When Are Probiotics Used
Probiotics are most often prescribed for maintaining a desirable intestinal microbial balance, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. When an animal is stressed or sick, the balance between the healthy and disease-causing microbes may be disrupted. This can lead to diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bad breath.
Some of the triggers for such digestive disorders include:
- Infection or bacterial imbalance
- Stress: As in humans, changes that cause emotional stress, such as boarding, moving, or losing a home, can result in colitis. Thats one reason why many dogs in shelters suffer from diarrhea. Some studies have suggested that probiotics work as well as antibiotics in clearing up diarrhea in shelter dogs.
- Diet: This can include abrupt changes in the menu, or eating food that is spoiled or that just doesnt agree with the dog.
- Medications: Antibiotics and long-term steroids are known culprits in causing diarrhea by killing good bacteria.
You might consider giving your healthy dog a probiotic if he is prone to developing diarrhea in stressful situations. For example, if you are planning to take your dog to a show or to board the dog, it may make sense to give probiotics for a few days in advance. Also, puppies who tend to get diarrhea after training classes of visits to the vet, for example, might benefit from a few days of probiotics in preparation for the stressful event.
Just Food For Dogs: Our Verdict
Its great to be able to provide my dogs with food that actually looks like real food. Its comforting to know that a company like JFFD exists so pet parents who dont have the time to cook from scratch can still provide their pets with nutritious and healthy meals. Both my dogs raced to their bowls when I gave them JFFD meals, and it was clear they enjoyed it immensely. The food also agreed with them, which is another plus that put my mind at ease. While there is a higher cost associated with fresh pet food, the health benefits it provides for my dogs make it well worth the investment.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Gastrointestinal Problems
Disorders of the stomach or intestines, as well as other digestive concerns, are referred to as gastrointestinal illnesses. If your dog has an upset stomach, they may experience vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, reduced appetite, weight loss, fever, and dehydration.
In addition, some dogs experience abdominal pain, enlargement or dissension of the abdomen, and an inability to relax. Keep in mind that dogs rarely exhibit all of these symptoms at the same time, so even one or two of them can be cause for alarm. If your dog has several of these symptoms, a visit to the veterinarian should be your next step.
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Justfoodfordogs Review: Fresh Dog Food Delivery Overview
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Great Pet Care may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Fresh pet food has been growing in popularity over the past decade, and more pet parents than ever are flocking to fresh options over processed dog foods. Due to frequent kibble recalls, concerned dog parents have shown interest in wholesome, homemade diets for their beloved pets. Fresh dog food, from companies like JustFoodForDogs , is a healthier option for dogs, especially those who suffer from obesity, digestive issues, joint pain, and other ailments.
The conversion from kibble to fresh food for my dog took place in 2013. My Border Collie mix, named Indu, needed to manage her weight to alleviate hip dysplasia. She weighed 60 lbs and simple activities, like walks and going up stairs, were painful for her. I tried every commercial and veterinary-approved kibble I could find. When nothing worked, I opted for a homemade diet of boiled chicken, vegetables, and a few other ingredients. Within a year, she shed the excess weight and transformed into an energetic, thriving dog. Seven years later, Indus hip problems are a distant memory, and she bounds with joy like a puppy on our hiking trips. A simple switch in her diet changed my dogs quality of life.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about JustFoodForDogs and how it can change your dogs life.
How Much To Feed Your Dog
If youre not well-versed in how many calories of fresh food your dog needs or you have a specific health goal for your dog, like losing weight or minimizing allergies, Id recommend you use the Feeding Calculator. Dont worry, you have no obligation to purchase anything by filling in the information.
Youll be asked to enter detailed information about your dog or puppy, such as the breed, weight, allergies, wellness goals, activity level, and their spayed/neutered status.
The veterinarian-created calculator takes this information into account to determine the number of calories per day your dog needs as well as the specific recipes that may work for them, such as a low-fat or high-protein meal. Entering the information is easy and straightforward, so it wont take more than a few minutes to complete.
Once youve entered all the required information, the calculator provides you with the number of calories your dog needs each day along with a few recommended meals.
Select the meals you prefer and whether youd like to have them automatically shipped to you on a routine schedule, approximately every 4 to 5 weeks. We recommend the subscription because you get free shipping, save 35% on your first order, and 5% on recurring orders. Plus, youll never open the pantry or freezer and discover youre without food.
If you choose to make a one-time purchase, youll have to pay a $10 shipping fee.
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What Do Customers Think Of Just Food For Cats Cat Food
When researching a new brand of cat food, its a good idea to see what real customers have to say about it. Though it can sometimes be tricky to get an accurate picture of a brand based on reviews, JFFC only has one recipe available, so you know exactly what the reviewers are talking about.
Unfortunately, we had a difficult time finding reviews for Just Food for Cats anywhere other than the brands website.
