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9 Wellness Essentials Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

At Bone & Biscuit, we believe in the natural solution. In this article, we’re featuring nine of our favourite wellness products to help you ensure a long and healthy life for your pets.  

 

1. Love Bugs

Did you know that over 80% of the immune system is found in the gut? Probiotics provide the body with the good bacteria it needs to defend itself against bad bacteria and maintain healthy gut flora. Prebiotics are what probiotics feed off of, the prebiotic found in Love Bugs are made from Larch Tree Extract which supports colon health and stimulates the immune system.

Every animal can benefit from the addition of probiotics in their diet but they are especially useful for improving nutrient absorption and digestion, helping with food sensitivities and allergies, reducing IBD symptoms and acid reflux, preventing UTIs, improving skin conditions, combatting ear infections and yeast overgrowths, replenishing healthy bacteria after the use of antibiotics, even preventing tooth decay and bad breath.

 

Love Bugs is a 14 strain probiotic with 30 Billion CFU’s, it doesn’t contain any fillers which means serving sizes are small and you get the most bang for your buck.

 

2. Green Lipped Mussel

Traditional treatment for arthritis and joint pain usually includes the long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs which can have negative side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, ulcers, as well as liver or kidney failure. Alternatively, recent studies have shown the effectiveness of using Green Lipped Mussel to reduce pain and inflammation without the nasty side effects.

Green Lipped Mussel, which can only be found off the coast of New Zealand, is quite the superfood as it boasts a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, enzymes, and many more nutrients. It has pain reducing properties, stimulates appetite, and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory due to the high concentration of glucosamine and chondroitin. It can be used as a treatment or preventatively, and is safe for both cats and dogs.

 

3. Open Farm Grass Fed Kefir

Open Farm Raw Organic Grass-Fed Kefir is an amazing product that promotes healthy digestion, skin, and immune system. The kefir is 100% Certified Humane, USDA organic dairy and is sourced from a human grade dairy farm that doesn’t use any antibiotics or growth hormones. It boasts 9 active cultures and 1.5 Billion live probiotics per ounce. With the additions of turmeric and cinnamon for inflammation and heart health, Open Farm Kefir is an all-around superfood.

Benefits of Kefir:

  • Raw Kefir is a great source of vitamins B1, B12, A, D, K, and biotin; it also provides calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium!
  • Natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties
  • Helps to restore balance to the digestive tract after using antibiotics
  • Combats yeast
  • Helps to alleviate gas, bloating and heartburn
  • A high concentration of probiotics can help with conditions like IBD, eczema and bad breath

Use Kefir as a meal topper for your kibble, to rehydrate a dehydrated meal, or as an addition to a raw diet. It’s also great for making pupsicles in the summer!

 

4. NaturPet Intesti Care

NaturPet Intesti Care is made with herbal ingredients to support a healthy intestinal tract and digestion. Feeding your pet Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth can improve their coat, appetite, metabolism, and digestion. A combination of ground pumpkin seed, ginger root powder, slippery elm bark powder, and thyme leaf powder provide nutrients, soothe nausea, and can be used to treat diarrhea and constipation. This product has no bitter taste, so those picky eaters won’t even notice!

 

5. Seasonal Allergy Support

Vet’s Best Seasonal Allergy Support is formulated with natural ingredients like Nettle Leaf, Vitamin C and Quercetin to calm allergic reactions and a soothing antioxidant blend to promote skin health.

For dogs, environmental allergy symptoms can include itching and scratching, chewing or licking at paws, hair loss, hives, ear infections, and runny eyes. The most common environmental allergens are pollens, mold, and dust.

 

6. Bone Broth

Bone broth is a healthy and delicious way to add moisture and tons of beneficial nutrients to your furry friend’s diet. Bone broth is a source of glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, glycine, and gelatin. So what does all this mean? Joint support, digestive support, and liver support!

Feeding bone broth is a great way to increase the amount of moisture in your pet’s diet (especially important if you are feeding a dry diet), it can also be a great appetite stimulant if you have a sick or picky pet. Bone broth that is made for dogs and cats is low sodium and onion free. We carry frozen (thaw & serve) and dehydrated (mix with water) bone broths which are well suited for cats and dogs.  

 

7. Coconut Oil

Did you know that adding coconut oil to your pet’s diet can help with skin conditions, gastrointestinal health, allergies, metabolic function and maintaining a healthy immune system? Not only that, but they’ll love the taste too.

Coconut oil is an excellent source of lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid, these medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are also found in breast milk and are responsible for protecting infants from infection while their immune systems are developing. Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. It can be used topically and taken internally.

 

8. Pumpkin

Pumpkin just might be the most versatile food to add to your pet’s meal. Pumpkin helps with diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, upset stomachs, picky eaters, hydration, and provides vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support eye health, skin health, digestive health and boost the immune system.

Add pumpkin purée directly to your pets food or stuff a toy with it for a special treat. Cats can be a bit more finicky with food changes so try mixing a tablespoon or two in with their favourite wet food.

We recommend always keeping some pumpkin in the house in case of emergencies.

 

9. Catnip

Did you know that catnip can have different effects depending on whether your cat sniffs it or ingests it?  When ingested, catnip acts as a sedative making your cat drowsy, calm and mellow. Alternatively, when sniffed, catnip has an excitable effect making your cat feel cheerful, energetic and aroused. Common reactions to sniffing catnip are rubbing their face and body on the catnip to release more of the oil, nosing, chewing, kicking their legs, running and general playfulness.

The effects of catnip typically last about 10-20 minutes and then it can take a few hours before your cat will react to it again. Catnip is safe, non-toxic and non-addictive, just don’t give too much or your cat may have some looser stools. Catnip is effective in about 70% of cats over 6 months of age. (If your cat doesn’t react to catnip try honeysuckle, matatabi, or silver vine). We carry dried catnip as well as catnip balms, toys and treats.

 

What are the benefits of using catnip?

  • Pain relieving properties
  • Helps with digestive discomfort
  • Promotes relaxation (when ingested)
  • Antimicrobial properties
  • Helpful when introducing a new cat into the home with another cat (makes your cat friendlier)
  • Helpful in encouraging the use of new things (beds, scratch posts)
  • Ignites playfulness and joy

Article Submitted By Bone & Biscuit Legacy

This article was submitted by Bone & Biscuit Legacy as part of their #wellnesswednesday initiative. Every Wednesday on their Instagram page they feature a different wellness product or concept and discuss it with their followers. You can find all the Wellness Wednesday posts by checking out their hashtag #wellnesswednesdaylegacy or by following @boneandbiscuitlegacy on Instagram.

 

Bone & Biscuit Legacy is a family owned and operated business located on 1625 – 210 Avenue SE, #118 in Calgary, AB.

 

To learn more about the new store and it’s owners check out their Store Spotlight.

 

Visit the Bone & Biscuit Legacy for more info.

 

3 Comments

  • Thank you. This article is very informative

  • I have a Shitzu turning 12 Years Old. I am interested in your store. I go to the Cloverdale legion so I will drop into your store.

  • Just signed up for your news feed – very informative. I’ve just rescued a cat two months ago, she’s 6 – 8 yrs of age with a thyroid condition. On meds and has her back on track. She is a very picky cat not able to find something she likes, also I think because of the meds, she’s constipated. Coming over to visit you in future to get your advice. Thank you.

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