Sentry Page Protection
Specific Supplementation
When it comes to supplementation, I am all about "specific" supplementation. This means that when it comes to choosing supplements for your pet, you aren't simply throwing every supplement there is at them because of X-Y-Z benefit. The internet is full of, "you should take this supplement for this, this, and that." The question is, do they really need that? Are they getting those nutrients already from a healthy diet that consists of nutrients in the form that they are designed to recognize and utilize? The best way for your pet to get the nutrients they need is through the foods they are eating. If you are feeding a prey model raw diet properly with raw meat, raw bones, and raw organs while rotating 3-4 proteins to achieve balance as we described earlier, your dog or cat is getting just about everything they need. Most healthy dogs and cats do not need much more than that.
However, commercially raised meats will have a reduced nutrient content compared to naturally raised meats. Harsh farming methods have decreased soil nutrient content which translates into crops being grown to have reduced content and therefore the animals eating those crops. There are some supplements that you may want to consider.
When supplementing, it's important to be aware that most nutrients work together. For example, Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption and Vitamin K2 is needed for Vitamin D absorption. Zinc is needed to transport Vitamin A. Too much copper prevents zinc absorption. Too much manganese interferes with iron absorption. Nutrients from food have these ratios closer to what is natural than supplements. It's the coordination of these nutrients that allows for health benefits, rather than isolating a single nutrient.
Supplements derived from whole food sources rather than synthetically made in a lab are much more beneficial and readily used by the body. If you are adding supplements to your dog or cat's diet, be sure they are quality supplements. My favorite supplements are on my "Products We Love" page on Roaring For Raw's website. I do not list any supplements that I would not consider giving my own dogs.
Fish Oil
If your dog or cat is eating commercially raised, grain fed meats, these meats are low in omega 3 essential fatty acids and high in omega 6 essential fatty acid. It can benefit your dog or cat to add this to their diet. If your dog is eating grass fed meats or wild game meats, they will have a natural omega 3:6 ratio.
When choosing an omega 3 supplement, please note that dogs and cats require long chain omega 3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA which are found in animal sources, not short chain ALA found in plant sources. Be sure the supplement you choose is an animal based source. They will get much more benefit, as it will be absorbed and utilized much easier.
Probiotics
Probiotics help to replenish and balance the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome contains many beneficial bacterial strains that are a significant component of your pet's health. A healthy gut microbiome helps maintain good health in a variety of ways, some ways are still being discovered today. Well known ways that a balance gut microbiome helps maintain health is by inhibiting harmful strains of bacteria, allowing for healthy immune system function, improving nutrient absorption, improving stool consistency, even improving emotional health.
Remember that raw green tripe can be used as a natural food source of probiotics. When choosing a supplement form of probiotic, soil based probiotics are best, after that dairy free probiotics.
Yogurt and keifer are not a species appropriate food source of probiotics. It is a dairy product. Dairy is not species appropriate. Most yogurts are highly processed through pasteurization, which actually kills the live bacteria. Your dog or cat will receieve little benefit from yogurt, and may actually contribute to congestion, allergies, yeast, etc.
Enzymes
Enzymes are used in virtually every process in the body, so they are vital in maintaining good health. If your dog or cat has been on processed foods, their enzymes are most likely depleted, as the foods they were eating were deficient in enzymes. This can lead to disease in glands and organs.
Joint Supplements
A prey model raw diet naturally contains glucosamine and chondroitin as it includes cartilage and connective tissues. However, it is important to note that if your dog is already experiencing joint issues or are approaching their senior years and is a breed prone to joint issues, the levels from diet alone are not at therapeutic levels. You can feed trachea, gullet, poultry feet, and tendons as treats, but feeding high amounts of cartilage in meals consistently would cause their diet to be off balance, so it is best to supplement.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are all beneficial to joint health, so it is important to look for all 3 of these ingredients in the supplement.
Glucosamine helps with cartilage formation and repair. Glucosamine sulfate can help protect joint cartilage by limiting breakdown and helping to build up levels of cartilage. Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) is equally effective as the sulfate form and absorbed more easily by the body
Chondriotin is part of a protein molecule that helps give cartilage its elastic properties and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the painful swelling in the joints that occurs when the exposed bones in the joint rub together. In addition, chondroitin sulfate may also help slow the breakdown of cartilage and help restore cartilage growth to better cushion the joints.
MSM delivers useable sulfur to the body. Sulfur strengthens the tissues that make up the joint by forming cross linkages of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) through disulfide bonds. The disulfide bonds reduce flexibility of GAG chains, making cartilage firm and resilient. Cartilage integrity is therefore a sulfur dependent state.