On the JFFC website, their JustCats Fish & Chicken recipe has over 80 reviews and a star rating above 4/5. We were pleased to see that they allowed both positive and negative reviews to be visible on their website many pet food manufacturers dont.
Lets take a look at a few customer reviews for Just Food for Cats.
Are Probiotics Good For Dogs
Probiotics are the best option in case our dogs are suffering from basic digestion problems like gas, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, etc. These supplements are pretty much like good microorganisms, Bifidobacterium, to enhance a pets overall health. Moreover, they give out specific strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and other such good bacteria to give comfort from the problems mentioned above. Dogs will even get relief from any allergic reactions like scratching and itching upon constant and daily use of probiotics.
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What Are Probiotics For Dogs Exactly
Dogs are host to hundreds of different kinds of microbes and according to Mary Ellen Sanders, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in probiotic microbiology, thatâs a good thing. In the canine gastrointestinal tract, probiotics promote health by âpiggybacking on the important relationship between the normal immune system and microbes,â says Dr. Sanders. More specifically, Dr. Sanders suggests that probiotics increase âthe activity and numbers of immune cells , whose job it is to attack invading pathogens.â When the immune system senses these microbes in the gut, it launches a response.
Probiotics can also produce antibacterial compounds called bacteriocins, which directly inhibit the bodyâs tolerance of pathogen growth. The plain-English version: Probiotics are the good bacteria that kick out the bad, and then make it harder for the bad actors to get back in the door. Probiotics help your dog digest their food, increase their absorption of nutrients, and boost their immune system, too.
Why Probiotics Need Prebiotics
Prebiotics are soluble, indigestible fiber and theyre the food probiotics need to grow. Simply stated, prebiotics are the little tins of fish food in the goldfish bowl analogy!
Without prebiotics, probiotics will be less active, less effective and can eventually die off. But if the probiotics are well-fed, theyll grow and encourage new colonies of friendly bacteria to populate. your dogs gut and soon theyll start to crowd out the harmful bacteria.
Your dog will start to really shine with good health as his immune system starts working like a fine-tuned engine and his gut starts getting all the nutrients and vitamins out of his food.
So how do you know if your dog is getting those little tins of fish food?
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What Dog Food Is Easiest To Digest
A bland diet with easy-to-digest ingredients works best. Consider foods with the shortest ingredient list and in smaller portions more frequently. Foods like bananas, pumpkins, chicken, and turkey are the easiest to digest. Furthermore, avoid processed foods high in carbs as these are not advantageous to a dogs health and can increase digestion issues.
Eggs are not just good for humans they are incredible for dogs as they are high in nutrients and easy to digest. Theyre high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids, all of which help your dog stay healthy on the inside and out.
Finally, keep in mind, any food you feed your dog is only as good as the ingredients. Make sure to find high-quality foods rich in nutrients with the least amount of processing to secure their health. Try to avoid foods with low-quality fats such as soybean, canola, or vegetable oil, as these can cause poor health for dogs .
How Do Probiotics Benefit My Dogs Health
Depending on the strains, probiotics have a wide range of health benefits for your dog. His gastrointestinal tract health will improve when you incorporate probiotics because they help with the absorption of nutrients, improve the digestive process, and aid with vitamin synthesis. Youll also notice better stool quality from your pup, especially if hes been dealing with soft stools or diarrhea. Hes also less at risk for intestinal worms when probiotics are part of his regular health regimen.
Sometimes, a dogs breath stinks. When you incorporate probiotics, youll notice that he has better oral health, which means butter breath. Since the G.I. tract is closely linked to the immune system, youll also notice that your dogs immune system functions significantly better. Plus, youll see skin issues and allergies decrease and your pup will display a better, more relaxed mood.
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Probiotics And Enzymes For Dogs
Both probiotics and enzymes help in maintaining the essential bacteria to reach the gut of dogs. Also, they give more immunity power to fight off any toxic bacteria, thus preventing illnesses. Probiotics, in general, release the good strains of microorganisms that will cling on to a pups gut walls to reduce gastric-related problems and increase their overall health.
Just Food For Dogs: At A Glance
- Evidence-based formulas: The only fresh brand to be proven healthy through peer-reviewed studies at major universities. Each recipe exceeds the AAFCO minimal standards.
- Team of veterinarians: The only fresh dog food brand with a large, dedicated veterinarian team with board-certified specialists in nutrition, dermatology, and toxicology that carefully formulate each recipe.
- High-quality ingredients: All ingredients are whole, human foodnot powders. Restaurant-quality USDA meats and local fresh produce. No preservatives are used.
- Therapeutic and custom diets: In addition to Fresh Frozen and Pantry Fresh food, the team of veterinarians also offers therapeutic and custom diets for dogs with specific health needs.
