Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet

I prefer that your pet receive all the nutrition they need through the foods they eat. However, that's not always possible.

The best of diets – even a raw, species-specific diet – can come from soils that are depleted or from lower quality food sources. Sometimes, the food simply loses many of its nutrients through processing and storage.

And most commercially available pet foods, even if they're "fortified" to meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards, contain synthetic vitamins and minerals which have their place, but are further removed from naturally derived supplements.

That's why I feel it’s important to feed your dog the highest level of nutrient dense dog food using human grade ingredients made by Pawsitively Pure Dog Food as well as offer your pet additional supplements, I have been using Mercola products for over 10 years for my dogs and I swear by them; they are great for dogs and really make a difference in their health and well-being.

Here are a few of the Mercola supplements we use on a regular basis:

Digestive Enzymes

Betaine HCl - break down proteins into peptides and amino acids and fats into triglycerides

• Bromelain (pineapple) – one of the safest and most powerful  enzymes to help break down and digest protein

• Papain (papaya) – a natural plant-sourced enzyme that works  together with bromelain to digest protein

• Pancreatin – an animal-based pancreatic enzyme providing all three of these enzymes:
  

  • Protease – helps break down proteins into amino acids for digestion

  • Amylase – for splitting and breaking down long-chain carbohydrates, including starch and glycogen (the energy-storage molecule in animal tissue) for digestion in the small intestine

  • Lipase – helps break down and digest fats

When used this way, after meals, the enzymes circulate throughout her body via the bloodstream, helping to:

• Support the healthy circulation of blood through arteries

• Maintaining normal immune function

• Clear cellular debris while cleansing tissue

• Stimulate healthy new cell growth

• Promote normal cell growth

• Promote a healthy immune response

• Support normal detoxification processes

• Clear away undigested proteins, cleansing the lymph and blood

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B Complex is a bioavailable, complete complex that provides the ideal proportion of the eight major B vitamins:

• Contains the patented PANMOL® vitamin B complex with concentrations of B vitamins a hundred-fold higher than what’s found in whole grains (but without the grain)

• The B vitamins are organically bound to sprouts from organic quinoa seeds for enhanced bioavailability and potential benefits

• Contains more than just the eight familiar B vitamins – It contains a multitude of well-balanced and biologically active B vitamins complete with co-factors and coenzymes

• May be better absorbed in your pet’s body than regular isolated synthetic B vitamins

Curcumin

Vitamin B Complex is a bioavailable, complete complex that provides the ideal proportion of the eight major B vitamins:

• Contains the patented PANMOL® vitamin B complex with concentrations of B vitamins a hundred-fold higher than what’s found in whole grains (but without the grain)

• The B vitamins are organically bound to sprouts from organic quinoa seeds for enhanced bioavailability and potential benefits

• Contains more than just the eight familiar B vitamins – It contains a multitude of well-balanced and biologically active B vitamins complete with co-factors and coenzymes

• May be better absorbed in your pet’s body than regular isolated synthetic B vitamins

Keep an eye on our blog to learn more about the Mercola products we love. To learn more, browse through our site.

Hi Carole!  

I just wanted to report that the broth I ordered has been a game changer in getting our picky poodle to eat his food.  He really loves the beef broth.  We ordered chicken broth, too, but won't try it until he "gets tired of" the beef.  Also, he LOVES the surprise peanut butter pumpkin treats you included in our order!  Thank you so much!  I will definitely be ordering again as well as spreading the word about your awesome company!

Thanks again,

Mary Amelia

Thanks so much for the positive review, Mary Amelia! We love that our products can help your pup enjoy his meals much more. Have you tried bone broth for your dogs yet?

As we’re sure you’re aware, the holiday season is right at our doorstep. As the air cools down just a little bit, shopping centers are beginning to put up their red and green decorations, and families are sending out invitations to their parties and preparing for the arrival of relatives. If you’re wondering about the best gift to give your family this holiday season, we’d love to suggest getting a dog.

Here at Pawsitively Pure, we advocate responsible pet ownership, and a pet you bring home for Christmas is a pet for life. But if you have the right intentions, a dog can be a perfect Christmas gift and benefit your family for years to come. Here are three reasons why your family will be all the better with the love and companionship of a pup:

1. Dogs can help your children learn responsibility. Maybe your parents got you a pet when you were growing up to help you understand responsibility, too. While dogs are a lot of fun, they also require a lot of care and attention to help them thrive. You can put your children in charge of daily dog duties, like taking them for a walk and making sure they get the right amount of human grade dog food for dinner.

