Pet Products Review - True-Dose Joint Care
Now when it comes to supplements and vitamins, etc. I am no longer making recommendations. Quite simply every dog is different, and thus you never know the reaction they may have to the supplement or determine the benefits because the study period too short. But I will bring to your attention products that I've found that are new, unique and may be good for your pet. Always however, if you're going to start your pet on a supplement regime, consult with your vet.
One new product I found is True-Dose. I Like the True-Dose concept because it is pre-measured and simple to use. For information on the product below I have gone straight to their website.
This highly concentrated formulation of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM is designed to promote joint mobility and flexibility and help your dog maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Promotes Joint Mobility & Flexibility
- Convenient & Accurate
- No Measuring, No Hassle
Glucosamine
Joint cartilage is the protective covering over the ends of bones in your dogs' joints, which acts as a shock-absorbing cushion between the bones. Glucosamine is an important nutrient for making joint cartilage, as well as rebuilding and repairing cartilage that has been damaged. Clinical data suggests it may also relieve many of the symptoms associated with joint pain.
Chondroitin
Inside your dog's joints, cartilage undergoes a constant process of breakdown and repair. Chondroitin protects cartilage from damage by slowing the rate of deterioration due to natural enzymes. It also attracts water into the structure of joint cartilage to provide protective and restorative nourishment and neutralize free radicals that produce inflammation and pain.
MSM ( methylsulfonylmethane)
Pressure build-up in cells causes inflammation in your dog's joints, which can translate to pain, stiffness and swelling. Sulfur-rich MSM prevents this pressure build-up by keeping cells permeable, permitting nutrients to flow freely into cells and allowing harmful wastes and toxins to flow out.
For the best selection of True-Dose Products And best prices go to www.truedosepets.com. Here is their link: http://www.truedosepets.com/order.html
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Pet Product Review - SIMPLE Food Solutions from Wellness, Canned 12.05 oz
Of all the new healthy super premium pet food companies, I have to say Wellness is doing the best job at delivering to the market new products that have "solution". With that they've sent me a big box of their new SIMPLE Food Solutions. This is a new line from Wellness specifically designed to be the natural solution for Dogs Suffering from Food Allergies or Intolerances. Since my dog is just a puppy, I gave the entire box which included a big bag of the dry mix and a big box of 12.5 oz canns of Lamb, Duck and Salmon to my friend Tony and his Doberman Senta.
Well we're not nutrition experts so our response is quite candid. This is what Tony had to say:
"Less is More! For some dogs that means eating a simplified diet that uses a unique protein source while removing additional proteins, carbohydrates, fillers and additives.
The 5 Key Ingredients
Simple Food Solutions Formulas have only 5 main ingredients carefully chosen for their quality, nutritional value and their ability to nourish with simplicity:
Duck, Lamb or Salmon are chosen as "novel," high quality alternative to common proteins like beef and chicken due to its unique amino acid profile.
Canola Oil This high quality fat source is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to help your dog maintain healthy skin and coat from the inside out.
Tomato Pomace An ingredient rich in the antioxidant lycopene and an excellent dietary fiber source to help maintain digestive health and produce healthy stools.
Vitamins & Minerals A complete blend of everything your dog needs for daily wellbeing including antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
A Comprehensive "No" List
Simple Food Solutions contains NO Meat by-products, Dairy, Corn, Soy, Wheat, Eggs, Artificial Preservatives, Colors or Flavors. This “NO” list contains common allergens or irritants often found in other pet food.
I love how its not full of grains like the supermarket dog foods, and its made in the USA, so no worry about recalls. All in all good stuff. Go to their site http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_wellness_simple_food_solutions_index.html or an online distributor like Pet Food Direct. At Pet Food Direct use the discount code "THANKS" for an additonal discount off the 12 cans for $25.99:
http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf_id=2022350&dept_id=2
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Pet Product Review: Prairie: Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Medley 15 lbs bag
One of the biggest challenges I face as a person who writes product reviews is that when it comes to pet food its really hard for me to guage the benefits or affect of the food from just a sample. I appreciate small samples that are sent to me, but all I can really assess is whether or not my pet will eat it. So that's why it is so important to me to actually follow for extended periods of time the food that is served daily to our test panelists.
