Feeding a fresh, whole food’s diet, made with ingredients that are sourced locally & high quality is the best way to love your pet back.
In today's world, where information is readily available, it's crucial to understand the importance of feeding our pets fresh, whole foods sourced locally and of high quality.
The days of relying solely on commercial, preservative-laden kibble are behind us, as we recognize the long-term harm it can cause to our pets' health. In this guide, we'll focus on homemade meals tailored to support joint health and manage related chronic conditions.
Understanding Joint Health:
It's disheartening to see our beloved pets suffer from joint-related conditions such as arthritis or hip dysplasia, especially at a young age. As caring pet parents, we must take proactive steps to address these issues. However, it's essential to understand that painkillers and NSAIDs are not long-term solutions for managing arthritis in pets. Instead, we need to adopt a holistic approach that includes diet, supplements, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
The Three Pillars of Joint Health:
To effectively manage joint-related conditions in pets, we need to focus on three key areas: -
1) Diet
2) Anti-inflammatory supplements,
3) Exercise & Movement.
Only by addressing all three pillars can we achieve significant improvements in our pets' joint health and overall well-being.
Creating a Joint-Friendly Diet:
When designing a meal plan to support joint health, our primary goal is to reduce inflammation in the body. This entails minimising or eliminating inflammation-causing ingredients such as carbohydrates, including grains, starches, and high-sugar fruits and vegetables. Instead, we should focus on providing nutrition from animal sources of protein, low-glycemic vegetables, and premium sources of fat, omega fatty acids, and amino acids.
The ideal balance for a joint-friendly diet is approximately 65-70% protein and fat, with 30-35% low-glycemic vegetables. This nutrient-rich diet not only helps combat inflammation but also addresses other issues such as allergies and chronic itching. During the initial stages, it's best to limit the inclusion of fruits and starchy vegetables in your pet's meals.
Joint-Friendly Ingredient Options:
To make it easier for you to create homemade meals tailored to support joint health, here's a list of joint-friendly food groups that you can easily incorporate:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- lean beef
- Muscle meat of Pork
- Fish
-
Mackerel
Sardines - Salmon (the quality is highly compromised - prefer sardines over this)
- Chicken or Quail
- Liver
- Hearts
- Kidney
- neck / wings / trachea
- Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale, Swiss chard)
- Cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Moringa Drumsticks
- Pumpkin
- Ash gourd, Bottle gourd
- Lotus Stem (in moderation and always well cooked; some could be allergic too - first test and then feed)
- Cabbage (in moderation)
- Vegetarian Sources
- Cottage Cheese
- Curd / Yoghurt ( in moderation - not daily)
- Buttermilk
- Green Moong sprouts - boiled and preferably ground
- Healthy Fats:
- Coconut oil
- Ghee
- Flaxseed oil
- Fish oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Black seed Oil
- Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Spices:
- Turmeric (raw and fresh with black pepper)
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Parsley
- Rosemary
Joint Friendly Snacks
- Bone Broths
- Chicken Feet
- Kefir Milk smoothies with strawberry or blackberries
Must add Supplements
- Our Joint powder is one of the best out there :)
- Glucosamine, Chondroitin & Manganese; for easing pain & repairing cartilage
- Omega fatty acids - Not enough omega -3 fatty acids in the body is one of the primary reasons for inflammation. Supplementing them through premium sources such as hemp seed on a sustained basis is key.
- Bromelain is excellent supplement for fighting inflammation
- Vitamin E
- Calcium (a rich source such egg shells or bone meals)
- Vitamin C: for its pain anti-inflammatory & collagen building properties
- Green Minerals through seaweeds such spirulina or kelp, alfalfa etc
- L-Glutamine: For slowing muscle atrophy
- Egg shell membrane
- Curcumin Extract (in severe cases, instead of turmeric, add this)
By incorporating these joint-friendly ingredients into your pet's meals and adopting a holistic approach to their care, you can help alleviate their discomfort and improve their quality of life. Remember, every pet is unique, so it may take some trial and error to find the perfect balance for your furry friend. But with patience, dedication, and the right guidance, you can be a loving and supportive companion on their journey to better joint health.
