Commonly Asked Questions about Standard Process Supplements

The following information is a summary and review based on Dr. Candy’s professional experience and recommendations. Any summary or statement has not been provided nor influenced by the manufacturer.

What happens if my pet experiences a soft stool or diarrhea during the introduction adjustment process?

These events only appear in less than ten percent of new pets and the transient effect of the adjustment period usually resolves itself within 24 – 48 hours. If your pet has runny poop, keep them well hydrated. If desired, a small amount of canned pumpkin can be added to food.

Are there potential side effects to these products?

Since these nutritional supplements are made from food, there is little to no risk of side effects. The only side effect I’ve ever seen is diarrhea if the pet gets a gigantic dose. For example, if a pet eats a whole bottle. If I had a dollar for every time one of my pets ate a whole bottle, I’d have a pretty full piggy bank. Since pets love these products so much, we recommend keeping them in a cabinet or someplace that your pet cannot get to.

How often do I need to give these nutritional supplements?

Dr. Candy recommends twice a day. They can be given with or without food. Providing a steady supply of healing resources allows your pet’s body to heal and repair all day and all night.

Why do I have to start with a small amount and taper up?

This is just a recommendation to try to reduce the occurrence of soft stool while the body gets used to processing these rich food supplements. It’s kind of like if you and I went out to eat and ate a whole plate of liver and onions. It wouldn’t hurt us, but we may be running to the bathroom later.

What is the difference between the canine and feline versions of the supplement?

There is not a huge difference between the canine and feline supplement formulations. The main difference is in the supplement form. Canine formulations come as powders. Feline formulations come as tablets. The tablet design can make it easier to give to a cat as a treat or meal additive. But I found that I was almost always grinding the tablet into a powder and mixing it in food anyway. So, most of the time, I use the canine preparation. Both are safe for both pet types.

Supplement Dosage Chart:

1-10 lbs	1/8 teaspoon once per day
11-20 lbs	1/8 teaspoon twice per day
21-40 lbs	¼ teaspoon twice per day
41-60 lbs	½ teaspoon twice per day
61-80 lbs	¾ teaspoon twice per day
> 80 lbs	1 teaspoon twice per day

Important Supplement Information:

• These supplements should all be given twice a day.
• Most clients sprinkle it on their pet’s food.
• Because these supplements are made from whole foods, and not chemicals, doses are palatable. In fact, it often seems like animals instinctively know what their body needs and gobble it up quickly.

Can my pet take this therapeutic supplement with other medications and treatments?

Yes! In general, yes. These whole food supplements can be complementary to other medications. There are no interactions or toxic effects when using natural food to heal your pet’s body. If your pet is involved in a clinical research trial, ask your supervising veterinarian if it is ok.

How long should my pet take these supplements?

On average, Dr. Candy keeps your pet on these supplements for a minimum of 3-6 months. Then, together with the family and pet status, we re-evaluate. Some pets with simple short-term illnesses may only require these supplements for the 3-6-month time period. In these cases, after balancing and healing, your pet’s diet and home care program can be modified to maintain whole health.

In other cases, perhaps with more chronic disease or severity, pets may need to be on these therapeutic supplements for a year or more, or possibly for life. If a pet does require therapeutic supplementation long-term, we know that support with natural food is far better than artificial chemicals or medications.

How quickly should I see a change in my pet’s health?

This depends on the initial health status of your pet and the condition being supplemented. In the case of acute illness, you may see changes within 24-48 hours. Most commonly, these changes or improvements are very subtle. In cases of complex or chronic conditions, most families see a significant improvement in 4 weeks.

Uhoh, my pet ate the whole bottle. What should I do? Is this toxic?

This happens a lot, it will be okay. Since the products are so natural and highly palatable, this situation arises frequently. We remind families to keep the products out of reach and in a cool, dry, dark place. If your pet consumes a large portion or a whole bottle, monitor them closely. Just as with other products from nature, most of the time the worst that will happen is soft stool or diarrhea. Make sure that your pet is well hydrated and does not develop any bloody vomiting or diarrhea. If this occurs, take your pet to your veterinarian for evaluation.

