pure turkey liver munchies made N.A.S.H.A. go primal

Thanks to chewy.com for providing me with a sample of Primal Freeze-Dried Turkey Liver Munchies to review. I only share information I feel is relevant to my readers. All opinions and ideas are my own. 

I have a confession to make. I get a little bit nervous when I'm asked to do a review of dog treats. Our N.A.S.H.A. is ultra-picky, and though I have a pretty good idea of her preferences, you just never know. I always provide my honest opinion, but I'm a positive person, so it's never fun to proclaim our distaste when I know how selective she is. When I receive treats, I always try them out on her, first, but thank goodness I have a back-up team of pet sitting clients who are always ready and willing to pick up the slack. Unfortunately for them, that won't be necessary this time, because we just found N.A.S.H.A. a new favorite treat, Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies from Primal Pet Foods. A special thanks (and lots of wet kisses from N.A.S.H.A.) to chewy.com for sending them our way!

Before I even tell you how awesome these treats are, you must know that both dogs and cats can enjoy them! So if you live in a mixed-pet home, these would be an ideal choice for your family. 

Let's check out why these freeze-dried turkey liver treats are so great:

• made in the U.S.A. from turkey raised without antibiotics or added hormones

• one ingredient: turkey liver (single-source protein)

• high in protein

• no preservatives

• no added salt or sugar

• gluten-free

• grain-free

• Did I mention that they are well-suited for both dogs and cats? Just wanted to make sure you caught that–so cool!

N.A.S.H.A. was interested in what I was doing as soon as she heard the package crinkle. I let her check out the package, but since she hasn't learned to read, yet, she wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped. I thought the handy peek-through window on the back of the package was pretty great. I like to see the actual treats rather than a glamorized picture, so the ability to peek at them in a store setting is valuable to me. N.A.S.H.A. couldn't have cared less about the visual, but once I ripped open the top of the package, all bets were off.

A handy peek-through window reveals the actual treats. I love that!

This is N.A.S.H.A.'s "my-face-is-tweaked-with-interest and I-wish-mom-would-open-the-bag-wider-so-I-can-fit-my-entire-head-inside" face.

I really liked that these natural treats were of varying shapes and sizes, so if you have both dogs and cats, or both large and small dogs, you could purchase one bag of treats and have sizes appropriate for all of the pets in the household. Or, if you wanted to treat your little dog, big-time, you could just hand over one of the big ones (or two) like I did. Yeah...I'm a softie. If your dog or cat prefers a petite treat, the larger pieces can easily be broken up. But where's the fun in that? Just sayin'. 

The bag contains treats of varying sizes, so these are great for dogs and cats, large and small. (Penny is pictured for size comparison only and is not a cereal-box prize. Do not feed pennies to your pets.)

Though N.A.S.H.A. has a very discerning palette (read: she's the pickiest dog I've ever met), when she likes something, she shows full committed devotion. I should have known by the look in her eyes that I might lose a finger. Thankfully, she's no "Jaws."

The initial trial.

As you can see, these treats went beyond the expectations of an extremely finicky pooch, so if your pooch is picky (and especially if he's not), I think these treats are a sure bet. As for me? Well, I didn't actually taste them, myself, but I feel great about providing N.A.S.H.A. with such a healthy snack. One ingredient, totally natural, and no-added-anything-nasty? Sold!

I'm so happy to have had the opportunity for N.A.S.H.A. to try these treats. I'm certain that they will be a permanent addition to our reward rotation. In fact, I may have to put a child-lock on the treat cabinet!

Chewy.com has a huge variety of top-quality products for your pets, including the entire Primal Products Food Line, so you can find these Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies and so much more! Chewy.com has great prices, too. 

Have you tried Primal Pet Food's Primal Freeze Dried Treats or any other products from the awesome Chewy.com? We'd love to hear about your favorites!

Shop Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies at chewy.com.

how turmeric can benefit your pooch

A holistic approach to health is centered around natural sources of preventative care. By taking care of our bodies and being mindful about what we put into them, we become healthier, avoiding and minimizing ailments. This practice of living a holistic lifestyle can be extended to our pets. One of our family's daily staples is turmeric. It's as good for our dogs as it is for us.

what is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. It is native to southeast India and is used in powder form as a spice in Indian food and curries. It is a natural dye (you'll find it in mustard), and it's flavor is earthy and bitter. The active agent in turmeric is called "curcumin," and is a natural pain reliever.

what's the big whoop about turmeric?

Turmeric has been used for healing in Indian cultures for centuries but is only relatively recently getting a lot of buzz in western cultures as a preventative and healing substance, mainly when consumed as a supplement. Clinical trials have recently begun, but turmeric is widely thought to have many preventative and natural medicinal properties. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antiviral, and is even thought to aid in cancer prevention and treatment. Wikipedia states that:

As of December 2013, turmeric is being evaluated for its potential efficacy against several human diseases in clinical trials, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, several types of cancer, and irritable bowel disease. Turmeric is also being investigated for potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other clinical disorders."

