Should I give my dog vitamins and supplements?
Any owner does everything possible so that his dog lives a long and healthy life. Before deciding whether your pet needs supplemental dog vitamins, you should know which nutrients each dog needs.
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Start with proper nutrition
The huge assortment of vitamins for people on drugstore shelves can be confusing. The same can be said about the choice of nutritional supplements for dogs. You should start by analyzing your pet’s daily diet. At first glance, the task may seem simple, but with the abundance of dog food on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for your furry friend. Luckily, with a bit of information about key nutrients and vitamins, you can figure out if your pet needs dog food supplements.
Dogs need six major classes of nutrients to be healthy: water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. However, a particular dog may need more or less of these nutrients. A thorough understanding of your pet’s nutritional needs, taking into account their activity level, age, health issues, and any typical genetic issues, will help you select a food that meets their specific needs.
Discuss nutritional advice with your veterinarian. Only through regular checkups can he determine if the food your dog is eating provides the necessary nutrients. If he deems that the pet needs additional nutrients, he will either prescribe a medicated food or write a prescription for dog nutritional supplements.
What are dog food supplements?
Sometimes food alone is not enough to meet a dog’s nutritional needs. If your veterinarian does recommend a supplement or vitamin, don’t worry. According to the American Kennel Club, one of the most common vitamins for dogs for joints is glucosamine. Glucosamine is a natural compound found in fluid around joints that helps relieve arthritis pain in dogs. For older animals with skin allergies, your veterinarian may recommend fish oil capsules, and for dogs with inflammation, antioxidant vitamin A supplements. You should discuss the pros and cons of taking vitamins with your doctor and develop a plan that best suits your pet’s needs.
Never give your dog human vitamins or even over-the-counter vitamins or dog food supplements. Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding the amount and frequency of prescribed tablets, treats, or capsules. If you run out of vitamins prescribed for your dog, get a new pack from your veterinarian instead of from your regular pharmacy. Tablets for humans do not correspond to the dosage for dogs.
Specific Reasons for Taking Supplements
If your pet has special medical needs, supplements or vitamins can be a great way to help them lead a happy, healthy, and active lifestyle. Most four-legged friends do not need to supplement until they are old, but some breeds may need to supplement from an early age for genetic reasons.
It is important not to overdo it with vitamins in an effort to make the dog exceptionally healthy. Vitamin D, for example, has many health benefits but can be fatal if administered incorrectly. And if a neighbor gives his dog a certain supplement, this does not mean that your four-legged friend also needs such a supplement.
Consider your dog’s health
Each dog is unique, and what is considered beneficial for one may not always be beneficial for another. Even if a pet’s food meets all of its basic nutritional needs, environmental factors may dictate the need for additional vitamins or supplements at various times in its life. Since pets have different needs at different life stages, it is important to constantly monitor your dog’s appearance, behavior, and activity level. If there are changes, even if they are minor, talk to your veterinarian to see if they are caused by a lack of nutrients. In most cases, in order for the pet to return to normal, it is enough just to change his food.
Dogs don’t have nine lives, so it’s important to give them the opportunity to live their one life to the best of their ability. The key to this is feeding your pet a balanced diet that contains all six essential nutrients in the right proportions. Regular checkups with your veterinarian will help determine if your dog needs vitamins, and if so, when. It is important to remember that the basis of a pet’s health is proper nutrition, regular walks and activity. Don’t rely on recommendations from friends or the internet to decide which vitamins to give your dog—your veterinarian knows best.
