to them. But it does and it can happen in a split second. Someone comes to the door, a child opens a gate, a fence gets a hole in it or a worker goes in and out and so does your pet. Pets get lost on trips and getting in and out of the car too. Having proper ID is one of the most important and consequential aspects of having a pet. Please check your pet’s tag and make sure the address and phone number are current. We can’t emphasize enough how much the spring and summer weather increase the likelihood of your pet getting lost. Keep your pet safe and ensure they have proper ID.

Do You Know The Warning Signs Of Cancer?

Do you know the warning signs of cancer? As a general rule, if your pet is acting differently or just a little bit off, especially if you have an older pet, it may not just be “old age”. If caught early, your options to treat your pet’s cancer are better. This is due to a variety of reasons. Surgical removal is usually much more successful before the cancer has metastasized. Pets often respond better to treatments when they are in a stronger, earlier stage. That’s why it is so important to watch for the signs.

One of the most common (and easiest to notice) signs are lumps and bumps. While most are not cancerous, it is always a good idea to check with your vet. Other warning signs of cancer may include:

• Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
• Sores that do not heal
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
• Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating
• Persistent lameness or stiffness
• Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina
• Difficulty eating or swallowing

If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, our OncoPet is a great all-purpose cancer vitamin that is well tolerated.

Blue Dream Finds Help For Megaesophagus

"This is Blue Dream, he’s around 7, going on 8, years old. We found each other at a park when he was about 8 months old. I wasn’t planning on keeping him, & after a few weeks of not being claimed by anyone, I found a family at the dog park that wanted him. He left with them, but within no time, he escaped from their house, and found his way back to me. The mom of the family said, “I think he’s actually your dog!” And, well, we’ve been soulmates ever since! Shortly after we reunited, I had to take him to the vet because he regurgitated everything he ingested. The vet diagnosed him with Mega-Esophagus, and was highly concerned about it. However, Blue’s so brilliant, energetic, and strong, I knew that it wasn’t going to hold him back.

The conventional medicine options were not an appealing route for us to take, so I did a lot of research on alternative care. I learned right away about grinding up his dry kibble in a blender & mixing it w/liquid as well as others who use the ‘Bailey Chair’ when feeding. Blue much preferred to just stand up while eating though, and it’s worked excellent over the years. Mega-Esophagus can be a bit tricky though because from our experience, Blue can go months with no issues whatsoever, and then all of a sudden, he’ll have a rough day - coughing like a goose, & spitting up his water, due to the congestion & what seems like air bubbles in his chest/throat. Gentle massage and a burping/tapping technique work great, & he really appreciates it.

A few months back, in February, he started to suffer from what appeared to be GERD/Acid Reflux. He was smacking his lips, his breath was very foul when typically his mouth is quite clean/fresh, his tummy was gurgling, and his stool was incredibly strong. He was not a happy camper, and I was a very worried Dad! I quickly started to research again, and came across Licorice, Chlorella, and L-Glutamine, which all sounded quite promising. While trying to figure out how I’d go about giving them to him, I stumbled upon the AskAriel website page & a product called Gastro ULC. I immediately knew it was fate.

It described the exact symptoms that Blue was suffering from as well as the ingredients I had been considering. Although I initially chose the K9 Digestive Enzymes as a combo, AskAriel’s customer support quickly came to the rescue by advising LypoZyme instead, as the former contains HCL, which can irritate the esophagus. I hadn’t initially seen the LypoZyme, and was so incredibly grateful to them for looking out for him with this switch up. Blue perked up a bit when I told him that his supplements were on the way, & he was super eager to open the box when it arrived.

Along with his supplements, we received some nutrition/diet tips that we jumped on right away. I researched each option given, and really liked the Primal brand’s ‘build a bowl’ choices. Rabbit, I’ve learned, is a ‘cooling’ food, which can help alleviate inflammation, so I picked up some Raw Patties, with Goat Milk for the probiotics, ginger, & turmeric it has. The Gastro ULC & LypoZyme are easy peasy to add to his food, and Blue’s turn around literally happened after the first day of having them. Plus, he’s head over paws on the yummy new food additions.

I honestly can’t believe how quickly the GERD ceased with no more smacking, stinkiness, &/or spitting up, as his esophagus has been golden. Also, his energy is full on puppy status again! I’ve just placed his re-order, and have added the Power Probiotics to keep his digestion/absorption on point.

AskAriel, it really does mean the world to us to have found you. You are the Angel to our Blue Angel, and we cannot thank you enough!"  Jasper, NM