How many times have you seen the words "complete and balanced" on a pet food label? Would this lead you to believe that the food baring this claim is all your pet will ever need to be in perfect health? If so, you may be wrong.

The claim of "complete and balanced" simply means that the pet food company making that claim for any particular food is stating that when a sample of that particular product was subjected to a chemical analysis, that sample was found to contain the currently "known to be essential" nutrients at the currently recommended levels according to the currently accepted provisions laid down by AAFCO. (Source: Dr. Billinghurst's BARF Diet).

Sounds like a mouthful? What it means in plain English is that commercial pet food contains every nutrient that our pets require. It does not necessarily mean that it also contains all the nutrients our pets need to be in perfect, healthy balance.

I think the concept that a pet can thrive on the same food, day after day, no matter how high a quality, simply doesn't make sense. Human nutritionists tell us that food variety is an important part of maintaining a healthy diet, and yet, we don't think twice about feeding our pets the same food, every day. I can't imagine that they enjoy this lack of variety any more than we would, and I can't imagine that it's any better for their health than it would be for us.

Variety helps ensure balance. Feeding a quality varied diet is one way to make sure your pet receives optimum nutrition. So where do supplements come in?

If you are feeding a variety of quality canned grain-free or raw food, and your pet is young and healthy, you probably don't need supplements. If you have an older pet, or one with health challenges, supplements may contribute to better health and improved well-being.

Common supplement for pets

Probiotics. I recommend daily addition of a good probiotic to your pett's food. Probiotics have numerous benefits, including preventing digestive upsets and strengthening the immune system.

Digestive enzymes. Some pets, especially those with sensitive digestive tracts, may benefit from digestive enzymes. I like Dr. Goodpet's Feline Digestive Enzymes, a combination of enzymes and probiotics. They also come in a canine version. 

Multi-vitamin supplements. Just like I think taking a good daily multi-vitamin supplement is important for humans, I also believe that my cats should get one. I like  Rx Essentials for Cats or Dogs. Do not exceed recommended amounts; fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body and vitamin toxicity can be a concern.

Essential Fatty Acids. The processing of commercial pet food renders DHA and EPA inactive, so in order for your pett to get sufficient amounts, supplementation may be necessary. Omega-3 DHA essential fatty acid supplements help prevent inflammation and slow down the aging process. I like the Nordic Naturals brand.

Joint supplements. These supplements become increasingly important as your cat ages. Glucosamine chondroitin supplements are one of the safest treatments for early arthritis in cats.

How to choose supplements

With the vast array of supplements available in stores and online, how do you choose the right one? There is no FDA approval process for nutritional supplements, so do your homework. Look for a name you recognize. Make sure that there's been some clinical research before the product was brought to market. Some brands I like and trust are Rx Essentials, Standard Process, and Thorne Research.

Supplements to avoid

The following supplements may be toxic to pets, especially cats, and should be avoided

• Garlic (destroys red blood cells and can lead to anemia)
• Onions and onion powder (destroys red blood cells and can lead to anemia)
• Calcium (too much can lead to toxicity)
• Vitamins A and D (too much can lead to toxicity)

It's always a good idea to check with your pet's veterinarian before giving supplements.  

Photo: istockphoto  

Reiki is an energy therapy that originated in Japan. The word Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a Japanese composite word usually translated as "universal life energy". It is based on the idea that all living beings have life energy flowing through them. When life energy is high, you, or your cats, are healthy and balanced, more relaxed and less likely to get sick. When it is low, cats and humans alike will be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki helps return the body to its natural state of balance and well-being.

One of the tenets of Reiki are the five principles, sometimes also knows as the five precepts. These "rules to live by" are based on the teachings of Mikao Usui, who developed the practice in the 1920's. And you don't have to be a Reiki practitioner to find these principles helpful in guiding you to live a conscious and happy life.

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will be grateful.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living being. 

There is great power in these simple words. Anger creates energy blockages. Worry robs you of living a life filled with joy. The energy of gratitude can shift your mood in an instant. Honesty in one's work, and everything else, is essential to living a life of integrity. A simple act of kindness can change a life.
 
But the real power of the principles lies in the words "just for today." Sometimes, it feels overwhelming to take even one small step toward making a change for the better, but anybody can make a change just for one day. "Just for today" is about reducing seemingly unreachable goals to manageable chunks.
 
Incorporating these principles into your daily life, even just for one day, leads to contentment. And one day will lead to another, and before you know it, you may just find that you've become more peaceful, more content, and happier.
 
As with so many things, our cats seem to have already figured this out. Perhaps the feline version of the Reiki principles would look a little different, but at the heart of the matter, they would be all about living in the moment. And isn't that something our cats are true masters at?
 
Buckley was the original Reiki cat. The photo above shows her blissed out after a Reiki session.