Supplements can be a great way to give your pet an extra boost and keep them feeling their best. They can help with everything from keeping joints moving smoothly to supporting a healthy tummy and a strong immune system, and much more!
The best part? Supplements aren’t just for fixing problems—they’re great for preventing them, too! By adding the right supplements to your pet’s routine, you’re setting them up for a longer, happier, and healthier life.
Digestive health is a big deal for pets because digestive issues are one of the most common reasons pet parents visit the veterinarian. Supporting their gut health is so important!
We’ll break down the three main types of digestive support: digestive enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics, and how they work to keep your pet healthy from the inside out.
Digestive enzymes are like tiny superheroes that help break down food efficiently, leading to maximum nutrient absorption.
Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates (not as efficient in pets as humans)
Protease – breaks down proteins
Lipase – breaks down fats
When pets don’t produce enough of these enzymes—due to age, health issues, or medications—it can lead to poor digestion and nutrient loss. Supplementing with enzymes not only helps your pet get the most out of their meals but also gives their pancreas a much-needed break!
Probiotics are the good bacteria that keep your pet’s gut healthy and thriving. They protect against harmful bugs, support digestion, strengthen the immune system, and even help maintain a healthy weight. Probiotics are especially useful for improving stool consistency, reducing digestive upsets, and balancing gut bacteria.
Many pet parents provide probiotics daily to counter medication side effects or simply for better digestion, while others use them after issues like diarrhea or antibiotics to rebuild healthy gut bacteria. They work by out-competing bad bacteria for nutrients and spots on gut cells and by releasing compounds that strengthen the intestinal barrier.
We want to look for species specific probiotics with proven strains like Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, and Enterococci.
Prebiotics are like fuel for the good bacteria, probiotics, in your pet’s gut. Supporting their growth and keeping digestion on track. These fibers, like oligofructose and inulin, work by nourishing beneficial bacteria as they ferment in the colon.
Oligofructose provides quick support to bacteria in specific areas, while inulin takes its time, helping bacteria throughout the colon. Found in foods like soybeans, oats, beets, and chicory root.
Prebiotics aren’t digested in the small intestine, allowing them to reach the gut bacteria that need them. As they ferment, prebiotics lower the colon’s pH, making it harder for bad bacteria to thrive while encouraging healthy cell growth and improving water absorption—keeping your pet’s digestion smooth and balanced!
A strong immune system keeps them healthy and ready to tackle life’s adventures. Since so much of the immune system is tied to digestion, supporting gut health will also boosts immunity.
Here is a closer look into immune-boosting superstars like anti-inflammatories and antioxidants and how examples such as turmeric and mushrooms can make a difference!
Antioxidants are like tiny bodyguards for your pet’s cells, protecting them from damage caused by free radicals—unstable molecules that can speed up aging and lead to health issues. Pets need antioxidants to keep their immune systems strong, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellness.
They’re especially helpful for fighting off environmental toxins, improving skin and coat health, and even supporting brain function as pets age. You’ll find antioxidants in natural powerhouses like blueberries, spinach, and turmeric, all of which can give your furry friend an extra health boost!
Anti-inflammatories are key to calming down chronic inflammation, which can put extra strain on your pet’s immune system. By reducing this strain, they help the immune system function more efficiently, making it better at fighting off infections and keeping your pet healthy.
Anti-inflammatories not only reduce pain and swelling but also boost immune responses, helping your pet stay strong and better able to defend against illness. These natural helpers can be a game-changer for pets with ongoing immune challenges!
| Source | Benefits |
| Turmeric
(Curcumin) |
· Reduces inflammation, aiding immune function without overload.
· Protects cells from free radicals, strengthening immune defense. · Slows growth of certain cancer cells, supporting at-risk pets. · Balances the immune system, preventing weakness or overactivity. |
| Chaga Mushrooms | · Rich in beta-glucans, strengthening the immune system and response to threats.
· Packed with antioxidants, protecting cells from oxidative stress and boosting immunity. · Reduces inflammation, supporting immune health and relieving pain or discomfort. · Balances the immune system, enhancing resilience against infections and stress. · Supports gut health, strengthening overall immunity. |
| Turkey Tail Mushrooms | · Contain polysaccharopeptides (PSPs) that enhance immune function and fight infections.
