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.
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.
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.
Joint health is an important concern for pet owners, as joint problems can cause pain and decreased mobility in cats and dogs. Thankfully, there are a number of joint supplements that are designed to help improve joint health and reduce pain. These supplements typically contain one or more of the following ingredients: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine HCl, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid.
Let’s take a closer look at these ingredients and how they can benefit your pet’s joint health.
Both glucosamine sulfate & glucosamine HCl are forms of glucosamine, a naturally-occurring substance found in the cartilage and other connective tissues of both cats and dogs. Glucosamine helps to protect and strengthen the cartilage, which helps to prevent joint damage and reduce pain. It can also help to reduce inflammation in the joints.
Glucosamine may take weeks or even months to start working, so it’s important to be patient when adding them to your pet’s diet.
Chondroitin is another natural substance found in the cartilage of cats and dogs. It works in conjunction with glucosamine to protect and strengthen the cartilage and can also help reduce inflammation.
If your pet is taking other medications or supplements, it is essential to let your veterinarian know since chondroitin may interact with them.
MSM is another naturally-occurring sulfur compound that helps reduce inflammation and joint pain. It also helps to improve joint flexibility and reduce stiffness and inflammation. MSM can also help rebuild cartilage and minimize further joint damage.
MSM supplementation does have potential side effects with higher doses. These can include nausea and dizziness. Please follow dosage instructions carefully.
Hyaluronic acid is found in the joint fluid of both cats and dogs. It is a major component of joint fluid and helps to lubricate and cushion the joints. As pets age, the levels of HA in their bodies decrease, leading to joint pain and inflammation. Giving your dog or cat HA supplements can help replenish the natural lubricant in their joints and improve joint health.
Like glucosamine, hyaluronic acid can take several weeks before your pet may experience benefits.
All of these ingredients are effective at improving joint health in cats and dogs. They help to protect the cartilage and reduce inflammation and pain while also helping to improve joint flexibility and reduce stiffness. As a result, your pets can enjoy better mobility and less pain.
If you notice signs of joint stiffness or decreased mobility, stop in to speak with one of our experts to determine the best supplements for their needs.
Many pet owners don’t even realize their pets are overweight. A few extra pounds might not sound like a big deal, but it is.
If you want to start a heated debate with veterinarians, biologists, and canine nutritionists, ask them if dogs can digest carbohydrates.
Depending on who you ask, you’ll get an enthusiastic YES or a resounding NO.
As an animal nutritionist, my answer is…It depends.
Yes, some dogs can digest carbohydrates just fine.
No, not all dogs can digest them in the same amounts, or well.
One reason is because dogs, like humans, have a varying ability to produce enough digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates to the sugars our cells can utilize. Other reasons include genetics, health status, activity and more.
Enzymes are proteins that help the body break down foods into usable nutrients. They are made by the body in the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and pancreas – but not all areas produce an effective amount.
Among all of these enzyme factories, the pancreas is the most important. It is the body’s enzyme powerhouse.
Several factors can influence the efficiency of the pancreas’ enzyme production, including the dog’s age, breed, health status (e.g., diseases like pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency), and genetics.
There are also variables that can dictate how well an enzyme works, such as temperature and pH. For example, if the body is too hot or cold, or the pH is not within the ideal range, enzymes may not work as well as they should.
While there are many types of enzymes, below are the three main types:
| Enzyme Type | Macronutrient Targeted | Examples (not comprehensive) | Can be found |
| Carbohydrase (often called amylases) | Carbohydrates (Sugars) | Amylase, Sucrase, Lactase, Maltase | Mouth, Pancreas, Stomach, Small Intestine |
| Lipase | Fats (Lipids) | Bile Salt-dependent Lipase, Pancreatic lipase, Hepatic Lipase, Gastric Lipase | Stomach, Pancreas, Small Intestine |
| Protease | Proteins (Amino Acids) | Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, Carboxypeptidase | Stomach, Pancreas, Small Intestine |
The digestive enzymes responsible for carbohydrate digestion are called carbohydrases. A small amount of carbohydrase is found in saliva but is not enough to help dogs digest carbohydrates.
