When a Simple Switch for Hades Meant Big Changes

When our loyal customer, Brandon shared his “raw story” with us, it was too heartwarming not to share! The below is Brandon’s first hand experience with switching his picky German Shepherd to a minimally processed diet…

“I was surprised with my best friend “Hades” 5 years ago by my girlfriend Chelsea and how can anyone forget that moment? A box was checked off the bucket list as we prepared ourselves for a great future with the little guy (a thirteen week old German Shepherd).

Although, things changed drastically. When we had picked up Hades, he was actually within the progressive stage of Kennel Cough into Pneumonia. Tough, I know but luckily after immediate veterinarian assistance and a few weeks to recoup, Hades tackled Pneumonia and made it out okay. We were warned though that he most likely not grow to the normal size of a GSD and certain attributes (lungs, heart…etc) would not develop fully. Then we met Nicci and her staff at NorthPoint.

Hades was a VERY picky eater when he came home from the hospital and we struggled big time when it came to getting him to eat. Numerous bags of dry food went to waste because he seemed to have become bored with it, as well as wet food. We found it tough to gain back the weight he had lost when he got sick, too.

Luckily enough I had discovered NorthPoint Pets & Company in the middle of this dilemma and a simple 10 minute conversation with the staff re-directed my mind state from kibble to raw. We gave raw a shot and I’ll tell you what, we’ll never switch back. Instantly, Hades was hooked. Not only was it a simple switch but the benefits showed immediately.

 

Not only was it a simple switch but the benefits showed immediately.

 

After starting raw, his plate was licked clean every time and he started to finally show some weight gain! His hair started to shine and we started seeing all of the typical signs of a 4-6 month old puppy we were warned about! Hades’ energy was up and boy did he start filling out (he even did so well on hiking trails I had to quit smoking to keep up!). My favorite thing when we started to feed raw and even to this day was that as he developed, the adjustments on how much to feed and when to feed, became natural. He was kept lean throughout his puppy stage (by vet recommendations due to certain hereditary possibilities like hip displaysia) and then bulked up with ease as he grew older and older. Well, 100 lbs later, I believe the initial diagnosis from the vet was proven wrong. I credit all of that to raw. No joke.

 

In my opinion, raw has set Hades up for the best physical and mental condition that he can possibly be in.

 

In my opinion, raw has set Hades up for the best physical and mental condition that he can possibly be in. He is currently 5 years old and has not eaten kibble since he was 13 weeks. Good luck getting him to eat anything else… he won’t even go for one of those whipped cream doggy drinks from that fancy coffee place!  Thank you, NorthPoint for everything you have done for Hades and all of the raw education you have shared! Hades says thanks too!”

 

This is why we do what we do. This is what drives our team to continue our research, to provide the most up-to-date information, and further our education in everything we do. Thank you Brandon for sharing your raw story with us! 

 

We want to hear from you! If you have a success story to share with us, send an email to info@northpointpets.com.

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

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. 

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Five Things I’ve Learned at NPP

Since I started working at NorthPoint Pets and Company I have learned many things from customer service, social media, marketing, retail displays, dog nutrition, dog gut health, etc. As I mark five months of working at NorthPoint thus far I wanted to share with you five things I’ve learned while working here! 

1. Hydrating kibble and any protein given to your dog is KEY for adding hydration to your dog’s diet. A lot of people think that adding human broth like chicken soup broth is OK, but I learned that this is way too high in sodium for our pets. The best way to add hydration to your pet’s diet is with bone broth. 

2. When it comes to your dog’s diet, rotational feeding is great. Rotational feeding is highly encouraged to enhance your pet’s diet. I learned that it’s good to have 2 or 3 protein options to rotate between so that the pets don’t get bored. I also learned that when you diversify the diet this way, it boosts gut health and the immune system.

3. Social media is time-consuming but also very fun when creativity comes to mind. I knew that I would enjoy my role here managing the social media pages, but I underestimated just how much time and organization goes into the management of a professional social media page. 

4. Behind the bi-folding doors is where the magic truly happens. Back-end work is very important to keep inventory high and sales afloat: event planning, team education seminars, and so many meetings! A lot goes into running a store that you never see as a customer! 

5. When feeding raw you do not need to feed it 100%. You can add in supplements or toppers. Even 20% raw is a significant amount and is highly encouraged. There’s a ton of research showing that even that small amount of fresh food makes a huge difference in their health! 

Here is only a small glimpse at what I’ve learned thus far being on The NorthPoint Pets team! I am very excited to enhance my knowledge of all the educational benefits that come out of working at NorthPoint!

You can read my Q & A here!

FAQ: Can I Feed My Cat Raw Food?

YES! The feline digestive system has evolved to digest raw meat very efficiently but lacks enzymes that break down dry food (carbohydrates). A raw food diet can be extremely beneficial for a kitty at any age!

Pro Tip: When buying raw food for your pets, always choose products sold specifically for animal consumption.

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FACT: Roughly half of all household cats do not respond to catnip. If this includes your feline friend, this Japanese medicinal herb might be your cat’s new obsession!

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