Frequently asked questions about Vit'i5 supplement

Why a food supplement?

A total or partial homemade diet (or the simple intake of meat in addition to kibble or can) needs to be balanced, because without the intake of calcium (sometimes phosphorus), vitamins and trace elements, this dog and cat diet is very deficient.

What's the problem?

There is no calcium (or very little) in meat, but there is phosphorus. However, for the body to remain healthy, more calcium than phosphorus is needed in the diet, always. Calcium (and sometimes phosphorus) must therefore be added to the ration. A homemade diet also lacks other micronutrients (vitamins, trace elements) that are essential for the good health of dogs and cats, even if the ingredients are of very good quality.

Why VIT'I5 : find out more

Why mineral supplements in a homemade diet ?

[...] Vit'i5 provides almost half of the nutritional needs. These are micronutrients (calcium, possibly phosphorus, 12 vitamins, 6 trace elements), so very small quantities, but still absolutely essential to keep dogs and cats healthy. [...]

Interview with Dr. Géraldine Blanchard on Vit'i5 supplements

Why did you formulate a specific range, Vit'i5, of mineral supplements? There were already some available...

The Vit'i5 range of mineral and vitamin supplements is formulated specifically to balance the intake of meat or fish in the diet of domestic carnivores (dogs, cats, ferrets). When the ration is domestic, Vit'i5 is an ingredient, in the same way as meat, oil, vegetables. When the ration is composed of kibble or box (complete food) and meat or fish, Vit'i5 allows you to balance the meat and fish because complete food does not compensate for this unbalanced intake. It is therefore a question of providing what the major ingredients do not provide: minerals, trace elements, vitamins. Mineral and vitamin supplements already existed, but were not suitable given current scientific knowledge.

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Giving a ration with meat, vegetables, rice, and even rapeseed oil inevitably leads to deficiencies and diseases (which we don't always see very quickly). It's not a good idea. It is really important to understand that Vit'i5 or an equivalent is as important as meat for long-term health.

They take more or less time to be visible. But the deficiencies that set in have the following consequences:

* kidney failure due to secondary hyperparathyroidism with calcium deficiency (even if you give dairy every day!), 
* urinary crystals (calcium oxalate or struvite depending on the case, and the composition of the ration), which can give rise to urinary stones 
* loosening of the teeth (the gums are not strong enough due to lack of calcium and vitamin D), which creates inflammation and infections of the gums because microbes pass between the teeth and gums 
* hair and skin in poor condition, less supple skin, and less good digestion, due to deficiencies in copper and zinc and vitamin A, which cause poor activity of the enzymes of protein synthesis, digestive secretions, musculature and collagen 
* lack of tone, drive, nervous and cerebral capacity due to deficiencies in B vitamins, which are the small muscular arms of the entire energy metabolism

If it is a growing puppy or kitten, it is worse and happens even faster, because growth requires a better diet than that of the adult. 
If it is a pregnant and lactating female, it is also very serious for the mother. Uterine atonia is often observed, which often requires a caesarean section, difficulty in several lactations, and a lack of immunity with diseases that are more common in breeding, such as intestinal parasitism, giardiasis, etc. but also in puppies. 

Giving a bite of meat to get the puppy or kitten used to solid food is not a problem. Giving meat in quantity, even if there is also access to kibble, is another story: the protein intake of meat is a good idea, to be balanced, because meat also provides phosphorus but no calcium, and for the calories it brings, it does not provide vitamins...

Hence the interest of Vit'i5 in this case, at the right dose (mix Vit'i5 and plain yogurt, then add the meat, this will make a good first solid food to prepare for weaning)