Beware of mineral deficiencies in our pet’s diets.

Mineral deficiencies may appear in pets as sickness or allergy. Lack of zinc, for instance, can cause vomiting, conjunctivitis, debility, and retarded growth in cats. Proper levels of zinc give skin and coat protection. Zinc also protects molecules and tissues against free radicals, thereby representing an essential component of antioxidant enzymes. Zinc is required for the activity of over 100 different kinds of enzymes in animal health. Calcium deficiencies in dogs result in osteoporosis, hip dysplasia, gum erosion and teeth loss, easily broken bones, and reproductive failures and in cats, nervousness, lameness, thin bones and unfriendly behavior.

Copper deficiencies present symptoms such as loss of hair pigmentation and bone abnormalities. Low potassium contributes to muscle weakness, poor growth, listlessness, irregular heartbeat and lesions in the kidneys. Manganese deficiencies can contribute to reproductive dysfunction, weak tendons and ligaments, impaired bone formation, anemia, neuro-muscular dysfunctions, and glandular swelling.

A similar unbalancing of minerals can occur with exces­sive intake of single vitamins, either by producing a deficiency or increasing the retention of a particular mineral. A high intake of vitamin C decreases copper’s absorption and will contribute to a deficiency. Too much zinc can unbalance copper and iron levels in the body. Iron deficiencies can cause anemic conditions, weakness and fatigue.

We advise giving your pet a trace mineral liquid supplement in their water rather than a vitamin/mineral pill. The trace minerals are better absorbed by the cell and leave no residue that can be lodged in joints facilitating arthritis later in life.

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Ways to Prevent Doggie Diabetes

 

 

 

Despite ongoing research and new information to your vet for treating diabetes, the best method is to try to prevent your dog from acquiring this debilitating, life-shortening disorder in the first place.

First you must watch what you feed your furry family member. A balanced, carbohydrate-free species-appropriate diet is in order. You must control your dog’s caloric intake to maintain an optimum weight but too many pet foods contain multiple carbohydrates which break down into sugar that eventually tax the pancreas and its ability to produce and be sensitive to insulin. These high-glycemic foods include corn, whole wheat, rice, white potatoes, beets and carrots. Your dog has no biological requirement for grains or most carbohydrates which can make up s much as 80% of the ingredient content in poor quality processed foods. Most people fee grain-free pet food will help them avoid carbs. Be aware that potatoes and legumes have become the most common source of carbohydrates found in non-grain recipes. These are used in dry food because the process used for making kibble requires a notable amount of carbohydrates to create a dough-like binder to hold everything together. Obviously grain-free wet food is better to avoid an excess of carbs.

Another thing to watch is over-vaccinating your pet. This can overstimulate its immune system and create immune-mediated diseases. If your dog was immunized as a puppy there’s a good likelihood that those immunities will remain for their lifetime. Find a vet that can perform titers to measure the dog’s antibody response from previous vaccinations before you keep giving them shots. You should also make sure your dog gets adequate daily exercise and maintains an optimal weight. Obesity in dog’s is becoming epidemic and metabolically inappropriate foods are by far the biggest reason why dogs become diabetic.