Overview

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not others, and vitamins D and K are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each "vitamin" actually refers to a number of vitamer compounds, which form a set of distinct chemical compounds that show the biological activity of a particular vitamin. Such a set of chemicals are grouped under an alphabetized vitamin "generic descriptor" title, such as "vitamin A," which (for example) includes retinal, retinol, and many carotenoids. Vitamers are often inter-convertible in the body. The term vitamin does not include other essential nutrients such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids, nor does it encompass the large number of other nutrients that promote health but are otherwise required less often.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Are Vitamins and Supplements Necessary For Cats and Dogs

We as people try to eat fairly well balanced meals. If you are like our family, you swallow a few vitamins and supplement pills every morning, hoping to stay healthy.

As our pets are no longer head for the woods to find their source for food, they also need additional "insurance" with the help of vitamins and supplements.

Not even the best canned or dried for cats and dogs is perfect. There is not a 100% complete and balanced diet to be found anywhere, no matter what the label says. For the most part, pet food is processed by heat and how we know the heat destroys vitamins and enzymes. Even frozen and freeze-dried pet foods are not the "100% perfect food" to feed your pet.

What are some of the alternatives you should seek to ensure the health of your pet? I am not suggesting that your pet a handful of pills to swallow. I am aware of how much fun it is to a cat a pill. Also, the scratches to prove it.

No, I just want you to be aware that there are areas of health, when planning your pet food and that their food should include certain elements. If the food you serve are not these things, then it's a good idea, this list and possibly these supplements.

  • digestive enzymes - Mother Nature in all her glory endowed all vegetables, fruits and animal food source with enzymes that violate food particles small enough to be processed by the body. Most processed pet food is lacking in these enzymes as they are basically destroyed by heat.

  • Our pets need these digestive enzymes to aid in their digestion and assimilation of nutrients in food. The absence of these enzymes can be used for such things as itchy skin, flatulence, body odor and excessive degradation to name a few.

  • Essential fatty acids - Our pets need these fatty acids to their cardiovascular functions and for food for their skin and coats. For many years, PET owners have their pets fatty acids for the above reasons, but now veterinarians have found that they play an important role in the control of allergies, inflammation and the function of other organs in the body, cats and dogs. Granted they are found in food, feed our pets, but once again food processing limits the amounts they receive.

  • Multi-vitamins - they are important for us to meet and they are just as important for our pets. Look at it as "insurance" for your cat or dog. Referring to the same old story, a large proportion of vitamins and minerals in our PET food are destroyed again by the heat in the processing of food. Even if they are as an after thought later by the pet food companies, the vitamins and minerals slowly dissipate, if the air and light. The first bite is the best nutrition wise.

As in all things relating to your pet, it is best to talk to your Vet what should be added to your pet food. Doing a little research on the Internet and in conversation with friends, the animals can also you a wealth of information.

A very important thing cat caregivers should not forget is that cats have the amino acid called taurine in their diet. I've found that Hartz makes a vitamin for cats that are not only filled with most things, a cat correctness is a major source of taurine. " Our cats may eat the vitamin pill, it is quite big, so I him, and they seem to enjoy it. It can be found in most grocery stores and is inexpensive.

Since I am on the topic of cats for the moment, I would also like a recipe that I have every day for several years and credit it to save our Smokey's life and makes him good and strong. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, they will do miracles for your cat's fur and his inner well-being. A friend sent me the book that it is in and unfortunately we do not know the author or the name of the book. It is worth the effort it takes to be together, and it is for your cat in many ways, especially if your cat is a fussy eater like ours is.

It is rather like a mouse building: (a cat is the best source of food)

11 /2 cups of brewer's yeast (as something living, raises the quality of proteins and helps to replace some B vitamins and amino acids)

1 cup lecithin (to emulsify fatty waste and provide a good coat)

? Cup Kelp Powder (containing minerals and fiber, the diet in a mouse hair and the contents of his stomach)

2 cups wheat bran (provides minerals and roughage, as well as the kelp powder)

2 cups of bone meal (helps bone structure)

Mix together and keep in an airtight jar (peanut butter jar works well) and keep in the refrigerator. Mix 1 teaspoon or sprinkle in your cat food at meals, a total of 2 teaspoons per day. If your cat food several times a time, corrected the amount and spread them accordingly. You may have to try a little at a time to make your cat used to the taste. You can buy the ingredients for the health food store, and it takes a long while. Just keep it in the refrigerator. I had trouble finding kelp powder and as a result purchased pills and ground them into a small coffee grinder, which I consider to crush what our cats are finicky about, and I can sneak them into their diet, etc. Since

our pets with increasing age, it is important to be attentive in relation to their conduct. If your dog or cat is approaching 8 or 9 years keep an eye on their mobility, keep stiffness in the joints. This could be a good time to taking glucosamine, a joint supplement. Also check with your veterinarian before starting a new health regime.

coenzyme Q 10 is another useful supplement that will help protect the health of your pet and gums.

The list of allowances, which is good for your cat and dog is long. It can be overwhelming. Use the Internet as a research tool, talk to your Vet, a holistic veterinarian, and talk to friends with healthy pets, read pet food labels and especially you can see your pet.

Take a long look at your pet's fur and skin, their eyes are bright, they have plenty of energy, their teeth and gums healthy? A good long look you get an idea of what your pet needs. Remember that what is good for an animal is not necessarily good for another.

Some animals need more of a Case May while others have not at all. Just like their human caretaker, Pets come in all shapes and sizes, and they, just as we have certain health needs and requirements. Think of your pet, be attentive, talk to your veterinarian and the use of tools and services that are available in today's world to make certain your pet has all the advantages of health.

I wish you and your pet a long and healthy life. Good luck.

 

Keeping our pets healthy is very beneficial not only to the pet, but to our pocketbooks. If the only time you need to visit the veterinarian is for yearly check ups and necessary shots you are saving money. Nutrition is very important in keeping a dog/cat healthy, proper quality food that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals is a good way to start. If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

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