Today, he is not so enthusiastic when his owner show him the leash. His joyful step has become a lame step. In front of the bed, he sits quietly, with his eyes all pitiful. That’s his way of saying, “a little help, please. I want to go up and join you, but I can’t do it anymore.”
What happened to dear Dexter? A visit to the vet confirms that age is simply catching up. As in humans, physical problems occur and joint problems are among the most common.
Maintaining a healthy weight and adding a joint supplement to your dog's diet is an effective strategy to relieve joint problems and allow them to be comfortable.
A quick Google search and you will realize that choosing the right supplement can be a real headache 🤯
Glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are all common ingredients found in joint supplements.
Each of them is a natural compound and chondroprotective, a complicated word to speak of a substance that aims to protect and support joint health.
That’s why we will point out what differentiates them and share with you the best choice according to us.
A naturally occurring molecule in the body, glucosamine is an essential component of cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of the bones in the joints.
Primary role:
Glucosamine helps in the formation, regeneration and maintenance of cartilage structure and elasticity.
You may want to know that glucosamine supplements are often made from shellfish shells, the most concentrated natural source of glucosamine.
Like glucosamine, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is mainly found in connective tissues, joints and skin.
Primary role:
Hyaluronic acid is one of the natural constituents of the synovia, the liquid in which the cartilage bathes. It acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, and allows joint surfaces to smoothly slide against each other.
This helps reduce friction and shock, which improves mobility and reduces discomfort.
You may want to know that a hyaluronic acid molecule can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
Like glucosamine and hyaluronic acid, chondroitin is found naturally in the body. It is an important structural component of cartilage to which it provides most of its resistance to compression.
Primary role:
Chondroitin actively fights enzymes that break down joint tissue and helps keep nutrients and synovial fluid in the joints for smooth, shock-free movement.
You may want to know that chondroitin helps maintain the elasticity of the pads on the feet of animals.
Before proceeding with MSM, it is important to know that with age, the natural production of glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin slows down in the body.
MSM is an organic sulfur compound found in animal and plant organisms. It has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Primary role:
As a supplement, MSM acts as a pain reliever by preventing sulfur deficiency that leads to joint pain, circulatory problems and sagging connective tissue.
This is when you come to this obvious conclusion: it is a synergy of these 4 ingredients that can fully support the joint health of your pet.
That’s why we created tonus+ a complete supplement that combines these 4 active ingredients.
In addition to it's irresistible taste that dogs love, tonus+ is effective in:
- Increase joint flexibility
- Improve joint comfort
- Ensure water retention in cartilage
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote rapid recovery
- Contribute to connective tissue regeneration
- Facilitate the digestive process
Discover tonus+ here
With dogs, as with humans, preventive care can ensure a serene aging process. A healthy lifestyle&mdashexercise, healthy nutrition, adequate supplements&mdashmakes a difference on the effects and experience of aging.
Aging is a gradual and irreversible process that entails the slowing down and eventual failure of several biological functions. Joint pains and metabolic problems, whether serious or benign, are all manifestations of the ravages of time.
The best prevention begins well before reaching old age.
Adding 3-in-1 Solution for dogs to your pet’s diet gives him the means to maintain good joint health and mobility. You are also giving your canine companion the best chance at good intestinal health and a strengthened immune system.
A simple habit can make a difference!
CHOICE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The Q10 (CoQ10) coenzyme
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ 10) is essential for mitochondrial synthesis of energy; it acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps fight aging and maintain optimal organ function, particularly with respect to the heart and liver. CoQ10 also supports immune functions, gastrointestinal health, and enables adequate oxygenation. This coenzyme, produced naturally in the body, becomes gradually scarcer during the aging process. That is why its addition to your dog’s diet can be of considerable help in harmoniously transitioning through the stages of life.
CoQ10 exists in several forms, including Ubiquinol, which we have incorporated into3-in-1 Solution for dogs Formula, because it is the form best metabolized by dogs and thus made immediately available.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is another prime ingredient that the body produces naturally but whose production slows down with age, leading to deterioration of connective tissues. It is a strategic component of these connective tissues, which one finds in skin, bone, cartilage, synovial liquid, ligaments, tendons, and more. It enables the capture of water, which protects, hydrates, contributes to nutrition, and lubricates joints and muscles. It also helps synthesize collagen and elastin and thus helps preserve tissue elasticity. It is another choice ingredient for protecting joints, delaying the wear and tear of cartilage, while incidently reducing inflammation and pain.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
With dogs (as with human beings, in fact), a good immune system depends largely on the presence of a healthy community of good gut bacteria. Giving dogs prebiotics and probiotics specifically adapted to their biology nourishes and strengthensthe colony of good bacteria.
Prebiotics and probiotics help:
This will contribute to the dog’s overall happiness as well as the owner’s, who has to pick up after it! ur dog’s happiness as well as you.
We recommend preventive care with 3-in-1 Solution for dogs starting in adulthood.
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-arthritis-joint-pain/
http://www.totalhealthmagazine.com/Pet-Health/COENZYME-Q10-CoQ10-for-Pet-Heart-Health.html
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/coenzyme-q-10
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165242713000287
]]>Looking closely at the conversion curves for an animal’s age in human terms, one notices that cats do not age as fast as dogs. While the first symptoms of aging in dogs are articular failures, with cats the first signs rather show up in the area of the glands and internal organs.
With cats, as with humans, prevention through a healthy lifestyle can make a difference on the felt effects of aging and ensure tranquility in the subject’s twilight years.
Aging is an irreversible and gradual process that leads to the slowing and eventual breakdown of several biological functions.
The best preventions should begin before the onset of the golden years.
With3-in-1 Solution for catsfor cats you are offering your feline companion a regular intake of antioxidants, good intestinal health, and a fortified immune system.
A simple habit that can make a difference!
CHOICE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is present in the form of 99% microsized Trans-Resveratrol, an active and biological organic form readily available upon assimilation. It is a powerful phenolic antioxidant found mainly in grapes and red wine that also has anti-inflammatory qualities and is antiproliferative with respect to free radicals.
Its effects include the following:
The addition of highly available Resveratrol to your cat’s diet,
Hyaluronic Acid
We know that good hydration is essential to a healthy cat, and thus something to watch for. Hyaluronic acid is particularly relevant in this respect. It helps retain water, which protects, hydrates, contributes to nutrition, and, incidentally, lubricates joints and muscles. It is produced naturally by the body, but diminishes with age, leading to the deterioration of connective tissues. It is a strategic component found, among other places, in skin, in bones, in cartilage, in synovial fluid, and in ligaments and tendons. It contributes to the synthesis of collagen and elastin, thus helping to preserve tissue elasticity. It is another choice ingredient to protect your cat from wear and tear and reduce the occurrence of inflammation and pain.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Because a large part of the immune system is in the gut, a healthy and balanced immune response will depend on a strong community of beneficial bacteria. The addition of prebiotics and probiotics specifically adapted to cats reinforces and nourishes the colony of good bacteria.
Prebiotics and probiotics help:
This will contribute to the overall happiness of the aging cat whose life you share!
We recommend preventive care with 3-in-1 Solution for cats starting in adult hood.
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-arthritis...
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/75/9/75_...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00204...
]]>Intestinal flora encompasses all the bacteria present in the animal's digestive tract, which forms a fragile ecosystem where good bacteria compete with harmful bacteria. A healthy intestinal flora depends on the prevalence of good bacteria that begets positive effects. Using probiotic pet supplements helps keep the intestinal flora healthy by accruing good bacteria to counter the bad ones.
An imbalanced intestinal flora can be the result of several factors. The possible causes of intestinal flora disbalance:
This imbalance can bring upon a variety of negative consequences in animals such as:
If this is the case, then your pet can definitely benefit from taking pre and probiotic supplements.
Purpose of prebiotic:
The word prebiotic means "before life" - these are elements that are usually found alongside probiotics in the intestinal flora. Prebiotics are bacteria that are used to feed probiotics in order to increase the latter’s effectiveness.
Purpose of probiotic:
Probiotics means "for life" - these are microscopic living organisms that feed on prebiotics and compose an animal's bacterial flora. They have the purpose to improve the health of your pet by ensuring a balance within the digestive system.
Probiotics have several beneficial effects on the health of an animal.
There are several types of strains of probiotics on the market, and it is of vital importance to choose products that are compatible with one another and best suited for your type of pet. baci+ uses all natural probiotic bacteria specific to each animal. Furthermore, it is microencapsulated to guarantee its survival and performance throughout its voyage to the GI tract. In addition, they are supplemented with prebiotics that greatly increase their implantation and maximize their effectiveness. This is what sets baci+ products apart from other strains of probiotics on the market.
In addition to that, our products are:
The active ingredients are hand-picked for their quality and their benefits for the health of animals.
Learn more about our probiotics designed specifically for:
🐶 Dogs
🐱 Cats
🦜 Birds
🐓 Hens
🐎 Horses
]]>In our Halloween article, we warned you about certain dangers that your pet could encounter, such as swallowing candies. However, the latter isn’t the only holiday that might stress out your pet.