I checked in today on Speed, our favorite 1 year old Pit Bull/Mastiff. Now at one year old this dog is nearly 80lbs, so food has played an important role in his development. I asked his Daddy what he eats, and he enthusiastically said Prairie: hicken Meal & Brown Rice Medley. He told me that he only feed Speed the dry formula.
About 6 months ago, Speed's Daddy got a coupon for a well known premium brand for a 3 month supply of dogfood. Unfortunately, they stopped after the first month. It became quite clear that Speed's energy had decreased as had the gleem in Speeds luxurious coat. Since giving their dog the best nutrition is important, Speed's Daddy asked their dog walker, Victoria of North Beach Dog Walker what she recommended, and what food her healthiest clients consumed. She too enthusiastically recommended Prairie: Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Medley.
Now we're not the experts in pet nutrition, but lucky for us Nature's Variety, the manufacturer of Prairie brand foods has an excellent YouTube video that describes their recommended rotation diet. I found this very informative:
If you're interested in this product, I found the very best prices for Prairie: Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Medley 15 lbs bag at Triangle Pet:
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Pet Products Review - WELLNESS® SUPER5MIX® family of dry dog food
Ok, as you all know, when my panel of 5 dogs test products, I watch them pretty carefully to see their reaction. I know its not scientific, but it is entertaining. Well, let me tell you when I gave my dog Champ his first taste test of Wellness Super5Mix Complete Health, this is what happenend:
First, he sniffed it, and looked up at me with a "why are you doing this to me again" look. Next, he took a nibble. After a slight pause, there was another nibble. Finally, he ate the whole bowl before my very eyes. Honestly, it was like watching a kid whose been introduced to licorice for the first time.
Now Champ is not a fast eater. And the few times he has "gobbled" down food, it was grocery store bought and a cheaper quality of food. I call this doggie junk food. That food kind of food has tons of bad filler and exagerated taste chemicals designed to make your dog eat more. Well, in this case, I know the Wellness brand, and know they are a super premium pet nutrition company and therefore can tell you, not only is this food good for your dog, it taste good too.
But rather than me go through the details, I thought I'd share with you their press release. This way I leave out no details. Here it is:
Tewksbury, MA (June 16, 2008) - In a nod to the distinctly different dietary needs between large breed and small breed dogs, the Wellness® brand of natural food and treats for pets announces two new product lines joining the Super5Mix® family of dry dog food - Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy and Adult Health, and Super5Mix® Small Breed Adult Health.
Not all puppy breeds grow in the same way. Large breed puppies, for instance, have special considerations for their weight and bones, and can be at risk of serious development issues. Wellness knows that just feeding them a bigger kibble is not the solution. The company's nutritionists and veterinarians created Large Breed Puppy Health as the best nutritional solution for their unique needs. With precise calcium and phosphorus levels for proper bone development and controlled fat and calories for well-paced growth, Large Breed Puppy Health ensures the right start to a healthy weight. This new formula also delivers guaranteed levels of DHA that support brain development vital for learning and training.
Large Breed Adult Health is holistically formulated to effectively manage the special nutritional needs of large breed dogs. These large dogs need to feel full without consuming excess calories. The moderate fat and controlled caloric intake in Large Breed Adult Health helps to prevent obesity. In addition, Wellness has included therapeutic levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin to aid in supporting their overburdened joints; and live probiotics and increased natural fiber promote easy digestion through their smaller digestive tracts.
Small breed adult dogs eat small meals but need increased energy to support their metabolisms, and need to control calories to prevent obesity. With a life expectancy of up to 20 years, small breed's life-systems need nutritional support to stay strong. Small Breed Adult Health supports the special lifestyle of these dogs with just the right ingredient balance. The smaller bite-sized kibble is perfectly proportioned for small jaws and teeth, and a guaranteed great taste pleases even the most finicky palates.