· Rich in antioxidants, protecting cells and supporting immune health. · Reduces inflammation, promoting immune balance and easing joint and digestive discomfort. · Supports healthy gut bacteria, boosting overall immunity. · Research suggests turkey tail may help slow cancer cell growth, offering extra protection for at-risk pets. |
Joint supplements are a big topic in pet health. As pets age, joint discomfort can limit their mobility, which not only affects their happiness but can also lead to other health issues like weight gain and muscle loss.
Now, let’s talk about how glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen work to support joint health and help your pet stay comfortable and active.
Glucosamine is a nutraceutical—meaning it’s a natural supplement with health benefits—and it’s often sourced from shellfish. It plays a crucial role in encouraging the growth of cartilage cells and helps reduce inflammation in the joints, making it a fantastic support and prevention option for osteoarthritis.
As pets age or face joint issues, glucosamine becomes essential for making and maintaining healthy joint cartilage, keeping them comfortable and mobile. It’s safe to use and well-tolerated, though high doses may cause mild side effects like increased thirst or an upset stomach.
Chondroitin is a natural molecule that plays a vital role in joint health and is a major component of cartilage, making up most of the joints, spine, and even tissues like the lungs and ears. Chondroitin also supports the production of new cartilage and blocks the enzymes that break it down, making it a key player in delaying the onset of osteoarthritis.
By protecting cartilage-producing cells called chondrocytes, it alleviates pain, reduces swelling, and promotes mobility. As a natural pain reliever, it can reduce the need for over-the-counter medications, and side effects are rare. On high doses, some pets may experience mild GI upset like gas or loose stools
Collagen is a protein powerhouse that naturally supports your pet’s skin, bone, and joint health—it’s actually the most abundant protein in their body! Found in bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, collagen is essential for building tissue and keeping it strong, flexible, and resilient.
As pets age, their natural collagen supply decreases, making supplementation important to maintain mobility and a full range of motion. Collagen helps cultivate connective tissues, reducing stress on joints and supporting healthy cartilage, which can lower the risk of injury.
By improving elasticity and strength, collagen keeps your pet active and feeling their best!
Supplements are a valuable addition to a balanced diet, enhancing your pet’s overall health and well-being. Tailoring supplements to your pet’s specific needs—and using them as preventative care—can support their long-term vitality.
With small, consistent efforts, you can help your furry friend thrive and enjoy a healthier, happier life for years to come! As always if you have any questions about the use of supplements or how to get started, our Healthy Pet Care Specialists at your local Global Pet Foods are always happy to help.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease characterized by an enlarged heart as a result of compromised function of the heart muscles. The etiology (manner of causation) of the disease is not fully understood yet and, in many cases, the cause of the disease phenotype cannot be identified. A number of studies have been conducted in which a variety of etiologies have been noted. The most commonly attributed cause of DCM is genetics, with specific genetic mutations being identified in Doberman Pinschers, German Shorthaired Pointers and Boxers. Other breeds in which inherited DCM has been recognized are Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, Airedale Terriers and Scottish Deerhounds. More research is required to identify specific genetic mutations associated with DCM in these breeds.
Peer reviewed, published scientific studies have identified non-genetic causes of DCM including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle due to infection), hypothyroid disease, tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and nutrient deficiencies or nutrient imbalances.
Diet-Associated DCM
An attempt has been made to associate certain categories of diets and diets with certain characteristics to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. The fact is that there is a much more complicated relationship between food and DCM. A broad category like grain free or boutique cannot be linked specifically to any health condition simply because there is so much variety within categories like this. Even characteristics of a food such as containing legumes or exotic proteins is much too broad of a characteristic to be able to make causative conclusions.
Nutrient imbalance and deficiency
Taurine and carnitine have both been linked specifically to dilated cardiomyopathy. These are both non-essential nutrients for dogs because they can be manufactured endogenously in the liver. The synthesis processes can be disrupted when dogs are fed diets that are low in total protein content or low in essential amino acids. Diets high in fiber can limit protein digestion and absorption which in turn can lead to deficiencies of essential amino acids, which affects production of taurine and carnitine. Other nutrients involved in the synthesis include iron, selenium, zinc and niacin; these nutrients have yet to be investigated for potential links to disease development.
Nutrients that could potentially affect development of canine DCM, but require further investigation, include vitamin E, potassium, choline, thiamine and copper.
