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Dogs
CatsFree veterinary service
Our vet, María González, is the founder of animal shelter La Vida Color Frambuesa, in Spain. She will answer your questions and clear any doubts you may have regarding our products, within a maximum period of 72 hours from Monday to Friday.
ALLERGIES
VeggieAnimals is a hypoallergenic feed because it does not contain the main allergens for cats and dogs, which are usually proteins from animal products. In addition, all the ingredients with which we make our products are suitable for human consumption, completely free of toxins, hormones, pharmaceuticals, addictive substances and chemical flavourings.
TAll this together makes a product suitable for many animals suffering reactions to other less natural feed or to ingredients of animal origin.
**If your little furry friend is allergic to certain foods, whether you have done an extensive food allergy test (analysing the foods causing allergic reactions) or if you have simply diagnosed the allergy with an elimination diet, it is recommended that you consult us or your vet before making the change. Although VeggieAnimals is a hypoallergenic food, it is not an anallergenic food, as it contains ingredients to which some animals may be allergic, meaning that these cases need to be evaluated individually.
More information on the blog:
www.veggieanimals.com/gb/module/ybc_blog/blog?id_post=47&url_alias=alergias-de-piel-y-veggieanimals
RECOMMENDED ANALYTICS
We always recommend that our colleagues perform annual tests on both cats and dogs. Depending on their age, lifestyle and state of health, these tests should be more or less complete:
For example, an animal that drinks and urinates excessively requires a different type of analysis and may require different complementary tests than an animal that is healthy.
A healthy animal that goes out in the field a lot or has had a tick should have a blood test for parasites (Leishmania, filaria, erlchia, anaplasma, etc.) in addition to a routine blood test.
If the animal is over 8 years old, it is recommended that it be subject to geriatric check-ups, complete blood tests, urinalysis and heart screening, in addition to any tests considered by the vet.
We must be clear that preventive medicine is less expensive in the long term. If we diagnose a disease in its early stages, it is easier to treat and reverse the effects it may have on our little ones, thus avoiding unnecessary suffering and allowing for a better prognosis of diseases that sometimes, if detected at an advanced stage, can be fatal in a short period of time and involve a lot of suffering and a high cost in treatments that don’t bring satisfactory results.
PUPPIES AND ELDERLY DOGS
Puppies and elderly dogs apparently have different nutritional needs than do adult dogs, but those differences also exist between adults of different sizes, builds, and lifestyles.
VeggieAnimals is a physiological feed, which covers the nutritional needs indicated by the FEDIAF in adults and the elderly. For puppies we have developed Puppy and Kitten.
We must adjust the dose to the particular needs of each one, this is essential for an adequate supply of nutrients.
In the case of puppies we will not excessively limit the amount ingested, unless they do not regulate their own intake. The recommended dose is the one specified on the bag, and since they are growing, something else should/can be given. There are puppies that are "light eaters" and we will have to ensure that they eat at least the right amount for their weight, and there are others that eat without any problems and we must prevent them from eating large amounts that could cause digestive problems.
When we begin to feed the puppy with a solid diet, starting at 3-4 weeks which is when they start teething, we must get them used to eating in several servings. If we realize that they are eating rationally, we can leave the food available, but the easiest way to control how they eat, especially if there is more than one animal in the household, is to give them the daily dose divided into several servings, in the case of puppies a minimum of 3.
In elderly dogs, we cannot generalise, as we consider geriatric patients to be those over 8 years old, and, as we all know, many of our little four legged friends are just as healthy and active at 8 years old as a little 4 year old.
We do have to consider that with the age, some cats and dogs become more sedentary, sometimes out of character and sometimes due to the fact that they start having joint problems. It is therefore very important that they are kept at an optimal weight. In addition, VeggieAnimals, being a 100% vegetable feed, acts in a beneficial way on the body's anti-inflammatory mechanisms, by reducing pain in animals with joint problems and encouraging them to be more active.
More information on the blog:
https://www.veggieanimals.com/gb/blog/post/alimentacion-100-vegetal-para-cachorros-y-gatitos.html
www.veggieanimals.com/gb/module/ybc_blog/blog?id_post=25&url_alias=animales-ancianos-y-cuidados
SHELF LIFE, HOW TO KEEP AND TRACES.
Our foods expire 1 year after manufacturing. You can find the expiration date and batch number in each of our products.
