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Old Dog Resources
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Dog Supplements
Pets are living longer than ever before. Unfortunately, older animals are prone
to many of the same types of chronic conditions that plague elderly people,
including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cataracts and even thinning
hair. Pet owners often look to supplements to help maintain condition and ease
age-related aches and pains in their older animals.
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Helpful Articles |
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What to Look For In a Dog Supplement
Perks for pets: nutritional supplements for Fluffy and Fido |
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Resources |
National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)
- a voluntary association that sets standards for nutraceuticals.
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Terminology |
Amino Acids -
are very small biomolecules which are the
principal building blocks of proteins and enzymes.
Antioxidants -
help slow the aging process, prevent disease and can also
be used to treat degenerative organ diseases.
Enzymes -
help your dog’s body to
breakdown proteins, fats and carbohydrates in his food so they can be absorbed
and utilized.
Fatty Acids -
Nonessential fatty acids can be synthesized within the body of a
dog and are not required in its diet. Essential fatty acids cannot be
synthesized by a pet and must be supplied in its diet.
Flower essence pet medications -
Flower essences or remedies are similar to homeopathic remedies, but they are
used to treat behavioral problems.
Herbs -
exist for a wide variety of symptoms from poor
appetite and arthritis to parasite control and yeast infections. Many dog owners
use herbs to repel fleas, soothe irritated skin, and to cure minor digestive
upsets. However, the evidence that such herbal remedies as garlic, herbal
rinses, or herbal flea collars actually repel external parasites is scarce.
Homeopathics - Homeopathic
therapeutics offer an alternative to suppressive antibiotics and corticosteriods
that often only suppress and mask symptoms of disease and fail to cure
underlying conditions at the real cause of disease. Homeopathy is a science of
medicine that cures, not suppresses, disease.
Vitamins - Aging dogs tend to require more vitamins and minerals as
they absorb fewer vital nutrients from their food. Additionally, aging dogs may
eat less food and require supplementation to take in adequate levels of water
soluble vitamins, in particular. Antioxidant vitamins may also be of benefit to
your aging dog. It is commonly thought they may reduce or hinder some of the
natural affects of aging on the body.
Vitamin A
- helps dryness,
hardening and itching of the skin. Also protects against infection and toxic
chemicals.
Vitamin C - helps to
fight scurvy, less likely to develop hip dysplasia, spinal myelopathy, ruptured
discs, viral disease, skin problem and common bacterial infections.
Vitamin B1 - Thiamine - helps dogs become more alert and intelligent, also helps with
fleas and other parasites.
Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin - helps protein and fat metabolism; also helps prevent cataracts
in the eyes.
Vitamin B3 - helps
convert food to energy, helps protein and fat metabolism. Also controls
convulsive seizures in dogs.
Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic Acid - is an anti-stress vitamin because it's required for
producing good antibodies, helps longevity. Dogs deficient in Vitamin B5 can't
fight infection.
Vitamin B9 - Folic Acid - Dogs need folic acid during pregnancy and to help build the
immune system. Signs of deficiency in dogs include: erratic appetite, retarded
weight gain, watery secretion from the eyes, and decreased antibody response to
microorganisms.
Vitamin B12 - For pregnant dogs studies have shown vitamin B12 may help in building stronger
bigger pups capable of handling stress. Puppies need minuscule amounts to
stimulate appetite, weight gain and growth.
Vitamin D - key in calcium and phosphorus metabolism to help with strong bones and teeth. Sunlight
stimulates dogs to generate vitamin D.
Vitamin E - helps boost the efficiency of the heart and circulation system. Promotes dilation of
the small blood vessels, increasing the supply of oxygen to all of the body.
Vitamin E helps to improve your dogs immune system, muscle power, and stamina.
It also protects against air pollution and has been know to rejuvenate ailing
and tired dogs.
Vitamin H - Biotin - helps reduce the incidence of skin disorders. Assists the thyroid
and adrenal glands and aids the nervous system. Also helps in the prevention of
coprophagy (the animal eating its own excrement).
Minerals -
Minerals help maintain the pH balance, fluid balance, and
cellular operations and, of course, comprise the general skeletal structure of
the animal's body.
Omega 3 fatty acids -
may help reduce the signs of allergies and other skin
inflammatory conditions such as itching and reddening.
Probiotics -
Unlike "bad bacteria" that invade your dog's body making him
sick and prone to disease, probiotics are "good bacteria"
that work to maintain your dog's health.
Proteins - are the basic building
materials for cells, tissues, organs, enzymes, hormones and antibodies and are
essential for growth, maintenance, reproduction and repair.
Pheromones -
Animal
pheromones are also used to reduce anxiety in dogs and cats.
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Why Use Supplements
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Allergies -
Arthritis Relief -
Digestive Assistance -
Some dogs have enzyme deficiencies so they
are not able to properly break down and utilize all of the food they eat. If the
bodies enzymes are constantly being used and never replenished the body will
eventually break down.
Dietary -
Immune-System Stimulation -
Mental Calming -
Reproductive Support -
Skin & Coat Enhancement. -
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See the
supplement
products at |
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Drs. Foster & Smith |
PETSMART |
1-800-PetMeds |
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