It seems that Fall is a time to re-group and get serious about health and commitment. Long, hot summer days are behind us and we need to be prepared with a healthy diet for our families and our pets. Evaluating our dogs and cats health can start at home. Does your pet have a glossy coat? Can you feel the ribs of your dog or cat or are they lost in a thick layer of fat? Are their bathroom habits normal? Are their eyes clear and their skin free of rashes? Do they seem themselves or are they acting differently?
You can tell a lot about your pet if you take the time to observe. It is better to check now before an emergency trip to the vet results in a serious problem. Most of our pets show affection and calm stoicism instead of whimpering with pain or showing the discomfort they are in. But, you can tell there is something wrong if you observe and notice changes from the norm.
A dog that gets up slowly is usually stiff and in pain. We would recommend checking out an older pet that may need a supplement like Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint health. Or, even a prescription for pain and reduction of inflammation in the joints. I am always amazed that once an aging pet is diagnosed with joint pain that an owner would only occasionally think to give their devoted pet an occasional supplement for his arthritic joints. A daily dose of Glucosamine and Chondroitin is essential to maintain the joint and reduce the pain and inflammation. It would be like a person not taking a daily vitamin supplement or an aspirin for heart health.
Dogs and Cats gain weight just like we do and they experience the same problems that we do with that condition. Better to take charge now, than be told by your veterinarian that your pet needs to be on a prescription reducing diet to save his life. We keep our pets that have a tendency to gain weight on a lean diet food. One dog has joint problems and loves to eat. We need to keep her lean and feeling as healthy as she can. You can feel her ribs but not see them. She loves to run and will chase the ball until we put it away. Golden Retrievers and Labradors have a tendency to want to eat a lot and as they age, they can be our best customers for Adult Lean dog food. It seems simple to me to restrict my dog’s food as I measure it out to them twice a day. Free feeding a cat or dog with an always full bowl of kibble, can easily result in a pet that eats a lot more than he needs. We have cats that love our Lean Cat formula.
Treats that are low in fat, without additives and artificial preservatives allow us to reward our pets with something to chew on or do tricks for. New treats that we like to use fall into that category as our customers are knowledgeable about pet health and want only the best for their pets. Low fat biscuits are a must, sliced, dried chicken breast is tasty and satisfying, venison and chicken all meat soft jerky is great for training. For cats we have shaved bonito fish (Kitty Kaviar) that is pure protein and easy to sprinkle in their dish.
Sensitive, Fish and Potato or Venison and Potato kibble choices for dogs are for customers that want something unique and also made for pets with allergies. Undefined allergies result in tummy upsets and itchy skin. This special food is not a prescription diet but works for many dogs that have battled skin problems for years.
For older pets that have trouble chewing kibble, we have a canned food that is healthy and easy to digest. As a bonus it is also low in fat.
So, check out your devoted, non-complaining, always glad to see you best friend and see how they are doing. Then, do something good for them.
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