Thank Chew!

Last month at The Dog Express HQ, we received a package (as we often do); but this one contained something we knew The Dog Express pooches would be very excited about!

When we get books, toys or treats from pet businesses, we usually have a competition or giveaway so that our many readers and their canine companions can enjoy some great products and services, free of charge. However, we do occasionally receive products for sampling so that we can provide our honest opinion and feedback to both you and the company.

Given that we are a dog information website, none of humans on The Dog Express Team are too keen to sample the treats, chews and toys that come our way – so it is very lucky that we have several pooches ready and waiting to step up and take one for the team (it’s usually much than 1 to be honest!) 

Vivamune Health

Vivamune Health are a division of Avivagen, Inc, who, for over 3 decades have been researching and developing the naturally occurring benefits of carotenoids and have used this research to create specially formulated chews and supplements for dogs and cats that are not only delicious, but also beneficial to their health.

By using a carotenoid blend, Avivagen bring a unique and exciting active ingredient to the canine and feline health supplement market, which has been rigorously researched and developed in Canada by a dedicated team of highly trained and qualified chemists, biochemists and veterinary immunologists. The team at Avivagen are pet owners themselves and were keen to develop health chews that would benefit the immune and digestive systems, joint care and mobility and enhance the health of the skin and coat of pets, without the side effects that so often accompany a beneficial supplement.

Avivagen are also passionate about the health of animals in general and support a number of animal charities, including Autism Service Dogs of Canada and Ontario Veterinary College Cancer Research and Treatment. They are a proud member of the National Animal Supplements Council (NASC), who provide extra reassurance to pet owners that the Vivamune Health Chews meet regulatory guidelines for quality and integrity.

Product Information

The Vivamune Health Chews are made in the USA and provide your pet with a natural, delicious and nutritious chew which has numerous health benefits. The range consists of:-

• Large Dog Health Chews - Containing the specially formulated carotenoid blend to help support your dog’s immune function. Each chew is 20mg and gives your dog a delicious vegetable flavoured treat, which provides numerous health and well-being benefits for your pooch. The large dog chews are suitable for dogs of 25lbs and over and suggested dosages are provided on both the packaging and the Vivamune website.
• Small Dog Health Chews - Made for smaller dogs of 25lbs and under, these delicious and nutritious chews also contain the specially formulated carotenoid blend which helps to support your dog’s immune function. Each chew is 5mg in size, so is small enough for your little dog, but still packed full of taste and goodness. Details on the ingredients and other FAQ’s can be found on the Vivamune website.
• Cat Health Chews - Even though The Dog Express is an information site for canines and their owners, we still wanted to add that Vivamune Cat Health Chew to this list. These chews provide the same level of nutrition, taste and benefits for your feline friend as they do for their canine counterparts, giving your cat the best possible chance of remaining healthy.

About The Health Chews

Vivamune Health Chews really are unique and there is no other product quite like it on the pet supplement market. Designed to be both natural and beneficial for your pet, these chews have noticeable benefits when given over a period of time.

Throughout clinical trials and through countless pet owner testimonials, the Vivamune Health Chew range have been proven to promote:-

• Healthy joints and mobility
• Healthy immune system
• Healthy skin and coat condition
• Normal intestinal function
• Can reduce grooming time in dogs

In addition to those amazing and proven benefits, the chews are also a tasty treat that your pooch will happily ‘woof’ down every morning. In fact, during our sampling period of these products, The Dog Express Canine Testers sat by the food cupboard at the same time each day, demanding their Vivamune Chew!

The chews are suitable for dogs 6 weeks of age and over and at all stages in their life, providing you with a natural, reliable supplement that can be given each day to promote health and well-being in your canine companion. It is a proven fact that dogs who are in a healthy condition and who have less health issues, lead more active, happier and less stressful lives and Vivamune Chews give pet owners the ability to help avoid stressful and often painful conditions such as arthritis, joint inflammation, skin issues, digestive disorders and general ill health.

The Test

Much to their delight, Jay (Male Border Collie aged 10) and Ellie (Female Collie Cross aged 7), were the testers for this sampling period and due to their significant difference in size and weight, we were able to provide Jay with the Large Dog Health Chew whilst Ellie tested the Small Dog Health Chew. 