Carbohydrases are produced in large quantities by the pancreas and then excreted into the stomach and small intestine, where they start breaking down carbohydrates (starches and sugars) as part of the digestive process. These carbohydrases are critical to helping dogs digest diets that are higher in carbohydrates (like kibble).
However, dogs need to have enough carbohydrases available to completely break down carbohydrates in their digestive system.
The primary cause of a dog not producing enough carbohydrases is genetics. This is because each type of carbohydrate has one or more genes associated with enzyme production. The dog will have difficulty digesting certain carbohydrates if there aren’t enough genes to produce a specific enzyme.
What makes this complicated is that not all dog breeds have evolved the same regarding types of genes and numbers of gene copies. Even dogs in the same breed (or even litter) have inconsistent numbers of carbohydrase gene copies.
Researchers in a recent study examined the relationship between amylase activity (a specific carbohydrase) and the relationship associated with higher numbers of AMY2B copies in canines. AMY2B is responsible for the production of pancreatic amylase, which starts the breakdown of starch.
The overarching finding was that the number of AMY2B varies widely among dog breeds but also within individual dogs of the same breed¹.
This is what makes the blanket statement “dogs have evolved to digest carbohydrates” untrue.
What does all of this mean for your dog when it comes to digesting carbohydrates?
Your dog’s ability to successfully process carbohydrates is largely individualized and complex. That means your pet’s diet and nutrition deserve an individualized approach. It also explains why some diet types and food formulations work really well for some dogs and not for others – even dogs from the same lineage!
Even though the dogs share the same genes, they don’t always share the same number of genes that helps them successfully digest carbohydrates.
This is yet another example of why some diets, supplements, medications, etc work for some pets and not for others. We’ve all heard of littermates eating the same diet, with similar exercise patterns, and one of them is obese! This is because each animal (and person) is an individual and diet should be approached as such!
REFERENCES:
Discover the impact of the right supplements, from medicinal mushrooms to omega-3 fatty acids, on your pet’s immune health and overall well-being.
Have you heard of “Golden Paste”? It’s a healthy and easily digestible paste made from turmeric that can help reduce inflammation, and skin irritations, and improve gut health in dogs and humans alike.
Best of all, Golden Paste takes only minutes to make with ingredients most of us already have in our kitchens.
Golden Paste is typically made with a combination of ground or fresh turmeric, coconut oil, and black pepper.
Turmeric, an herb belonging to the ginger family, contains several compounds, collectively known as curcuminoids. The most well-known is curcumin, which gives turmeric its orange color. Curcuminoids are known to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and possible anti-cancer effects.
Adding a small amount (½-1 tbsp) of Golden Paste to your pet’s bowl at meal time can aid in:
Like any new food or supplement, we recommend gradually introducing Golden Paste into your pet’s diet. Turmeric has a very potent taste, and sometimes dogs will not want anything to do with it. Therefore, it is important to slowly introduce the new flavors to their palate. Once a dog has become accustomed to the paste, the recommended dosage is:
Turmeric paste can have some minor side effects and it is important to monitor your pet for any negative reactions.. If improperly dosed, dogs may experience gastrointestinal distress. If you notice your dog is showing any negative symptoms —like loose stool or diarrhea— decrease the dose and follow up with your veterinarian.
If you think your dog’s health may benefit from Golden Paste, give this easy recipe a try! Even though your dog won’t experience instant results, you should see some positive changes in a few weeks!
Reference:
Pumpkin is a commonly recommended supplement for dogs and cats for everything from loose stool to constipation to an occasional bowl topper or a regular supplement. But what is it about pumpkin that makes it so great for your pet? Let’s find out what makes this sweet treat a favorite among vets and nutritionists!
Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber – both soluble and insoluble.
Because pumpkin contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, it can essentially help to normalize your pet’s stool, whether it’s too loose or too firm. It’s a win-win situation!
As a preventative, pumpkin is an excellent source of prebiotics that feed the good gut bacteria- probiotics. This is a wonderful addition for any pet with a sensitive stomach as it can aid in the digestive process. Also, since roughly 80% of your pet’s immune system resides in their gut, a happy belly can mean a healthier pet!
