All pet parents want what's best for their furry children, and making sure their companion is in
good health is no exception. Some dogs are picky about food choices, making it more difficult to
provide healthy and balanced meals.
A pet owner may turn to supplements and multivitamins for dogs, but do they actually work?
What are the benefits? Learn more about how vitamins can benefit your pup’s health.
When to Give Your Dog Supplements
There are two main reasons for giving your furry friend a supplement:
1. A diet deficient in a specific vitamin or mineral
2. A diet that includes homemade meals
Although homemade meals offer many health benefits, it’s often challenging to include all the
necessary nutrients at every feeding.
Look at supplements and multivitamins as complements to a dog’s diet, helping to maintain their
overall health and well-being. Plus, using them is probably easier than fitting every nutrient
needed in a meal and getting your dog to eat it. (Yes, dogs can be picky eaters.)
When Not to Give Your Dog Supplements
Knowing when to avoid supplements is crucial, as giving too much of a supplement can make
your fur baby sick. The body has a delicate balance of systems that help to maintain canine
health, and the nutrients needed to run them also require a careful balance. Too much of any
single vitamin or mineral can cause problems.
Supplements may not be necessary if your dog is eating a well-balanced diet and has no
obvious health problems. Most commercial foods include the minimum necessary vitamins and
minerals to provide a well-balanced diet.
5 Ways Supplements Improve Your Dog’s Health
When used properly, supplements and multivitamins for dogs can play a significant role in
improved health. Here are five ways supplements can help various aspects of your dog’s body.
1. Joint Health
As dogs get older, it’s common for them to develop a form of joint pain. Supplements, including
glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega acids can calm joint inflammation, reducing pain.
2. Skin and Coat Condition
One of the best parts about a dog is the warm and fluffy coat! When your fur baby struggles with
skin issues, that fluffiness can disappear, causing the coat to feel coarse or brittle. Supplements
that contain omega 3s, vitamin E, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and biotin may provide relief from itching, irritation, and other skin
problems.
3. Digestion
A dog’s digestive system is very sensitive and needs a perfect balance of good and bad
bacteria to work properly. The problem is that it’s easy for harmful bacteria to build up if a dog
eats something it shouldn’t have or isn’t getting the proper nutrition. That’s where probiotics
come in—they’re filled with good bacteria to restore balance and ensure a smooth digestion
process.
4. Cognitive Development
Supplements containing vitamins E and C, L-Carnitine, omega-3, and antioxidants may help
keep your pup active while improving cognitive health through aging.
5. Boosted Immune System
The best way to keep your fur baby healthy is to keep the immune system running smoothly.
Using multi-vitamin supplements that contain probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamin E can provide
an immunity boost, which can help your pup fight off illnesses.
A Dog’s Health Requires a Delicate Balance
The health of humans and canines alike requires balance. Achieving the right balance often
involves using whole foods and high-quality multivitamins, and supplements. Incorporating the
various needs can help your dog live a long and healthy life.