Minerals
Phosporus, calcium, and magnesium are naturally provided in a prey model raw diet. Meat contains natural phosphorus and bone contains natural calcium. Too much of one will cause a deficiency of the other which can lead to bone deformities. Remember to feed meat to bones at a 1:1 to 2:1 ratio. Sodium, potassium, and chloride maintain proper fluid balance and waste removal within the body. Silicon is needed for formation of fur, tissue, cartilage, healthy nervous system, and metabolism. Sulfur is needed for the elimination of toxins and joint health. Copper is necessary for the formation of collagen, bone and connective tissue, the absorption of iron, the development and maturation of red blood cells, and the development of Iodine is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and the production of thyroid hormones. pigment in hair. Iron combines with copper and protein to form hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron also is necessary for certain enzymes in the body to function normally. Manganese is essential for the proper use of protein and carbohydrate by the body, reproduction, and the action of many enzymes in the body responsible for the production of energy and making fatty acids. Selenium is an antioxidant which functions in conjunction with Vitamin E and certain enzymes to protect cells. It was actually recognized as a toxin before a trace element, it is necessary but in small amounts when compared to other trace minerals. Zinc has a critical function in metabolism.(1)
Prey model raw fed dogs and cats are much less likely to have mineral deficiences compared to dogs and cats fed proceesed foods. However, depetion of minerals in the soil transfers over to depletion of minerals in the raw meals that are fed. If you decide to supplement minerals, usually a liquid or powder form containing all the minerals is best, as they all work together. It is difficult to have an isolated mineral deficiency without others being out of balance. Good natural sources of minerals include bentonite clay, *food grade* diatomaceous earth, and organic apple cider vinegar.
Vitamins
Vitamin supplementation is usually not necessary as long as you are properly feeding a prey model raw diet with the proper percentages of meat, bone, and organ, as well as rotating proteins to achieve balance over time.
For dogs and cats with health conditions, consult and follow an expert's advice regarding supplementation use. For diagnosis of a condition, please see your veterinarian.
Below are some other notable supplements that you may find you need at different points in your pet's life.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle can help liver function. If your pet is exposed to environmental toxins such as lawn treatments, air fresheners, or cleaners this can benefit them. If they have taken medication, especially if they have shown any side effects, this can benefit them as well. It will support their liver's ability to eliminate these toxins as waste. It is a very powerful herb when it comes to liver function. It can also be used as a short "liver cleanse" from time to time.
Lyssin and Thuja
Lyssin and thuja are homeopathic remedies to help detox after vaccines are administered, especially if there is a reaction to vaccines. Lyssin is used for the rabies vaccine and thuja for all others. Naturalrearing.com and Dobiashealingsolutions.com both offer these remedies to pet owners if your vet does not have them.
Herbal Tinctures
Amber technology (Ambertech.com) sells a variety of herbal and homeopathic tinctures for various uses. Some of my favorites with seeing great improvements in my patients who have used them are Kidney Rejuvenator, Parvaid, and Life Cell Support. If you are looking for a specific tincture to help support a certain organ or organ system as well as some natural remedies for conditions, browse their site. They offer great support to their customers as well.
Young Living Essential Oils
Therapeutic grade essential oils can be used for a variety of reasons, from natural flea and tick deterrent to natural anti-viral and natural anti-bacterial uses. They can be diffused, applied topically, and ingested. I highly recommend using the Animal Desk Reference by Dr. Melissa Shelton for proper use of oils or consulting with an animal health professional who is familiar with using them so that you learn how to use them properly. I only use and recommend Young Living. Other essential oils may cause adverse results, especially if they are only meant to be used aromatically or contain other ingredients. Labeling laws are lax, so this is why I always have this disclaimer. Young Living discloses all of their farming practices and distills each plant according to their properties. I am a distributor with Young Living and clients have the ability to place orders online with me if you do not already have an account. If you do not list a distributor upon opening an account with them, you will be assigned a distributor at random.
Standard Process
Standard Process has a veterinary line for dogs, cats, and horses. They have whole body support to specific uses such as skin/coat to renal, adreal, endocrine, or liver support. They use extracts of healthy organs as well as whole food sources in their supplements to support normal function of the animal ingesting it. Standard Process supplements must be ordered from a professional. I am a partner with Standard Process and can provide my clients with these supplements.
Oregano
Oregano naturally has powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. ADP or emulsified form of oregano has a better effect than regular, with better ability getting down through the GI tract and not as harsh as the regular form. Emulsified oregano comes in encapsulated forms, so you can easily hide it in a piece of food. Caution: If you ever decide to administer oregano to your dog or cat, please never administer straight (neat) oregano oil as it is a very hot oil and can burn. Straight oregano oil always needs to be diluted either with another oil or within food that it can blend into. Oils do not mix with water, so please do not add to drinking water.
