Category: products

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Do dogs need grains in their diet?

dog eating from bowl

Dogs do not necessarily need grains in their diet to thrive and maintain good health. Dogs are primarily carnivorous animals, and their bodies are well adapted to digest and utilize animal-based proteins and fats.

While grains like wheat, corn, and soy are commonly used as fillers in many commercial dog foods, they are not essential for a dog’s nutritional needs. In fact, some dogs may have sensitivities or allergies to grains, which can lead to digestive issues or skin problems.

That being said, carbohydrates can still be a part of a dog’s diet in the form of easily digestible and nutritious options such as fruits, vegetables, and certain legumes. These ingredients can provide dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals to support overall health.

It’s important to note that the specific nutritional requirements of dogs can vary based on factors such as age, breed, size, activity level, and any underlying health conditions. We recommended talking to us about any specific requirements to determine the best diet for your individual dog. We can provide guidance on selecting a balanced and appropriate diet that meets your dog’s nutritional needs.

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Remember them when they walk the rainbow bridge

memorial

It’s a fact, we will almost always outlive our pets. We all have different ways of remembering our them when they die.

I’ve found an Invercargill business that can help us do exactly that. The products they offer are great and look awesome and the people running the business are fantastic to deal with.

Have a look at their website

http://www.maidenstone.co.nz/

or check their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Maiden-Stone-1656922037971103/

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Laser Therapy, the ins and outs

Did you know we now offer laser therapy for pets AND people?

What is laser therapy all about

What’s involved with treating my pet?

The laser light is delivered through a non-invasive handpiece to treat the affected area. Your pet will feel a gentle and soothing warmth. As the laser is administered, many pets will relax, much like you would experiencing a good massage. The almost immediate relief of pain will allow your pet to be comfortable and any anxiety that your pet initially experienced will dissipate.

 

How does it work?

The Companion therapy laser system sends photons, or packets of light energy, deep into tissue without damaging it. These photons are absorbed within the mitochondria of the cells and induce a chemical change called “photo-bio-modulation”.   This light energy then inspires production of ATP in the cell.  ATP is the fuel, or energy, cells need for repair and rejuvenation.  Impaired or injured cells do not make this fuel at an optimal rate.  Increased ATP production leads to healthier cells, healthier tissue, and healthier animals.

 

Are there any side effects?

There are no known side effects with this treatment.

Where is it beneficial?

Clinical studies and trials of laser therapy technology indicate the following beneficial effects of laser light therapy on tissues and cells:

  • Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth.Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. The laser light increases the energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. As a result of exposure to laser light, the cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster.
  • Faster Wound Healing.Laser light stimulates fibroblast development [fibroblasts are the building blocks of collagen, which is predominant in wound healing] in damaged tissue. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. As a result, laser therapy is effective on open wounds and burns.
  • Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation.Laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or surgery.
  • Anti-Inflammation.Laser light therapy has an anti-edemic effect as it causes vasodilation, but also because it activates the lymphatic drainage system [drains swollen areas]. As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by bruising or inflammation.
  • Anti-Pain [Analgesic].Laser therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by these cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity. Also, due to less inflammation, there is less edema and less pain. Another pain blocking mechanism involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins from the brain.
  • Improved Vascular Activity.Laser light will significantly increase the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue that speeds up the healing process, closes wounds quickly and reduces scar tissue. Additional benefits include acceleration of angiogenesis, which causes temporary vasodilatation, an increase in the diameter of blood vessels.
  • Increased Metabolic Activity.Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells.
  • Improved Nerve Function.Slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and impaired limbs. Laser light will speed up the process of nerve cell reconnection and increase the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
  • Laser light has a direct effect on immunity status by stimulation of immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. Laser therapy is absorbed by chromophones that react to laser light. The enzyme flavomononucleotide is activated and starts the production of ATP [adenosine-tri-phosphate], which is the major carrier of cell energy and the energy source for all chemical reactions in the cells.

laser therapy

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Could you save your pet?

Your pet is in distress and you are the best hope of getting it to the vet alive. Do you know what to do?

You hit an animal with your vehicle or see one hit by someone else. What do you do to help it straight away?

Do you know what you should not have in your garden to prevent poisoning your pet?

Your dog or cat is choking. What do you do?pet first aid

What is normal for your pet?

 

If you can’t answer the above with 100% certainty then you should seriously consider the PET First Aid and Training (NZ) first aid course.

On this course you will learn everything from how to take a pulse to rescue breathing. More importantly you will gain the confidence to use what you are taught to save your pet, or maybe someone else’s.

What you learn will not replace treatment from a vet but will help you get the animal to the vet in a condition that gives it the best possible chance of survival.

Did you know that 1 in 4 animals would have survived an emergency situation had they received correct first aid treatment?

