Today, there is a wide range of pet food available for cats and dogs. From kibbles, wet, homemade, natural to semi-moist and raw. The ingredients have also become more varied and moved away from the conventional, and so have the supplements we give pets.

Why Should Pets Feed on Healthy Foods?

Collagen and It’s Benefits for Pets

How To Ease Arthritis in Dogs During the Cold Weather

Pet Diet and Cancer Management

Dog Nutrition for a Healthy Coat

The Role and Importance of Amino Acids in Pet Health

Today, there is a wide range of pet food available for cats and dogs. From kibbles, wet, homemade, natural to semi-moist and raw.

The ingredients have also become more varied and moved away from the conventional, and so have the supplements we give pets. 

Whichever way one decides to go, one thing remains constant; pet health and wellness are directly linked to what pets feed on. We have seen that many pet owners are going for pet food that helps boost immunity. Ingredients with health benefits like minerals, vitamins, probiotics, zinc and many others are increasingly receiving attention.

Why Should Pets Feed on Healthy Foods?

Many people today are more aware that certain chemicals and preservatives in pet food pose high health risks to their pets. We always do our best to make sure we eat high-quality natural food to eliminate disease and improve our energy level. The same principles apply to our pet’s food too.

Unfortunately, most pet parents feed their pets with over-processed pet food. These foods are chemically altered and do not resemble natural meat or vegetables.

The food does not have the required requirement to sustain your pet’s life and make sure they live a healthy life. The worst part is that pets will never question what you feed them. It is, therefore, important to always make sure to feed them with high-quality and nutritious food.

Are you sure about the quality of food sold at your favorite pet food store? It is essential to understand the importance of good pet nutrition for your pet. We have many companies that claim to manufacture nutritious pet food, but we need to know and understand the quality of food they manufacture.

To read on about ways to identify high-quality healthy food, click here

Collagen and It’s Benefits for Pets

What is Collagen? 

The word “collagen” is derived from two Greek words; "kólla," which means "glue," and "gen", the suffix, meaning "producing." It thus follows that collagen functions as a glue holding the body together, forming a scaffold to provide structure and strength. It’s typically found in connective tissues throughout the body such as the skin, muscle, bones, tendons, blood vessels and even the digestive system.

Making up 30 % of the protein in a body, collagen is among the most abundant proteins. The collagen fibers comprise the amino acids glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and arginine. These are in turn, made up of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen.

What does Collagen do? 

There are various types of collagen found in a body. Five of them are the most common and make up the largest percentage of collagen in a body. 

Because it is present in the skin, muscle, bones, tendons, blood vessels and even the digestive system, collagen is known for transcendently advancing joint wellbeing, especially in dogs. 

It is found in cartilage and is also a structural component of the nose, ear, rib cage, bronchial tubes, rib cage, and more. It is additionally one of the major components of the skin and organs. 

It, therefore, goes without saying that maintaining solid collagen levels is very vital for a healthy life.

Read more for indepth information on collagen and its benefits 

How To Ease Arthritis in Dogs During the Cold Weather

In both humans and pets, it’s an all too well known fact that cooler weather can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis.

Whereas there is still no cure for arthritis in dogs, there are vet-recommended, actionable steps that can be taken to alleviate the stiffness, pain, joint popping, and other symptoms.

Because all dogs have specific health needs, it’s always advisable to discuss new treatment options with a veterinarian. 

Most parts of the globe are experiencing winter right now. That’s why we found it befitting to talk about these six things that can help a dog with arthritis.

1. Weight Management

Weight control is among the most vital tools in managing arthritis in dogs. Heavier pets put more stress on their joints. Keeping dogs lean improves mobility and exercise tolerance.

2. Get Your Dog Moving

While it might seem like it would do the exact opposite, movement could provide pain relief for arthritic dogs, and here’s why. You see, dogs with less movement because they suffer from arthritis get into a vicious cycle of pain. That’s because less motion then leads to stiffness which makes it harder for them to move, causing even more pain.

    3. Consider Dog Supplements

Supplements for dogs’ joints containing chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine contain natural anti-inflammatory properties. These can help ease arthritis-associated joint pain.

    4. Ask Your Veterinarian About Arthritis Pain Relief for Dogs

Some dogs, especially those that over-exert themselves, may occasionally need stronger pain medication for arthritis pain. According to PetMD, a  non-steroidal anti-inflammatory dog medication called Galliprant tablets for dogs recently became available and is approved for use in dogs to treat pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. There are also other chewable tablets and oral suspensions for dogs that are right for pets.

    5. Try Physical Therapy to Relieve Arthritis in Dogs

Physical therapy is known to relieve some symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Ask a  veterinary physical therapist to tailor exercises for your pet’s specific needs. This will help them achieve low-impact activity levels.