The Holiday Season is a wonderful time of the year that includes a variety of traditions: gift exchanges, family meals, but also decorations. In the eyes of your pet, all those glittering and inviting objects that you take out of your boxes can quickly become dangerous toys.
Let’s take the example of your Christmas tree, that stands proudly in the middle of your living room with all its lights, garlands and suspended spheres. Curious, your dog or cat might be tempted to explore these new intruders a little closer, perhaps by nudging them or jumping onto them. Unfortunately, the Christmas tree could fall over, and a few spheres could burst into a hundred pieces. Just the latter could cause your pet quite a bit of harm. But that’s not taking into account the risk of electrocution via the Christmas lights, or choking on the garlands.Fortunately, several solutions do exist, such as fastening your Christmas tree to the ceiling, or replacing your Christmas spheres with wood or plastic decorations. You might even want to avoid hanging certain types of Christmas decorations on your tree. The key is to take your pet’s behaviour and personality into account (are they naturally mischievous or relatively laid back?) when you decorate your tree.
Just like humans, pets can sometimes eat too much food during the holidays. For example, offering foods that are too fatty to your pet might give rise to indigestion or pancreatitis. That’s why it’s advisable to give them treats that are especially designed for their needs. Of course, the latter should be offered occasionally and not replace your pet’s regular food.
If your pet prefers peace and quiet during the Holiday Season, it’s important to respect their inclination as much as possible to avoid stressing them needlessly. Let them have a room where they’ll be able to go rest by themselves and where your guests will be forbidden to enter.
Another important point: if you exchange gifts, put them under the Christmas tree at the very last minute. Accordingly, you’ll limit the risk that your pet might chew on the packaging or choke on the ribbons and doodads. In addition, when unwrapping your gifts, pick up and recycle all the wrappings immediately.
If you opt for an authentic Christmas tree, you’ll have to be even more vigilant and ensure that your pet doesn’t drink the water at the base of the tree, especially if you’ve added any kind of preservatives. This stagnant water contains bacteria that could make your pet very very sick.
Notwithstanding the festive ambience, the arrival of guests, travelling or decorations can potentially have negative consequences on your pet’s health. Indeed, stress can have an impact upon their digestive system, thereby giving rise to soft stools, flatulence, vomiting, etc. Fortunately, your dog, your cat or your bird can benefit from supplements designed to reinforce their immune system. There even exist probiotic solutions to rebuild the intestinal flora of your dog or your cat.
Keep these tips in mind, and your pet will have a wonderful Christmas with their family. Don’t forget to take their particular needs into account, and above all... have a wonderful Holiday Season!
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With its costumes, decorations, and candy, Halloween is a favourite holiday for many, children and adults alike. And yet the bustle and commotion around this event can be very stressful for your pet.
Put yourself in your pet’s paws for a few moments. Imagine the constant ringing of the doorbell, which instinctively sets off your barking or meowing as you head toward the door. There you see alarming beings, in wierd clothes—they hardly look human at all. They are given colourful, crinkly little packages that you would really love to play with, but your master denies them to you.In short, the mood created by Halloween is radically different from your pet’s everyday life. There’s a lot to be confused—even frightened—about, especially since your pet senses your emotions and those of the other human beings, which influences its own. If you let your cat out or take a walk with your dog during Halloween, for instance, your pet will undergo a significant amount of stress on seeing a stream of costumed people and hearing children’s howls and exclamations.Yet, it’s possible to celebrate this holiday while still offering your pet a reassuring environment.
Giving candies to your pet is highly discouraged. In fact, chocolate is not the only food that’s toxic for animals. Xylitol, for instance, a sugar substitute found in many candies, is also harmful to them. Raisins must also be avoided, since they can cause digestive problems and even acute kidney failure. That is why it is best to keep your treats out of your pet’s reach by placing them in a sealed container.
Before the trick-or-treating, prepare a separate room where your pet can stay for the evening. Leave it enough water and food along with a toy to keep it busy. Depending on your pet’s tastes, you can even play some music to drown out the sound of the doorbell.
Stress can have huge repercussions on your pet’s digestive system. Soft stools, diarrhea, or flatulence are often indicators of a pet’s level of anxiety. Fortunately, you can give your dog or your cat supplements that are designed to reinforce their immune system and rebalance their gut flora.
Although it’s tempting to include your pet in all your activities, you should remember that animals cannot interpret events in the same way as you do. If they are too anxious and you push them too far, it could even prompt an accidental biting or cause them to run away. For the love of your pet, respect its habits.
]]>Did you know that September was Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada? Whatever time of the year it is, it’s never too late to discuss arthritis, a disease that affects more and more people. Indeed, it’s estimated that arthritis will touch one in five Canadians by 2036. Yet pets are also affected by arthritis.
No matter how old your pet is, you should prepare for the effects of aging. Arthritis is one of the most common effects of aging among animals. In this article, we will present the signs to watch for, but also provide tips for reducing your pet’s arthritic pain.
Arthritis is the set of chronic degenerative diseases that affect the joints, be it osteoarthritis or gout. For pets, arthritis mainly affects the hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and spinal column.
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage has deteriorated, which it does in various ways. Recall that cartilage is a conjunctive tissue that you find on joints between the bones, but also in the ear, the nose, or intervertebral disks. It allows the bones to move without friction, while preventing them from fusing together. However, when the cartilage is damaged, it leads to an inflammatory reaction of the joints, which in turn leads to more destruction of cartilage, but also damages the underlying bone.
Arthritis can also be caught from a virus or bacteria. For example, hens can suffer a viral arthritis, or avian revirus, due to a virus transmitted through droppings. There is no treatment for viral arthritis, but it is possible to protect breeders and chicks through vaccination.
Age is the primary factor associated with arthritis. Older animals have a higher chance of having arthritis, since the older one gets, the more the joint cartilage is worn down. However, young animals can suffer arthritis as well.
Another factor to watch for is your pet’s weight. If your pet is carrying excess weight, this will exert additional stress on its joints, thus speeding up cartilage deterioration.
Although beneficial, exercise can be harmful when it is excessive. In the case of horses, excess work or lack of preparation before an exertion can increase the incidence of physical injuries.
An accident or trauma can also influence the onset of arthritis in animals. For example, a dislocation of the kneecap can cause abnormal joint conformation, which impacts the animal’s mobility.
Finally, congenital or hereditary malformations that occur in some animal breeds can lead to the development of joint stiffness later on.
Some breeds are more likely to develop arthritis than others. Among dogs, the Labrador, German Shepherd, and Berneses Mountain Dog are breeds to watch carefully due to their greater vulnerability to hip dysplasia. This anomaly also affects Persian and Siamese cats. However, breeders of these animals are striving to limit the occurence of these hereditary malformations by excluding stricken animals from reproduction.
It is difficult to recognize signs of arthritis in animals, as they are often mistakenly associated with the effects of aging. Also, because animals are very resistant to pain, they show few outward signs. That is why it takes a substantial period of observation to identify the signs that your pet may be suffering from arthritis:
If your pet is showing several of these signs, it’s recommended that you see a veterinarian, who could then confirm that it is arthritis or another health problem, like a ruptured cruciate knee ligament or an auto-immune disease.
When your pet is already experiencing joint pain, it is unfortunately too late. However, you can slow down cartilage deterioration, as well as relieve the pain. Here are a few tips for improving your pet’s quality of life.
As we’ve pointed out above, excess weight can place additional stress on your pet’s joints. Your priority will then be to reduce obesity. To do this, it is important to respect the recommended daily portions of food—and also to go easy on the treats. Don’t hesitate to seek additional advice on weight loss and on helping your pet maintain a healthy weight.
The tip here isn’t to push your dog or your cat to the point of exhaustion. Rather, we suggest instilling the practice of moderate exercise, that is, sufficient to burn energy without damaging the joints. Swimming is the ultimate exercise, because it puts the whole body to work while reducing stress on the joints. If your pet can’t swim, it can still benefit from simply walking in shallow water. Walks on a leash or controlled running are also acceptable forms of exercise.
If your dog can’t swim, there are flotation jackets of different sizes designed specifically for dogs. This kind of jacket will help your pet stay on the surface of the water while maintaining a comfortable position for swimming. These jackets are also recommended when your dog accompanies you on aquatic activities, like surfing or boating. In fact, even if your pet knows how to swim, a bad fall in the water can lead to drowning. With a flotation jacket, however, it would be easy to pull your pet up to safety by the handle or strap on its back.
A healthy diet does more than maintain optimal weight for your pet. It also provides essential nutrients. Before choosing the dry food, pay attention both to the list of ingredients and to the nutritional values.
Glucosamine is produced naturally by the organism, and one of its functions is to attenuate the destruction of certain molecules of cartilage. It can be given as a preventive measure to aging animals, but is beneficial in other cases as well, such as hip dysplasia or after joint or bone surgery. It can also be found in the ingredients of some dry food designed to promote joint health.
If you’re considering boosting your pet’s diet, supplements may be an ideal solution. In powdered form, moreover, supplements are easily administered by mixing them with the pet food. Whether for your dog or your cat, it’s possible to choose a formula specifically adapted to animals that show signs of aging. But supplements that facilitate quick recovery after an exertion can also prevent joint pain in pets that are young and active.
Hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in our tissues, has several anti-aging functions. In addition to moisturizing the skin and its dermal layers, this type of acid lubricates and softens the joints. Used in cosmetics, among other products, to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid can also be found in anti-aging supplements for pets.
In optimizing your pet’s health, it is important to keep in mind that there isn’t a single solution. In fact, it’s rather a question of assembling an array of solutions to improve several aspects of your pet’s life. For example, chondroitin sulfate is a component in the cartilage matrix and insures its flexibility and elasticity. When this is combined with glucosamine, the two active ingredients complement each other and contribute to enhanced long-term benefits. Look for supplements that bring together glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, but also methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and hyaluronic acid.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, it is impossible to cure arthritis, since the joint pains often mean that cartilage deterioration has already begun. Yet, thanks to technological advances, one can turn to various types of treatment to reduce a dog or cat’s arthritic pain.
Laser therapy consists of using infrared light on your pet’s body. Apart from having an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, laser treatment also promotes the production of collagen, an essential element for joint health. This treatment can also be used to facilitate healing after surgery.
Physiotherapy, or physical rehabilitation, gently moves your pet’s joints. After a first evaluation, the person in charge of the treatment will propose various solutions adapted to the needs of your pet. For example, hydrotherapy enables the execution of exercises in a controlled aquatic environment, be it a pool or on a treadmill fitted into a bathtub.
Considered an alternative medicine, acupuncture can supplement traditional medicine. Using needles, acupuncture touches specific points in order to improve your pet’s health or relieve its pain. This method may be considered if your pet suffers serious side-effects from medication or if it cannot undergo surgery for some reason.
As you can see, there are several ways of relieving the arthritic pain of your dog, cat, or other pet. Above all, make sure you spend quality time with your companion and take advantage of the precious moments you have together.
]]>During lockdown, pets could enjoy your continuous presence. With your return to school or work, however, your pets may feel great distress, especially if they are not prepared for your absence.
Here are some tips to help your pet adapt to the new lifestyle.
Even if your pet is very affectionate toward you, it is important to allow it to be alone from time to time. To make the most of these quiet times, create place in which it can rest and hide. For instance, if you have a cat, make it a house out of cardboard boxes.
There’s no better way to create a positive bond with your dog or cat than to play with them. However, when you’re back at work or school, your pet will have to learn to play alone. To keep it busy, you can, among other things, use a toy dispenser, which will provide it with some food when it is handled by your pet.
To get your dog or cat used to your absence, start by leaving them alone for few minutes, while you take a walk in the neighbourhood for instance. You can then leave for longer and longer periods, until your pet can adapt to hours of your absence.
Going back to work or school is also an opportunity to establish a routine that will help calm your pet.
Establish set feeding times, preferably at times of the day when you are usually home.
If you have a dog, you can also take it for an energizing walk before you leave.
Is your pet’s health easily affected by stress? It may be wise to add pre- and probiotics to your dog or cat’s diet. They not only help rebuild gut flora during times of environmental stress, they also boost your pet’s immune system
These tips will help reduce the stress your pet experiences while you are at school or at work. However, if you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior—uncleanliness, aggressiveness, destruction—we recommend you contact an educator or a behaviorist to provide solutions adapted to your situation.
]]>The birth of a foal is a long-awaited moment. After all, you waited eleven months to finally see your mare deliver. Will the newborn become a race horse? Will it be suitable for riding?
Whatever your aspirations as a breeder, you hope that your foal stays healthy. Here we give you three tips to help steer your foal toward adulthood.
Before ensuring your foal’s health, you first have to ensure the health of its mother. You’ve got to provide a balanced diet to the broodmare throughout gestation, especially during the last trimester. In fact, the foal will gain more than 50% of its birth weight during the 10th and 11th month of pregnancy.
For a balanced diet, we recommend providing the mare with a source of good quality fibre, especially to maintain an efficient digestive system. During the last period of gestation, the mother needs high levels of calcium and phosphorus in order to ensure the foal’s healthy growth.
A foal’s birth is a crucial moment, but the hours that follow are just as critical. Not having received antibodies from its mother during gestation, the foal is vulnerable to infections. Fortunately, it can gain these antibodies and develop its immune system by drinking the mother’s first milk, the colostrum, in the first hours of its life.
After this, the mare will produce milk several times a month for a period of several months. Again, diet remains the key for ensuring rock-solid health for your foal. Think especially of increasing your mare’s intake of proteins and amino acids. Also keep watch of water consumption, which plays an important role in lactation.
Worms are a source of common health issues that can afflict horses and are responsible for several adverse health conditions, like diarrhea, colic, or stunted growth. In extreme cases, they can even cause death.
A vermifuge then becomes necessary to treat the worm problem. However, to improve you foal’s gut health, we recommend adding a paste rich in prebiotics and probiotics. This paste, which is easy to administer, rebalances the horse’s intestinal flora as soon as it is used. It can be given either to mares at the end of gestation, or to foals having digestive bowel problems.
With these tips, your foal is set to grow up healthy. However, don’t forget to stay tuned to the needs of both your mare and her foal—being attentive is your best bet to providing them with the best care!
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Do you give your dog supplements to improve their health? Here are a few tricks that you can use every day to liven up the experience with our products. Have fun!
This first trick can be used for any supplement that comes in powder form.
It’s quite simple! Put the total daily portion of food that you’d normally give to your pet in a plastic resealable bag, like a Ziploc bag. Then add the recommended daily dose of the supplement to the resealable bag. If you’re giving your pet several supplements, repeat this action for each one of them. N.B. the dose will vary depending upon the pet's weight
To complete the operation, close the bag and seal it, then shake it well to mix everything together. Whether you feed your pet only once or twice a day, this tip will work perfectly. As a second option, divide the contents of the bag into two portions, and serve each one at your pet’s customary meal times.
In addition to making it easier for the product to be ingested, this trick optimizes the supplement's action by distributing it uniformly in your pet’s food. This is especially important when it comes to oral health products, which provide their benefits in a dog’s mouth when they chew the supplement.
It’s also an excellent trick when you’re having someone take care of your pet. This technique enables you to make it easier for the person taking care of your pet, but especially, it will ensure that the supplement doses will be right and will be given properly. This approach can be used without interruption and without error, and you’ll be able to leave your pet with someone else and enjoy peace of mind.
Often, in our daily routines, we use calendars to remind us of certain dates or important events. Well, here’s the perfect calendar for your pet!
It’s not uncommon to use several food supplements to improve various aspects of the health of one’s pet. We offer a variety of products that address different health conditions and issues. For example, oral care products could be combined with a product to help your pet age well and probiotics to promote intestinal health.
With divergent frequencies and different dosages, one can easily lose track of what has been done and what needs to be done. That’s why we’ve created the baci+ fun calendar! With this very simple tool, you can make sure that you’re giving your pet the right quantities at the right time, and thus, achieving the desired results!
Please enter your name and e-mail address in the appropriate spaces to receive your printable calendar, directly in your inbox. Please check your spam folder, if you have not previously registered to receive our newsletter.
All pet probiotics can be converted into cute little iced treats! Dogs love this refreshing and fun routine for taking their food supplements. Here’s one of our best doggie recipes:
Dogs love the taste of pumpkin, and as a bonus, it’s excellent for their digestive system, thanks to its high level of fibre content. Here’s a really simple recipe that you could try!
For other recipes to make your dog’s mouth water, follow baci+ on Facebook and Instagram!
Our fourth trick involves arranging a clearly visible handy spot to store your food supplements, so that you’ll never forget them!
All our products can be kept at room temperature without losing their effectiveness, which is very practical.
Put them close to your baci+ calendar (downloadable above) on a nice tray or perhaps in a decorative basket, to liven up your decor! A delightful way to refresh your memory!
Food supplements for your pet will improve their health, help them lead better lives, live older and be much happier. For optimal effectiveness, it’s important to give them regularly, in accordance with the instructions for use or recommendations from your baci+ consultant. We all really care about our pets’ health, so let’s not neglect the key role that supplements can play!
There are several ways to integrate food supplements into your pet’s routine. We’ve already described how to evenly mix them into your dog’s daily food intake (tip 1), which is the foundation. We’ve also talked about iced treats that are perfect in the summer, or on special occasions (tip 3).
It’s also quite simple to incorporate supplements into their play routines! Interactive toys can keep your dog busy and entertained for quite a while, and enable them to expend energy in a healthy way. Here’s another appealing recipe that can be inserted into a hollow ball conceived precisely for these purposes.
Follow baci+ on Facebook and Instagram for more original recipe ideas!
Baci+ food supplements are conceived and manufactured in Canada. They are made with top quality ingredients that are 100% natural, they contain no OGMs, no fillers or artificial flavourings so as to not distort your pet’s food consumption.
Did you know that you can call us for advice and tips? To find out the best way to meet your pet’s needs, and to take their particular situation, conditions and health status into account, please contact-us! We’d be honoured to recommend the best supplements for your pet and a customized routine for making use of them.
