Dog Food Supplements
last updated 16th, Apr 2013,
Amrita Bandopadhyay
Remember how your Mom used to say that you must have some health drink,you must! She would run around the house chasing you with a glass. Well there is always something extra you can do for your doggy too.....over and above a good diet.There are various food supplements that can help in many ways!!! They can add proteins,vitamins,and the other needed nutrients. You have to choose different dog supplements according to the age,size and need of your pet. However you must keep in mind these are supplements and can never replace meals. These can only be of help when your dog is already getting a wholesome diet and required exercise.
A dietary supplement is a preparation that adds to the nutrients that a body needs but is not able to find in the regular food.These can be proteins,amino or fatty acid,vitamins etc.As is the case with humans, dogs also may need something extra.However you need to be very careful as to which brand you choose and how much you feed your dog. Remember too much of anything is bad.
Any extra protein or vitamins can lead to other medical conditions that your pet did not suffer from in the first place.We can take the example of calcium.We often give kids and as an extension our lovely puppies Calcium supplements.However an excess dosage of calcium can lead to retention and hence bone issues.On similar lines excess of any vitamin may also case dehydration,pain or toxicity. At various stages of your dog’ s life you would need different supplements. When he is just a puppy you would need growth supplements.Puppies grow by leaps and bounds, 20 times faster than a dog!!! These growth supplements would help him grow into a healthy dog.
More pet parents are making dog supplements a part of their dog’s daily diet. The most common include multivitamins, supplements to support arthritic joints, and fatty acids (important for a shiny coat and reduced shedding). Dog supplement use is also popular with owners of older and obese dogs, in order to reduce symptoms brought on by age or weight.
There are a lot of dog food brands available,some expensive and some cheap.You have to choose wisely. But do dogs need really supplements? Are dog supplements safe? There’s a lot of talk on the subject – some experts say they are important while others believe they could be doing more harm than good.Here are some check points that you may consider before you introduce supplements to your dog’s diet.Before you give your pooch dog supplements, take him to the vet and get her expert opinion. Point out any health issues you think could be affecting your dog and ask if there are any supplements that could alleviate the problem.
Check the supplements included in your dog’s food. Some dog foods have supplements built in. Some of these include adult formulas or prescription dog food. Others include botanicals or DHA.
Check the dose. Giving too much of a good thing could lead to serious health issues. Always follow the recommendations on the packaging. If you are in doubt, ask your vet.
Does your dog need extra vitamins? If you’re feeding your dog an FDA-approved dog food, he is most likely getting all the vitamins and minerals in this complete and balanced diet. If you’re using a homemade dog food, your dog may need added supplements.
When choosing dog supplements, look for a brand that specializes in the issue you dog is facing. Read the labels, know the name of the ingredient you’re looking for and make sure the supplement has it. And don’t be fooled by claims that sound too good to be true – they usually are not Although vets disagree on the importance of supplementing a dogs diet, most dogs remain in good health on a nutritionally complete and balanced dog food and many may benefit from, or at least are not harmed by, certain supplements.
For example, consider vitamin C. Unlike people, dogs can synthesize vitamin C in their bodies and may not benefit from a vitamin C supplement the way a person could. Some studies suggest, however, that vitamin C supplements may be useful to highly athletic and working dogs. Dogs who lack the ability to synthesize vitamin C could benefit from supplementation of this antioxidant vitamin. Some breeders believe that vitamin C supplementation helps maintain orthopedic health in giant breeds. When it comes to canine dietary supplements, dog owners and their veterinarians must consider many variables.
The best course of action is to talk to your vet about supplements and determine together if your dog is likely to have a particular deficiency, then supplement that deficiency specifically. Or, if you are interested in supplements to treat a chronic disorder like arthritis or allergies, be sure to tell your vet that you are considering this kind of addition to your dogs health regimen. Your vet may have new information about the safety and efficacy of supplements because your vet may have access to dog health news you don't hear about, it pays to ask before giving your dog a new supplement.
Always keep in mind that you have the best interest of your dog in mind but you may not have the best knowledge about his needs. Research the brands properly and pay for the expensive ones if the professionals recommend it. Afterall, nothing is too expensive when it comes to your loved ones health!!!
