Unlock the Power of Medicus Veterinary Diets: Ultimate Guide to Ingredients, Benefits & How to Use

Providing the best possible care for our beloved pets often involves navigating various health challenges, from allergies and skin issues to digestive problems and more. Medicus Veterinary Diets offer a novel approach to addressing these concerns through carefully formulated, whole-food therapeutic diets. Understanding the composition, benefits, and proper usage of these diets can empower pet owners to make informed decisions that support their pets' health and well-being.

What are Medicus Veterinary Diets?

Medicus Veterinary Diets are the first-ever freeze-dried pasteurized therapeutic diets designed for both dogs and cats. Developed by Dr. Chris Bessent, a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience, these diets utilize whole foods and a research-led approach to address the unique nutritional needs of sick pets. The gentle freeze-drying process ensures the food is safe for immunocompromised pets and shelf-stable for convenient feeding.

Key Features of Medicus Veterinary Diets

Whole Food Ingredients: Medicus diets prioritize real, high-quality, digestible animal proteins sourced from USDA-inspected facilities, ensuring they meet the same standards as human meat production. These include options like grass-fed beef, guinea fowl, and chicken.
Novel Proteins: To combat food sensitivities, Medicus diets incorporate novel proteins like guinea fowl and grass-fed bison liver. Food sensitivities often develop gradually, making novel ingredients an effective solution.
Freeze-Dried and Pasteurised: The gentle freeze-drying process preserves essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, active enzymes, and antioxidants, which are often lost in traditional kibble production due to high-heat cooking. The pasteurization process eliminates bacteria, making the food safe for immunocompromised pets.
Targeted Nutrition: These therapeutic diets are designed to address specific health concerns, providing pets with the precise nutrients they need to support healing and overall well-being.
No Fillers or Artificial Additives: Medicus diets are free from common fillers like corn, wheat, and cellulose, as well as artificial dyes and synthetic preservatives.

Understanding the Ingredients

Medicus Veterinary Diets feature a carefully selected range of ingredients, each chosen for its specific nutritional benefits:

Novel Proteins: Guinea fowl and grass-fed bison liver are lean and nutrient-dense, providing essential amino acids and vitamins. Bison liver is particularly rich in iron, vitamin B, and vitamin C.
Root Vegetables: These provide fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, contributing to overall health and immune function.
Krill: A clean and potent source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) and the antioxidant astaxanthin. Krill also contains phospholipids, which enhance the delivery of omega-3s for improved skin integrity.
B Vitamins: Niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B12, pyridoxine, and folic acid are crucial for energy production and various enzymatic processes in the body.
Chelated Minerals: These minerals are bound to amino acids, enhancing their absorption and protecting against oxidative stress.
Mixed Tocopherols: A natural preservative that also functions as an antioxidant, helping to keep the food fresh and protect cells from damage.

Ingredients to Avoid

Meat Meals and 4D Meats: Medicus diets avoid low-quality protein sources like meat meals and 4D meats (derived from dead, dying, diseased, or disabled animals).
Fillers: Common fillers like corn, wheat, and cellulose offer little nutritional value and can be difficult for pets to digest.
Artificial Dyes and Synthetic Preservatives: These additives can trigger sensitivities and provide no health benefits.
Byproducts: These are the result of whole foods being broken down into smaller parts, offering less nutritional value than whole food ingredients.

Benefits of Medicus Veterinary Diets

Improved Digestion: The use of high-quality, digestible animal proteins and the absence of fillers promote optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
Enhanced Skin Health: An ideal ratio of omega-3 fatty acids helps repair, nourish, and strengthen the skin's integrity, reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy coat.
Stronger Immune System: Antioxidant-rich ingredients like blueberries, spinach, and astaxanthin support a robust immune system, protecting against oxidative damage and disease.
Increased Energy: B vitamins play a vital role in converting food into energy, helping pets feel more energetic and vibrant.
Reduced Food Sensitivities: Novel proteins and the avoidance of common allergens help minimize the risk of food sensitivities and related symptoms.

Types of Medicus Veterinary Diets

Medicus Therapeutic Diets include both Complete & Balanced Diets and those for Supplemental Feeding only. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing a new diet to your pet. Here are some examples of Medicus Veterinary Diets and their specific benefits:

Skin and Health Diet: Designed to support the skin barrier and diminish heat and inflammation expressed in the hyper-sensitized body.
Digestive Support Diet: Formulated to promote healthy digestion and gut health.
Renal Support Diet: Crafted to support kidney function in pets with renal issues.

Feeding Guidelines

Rehydration: Medicus diets can be rehydrated by adding warm water. For nugget diets, use approximately ¾ cup of warm water for every cup of food. For paté diets, add 1 ½ cups of hot water (120 degrees F) for every 1 cup of Medicus pate powder. Mix and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Transitioning: Gradually transition your pet to the new diet by mixing it with their current food over a period of several days.
Storage: Store freeze-dried food in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Reseal the product properly after every use to maintain freshness. In hot, humid environments, consider storing the food in the refrigerator.
Moisture: It is recommended to add moisture to your pet’s meal, whether that be from warm water, bone broth, or kefir, to aid digestion.
Leftovers: If there is remaining food left in your pet’s bowl, you can transfer it to an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Palatability Enhancers

Medicus offers palatability enticers tailored to each diet to encourage picky eaters. These enticers are designed to complement the specific health benefits of each formula.

The Importance of Veterinary Consultation

Before making any changes to your pet's diet, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian. They can assess your pet's individual needs and recommend the most appropriate Medicus Veterinary Diet.

Addressing Common Concerns

Cost: While Medicus diets may be more expensive than traditional kibble, the high-quality ingredients and targeted nutrition can potentially reduce the need for costly veterinary interventions in the long run.
Availability: Medicus Veterinary Diets are available through select veterinary clinics and online retailers.
Texture: Some pets may be accustomed to the texture of kibble. Rehydrating the freeze-dried food can make it more palatable for these pets.
Nugget Hardness: Some nuggets may be harder due to differences in diet composition. Recipes that include rice, for example, tend to be slightly firmer. Our freeze-dried paté is a great alternative! Its consistency can be easily adjusted with water to suit your pet’s preferences.

Additional Tips for Pet Health

In addition to providing a high-quality diet, there are several other steps you can take to support your pet's health and well-being:

Regular Veterinary Checkups: Schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian to monitor your pet's health and address any potential issues early on.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Provide your pet with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Consider incorporating midday dog walks into your routine.
Dental Care: Practice good dental hygiene by brushing your pet's teeth regularly and providing dental chews. A simple procedure like teeth cleaning might cost a few hundred dollars (if you’re lucky), while more complex surgeries such as hip dysplasia treatment could range into the several thousands.
Pet Insurance: Consider investing in pet insurance to help cover the costs of unexpected vet visits, surgeries, and emergencies. It’s best to sign up your pet while they’re young. Coverage is lowest and coverage is typically highest. But we do know some insurance providers will insure older pets as well. We were able to get basic accident-only coverage for Chester & Lilly, who are considered “seniors”.
Choose the Right Veterinarian: Finding a veterinarian who is kind, caring, compassionate, and takes the time to listen to your concerns is essential.

Conclusion

Medicus Veterinary Diets offer a promising approach to addressing the nutritional needs of sick pets. By utilizing whole food ingredients, novel proteins, and a gentle freeze-drying process, these diets provide targeted nutrition that supports healing and overall well-being. While it is essential to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's diet, understanding the composition, benefits, and proper usage of Medicus Veterinary Diets can empower you to make informed decisions that help your pet thrive.

Read also: Intestinal Health with Royal Canin

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