Ultra Refined Essential Omegas for Dogs & Cats

Q) What is an EFA after all?
A) EFA stands for essential fatty acid. These are healthy fats the body needs for proper development and function to key organs. The most important of the EFA’s are the Omega-3 fatty acids. The three major omega-3 fatty acids are ALA (alpha linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). They are called essential because they body is unable to make them and must get them from dietary sources.

Q) Exactly what will EFA’s do to their hearts and other organs?
A) EFA’s are primary components of the brain (grey matter), retina, and nervous system tissues. They are also important building blocks of cell membranes. Omega-3 essential fatty acids have significant beneficial effects on the heart. They lower blood pressure, decrease growth of atherosclerotic plaques, inhibit platelet function, and reduce the susceptibility of the myocardium to fatal arrhythmias. EFA’s are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents.

Q) What are phenols?
A) The more accurate name is polyphenols. They are powerful antioxidants that protect cell wall and cellular DNA from damage. They are found abundantly in olive oil, red wine and tea in the human diet.

Q) I was warned about all the toxins in fish. Why should I give them to my animals in this EFA oil?
A) EPA and DHA are not found in most foods. They are almost exclusively found in cold-water fish. Some ALA can be converted into EPA and DHA but this is not a very efficient process and does not meet body needs. Many cold-water fish are contaminated with mercury. The good news is that the methyl mercury found in fish is water-soluble not oil-soluble. Therfore, mercury cannot contaminate fish oil and prevent it from delivering the necessary EPA and DHA. Fish oil is a safer more reliable way to get the omega-3 essential fatty acids humans and dogs need rather than from eating fish.

Q) When I was pregnant my doc told me to take omega-3’s to provide the fetus with critical nutrients. Should I take the same approach with my female dog who is pregnant?
A) EFA’s are so important to the developing brain and eyes that any pregnant mammal needs them in optimal levels.

Q) EFA’s are not really senior-only products are they?
A) EFA’s are for any dog or cat at any age.

Q) Your daily dosage seems very small for a big dog vs a little cat. Can you explain, please?
A) The body cannot store EFA’s. It is more important to get a consistent daily supply. The higher the doses of EFA’s should be used for dogs or cats with existing diseases. The healthy animals do well on a supplement dose.

Q)I love olive oil. I cook with it all the time. But for my dogs and cats?
A) Olive oil is a mono-unsaturated fat, the healthiest fat known. It contains powerful antioxidants that research has shown reduces the oxidation of LDL, therefore, reducing the harmful effects of LDL.

Q)I am very dubious when I see labels for pets that look exactly like what I have on my shelves at home for me…flaxseed oil? Come on…
A) We can understand that…however, flaxseed oil is the best source of ALA and is easily and safely digested by dogs and cats.

Q) Can you explain your EPA/DHA ratios to me? What made you choose your ratio? Seems pretty potent for an everyday dosage for my little pooch.
A) The consensus among researchers is that a ratio of DHA/EPA of 2: or 3:1 is the best combination. DHA is somewhat more important than EPA.

Q) Omega3’s have been touted as outstanding for glossy coats. Can’t I just spray it on their fur instead of making them ingest it?
A) Omega-3 essential fatty acids work from the inside out. They must be in the diet so the body can utilize them properly.

Q) I just found out the EFA’s can be as beneficial to my pooch’s joints as glucosamine. Is that possible? If so should I give her both every day?
A)The anti-inflammatory properties of EFA’s make them very beneficial to joints. A combination of glucosamine and omega-3s provides both nutrients to repair cartilage and nutrients to reduce pain.

Q) You have all this oil and natural Vitamin E, which I know is expensive. Why the E?
A)The vitamin E found in fish oil supplements is act as a preservative. The antioxidative effects of vitamin E prevent fish oil spoilage.

Q) My pets (I have both cats and dogs) get a lot of fats from their food. Won’t adding all this oil make them fat? More susceptible to heart disease, clog their arteries? Especially when they are old and less active.
A) The EFA’s are the healthy fats. They protect against the harmful effects of diets high in saturated fats. Commercial pet foods use saturated fats to provide the energy dogs need. The EFA’s are the unsaturated fats that are not used for energy but rather for healing.

Q) Will EFA’s make my doggie any smarter?
A) DHA and EPA are found in large concentrations in the brain. They are essential to the development and function of the brain. Observational studies strongly suggest there is improved brain function in animals given omega-3 supplements.

Q) You call your product ultra-refined, what does that mean to me when I am comparing EFA’s?
A)Refining fish-oil is the process where any pollutants are removed. It also allows the manufacture to concentrate the omega-3s by removing other EFAs present.