Recent Research
In some studies, improvement was observed after a diet change, but other treatments were also administered, including taurine and/or carnitine supplementation and drugs such as inotropic agents, diuretics, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. It is impossible to determine causation or even correlation with so many confounding variables.
One of the only research projects done in a controlled environment with proper experimental methods is a peer-reviewed, published study done by the university of Illinois. Dogs were fed either a diet containing 45% legumes, or a diet composed mostly of animal protein. Over 90 days, there was no significant difference when comparing amino acid and taurine status of the two groups. More detailed investigation is still required in order to make concrete conclusions.
FDA Investigation
Current FDA reports include sampling bias, small sample size, incomplete information about the sample population, confounding variables, lack of standardized measurements and conflicting information. It is not a scientific study, rather a collection of information submitted by pet owners.
The FDA sample population includes an over-representation of specific breeds such as Golden Retrievers representing 19% of all dogs in the report. Of all the dogs included with breeds named, 40% are breeds with a known genetic predisposition to developing DCM so it is not likely these cases are related to nutritional deficiencies, at least not exclusively.
Many of the reports were incomplete, missing the dog’s breed, age, weight, and not including complete diet history and medical records. The majority of reports included no analysis for taurine deficiency or any other nutritional deficiency. Some reports did not even include a diagnosis of DCM.
There was no control for confounding variables like treats, medication, supplements or other health conditions. In fact, the FDA Vet-LIRN report stated that 44% of the 202 dogs who were diagnosed with DCM via echocardiogram, also had documented concurrent medical conditions.
The FDA report states that boutique foods made by small manufacturers increase risk, but nearly half of the dogs in the report were consuming foods from the 6 largest pet food manufacturers in North America. It is also suggested that diets containing exotic proteins could be contributing, yet 76% of the diets named included typical pet food proteins such as chicken, lamb, salmon, whitefish, turkey, beef and pork. It is stated that grain free diets and diets containing legumes are related to DCM because the majority of the dogs in the report were eating this type of food, but this is what was specifically asked for, and no control data was collected to compare it to.
Conclusion
Based on the current scientific evidence available, there does not appear to be a link between “BEG” diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. More controlled research is required in order to obtain a better understanding of the disease and how it is related to genetics, metabolism and nutrition.
Recommendations
Without definitive conclusions from research, the best recommendation we can make is to provide variety in the diet of dogs. Any potential negative effect of a diet is compounded when the same diet is fed every day for every meal for an extended period of time. Rotational and combination feeding can mitigate the risk of continuous nutrient deficiency or adverse effects of specific nutrients or nutrient balances.
Click the link below to read a previous blog about combination feeding.
https://globalpetfoods.com/combination-feeding/
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Allergies are on the rise, and we see them more this time of year, not just for us but for our pets too. Incidents of dermatitis in our pets is increasing and our first instinct is to assume a food sensitivity. While food sensitivities are certainly becoming more common, we can’t forget about environmental sensitivities. It is important to note that environmental allergens not only affect the exterior of the body (skin, feet, ears) but also the digestive tract. Environmental pollutants and allergens are inhaled and inevitably swallowed; the gastrointestinal lining responds to these allergens just as the exterior skin does. It is possible that an environmental allergy will contribute to, or present as, a digestive sensitivity along with digestive responses.
We can’t control what is in the environment, unfortunately, so we have to do our best to manage the irritation our pets are dealing with this time of year.
Environmental allergens get trapped in our pets’ fur and cause constant irritation. It is important to clean these particulates away by bathing regularly with gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo. In between baths, good daily practice is to wipe the areas on our pets that are most exposed and that they are most likely to lick (licking will result in allergens being ingested). The ground contains the most concentrated irritants; this is where they all end up as they fall from the air. Rinsing or wiping our pets’ feet when they come in from outside can significantly reduce their exposure to these irritants and limited their ingestion. Bare bellies are also at high risk of irritation and should be wiped each day to prevent licking and hot spots.
When animals are dealing with allergies, it is very important to support the immune system, and all essential body functions. When the immune system is active, the body is under physiological stress and nutritional requirements may increase in these instances. Ensuring we are providing quality proteins and fats in sufficient quantities along with bioavailable vitamins and minerals is particularly important for supporting the health of the whole body.
