Supplements for Puppies and Kittens

It’s hard to convince new owners of puppies and kittens that their pets need supplements. This is because their new friends have the power of youth, and they may seem to do well in spite of poor diets, the chemical onslaught of dewormers and flea treatments,  and vaccines. Sometimes they have the added burden of being spayed or neutered at a very young age.

The diet of modern American children is full of greasy, fatty, unhealthy foods and drinks, yet they are the epitome of beauty in our culture. They have smooth skin, shiny hair, bright eyes, and loads of energy. However, if they continue this way of eating into adulthood, their lousy dietary habits will eventually take their toll. How many of us can eat the way we did in high school and still maintain our figures?

Let’s think of our new pets the same way. Instead of waiting for degenerative diseases to catch up with them, for which we will have to pay the price, why not do what we can to support their health now? The beautiful children of today grow up to be the obese, tired adults of tomorrow. Our curious, intelligent, hyperactive puppies and kittens will likely suffer from arthritis, cognitive degeneration, and a whole host of degenerative conditions long before they are old.

A natural diet, nutritional supplementation, and minimizing vaccinations are the best ways to prevent problems later in life.  A raw food or homemade diet is appropriate for all animals, regardless of age. If there are no known health problems, basic supplements should suffice. These include essential fatty acids, probiotics, enzymes, and a species-appropriate whole food supplement.

Essential fatty acids, such as fish oil, salmon oil, and cod liver oil, are of supreme importance for brain function and cellular repair. They must be included in the diet in order for our pets to be able to learn, grow, and recover completely from the assault of vaccines and other toxins that they may be exposed to, such as household chemicals, x-rays, and insecticides.

Probiotics provide the good bacteria that are necessary for intestinal health. They assist in metabolism, and prevent disease-causing bacteria from growing. Adding probiotics to the diets of young animals has been shown to reduce or eliminate the development of allergies later in life.

Digestive enzymes are vital for the detoxification functions of the liver. If none are provided in the diet, the burden on the animal’s pancreas can be overwhelming.

Whole food supplements provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development of the immune system directly from foods. They are more digestible and absorbable than the synthetic versions, such as those found in multivitamin tablets or added to processed pet foods. These supplements compensate for any dietary deficiencies, and ensure that our young pets have all the materials that they require to grow into healthy adult companions, and to stay healthy for years to come.