By nature, dogs are omnivores; this means dogs eat both animal and plant based foods. A dog’s body has the capability of transforming certain amino acids into others, which means a dog will be able to obtain all the essential amino acids for his diet without having any meat at all. However, since they are omnivores by design, dogs tend lead healthier and longer lives on a meat-filled diet.

Is it healthier for a dog to be meat-free? There is no real answer to this, yet, but, there are dogs out there with food allergies, and meats are no exception. Studies have shown that between 10 to 20 percent of all dogs have some type of meat intolerance.

If you’re dog suffers from a food allergy, then it makes sense for your dog to be on a meat-free diet. When a dog has an allergy to food, he may begin to have ear inflammation, bite his paws, obsess over licking, break out in a rash or hives, have nausea or diarrhea, vomit, pass gas often, and his coat may not look well anymore.  If you bring your dog to the vet, he or she will be able to put your dog on an elimination diet.

If it turns out your dog has an allergy to all meat (or even just one or two), it’s in your best interest to seek out vegetarian or vegan dog food options, so his stomach no longer is aggravated. However, there aren’t a whole lot of dog supplements out there that are meat-free. Just recently, Ark Naturals released a joint product that can help with both your dog’s joint issues and diet sensitives and allergies. Although they do sell this product in meat flavors, they now offer Sea Mobility Joint Rescue soft chewables in sweet potato and cranberry flavors.

Overall, most vets would recommend and prefer that dogs eat a meat-based diet, but if your dog suffers from an allergy, he can still live a good life on a plant-based diet.

Ark Naturals’ mission is to offer the most complete, scientifically-formulated and healthy products for people’s pets. If you’re interested in Ark Natural’s meat-free joint product, click the link.  Ark Naturals also offers a variety of other remedy, wellness products. To browse the dog-health products, click the Dog Supplements page.

As they get older, most dogs experience joint pain. If you’re dog hasn’t been his happy self lately, this could be a cause. Dogs spend their lives running, and jumping, so it’s clear their joints take a pounding. Unfortunately, some dogs’ joints just can’t take the stress anymore, and the dog begins to experience stiffness, joint pain and discomfort. Often, this discomfort can turn into a form of a degenerative joint disease, muscle atrophy, even osteoarthritis.

The dogs are experiencing this pain because the cartilage in their joints is thinning, and the cartilage cells die off, which results in inflammation in the joint and excessive fluid. As the owner, you’ll be able to notice changes in your dog’s habits and behaviors due to joint issues. Activities such as walking, running, jumping and even lying down become slowed down and appear to be a “chore” to the dog. The stairs may seem impossible for him to tackle or hopping in the car becomes tricky. As the issues worsen, you may notice your dog holding his limbs up.

If you have a bigger and heavier breed of dog, there will be a higher chance for joint issues, as well. One example: Rottweilers are prone to having ankle and knee problems.

When your dog is experiencing joint pain, there are a few treatment options you can choose from; however, you should make an appointment first with your veterinarian so he or she can determine the exact cause of your dog’s pain and the severity of the issue.

After meeting with the vet, he or she will suggest either surgical or non-surgical options based on your dog’s symptoms. Some dogs may just be put on a strict diet to lose weight (ease pressure on the joints) while others may need physical therapy, or a full joint replacement.

Often, the vet will suggest a diet or supplements that can help decrease inflammation in the joints.  Gray Muzzle sells Old Dogs! Happy Joints!, which is a “senior friendly” bite-size soft chewable. This chew helps dogs with mobility, flexibility and discomfort because it’s made from ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which decrease inflammation. Ark Naturals also sells Sea Mobility Joint Rescue, which are soft chews (meat and meat-free flavors) that help with mobility and flexibility; these chews are good for dogs with active lifestyles and any age-related mobility issues. They also contain the inflammatory-fighting ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin.

Come up with a plan with your vet on what treatment is best for your dog, as well as what activities he should or shouldn’t do currently. For preventative care and ongoing joint maintenance, vets recommend you keep your dog at a healthy weight and in good condition; dog chews, like mentioned above can also keep inflammation from flaring up.

Make sure to get your dog’s joints checked regularly at his yearly vet appointments. If you’re looking to purchase Gray Muzzle or Ark Naturals joint products, click the links. Click the Dog Wellness Products page for other products.

Cats need their teeth taken care of at home, just like you do! Taking care of your cat’s teeth regularly will help them lead a healthier and pain-free life. Around 70 percent of cats older than 3 years old have dental disease symptoms.

Each year, you should have your vet take a look at your cat’s teeth and get them professionally cleaned. The cleaning will remove dental plaque and tartar from the teeth. If not removed, these deposits can lead to periodontal disease. Also, make sure to check in with your vet as to what oral hygiene practices you should be doing specifically for you cat, based on their needs, symptoms, and history. Every cat is different, and the veterinarian knows best!

There are a few signs that will tell you if your cat currently has a dental issue. If your cat’s gums are bleeding excessively during/after eating, if he has bad breath or is drooling a lot, this could be a sign that the cat needs its teeth cleaned, or even some serious dental work. Some cats even stop eating due to tooth pain, which is a sign that the problem is incredibly painful.

Besides getting a professional cleaning, there are a few different methods that can help prevent or minimize dental issues in your cat’s mouth.

• Dental prescription or non-prescription oral rinses, gels, and sprays exist that help reduce plaque buildup on teeth.
• Wipe your cat’s teeth with a gauze pad, dental wipe, or even finger. Place cat toothpaste (or even just water) on any of the items to wipe their teeth clean.
• Ask your vet about special toys that are great for your cat’s teeth. These toys are filled with special enzymes that help reduce plaque on a cat’s teeth.
• If your cat will let you, massage his gums; this will help strengthen them.
• Dental products are a good way to supplement your cat’s dental hygiene habits, and can help prevent dental issues. Ark Naturals sells a Breath-Less Plaque-Zapper that is an odorless, colorless and tasteless powder that gets put into your cat’s water bowl. This product helps prevent dental decay, plaque, tartar, and bad breath. Gray Muzzle also offers a dental product called Brushless-Toothpaste. This is a dental, soft chewable that is great for older cats or cats with gum tenderness or missing teeth. It helps control plaque and tartar and helps reduces bad breath.

Your cat’s dental health is important. If you ignore any possible teeth problems, your cat could develop heart or kidney issues. But remember, always have a discussion with your vet before using any of the products or methods above. To purchase Ark Naturals and Gray Muzzle cat dental products, click here.