For a list of quality products of the above, visit:
http://www.roaringforraw.com/products-we-love.html
Sources:
(1)https://aspenbloom.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/recognizing_mineral_imbalance_in_our_pets.pdf
However, commercially raised meats will have a reduced nutrient content compared to naturally raised meats. Harsh farming methods have decreased soil nutrient content which translates into crops being grown to have reduced content and therefore the animals eating those crops. There are some supplements that you may want to consider.
When supplementing, it's important to be aware that most nutrients work together. For example, Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption and Vitamin K2 is needed for Vitamin D absorption. Zinc is needed to transport Vitamin A. Too much copper prevents zinc absorption. Too much manganese interferes with iron absorption. Nutrients from food have these ratios closer to what is natural than supplements. It's the coordination of these nutrients that allows for health benefits, rather than isolating a single nutrient.
Supplements derived from whole food sources rather than synthetically made in a lab are much more beneficial and readily used by the body. If you are adding supplements to your dog or cat's diet, be sure they are quality supplements. My favorite supplements are on my "Products We Love" page on Roaring For Raw's website. I do not list any supplements that I would not consider giving my own dogs.
Fish Oil
If your dog or cat is eating commercially raised, grain fed meats, these meats are low in omega 3 essential fatty acids and high in omega 6 essential fatty acid. It can benefit your dog or cat to add this to their diet. If your dog is eating grass fed meats or wild game meats, they will have a natural omega 3:6 ratio.
When choosing an omega 3 supplement, please note that dogs and cats require long chain omega 3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA which are found in animal sources, not short chain ALA found in plant sources. Be sure the supplement you choose is an animal based source. They will get much more benefit, as it will be absorbed and utilized much easier.
Probiotics
Probiotics help to replenish and balance the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome contains many beneficial bacterial strains that are a significant component of your pet's health. A healthy gut microbiome helps maintain good health in a variety of ways, some ways are still being discovered today. Well known ways that a balance gut microbiome helps maintain health is by inhibiting harmful strains of bacteria, allowing for healthy immune system function, improving nutrient absorption, improving stool consistency, even improving emotional health.
Remember that raw green tripe can be used as a natural food source of probiotics. When choosing a supplement form of probiotic, soil based probiotics are best, after that dairy free probiotics.
Yogurt and keifer are not a species appropriate food source of probiotics. It is a dairy product. Dairy is not species appropriate. Most yogurts are highly processed through pasteurization, which actually kills the live bacteria. Your dog or cat will receieve little benefit from yogurt, and may actually contribute to congestion, allergies, yeast, etc.
Enzymes
Enzymes are used in virtually every process in the body, so they are vital in maintaining good health. If your dog or cat has been on processed foods, their enzymes are most likely depleted, as the foods they were eating were deficient in enzymes. This can lead to disease in glands and organs.
Joint Supplements
A prey model raw diet naturally contains glucosamine and chondroitin as it includes cartilage and connective tissues. However, it is important to note that if your dog is already experiencing joint issues or are approaching their senior years and is a breed prone to joint issues, the levels from diet alone are not at therapeutic levels. You can feed trachea, gullet, poultry feet, and tendons as treats, but feeding high amounts of cartilage in meals consistently would cause their diet to be off balance, so it is best to supplement.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are all beneficial to joint health, so it is important to look for all 3 of these ingredients in the supplement.
Glucosamine helps with cartilage formation and repair. Glucosamine sulfate can help protect joint cartilage by limiting breakdown and helping to build up levels of cartilage. Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) is equally effective as the sulfate form and absorbed more easily by the body
Chondriotin is part of a protein molecule that helps give cartilage its elastic properties and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the painful swelling in the joints that occurs when the exposed bones in the joint rub together. In addition, chondroitin sulfate may also help slow the breakdown of cartilage and help restore cartilage growth to better cushion the joints.
MSM delivers useable sulfur to the body. Sulfur strengthens the tissues that make up the joint by forming cross linkages of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) through disulfide bonds. The disulfide bonds reduce flexibility of GAG chains, making cartilage firm and resilient. Cartilage integrity is therefore a sulfur dependent state.
