Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Each animal is unique and you might have questions about our products that are specific to your animal's health needs or situation. We've tried to answer the most common questions we get asked about our feeds and supplements. You will also find a bit more detail on our delivery service and where you can find our products across the UK. However, if you can't find the answer to your question here please feel free to get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Cat & Dog Care

Are your supplements for dogs suitable for puppies?

Although our supplements are suitable for all dogs regardless of age or exercise level, we would suggest that very young puppies (under 6 months of age) will not need a joint care supplement like Joint Aid for Dogs unless there is injury or a family history of joint problems. However, using a joint supplement for general maintenance is a good way to help protect against joint issues in later life, particularly for large dogs or breeds prone to joint problems as well as those in work like agility or gun dogs.

Digestive Aid for Dogs can be very helpful if your puppy needs some digestive support.

How do I know if my dog needs a joint supplement?

If you notice that your dog is slower than they used to be or seems to be in pain when getting up from bed, for example, you may want to consider giving a joint supplement like Joint Aid for Dogs which provides both glucosamine and hyaluronic acid, but you should always consult with your vet first to get a proper diagnosis. Find out more about joint supplements for dogs on our blog.

How much glucosamine is in Joint Aid for Dogs?

Joint Aid for Dogs contains 32 active nutraceuticals, including 2.5% glucosamine. However, don’t forget that it also contains our oil-based Oatinol Delivery System, which allows your dog to maintain a higher rate of absorption of nutrients like glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. Read more about Oatinol and how it works on our blog.  

Can Joint Aid for Dogs be given alongside your other supplements for dogs?

Yes you can give your dog Joint Aid for Dogs along with any of our other supplements. There may sometimes be a crossover with ingredients, but your dog will simply pass any excess amounts and the chances of side effects are very small.

How long does it take to see a difference from Joint Aid for Dogs?

Thanks to our Oatinol Delivery System our customers tend to see a difference in their dogs much quicker than they have with other leading brands. During our veterinary trials, 70% of dogs showed an improvement within just 30 days of taking Joint Aid for Dogs*. This is because Oatinol allows your dog’s body to maintain a higher rate of absorption of important nutrients like glucosamine.

*Based on blind veterinary tests carried out in 2008.

Are there any side effects I should look out for with Joint Aid for Dogs?

Unless your dog has an allergy to any of the ingredients themselves, there are no known side effects from the product.  Joint Aid for Dogs contains glucosamine from a vegetable source so no shellfish is used.

My dog suffers from a sensitive tummy – will Joint Aid for Dogs be suitable?

Joint Aid for Dogs contains the Oatinol Delivery System which supports a healthy gut and good digestion, and we usually see a good response from dogs with sensitive digestive systems.

If your dog is suffering from diarrhea or needs a bit more help with digestive health, Digestive Aid for Dogs is also worth a try. It contains prebiotics and probiotics to support the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system, as well as antioxidants and Verm-X to support the gut function. However, it is always important to try and establish the cause of your dog’s diarrhea. If the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours or your dog’s condition worsens at any time you should consult your vet straightaway.

Do you use green lipped mussel in your joint supplements for dogs?

Green lipped mussels are one source of Omega 3 fatty acids used by some joint care supplements available today. Our supplements are designed to support your dog’s physiology from the inside out and work with the animal’s natural processes and systems, which is why we prefer to use another high quality source of Omega 3’s: hemp.

Hemp Oil is probably the best source of Omega 3 fatty acids found in the plant world. The unique combination found in hemp also allows your dog to produce other essential Omega 3 fats called EPA and DHA, both of which are normally only found in fish oils and are crucial for maintaining the natural anti-inflammatory action of the body.

You might also find our Knowledge Base articles Omega Oils - What do they really mean? and The Benefits of Hemp Oil vs Linseed Oil useful to read.

My dog has itchy skin – should I try Immune Aid for Dogs or your skin and coat supplement for dogs?

It depends on the cause of the issue. If you feel that the itchy skin is caused by a food allergy, new research would suggest that prebiotics like the ones we use in Digestive Aid for Dogs could help to address the root of the issue.

If there is a chance that the cause is environmental or if you have no idea what’s causing it at the moment, Immune Aid for Dogs is a good place to start as it will support your dog’s natural immune responses. If your dog’s skin is damaged from scratching, Omega 3 Aid for Dogs, in addition to either Digestive Aid or Immune Aid, could help to support skin recovery. If you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail please get in touch with us and we'll be happy to advise.

