Archive for the ‘Supplements’ Category

Its never a good thing to hear that your dog is in kidney failure, Chronic Renal Failure, has high kidney values or what have you.  Its devastating because far too often these dogs go downhill and go down fast.  Usually, if you have a traditional vet, they will put your dog immediately on a prescription diet – most commonly Science Diet K/D.

The ingredients in K/D, leave much to be desired.  The first few are as follows:

“Brewers Rice, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Corn Gluten

Many pets with kidney problems won't eat prescription diets causing their systems to weaken and rendering them unable to fight the disease

Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Beet Pulp, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt…”

Note the decided lack of meat.  Erroneously, the first decision that many jump to when faced with a pet that has kidney problems is that they no longer should have protein.  The fact is that they need to be fed less PHOSPHORUS and the RIGHT proteins.

Proteins make up the bulk of a carnivore’s diet and make no mistake, our dogs and cats ARE carnivores.  The best proteins for our little house carnivores are animal based as they contain all the essential amino acids that our pets need.  To deprive our dog, or cat, of protein, is to take away the most vital part of their diet.  Contrary to the belief of some, protein does not cause kidney problems as a pet ages nor is it necessary to erase them from the diet of an animal showing signs of distressed kidneys.

According to www.dogaware.com, one of the leading sites on dealing with kidney problems in our pets, lowering the phosphorus in our pet’s diet has been shown to “slow the progression of kidney disease.”  Further, feeding fattier meats will supply calories while reducing phosphorus levels so long as care is taken with dogs prone to pancreatitis.  Raw fats are processed far more easily by dogs and cats and always should receive preference over cooked fats.

It is also important to avoid feeding bones which are quite high in phosphorus.  Using a calcium supplement to replace bones is a must for kidney patients.  Calcium from a whole food source – such as Eggshellent Calcium – is a far better choice than using synthetic calcium supplements and are easy to add to your pet’s food.  Removing the bones reduces phosphorus level of which bones have a high amount.  Calcium acts as a phosphorus binder and in this manner helps the kidneys deal with any phosphorus that is present.  Avoiding other foods high in phosphorus is also key.  Foods like fish, cheese and organ meats should be generally avoided with the exception of organ meats which should be fed in small amounts and only very moderately due to the nutritional benefits that they provide.   Your basic dietary goals should therefore include, moderate to high amounts of fat, high quality protein, low phosphorus and plenty of water. (Whole Dog Journal, May 2005).

When pets are placed on a prescription diet, it is often noted that they begin to suffer from inappetence.  This is hardly conducive to fighting the kidney problems – in fact it often compromises the animal as he gets weaker and weaker from

Raw Green Tripe can be a lifesaver for a pet suffering from chronic renal failure

lack of nutrition.  One of the most perfect foods for kidney patients is Raw Green Tripe.  Naturally low in phosphorus with a perfect amount of calcium through non-bone sources to bind what phosphorus there is, it tends to be a favorite of most all dogs (cats, not as much as they aren’t drawn nearly so much to smelly foods).  Many dogs who will not or have stopped eating their prescription kibble will begin to eat once more when faced with a pungent bowl of raw tripe.  Tripe, which is the stomach of a ruminant animal, is quite nearly a complete food and if it is all that your kidney dog will eat than you are actually in good shape.  Variety is always nice and preferable, but tripe can fulfill their nutritional needs and is rarely ignored.

At A Place For Paws we offer a kidney package containing both Raw Green Tripe and our specially formulated Pork and Veggies mix that includes Eggshellent Calcium rather than actual pork bone.  A combination of the two can make the difference in your kidney dog’s eating habits.  Also great for pets with kidney problems is Grizzly Salmon Oil.  Fish body oils provide high amounts of Omega 3 essential fatty acids which have been shown to help dogs with chronic renal failure or high kidney values (WDJ, 2005).   Remember, your pet needs good food in order to have a healthy body.  A healthy body is more than necessary for fighting off their illness – poor nutrition will simply weaken your pet making the end come far more quickly than it has to.

Joint problems – lots of dogs have them.  Some are due to injury, some to genetic problems, some to old age, some to growth issues – doesn’t matter WHY, what matters is what we do about it.  Vets are quick to prescribe drugs to kill pain, reduce inflammation, make our pet’s lives “better” – but there are alternatives that can be tried prior to drugs or even while using various drugs, safer alternatives.  There are also ways to prevent the problems from happening at all which is key.