"At Wellness, we're passionate about helping pet parents feed their dogs the healthiest food possible," said Deborah Ellinger, CEO of Wellness. "With attention to the particular health and wellness needs of dogs of all sizes, consumers can be confident that they've got the perfect, wholesome recipes for their dogs' unique breed-related needs."
As with all Wellness natural pet foods, these new recipes contain no meat by-products, wheat or wheat gluten, corn, soy, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Each recipe features The 5 For Life Supplement SystemTM, a complete array of complementary ingredients designed to protect, restore and nurture dogs;
- Fruit & Veggie Antioxidant Rainbow - a proactive step towards fighting disease;
- The WellCoat® Omega 3 & 6 Mix for healthy skin and coat;
- Botanical & Herb Blend of nature's best ingredients, each with their own nutritional properties;
- Essential Vitamins & Minerals for cellular health, immunity and disease resistance;
- After cooking, each kibble is ActiCoatedTM with live active probiotics to promote a healthy intestinal tract and overall digestive health.
Super5Mix® Small Breed Adult Health comes in 4 and 12 lb. bags, while Super5Mix® Large Breed Adult Health and Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy Health come in 15 and 30 lb. bags. All are available nationwide at pet specialty stores. To find an authorized Wellness retailer, please visit www.wellnesspetfood.com.
About Wellness® - Unconditional Love. Uncompromising Nutrition.®
At Wellness, we do whatever it takes to create the healthiest foods for the pets that depend on us. Food feeds their souls, sustains their lives and protects their bodies. Our diverse team of animal lovers, nutritionists and vets has only one mission: To help provide pets a healthy, happy, long life through the power of natural nutrition.
We constantly strive to raise the bar and never compromise-selecting nature's finest ingredients and combining them in exact proportions to help support pet health and wellbeing. All Wellness and Old Mother Hubbard food and treat varieties feature recipes using natural human-grade ingredients without the use of meat by-products, fillers, potential allergens, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. And as a pioneer in holistic nutrition, we are passionate about seeking new ways to help pets thrive, educating people about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and supporting animal wellness programs.
Wellness is proud to be a part of the Old Mother Hubbard pet food family, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006. Wellness is sold through pet specialty and natural food stores throughout North America and is now available internationally. For more information, please visit www.wellnesspetfood.com.
Pet Product Review - PetHealth™ OPC Formula with Glucosamine for Dogs & Cats
Last week was my birthday, and let me tell you, age is not something thats "in your head" you feel it! Well, as pets age, they feel it too. They face many of the same issues as we humans. And like the store bought groceries and fast food we consume many pet foods are over processed and have little nutritive value. Combined with pollution, we're all full of free radicals that make us stiff, achy and defenseless to a whole lot of nasty things we associate with aging. For myself, I take vitamins and fish oils all with anti-oxidents. I tried to do the same with my dog Champ, but have you ever tried to give a big nutritional vitamin to a dog? Its almost impossible.
Lucky for me the people at PetHealth™ Advanced Pet Care sent me a sample of PetHealth™ OPC Formula with Glucosamine for Dogs & Cats. Giving both my pets their vitamins instantly became easy. You simply sprinkle it into their food. You don't need a whole lot and its beef flavored, so your pets don't realize you've just fortified their diet. I feed both my cat and my dog a combination of wet food and dry food, so I recommend mixing it into the wet part.
Now what is PetHealth™ OPC Formula with Glucosamine for Dogs & Cats? PetHealth™ OPC is a food supplement made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts, citrus extract bioflavonoids, and glucosamine, designed to promote healthy joints and provide a strong antioxidant defense.
Benefits:
- Combats free radicals
- Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
- Helps maintain healthy circulation
- Helps maintain joint flexibility
- Helps promote/support cardiovascular health
- Helps support visual health/visual acuity
- Potent free radical scavenger
- Promotes/Supports healthy blood vessel dilation
- Promotes/Supports healthy nitric oxide levels
- Supports healthy blood glucose levels
- Supports healthy platelet activity
We'll see how in the long run how PetHealth™ OPC Formula affects my pets. But I think for a $20 investment into their health and well being it can't hurt. The container is 11.1 oz and should last a good part of the year. Go to www.puppiesgrowthchart.com to order yours.
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