If you are dealing with soft stool or other gastrointestinal issues, it can be helpful to let your pet rest. Additionally, you may skip one meal and consider a fluid-only meal such as a small amount of water or broth.

How should these supplements be stored? Do I need to refrigerate them?

The Standard Process Veterinary Supplements do not need to be refrigerated. Keep the products out of reach from pets and children. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place like a cabinet.

Why are there so many organs and glandular tissues in these products? Yuck! Aren’t these gross leftovers or by-products?

On the contrary, organ tissues are some of the most nutrient-dense parts of an animal. If you watch one of those nature shows on TV, you will see that after a predator kills its prey, the very first thing that they eat are the organs and glands. The predator gobbles them up because they are packed with rich proteins, full complex vitamins, and natural sources of minerals. The predator wants to eat these first before scavengers or competition comes around.

For example, look at the liver. Liver is higher in vitamin A, vitamin B complexes, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium than most other “super foods” out there. To get the same amount of vitamin B12 as a 1-inch cube of liver, you or your pet would have to eat one of the following:

• A whole large salmon or filet
• 6 eggs
• 6 flat iron steaks
• 5 cups of low-fat milk

So, while in the US we view organ meats as “gross”, other cultures and animals understand that organs and glands are powerful sources jam packed with nutrition.

My pet has tested to be *allergic* to beef or other protein sources in the supplement. Should I be concerned?

Most of the time, when pets are tested for food allergies, they are tested for cooked muscle meat, as this is what is found in canned and kibbled pet foods. Because of the various protein shapes and the effects of cooking, usually raw muscle meat and organ tissues do not cause the same allergic reactions.

In my experience, if your pet is in a current severe stage of inflammation, allergy or disease, I usually wait 30 days for the immune system/body to calm down and then slowly add in the supplement. In my own pets, I do not see an allergic reaction or negative response if my pet’s immune system is stable. However, if they are in the middle of a big flare-up, I decrease or discontinue the supplement for a short period of time until they feel better.

Are there any alternative ways to administer this supplement if my pet won’t eat it mixed in their food?

Occasionally this does happen, especially if the pet is used to a carbohydrate-heavy or artificially flavored diet. I explain it as, if I was used to eating cookies and happy meals every day, I would probably resist if you put a salad in front of me too.

I recommend starting with really small amounts sprinkled and mixed with food. Then, gradually work up to the starting amount over the period of 1-2 weeks. By then, they should be used to the taste and smell of this healthy supplement.

If this doesn’t work, you could try the following creative approaches or think about a unique solution for your pets:

• Mixing the powder with water or broth and syringing it to your pet
• Mixing with a simple high-quality canned food
• Using bone broths and stews for pets
• Using the feline (tablet) form and hiding it in yummy foods like peanut butter or homecooked chicken breast
• Putting powder or tablet inside a pill pocket
• Throwing the treat into the air to be caught and swallowed
• Using a “chaser” treat
  • Example: here’s your meatball with the therapeutic supplement in it – immediately followed with an irresistible treat
• Using the “rule of competition”
  • Example: have another pet nearby so that your pet has to eat it before the other pet gets it

Check out our other articles for even more knowledge to keep your pet healthy and happy!

Dog Constipation and How You Can Treat It Naturally

Safe, Natural Alternatives to Expensive and Invasive Dental Cleanings

Laser Therapy for Pets: 12 Common Pet Health Conditions That Can Benefit from Laser Therapy

Join our Journey! Our goal is to guide families to healthier, happier pets by spreading the word that natural and holistic approaches are an alternative to today’s corporate veterinary industry.  We help pets find better health by addressing the underlying cause of disease and restoring balance. If you find this information valuable, please share this content with your friends and family using the buttons below and connect with us on social media. Each ‘share’ ‘like’ ‘follow’ and ‘subscription’ is valuable and moves us toward helping more pets. Thank you for your support!

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• LinkedIn