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Kidney Support Kit

Tripsy, Milk Thistle, Turmeric & PetOmega 3

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What Should I Feed My Dog? Buddha’s Story

Pet Diet & Nutrition 4 min read
what should i feed my dog

Even though nutrition is a very important component of our pets’ health, it is often overlooked or taken for granted. Just like humans, pets are all their own unique individuals with their own tastes and needs. What is a balanced diet for one pet, may not be ideal for another. With so many options available these days, it leaves us wondering, “what should I feed my dog?”.

We always recommend doing your research when selecting any type of food for your pet, be it commercial kibble or wet food, raw, or even home-cooked.

Back in May, Buddha a handsome Pit Bull cross was diagnosed with kidney failure and prostate cancer shortly after. Budda’s vet recommended that he start a prescription kibble diet formulated for pets with renal conditions. His mama Meagen decided to do some research into what she could do to better support Buddha and help him be as healthy as possible. In her research, she found that a homemade diet seemed like it could help improve his health which led her to find us.

Meagen came to us for a customized nutrition plan for Buddha that would not only make sure that he gets the nutrients he needs but also take into account his weight and kidney condition. At first, she was skeptical and had many questions, but Dr. Amanda and our pet experts were only an email or phone call away to help.

I was very skeptical at first as I was terrified of malnourishing him or something along those lines but he’s been eating his homemade meals for a few weeks now and some days, I barely recognize him! He has so much energy now! He’s not leaking nearly as often! He loves his homemade food!

While some commercial foods can be of great quality, not all pet foods are made equal. Meagen shared with us some of the information she found while researching animal nutrition.

When I was doing research on animal nutrition, I  realized the commercial pet food industry is almost completely unregulated! The only regulations in place apply to the way in which commercial pet food is marketed and labeled. Granted, there are some general rules such as facilities producing commercial pet food being required to be clean, and pet food required to be safe but otherwise, regulations are only in place for more or less what company’s put on the label of their food. Commercial pet food companies don’t need the FDA’s pre-market approval as human foods do.
Buddha in a red jacket standing in a grassy field with a sunset behind him.

We always recommend doing your research when selecting any type of food for your pet, be it commercial kibble or wet food, raw, or even home-cooked.  All diets should be well-balanced and made for your pet’s body.

Nutrition is especially important for pets who are fighting cancer. In Buddha’s case, his veterinarian did not recommend pursuing treatment like chemo or radiation to treat his cancer. Instead, Meagen is doing everything she can to enhance his quality of life and make him comfortable and happy. Alongside the homemade diet, Meagen added supplements that our in-house veterinarian, Dr. Amanda recommended with Buddha’s nutrition plan.

Buddha’s regimen:

Tripsy – Helps to support healthy kidney and urinary system function. Tripsy can also help prevent and break down urinary crystals. Tripsy also has properties that help to reduce inflammation and fight infections in the urinary system.

Milk Thistle – Helps to detoxify the liver and kidneys by removing toxins that can build up in the body, especially while taking pharmaceuticals. Encourages healthy liver and kidney function and supports regeneration of the liver. Milk Thistle is also a natural source of antioxidant properties which can be helpful as anticancer support.

Turmeric – Has natural anti-inflammatory and discomfort-relieving properties while also offering support for a variety of health conditions. Turmeric also contains antioxidant properties and can help to scavenge free radicals, increase antioxidant enzymes, and inhibit lipid peroxidation.

Buddha wearing black winter coat outside in the snow

Old Timer – Helps to alleviate symptoms of arthritis, and muscle and joint discomfort. It also helps to reduce inflammation and can improve energy levels.

Multi Essentials – A plant-based multivitamin for pets that helps to fill nutritional voids, aids digestion, and can enhance nutrient absorption.

PetOmega 3 – A natural fish oil supplement that is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential part of a healthy diet and can help support the immune system, kidneys, and can be helpful as cancer support.

Now I know firsthand how big of a difference REAL food can make for pets! I didn’t think Buddha would live another month before making the switch to homemade. I know beyond any doubt that his diet and supplements are 100% the reason for his drastic changes as there’s not a lot I can do for his illness, unfortunately.

If you’re still wondering what you should be feeding your dog or want some help researching diets, feel free to contact us and ask our pet experts. We’re always here for you.

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in 2010 and graduate studies in veterinary pathology (MVSc. 2012 and PhD 2016) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo. She completed her post-doctoral training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Saskatchewan in 2018. Dr. Nascimento will be hosting her own blog series and sharing her knowledge with our extended NHV family.

Published: February 27, 2020

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