Pet Plus for Cats
Pet Plus+ for Cats
This whole food supplement contains the ingredients cats would naturally have obtained for themselves
in the wild by eating whole raw animals, especially the gut contents, with raw plant material.
The enzyme formula provides high potency, multiple enzymes to help utilise food nutrients by replacing
the food enzyme activity lost in the cooking and processing of food. It provides amylase, protease,
lipase, cellulase, glucoamylase and taurine in a whole food base of alfalfa, barley, wheat grass, garlic,
flax seed and safflower. In addition, the beneficial micro-organisms Lactobacillus acidophilus and
Lactobacillus plantarum are included in this product for intestinal support. Liver has been added to
enhance the flavour.
Cats have evolved as carnivores and as such the importance of protein and fat in proper metabolism and
good health cannot be under-stated. Even so the food must be digested for its nutritinal value to be
realised. Most commercial cat foods consist of a combination of cereals and meat proteins. Heat
processing makes many of the nutrients difficult to digest, primarily proteins. The feline gastrointestinal tract is extremely short and ingested foods move quickly through the tract, making
digestibility highly critical for cats. Supplemental enzymes help to ensure that the cat receives the
maximum amount of nutrition available from the food eaten.
Naturally, cats are designed to eat whole herbivorous animals. Herbivores spend much of their time
chewing vegetable matter into a pulp to improve its digestibility. By consuming the gut contents of
these animals, cats obtain numerous essential dietary ingredients which may be missing from a diet
comprising parts of animals rather than the whole. Feeding a supplement such as Pet Plus provides this
“grass soup” element in a more civilized form
Protease digests proteins to produce amino acids. Protein is the primary source of energy for cats. The
absence of protein or the inability to properly metabolise this nutrient can drastically affect feline
health. Amino acids are important building blocks, being used by the cat’s body to build muscles,
metabolic enzymes, neuro-transmitters and many other biochemicals. Amino acids supply nitrogen for
the synthesis of all other nitrogenous compounds, as well as a supply of energy.
Amylase, glucoamylase and cellulase digest starches and cellulose, respectively, to produce free
glucose. Although cats do not require starches for energy production, the glucose generated by
hydrolysis can be utilised as a supplemental energy source. Complex polysaccharides are often added
to commercial pet foods to act as an inexpensive extender of the meat product. Although fibre
digestion is not considered essential for feline health, the break-down of some fibre has been shown to
be beneficial, supplying a source of supplemental energy. Improperly digested carbohydrates can cause
bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea.
Lipase digests dietary fats, releasing free fatty acids and glycerol. Dietary fat is a concentrated source
of energy, supplying four times as much energy as either protein or glucose. Important to feline health,
fats act as a carrier for fat soluble vitamins (A, D and K), build cell membranes, form prostaglandin,
leukotrienes and hormones. Proper assimilation of fats is also important for a healthy skin and coat.
This formula also includes the amino acid taurine of which cats synthesise only limited amounts.
Taurine deficiency is an important nutritional consideration for cats because the use much more per day
than their bodies can synthesise. Cats require taurine for both bile metabolism and vision. Since cats
conjugate bile salts almost exclusively with taurine, large amounts of taurine are excreted each day.
Taurine deficiency can result in low weight, poor survival, reduced growth, cerebellar dystrophy, vision
impairment and myocardial failure. For this reason, supplementation of taurine is considered essential
for feline health.
The inclusion of a whole food blend provides additional natural vitamins and minerals (which are often
missing from commercial pet foods, where synthetics are added to account for the loss which occurs
with processing).
Garlic is naturally high in iodine, sulphur, phosphorous, iron, potassium and selenium, as well as the
vitamins B1 and B3. This herb/vegetable is well known for its beneficial effects on both the immune
and cardiovascular systems. Garlic has been shown to kill worms and repel fleas.
Pet Plus for Cats
Alfalfa is considered highly nourishing and is a rich source of many trace minerals in addition to
providing magnesium, iron, B-vitamins, chromium, vitamin C and -carotene. Chlorophyll has been
shown to have a cleansing action on the body, detoxifying and preventing odours.
