the importance of growth hormone to pets and a #somapet #couponcode

The term "growth hormone" may have a negative connotation since the press it typically gets is in the form of athletes using it illegally in the synthetic variety. The natural growth hormone our pets produce (as all mammals do) begins to decline after maturity and continues to decrease as our pets age. Growth Hormone is important early in life, but also for cellular maintenance as mammals grow older. SomaPet is a supplement that can support cellular maintenance by stimulating the body to naturally produce growth hormone.

It is thought that the artificial diets we have fed our pets since the 1930's have had detrimental effects on our pets. Most pet parents still feed their pets a highly-processed diet, so the basic, natural nutrients needed to keep our pets' health at an optimum are missing and need to be replaced. Even pets who are served a high-quality kibble or raw diet suffer from depleted nutrients in their food due to the way we grow and raise our food.

The result of this nutrient absence is that veterinarians are seeing the number of domesticated animals who suffer from the degenerative signs of aging increase.

SomaPet can help replace these lost nutrients an help restore our pets' health and improve their quality of life. 

How is this possible?

SomaPet outlines how it works:

SomaPet is a specific combination of amino acids formulated to optimize the health of your pet. This specific combination, when taken orally, is designed to support the release of Growth Hormone from the pituitary, which assists in cell repair and regeneration. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and constitute an essential part of an animals' diet. SomaPet amino acids provide your pet with vital supplementation. This ensures an appropriate balance of amino acids particularly beneficial for animals over three years old exhibiting signs of aging.

So what specific benefits can SomaPet offer?

• improved immune function

• increased healing

• improved nervous function

• promoted cellular energy

• strengthened collagen and bone

• minimized exercise damage

I have been supplementing N.A.S.H.A.'s diet with SomaPet for about four months, now, and have witnessed results I never thought possible for our little nine-year-old pooch. So much so, that I will be sure she takes SomaPet for the rest of her life. She has increased energy, and her coat and skin are healthier than ever. The cool thing is, I noticed these results within the first few days! Things just keep getting better.

What I love most about SomaPet is that it's all natural and made from the highest-quality 100% organic ingredients. There is no sugar, gluten, or fat, and it is completely free of preservatives, fillers, additives, and artificial coloring. And it's vegan! All I have to do is sprinkle a scoop on her food each evening, and she's good to go.

I partnered with SomaPet in order to spread the word about how fantastic it is. In turn, they are offering our readers stellar deals. Beginning today, November 11, for only four days (through the 14th), SomaPet is giving us great savings opportunities in their SomaPet STOCK UP SALE! If you'd like to give SomaPet a try (or even if you're an existing customer), you can save big:

So now is the time to take advantage of these savings and stock up! Just click the link and use the corresponding code to save big.

SomaPet is an affiliate partner of Well Minded, however, we only share information that we consider of benefit to our readers. SomaPet has provided us product in exchange for our honest opinion, but has not compensated us in any other way. SomaPet is not responsible for the content of this article.

understanding chocolate toxicity in dogs (with a link to a chocolate toxicity meter)

The shimmering wrappers were strewn all over the floor of my sister's condo. And there was an empty bag of Dove dark chocolate. No, she hadn't gone on a midnight binge, she'd just returned home from work to find Darby, my dogphew, sick as a dog after indulging. The dangers of chocolate toxicity in dogs hits close to home. 

My sister hadn't even left the confections within reach. Darby had figured out how to push chairs around, so he was able to independently mount one and reach the upper pantry shelves. And of course he chose chocolate. This guy was destined for trouble. 

She immediately rushed Darby to the vet, and the vet tech rushed him into the back room to pump his stomach. When the veterinarian came out to give my sister an update, he said "sheesh, it smells like a bakery back there!"

Though he added some levity to the situation, the danger Darby faced was no joke. He had consumed a lethal amount of chocolate, and they'd gotten to him just in time. He would be okay. After the stomach-pumping, Darby became so dehydrated that he needed subcutaneous fluids. He would go home to rest and survive the ordeal. He was lucky. 

Though chocolate poses a year-round danger to dogs, Halloween and the surrounding days see the highest number of vet visits due to canine chocolate consumption. (Chocolate is also toxic to cats, but cats rarely eat it.) 

But why is chocolate so toxic to dogs?

According to PetMD,

Chocolate is derived from the roasted seeds of Theobroma Cacao, which contains certain properties that can be toxic to animals: caffeine and theobromine. If ingested, these two ingredients can also lead to various medical complications and may even prove fatal for your dog. 

PetMD has developed an interactive Chocolate Toxicity Meter that can be helpful in determining which amounts of various types of chocolate can be toxic to your dog based on his weight. The meter also lists symptoms for each level of toxicity.

Click here to go to the Chocolate Toxicity Meter.

I recommend checking out the Chocolate Toxicity meter before your dog consumes chocolate as a precaution, especially if your dog is the piggish type, more likely to seek out food. If you have some idea of what amount of chocolate would be detrimental to your dog before there is a crisis, you'll be better prepared to take appropriate action quickly. 

If you have small children, make sure you let them know about the dangers of chocolate to the family pets. Children love to spread out their Halloween haul on the floor to check it out. They may think it's cute that Fido steals a few pieces. Or they may absentmindedly leave their candy unattended. Make sure you have a safe spot for candy, even if that means locking your pantry. 

If you are unsure of the quantity of chocolate your pooch has consumed, it's always best to take your pooch to the vet as a precaution. 

Has your dog ever gotten into your chocolate stash?

Chocolate image source: petinsurance.com

we're partnering with #SomaPet to bring you health and deals

This past summer, we were introduced to a natural pet supplement called SomaPet. I couldn't believe the results we saw in N.A.S.H.A. I mean, I usually really love the products we review, but SomaPet was over-the-top can't-live-without-it awesome. I knew we'd continue N.A.S.H.A. on it. You can read our full review here.