 

Courses are being offered in Invercargill and through out New Zealand. Not only do you get the knowledge including practical experience but you will also receive a full colour manual and poison information sheets to keep. Upon passing the test you will also receive a framed certificate.

 

Have a look at www.petfirstaidandtraining.co.nz for the next course in your area.

 

 

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Orijen dog food

Orijen dog food, made by Champion Pet Foods in Canada, is an award winning dog food. Consistently rated at the top of every survey it is one of the few dog foods I’ll feed my dogs. It doesn’t contain grains, fillers or red meat (except Orijen Regional Red which contains red meats but is not currently available in New Zealand).

The Champion Pet Foods mission is very clear, below is from their website. Click here if you would like to go to the website

AT CHAMPION, OUR MISSION IS CLEAR AND STRONG: WE MAKE BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE™ DOG AND CAT FOODS FROM FRESH REGIONAL INGREDIENTS.

Orijen is often seen as an expensive option. When the cost is broken down to the cost per feed it is surprising to find that Orijen is actually very similar, if not cheaper than other premium dog food when compared at the manufacturers feeding rate. Why? It is likely that you will feed less Orijen than other food due to the lack of fillers. A great side effect of this is because there is less going in, there is less coming out!

I often here of dogs trying to dig into the bags to get to the kibble. That says it all.

But don’t take my word for it. Have a look at dogfoodadvisor.com or another great rating site dogfoodanalysis.com although this can be a bit more technical.

I recommend to every dog owner that you take the time to research the food that you are feeding to ensure you are happy with the ingredients and the manufacturer. If you are, great. If you’re not then it is time to look for a better alternative.

More from the Champion Pet Food website is below

Our Biologically Appropriate™ philosophy represents a new class of foods designed to nourish dogs and cats in keeping with their evolutionary adaptation to fresh meat and protein-rich diets.

Our ingredients are different too.

We don’t buy the bulk commodity ingredients in conventional pet foods, and instead focus on ingredients that are sustainably raised within our region by people we know and trust and then delivered to our kitchens fresh each day and bursting with goodness.

Prepared exclusively in our award-winning kitchens here in Alberta, Canada, ORIJEN is trusted by pet lovers worldwide and certified to meet every international safety standard.

NOURISH AS NATURE INTENDED

WHILE WE OFTEN APPLY HUMAN ATTRIBUTES TO OUR COMPANION DOGS AND CATS, THIS ISN’T THE APPROACH TO TAKE WITH THEIR DIETS.

That’s because dogs and cats evolved as hunters and, despite a modern lifestyle, their anatomical features are adapted to an almost exclusively meat-based diet.

WHEN WE SAY FRESH WE MEAN IT!

OFTEN MISUSED IN THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY, THE WORD FRESH REALLY MEANS AN INGREDIENT IS NEVER FROZEN OR EXPOSED TO HEAT, CHEMICALS OR PRESERVATIVES.

In fact, refrigeration is the only means of preservation for ingredients that are truly FRESH.

REAL FOOD FROM OUR OWN KITCHENS

MANY PET OWNERS DON’T REALIZE THAT MANY POPULAR PET FOOD BRANDS ARE OWNED BY MARKETING COMPANIES THAT DON’T ACTUALLY MAKE THEIR OWN FOODS.

Here at Champion, we’ve been preparing our own foods in our award-winning kitchens for more than a quarter century.

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What’s in dog food?

Many people buy dog food because someone recommended it, be it a friend, vet or total stranger. Others buy on price, brand or advertising. What ever the reason you buy the food, I strongly recommend you read the ingredients, understand why they are there and if the ingredient is actually needed.

A lot of dog food has numerous fillers, ingredients the dog simply just does not need. There may be some small nutritional value but generally the fillers are deemed to be expelled with the rest of the waste for you to pick up.

The big question is how do you get the correct information that is not tainted by a reseller or filled with incorrect details from a friend? You could buy from a trusted reseller (like buying Orijen & Acana from K9 Essentials) or do some research.

The internet is full of articles feeding (pun intended) you all sorts of information, a lot of it generated by the manufacturers of the foods. There is one trusted place that thousands of people head to on a daily basis. Why? Because they are independent, accurate and in language that you and I can understand.

www.dogfoodadvisor.com

The description from their website is…

The Dog Food Advisor’s unbiased dog food reviews and dog food ratings searchable by brand or star rating. Find the best dry, canned or raw food for your dog.

They accept no incentive and have no affiliations from any manufacturer or reseller. The information is well researched and easy to understand. While there are a lot of brands we are unable to buy in New Zealand, the majority of commonly sold premium foods are rated and explained.

You can even sign up to receive information about recalls in the dog food industry. Most of them won’t be applicable in NZ but it makes for interesting reading.

Head on over to www.dogfoodadvisor.com and research the food you are currently feeding. Hopefully you will be happy with what you find out, if not find one you will be happy with.