Supplements can be reliably integrated into your pet’s routine! OK, which trick are you going to try this afternoon?
"My dog is losing a lot of hair. Is that normal? What is seasonal shedding, exactly? What can I do to keep my dog from shedding or, if that's not possible, reduce the amount of hair I constantly have to pick up?"
In this article, we answer all your questions and give you pro tips for getting through the seasonal shedding period with a relatively clean home. You'll also learn what you can do to make your dog's coat healthy, silky and shiny, naturally.
Your dog’s hair grows, falls out and grows back throughout the year, but the hair loss intensifies when the seasons change. This is called seasonal shedding. It's a perfectly natural—and unfortunately unavoidable—phenomenon.
The good news is that there are a few ways to reduce the amount of hair your dog loses, which we will get to later on. But first, let's take a closer look at the nature of dog hair and what spring and fall shedding involves.
A dog's coat contributes to their health and well-being in many ways, all equally important:
- It regulates body temperature.
- It provides physical protection from UV rays, humidity and bad weather.
- It helps the dog communicate non-verbally. For example, raising its hackles—the hair on its back and neck—to express dominance.
- It acts as camouflage in wild dog species.
- Your companion's coat also reflects their state of health. A dense, shiny coat is a sign of good health.
The hair life cycle differs according to breed and fur type. Hairs are renewed in a cycle that lasts from 21 days to several months and involves three stages:
- Anagen: hair growth stage, mainly determined by genetics;
- Catagen: growth arrest stage, lasts several weeks or months;
- Telogen: deterioration stage (hair dies and falls out), associated with shedding.
Like the hair on our body, dog hair grows out of a follicle (pore) in the skin. One peculiarity of breeds with an undercoat, especially Nordic breeds, is that several types of hair can grow in the same hair follicle:
- The main hair, also called "primary hair " or "guard hair" (outer coat) is rigid and coloured. It provides physical protection.
- The secondary hair, also called "undercoat" or "down hair," is supple and thin. It provides thermal insulation.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines shedding as: "the process of losing a covering, such as leaves, hair, or skin, because it falls off naturally.”
Mammals shed hair while birds shed their feathers (in a process called moulting) and snakes shed their skin, for example. To better understand the phenomenon in other domestic animals, see our articles on cat shedding and bird moulting.
Dogs lose their hair year-round. It is called shedding when this hair loss increases, usually twice a year, in spring and fall. The shorter days or nights give the body the signal that it is time to prepare the animal’s coat for the next season's weather conditions.
In spring, dogs with an undercoat often lose a considerable amount of hair as they shed their winter coat. After, their coat is lighter, more aerated and not as warm, to keep them cool in warmer weather. In the fall, they grow a longer, denser, more insulating coat in preparation for winter.
In addition to the photoperiod we just mentioned (length of days and nights), several factors can trigger or affect shedding:
- Weather conditions, including temperature;
- Sunshine and exposure to natural light;
- Whether the animal spends most of its time indoors or outdoors;
- Their state of health;
- The food they eat;
- Their hormonal cycle (reproduction, gestation, lactation);
- Endocrine disorders;
- Even age and sex.
The dog's living environment also plays a role. A dog that lives indoors, in a heated space with artificial lighting, will shed year-round, but less noticeably. A dog that spends a great deal of time outdoors will shed more when the seasons change.
Finally, there are nearly 400 dog breeds of all body types, sizes, and fur types. How, when and how much they will shed depends on all of these factors. For example, breeds from more northern regions, such as the Husky, Shiba Inu and Newfoundland dog, will lose much more hair than breeds with short, rigid hair, like the Pug, French Bulldog and Boston Terrier.
As we've explained, shedding is a natural, normal, cyclical, and therefore unavoidable, phenomenon. However, there are several ways to considerably reduce the inconveniences.
And why not seize the opportunity to make your animal companion even more radiantly healthy, with a soft, strong, shiny coat?
We get it. You're sick and tired of endlessly picking up dog hair. And you think, “If I shave my dog, that will solve the problem.” It sounds like a great idea.
Except for dogs with woolly hair, which need to be shaved on a regular basis, we strongly advise you NOT to shave your dog.
Dogs need their fur to regulate their body temperature. Deprived of their coat, they will be without protection from the cold, heat, UV rays, bad weather and humidity. This makes them more vulnerable and can weaken their immune system, which is very harmful to their overall health, especially if their body is already fighting a virus, a disease or a tumour.
And worst of all (for you), the body will respond to this shock to the system by growing twice as much undercoat, doubling your problem next shedding season. With repeated shavings, the problem grows exponentially! Try the following tips instead. You and your dog will be much better off!
Brush your dog on a regular basis. Daily, if possible. Make it an enjoyable moment the two of you share. This way, you’ll be regularly dislodging and removing dead hair, preventing knots and mats from forming.
Always brush in the direction the hair grows, to keep it from getting tangled. Give your dog a gentle massage to get their blood circulating. Your dog will love it and it will keep parasites from getting a foothold.
There are several types of brushes and combs available according to hair type. A currycomb (a comb with rows of metal teeth) generally does a good job of penetrating to the down layer.
The FURminator deShedding Tool is designed specifically for shedding. It is even more effective at penetrating deep down and removing large amounts of hair. However, this stainless-steel comb with its tight row of teeth can irritate the skin, and should not be used more than once a week.
The texture and length of your dog's hair will determine the maintenance and tools required. You wouldn't groom a Poodle and a Labrador the same way, for example. Read on for details on shedding and appropriate grooming by fur type or breed:
German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Newfoundland dogs, Leonbergs and some Nordic breeds have predominant, abundant and waterproof secondary hairs (undercoat). The telogen stage is very long. After being shaved, the hair takes a long time to grow back.
Regular brushing during the shedding period will help remove the dead hair. When these breeds suffer from skin lesions, shaving is often a lifesaver, because skin maceration can occur quite quickly due to the undercoat being waterproof.
Dalmatians, Boxers, Pinschers, Bulldogs, German Shorthaired Pointers, Rottweilers have a coat consisting mainly of primary hairs. The hair cycle is short, and these dogs lose a lot of hair. Shedding is almost constant, growing more intense during the change in seasons. This hair type requires regular brushing with a rubber glove or a fine brush.
That said, some very short-haired dog breeds, like the Boston Terrier, Whippet, Spanish Italian and English Greyhound, Teckel (Dachshund) and Basenji, lose very little hair and require little brushing.Collies, Cocker Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have long, fine, silky hair and no undercoat. Their hair is fragile and tangles easily. Shedding is seasonal, with regular hair loss occurring throughout the year for most, with the exception of the Cairn Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier, whose shedding is more discrete and continuous. Shih Tzus have fine hair that grows constantly and needs to be cut on a regular basis.
This kind of coat requires gentle maintenance. It needs to be brushed frequently to keep knots from forming. Since the hairs are fragile, any friction or stretching can damage them and cause them to fall out.
In Poodles, Lhasa Apsos, Bichons Frisés, Maltese dogs, Bolognese dogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Lagotto Romagnolos and Coton de Tulears, secondary hairs account for more than 80% of their coat, hence their woolly appearance. Shedding in these breeds is very negligible and discrete. Daily brushing is recommended to keep knots from forming.
Originally from Mexico, the Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo for short (also called Mexican hairless), has little to no hair. It is the descendant of one of the world's oldest and rarest dog breeds and was worshipped by the Aztecs. This breed, and other hairless breeds, do not shed.
To accentuate the results of the brushing, you can also shampoo your dog, but not too often! Once a month is sufficient, plus a rinse if necessary when your naughty boy or girl has rolled in the mud, or something worse…
Caution: Never use cleansing products made for humans on your dog. Even baby shampoo can irritate your dog's skin and increase their hair loss.
A good groomer will use specific methods during the shedding period and can advise you on the best approach for your dog's breed. Groomers work the hair deep-down, using professional-grade products, tools and accessories, such as a high-speed hair dryer. A trip to the groomer at each change of season can greatly reduce your hair problems at home and help relieve your companion of any discomfort for the season.
Growing new hair uses up more of your dog's inner resources than usual. This is why it's important to pay attention to their nutrition, and give them quality food rich in all the nutrients their metabolism requires.
Intense shedding can be the sign of an inadequate diet. The more complete your dog's food is, the less hair they’ll lose and the shinier and more beautiful their new coat will be. Serve foods rich in good (polyunsaturated) fatty acids, protein, omega-3 and vitamins.
If you're not sure whether your dog is getting a sufficient quantity of all the essential nutrients, you can add canine-specific pre and probiotic supplements to their food as they will reinforce your furry companion's intestinal flora, stimulate the natural digestive enzymes and optimize nutrient absorption, in addition to strengthening their immune system.
Your loyal companion's coat reflects their health and requires regular care. A healthy diet, supplemented as needed, plays a key role in ensuring a smooth shedding process.
If you apply our five tips, your pet will feel more comfortable and you'll feel less like tearing your own hair out. Take advantage of the seasonal shedding periods to pamper your beloved pet while making your life easier.