In a nutshell, it's everything good with nothing bad. It comes in powder form and contains only natural, 100% organic ingredients. It is sugar free, gluten free, and fat free, and contains no preservatives, additives, fillers, or artificial coloring. And it's vegan. It's recommended for dogs and cats over three years of age.

So what does it do, you ask?

SomaPet describes it:

SomaPet is a proprietary combination of organic, pure free-form crystalline amino acids that help jumpstart your pet's natural processes of cell repair and regeneration.

The ultimate dietary supplement, SomaPet consists of a synergistic combination of free form L-amino acids designed to assist:

• strengthens collagen and bones

• improves immune system

• renews vitality

• helps reduce body fat

• healthier skin and coat

• promotes cellular energy

• increases healing

When we first reviewed SomaPet, N.A.S.H.A. had been taking it for just two weeks, and I already noticed a remarkable improvement in her coat and energy level. Now that she's been taking it for three months, we see a consistent improvement in her energy level. She's jumping and playing more, and she's more spry. It used to take her a few attempts to hop onto our high bed, but now she makes it on the first try, every time. She runs around the back yard more, and she asks the kids to play more often. (Yes, she asks them by tossing them one of her toys.) And her coat? Let's just say José Eber would swoon. 

It makes me feel great to give my pooch something that helps her so much. I would highly recommend SomaPet to anyone with an adult dog or cat. No joke. 

As you can imagine, I was thrilled when SomaPet contacted me about partnering to bring this fantastic supplement to Well Minded readers at a discount. SomaLife, the company that makes SomaPet, began by offering supplements for humans. After I've seen what their product has done for my dog, I'm anxious to try the human variety, and I'll be sure to let you know what I think. 

So check it out and get to saving!

15% off any order at ShopSomaLife. Use coupon code NASHA15 during checkout.

Connect with SomaPet and SomaLife on Facebook and Twitter.

Well Minded is an affiliate partner of SomaLife and SomaPet. SomaLife and SomaPet are not responsible for the content of this article, and all opinions expressed are our own. We only share information we feel would benefit our readers.

awesome 50% off #couponcode for you from our friends at #Petbrosia

We've been loving Petbrosia's custom pet food for quite some time, now. Their high-quality ingredients and options for grain-free diets are impressive, but the fact that they customize the food blend based your your pet's individual needs is truly unique. With the added convenience factor of having food delivered straight to your door and auto-ship options, we can't say enough about Petbrosia. 

Petbrosia is offering Well Minded readers 50% off a box of Petbrosia! So if you've been curious to try it, now is the time, my friends. I haven't seen a better offer. 

FOR 50% OFF YOUR BOX OF PETBROSIA, GO TO THE PETBROSIA WEB SITE BY CLICKING HERE AND USE PROMO CODE AUGL1D.

This promotion will EXPIRE on September 1st, so go now!

If you'd like to hear what we've had to say about Petbrosia in the past, here are links to our reviews:

giving petbrosia a try

petbrosia's new grain-free option

This offer applies to U.S. customers only. Well Minded is an affiliate of Petbrosia, but was not compensated for this post. Well Minded only shares information with our readers that we feel is relevant. Product image photo courtesy of Petbrosia.

using apple cider vinegar for natural flea prevention and control

Fleas can be a big problem for dogs and cats, especially during summer months, but there is a bigger problem: the commercial chemical-laden treatments that–in my opinion–do more harm than good. Flea collars, sprays, powders, shampoos and the like may be mildly effective, but the dangers outweigh the benefits.

As your skin does, your pet's skin absorbs everything you put on it, so topical treatments make their way into the bloodstream. If the products are filled with chemicals (most of them are), those chemicals also enter the bloodstream. Over time, they pose serious health risks. These products can also cause respiratory issues.

I've talked before about how adding Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to your pet's diet can help the overall health of your pet in so many different ways. Flea control is one of these ways. Regularly giving your pet ACV can help with long-term flea control. ACV can also be used topically in the form of a rinse or spray if your pet is already flea-infested.

Before treating your pet with ACV, do your best to remove as many of the buggers as you can. You can pick them out or use a flea comb, which will also help remove some of the eggs. 

As a rinse, shampoo your dog as you normally would, and rinse thoroughly. Then rinse your pet's coat thoroughly with ACV and massage. Fleas do not like the odor or taste of the vinegar, so they should bail out or rinse off when you next rinse off the ACV. As an added bonus, the ACV will likely improve your dog's skin and coat. It can help with dry skin and increase the shine in your pet's coat. It can also help with odor.

As a spray, you can use an ACV mixture for flea prevention and control. You can make a simple mixture with one part ACV to two parts water. Another commonly used recipe is as follows:

• 8 oz of Apple Cider Vinegar

• 4 oz of warm water

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix the salt and baking soda together, then add the mixture to the water and ACV mix in a spray bottle. Shake gently, as the mixture will foam. Apply to your pet and comb or massage through fur. Be careful not to spray in your pet's eyes (or your own) because it will sting, and do not use on open cuts our wounds. Again, ouchie. 

There are many brands of ACV, but we use Bragg. It can be found in health food stores and nearly any grocery store, typically where the salad dressings or health foods are kept. You'll want to make sure that whichever type of ACV you choose, it has "the mother," strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.

The greatest part of this natural flea remedy is how safe it is for your pet and for your family. Don't forget, while we're cuddling our creatures, whatever they have on their fur gets transferred to us. Natural flea treatments keep the whole family safe and happy.

If you have tried ACV for flea control, please share your story!

This article, written by me, was originally posted on Hybrid Rasta Mama, for whom I create original content. It appears here with permission, with minor changes.