My cat refuses to eat Joint Aid for Cats - what can I do?

Cats are led by smell when it comes to food and can be extremely picky! If your cat won't eat Joint Aid for Cats sprinkled on their usual dinner, try mixing it with a little warm water and making a paste that you can add to their food.

Horse & Pony Care

Is X-Lam Aid suitable for horses with Cushings/EMS?

Yes, X-Lam Aid contains just 15.5g of sugar & starch combined (2.5gm sugar) per measure. It is also 100% wheat free.

When should I feed my horse a feed balancer?

A feed balancer like Equilibra offers a very concentrated way of providing your horse with the nutrition they need. Ideally this should form part of your horse's daily diet all year round. The smaller feeding rate of balancers means that less compound horse feed is needed and allows for more forage. Forage is, and will always be, the most important part of a horse’s diet.

Why don’t you offer a different balancer for Senior or Performance horses?

Our balancer, Equilibra, is formulated to help balance the digestive system of any horse or pony to support the animal’s overall health, rather than just balancing the diet. This concept is based on supporting the gut lining and improving digestive processes whether the horse is young, senior, a happy hacker or a performance horse, and so there is really no nutritional need for multiple versions of the same feed.

Do you do a feed for horses with ulcers?

Because of the wheat-free, hemp-based formulation of Equilibra, it is a perfect feed to use with horses who are prone to ulcers. The combination of components from oat oil, pectin fibre and natural vitamin E supports the natural mucosal layer that protects the lining of the gut. Wheat starch increases lactic acid production which weakens it, and where possible you should try to avoid wheat based feeds, including wheat meal and wheat feed.

Additionally, our feed supplement X-Lam Aid is also suitable for use with horses currently showing signs of ulcers. Within the X-Lam Aid formulation is a natural buffering material which helps reduce the acidity of the gastric pH. The level of this buffer in X-Lam Aid is up to 15 times more than that found in some of the dedicated ulcer feeds currently available.

Regardless of what you choose to feed, it is imperative that the horse be allowed access to a suitable forage source 24 hours a day as saliva is the best buffering materials for acid.

You might also find our Knowledge Base articles Ulceration of the horses GI tract and Feeding wheat by-products to horses useful.

What should I feed my horse or pony with laminitis?

Forage. Even a laminitic still requires enough forage every day to ensure other digestive issues are not caused as well. The horse’s forage intake must be an absolute minimum of 1% of the horse’s bodyweight. Alongside the forage there are essential vitamins, minerals & trace elements that are vital to your horse’s diet and a product like our OneCup for Horses will ensure these are fed each day. With an extremely small feeding rate, this product provides less than 19gms of sugar & starch combined per day. With that said, research has shown that the state of a horse’s digestive system can greatly affect the horse’s susceptibility to illnesses such as laminitis, and as such you may find our balancer Equilibra is even more suitable for long term support.

Whatever you choose to feed alongside forage, our feed supplement X-Lam Aid is designed for horses susceptible to or recovering from the effects of laminitis. Find out more about dealing with laminitis on our blog.

Why is there sugar in your products when it’s bad for horses?

It is a fact that all feed materials contain sugar in one form or another, and some sugar in the diet is essential for normal functions within the horse’s body. For example, glucose is one of the very few sugars able to cross the blood brain barrier. Because of this, glucose is vital for normal brain function. In fact, humans need around 120g of glucose per day just for the brain!

There are also many different types of sugars. We also get asked about the sugar beet pulp and sugar cane molasses found in our products. These are the correct names of the products beet pulp and cane molasses. The sugar beet pulp and the sugar cane molasses used in horse feeds are the by-product of the sugar industry. Both these ingredients have had most of their sugar content extracted in order to produce the sugar you may stir into your tea or coffee. What we use in our feeds is the beneficial fibre source of the sugar beet plant, and the palatability improving natural substance of the sugar cane plant.

As a horse owner, look into how much sugar & starch is being fed per meal, not just per day. The key with forage is that the horse should be grazing for as close to 24 hours as possible. For more detailed information about forage feeding visit our blog.

Do your products contain wheat?

No, almost all of our products are 100% wheat free, as we know it tends to aggravate the digestive system for many animals. OneCup, our vitamin and mineral supplement for horses, is the only exception to this.

What should I feed my performance horse for energy without making them “fizzy” or put on weight?