I'm not waiting for the "official" FDA approval. Since there are no negative side effects to supplementing with turmeric (unless you are allergic or have a blood-clotting disorder), it can't do me any harm, so why not? I have been using turmeric powder in my morning drink for nearly two years and have recently started my dog, N.A.S.H.A. on a small amount. As with any preventative treatment, results can't really be pinpointed with regard to what I may have been subjected to had I not been supplementing, but I can attest to it's healing properties. 

I have suffered for years from joint issues in my hand as a result of broken bones that occurred in 2007. My knuckles would be painful and difficult to bend and utilize, especially in the cold winter months. Since supplementing with turmeric, my hand has not been a source of pain. I also feel that as my workout schedule has intensified over the last year, turmeric has helped my body heal and repair itself, which is something that took much longer before I began using it. I prefer using turmeric to synthetic workout supplements. I have also noticed a drastic reduction in my environmental allergies, including hay-fever and non-lethal food allergies.

is turmeric safe for my dog?

Generally speaking, we should avoid giving spices to dogs. Turmeric is one rare exception. If proper dosage is followed, turmeric is safe for dogs.

what can turmeric do for my dog?

We've talked about the main benefits of turmeric that apply to humans and dogs alike. After looking at several sources, including healthydogclub.com and dogsnaturallymagazine.com, I've compiled what I think is a fairly decent list of the benefits turmeric brings to the canine variety (and to us):

• anticarcinogenic

• anti-inflamatory

• antioxidant

• antimicrobial

• antibiotic

• anti-inflamatory

• supports heart health (lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels)

• supports liver health and function

• aids in weight management

• helps with stomach issues and digestion

• prevention and control of ear infections

• prevention and control of sinus infections

• kills parasites

* prevents cararacts

• heals damage from diabetes

• aids in the treatment of epilepsy

• provides allergy relief

• treats depression

• treats diarrhea (is a binding agent)

• excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals

WHEW! That's a whole lotta good, if you ask me!

Turmeric's role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans and animals has been receiving a lot of attention lately. I won't go into detail about my political views regarding medicine, but suffice it to say that I'm anxious and eager to know what the results of recent studies are. Dogsnaturallymagazine.com cites a UCLA study that indicates that "curcumin (active in turmeric) can inhibit tumor growth and may even shrink existing tumors...(and) antioxidant properties are also helpful in reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy."

It might be a good long wait to hear that turmeric is a preventative therapy or cure for cancer, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try in the meantime.

Dogsnaturallymagazine.com also reports that "turmeric boosts the liver's ability to metabolize fat and remove waste from the body," so it can aid in weight management. Although I have been working my butt off for the last year by working out intensely and consistently, I'm sure my use of turmeric supported my efforts at the very least. Through hard work and natural, healthy living, I've been able to shed thirty pounds. That's like three N.A.S.H.A.s! If you have an overweight pooch, this might be another benefit to consider.

how much turmeric should I give my dog?

Turmeric is available in pill and powder form, and the root can also be purchased fresh (best used in cooking). I just add it to my morning drink, which also includes apple cider vinegar, and I sprinkle it on my dog's food, so our favored form is powder. Some people and dogs don't like the taste of turmeric, so a capsule (pill) may be a better choice. 

When adding it to your dog's food, it's best to start gradually, mainly so your pooch can get used to the distinct flavor. What you start with and your ideal amount will depend on the size of your dog. The amount you'll want to work up to is approximately a quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight. Start with one-eighth to one-quarter teaspoon and increase in the same increment each day until the ideal amount is achieved, then maintain that amount daily.

For example, my 11-pound dog's ideal supplement amount would be a one-quarter teaspoon. We started her out on one-eighth teaspoon and it went like this:

day one: 1/8 tsp.

day two: 1/4 tsp. Now we'll maintain that. Our pooch is pretty adaptable to my supplement shenanigans, but if your pooch is more picky, feel free to stay with 1/8 for several days. 

If you have an 80-pound dog, it would go like this:

day one: 1/4 tsp.

day two: 1/2 tsp.

day three: 3/4 tsp.

day four: 1 tsp.

day five: 1 1/4 tsp.

day six: 1 1/2 tsp.

day seven: 1 3/4 tsp.

day eight: 2 tsp. (Provide daily moving forward) 

FINAL DOSE: 1/4 tsp for every ten pounds of body weight.

are there any other considerations?

Eating a quality diet is the key to any holistic health plan. If you are feeding your dog a low-quality kibble, chances are the turmeric won't be able to compensate for the toxins entering the body. If you feed your dog quality kibble, homemade, raw food, or any combination thereof, the turmeric will be much more effective. The same goes for you (though I'm assuming you're not eating kibble)!

It's best to purchase high-quality, organic turmeric in order to avoid pesticides and herbicides and reap the maximum benefit. 

Turmeric can stain. It does stain. Be careful of counters, kitchen towels, and the like. If you notice your white doggy has a yellow mustache, turmeric is probably to blame. I've been told on a couple of occasions to wipe my turmeric mustache (by friends whom I've turned onto the stuff...we look out for each other). 