A home exercise regimen can be developed to replace or reduce regular therapy appointments. 

    6. Comfy Bedding

Whereas comfortable bedding is important for all pets, it is especially essential for those with arthritis.  An orthopedic mat or a memory foam bed are some ways to ensure comfort. 

Some dogs may enjoy additional heat while others might prefer cooler temperatures. If you use a heating pad or blanket or a heated dog bed, keep it on the lowest setting. 

While this information can help in providing pain relief for arthritic dogs, It’s best to keep in mind the fact that every dog has their individual needs. As such, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all recommendation. That is why monitoring and keeping track of what your dog can and cannot tolerate and what works best for them while partnering with your veterinarian regarding their long-term care is important.

For more in-depth information on this topic, read more here.

Pet Diet and Cancer Management

Cancer is scary and prevalent, not only in humans but in pets too. Thinking that cancer isn’t preventable or curable is a pretty nihilistic and cynical approach. 

There is a ton of information about this available out there. Some credible, some not so much.

There is, however, some consensus on what a cancer prevention diet looks like for a pet. 

So what are the most commonly agreed-upon concepts on this type of preventative diet?

Here’s a general suggested breakdown:

• Dogs: 50% protein , 50% veggies (dark leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and green beans are good choices)

• Cats: 80% protein, 20% veggies

• Sources of Omega-3, 6, and 9

So, How Can One Achieve These Diet Goals?

Ideally, the most cancer-preventative and healthy way is feeding pets home-prepared meals using whole, raw, organic foods. However, this isn’t feasible for many people. Frozen raw, freeze dried, dehydrated pet food is another viable option. 

To learn more about how to feed your pet on a preventative diet, read more here

Dog Nutrition for a Healthy Coat

Every dog lover must admit that it's pleasurable to pet a dog, especially those adorned with lustrous fur and healthy skin. But some dogs suffer from lackluster coats and itchy, flaking skin. What can be done to restore their shiny coat in such cases?

1. Choose Quality Food

Premium pet food is specially formulated to be balanced and complete. That means it includes all the nutrients pets need. Premium pet food also has highly digestible ingredients, so a dog uses all the nutrients efficiently, keeping it healthy. 

2. A Protein Based Diet

The best thing for a dog’s skin and coat health is feeding them high-quality protein packed dog food such as the Avantis range of dog food brands. Dogs are at their best when fed as carnivores. They thrive on a diet rich in animal-based protein sources. Because their hair is actually 95% protein, coat growth varies according to the breed but the combined growth of all their fur can add up to almost 100 feet per day in some dog breeds. This means that during some seasons, close to 30% of a dog's daily protein requirement is used up on coat growth only.

3. A Regular Grooming Schedule

A healthy-looking dog has a glossy, healthy coat and is a reflection of their overall health. It is a good way to gauge what's going on not only outside but also inside their body. 

Regular grooming does help take care of the outside by removing dirt and mites, loose hair and helps distribute skin oils. It also helps with taking a close look to catch any skin problems early, not to mention dogs love the attention!

Many factors can influence the overall health of a dog’s skin and coat: Diet and grooming, presence of parasites and hormonal or seasonal changes. The best way to keep dogs healthy, just like in humans, is to make sure that their health is taken care of from the inside out from an early age. 

To read more about this and the fatty acids that are a must have for that smooth, shiny coat, click here

The Role and Importance of Amino Acids in Pet Health

It is as important for pets as it is for humans to eat a balanced diet. A diet consisting of fat, protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins is what pet’s need too. Of all these, protein is one of the most important macro-nutrients pets need and is also what breaks down into amino acids.

Simply put, amino acids are what help pets thrive. They help with tendons, ligaments, bones, nails, hair, immunity, anxiety and mood, among other major functions in the body.

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Proteins comprise chains of amino acids.

Pets utilize 22 different amino acids, 10 of which are “nonessential” and can naturally be produced in the body as needed. The other 10 amino acids, however, can’t be made by a pet or produced in sufficient quantities as fast as is required on their own so that they can grow and stay healthy. Pets must, therefore, get them regularly from the food they consume. 

Pets also require one added compound, taurine, which is found naturally in animal-based ingredients. It can also be consumed as a supplement. Because of this critical role it plays for health, it is added to pet food. It is not used to make proteins but floats freely in pets’ tissues. 

Technically, taurine is not an amino acid due to the fact that it has bonds that behave somewhat differently compared to other amino acids. But just like amino acids, taurine plays a key role in almost all the organs and helps with;

• Brain health

• Heart health

• Eye health

• Immune function

• Healthy blood

• Reproduction

• Immune health 

For more about amino acids and their individual benefit to pet health and wellness, read more here