Our recommendation would be Tiger Oats. These are formulated with Scandinavian black oats rather than the traditional blonde oats. Scandinavian black oats have a lower starch content than that of traditional oats, whilst still providing a high energy source of 13 MJ/Kg. The lower starch levels, high oil and fibre content, and a ‘nutri-pellet’ to balance calcium/phosphorus ratios and provide important electrolytes for peak performance, make Tiger Oats perfect for all working and competition horses and ponies.

How do I know if my horse needs a joint supplement?

If you start to notice signs of stiffness in your horse, or they seem more reluctant to get going after a rest it may be time to look into a joint care supplement to support their mobility. If they are becoming less active you may also notice some muscle loss and a muscle support supplement with amino acids may be beneficial. If you notice a change in your horse’s behaviour or you are worried about their health have them thoroughly checked by your vet.

Alpaca & Llama Care

What should I feed my alpaca?

The main part of your alpaca’s diet should be grass along with hay or haylage – usually 1.5% of the animal’s weight per day. Most alpacas will also need a nutritional supplement like Camelibra to maintain a healthy digestion, avoid impaction and ensure the correct balance of nutrients, particularly vitamin D throughout the winter months. Pregnant and lactating females will need extra nutritional support from a complementary feed like Hembra & Cria to ensure the growth and development of their young.

How is Camelibra different to alpaca mix?

Camelibra is one of the only feeds on the market that has been designed specifically for alpacas and llamas, rather than being a goat or sheep feed that has been adjusted slightly. It also has a higher concentration of the vitamins and minerals your alpaca needs, so the feeding rate is lower and you can still make sure your animal is getting the right amount of forage intake. This is especially important for camelids to keep their digestion healthy and avoid impaction.

When can I start giving Hembra & Cria to my newborn alpacas?

They can start as soon as they are ready. Cria will usually start to imitate mum and begin helping themselves.

Should I give my alpaca a vitamin D injection or paste in the winter?

Lower levels of sunlight during the winter months means less vitamin D for your animals and it is important to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition they need. For fully grown non-breeding adults you can increase the amount of Camelibra you are feeding to 1.25g per kg during the winter months to provide the additional vitamin D needed. However, this is a general feeding rate - for more detailed nutritional advice based on your animals’ specific requirements, particularly for young animals or pregnant females, please get in touch with us directly.

Product Range & Delivery Service

What is the Oatinol™ Delivery System?

The Oatinol™ Delivery System is a groundbreaking concept only found in GWF Nutrition products. It means that a higher rate of absorption of important nutrients is maintained by your animal’s digestive tract, allowing them to properly utilise the key ingredients and benefit more fully.

Often the key active ingredients like glucosamine found in nutritional supplements are not properly absorbed, meaning that anywhere from 75% to 90% is simply passed by the body and with it the benefits. This means that a joint supplement for dogs may seem to contain a good level of the right nutrients, but actually your dog will only be getting 10%-25% of the amount shown.

Read more about Oatinol and the science behind it on our blog.

Do I need to give a loading amount of your supplements?

No, thanks to Oatinol, we usually see a high rate of nutrient absorption with our supplements and therefore your animal will benefit quicker. In our veterinary trials on Joint Aid for Dogs, we found that 70% of dogs showed improved mobility within just 30 days of using the product*.

Where can I buy GWF Nutrition products?

Our feeds and supplements are available at most good pet shops and country stores around the UK. To find a local stockist in your area search using our Stockist Locator. Our products are also available from a variety of online retailers.

What are your delivery charges?

Our standard delivery service is 1-3 working days for all products.

We offer free delivery on all items in our Cat & Dog range.

For products in our Horse & Pony and Alpaca & Llama ranges our standard delivery charges are as follows:

  • England, Wales & Southern Scotland - £8.58 for the first 20kg
  • The Highlands and N Ireland (C) - £15.26 for the first 20kg
  • The Islands (D) - £20.35 for the first 20 kg

Why are there different delivery charges for the Highlands & Islands and Northern Ireland?

Unfortunately these are the carrier charges to send larger items to these areas, which are higher than for the rest of the UK. We don’t make any additional charge and we absorb some of this cost ourselves. However, if you are based in these areas we would advise you to source our products from one of our stockists instead where you may find the product and/or delivery more cost effective.

You can find a list of stockists in your area on our stockist finder. There are also plenty of online retailers stocking our products.

Do you offer shipping to the United States or other countries?

Not at the moment, but a number of our online stockists do. If you can’t find a suitable retailer, please contact us and we can help point you in the right direction.