As with any new endeavor, please consult your veterinarian.

Just get started! You and your dog can do it together. And please come back and let me know your results!

Related:

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Supplement for your Pets

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Hybrid Rasta Mama. 

why can't cats be vegan?

I've written before about the vegan lifestyle for humans and even for dogs, but what about cats?

A vegan diet does not work for cats because cats are obligate carnivores. What is the difference between a carnivore and an obligate carnivore? A carnivore is an animal who eats meat, although meat may not be required for survival, and other protein sources can provide the nutrients the body needs. Cats, however, being obligate carnivores, must have meat in order to survive. They can't digest or will not eat other sources of protein, nor do other sources of protein contain the nutrients they require.

What is it about meat that is necessary for cats?

Meat is a source of taurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid which is important to metabolize fats. Wikipedia details the specifics:

aurine has many fundamental biological roles, such as conjugation of bile acids, anti oxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, and modulation of calcium signaling. It is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system...Taurine occurs naturally in fish and meat...(it) is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine and in the tissues of many animals, including humans.

Cats are not one of these animals. Because cats do not naturally produce taurine and it is vital for survival, that makes cats obligate carnivores.

Since plant-based foods don't provide the nutrients cats require and because cats can't digest plant-based foods well, cats must eat meat. Taurine is the main amino acid that is missing in plant-based proteins, but cats require it. Taurine deficiency causes serious medical problems in cats, including blindness and cardiovascular disease. These conditions can happen in a matter of days.

But what about supplements? Dr. Becker of healthypets.mercola.com illustrates why this isn't a good idea: "Some cat owners believe that they can feed their pet a vegetarian or vegan diet, and add a taurine supplement. In my opinion, this is the equivalent of eating nothing but iceberg lettuce and taking a synthetic multivitamin. That vitamin can't possibly make up for all the nutrients missing from an iceberg lettuce-only diet."

The quality of the meat a feline parent feeds his cat is also important. Low quality kitty chow that uses sub-standard protein "parts" are basically indigestible, as are plant-based sources of proteins, which can be found in some cat foods as fillers. 

Becker expands: "Whereas plant-eating omnivores and herbivores have slower digestion, food passes quickly (within hours) through the GI tract of an obligate carnivore. That's why your kitty is designed to eat relatively small amounts of highly digestible, energy-packed food that provides optimal levels of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients. In other words, animal meat."

People who don't want to feed meat to their pets can consider pets who thrive on a vegetarian diet such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or tortoises. Though I can fully support a person choosing a vegan diet and have eaten that way, myself, I believe it is unethical to commit to care for an animal and then not provide that animal with the nutrition or environment that their species requires. Cats must be provided with a high-quality meat-based diet.

@somapet offers our readers 20% off during the month of february

N.A.S.H.A. has been taking the all-natural SomaPet supplement for over six months, now, and we are still so impressed with he results. This nine-year-old mixed terrier is pretty close to "senior status," so we want to make sure we're supporting her in every way we can. Just a scoop sprinkled over her dinner each night has made a remarkable difference in her energy level and coat, so I can only imagine all of the invisible benefits going on inside. 

SomaLife describes the supplement:

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 animal's diet. SomaPet's 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.

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

• improved immune function

• improved nervous function

• strengthened collagen and bone

• increased healing

• promoted cellular energy

• minimized exercise damage

How SomaPet works.

What I love best about SomaPet is that is does all of this naturally, so it's free of anything artificial. Check out the nutrition facts:

I encourage you to take advantage of this 20% off sale being offered to our readers. Oh–and the discount is site-wide, so if you'd like to pick up a little something for yourself, you and your pet can enjoy improved health and vitality together! 

Just click the link, below, and enter code believeinsoma upon checkout to receive 20% off your entire order. It's that easy.

Well Minded is an affiliate of SomaLife, which means that if you purchase their amazing product through a link on our site, we receive compensation for helping to spread the word about the product, which helps keep our content free. Well Minded only works with companies we feel honor our commitment to natural wellness.

natural supplement for your pet: @somapet 20% off #couponcode

SomaPet is a 100% natural supplement for pets that we have been giving N.A.S.H.A. since last summer. She's still thriving on it, so I like to spread the word from time-to-time, especially when there is a killer sale on the stuff.

What is so great about SomaPet?

• strengthens collagen and bones

• improves immune system function

• renews vitality

• helps reduce body fat

• healthier skin and coat

• promotes cellular energy

• increases healing

It comes in powder form that you add directly to your pet's food. My favorite part is that it's 100% natural, so you're not giving your pet any additives or chemicals that could counteract the benefits. 

N.A.S.H.A., our nine-year-old mixed terrier is enjoying a healthier, shinier coat and an abundance of energy. My husband said to me just last week, "that SomaPet really works! Like, really! I can't believe how soft her coat is, now." 

I highly recommend you give SomaPet a shot, and now is an excellent time to do so because they are having a killer sale, today through January 31st. Just click the link, below and enter code NYVIGOR at checkout to receive 20% off your SomaPet order. Pawesome!

Come back and let us know how you like it!