Pets need food that allows them to consume all their vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin is packed with essential vitamins and minerals:
Not only is pumpkin a great source of vitamins and minerals your pet needs, but it also assists with the absorption of these nutrients to improve many functions of their body.
Kibble-fed pets often live in a mild state of dehydration, as the body pulls moisture from itself to digest the dry food. Therefore, adding moisture to your pet’s kibble is essential. Adding moisture-rich pumpkin can help to keep your pet well hydrated. Added moisture is crucial for not only the digestive process but also…
Pumpkin is super versatile for your furry friends. You can include it as a treat, bowl topper, or toy filler. Pumpkin is worth the hype! With the holidays right around the corner, include your pet in the holiday festivities and try incorporating more pumpkin into your pet’s diet!
*This article is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to provide medical advice or replace the advice of a qualified veterinarian.
News Flash: The study in question is NOT peer-reviewed. It’s also strictly theoretical, meaning it may (likely) not work, or even be dangerous.
I could probably go on forever questioning why the media (and even some “reputable” associations) continue to share non-peer reviewed, non-verified information, but I won’t. We know a great headline catches clicks and shares. And before you go on and say this has absolutely nothing to do with pets, or pet food – it does! This is just parallel example about how bad science is used to propagate either a false sense of security, fear – and sell a product. I’m also not “anti” CBD, but that isn’t the point. There are several applications where it is useful for pets and people, but in this instance there simply an overabundance of bad information swirling around CBD preventing and/or treating COVID-19 that makes for a great example for my point: why it is so important to dive deeper into everything.
I hope that those who read this see it as an opportunity to learn how to challenge information and data. So often we look for someone to just give us “the answer” and it is just not that simple. Determining what is right for you and your pet in your unique situation will take some work. Take this article as an example of how to learn about how to do that work, vet your sources and arrive at an educated conclusion.
FDA Oversight & COVID-19
As a background to the entire discussion it is important to realize that an “era of speed to market” is upon us. The FDA has allowed some alternative testing methods while also accelerating the process for drug and vaccine development. While the FDA is still overseeing these processes, they are reviewing studies and data more efficiently given the current pandemic. Having said that, the FDA has also acknowledged that many companies are trying to take advantage of people’s fears by offering up solutions like X, Y and Z – and if you see CBD companies using this “study” to gain attention it is proof of just that. In fact, the FDA has been aggressively sending warning and cease/desist letters to companies making these claims because they are in clear violation of the Food Drug & Cosmetic Act. You can see a lot of those warning letters for CBD companies here: FDA Issues CBD Warning Letters.
This isn’t the first time companies have taken advantage of a crisis, or preyed upon people’s fears and vulnerabilities. Manufacturers of colloidal silver products have also recently received warning letters for claims that it prevents and/or treats COVID-19. We can only wait for irresponsible CBD companies to make unsubstantiated claims coming off the heels of this “study”. One would hope that this prompts CBD manufacturers and marketing agencies to be responsible and transparent with their products.
Understanding Peer-Review vs. Non-Peer-Reviewed
The public largely doesn’t realize that research journals, some great and some not so great, are pre-publishing papers without peer-review. This is simply to share current research and information freely with other researchers for the sake of collaboration. Typically, a lot of this information is not as easily accessible to the public because many of these papers are somewhat gated through journal memberships, and/or with a pay-per-article download/view. Research manuscripts go through vetting processes which doesn’t eliminate, but at least filters out a lot of “bad science” before it makes its way out to the public and media outlets. This current “open access” of information is a great thing for the scientific community – however it is NOT a great thing to be circulating potentially harmful and incomplete information to the general public who generally does not understand if this information is verified, factual or theoretical – they simply see “study” and think, it MUST be true because it’s “science”. Unfortunately humans make mistakes, manipulate data and come to flawed conclusions – either by error, omission and/or on purpose. Hence the need for peer-review.
Not Applicable to “The Real World”
The reality is that much of the information out there regarding Covid-19 prevention and treatment is inapplicable to the real world as they are preliminary experiments that were conducted in a controlled environment, on small scales and with measured variables – and many have not had peer-review. This will obviously change over time, but this is the current reality and the reason why so many people are working on this all over the world at warp speed. Am I Covid-19 or infectious disease expert? No. But I do know how research works and what the value of scaling research, test-retest repeatability and of course the value in peer-review and critical analysis– and much of the information out there has little to none of it.
