Here is my short list of supplement necessities that are always in stock in my pantry and why you should consider keeping them on hand as well..
1) A non-dairy mix of pre- and pro-biotics. This particular bag is the 'equine' size, but it has the exact same formula as the canine/feline bag, it's just a larger quantity so don't let the horse fool you too much. I pick up this digestive Formula at Ramsey Canyon Feed, but it should be in any Pet Club store. It also contains digestive enzymes, which helps your pet break down their food more easily. I like a non-dairy option as cow's milk is rather difficult to digest for really any species besides cows. Additionally, many pets develop allergies to dairy milk. The prebiotics help to feed the probiotics and as we all know probiotics are good to have on hand specifically for two reasons: 1) Digestive distress and 2) When your pet is on antibiotics - the probiotics help to reestablish the good bacteria in the gut that antibiotics wipe out.
2) Omega 3 fish oils. Omega 3's are powerhouses - They help boost skin and coat health, they help to maintain healthy brain function and they also help keep joints lubricated. Animals have different nutritional requirements than us, so make sure there are NO omega 9's as they do not need and cannot utilize them. Speak with your vet about using an over the counter supplement and the quantity you should use for the size of your pet. Sidebar: sometimes starting fish oils at full strength can give pets loose stools until their GI system gets used to the extra oil, so weaning onto them is a safe solution. At the same time, if your pet is constipated, a full dose of fish oils can help get things moving along.
3) Pure Pumpkin Puree - Pumpkin is nature's perfect GI balancer. Whether a pet is constipated or has diarrhea, pumpkin helps to fix it! It has a tastey dose of fiber and the water in pumpkin helps to rehydrate the body in the case of chronic diarrhea. Anytime one of our pet's has some GI issue, I skip the traditional chicken and rice and instead give cooked ground turkey and pumpkin. *If you buy the pumpkin canned, make sure it is PLAIN pumpkin and not the pumpkin pie mix, which is full of sugar. Otherwise during the fall, pumpkin puree is easy to make and can be stored in the freezer!
4) Water-packed Sardines. Basically I always have this on hand because our dogs and cats go bananas over sardines, and it can replace a fish oil capsule. They come in different flavors so make sure it's only packed in water (and not hot sauce!). A can is $1 or less and can be divided among your pets. Even though Sardines are low on the marine food chain and therefore do not contain a concerning amount of mercury, I would speak to your vet if you want to make them a daily addition to your pet's nutrition.
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