Minerals
Phosporus, calcium, and magnesium are naturally provided in a prey model raw diet. Meat contains natural phosphorus and bone contains natural calcium. Too much of one will cause a deficiency of the other which can lead to bone deformities. Remember to feed meat to bones at a 1:1 to 2:1 ratio. Sodium, potassium, and chloride maintain proper fluid balance and waste removal within the body. Silicon is needed for formation of fur, tissue, cartilage, healthy nervous system, and metabolism. Sulfur is needed for the elimination of toxins and joint health. Copper is necessary for the formation of collagen, bone and connective tissue, the absorption of iron, the development and maturation of red blood cells, and the development of Iodine is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and the production of thyroid hormones. pigment in hair. Iron combines with copper and protein to form hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron also is necessary for certain enzymes in the body to function normally. Manganese is essential for the proper use of protein and carbohydrate by the body, reproduction, and the action of many enzymes in the body responsible for the production of energy and making fatty acids. Selenium is an antioxidant which functions in conjunction with Vitamin E and certain enzymes to protect cells. It was actually recognized as a toxin before a trace element, it is necessary but in small amounts when compared to other trace minerals. Zinc has a critical function in metabolism.(1)
Prey model raw fed dogs and cats are much less likely to have mineral deficiences compared to dogs and cats fed proceesed foods. However, depetion of minerals in the soil transfers over to depletion of minerals in the raw meals that are fed. If you decide to supplement minerals, usually a liquid or powder form containing all the minerals is best, as they all work together. It is difficult to have an isolated mineral deficiency without others being out of balance. Good natural sources of minerals include bentonite clay, *food grade* diatomaceous earth, and organic apple cider vinegar.
Vitamins
Vitamin supplementation is usually not necessary as long as you are properly feeding a prey model raw diet with the proper percentages of meat, bone, and organ, as well as rotating proteins to achieve balance over time.
For dogs and cats with health conditions, consult and follow an expert's advice regarding supplementation use. For diagnosis of a condition, please see your veterinarian.
Below are some other notable supplements that you may find you need at different points in your pet's life.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle can help liver function. If your pet is exposed to environmental toxins such as lawn treatments, air fresheners, or cleaners this can benefit them. If they have taken medication, especially if they have shown any side effects, this can benefit them as well. It will support their liver's ability to eliminate these toxins as waste. It is a very powerful herb when it comes to liver function. It can also be used as a short "liver cleanse" from time to time.
Lyssin and Thuja
Lyssin and thuja are homeopathic remedies to help detox after vaccines are administered, especially if there is a reaction to vaccines. Lyssin is used for the rabies vaccine and thuja for all others. Naturalrearing.com and Dobiashealingsolutions.com both offer these remedies to pet owners if your vet does not have them.
Herbal Tinctures
Amber technology (Ambertech.com) sells a variety of herbal and homeopathic tinctures for various uses. Some of my favorites with seeing great improvements in my patients who have used them are Kidney Rejuvenator, Parvaid, and Life Cell Support. If you are looking for a specific tincture to help support a certain organ or organ system as well as some natural remedies for conditions, browse their site. They offer great support to their customers as well.
Young Living Essential Oils
Therapeutic grade essential oils can be used for a variety of reasons, from natural flea and tick deterrent to natural anti-viral and natural anti-bacterial uses. They can be diffused, applied topically, and ingested. I highly recommend using the Animal Desk Reference by Dr. Melissa Shelton for proper use of oils or consulting with an animal health professional who is familiar with using them so that you learn how to use them properly. I only use and recommend Young Living. Other essential oils may cause adverse results, especially if they are only meant to be used aromatically or contain other ingredients. Labeling laws are lax, so this is why I always have this disclaimer. Young Living discloses all of their farming practices and distills each plant according to their properties. I am a distributor with Young Living and clients have the ability to place orders online with me if you do not already have an account. If you do not list a distributor upon opening an account with them, you will be assigned a distributor at random.
Standard Process
Standard Process has a veterinary line for dogs, cats, and horses. They have whole body support to specific uses such as skin/coat to renal, adreal, endocrine, or liver support. They use extracts of healthy organs as well as whole food sources in their supplements to support normal function of the animal ingesting it. Standard Process supplements must be ordered from a professional. I am a partner with Standard Process and can provide my clients with these supplements.
Oregano
Oregano naturally has powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. ADP or emulsified form of oregano has a better effect than regular, with better ability getting down through the GI tract and not as harsh as the regular form. Emulsified oregano comes in encapsulated forms, so you can easily hide it in a piece of food. Caution: If you ever decide to administer oregano to your dog or cat, please never administer straight (neat) oregano oil as it is a very hot oil and can burn. Straight oregano oil always needs to be diluted either with another oil or within food that it can blend into. Oils do not mix with water, so please do not add to drinking water.
For a list of quality products of the above, visit:
http://www.roaringforraw.com/products-we-love.html
Sources:
(1)https://aspenbloom.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/recognizing_mineral_imbalance_in_our_pets.pdf
© Roaring For Raw, nothing in this membership area may be reproduced in any form.
© Roaring For Raw, nothing in this membership area may be reproduced in any form.