5 Supplements Good For Your Dog’s Health

Dietary supplements have known to provide ample health benefits to the canine family. Enriched with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, they work as an immunity booster for dogs. Moreover, there are different kinds of formulations that facilitate proper functioning of various parts of the body. Some provide luster to the skin and coat while some other work to reform a deteriorating tissue. Supplements for dogs, thus come with a gamut of benefits and can be easily incorporated in his daily diet. Vets even recommend starting the supplements from a very early age in dogs for their proper physical and mental growth. In fact, dogs that are fed dietary supplements early on don’t develop nutritional deficiencies. Furthermore, studies reveal that dogs that are given homemade food must be necessarily fed with supplements because, generally, their dietary needs aren’t met by the food completely. Thus, supplements are a must-have unless you aren’t overfeeding him. Here are some amazing supplements that have various health benefits in dogs and must be included in your bucket list.

Glucosamine Supplements

Glucosamine is found naturally in the dog’s body.  It is responsible for repairing the cartilage tissues from the daily wear and tear. However, over time and age, this substance starts deteriorating if a nutrient-rich diet is not provided. This diminishing levels of glucosamine in the body cause stiffness of joints leading to arthritis if the substance is not outsourced. Thus, providing glucosamine supplements in dogs is important. It stops the deterioration of joints’ cartilage and repairs it by facilitating the production of new cells. Glucosamine has anti-inflammatory property thus supplements containing this substance are highly beneficial in preventing arthritis and the related joint pain in dogs subsequently improving their agility.

Chondroitin Supplements

Chondroitin is again a substance found in the connective tissues of the body and is largely responsible for maintenance of healthy joints and muscle mobility in dogs. In fact, Glucosamine and Chondroitin work synergistically to upkeep the joint movements and help them from jerks and injuries. Thus, dogs getting supplements that contain glucosamine- chondroitin combination have better muscle power which in turn prevents osteoarthritis in them.

Fish Oil/ Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are associated with the proper functioning of a host of mechanisms in the body. DHA and EPA – the two unsaturated types of omega 3 fatty acids are responsible for maintaining normal heart rhythm and fuels brain functions. They have also been known to relieve joint inflammation and various skin allergies in the body. You must have seen dogs with super shiny coat and ultra-soft skin. It is because they have adequate levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their body. So now you understand, providing supplements which contain these fatty acids can be highly beneficial if you want to improve your dog’s overall health and appearance.

Probiotics

If you want to improve the digestive health of your dog, probiotics are a way to go. They prevent diarrhea, stomach upsets, and bowel syndrome by inhibiting the harmful bacterial growth in the intestines. Probiotics are also known to prevent urinary tract infections and decrease the permeability of intestines which makes them susceptible to infections.

Multivitamin Supplements

Nutritional deficiencies in dogs can lead to several diseases and functional problems in dogs. Inadequate amount of vitamins and minerals can deteriorate bodily functions drastically in the long run. This is the reason a well-balanced diet is promoted to such a great extent. It has optimum amounts of nutrients needed by the body on a daily basis. However, sadly, not all dogs are able to absorb complete nutrients provided by the food they are fed. This makes it imperative to feed those nutrients through supplements which are directly absorbed into the body. Therefore, multivitamins are necessary for the overall well-being of your dog.

Though we did advise you to start the supplements for the betterment of your dog, it is mandatory to dose these supplements properly. Overfeeding supplements in a dog that already has adequate levels of nutrients in his body can also lead to health issues. So, consult your vet before taking any decision because nutritional requirements may vary from dog to dog. It is not necessary that if one dog is fed multivitamins then another dog also requires it. He probably requires a joint supplement or a probiotic. So, better take professional advice and act accordingly. But yes, dog dietary supplements do improve a pet’s health remarkably and boosts his stamina multifold. So, do put your pet on a dietary supplement that his body requires after the vet consultation. The quicker, the better!

Is It Ok To Use Human Shampoo On Dogs?

Pet owners often wonder if they can use their own shampoo to wash their dog. Sometimes the financial crunch and tight budget is the reason. The other time, it’s just so they don’t have to spend extra when they can use their own product for washing the dog. However, it is wrong if you are doing that. It’s understandable if you used it once or twice when you ran out of stock of dog shampoo, but using it regularly can be very harmful to the dog’s skin. Let’s see why and how?

Ph Balance Of A Dog’s Skin  

To understand that you mustn’t use human shampoos on dogs, you must first be aware that the dog’s skin has a different ph than human skin. Dogs are on the alkaline side of the litmus with ph levels ranging from 6 to 7 whereas human skin is slightly acidic i.e. 5.5-7. When we use human shampoo on our dog, it disrupts the acid mantle of his skin. Acid mantle is a skin layer underneath the stratum corneum(topmost layer of the skin) which protects it from bacterial and viral infection. It also absorbs moisture to keep the skin hydrated and nourished. However, when this layer disrupts, a dog’s skin becomes more prone to infections, dryness, and flakiness. Dry skin causes itching and when the dog scratches itself, it opens up the skin layer for bacteria or virus to enter the body. Therefore, human shampoos can cause more harm than cleaning your dog. So, better avoid it.