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The Cambridge Dictionary defines moulting as the process of: [a bird or animal losing] its feathers, skin or hair as a natural process at a particular time of year so that new feathers, skin, or hair can grow.”This process is called moulting when birds lose their feathers and shedding when mammals lose their hair or snakes shed their skin, for example. To better understand the phenomenon in other domestic animals, see our articles on dog shedding and cat shedding.
Just like cats and dogs lose more hair when their fur is renewing itself in response to season changes, your bird’s feathers will fall out and new ones will grow periodically.
Here’s what you should know about your bird’s moulting process. You will learn how to provide your winged companion with special care that will make the process easier on them and help them successfully grow back a strong, new, healthy plumage with stunningly vibrant colours.
Moulting can be physically demanding. Growing new feathers requires lots of energy and internal resources, and your bird will have more specific needs during this period.
Among other things, their bones will be a little more fragile during the moulting process, and may be more subject to fractures. If your bird’s food doesn’t contain enough calcium to grow new feathers, their body will pull it out of their bones instead. Their immune system may also be weakened, making your bird more prone to infection.
If your bird is in good health and their food is properly adapted to this important process, moulting will occur normally. If they’re in poor health or have nutritional deficiencies, the moult could take longer, be incomplete or even delayed, and their new plumage could be more fragile and more drab.
Moulting can also cause hormonal disruptions and sometimes give rise to certain behavioural changes. It’s normal for your bird to scratch themselves to make it easier to dislodge their old feathers. They will likewise have a general tendency to become less active, to sleep more, and to vocalize less frequently. If their health is not optimal, your bird may appear more tired and stop singing. They can become a bit more agitated or even irritable. This could be a sign that they are stressed and require extra attention.
Sometimes birds pull out some of their own feathers when they’re moulting. However, if your bird seems to be pulling feathers out compulsively, to the point of causing bald spots, if the moulting process drags on for several months, or if your bird can no longer fly normally, it could be the sign of a false moult. Feather pecking, an abnormal behaviour in which a bird pulls out their own feathers or the feathers of fellow birds, is a sign of stress, discomfort or inadequate living conditions. Bald patches can also be caused by skin irritation, parasites or a disease. When in doubt, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
Feathers are keratinous growths unique to birds. They consist of a flexible shaft (called the “rachis”) that branches into barbs and barbules. They completely cover a bird’s body and play several significant roles in a bird’s survival:
Canaries have more than 1,500 feathers while turtledoves have around 2,500.
Like the hair on our bodies, feathers emerge from the skin, grow and have a finite life. Bird feathers age and become worn, and must be renewed—during regular moulting—to continue to effectively perform their functions. During moulting, feathers lose their vitality; they become loose and fall out. They are replaced by younger feathers that have been developing in the same feather follicle. Generally, this loss occurs gradually and in a specific order, so that the bird is never completely bare and can thus continue to fly.
Duck moulting does not follow this rule. They lose all their feathers simultaneously in what is called an “eclipse.” As a result, they cannot fly for several weeks and must hide from predators.
From chick to mature adult, birds go through several successive plumages, interspersed by moulting periods that can last up to several weeks and can occur at different times of year, depending on the species.
The first plumage, also called “natal” or “neoptile” plumage, consists of more or less abundant down feathers, according to the species. Successive plumage stages include the pre-juvenile, juvenile and post-juvenile moults, leading to the emergence of “true” contour feathers that are more robust than the initial down feathers.
When birds reach adulthood, their plumage changes according to the seasons and their reproductive cycle. A bird’s sex hormones will determine the colour, form and arrangement of the feathers that grow. Moulting occurs once or twice a year, generally after the summer solstice or after mating season.
Several factors play a role in triggering the moulting process:
In the case of a pet bird living in captivity, these factors are often altered, and abnormal moults can result. Too much or too little exposure to natural light, for example, can cause imbalance and disruption.
Plumage makes up, on average, 10% of a bird’s weight.
To help your bird through this vulnerable phase, be attentive to their well-being and avoid all unnecessary stress. A calm, well-fed bird living in a suitable, stable environment will have a much easier time.
Growing new feathers takes lots of energy and assorted nutrients at the cellular level. Make sure your bird’s food is sufficiently rich in quality proteins, mineral salts, sulphur-containing amino acids, calcium and vitamins.Among other things, feathers are made up of keratin, which primarily consists of sulphur-containing amino acids. Eggs, legumes and grains contain keratin, but the quantity required will depend on the species. Ask your animal health specialist for nutritional advice.
Moulting can throw your bird’s intestinal flora out of balance, causing elimination problems. Sub-optimal flora can also compromise their digestive system’s ability to properly absorb nutrients. And finally, their immune system can be weakened, increasing the risk of infection.
Avian-specific prebiotics and probiotics can help build up or rebalance your bird’s intestinal microbiome, increase their natural enzymes, optimize their diet, improve their health and promote a healthy, vibrant plumage. These supplements are especially helpful during the moulting period but can also be given throughout the year for your bird’s overall health.
“If your singing is as lovely as your plumage...”
As the fox so shrewdly said to the crow in Jean de La Fontaine’s famous fable, a bird’s plumage is a reflection of its vitality.
Losing feathers during moulting is a normal cyclical phenomenon, but nonetheless a demanding one for your feathered companion. Be attentive, feed your bird a nutrient-rich diet, supplement with prebiotics and probiotics as needed, and your bird will soon recover their good health and all their splendour!
It’s on your floors, your clothes, your furniture, your hands and in every nook and cranny… cat hair, not to mention hairballs! Picking up pet hair is annoying year-round, but especially in the spring and fall, when hair loss intensifies during seasonal shedding.
In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about your feline companion's fur and how, why and when cats shed. We’ll also give you pro tips for optimal hair care and ways to reduce seasonal shedding frustrations, in addition to making your cat's coat shinier and more healthy-looking than ever!
Your cat’s hair grows, falls out and grows back throughout the year, but the hair loss intensifies when the seasons change. This is called seasonal shedding. It's a perfectly natural—and unfortunately unavoidable—phenomenon.
The good news is that there are a few ways to reduce the amount of hair your cat loses, which we will get to later on. But first, let's take a closer look at the nature of cat hair and what spring and fall shedding involves.
Your cat's fur, or “coat,” contributes to their health and well-being in several ways, all equally important:
Your companion's coat also reflects their state of health. A dense, shiny coat is a sign of good health.
The hair life cycle differs according to breed and fur type. Hairs are renewed in a cycle that lasts from 21 days to several months and involves three stages:
Cat hair is not uniform like human hair. Cats are covered in different types of hair, which often coexist:
The different looks of a cat's coat (solid, striped, tortoiseshell, etc.) are called “patterns.” The combination of different colours and patterns make up all the possible fur variations.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines shedding as: "the process of losing a covering, such as leaves, hair, or skin, because it falls off naturally.”
Mammals shed hair while birds shed their feathers (in a process called moulting) and snakes shed their skin, for example. To better understand the phenomenon in other domestic animals, see our articles on dog shedding and bird moulting.
Cats lose their hair year-round. It is called shedding when this hair loss increases, usually twice a year, in spring and fall. The shorter days or nights give the body the signal that it is time to prepare the animal’s coat for the next season's weather conditions.
In spring, cats with an undercoat will often lose a considerable amount of hair as they shed their winter coat. After, their coat is lighter, more aerated and not as warm, to keep them cool in warmer weather. In the fall, they grow a longer, denser, more insulating coat in preparation for winter.
In addition to the photoperiod we just mentioned (length of days and nights), several factors can trigger or affect shedding:
The cat's living environment also plays a role. A cat that lives indoors, in a heated space with artificial lighting, will shed year-round, but less noticeably. A cat that spends a great deal of time outdoors will shed more when the seasons change.
Finally, there are more than 70 cat breeds of all body types, sizes, and fur types. How, when and how much they will shed depends on all of these factors. For example, cats from more northern regions, such as the Bobtail, Norwegian Forest cat and Siberian cat will lose much more hair than short-haired cats, like the Siamese, Singapura and Burmese.
Cats spend hours grooming themselves each day, licking their fur to clean it and smooth it down. During shedding periods, they swallow more hair than usual. Hairballs can form in the digestive system and cause significant discomfort.
Hairballs are difficult to evacuate, and can cause vomiting, constipation or decreased appetite. Fortunately, this can be prevented or alleviated with the right care and products. For more information on this topic, read our article on hairballs.
Now let's look at what you can do to reduce hair loss and hairball problems in cats. These tips can be applied year-round, but are especially helpful during seasonal shedding.
As we've explained, shedding is a natural, normal, cyclical, and therefore unavoidable, phenomenon. However, there are several ways to considerably reduce the inconveniences.
And why not seize the opportunity to make your animal companion even more radiantly healthy, with a soft, strong, shiny coat?
We get it. You're sick and tired of endlessly picking up cat hair. And you think, “If I shave my cat, that will solve the problem.” It sounds like a great idea.
We strongly advise you NOT to do this.
Cats need their fur to regulate their body temperature. Deprived of their coat, they will be without protection from the cold, heat, UV rays, bad weather and humidity. This makes them more vulnerable and can weaken their immune system, which is very harmful to their overall health, especially if their body is already fighting a virus, a disease or a tumour.
