"Pets are not our whole life,
but they make our lives whole."
The fact that you are reading this website means you (and your pet) have a need. A need for information. A need for a natural alternative. A need for hope. Your pet's health is not something to be left to chance. You want to educate yourself so you can feel more in control of the outcome – whatever that may be.
Hello, I'm Lee Ann Cox, founder of Pet NutriSystems. That is exactly how we felt when our beloved cat Jock was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Jock was more than just a pet to us. My husband and I had never had children so Jock had become like our child. He had developed a personality that was almost human, so accepting the death sentence our veterinarian delivered was not an alternative. We wanted more. We needed more.
In October 2005, when Jock was diagnosed with CRF (at that time the condition was referred to as chronic renal failure), the prognosis was not good. Our vet told us pets typically live an average of 6-12 months because most of the functioning kidney is gone by the time a diagnosis can be made. Kidneys do not regenerate so the end was inevitable. It might be possible to delay death by administering subcutaneous fluids as the disease progressed, but beyond that, there was little hope. In the meanwhile Jock was prescribed a dry, low protein diet – the standard protocol.
After a few weeks of this diet we noticed Jock was losing weight and sleeping more (a sign he did not feel well). My husband and I believed in the concept of good nutrition for ourselves. We knew that many health problems could be corrected with diet and nutritional supplementation, so we decided to see if the same could work for Jock.
It soon became apparent there was a lot we didn't know. First of all, the protocol of a low protein diet was being questioned and, in fact, might make the disease worse. Many veterinarians were also beginning to connect the dots and believe that dry foods might actually cause kidney disease. In addition, studies (some recent, some not so recent) showed that a variety of nutritional supplements showed promise in helping slow the progression of kidney disease.
Little by little we pieced the information together and started Jock on these new protocols – and it worked! He stopped losing weight, showed renewed energy and had a healthier coat. Over 4 years later, the results speak for themselves. Today at age 18, Jock still eats a high quality, high protein diet. He has not had to resort to subcutaneous fluids and he looks and feels great. Is his kidney disease cured? No, that is not possible, but he is living a longer, healthier, happier life than would have otherwise been possible.
So, that is how a cat inspired a company. And the more I shared my story, the more I heard others talk about their frustration when it came to dealing with their pet's health issues. Many felt in the dark about everything from diagnosis to treatment options. Most were overwhelmed with how high their veterinary bills could be and almost everyone felt they had little control over their pet's health.
On the other hand, our research showed that there were also some success stories out there. People like Cyndi Smasal and her dog Norman who successfully fought the battle against liver disease and the 911 rescue dogs who used K-9 Immunity to maintain longevity and quality of life with cancer, are just a few examples of how nutrition and lifestyle can make all the difference.
So we took the same effort we put into understanding Jock's condition and applied it to some of the more common pet health issues. We developed relationships with some of today's most cutting edge pet nutrition experts and veterinarians. The result is a wealth of information to help educate and inform caring pet owners combined with a collection of some of the best pet supplements available. Pet NutriSystems was born from necessity and it is our hope that you find solutions to your pet's health concerns within these pages.
Nothing replaces the care and guidance of a good veterinarian and the material here is not intended to do so. The intent is to empower you with information so you can ask the right questions and make informed decisions – leaving nothing to chance. Remember, your pet would do it for you. . .
All the best,
Lee Ann Cox
Pet NutriSystems
"It is difficult to obtain the friendship of a cat.
It is a philosophical animal...one that does
not place its affections thoughtlessly."
- Theophile Gautier
The information contained on this website, in the reports, guides and instructions are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice or care of a veterinarian. If your pet is displaying symptoms of illness or discomfort, seek the medical advice of a veterinarian immediately. The statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
"Pets are not our whole life,
After a few weeks of this diet we noticed Jock was losing weight and sleeping more (a sign he did not feel well). My husband and I believed in the concept of good nutrition for ourselves. We knew that many health problems could be corrected with diet and nutritional supplementation, so we decided to see if the same could work for Jock.
So, that is how a cat inspired a company. And the more I shared my story, the more I heard others talk about their frustration when it came to dealing with their pet's health issues. Many felt in the dark about everything from diagnosis to treatment options. Most were overwhelmed with how high their veterinary bills could be and almost everyone felt they had little control over their pet's health.