Please store VeggieAnimals foods in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight.
No traces of product are usually found. The food production facility where VeggieAnimals products are manufactured is subject to strict controls and its equipment is cleaned before and after every use. However, other food products are manufactured in the same production plant, so traces of other foods might end up in one of VeggieAnimals bags on rare occasions. Unfortunately, there are no production facilities of vegan pet food and we have to make do with what we have.
HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR DOG AND YOUR CAT TO VEGGIEANIMALS FOODS?
DOGS: It is important when introducing a new diet that you do it gradually over a period of approximately 3-5 days so that your dog can become accustomed to the new diet. We recommend that you introduce VeggieAnimals by mixing a small quantity with your dog’s current food and then increasing the proportion until you are feeding 100% VeggieAnimals.
Transition guidelines:
- Day 1: 20% VeggieAnimals for Dogs 80% current food
- Day 2: 40% VeggieAnimals for Dogs 60% current food
- Day 3: 60% VeggieAnimals for Dogs 40% current food
- Day 4: 20% VeggieAnimals for Dogs 80% current food
- Day 5: 100% VeggieAnimals for Dogs
CATS: A new food should always be introduced gradually, even more so if your cat is used to a meat-based diet. We recommend transitioning the diet over a period of 1 month. At the beginning cats are likely to prefer their previous food, especially if it contains meat products. This is because most traditional pet foods include additives that are there only to make the food more appetizing and can even become addictive. VeggieAnimals for Cats is a completely natural food, with no added substances that can harm your cat’s health. At VeggieAnimals our main priority is the health of the animals.
Furthermore, cats can be very sensitive to changes. Switching to a new diet is a significant change so we need to be very patient and allow plenty of time for a gradual transition.
Transition guidelines:
- Week 1: 20% VeggieAnimals for Cats 80% current food
- Week 2: 40% VeggieAnimals for Cats 60% current food
- Week 3: 60% VeggieAnimals for Cats 40% current food
- Week 4: 80% VeggieAnimals for Cats 20% current food
- Week 5: 100% VeggieAnimals for Cats
More information on the blog:
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF VITAMIN D3? IS IT NECESSARY TO ADD THIS SUPPLEMENT TO THIS TYPE OF NUTRITION?
Vitamin D3 contained in VeggieAnimals feed is 100% vegetable and comes from algae and lichen.
VeggieAnimals is a complete feed, which means that there is no need to add any supplements to it. Whenever additional food is added that reduces the intake of that same dose, we will be decompensating the provision of nutrients, so we do not recommend the development of homemade diets to complement VeggieAnimals as we would be unbalancing the nutrients consumed by the animal and could cause excesses or deficiencies that could affect their health.
There are animals that may need some type of supplement due to health problems or because they are in recovery or convalescing. These supplements should be recommended by a vet after a prior assessment of each case.
STONES/CRYSTALS
Since the introduction of 100% vegetable feeds on the market, they have been associated with the formation of urolites, especially in cats, but also in dogs, because a 100% vegetable feed reduces the urinary pH. Thanks to research aimed at solving this problem over the years, we now know that by adding an amino acid (methionine) that acidifies the pH, we prevent the formation of these crystals and achieve a product of optimum quality for the urinary system of our little buddies.
More information on the blog:
www.veggieanimals.com/gb/module/ybc_blog/blog?id_post=38&url_alias=gatos-veganos
WHY IS THE SIZE OF VEGGIEANIMALS KIBBLE THE SAME FOR ALL DOGS?
The size of our kibbles has been designed to make digestion easier whether your dog is big or small, and helps prevent dental disease. Because dry food expands in the stomach when it rehydrates, the size of VeggieAnimals kibble is ideal. When it comes to large dogs, they must chew the kibble before swallowing, which helps to keep their teeth healthy, and if they swallow any of it without chewing, the size of the kibble will prevent any problems during digestion even if it swells. Larger kibble can disrupt your dog’s digestion. In the case of small dogs, they must chew the kibble before swallowing, which helps to keep their teeth healthy. Smaller size kibbles are often swallowed without chewing, causing difficult digestions when it swells in the stomach. Therefore it is a mistake to feed a large dog with large kibble and a small dog with small kibble – an intermediate size is recommended for healthy teeth and good digestions on both large and small dogs.
