FAQ
Micro-encapsulation is a very specific technology whereby a given vitamin (or any other active ingredient for that matter) is encapsulated at the tiny micro level such that the target nutrient(s) becomes available only upon reaching certain parts of the digestive system. In other words, such vitamins are released only after reaching your pet's tummy, not before. It is also possible to have the vitamin released after a specific time in the stomach. In a nutshell, it is a targeted delivery of vitamins or any other active ingredient in the digestive system. While it is now commonly used in pharmaceuticals and to a certain extent in the human food industry, it's virtually not used in the pet food industry.
Vitamins can get degraded and lose their potency easily. That can happen due to manufacturing and other industrial processes, environment, heat, moisture, air, sun light, irradiation, or just by sitting in the shelves. As a result, your pet may not actually get the amount of vitamins you believed to have given him or what has been claimed in the label. Microencapsulation ensures that these highly essential nutrients are protected before getting to the intended recipient, your little pooch, either through food, treats, or supplements. Science4Pets is the only company that has microencapsulated pet products in the market.
As consumers, we usually have some concerns when we see that the product we buy is produced in China. It applies even more to the foods or supplements when it comes to our pets. Given the size, scope, efficient pricing and influence of their manufacturing on US economy in general, it is actually hard to avoid them. Furthermore, a vast majority of vitamins are manufactured in China. It sometimes gets next to impossible to find a vitamin that is not made in China at a price and time that is reliable. Science4Pets procures every single one of its ingredients, including vitamins, from non-China sources. While as much as we try to get everything US made, it is not possible to do so when it comes to specific herbs, spices, and some vitamins as they are just not produced here in the US. Only other alternative would be to not use them at all. Given the extensive health benefits associated with so many of such ingredients, it would not be wise to not include in the pet products as long we source them diligently and have strict quality control measures in place.
Basic answer is quality. There is not a single pet vitamin treat or supplement that is both non-China and microencapsulated at the same time. People usually have two concerns when it comes to vitamins. First, is it made in China? Second, is my pet getting all the vitamins it is supposed to get, which is to say whether the pet food, treat, or supplement I buy contains all the vitamins it claims to have? The answer to all these issues is usually negative for reasons explained elsewhere. Because microencapsulation is not an economical technology, its virtually non-existent in pet foods. Science4Pets is the only one that takes care of all three concerns to bring you a product that is truly different from everyone else out there.
Two types of bacteria are generally used in probiotics, spore forming and vegetative. While former are much more robust and can be very difficult to destroy even under extreme temperatures. Spores are basically protective mechanism. Such bacteria include the Bacillus genus. Vegetative bacteria, on the other hand, do not make spores and are much more susceptible to manufacturing and environmental stresses like heat, air, and desiccation. Studies have shown that they can be quickly killed off in the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach and therefore, your pets may not be able to get the full benefit no matter how many different types or numbers they may be present in the product. Given the huge cost difference between the two types, a vast majority of probiotic products use only the vegetative species, such as those of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, etc. among others. Spore forming bacteria start with Bacillus. To hide inferior quality of using vegetative bacteria, many companies may actually showcase the CFU count instead.
Four major factors, a.) Unlike a vast majority of manufacturers that use vegetative bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, etc. in their probiotic products, we use two primary species of spore forming bacteria, Bacillus coagulens and Bacillus subtilis, b.) In addition to using the best species of probiotics, we also include the prebiotics that are most conducive for these bacteria to feed on in the form of inulin and other nutrients, c.) We include all the critical enzymes to support the digestion of foods and release of critical nutrients from the ingested food and d.) Finally, we also incorporate some of the most effective herbs to support the digestive system, while also providing a boost for the overall health and well-being of your pet, not to mention the flavors and relative cost of the product. No other product covers all these critical aspects.
Yes, all our products are non-GMO. As a principle, we do not use any ingredient that is considered Genetically Modified Organism.
That’s to design and formulate the best product possible. Just like us humans needing a variety of grains, meats, oils, fruits, vegetables, herbs and even spices to get the best nutrition possible, pets also need a variety of them. Though their primary portion comes from meat, it is still highly beneficial to incorporate many different kinds of high quality ingredients that support their optimal health and wellbeing. Only when someone doesn't know how to balance a proper food, treat or supplement for the pets, you start using limited ingredients as a virtue. That's saying like I just need to eat meat only or potato, bread, or rice for that matter, but not much else. How reasonable would it be to expect a sound health and vitality from such a diet? Not really. Done properly, the more the variety, the better the quality.
