Be Proactive for Your Pet’s Joints

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What You Need to Know About Your Pet’s Joint Health

Joint health is a topic most pet owners don’t think about until their dog or cat has begun showing signs of pain or stiffness. 

The truth is, once you start to notice signs that your pet is uncomfortable, damage has already been done to the joint. It will take time (and a larger expense) to rebuild cartilage and try to reduce inflammation.

Just like with planting a tree, the perfect time to start addressing joint health is yesterday. The second best time is today.

Here are the questions we get asked most frequently about joint health. 

At what age should I start supplementing for optimal joint health?

We believe it’s important to begin taking preventative measures for your pet’s joint health early on. Depending on the age, breed, and activity level, different supplements may be recommended. For instance, for younger puppies and kittens, omega-3 fatty acids are great for their inflammatory issues, as well as for their brain and eye development.

What’s the best supplement to give?

When trying to find the best supplement to improve joint health in your pet, it is important to remember that each pet has unique needs. There is no universal supplement or application.  

Supplements come in many forms, like chewable tablets, liquids, powders, and capsules, and offer different levels of support. Furthermore, there is no universal dosage that is suitable for every pet, so it is necessary to find a dosage that is tailored to your pet. For instance, a fish oil capsule may be recommended for one pet, while a green-lipped mussel powder may be recommended for another.

Is there a food that can help reduce inflammation?

There are a variety of dietary choices that can help to reduce inflammation in our pets. A diet that is high in animal-derived protein, fat and moisture, and low in carbohydrates, generally has a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammation. Additionally, these foods can be rich in amino acids to promote organ health, and antioxidants to support our pets’ immune systems. 

Adding fresh fruits and vegetables, raw eggs, and commercially prepared meal toppers to their bowl can have positive effects. Moreover, using bone broth or goat milk can improve joint health as well as provide excellent benefits for your pet’s overall wellness.

What other changes can I make to keep joints healthy?

In order to keep your pet’s joints healthy, it is crucial to maintain their weight. Too much weight can put a strain on the joints, reducing their activity. For instance, a 20-lb dog that gains 3 lbs is equal to a human gaining 26 lbs. This extra weight can rapidly lead to a dangerous cycle of health complications, such as joint stress, a decrease in activity, and obesity. 

To prevent this cycle from starting, we recommend you take these two steps to manage your dog or cat’s weight. 

  1. Stay active! Schedule time each day to keep your pet active, whether it’s a quick walk or run around the block or a backyard fetch session. Exercise keeps the joints healthy and increases metabolism to help maintain a lean body shape. 
  2. Feed the correct amount. We understand that feeding guidelines on pet food labels can be vague and inaccurate. In our experience, following those guidelines typically leads to overfeeding. Give us a call or stop by the shop to let us help you determine the appropriate amount to feed your pet based on genetics, age, and lifestyle. Don’t forget to pay attention to calories from treats!

Preventing pain and discomfort in your pet’s joints is crucial to their enjoyment of life. And fortunately, there are many options for your pet. Please remember that there is no clear-cut solution, and your pet will respond differently to different dietary choices and supplementation – so professionally guided experimentation is key for both you and your pet.

Fresh dog food

Enhance Your Pet’s Diet with Rotational Feeding

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Varying your pet’s diet – also known as “rotational feeding” – not only keeps your pet from becoming bored with his food but also may have significant health benefits. Believe it or not, many processed foods like kibble or canned foods may not actually be 100% complete and balanced – even if the packaging says it is.

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Green-Lipped Mussels: A Natural Way to Improve Joint Health in Pets

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Green-lipped mussels (GLMs) are perhaps nature’s best whole food source of nutrients to boost your pet’s joint health and mobility. They are shellfish sourced just off the coast of New Zealand, easily identified by the bright green stripe on the lip of the shell. While they offer a long list of benefits for your pet’s whole body health, they shine in their ability to relieve joint pain and stiffness. 

What makes them so great for joints?

Omega-3 Fatty acids – GLMs are rich in EPA, DHA, and ETA, which makes them a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) do an excellent job preventing the enzyme COX (cyclooxygenase) from producing chemicals that trigger inflammation. ETA (eicosatetraenoic acid), an omega unique to GLMs that cannot be found in fish oil, inhibits other inflammatory pathways in the body. In simple terms, ETA prevents inflammation before it even starts!

Omega-3s also help manage pain, boost the immune system, promote healthy skin and coat, and support kidney, heart, and brain development. 

