Supplements & Vitamins

Supplements can refer to a variety of vitamins, herbs, probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and amino acids. We give our dogs or cats these to make sure they are getting enough of what they need. 

Vitamins come in water-soluble and fat-soluble, and are very important for your animal. Water-soluble vitamins are easily flushed so they often are given twice a day to be effective. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the animals fat. They last longer in the body than water-soluble and work with other nutrients.

Digestive aids are things like probiotics and prebiotics - friendly bacteria needed for good digestion and also help break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Probiotics are the good bacteria, examples are acidophilus (lactobacillus acidophilus) and lactobacillus bifidus.  

Digestive Enzymes are great for all dogs, however with dogs with IBS, colitis, or IBD, they are particularly very helpful. 

Supplements/Vitamins for Specific Health Problems 

Hip and Joints/Arthritis 

-EPA fish oil
-Glucosamine and Chondroitin blends
-Berte's Green Blend
-Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
-Berte's Ultra Probiotic Powder
-Bromelain
-Yucca
-Willow Bark
-Vitamin E
-Diatomaceous Earth 

IBS, Colitis

-L-glutamine
-Digestive Enzymes 
-Diatomaceous Earth 

Dry Skin/Dandruff/Itchy skin/Hair loss

-EPA Fish Oil (examples- salmon oil, pollock oil, menhaden oil)
-Coconut Oil
-Flax seed or Flax seed oil 
-Vitamin E
-Vitamin C 

Diarrhea

-Pure Pumpkin (canned or fresh)
-Pure sweet Potato (canned or fresh) 
-Banana
-Digestive Enzymes
-Diatomaceous Earth

Liver, Kidney, Thyroid, Organ Problems

-Kelp
-Yucca 
-Green foods
-Milk Thistle (for the liver)

Pancreatitis

-EPA Fish Oil
-Pancreatin
-Digestive Enzymes

Allergies

-Digestive Enzymes
-EPA Fish Oils
-Bromelain
(more on allergies under the Allergies tab)

Here is a few companies that offer a great line of supplements, with so many options out there, these are just a few.
Holistic Blend 
Nupro 
Lakota 
Canine Herbals
Bertes Blends
VetsBest 
NaturVet 

 Diatomaceous Earth

Made up from very fine sand made up of the fossilized remains of hard shelled algae called diatoms. The tiny diatoms fill in the exoskeleton  shell of the flea/tick or worm and dehydrate it. It is an organic wormer an can kill off many types of worms or parasites (does not kill giardia).

Reported by pet owners to kill 75% of flies and fleas that come in contact with it within 72 hrs. Mixed with feed at a ratio of 2% keeps out pests. Reported by people to help eliminating ants, aphids, bed bugs, flea beetles, fleas, ticks, earwigs, sow bugs, mites, lice, etc. Reported to help with internal worming purposes for humans and animals and detox heavy metals. 
(http://www.truerawchoice.ca/diatomaceousEarth.php) 

Human Grade versions can be purchased as well for you and your pets. Many health benefits can come from using this product.