With three to choose from there is a Liquid Health product that is perfect for your dog

Prevention is the best policy by far.  Diet is one of the keys to avoiding problems especially while dogs are growing.  Good nutrition is so very important – commercial dog foods especially puppy foods, promote fast growth and often strain the tender joints of large breed puppies.  Puppies fed a natural raw diet grow at a more natural rate – slow growth, less strain, stronger joints for life.  Weight can also be a factor in joint problems.  Fat puppies make for fat adults.  Keeping your puppy lean can go a long way to making sure he has healthy joints.  Keeping your adult dog at HIS optimal weight does the same. If you know that your dog has been diagnosed with poor hips, arthritis or if your dog suffers an injury that compromises his joints in some manner, making sure your dog is lean should be first on your agenda.

Active dogs put plenty of stress on their joints sometimes resulting in injury or damage

Supplementation can be your best friend when it comes to treating joint issues.  Just like humans, dogs benefit from well known joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and hyaluronic acid.  Glucosamine and chondroitin help to build, rebuild and maintain healthy joints.  When cartilage is damaged through injury or age, the body can’t keep up with the need for excess glucosamine and chondroitin which is where supplementation comes in.  Meanwhile, MSM is important because it helps the body utilize the glucosamine and chondroitin.  Working in tandem these three substances can go a long way toward the making and maintenence of healthy joints and any supplement with glucosamine or chondroitin should indeed include MSM.  Hyaluronic acid is a major lubricating agent in the joints.  As your dog gets older, its production lessens.  When used with glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, HA will keep the joints moving comfortably while the others do their jobs.  The symmetry of these products often give you results that you wouldn’t see otherwise.  While dogs do manufacture their own Vitamin C, the amount is small and they generally could use some extra help.  Most people equate Vitamin C with immunity but in truth, while it is great for that purpose, Vitamin C also aids in joint health by helping to rebuild diseased or unhealthy joint tissue.  Vitamin C can be incredibly important for growing puppies, active adults as well as aging individuals who need that extra boost.

Vitamin C can go a long way in making sure your puppy grows up with strong healthy joints

At A Place For Paws we offer a full line of joint supplements – supplements that we use on our own dogs.  Cran-Tri-C is a palatable and easy way to make sure your dog or puppy gets the C it needs for optimal health and growth.  Liquid Health offers three joint formulas, one of which is sure to be right for your dog.  K9 Glucosamine is a basic joint supplement that includes glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM – a great general product.  K9 Glucosamine with HA is a special formulation that is intended for sensitive dogs who may have allergies.  The source of the glucosamine is vegetarian as is the entire product – contains no shellfish nor beef products.  It also includes HA which will help to lubricate your dog’s joints making movement easier and pain free.  Finally Level 5000 is the most complex and efficient of the three formulas.  A concentrated formula for healthy joints with 5200mg of Glucosamine per ounce plus MSM, Perna and Shark Cartilage.  Level 5000 also includes several powerful antioxidants such as Ester C and Grape Seed Extract, digestive enzymes as well as Cat’s Claw and Manganese to enhance its benefits.  Use as a preventative or to treat current joint issues.  This formula has shown amazing results for many pets.  The fact that it is super concentrated means that you use LESS of it than the other two joint formulas.  All of the Liquid Health products are, as the name says, liquids.  This means quicker and more efficient absorption than capsules or powder.  So help your dog the natural way and perhaps you won’t have to resort to medications and the side effects they bring with them.

DogZymes Digestive Enhancer

Introducing, fresh from Nature’s Farmacy, our new line of probiotics, digestive enhancers and vitamin C!  After extensive research, we found what we think is the best of the best in this line of products.  They are extremely palatable to dogs and have an extensive shelf life, something that we felt was missing in similar products.  Good for us, and good for you the customer.  The Digestive Enhancer is perfect for dogs with sensitive systems or dogs who need a little help getting all that they can get out of their meals.  In reality, this is a product that would be a great staple for ANY dog and is easy to give with their food no matter what their diet consists of!  DogZymes Canine Paste is perfect for when your pup has that random bout of “dire rear”!  Who doesn’t like to have something right on hand that can stop that problem in its tracks???

DogZymes Cran-Tri-C

Cran-Tri-C is an easy and affordable way to supplement the amount of vitamin C that your dog gets in addition to that which he manufactures himself.  Great for joints, immune system and dogs with chronic urinary tract issues, this mixture is easy to add to your dog’s meals on a daily or occasional basis.

DogZymes Canine Paste