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are the building blocks for healthy joints. Glucosamine is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). This substance helps the body produce synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant for your pet’s joints. Over time, the body’s production of glucosamine will decline, leading to joint stiffness. Chondroitin helps form healthy cartilage and strengthens the capsule that holds the fluid. It also stimulates the body to produce more hyaluronic acid to further cushion the joint. In other words, these help to slow the aging process of your dog’s joints — meaning less pain, stiffness, and better mobility.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and are believed to stimulate cartilage growth. They also affect neurotransmitters (like serotonin) to help reduce pain. 

Vitamins and minerals found in GLMs have antioxidant properties which can prevent or slow free radicals from damaging healthy cells. They are rich in Vitamins C and E, zinc, magnesium, copper, and selenium, to name a few. 

Green-lipped mussels are available as single-ingredient treats, chewable supplements, or powders to add to your pet’s meals. To see if GLMs are right for your pet, stop in and talk to any of our experienced team members. 

Are Our Dogs Judging Us?

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A recent study revealed that our dogs are always evaluating our ability to complete tasks. If we’re incompetent, they tend to ignore us. If we demonstrate that we have skills, our dogs — especially females — will give us more of their attention.

SEE WHAT SKILLS DOGS VALUE

Study Shows Dogs Have More Than Just a Taste for Treats

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Emory University’s Gregory Burns is making remarkable discoveries regarding the relationship between humans and our canine friends. His research indicates that dogs are not merely motivated by treats, but are emotionally connected to us on a deeper level that goes beyond food rewards. This is a thrilling development in the field of animal behavior, providing further proof that dogs really do love us.

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6 Steps to Make Your New Cat Feel At Home

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Getting a new pet is an exciting milestone for everyone! You’re probably wondering what you can do to make the transition easy and stress-free for you and your new cat. Making a few minor adjustments can go a long way and make the whole transition easier for everyone! 

1. Give your new cat or kitten enough time to decompress. Most cats prefer time to themselves to become comfortable with the sights, smells, and noises associated with their new home. This can take weeks or a couple months depending on the cat’s age and background. Let them warm up to you to build their trust and bond. Overcrowding or forcing your new cat to be held can create a skittish cat.

2. Be aware of their diet. Most cats will come on a diet they are already used to eating, and we don’t recommend switching it right away (even though you might want to). Your new cat has already been through plenty of significant changes, and the last thing they need is unnecessary stress from a diet change. Once your cat becomes comfortable, we recommend offering a few healthy options to see what they prefer before switching the diet.

3. Setting up their area. While setting up your cat’s necessities, make sure to keep food and water away from the litter box. Cats are clean by nature and appreciate a clean feeding area. 

    • Easy access to drinking water is essential for cats, especially those eating kibble. Keeping the water bowl separate from the food bowl will encourage your cat to drink. Also, you can place a water bowl in more than one place in the house to promote water consumption. 
    • If you exclusively feed your cat canned or raw, it is normal for your cat to have little to no water consumption.

4. Meeting other furry family members. If you have other cats in the home, it is best to keep the new kitty in a quiet, safe place for several days to a couple of weeks for both cats to get used to hearing and smelling one other. Once any hissing and growling have decreased, you can feed them on each side of a closed door. Sharing a meal among any species can be a bonding experience that will encourage positive behavior. You may have to repeat this step for several days to a few weeks.

5. Play and Exercise. Once your cat is comfortable in its new home, play and exercise are essential for a healthy and productive lifestyle that can prevent bad behavior from developing. You can provide your cat with a toy that dispenses treats or toys as your cat chases and plays. Several options on the market will provide your cat with the satisfaction of the hunt and catch. Try these out after extensive play when your cat is hungry for stimulating them mentally and physically, which results in a well-exercised and tired kitty!

6. Understand their natural routine. Cats are most active from about 3 AM to 5 AM. Early morning is the best time to hunt, and if your cat were outside, they would be hunting small animals such as mice, chipmunks, birds, and even bugs! However, since most cats are indoor cats, or at least inside at night, their prey drive is directed to toys and small objects. Cats are intelligent animals, and if you let them know that their antics get you up, they will keep making a game out of it. When a cat is new to your home and begins this behavior, it is best to ignore or do your best to prevent the situation. Most owners appease their cats by offering a snack or breakfast during these early morning hours, which only solidifies the thrill and catch of the hunt! For more tips to engage your kitty, click here.