Do I need to give my pet nutritional supplements?
If you do some research, you’ll find different opinions about the use of nutritional supplements in pets. Some people say that if you feed your dog or cat a high quality pet food, supplements are unnecessary. Others claim you deal with preventable diseases before symptoms arise by using supplements to promote optimal health.
The reality is that diet is an issue for most dogs and cats. Even the best commercial foods use additives and processing to form kibble–depleting overall nutritional value. The result of a highly processed diet can lead to dietary deficiencies, which can in turn contribute to:
- sluggishness and lack of energy
- skin and hair irregularities
- digestive issues
- joint health problems
- susceptibility to cancer
Nutritional supplements return what processing food takes out.
If you have a breed of dog with a disposition for health problems such as arthritis or joint issues, a supplement like glucosamine may be necessary, and is most effective if used over your pet’s lifetime.
Natural Supplements versus the Toxic Environment
Nutritional supplements help counter the effect of inadvertent exposure to toxic materials. Research done by the Environmental Working Group found shocking amounts of industrial and household toxins in tests of outwardly healthy dogs and cats.
Exposure to these toxins increases the risk of cancer and creates digestive havoc by destroying necessary digestive bacteria and enzymes.
Supplements can re-introduce necessary elements that exposure to toxins destroys, including probiotic bacteria and essential fatty acids.
Supplements for the Imperfect World
If you live in an environment where your dog or cat is never exposed to toxins and is always fed a natural, high quality diet that includes raw foods and real meat, then your pet may not need nutritional supplements.
Unfortunately, this is not the reality for most of us. Our dogs rummage in neighbor’s garages and drink from city sewers. Curious cats get into…everything.
Animals suffer injuries, and some breeds develop chronic conditions. The noise and confusion of urban life can fray a bemused animal’s nerves.
Often, we buy low-priced foods we recall our pets seemed to like. In the rush of everyday life, convenience wins.
The holistic health approach considers these factors and acts to counter them. The goal is to recognize aspects of the environment that cause disease and take preventative action. The result is a clean bill of health and high quality of life.
With the imperfections the unnatural, modern world we invite our pets into, natural nutritional supplements help provide balance.
Visit our homepage for more information on holistic pet health care products.
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