JOINT PROBLEMS AND WHY WE DO NOT ADD CHONDROPROTECTORS TO OUR FOOD
100% vegetable feeds have anti-inflammatory properties, reduce the activity of the body's inflammatory mechanisms and promote the well-being of our little friends' joints.
VeggieAnimals contains plant extracts, such as mint, thyme, rosemary or aloe vera, which help to reduce inflammation and, therefore, pain.
By reducing inflammation and pain it is easier for our little buddies to maintain their normal activity and thereby keep their muscles fit.
In addition, we add antioxidants such as rosehip, alfalfa, calendula, green tea seed or grape seed to help in the regeneration of joint cartilage and delay its degeneration in cases of chronic problems.
Weight management is also essential in controlling joint problems. With VeggieAnimals it is easy to keep our little furry friends in their optimal weight, helping reduce the strain on their joints and helping them to be more active. The mobility of the joints favours their correct functioning and delays degeneration, so it is very important to keep our partners active and motivated to do some type of activity adapted to their possibilities, whether it be walks, mild play or passive exercise, but their body needs to move to sustain elasticity and reduce pain.
If the joint disease is too advanced or the pain is unbearable, a vet should examine your little buddy's locomotor system, either with a physical examination or with an image-based diagnosis, to determine the most suitable treatment. Sometimes the focus will be on joint hydration with chondroprotectors, and other times it will be necessary to resort to anti-inflammatory or painkillers.
More information on the blog:
CAN CATS EAT CEREALS? WHAT'S WRONG WITH CORN?
Processed carbohydrates are perfectly digestible and assimilable in cats and their consumption could not be associated with the appearance of any disease, in fact, it is not even recommended to eliminate its consumption in obese animals or with diabetes. In cats a harmful consumption of carbohydrates would result in digestive problems due to fermentation with a lot of gas and diarrhoea, but this occurs if the carbohydrates are not digested.
Corn protein is an ingredient with a 60% protein content that is extracted from the corn grain once most of the starch portion has been separated. Only 30 kg of this portion is obtained from each ton of corn. Technically it is called CGM (corn gluten meal) and does not contain the gliadin linked to coeliac disease. It is a product that costs 2 to 3 times more than animal meal and, very importantly, is processed in national factories where we have full confidence that they use non-GM corn and no mycotoxins. There are other sources of protein obtained from peas, potatoes, wheat..., fully valid in terms of their nutritional and organoleptic characteristics, but as the main source, corn protein offers a greater guarantee.
More information on the blog:
www.veggieanimals.com/gb/module/ybc_blog/blog?id_post=38&url_alias=gatos-veganos
CAN CATS EAT VEGGIEANIMALS FOR DOGS AND VICE VERSA?
This is something we can allow occasionally, but we cannot make it a routine, i.e. dogs cannot be fed cat food no matter how much they like it - or the other way around.
If it happens during a short period of their lives we will most likely not see any symptoms, however, in the long run, not consuming the right nutrients for their species either by excess or by default can cause health problems, which in some cases can be irreversible.
OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY, AND STERILISED ANIMALS
VeggieAnimals is a concentrated energy and nutritional feed, although it is perfectly suited for animals that are sterilised. It is a physiological feed designed both for animals that may have a sedentary life with a greater likelihood of gaining weight, for example, due to sterilisation or because of their lifestyle, and for animals with greater physical activity. Many of our customers have dogs with high levels of energy that are physically active on a daily basis, and they are extremely pleased with VeggieAnimals.
Providing the right dose will adjust the weight, and so we can maintain the optimal weight. Included in the package is the recommended amount according to the target weight of our four legged buddies. We must provide the dose according to the optimal weight; if you must lose or gain a lot of weight we will decrease or increase the dose progressively.
If you do not know your little furry friend's optimal weight, your vet can guide you.
More information on the blog:
ARE DOGS REALLY OMNIVORES? CAN CATS BE FED A 100% PLANT-BASED DIET EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CARNIVORES?
LYes. Dogs can be safely fed a 100% plant-based diet without detriment to their health because they are omnivore animals. In fact, a vegan diet is recommended for the prevention of diseases and is ideal for health conditions such as certain allergies and digestive, heart or skin problems.