And worst of all (for you), the body will respond to this shock to the system by growing twice as much undercoat, doubling your problem next shedding season. With repeated shavings, the problem grows exponentially! Try the following tips instead. You and your cat will be much better off!
The texture and length of your cat's hair will determine the maintenance and tools required. You wouldn't groom a Himalayan the same way you would a Bengal, for example.
Brush or comb your cat once or twice a day, if possible. Make it an enjoyable moment the two of you share. This way, you’ll be regularly dislodging and removing dead hair, preventing knots and mats from forming.
Always brush in the direction the hair grows, to keep it from getting tangled. Be gentle. Your cat's skin is very sensitive. Give your cat a gentle massage to get their blood circulating. They will love it and it will also keep parasites from getting a foothold.
There are several types of brushes and combs available according to your cat's breed and hair type. A currycomb (a comb with rows of metal teeth) generally does a good job of penetrating to the down layer. For Angora cats, a straight metal comb can be more convenient.
Make sure the brush is suitable for your cat's size and hair length. Some brushes should be avoided (bristles that are too long or too thin), as they make removing the dead hair more difficult and can make brushing painful.
The FURminator deShedding Tool is designed specifically for shedding. It is very effective at penetrating deep down and removing large amounts of hair. However, this stainless-steel comb with its tight row of teeth can irritate the skin, and should not be used more than once a week.
The colours and patterns on your cat's coat are also replicated on their skin.
To accentuate the results of the brushing, you can use a cat shampoo two to four times a year. You can also wash your cat as needed, when they’ve rolled in the dirt or something worse, but not more than once a week.
Cat hair detangling sprays exist. They are very convenient if you have a long-haired breed. Caution: Never use cleansing products made for humans on your cat. Even baby shampoo can irritate your cat's skin and increase their hair loss.
If washing your cat, make sure the water is not too hot (no more than 34 °C). Rinse your cat thoroughly and dry them away from air drafts, to keep them from catching cold. Since many cats have a natural aversion to water, it's a good idea to get your cat used to being washed from a young age.
A good groomer will use specific methods during the shedding period and can advise you on the best approach for your cat's breed. Groomers work the hair deep-down, using professional-grade products, tools and accessories, such as a high-speed hair dryer. A trip to the groomer at each change of season can greatly reduce your hair problems at home and help relieve your companion of any discomfort for the season.
Growing new hair uses up more of your cat's inner resources than usual. This is why it's important to pay attention to their nutrition, and give them quality food rich in all the nutrients their metabolism requires. Also, a diet rich in fibre promotes intestinal transit and makes it easier for your cat to evacuate hairballs.
Intense shedding can be the sign of an inadequate diet. The more complete your cat's food is, the less hair they’ll lose and the shinier and more beautiful their new coat will be. Serve foods rich in good (polyunsaturated) fatty acids, protein, omega-3 and vitamins.
If you're not sure whether your cat is getting a sufficient quantity of all the essential nutrients, you can add nutrient-rich feline-specific supplements to their food. They also have the added benefit of promoting healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Prebiotics and probiotics for cats are also helpful, as they will reinforce your furry companion's intestinal flora, stimulate the natural digestive enzymes and optimize nutrient absorption, in addition to strengthening their immune system.
Hairball treatments facilitate digestion and the natural evacuation of ingested hair. Avoid treatments that contain petroleum by-products. Made with cold-pressed linseed oil, our hairball treatment also promotes healthy skin and a shiny, silky coat.
These supplements are beneficial during shedding, but can be given year-round as prevention and to maintain good health.
Your loyal companion's coat reflects their health and requires regular care. A healthy diet, supplemented as needed, plays a key role in ensuring a smooth shedding process.
If you apply our five tips, your pet will feel more comfortable and you'll feel less like tearing your own hair out. Take advantage of the seasonal shedding periods to pamper your beloved pet while making your life easier.
Do you know the serious risks associated with poor dental health for your pet? The problems caused can be serious and go far beyond yellowing teeth and bad breath.
Fortunately, there are many precautions you can do and several dental products you can use with your cats and dogs. It is within your power to prevent and combat oral problems and avoid complications.
Here's what you need to remember so your best friend can take a bite out of life!
According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association/span>, oral illness in dogs and cats is the second most diagnosed problem, after diet and weight issues.
An alarming 80% of dogs and 70% of cats suffer from it at an early age and show signs of oral disease affecting teeth and gums.
Yet this scourge is preventable by simply adopting a preventive approach including a routine of caring for and cleaning your pet's teeth.
That your dog or cat has dog breath should not be considered normal, even in an older pet. This is a common occurrence but is nonetheless the first identifiable sign of an oral health disorder.
Dog and cat halitosis (the scientific name for bad breath) is often a symptom of infection, as it occurs when bad bacteria overgrow in the animal's mouth.
In addition to the onset of bad breath, there is also the early onset of dull teeth due to the formation of dental plaque and tartar, which are difficult to dislodge.
As in humans, food residue and certain harmful oral bacteria form plaque in dogs and cats. The hardening of plaque by calcium deposits forms tartar.
The presence of plaque and tartar can cause an infection that first manifests itself in the animal's mouth. The main complications are :
But it doesn't stop there, the infectious bacteria canspread through the bloodstream and damage vital organs in dogs and cats. If left uncorrected, it can lead to very serious health problems:
Dogs and cats do not always obviously demonstrate that they are experiencing pain. Be on the lookout for signs of significant discomfort that can be attributed to poor oral health:
Taking care of your companion's oral health helps them live a healthier life longer! There are many preventative and dental products for dogs and cats that can be used at home:
A too much buildup of plaque and tartar may require scaling at your veterinarian and, sometimes, the extraction of overly impacted teeth. This is an invasive and expensive procedure that requires general anesthesia, with some risks.
Don’t wait to act, good hygiene habits and regular use of dog and cat anti-tartar products could reverse the problem, if it is still in a mild or moderate stage. It is well known that prevention is better than cure.
The starch, a form of sugar found in significant amounts in dog and cat food, feeds the bad bacteria in your pet's mouth and favors their multiplication. Pets that eat it tend to have more tartar and oral problems.
Even if your dog eats raw food, he may develop dental problems such as bad breath, tartar and plaque. In the absence of starch, there is less proliferation of bacteria, but it's important to know that they are naturally present in your pet's mouth, regardless of what he eats.
Dental disease can have a huge impact on your pet's quality of life and can even shorten their life expectancy.
Don't wait for the situation to deteriorate. Adopt healthy oral hygiene habits for the betterment of your companion today.
If your dog or cat is showing symptoms of concern or if you have any doubts about your pet's oral health, consult your veterinarian.
SOURCES:
Could your pet have a disease | PetsPlusUS.com
Mois de la santé dentaire | AMVQ.quebec
Montmorillonite is a clay from the Montmorillon region of France. Known for its quality and health benefits, it has several uses in aviculture (raising of birds and poultry).
Parrots and other birds have been observed to consume naturally occurring clay in the wild, after eating toxic foods (when there is less food or fewer safer plants available) or to obtain the nutrients they need. Clay is also recommended for parrots living in our homes, to detoxify and add minerals to their diet.
There are several ways to give clay to your parrot:
As clay milk:
Using only wood, glass, ceramic or non-porous plastic utensils:
You can get rid of the clay paste at the bottom of the glass in your food waste compost bin or in the trash.
⚠️WARNING: Don’t put the clay down the sink drain or flush it down the toilet, as it can expand and damage your plumbing.
You can repeat the 21-day clay milk detox twice a year. Detoxifying in this way helps promote a healthy digestive system by eliminating toxins, favouring the growth of healthy intestinal flora while eliminating foreign bacteria, and encouraging mucous production, which provides greater protection against various digestive system irritants or abrasions. It’s also a good idea to give your parrot detoxifying clay milk before offering prebiotics and probiotics.
On fresh produce
Given that clay easily retains a large amount of water, it’s easy to serve on sprouts, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits. Clay sticks well to all foods that have been moistened or have a naturally high water content, ensuring that your bird consumes the clay along with the fresh foods. Sprinkle some on your parrot’s food to neutralize the natural toxins (tannins, phenols, etc.) and man-made toxins (pesticides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers) they may contain, all while adding minerals to your bird’s diet.
By foraging
In nature, parrots spend much of the day foraging (searching) for the foods or minerals they need. In our homes, with food always easily accessible, they need something else to do with their time. If they don’t have enough stimulation, they can develop habits or behaviours detrimental to their health and well-being: destroying things, screaming excessively, self-mutilating or performing repetitive behaviour (stereotypies). Giving your bird the opportunity to forage will keep them busy for a good part of the day. It’s also the recommended way of introducing a new food or encouraging them to eat more of a specific food. Offering clay this way takes advantage of your bird’s natural instincts, stimulating their brain while benefiting their body.
In a bowl
You can also simply provide a small amount of clay in a bowl. This lets your parrot choose how much to ingest and when. Be sure to regularly replace the clay to keep it from getting contaminated.
