Nutrition is a complex issue, but one vital to optimal health. It is rather individualized, as what may benefit one animal, may not benefit another. It is important to monitor hair coat, weight and energy levels, just to name a few, to assess if your feeding program is providing the nutrient requirement’s your animal needs.
It is crucial to feed horses, as well as dogs and cats, food that does not contain soy, soybeans, beet pulp, wheat, and corn, which are commonly sprayed with Roundup or Glycophosate. Roundup is also sprayed on; hay, alfalfa, oats, barley, rice, peas, carrots, sunflower seeds, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes, rye, flax, canola, chickpeas, molasses, sugarcane, and hops. It is the most used herbicide in the world on crops and fruit trees.
For horses, it is best to feed non-GMO feeds, without any soy, soybean oil or any other types of soy, beet pulp, or corn. When incorporating beet pulp into your horses diet, feed the non-GMO product.
For dogs and cats, it is beneficial to find foods with human quality ingredients, with the first four or five ingredients being types of meat, organ, or bone, with no meals, byproducts, or fillers. There are a number of wet, frozen, or freeze dried foods with high quality ingredients.
Blue green algae or Spirulina, a nutrient dense food and rich in antioxidants, can bind with toxic metals and reduce heavy metal poisoning as well as help counteract herbicide toxicity.
In addition, Chia seeds are a highly beneficial addition to your animals diet. Chia seeds are the highest naturally occurring source of Omega-3 fatty acids (63%) compared to flaxseed oil (58%), with a 3:1 ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s. Omega-3s are instrumental in decreasing inflammation. These little seeds are a great source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and copper.
Chia seeds also, lower circulating insulin and glucose and thus, laminitis, balance and boost the immune system, protect joints and ligaments, reduce pain and inflammation, decrease respiratory inflammation, support a healthy gastrointestinal tract, enhance fluid and electrolyte balance, and support a strong functioning heart and blood circulation. In addition, Chia’s water-absorbing properties reduce the incidence of sand colic by facilitating sand removal from the cecum.
It is important to provide fresh water daily in a clean bowl or trough. Horses can develop health issues from green and dirty water. It is also important to offer free choice salts and minerals to horses as they are not able to replenish any salt and mineral deficiencies with their smooth tongue from salt and mineral blocks.
Please contact Dr. Stephanie Simonson if you would like to schedule a nutritional consultation.