If we look at the feeding behaviour of dogs’ ancestors, the wolves, we find proof of the omnivore nature of dogs. Wolf’s natural prey is plant-eating animals, such as large ungulates, and the first parts wolves eat are the viscera of those animals, which is where partially digested vegetable matter is found. A significant amount of vegetables is therefore present in the wolf’s normal diet. In addition, wolves also eat a variety of fruits, berries and mushrooms. Giving your dog a 100% plant-based diet is perfectly healthy, as well as ethical, since meat-based pet foods are elaborated with non-human grade meats, which in most cases come from sick, deformed or dead animals. Besides, meat products generally contain chemicals from hormones and medicines given to farm animals.
About the Cats, as long as the plant-based diet is nutritionally balanced and complete, and contains all essential components like Vitamin A, Taurine and Vitamin B12. The decision to feed our companion animals a vegan diet is usually based on ethical principles since other animals need to be killed in order to produce meat-based foods. A vegan diet can save many lives. Another reason usually considered when switching our dog’s or cat’s food to a plant-based diet is based on health reasons. Meats used to produce meat-based foods usually come from animals that died from diseases, animals with infections, animals subject to high levels of stress or animals considered “unfit for human consumption”, amongst others. All in all, traditional meat-based pet foods are generally elaborated with non-human grade ingredients and have been found to contain harmful substances like hormones or antibiotics that are passed to our companion animals. Often people are surprised that a cat, which is omnivore by nature, can be fed a 100% plant-based diet, but the same people do not question that the meat in traditional pet food comes from lamb, veal or beef. Cats in nature hunt small animals like birds, rats or even insects, but they would never hunt any of the animals whose meats are used to make these pet foods.
Advice: Regardless of your dog’s or cat’s diet, a blood test is advisable as part of their annual health checks.
More information on the blog:
TAURINA
According to the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) the amount of taurine that must contain a dry food is 1000mg/kg of feed, or 2500mg/kg in the case of wet canned food. VeggieAnimals contains 1500mg/kg widely covering the recommendation.
Also you can be completely calm, if we calculate it per individual in adult cats the recommended daily amount of taurine is 9,9 mg /kg cat, for example a 5 kg cat would need about 50 mg of taurine and should consume about 70g of VeggieAnimals containing 100mg, that is, you would consume twice the recommended amount, since the minimum amount would be 40g.
If you still decide to supplement there is no problem since taurine is water soluble and the excess is eliminated through the urine.
VEGGIEPOOPS
We receive quite a few inquiries related to your little furry friends' stools, as you may be surprised that they are smaller, more compact, and even that the number of bowel movements is reduced.
We have the answer! If since your partner has consumed VeggieAnimals, the number of bowel movements has decreased, the consistency has increased or they are smaller, it is because they are taking better advantage of the nutrients.
The faeces are "the leftovers" of the food, if the feed they consume is of bad quality you will have to give them greater quantities so that they can take advantage of a small portion and the droppings will be larger. However, if you provide good quality food, its use will be significant and the faeces will be smaller.
An increase or decrease in stools, both in quantity and frequency, is reason for alarm, so if you are not sure about what is happening to your little buddy, write us or check your vet so that we can guide you.
More information on the blog:
www.veggieanimals.com/gb/module/ybc_blog/blog?id_post=46&url_alias=veggiecacas
VOMITS
Vomiting is never a normal event or something we can ignore.
It is true that, at certain times of the year (spring and autumn), cats and dogs may experience some vomiting. This is true in the case of cats, which are related to the shedding and licking of hair they expel in vomit containing hairballs, and in the case of dogs, due to the ingestion of grass that results in vomit almost immediately after its intake.
Both cases must be avoided. Cats can benefit from a malt supplement and dogs need to be kept away from this behaviour. Vomiting, even if it is not the result of a disease, can become chronic by allowing the dog to vomit during every walk, or in cats if we don't brush them or administer products to help the advance of the hair in their digestive system, we may be giving rise to an irritation of their digestive system that will cause gastritis and the problem will get worse, leading to vomiting, loss of appetite and other more complex digestive problems.
If vomiting occurs due to a sudden change in diet, we should return to the previous diet as quickly as possible. If vomiting disappears after a week, we should start the transition to VeggieAnimals gradually, in the case of dogs during one week, and for cats, during 5 weeks.
If the vomits do not stop when returning to their previous diet in case they have appeared during the transition, or have appeared spontaneously, it is necessary that a vet check our little furry friend to determine what diet and what tests need to be done, only a vet should advise the treatment in case of digestive problems.