- Transparency: This is the only fresh brand to cook fresh food in their own open-to-the-public kitchens where you can go and watch them create meals.
- One-time purchase or subscription: You have the option to make a one-time purchase or enroll in their Autoship program to save 35% on your first order and 5% on each subsequent order. You can edit your subscription frequency or cancel it entirely at any time.
- Ship or pickup: You are able to have your order delivered to your door or, if you live near one of their 4 California retail stores or nationwide partner stores, you can have your order waiting for you in the store.
- Guarantee: If you or your dog are not completely satisfied, you can receive a full refund on your purchase.
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What Did Our Test Cats Think
To review Just Food for Cats, we ordered two packages of JustCats Fish & Chicken fresh food. We appreciated the simplicity of the ordering process, including the fact that theres an option to make a one-time purchase as well as an autoship option. JFFC is also one of the only brands weve seen that offers free local pickup to customers who live near their CA or DE kitchens.
Our order shipped quickly and arrived completely frozen. Each package contained 18 ounces of fresh food which, according to the feeding instructions, is enough to feed a 10-pound cat for about 2 ½ days.
Just Food for Cats Fish & Chicken fresh food looks just as it is pictured on the website. Its light brown in color and it is a homogenous mix with a texture thats a little closer to pate-style canned food than other fresh cat foods weve tried. It certainly seemed to be high in moisture, as promised.
Testing this product was a little bit tricky because one out of our three test cats is allergic to chicken this makes JFFC a no-go for that cat.
The other cats who tested the product seemed to find it perfectly palatable, though they werent particularly excited about it. Their interest was piqued by the unfamiliar smell, but after a few bites they seemed to have had enough and wandered away to look for another option. This kind of reaction was repeated in many of the customer reviews we read on the JFFC website.
How To Choose The Best Probiotic For My Dog
When choosing a probiotic for your pup, consider the following:
Easy Dosing
Like with any supplement or medicinal support, if it doesnt get down the hatch, its not going to be able to do much. Although some dogs will gobble down pretty much anything with ease, other dogs with more sensitive palates may not want to try a new supplement. If your dog is the type that will only take a supplement if you sneak it into his regular diet, then choose a probiotic that you can easily incorporate into his food, like a capsule you can open and pour in. If your dog goes crazy for treats, then choose a probiotic that comes in treat form with a dog-approved flavor.
Probiotics Specifically for Dogs
Many people think they can give a human probiotic to a dog, but we would advise against that. Probiotics for dogs are specially formulated for your canines gut health, so its always best to select a formula made specifically for dogs that has the stamp of approval from a veterinarian.
Type of Strains
Another important consideration is the probiotic strains included in a specific formula. For example, bacillus coagulans is a type of bacteria that helps relieve different types of diarrhea while lactobacillus acidophilus promotes good digestive health and can assist your dog with relieving symptoms related to allergic reactions, especially when seen on the skin.
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Who Owns Justfoodfordogs
Shawn Buckley founded JFFD in 2010 and opened his first location in Newport Beach, CA, in 2011. Buckley teamed with Oscar Chavez, a veterinarian and former professor of clinical canine nutrition, to develop a variety of premium pet food formulas, including customized blends for special dietary and nutritional needs. In 2017, the company received a growth investment from the private equity firm L Catterton. Still owned by partner Buckley, the companys headquarters is in Irvine, CA.
Nulo Adult Trim Grain
- GRAIN-FREE recipe contains no corn wheat soy white potatoes tapioca artificial colors, flavorings or preservatives.
- HIGH MEAT/LOW CARB proprietary formula 74% animal-based protein, more amino acids and better flavor. Nulo uses fewer carbs & low glycemic ingredients
- L-CARNITINE transports fatty acids into cellular mitochondria where it is burned as energy. This boosts metabolism and helps burn weight
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Whats In A Just Food For Dogs Subscription Box
All of the Just Food products come with an auto-ship option, which can be customized for your requirements, for the product to be shipped periodically .
The auto-ship option also provides a discount of 35% on your first order and 5% for recurring orders. This is an extremely convenient option that saves you money and trips to the market to get your dog food refilled.
Overall Is Just Food For Cats Cat Food A Good Choice
Generally speaking, we like Just Food for Cats. We love that they use only high-quality ingredients, and their recipe is high in protein and low in carbohydrate. We also like that they provide a detailed description of each ingredient and its role in supporting your cats nutrition.
The primary issue we have with this brand is their lack of variety, at least in terms of cat food recipes. The only formula they have available is made with two common cat food allergens chicken and fish. This makes it difficult for cats who have food allergies or sensitivities to enjoy this food.
If youre looking for a high-protein, high-moisture cat food that isnt overpriced, Just Food for Cats could be a good option. Just keep in mind that cats allergic to chicken or fish should avoid this food. Perhaps in the future JFFD will release additional recipes.
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