The CBD/COVID-19 Study:
So, to finally summarize this COVID-19/CBD “study”; researchers acknowledge that SARS-CoV2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, with potential for aerosol and contact spread. The virus uses receptor-mediated entry into the human host via angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) that is expressed in lung tissue, as well as oral and nasal mucosa, kidney, testes, and the gastrointestinal tract.
Having said that, the researchers hypothesize (educated guess) that a theoretical path for combating, or decreasing susceptibility, of this virus could be modulation of ACE2 levels in these gateway tissues. The researchers have potentially identified 13 high CBD-C containing C. sativa varieties of the hemp plant that have the potential to modulate ACE2 gene expression and ACE2 protein levels. Further, their initial data suggest that some C. sativa extract down-regulate serine protease TMPRSS2, another critical protein required for SARS-CoV2 entry into host cells. They theorize that these substances could be used as an active ingredient in a mouthwash-type product to reduce the incidence of viral entry via the oral mucosa.
It’s also important to note that all of the authors are employed by one or more start-up companies engaged in medical cannabis and disease research. While not always the case, this could lead to bias in the results. Again, this further highlighting the need for peer-review.
STUDY CONCLUSION: The authors recognize that their hypothesis needs further large-scale validation as a potential AJUNCT therapy (not mainline treatment) for COVID-19.
The Study in Context and the Media:
Unfortunately, we didn’t see the media articles explain the mouthwash as an adjunct treatment. Leaving the general public, the potential to assume that smoking or using other various marijuana and/or hemp products could help prevent and/or treat COVID-19. The sad thing is that people will read headlines at face value and think that smoking a sativa strain of the hemp plant may provide some protection or therapy against COVID-19. Worse, it may influence some to try using this for their pets. Regardless, we know that smoking is actually increases risk-factors for COVID-19 complications and other respiratory diseases. This just highlights the medias frenzy to distribute click-worthy information, without verification and obviously without regard for human (or animal) health or safety. If only the media visited preprints.org they would have found a highlight at the top that says “This version is not peer-reviewed” which is an indicator that it should not have been widely distributed.
In conclusion, it’s important to always vet the source of any information relating to health and nutrition. Find the original source of the information, in this case it happened to be a non-peer-reviewed theoretical paper which needs validation of said theory. While it may provide hope as an adjunct therapy for some, only a series of carefully designed scientific experiments, trials and validation methods will tell. Take that for what it is worth.
Nicole Cammack
Nicci is the owner of award-winning NorthPoint Pets & Company, in Connecticut. She is also the Founder & CEO of Undogmatic Inc. Her undergraduate and graduate education includes biology, chemistry, business, and nutrition. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry on multiple R&D projects and has had the privilege to learn from leading international figures in the human and pet health industry. She regularly lectures at national conferences, including federal, state, and municipal K9 events. Her current research involves identifying pathogenic risk factors and transmission among raw fed pets through a comprehensive worldwide survey.
Grooming is an essential part of owning a pet. But have you ever asked yourself why?
Regular brushing, bathing and nail trimming can assist with not only the overall appearance of your pet but also have some physiological benefits. Brushing your dog’s coat regularly removes the dead hair, prevents mats, and even allows their coat to breathe and grow new hair. Brushing your pet is also essentially a massage—and who doesn’t enjoy a massage? It provides great bonding time between you both.
One of the more common issues that bring dog owners to NorthPoint Pets is a dog’s skin. Allergies, itchy skin, flaky skin, hot spots and more—are all common complaints from pet owners. But rather than looking at the obvious symptom—the pet’s itchy skin—we want to figure out WHY your pet is itchy and that starts in the gut.
Our pets have good (and sometimes bad) bacteria in their gut. This colony is called their microbiome which is in their intestines and gut. The microbiome is essential for immune health, which includes our pet’s skin and coat. When the microbiome is compromised, their skin is also compromised. This results in a dull coat, a stinky dog, and more.
The best thing you can do for your pet is to feed a good diet with an addition of fresh foods. We can also recommend supplements to help your dog look and feel their best!
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