2. Dogs can help everyone learn a little patience. Sometimes the training phase can be frustrating when bringing a new dog into the house. By working with your new furry friend through these issues, you’ll learn to be more patient and to work through issues instead of giving up. This isn’t just beneficial for the little ones - we can all do with a little more patience as we help our dogs grow happy and healthy.

3. Dogs are the best stress relievers. Coming home after a long day at the office? Are your children stressed about upcoming exams? Just take a little break to play with your pup! Studies have shown that even something as simple as petting a dog can take a load of stress off your plate. High stress can lead to physical illness, so having a dog around the house can keep everyone happy and healthy.

The team at Pawsitively Pure advocates adoption when you’re looking for a new family friend. Now that Florida has passed Amendment 13, outlawing greyhound racing, there are soon to be a number of dogs looking for their forever homes. Check with your local shelter or rescue program to find out more. To order your Pawsitively Pure food, bone broth, and treats, click here, or find us on Facebook!

Did you know that October is National Pet Wellness Month? After the excitement of the summer, the fall is the perfect time to slow down and give your pet an overall health and wellness checkup. Here at Pawsitively Pure, we like to treat Pet Wellness month as a new beginning for our pets’ health goals and find new ways to improve quality of life for Jackson and Finley as they grow older together.

This year, we want to take it back to the basics and make sure our pups are living their best lives when it comes to their everyday needs. Here are the 3 ways we’re celebrating National Pet Wellness Month:

• Make sure your pups are following healthy, balanced diets.  The number one thing you can do to keep your pup happy is to ensure the food they eat is fresh and free from unnecessary fillers and sugars. The best way to do this is with whole, human-grade foods. Your dog wasn’t designed to live on kibble; make the switch to natural food and you’ll see increased energy levels and much more alertness in your pup.

• Give your dog an enriching environment. No matter how often you try to give your dog outdoor playtime, they’re still spending most of their lives inside the house. Make sure your dog isn’t bored and provide him with a variety of toys and puzzles. Also, as often as possible, take your dog on different routes for your daily walk. Any training sessions are also great opportunities for both enrichment and bonding.

• Give your dog an at-home wellness checkup. Your dog can’t tell you when he’s experiencing a health issue; instead, you have to rely on your own observations to discern that your pup is under the weather. Usually, by the time symptoms get serious, the issue has been present for a while. This is why it’s so important to regularly give your pet a simple at-home examination from tip to tail. Here’s a great guide from Healthy Pets by Mercola.

Give your pup a little extra love for National Pet Wellness month! If you’re not sure where to start, your pet’s diet is the biggest factor in their overall health and wellness. Review your food and treat choices and determine what areas might need a little extra healthy nutrition. When you’re ready to switch your dog to natural, human-grade food, click here to shop Pawsitively Pure’s products.

Treats are an important part of every dog’s diet! Not only do they give you a way to reward good behavior and train further good habits, they allow you to beef up your pet’s nutrition as long as you make healthy choices. From training treats to larger chewables and bones, treats can keep your dog busy, strengthen their gums and teeth, and reinforce positive behavior at home and on the go.

Most veterinarians recommend keeping treats under 10% of your dog’s daily diet, and you should make sure that your pup gets the bulk of his nutrition from his food before filling up on cookies. But besides that, how do you know what treats are the right ones for your pet? Here are a few tips:

• Include real vegetables, like carrots, green beans, or broccoli, for a healthy crunch and pure nutrition. On a hot day, many dogs love chewing on a handful of frozen veggies to cool down. Before you go to the fridge, though, make sure the fruits or vegetables you choose are not toxic to dogs. Onions, grapes, avocado, and chocolate are at the top of the do-not-feed list.

• Opt for all-natural ingredients if you don’t rely on veggies for snacking. Many popular dog treats, like Milk Bones, are packed with sugar and other fillers designed to get your dog hooked. Even if you use treats sparingly, this amount of sugar can lead to serious tooth decay and bloated bellies. Remember: Dog treats aren’t required to meet the same health standards as complete nutrition systems, so go with a treat brand you can trust. (Hint: Pawsitively Pure’s limited-ingredient treats include nothing but the best!)

• Be careful when giving your dog bones to chew on. If you want to give your dog a real bone to gnaw on, make sure it’s a raw, meaty bone like a turkey neck. Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter easily, causing a choking hazard. Some bones, like antlers, may be too hard for your dog’s teeth and can cause cracking. Pay attention to your dog’s reaction to their treats and always supervise snacking.

Choosing the right treats for your dog should be fun and exciting. When you have a handful of flavors to choose from, you can pick out the one that makes your pup’s tail wag the hardest. Even picky eaters love Pawsitively Pure cookies. To learn more or to shop for your favorites, click here.