Q) If my pets are not getting their EFA’s everyday are they truly deficient? I mean I’ve had dogs and cats for 40 years and now all of sudden they are EFA-deficient?
A) It is very likely most humans and most dogs are in fact not getting enough EFA’s in their diets. They look and fine just like everyone else. Unfortunately they are far from sufficiently served by the food they eat – both in concentration and in quality.

Ultra Refined Essential Omega’s for Dogs & Cats - Ingredients

OurPet’sLife Pure Essential for Mature Dogs

Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs - Ingredients

Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs - FAQ

Q) There is so much senior food on the market today. They seem to have all that I need for my dogs. Why take supplements?
A) There is no substitute for good nutrition. Supplements are a way to make sure that the body gets all the essential micronutrients needed for good health and longevity.

Q) What are the diseases/maladies that I need to protect my old dog from?
A) Senior dogs have a variety of illnesses to face. The most dangerous are heart disease and cancer. Next are the degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cataracts, and cognitive decline.

Q) What organs need the most protection when they are younger?
A) Puppies and young dogs need to develop and maintain healthy heart, brain, and eyes.

Q) Can we actually give them more time on this planet with the right supplements?
A) The science says yes you can. Proper calorie restriction, exercise, dental care, and supplements are the fundamentals.

Q) How early should I supplement their food to help them live a better life?
A) A dog over twelve months old is ready for supplements.

Q) Cancer seems rampant in dogs today. What can I do to help my dog stay away from cancer?
A) The large breeds are at serious risk of developing cancer. Essential fatty acids and antioxidant nutrients provide the best supplement defense.

Q) Joint issues seem to be a problem with every big dog I know. Scooter, a yellow lab, will be eight soon. What do I need to do to keep him spry? Is glucosamine enough?
A) Every dog will eventually develop degenerative arthritis. Dog Ages of 40 or over are indicative of the time to start considering supplements. Glucosamine is the best-known and safest nutrient. The amount in commercial foods is not enough for the senior dog, so supplementation is wise. You also need an anti-inflammatory nutrient such as the omega-3s to help reduce pain and swelling of joints.

Q) Do their minds go as fast as their bodies? The thought of that is so sad. What do I do to prevent that from happening?
A) The best way to maintain healthy brain function is by supplementing with the long-chained omega-3s found in fish oil. Arthritis develops before brain deterioration but it is inevitable over time.

Q) Why such high concentrations of Vitamin E?
A) The amount of vitamin E in Pure Essentials is really not excessive. Vitamin E has wonderful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in dogs.

Q) From what I have heard CoQ-10 is the new end all for dogs. Need to know why as you have 100 mg in every daily dosage.
A) CoQ10 is an amazing nutrient found inside each cell. It works in the cell mitochondria to produce energy and act as an antioxidant. Research has shown it also has a unique effect on heart muscle cells. Supplementing CoQ10 produces more effective pumping function in the heart. Dog heart disease is called dilated cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by declining heart pumping capacity. Now you know why CoQ10 is so valuable.

Q) I take Vitamin A and Alpha Lipoic Acid for my eyes. Are you saying that there are studies out there that shows their impact on dogs?!
A) Research has shown that Vitamin A and Alpha Lipoic Acid are good for your dog. Vitamin A promotes growth, good night vision, and healthy coats. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant molecule that is both water and fat-soluble. This is significant because water-soluble antioxidant nutrients are found within the cell and fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients are found on the cell wall. Alpha lipoic acid provides dual protection and is very important for dogs.

Q) It is good to see Beta-Carotene in your product. Gotta buck up their immune system. Is 1200 IU enough for a daily dosage for a big dog?
A) Exactly, tests have shown that beta-carotene “ heightened cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in dogs.”

Q) I have seen Vitamin C added to topical healing lotions. What does it actually do for wounds? Does it also help other parts of their body?
A) Senior dogs benefit from a controlled amount of vitamin C is several ways besides accelerated healing. Vitamin C aids the formation of bone, collagen and capillary walls

Q) With this product, do I need to have her take Joint Essentials as well?
A) There is no replacement for taking a supplement like Joint Essentials.

Q) L-carnitine at 500 mg a day? What makes it so important?
A) L-carnitine is an amino acid. Deficiencies of L-carnitine have been linked as a possible contributing factor in dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. This is the heart disease most dangerous to senior dogs.

Q) You have added powdered EFA’s. Are they as effective as oil? Should I have her take the EFA product, too, or is this dosage enough?
A) Powdered EFAs are the type used in tablet preparations. They are very good for your dog. They do provide the omega-3s so valuable in promoting good health. The amount in the Senior Dog product is not the amount needed to maximize the benefits of EFAs.