Coprophagia is a behavior of any animal species to eat its own poop. It can also be extended to eating the poop of another animal of the same species. In the case of pets, both cats and dogs can show that tendency pretty commonly. Usually, it can happen for a few reasons, primary being the improper diet. While it is not a behavior you need to rush your pet to the vet, it is still better addressed on time. Besides, who would like to see their pets messing around their own poop and potentially soiling the entire house or even the porch, deck or the lawn. Science4Pets has a solution in the form of a product called, No Coprophagia - No Eating Stool, that is entirely natural without any additives, artificial color or flavors. Since it is in powder form, you can simply top dress over the food.
All pet owners are aware about the issue every summer if not most parts of the year in warmer climates. At the same time, more and more pet owners are quite reluctant to use chemical deterrents on their pets. That’s why Science4Pets has designed a unique product that keeps away these nuisance basically naturally, while also providing some other critical nutrients for your pooch. It’s a powerful combination of Ayurvedic herbs, some essential oils, B-vitamins and some common yet effective ingredients in combination with the rest. No artificial colors or flavors are added. All you need to do is spread a little over the food.
Final manufacturing takes place in a USDA inspected manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania with ingredients of US origin as well as those procured from abroad with stringent quality control mechanisms. Vitamins are manufactured in Europe, while microencapsulation is done in Italy. All ingredients, including any diluents used in individual vitamins, are of non-China origin.
One specific product from Science4Pets, Flea and Tick Away, contains garlic. This natural repellent contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, and supports immune function while cleansing the blood. It is included at rather small amounts and is safe. Garlic is a common ingredient used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and the benefits of garlic are proven in cases such as immune, gastrointestinal and heart support. It is highly beneficial against fleas and ticks. Garlic ingredients and compounds do not accumulate in the body and blood and therefore long-term use does not add more side effects because these compounds are metabolized. Garlic will only have the side effects discussed by veterinarians at extremely high levels.
It varies based upon the dog or cat’s system. The general rule is 2-4 weeks with the internal products that are taken with or like food.
Basically any substance, whether it is chemical, synthetic or a natural ingredient can elicit an allergic reaction. However, there should be no adverse reactions in a vast majority of animals. If there is a reaction, such as spitting up or diarrhea - simply stopping the remedy should stop the reaction. It is also recommended to introduce the product gradually over a 5-7 day period to minimize any such reactions, which is also provided in the feeding guidelines in the label. Daily dosage can be split between meals. Though fleas and ticks are more common during summer and warmer climates, you can use it all year round. Increasing the dose during peak season is recommended. It can be simply spread over the meal or mixed with plain, organic yogurt or add water to make into tasty paste.
Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a xanthophyll carotenoid abundant in marine animals such as krill, crab, and crustaceans that live on ASTX-containing planktons and microalgae. One of the most potent antioxidant, it is the primary compound that gives krill oil its deep red color. Research has shown it to have tremendous health benefits for the prevention of inflammatory diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which are the major obesity-related health problems in the developed countries. Its beneficial effects on eye health is well documented in which it is shown to help diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, eye strain and fatigue and seeing in fine detail. These positive effects are probably associated with its unique ability to cross through a barrier and reach the retina.
The stool is basically an indication of digestive health and digestive health is a window into the overall health and wellness of the pet or even humans for that matter. How good the food is and how well a particular animal is able to handle is indicated by the stool it defecates. No matter how perfectly the food is balanced in paper, it may not be good for a particular animal if it can’t utilize it properly. Probiotics and digestive enzymes are there to help even when a pet is offered the best food yet can’t handle it well for various reasons. Besides, many of the store bought dry foods/kibbles are produced for large scale sales and delivery and won’t meet the requirements of many pet owners except just the bottom level price. It is quite helpful to supplement these dry foods/kibbles with probiotics, superfoods, veggies and such depending on what they contain. Further, there are many pet owners with their pets having difficulty in digesting and utilizing their food properly for various reasons, such as age, stomachache, disease, surgery, etc. Inclusion of Science4Pets’ probiotics with herbs and enzymes is to support that critical aspect under all circumstances. When feeding raw foods, it leads to improved digestion, meaning less feces and stinky stools, and smelling nothing like the stools from dry, over-processed dog food. Just an added benefit for you and your animals!
First and foremost, it's an excellent source of fiber (derived from the seeds of the plantago ovata plant). It's commonly used to promote bowel regularity, which can often be an issue when feeding raw diets. That’s because many raw foods are low in fiber owing to the principle that the only fiber wild dogs and cats ingest is whatever is found in the already-digested stomach contents of their prey. Adding a fiber source like psyllium is highly beneficial for your pets as it helps to support digestion and delivers the essential fiber that is often lacking in such raw diets.