About Supplements |
Why
supplements:
Many people question the need for supplements since a natural, raw diet is
supposed to be providing all the nutrients that are lost in the processing
of commercial foods. While this is true, we also have to account for the
following:
- We are only able to approximate a wild diet, so supplements fill in the
typical "gaps".
- Vegetables and grain today are often grown in soils that are largely
depleted of nutrients. So the vegetables we feed, and the grains that are
fed to the poultry, beef and lamb we feed to our animals in the form of
meat, are also lacking in these nutrients, because they cannot be absorbed
from the soils.
- Important nutrients such as omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are
concentrated in organs like the eyes and brain, parts of the animal that
are not typically available for us to feed. Fish body oil or flaxseed oil
supplementation provides the omega-3s needed for healthy skin, coats and
proper brain, joint and cellular function
- Vitamin E: Adequate levels of Vitamin E help insure that the omega-3s
are completely metabolized.
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Required Supplements:
- Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) - begin using after the diet transition is complete and continue using on a
daily basis. Flaxseed Oil or Fish Body Oil (not cod liver oil) provide the necessary EFAs. Flaxseed Oil and Fish Body Oil should be kept refrigerated at home.
Which to use: While either is fine, we recommend Fish Body Oil instead of Flaxseed Oil
because there are some reports of dogs becoming “itchy” from flaxseed oil. If you elect to use flaxseed oil,
and your dog shows signs of itchiness when you add it to the diet, you can always switch to fish body oil.
However, if your dog has severe skin conditions and allergies of any kind, fish body oil is the
preferred source of EFAs, and may help alleviate some of the associated symptoms. NOTE: Cats MUST have fish oil.
If you use a capsule form of EFAs, any of the following are acceptable ways to administer them:
some dogs will eat them if they are just mixed into the food; some dogs will eat them as a treat;
or simply give them like a pill; or - poke a hole in one end with a pin and squeeze the liquid onto food.
Dosage:
- Fish Body Oil (NOT cod liver oil) capsules –500 mg to 1000 mg per 10 lbs. of pet;
OR
- Liquid Salmon Oil — 1/2 teaspoon per 10 lbs of pet;
OR
- Flaxseed Oil -- 1 tablespoon per 25 lbs. of pet
Note: If your dog is scheduled for surgery, eliminate the essential fatty acid supplements
(flaxseed oil or fish body oil) at least 10 days before the surgery. The omega-3
EFAs in these oils do reduce blood coagulation, and thus increase bleeding.
- A high quality vitamin/mineral supplement:
Begin using after the first week of the transition and continue using on a daily basis.
Be sure the product has trace minerals, not just vitamins. Use at 1.5 times the labeled dose.
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Recommended Supplements:
- Digestive enzymes -- these are good to use daily for the first 4 to 6 weeks on a raw diet,
but can be continued permanently if needed. Digestive enzymes are important during the transition stage
of the diet because the dog’s system needs time to begin producing the enzymes required for digesting raw foods.
Some brands are made specifically for animals and these are best to use.
However, any human mixture that contains at least amylase, protease, lipase and cellulase is fine.
If using an animal-specific formula, feed according to the directions on the container.
If using a human formula, use one capsule once a day. (Twist capsule open and pour/mix into food.)
- Probiotics - to be used daily for at least 4 - 6 weeks, but good to use on a permanent daily basis.
Probiotics are essentially “good bacteria” that balance and neutralize “bad bacteria”. By doing so,
they promote effective digestion and a healthy digestive tract. Even in kibble-fed dogs, the regular use of probiotics can help reduce/eliminate coat and skin problems, gas and bloating, and bad breath.
There are several animal-specific probiotics, but you can also use human acidophilus *Plus* mixtures --
any mix containing all or some of the following: L. Acidophilus, L. Bulgaricus, B. Bifidum and B. Longum.
The best brands are in the cooler section. Store in your refrigerator at home.
If using an animal-specific formula, feed according to the directions on the container.
If using a human formula, use one capsule once a day. (Twist capsule open and pour/mix into food.)
- Vitamin E (any mixed tocopherol blend) -- 200 iu per 50 lbs. of dog. Begin using 2 weeks
after the diet transition is complete and use on a permanent basis, 2 or 3 times a week. Vitamin E
insures that the Omega-3 EFAs are completely metabolized. Since we are supplementing with EFAs, we
should also supplement with Vitamin E.
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