Q) There is only one B vitamin in the recipe. Don’t seniors need B?
A) You are bringing attention to a fact that requires a long answer. B12 aids in bone marrow production of red blood cells and the protective sheath around nerves. Let’s highlight that fact.

Q) This product seems pretty potent. Is it too much for an older dog to metabolize?
A) The product was designed to address the nutrients most helpful for senior dogs. The amounts of each nutrient have been proven safe in animal studies at much higher doses.

Q) The knock on vitamins is that you end up releasing a majority of the key stuff out through your urine. My boxer has incontinent issues as it is. Isn’t this a waste of money for him?
A) The body does eliminate excess water-soluble vitamins via the kidneys and liver. The risk is that your dog way have deficiencies not excesses and the consequences then are much more severe.

Q) There seems to be an ongoing debate re antioxidants and their effectiveness for us as humans. The studies seem to be as equally divided. Are they more conclusive for pets?
A) There is a debate ongoing about how effective antioxidants really are in protecting cells against free radical damage. The most interesting fact in both humans and animal studies is that at the time of cancer diagnosis, for example, antioxidant levels are universally low. The statistics on individuals with high levels of antioxidants reveal low levels of disease. You make the choice.

Q) Selenium seems a bit of an overkill for a dog product don’t you think?
A) Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that increases the effectiveness of other antioxidants. It also stimulates the production of prostaglandins which have anti-inflammatory properties. Doesn’t your dog deserve the extra help?

Q) My vet has mentioned choline to me before. Can you refresh my memory as to why it is so important?
A) Choline promotes brain function. It is also needed for cellular membrane composition and repair.

Q) I never even imagined a dog having a heart attack until I lost Prince last year. I have another dog approaching older age. How can I help prevent another tragedy with her?
A) The most common cause of heart disease in senior dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy. It is likely the underlying cause of the “heart attack”. Proper nutrition, weight control, exercise and supplements help minimize risk.

Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs - Ingredients

Vitamin A - is a nutrient required for healthy vision. It is also important in normal growth and repair of connective tissue, bone formation, and immune system function.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - is an important fat-soluble antioxidant. It is particularly important in protecting the energy-producing parts of the cell (mitochondria). CoQ10 is a relatively new nutrient that was not even known about until 1957. Numerous studies using CoQ10 on dogs and cats were used to test its effect on heart disease. CoQ10 was administered at much higher levels than OurPet’sLife uses in any of its products. While showing no adverse effects on the animals in the study it did show that CoQ10 lowered blood pressure and reduced oxidation of LDL. It did not help prevent heart attacks, but in both animals and humans it did help in cases of heart failure. Animals in the wild have CoQ10 levels twice as high as domestic pets fed commercial food. This is the main reason that veterinarians encouraged us to added Q10 to our senior dog product. CoQ10 has proven very helpful to senior large breed dogs in reducing the risk or symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Beta-Carotene - is a precursor to Vitamin A. Advancing age is known to have a negative impact on the immune systems in dogs; Beta-Carotene significantly restores immune responses in older dogs.

Vitamin E - is a powerful antioxidant that works in conjunction with other antioxidants to protect cell membranes (walls) from the harmful effects of free radicals.

Vitamin C - is essential for the production of collagen. Collagen is the supportive protein in connective tissues, such as cartilage and tendons. It also promotes wound healing. Dogs produce their own Vitamin C in their livers. However, that ability declines with age and frequently results in liver deficiencies in senior dogs.

Vitamin D3 - is the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is required for the optimal absorption of calcium. Calcium is the main mineral found in bone.

Vitamin B12 - is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells (they carry oxygen to the cells) and is important in maintaining the myelin sheath - the insulation lining - that surrounds nerve cells.

Alpha Lipoic Acid - is a powerful antioxidant that protects the immune system and central nervous system from the degenerative processes.

L-carnitine - is an amino acid that is needed for the metabolism of fatty acids into energy within the cells. It reduces muscle degeneration and protects the cell membranes of muscles during work.

Selenium - is a trace mineral and powerful antioxidant that functions with vitamin E to protect cell walls. Selenium is also believed to reduce cancer rates in dogs and cats.

Fish Oil Powder - is a fish oil product that delivers the two most important omega-3 fatty acids - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Fish oil is the best source for these two key long-chained omega-3s. (18% EPA/ 12 %DHA = ratio of concentration of essential fatty acids for the powder in our products, 30%EPA/20% DHA for our oil). Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) represent the good fats our pets need. They are the polyunsaturated fatty acids that support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems in both animals and humans. A primary function of the EFAs is the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conception, and inflammation. There are two families of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6. They are also important anti-inflammatory agents within the body.

Choline - is a precursor for acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that is involved in nerve impulse transmission and muscle control.