As you can see, there are many ways to give clay to your parrot. Just remember these rules:
Marc-André Villeneuve, Bioecologist
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There are several recommendations to reduce these symptoms. They aim at reducing the effect of continual moulting and, incidentally, the excessive loss of hair, to facilitate the stimulation of the digestive transit to cause the evacuation of hairballs.
The measures recommended to achieve these goals, however, are not always without inconvenience or undesirable side effects :
Frequent brushing
To reduce the ingestion of dead hair
Inconvenient : requires consistency and especially a cooperative cat.
Fresh catnip
Will help your cat regurgitate accumulated hair
Inconvenient : may give the expected results where you would not normally want it: your beautiful Persian rug or pillow that gives it so much comfort…
Laxative paste
Helps the hair pass through the gut
Inconvenient : needs to be given on a regular basis and can produce an unwanted side effect, making your cat's intestine lazy.
The addition of fiber
Included in specialized food, will often be at the expense of good proteins, which must be the main ingredients of the food of your cat, a strict carnivore.
Home remedies (to be avoided)
The oil gel can, if given in good quantity, neutralize the absorption of vitamin A.
Cod liver oil
Too rich, cod liver oil quickly causes excessive intake of vitamins A and D32.
Wellbeing hairball treatment 🐱
Easy to use, natural and specifically formulated to prevent excessive hairball formation :
- Brings a silky and healthy coat, and reduces the loss of hair by the intake of good omega fats, vitamins, including vitamins E (antioxidants), minerals and proteins, all vectors of good health for your feline. The ingredients that contain them have been selected for their high quality.
- Prevents the excessive formation of hairballs by causing the constant evacuation of these by the effect of digestive enzymes and fibers. The hairs consist of keratin, an insoluble fibrous protein. Cellulase and Protease are natural enzymes in baci + wellness hairballs treatment that will aid digestion of the fibrous protein;
- Easy to administer and dose using our syringe, a definite advantage when the patient is an uncooperative kitten!
Directions :
- Give 1 g per day for a period of 7 days.
- Afterwards, give 1 or 2 times a week 1 g to maintain a silky and healthy coat.
- Give directly from the syringe, mix with food or apply on its front legs or on the tip of its muzzle.
At baci +, we advocate the prevention of hairballs for all cats!
2 http://feline-nutrition.org/nutrition/can-i-use-cod-liver-oil
Step 1: Quick recovery!!
Solutions Probio for dogs (step 1): Vivoflora, eight 1-g single-dose packets
Vivoflora must be given twice a day (morning and evening) for two days, mixed with your pet’s food. It differs from other support products because it contains special prebiotics that protect gastrointestinal health by inhibiting and reducing the risk of the gut being colonized by pathogenic bacteria. Vivoflora favours an effective return to balanced and smoothly functioning bacterial flora.
Give twice a day for two days. Solution probio for cats is based on the same principle as Vivoflora for dogs, but adapted to felines. It comes as a paste administered by syringe, because a sick cat is likely to turn down food and will need a little coaxing to restore its intestinal health.
Step 2: Support recovery and good gastrointestinal health.
This step will keep your pet on the path to recovery by optimizing the benefits of your dog’s or cat’s daily food intake and by strengthening your companion’s natural defenses.
For cats: Continue giving the Solutions probio syringe
After step 1 (on the third day of treatment), serve the dose recommended for your cat’s weight once a day for three days. Mix the contents of the syringe directly with your cat’s food. Keep at room temperature.
PREVENTION: After completing the treatment, you can easily continue giving Probio+ two or three times a week as prevention. We offer formats adapted for preventive care.
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Approximately 70% of your pet's immune cells live in their gut. A healthy and balanced immune response largely depends on a strong community of beneficial bacteria.
Reinforcing and feeding a colony of good bacterias with the use of pet specific probiotics on a regular basis helps in the following ways:
1. Balancing immune functions. Nearly 70% of your companion's immune system is found in his digestive system, from an early age and throughout his life;
2. Facilitates the absorption of nutritional elements in its food.
3. Reduces negative effects in periods of stress (transportation, appointments with veterinarians, groomers, and other professionals, new environments, moving, changes in routine, and so forth).
4. Helps suppress soft, stinky, or hard stools and flatulence that usually follow periods of stress.
5. Improves coat health by helping to eliminate toxins.
6. Boosts cell renewal to help primary organs do their work.
7. Rebalances the number of good bacteria according to the demands of the immune system (allergens and vaccination).
8. Prevents adverse effects of a dietary change (helps prevent disturbances in intestinal flora).
9. Reduces problems of bad breath while favouring long term stability of oral bacteria, which encourages maintenance of good teeth.
10. Improves mood and behavior: close to 95% of serotonin - the chemical messenger of happiness- is produced by beneficial gut bacterias. With good intestinal health your pet should have a better chance of being happy and well-behaved!
When it comes to choosing a good probiotic for your pet, be sure to give them a product that is intended for their species.
Indeed, each animal species has a specific bacterial flora; therefore, giving unsuitable probiotics is not only useless, but can cause damage to its bacterial flora and thus compromise its protective activity.
Our expertise over the years has allowed us to develop formulas where our prebiotics are in symbiosis with our probiotics to promote good bacterias.
Discover our probiotics.
1 According to Dr. Randy Kidd, “The ‘gut associated lymphoid tissue’ (GALT) is the largest immune organ in the body, consisting of several aggregates of lymphoid tissues found throughout the lining of the gut wall. It produces a variety of lymph cells and thus offers a variety of immune functions.
Many scientific studies show that the daily inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics in our pets’ food is immensely beneficial to their health. Indeed, our animal companions’ domestication creates conditions very different from those innate to their species and the addition of prebiotic and probiotic solutions can help considerably in alleviating the deficiencies induced by adaptation to our lifestyles. Let’s have a closer look at these important factors in our pet’s health.
At baci+, we offer specialized products for dogs, cats, and birds. Our expertise has enabled us to develop formulas in which prebiotics and probiotics are in a symbiotic relationship that favours the development of good bacteria, making it easy to choose a product not only dedicated to your pet’s species but also to specific circumstances.
Bibliography
Marcouzet, Martin,
Nourriture probiotique pour chiens, Institut de développement d’aliments probiotiques, Québec, Canada Publié en ligne le 9 mars 2015
Weese, J.S., Arroyo, L. (2003) Bacteriological evaluation of dog and cat diets that claim to contain probiotics. Can Vet J 44(3):212-215
Case (2011) Nutritional management of gastrointestinal disease. Canine and Feline Nutrition, chapter 35 pp 455-478
https://veterinarypracticenews.com/prebiotics-probiotics-and-intestinal-health
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In the last few years , many new products have appeared on the market claiming to improve the digestive health of humans and animals alike. With so many to choose from, it may be difficult for consumers to choose the best product for their needs.
A unique ecosystem, encompassing many different species of bacteria, exists within the digestive system of each individual living being. Bacteria are microscopic organisms which can be found in all types of habitats including inside volcanoes, in the bottom of the ocean and also on our skin and in our gut. In fact, billions of bacteria can be found living on anindividual, be it animal orhuman.
Some species of bacteria are beneficial to our health. These are usually referred to as probiotics which means "for life". Other species of bacteria are pathogenic, meaning that they impact our health in a negative way and may cause illness.
Probiotic bacteria are present within the entire digestive system but most are in the small intestine where they serve a very important function. The population of bacteria living in our digestive system is known as our bacterial flora.
These bacteria are essential components of the digestive process, helping our body break down certain molecules so that they can be absorbed. They form a bacterial coating over our intestinal mucosa and act as a protective lining to keep bacterial pathogens from attacking the delicate lining of our intestinal wall.This protective layer of beneficial bacteria is called the biofilm. Probiotics improve the immune response by protecting our body from pathogenic bacteria and thus reduce the risk of illness.
Probiotics are generally combined with nutrients referred to as “prebiotics”. These are nutritive elements whose role is to serve as nutritional additives to probiotic bacteria.Prebiotic means “before life”. Providing nutrients to probiotic bacteria increases their numbers and variety and ensures a more diversified and abundant bacterial flora. Although bacteria can use a variety of substances as food, prebiotics are generally composed of certain types of fiber.
Probiotic supplements sometimes contain both the probiotic bacteria and the appropriate prebiotics. In such a case, the supplement will be more effective and it is therefore recommended to look for products containing both components.
There are many ways in which probiotics can be used in animals (and this also applies to humans!). The most common application for probiotics is for improving immune function.In fact, there are currently many studies researching this topic. The different uses for probiotics discussed in this article have not been scientifically proven for all companion animal species because only certain animal species have been studied to date.
The use of probiotics during antibiotic treatment reduces the risk of developing a secondary infection by restoring the bacterial flora destroyed by the antibiotics. Some of the bacteria in the probiotic supplement will be destroyed but those that survive will help repopulate the intestinal flora.
It is therefore important to give the probiotic supplement in a separate administration from the antibiotic in order to ensure that not all bacteria in the supplement will be destroyed by the antibiotic. It is recommended to wait at least 1 hour after the administration of the antibiotic before giving a probiotic in order to achieve a maximum survival rate of the beneficial bacteria found in the probiotic.
