Supercharging Your Pet's Raw Diet

• Omega Fatty Acids (Omega-3s & Omega-6s): These are like magic for both cats and dogs! They help keep their skin and coat super shiny, their joints happy and flexible, and can even calm down inflammation. Plus, they're great for brain power, heart health, and might even help protect against liver and kidney issues.
  • Where to find them: Look for responsibly sourced fish oils (like salmon, sardine, mackerel), krill oil, or plant-based options like hemp, chia seed, and flax seed oil.
  • Pro Tip for Storage: Keep those oils in dark bottles, tucked away from light, heat, and air. Pop them in the fridge after opening! If you're using canned fish, make sure it's packed in water and has no added salt.
• Probiotics and Prebiotics: A happy tummy means a happy pet! Probiotics bring in the good bacteria, and prebiotics feed them. They're especially great when you're starting a raw diet and can really help with digestion, boost metabolism, strengthen their immune system, and even help with things like tummy troubles, allergies, skin issues, and inflammation.
  • Choosing Wisely: Pick formulas made just for pets that have a good mix of live bacteria.
• Digestive Enzymes: Raw food is usually easy to digest, but enzymes can give a little extra boost to help them soak up all those nutrients. Super helpful for newbies to raw food or pets with sensitive tummies.
• Multivitamin/Mineral Mix: Even with a perfectly planned raw diet, a good multivitamin and mineral supplement can just make sure they're getting everything they need.
  • What to look for: Find formulas with a wide range of vitamins (especially B and D) and important minerals like zinc, copper, and manganese.
• Green Lipped Mussel (GLM): This is a natural superstar for joint health and mobility, especially for our bigger or older furry friends. It's packed with good stuff like chondroitin and glucosamine!
• Antioxidants: Think of ingredients like spirulina, chlorella, or a general antioxidant blend as tiny warriors that fight off cellular stress and give the immune system a good boost.
• Bone Meal (if you need it): If your pet's raw diet doesn't have enough raw, edible bone, bone meal can step in to provide essential calcium and phosphorus for super strong bones. But honestly, safely giving them actual raw bone is usually the best way to go.
• Fruits and Vegetables: These are like nature's multivitamin! They're packed with essential daily vitamins and minerals.
  • Pet-Safe Yumminess:
    • Apples: Full of vitamins A and C (just remember to remove the core and seeds – they're not good for pets).
    • Bananas: A great source of amino acids, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C.
    • Carrots: Loaded with vitamins A, C, D, E, K, magnesium, potassium, iron, and fiber.
    • Peas: Provide vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, K, folate, manganese, fiber, and phosphorus.
• Bones and Eggshells: Calcium and phosphorus are super important for strong, healthy bones. While fruits and veggies have some, it's usually not a lot.
  • For Pups: Raw bones can be given directly!
  • For Kitties: Ground bones or eggshell powder can be mixed right into their food.

Smart Choices for Supplements:

• Go for Quality: Always choose top-notch, human-grade supplements from brands you trust. Look for ones that are open about where they get their ingredients and how they make their products.
• Pet-Specific is Best: Make sure the supplements are made just for pets. What's good for us might not be good, or even safe, for them.
• Chat with Your Vet: Before adding anything new, especially if your pet has any health conditions, it's a really good idea to talk to a holistic vet or one who knows a lot about pet nutrition. They can help you create a personalized plan!
• Keep it Varied: While supplements are super helpful, the best raw diet is built on a wide variety of whole, natural foods. Think of it like a delicious smorgasbord for your pet!