Barley and wheat grass are important cereal grasses. When harvested during their early growth, they
supply vitamins and minerals at levels comparable to the green leafy vegetables. These green foods are
rich sources of -carotene, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxin (B 6), folic acid, calcium, iron,
phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, selenium and potassium. Additionally, these grasses supply antioxidant activity; recently, the compound 2’-O-glycosylisovitexin has been identified in barley grass
which exhibits anti-oxidant activity greater than that of vitamin E. Anti-oxidant nutrient such as those
found in cereal grasses are important in maintaining health and the integrity of our bodies.
Flaxseed and safflower are rich natural sources of the essential fatty acids which play a critical role in
the maintenance of a healthy skin and coat. The essential fatty acids are vital to healthy metabolism and
the total health of the cat.
Dessicated liver is a rich source of nutrients and enhances the product’s flavour. The product is more
appetising to the cat, increasing compliance and positive results.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum are included in this enzyme multiple to further
aid the gastrointestinal system. Naturally found through the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy animals,
these micro-organisms help defend the body against invading pathogenic bacteria. Probiotic organisms
produce lactic acid and keep the colon environment slightly acid to prevent the growth of harmful
organisms; furthermore, lactobacilli are known to produce several antibiotic compounds to further
inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms. Due to the prevalence of broad-spectrum antibiotic
treatment which kills the beneficial organisms as well as harmful bacteria, healthy intestinal flora may
be lacking. Supplemental replenishment of probiotics quickly returns the flora balances to normal. In
addition, Lactobacillus organisms have been found to significantly contribute to the reduction of lactose
intolerance symptoms. Yet another benefit of probiotics is their ability to regulate bowel movements
and halt diarrhoea. Lactobacillus organisms contribute to gastrointestinal health by providing a
tonifying and health-promoting activity.
References
Berson, E.L. et al. Retinal degeneration in cats fed casein, supplementation with methionine, oysteine
or taurine. Investigative Opthalmology, 15:52 (1976).
Brochu, E. Special behaviour of lactic bacteria and their relation to nutrition and health. (Rosell
Institute Inc.: lecture, August 19 1986).
Howell, E. Enzyme nutrition: the food enzyme concept. (Wayne, NJ: Avery Publishing Group, 1985).
Huxtable, R.J. et al. The biology of taurine methods and mechanisms. Advances in Experimental
Medicine and Biology, vol 217 (New York, Plenum Press, 1987).
Jennings, J.B. Feeding, digestion and assimilation in animals. (London: MacMillan Press Ltd, 1972).
Kim, H.S. Beneficial micro-organisms as dietary adjuncts: Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Miles
Analecta, 7-11.
McGinnis, T. The Well Cat Book: The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care. (New York,
Random House, 1993).
Pitcairn, R.H. and S.H. Pitcairn. Natural health for cats and dogs. (Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1982).
Scott, P.P. Diets (natural and synthetic): cats and other felidae. In Nutrition and Food, section G:
Diets, Culture Media and Food Supplements. Edited by M. Rechcigl, Jnr. (Cleveland, CRC
Press, 1977).
Siebold, R. Cereal Grass: what’s in it for you! (Lawrence, KS: Wilderness Community Education
Foundation, 1990).
Subcommittee on Dog Nutrition, Committee on Animal Nutrition, Board of Agriculture, National
Research Council. (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1985).
Ingredients
2.5g (approximately 1 teaspoon) contains:
Pet Plus for Cats
Liver substance
Beet root fibre
Flax seed
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Garlic (odourless)
Protease
Alfalfa juice concentrate
Amylase
Barley juice
Safflower petals
Wheat grass juice
Lipase
Glucoamylase
Lactobacillus plantarum
Cellulase
Taurine
1258 mg
750.1 mg
260 mg
500mill CFU
30 mg
13230 HUT
20 mg
2000 DU
20 mg
20 mg
20 mg
70 LU
4.5 AG
100mill CFU
125 CU
1.5 mg