In addition, the probiotics stimulate the immune response, and act as an additional defense against the primary infection. Probiotic bacteria form a protective barrier inside the intestinal tract and help prevent pathogenic bacteria from making the animal sick. Some can even modify the environmentinside the intestine to make it more favorable to "good bacteria" and less hospitable to "bad bacteria". This increases the immune response to potential infections and reduces the chances of developing illness. Probiotics can also improve the immune response during vaccination, resulting in a better protection.
Probiotics are also used during and after antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics kill pathogenic bacteria which cause disease but also kill some of the beneficial bacteria. It is therefore important to recolonize the "empty" gut with new beneficial bacteria before pathogenic bacteria invade and cause a secondary infection.
Probiotics can help alleviate diarrhea and other symptoms of digestive disorder and can help reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms. When a digestive disorder is present, the normal gut flora is often disturbed and reestablishing this natural balance will help relieve symptoms in these cases.
Another way in which probiotics can be used in animals is when they are given to young animals to increase and accelerate growth. This is especially true of farm animals where they are used to increase the production rate but could also potentially be applied to other species since probiotics improve digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Beauchemin KA, Krehbiel CR, Newbold CJ (2006)
Enzymes, Bacterial Direct-Fed Microbials and Yeast: Principles for Use in Ruminant Nutrition. In: Mosenthin R, Zentek J, Ebrowska TZ (Eds) Biology of Nutrition in Growing Animals.
Cho JH, Zhao PY, Kim IH (2011)
Probiotics as a Dietary Additive for Pigs. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 10 pp2 2127-2134.
Chaucheyras F and Durand H (2010)
Probiotics in animal nutrition and health. Beneficial Microbes 1: 3-9.
Hiruta Yirga, (2015)
The Use of Probiotics in Animal Nutrition, Journal of Probiotics & Health
Steiner T (2009)
Probiotics in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: Basics and Benefits. The Poultry site.
Matteo A. Avella, Allen Place, Shao-Jun Du, Ernest Williams, Stefania Silvi, Yonathan Zohar, Oliana Carnevali.Lactobacillus rhamnosus Accelerates Zebrafish
Backbone Calcification and Gonadal Differentiation through Effects on the GnRH and IGF Systems. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (9): e45572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045572
H.H. Musa , S.L. Wu , C.H. Zhu , H.I. Seri and G.Q. Zhu (2009),
The potential Benefits of Probiotics in Animal Production and Health, Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances vol. 8, Issue 2, P.313-321
Rijkers GT, de Vos WM, Brummer RJ, Morelli L, Corthier G, Marteau P (2011).
Health benefits and health claims of probiotics: Bridging science and marketing. British Journal of Nutrition. 106 (9): 1291–6
Hamid R. Haghighi,Jianhua Gong,Carlton L. Gyles,M. Anthony Hayes Babak, Sanei,Payvand Parvizi, Haris Gisavi,James R. Chambers, and Shayan Sharif, (2005).
Modulation of Antibody-Mediated Immune Response by Probiotics in Chickens, Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2005 December; 12(12): 1387–1392
When an animal is sick, it's immune system is very busy fighting against the infection. Probiotics can help the immune system fight the infection but also prevent the animal from developing a secondary infection.
The first way in which probiotics help fight infection is by forming a biofilm, or protective layer, along the wall of the intestine which prevents pathogens, or "bad bacteria" from causing illness. This is because the biofilm prevents the pathogenic bacteria from attaching to the lining of the gut thereby preventing them from entering the animal’s system. The pathogenic bacteria, unable to attach themselves, are forced through the gut and excreted by the body in the feces.
The second way in which probiotics help is by altering the environmental conditions inside the gut. Indeed, certain species of bacteria can modify the acidity, or pH level (balance between acid and alkaline), inside theintestinewhich improves the growthof other beneficial bacteria and slows the growth of bad bacteria. Some bacteria also produce molecules that inhibit the growth of pathogens, allowing more room for other beneficial bacteria to grow.
Probiotic bacteria also improve immune responseby playing a regulatory role on the immune system. This is referred to as “immunomodulation “. The bacteria act on certain types of cells that are involved in immune function.The use of probiotics during vaccination enhances the immune response and improves the protective effect of the vaccine.
Probiotics can also help prevent secondary infections. For example, in birds receiving antibiotic therapy, it is quite common for individuals to develop a secondary yeast infection ( Candida Albicans). This is especially true of young or immune compromised individuals.
Yeast, which are a type of microscopic fungi, are normally present in small amounts in our gut and are not affected by antibiotics. When antibiotics are used, most of the bacteria are killed, leaving yeast to take advantage of the newly available space, allowing them to multiply and disrupt the digestive system. Thus, the secondary yeast infection can become just as significant as the primary bacterial infection, and cause the animal to develop additional symptoms.
Giving probiotics during antibiotic therapy restores the bacterial population that is being destroyed, reducing the riskthat a secondary infection will develop. The beneficial bacteria administered via probiotics will mostly be destroyed by the antibiotic but those that survive will help the remaining flora in the gut.
This is why it is important not to give the probiotics at the same time as the antibiotics. It is recommended to separate the administrations of probiotics and antibiotics by at least one hour, with the probiotic ideally given after the antibiotic. This maximizes the number of surviving beneficial bacteria.
Animals, just like humans, experience periods of stress during their lives. During stressful times, our bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that helps us to respond to stress by preparing our body to escape from danger. For example, cortisol increases the heart rate and amount of glucose in our blood so that energy is available for running away, etc. Although this response is useful in the short term, during periods of chronic stress, its effects can be detrimental. One of the negative effects of cortisol is that it suppresses the immune system, leaving us more prone to infection.
In addition to reducing the risk of a secondary infection by improving the bacterial flora, the use of probiotics during periods of stress helps moderate the negative effect stress has on the immune system.
Here are some examples of events which may cause an animal to feel stressed:
In such circumstances, it may be beneficial for the animal to receive probiotics. The probiotic supplementation should start a few days prior to the event and continue through out the stressful period, and for a few weeks after the event has passed.
McEwen BS (2007). "Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: central role of the brain". Physiol Rev. 87 (3): 873–904.
Many products exist on the market. Each species of animal has a different bacterial flora. Because herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat meat and omnivores eat a little of both, it is no wonder that each has its own unique bacterial flora adapted for digesting these different nutrients. Not only is it useless to give bacteria that is not a normal inhabitant of the animal's gut flora, it can even be detrimental. At best the bacteria arriving in a hostile gut environment will simply not survive, but in some cases these abnormal bacteria can be dangerous. This is because some bacteria that are part of the normal gut flora in some animals are harmful to other species of animals.
For example, bacteria called Salmonella spp. are part of the normal gut flora in hedgehogs and most reptiles. However, they can be dangerous for many other species, including humans, for whom Salmonella can cause a potentially serious infection of the digestive tract.
Each animal requires a probiotic supplement adapted to its species needs in order to reap its benefits and avoid any negative impact. A supplement tailored to the needs of a particular species will contain only bacteria normally found in that species gut. It is therefore not recommended to give an animal a probiotic formulated for human consumption. It is important to note which types of bacteria are contained in the supplement and to select a probiotic supplement that contains many species of bacteria rather than one containing a single species. This will increase the likelihood that the product will be more effective.
A portion of the ingested bacteria will be destroyed by the gastric acid in the stomach. As such, it is important to select a supplement that has a protective component so that the beneficial bacteria can remain intact until they reach their destination, in the intestine. The survival rate is therefore quite significant, more so than the initial bacterial count.
For certain species of animals, probiotics can come as a capsule or pill. This is one way to protect the contents from being digested by the stomach acid. The protective outer covering is dissolved by gastric acid and the bacteria are released once they reach the intestine. This ensures that the greatest number of bacteria will reach their destination.
For animals unable to swallow a pill due to their size, anatomy or nervous nature,a process called micro-encapsulation offers a solution. The process involves encapsulating the bacteria in a protective layer at the microscopic level. The microscopic encapsulation is just as effective at protecting the bacteria from the acidity of the gastric juices but allows the probiotic to be offered in a powder form. The powder can then be easily administered in food. This means that the amount given can be adjusted for a smaller animal and allows the probiotic to be given with minimal stress since the animal does not need to be restrained.
Not all probiotics are created equal. It is important to be well informed before buying a product.
Sophie Hébert Saulnier graduated from the University of Montreal's faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. During her studies, she completed numerous internships in Quebec and the United-States in order to gain in depth knowledge of exotic animal medicine. For the past 6 years, she has worked exclusively with exotic companion animals and birds in a specialized veterinary hospital. She has given many presentations on the subject of avian medicine to various associations in Quebec, as well as to students in veterinary medicine and animal health sciences. In addition, she teaches at Vanier College's Animal Health department and thus actively contributes to the training of future animal health technicians. In her spare time, she volunteers at a local animal shelter where she gives medical care to abandoned exotic pets, plays in a wind instrument orchestra, practices rock climbing and travels whenever possible. She shares her home with two caïques and two cats.
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