Does Your Dog Need Vitamins? Understanding Supplements in Dog Food
Does Your Dog Need Vitamins?
by Susan Dyer
Like their human parents, dogs need their specified dose of vitamins to stay healthy and strong. And like us, if they’re given a balanced diet, they should get everything they need in their daily feed. At least, that’s something every pet lover tries to do.
However, there are times when our furry friends could do with an extra boost. Food alone may not provide enough for them. The American Kennel Club specifies that pet owners should only give their pups vitamin supplements unless a veterinarian recommends them.
Veterinary nutritionist Dr Susan Wynn says most doggies fed a homemade diet sometimes require supplements. But she does caution that these vitamins should be given to match their diet.
In this article, we’ll discuss dog supplements and their role in your pet’s diet.
How do Dog Supplements Work?
PetMD defines supplements as any product added to your pet’s diet to improve their health.
Dog supplements are regulated by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). The nonprofit organization awards a seal of quality assurance to manufacturers that meet its standards.
To ensure you’re buying a quality product, always search for the NASC seal. This lets you know the product is safe and effective.
There is no magic bullet for optimum pet health. With that being said, supplements are often prescribed to prevent health issues or slow the progression of a disease. For instance, Open Farm suggests dog hip and joint supplements to help your doggie stay active and healthy.
Does Your Dog Need Vitamins-Important Vitamins Your Dog Needs
It’s not always possible to ensure your puppy is getting enough nutrients. If you’re considering incorporating a pet supplement into their diet, look for the following vitamin supplements.
Vitamin A supports your dog’s immune function, vision and healthy skin. The nutrient can be found in liver, fish oil and carrots.
If your pup experiences dandruff or dry skin, it could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. Vitamins B and C help maintain healthy coats and strong nails.
For gut health, include vitamins B2 and B12 in their diets. Consult your vet if you’re considering supplementing their feed with probiotics.
Older dogs and puppies can benefit from Vitamins E and K. These nutrients help boost your pet’s heart, brain and immune system.
Veterinarian Dr W. Jean Dodds advises that “functional superfoods” have the best health benefits. They contain powerful antioxidants and reduce chronic inflammation.
What about Sodium Selenite?
Sodium selenite has made its way into news headlines, causing concern for many pet parents and veterinarians. The mineral is an added supplement to commercial dog food and is named under the ingredients list as “trace elements.”
The synthetic form is used in dog food. Selenium does have a specific function. It helps maintain the thyroid gland and acts as an antioxidant.
But here’s where the controversy comes in. Dogster says pet owners are averse to having the synthetic version used in dog food as it can be toxic if too much is consumed. Because the ingredient is synthetic, fur parents worry that the substance isn’t regulated.
The publication adds that sodium selenite levels meet the regulations set by the Association of American Feed Control Officers and the FDA. There is little need for pet owners to panic.
Signs that Fido May Need a Supplement
Nobody knows your furry companion better than you. So you’ll be the first to notice if they’re not their boisterous self.
There will be instances where they’ll need a supplement. If your puppy is a picky eater and doesn’t finish their feed, you might want to consider multivitamins to ensure they’re getting all their nutrients.
An older pet suffering from joint pain or arthritis can benefit from a joint supplement. However, Professor Duncan Lascelles, director of the Comparative Pain Research and Education Center, advises vigilance.
He tells Business Insider that research is limited on the ingredients that give the most pain relief. Prof Lascelles’ best advice is to choose a supplement containing marine-based omega-3 fatty acids.
As fur parents, we only want the best for our pet babies. There will be times you feel like you’re not doing enough to ensure your puppy is in the best of health. As long as they have a hearty appetite and are on a balanced diet, there’s nothing to fret about.
If you think your pet’s not getting a sufficient amount of nutrients and you’d like to explore the dog supplements option, consult your veterinarian. They can best advise a possible plan of action.