We tested both products every day for a 30 day period, which has enabled us to provide a full review and our opinion of the benefits that these chews have, some of which can take from 2-4 weeks to show in your dog. The delicious taste of the products was in no doubt from day, 1 because although Jay is the canine version of a vacuum cleaner; Ellie outright refuses to eat anything that is not to her liking! 

Both dogs are healthy already, but each suffers with a few issues that we hoped may be alleviated or even eradicated by giving them the supplements. Ellie is a very active dog (hyper-active would be a better description), and as she is a Border Collie Cross, she sheds much more than a pure bred BC. Usually her hair is thick and very soft, however during the Summer her hair falls out excessively over a 6-8 week period and the remaining coat is very coarse and rough (similar to that of a Jack Russel); she also suffers occasionally with digestive disorders and can only tolerate home-made dog food and natural treats.  

Jay’s only noticeable health issue is worsening arthritis in his hind legs and lower back area. As a rescue dog, he spent the first 12 months of his life outside, chained to a post in a farmers yard in North Wales and the constant cold and damp weather is now taking it’s toll on this otherwise healthy pooch.   

As with all food/supplement sampling that we carry out, no other conditions for the dogs were altered and neither dog is on any other supplement. Seeing both dogs queuing for their treats day after day, we had no doubt that the Vivamune Health Chews really were delicious treats and dog approved – but would the health benefits claimed by Avivagen live up to expectation?

Our Verdict

Within just 10-14 days, the dog owners reported a noticeable difference in the coats and skin condition of both dogs, with the coat appearing shinier and healthier. This was especially noticeable in Ellie whose shedding reduced dramatically and her remaining coat is now almost as soft and shiny as her previous coat (unlike the usual, coarse texture). Ellie’s owners was also delighted that the chews not only didn’t upset her dogs stomach, but they also seemed to helped regulate Ellie’s bowel movement, which has been consistent throughout the latter part of the 30 day sample period.

However, the most amazing result from using these chews has been in the joint health and mobility of Jay, who has spent many years slowly getting less mobile and suffering more with arthritis to the rear. He often lies on the floor as jumping on and off the sofa causes him pain and when he has been sitting for a while, it is easy to see that he is stiff and slow to start moving again. By day 21 of taking the chews daily, Jay’s owner was astounded to report that his movements had become visibly easier and to quote her “he is jumping up and down and running around just like the dog he was 7 years ago when we first had him”.

This kind of effect is always so wonderful to see in a dog with health issues and enables The Dog Express to give an honest review and opinion that in the 2 dogs who tested these Health Chews, the benefits claimed by Vivamune lived up to and far exceeded expectation.

The Vivamune Health website is so user-friendly, easy to navigate and very informative, providing a wellness centre, blog and a fantastic selection of FAQ’s, answering any and all questions that you may have about the company, chews and benefits.

So many websites focus on just selling you the product, but as you will see by visiting Vivamune, they focus on you as a pet owner and the health of your pet first and foremost. You really get a sense of a close knit team who put the well-being of animals way ahead of their own bottom-line.

The Dog Express is proud to recommend Vivamune Health Chews for your dog, and the dog owners’ who tested the sample products for us will without a doubt, be continuing to purchase and use these chews to benefit their dogs long into the future. There are only 2 or 3 products or services that we have provided a review for who have been given the coveted 10/10 seal of approval, but this product was a no-brainer due to the clear and obvious benefits for the dogs. You only have to take a look at the vast number of testimonials in the details below, to see just how many dog owners approve of the Vivamune Supplements; so don’t delay on getting and keeping your dog in good health –  buy your Health Chews today!

Vivamune Health Details

IF YOU ARE IN THE US, ENTER OUR VIVAMUNE GIVEAWAY

Accepting entries until August 22nd 2014, you can now get your very own 30 day supply of the amazing Vivamune Health Chews. A After testing the amazing Vivamune Health Chews we were so delighted with the product that we have partnered with Vivamune to give 4 lucky winners a 30 day supply of these great health supplements.

HOW TO WIN – All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is post the name/s or your pooch in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. 4 lucky winners will be selected in 2 weeks time and Vivamune will post your 30 day supply out.

After the winners have been picked, we will contact you to get the size of your pooch and your address and you can experience the benefits of this great product for yourself.

Don’t worry if you are not one of the lucky winners – you can still head over to the Vivamune Website and get your health chews and for pet owners outside of US, Vivamune hope to extend their delivery in the future so keep an eye out.