Many problems experienced by dogs and cats can be helped with over-the-counter (OTC) supplements, saving you an expensive and potentially unnecessary trip to the vet, and possibly adding more healthy years to your pets’ life. No matter what shape your pets are in today, supplements can add to their general health and wellness.
Before I recommend specific supplements, I want to stress how important it is to consult a veterinarian if the problem you are trying to address does not improve. Supplements should never be used as a substitute for proper medical care. Anytime your pet experiences serious symptoms like vomiting or inability to walk or stay alert, you should seek veterinary help immediately. If the problem seems to be primarily one of discomfort, behavior issues, or insufficient nutrients, supplements can be very effective.
Types of Supplements
Generally, supplements fall into several broad categories, including skin, urinary, intestinal, muscle and skeleton, and immune system, and are usually used to treat a specific symptom, such as itching and scratching, excessive shedding, or joint stiffness.
Marshall Grain carries the Nutri-Vet line of supplements, which includes several excellent products I recommend for common, everyday problems. Below are three popular remedies.
Probiotics Benefit Everyone
One product all pets can benefit from is Nutri-Vet Probiotics. Probiotics can relieve a variety of problems ranging from gas, diarrhea, constipation, excessive shedding, and inability to gain weight despite a big appetite. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that improve the absorption of nutrients, which is good for the immune system, the skin, the skeleton and muscles, and the blood. By improving digestion it also makes your pets’ stool firmer.
Probiotics are especially helpful to young puppies and kittens transitioning to solid foods. As dogs and cats age, the pancreas slows enzyme production, resulting in reduced digestion and assimilation of fat, protein and carbohydrate components of food. Cooking and processing food reduces or eliminates dietary enzymes. Enzyme supplementation can increase the absorption of essential vitamins, minerals and certain fatty acids from the diet. It may also correct bad breath, grass eating, stool eating, and gas. Nutri-Vet Probiotics’ provides valuable microorganisms that help support intestinal balance and a healthy immune system.
Behavior Problems
If you have a nervous dog or cat, a great supplement is Nutri-Vet’s Pet Ease. This liver-flavored combination of calming ingredients helps dogs and cats deal with the stress of travel, boarding, grooming, and even general day-to-day living. It contains tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, along with chamomile, dried hops, ginger root extract, and taurine. Use it as needed to lower your pet’s stress level.
Some dogs have a bad habit of eating their own feces. One way to stop this undesirable behavior is to give your dog Nutri-Vet Nasty Habit. Made from yucca schidigera, cayenne pepper, alpha amylase, parsley leaf, glutamic acid, chamomile, and thiamine, these liver chewables are harmless and can be used as often as needed on puppies and adult dogs. These are just a few of the many supplements available that can help improve your pets’ quality of life.
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