Can You Use Natural Human Shampoos?

Yes, you can use chemical free, scent free ayurvedic shampoos on your pet because they won’t have any harmful ingredients in their composition. However, you won’t get that lather which you would need to keep the dog’s fur and skin immaculately clean. Some dirt or debris may remain left out which again may cause infections and skin allergies.

What In Case Of An Emergency?

Just in case you run out of stock, you can definitely use the human shampoo once or twice. But, it would be better if you keep enough stock in advance. 

Why Must You Use Only Dog Shampoo On Your Canine?

Dog shampoo is designed for dogs, which is why it has a perfect ph balance for dog’s skin.

They are gentle yet they clean thoroughly.

Dog shampoos are made from non-toxic components that are safe for use on dogs.

It surely lathers properly unlike baby shampoos or Ayurvedic ones.

They are available in a wide range so you can choose according to the skin of your dog. If his skin is extra sensitive or extra dry, you will get shampoos for specific requirements.

Fragrance in other shampoos that are not formulated for dogs may cause allergies or infection on his skin so better to avoid using them. 

Conclusion

Human shampoos must be avoided for use on dogs. They can only be used in emergency situations and rinsed properly. However, it is still advised not to use them at any point in time especially, if your dog already has dry and dull skin or coat. And do not forget to apply conditioner after the rinse. It enhances shine and softness providing enough moisture to the skin.

Cat Separation Anxiety: Causes, Signs, Possible Treatment?

The soaring increase in population steadily over the years has resulted in a fierce paucity of sufficient resources for each and every individual out there.  This has further encouraged a sense of fierce competition. People are willing to spend their whole day in the office in front of the computer, slogging away on achieving the company targets if it means a comfortable lifestyle for their family members.

However, the reality of the matter is that everything comes at a cost. If you wish to do well in an examination, you have to sacrifice the time spent on social media otherwise it is impossible for you to focus. Similarly, spending all those hours in the office or on official tours results in the loss of quality family time resulting in a sense of detachment? However, have you ever considered the impact of your actions on your beloved furry companions who simply wish to spend as much time as possible with you?

Cats and dogs are so innocent and loving in nature that they cannot bear the uncertainty of staying alone resulting in separation anxiety. Yes, it may seem shocking to even consider the fact that cats that are independent, fierce in nature can also be affected by separation anxiety.

Let’s take a look at the concept of separation anxiety in cats, causes, signs and possible treatment in such a scenario: 

    Separation anxiety refers to the condition observed amongst pets when there is a sense of anxiety which develops in their minds on being separated from their caregivers. Cats are labeled as independent and loners by nature because of their tendency to stay aloof rather than move around in packs which is not accurate at all. Cats are very attached to humans and form strong relationships with them. They also desire attention as well as a stimulating environment. In case of any form of change in the working schedule or routine, they tend to believe that they have been abandoned which leads to the condition referred to as separation anxiety in cats.

   Causes:

The different causes for separation anxiety in cats can be as follows:

·         Genetics: Genetics play a huge role in influencing separation anxiety amongst cats with Siamese and Burmese cats considered more likely to be affected than others.

·         Lack of Socialization: Kittens who are separated from their mother or siblings before they are 8 weeks old are more prone to separation anxiety. At the same time, lack of socialization which should take place between 3 to 9 weeks of age is also a major cause.

·         Health Issues: There are also several health issues common in cats like skin issues, allergies, and parasites which can result in them suffering from separation anxiety.
Signs:

Cats, express their misgivings through clinginess and meowing much more frequently than before. They also show signs of fear and tend to urinate on clothes or on the bed. Other signs and symptoms of cat separation anxiety are as follows:

·         Eating too fast or not eating at all

·         Vomiting

·          House-soiling.

  Possible Treatment in such circumstances:
Catscan be treated in such a scenario with the use of drugs and behaviormodification techniques. The other ways by which cat lovers can contribute and assist their cats in getting rid of separation anxiety are as follows:

  Ensure Enough Playtime: The easiest solution is to ensure that your cat can enjoy sufficient playtime out on the playground. You should steadily encourage him to play alone with his toys using love and affection which can help him grow comfortable with the concept of staying alone.

  Prepare effectively before leaving: You should ensure that your cat has a sufficient amount of food, water, and toys at this disposal before leaving. At the same time, the emphasis should be on maintaining a composed, happy tone rather than being emotional while leaving so that your cat does not feel anxious about the duration of your time outside. The best policy is to not interact with your cat at all while leaving for optimum results.

   Appoint a Pet Sitter: It is advisable to appoint a pet sitter who can take care of your cat in your absence and help avoid a sense of loneliness in the mind of the cat due to the presence of human company around him. At the same time, it is also important to ensure that the two parties share a healthy relationship. Cat separation anxiety is an issue which deserves attention and proper care. A few measures can help in ensuring ultimate happiness for your cat in the long run.