Is it good to give my dog supplements? 

Vitamin supplements have practically become part of the human diet.  Although not in the same proportion, the supply of vitamins is also increasingly common in the routine of four-legged friends. But what is a dog supplement for?

As quality feed often already offers all the essential nutrients for the health of pets, tutors imagine that supplementation is not necessary, but this is not the case. When prescribed by a veterinarian, the vitamin can support a longer, healthier and more comfortable life.

When to supplement food?

An animal that takes dog vitamins or supplements unnecessarily or in excess may have its metabolism impaired. So who should take it, is that pet lacking one or more important elements in its nutrition. Who identifies this lack and the need for food supplementation is a veterinarian. So consult one before starting any kind of supplementation.

But how do you know if it's time to visit a clinic? The tutor can identify some signs such as weight loss, hair loss and little activity of the animal,severe anxiety. It is important to report this to the veterinarian to collaborate with the diagnosis and treatment.

Different types of supplements

Before saying what the dog supplement is for, it is important to remember that there are different types of this product to meet all the nutritional needs of the pet. Therefore, if you believe that your puppy has a nutritional deficiency, consulting a veterinarian is always the best alternative. 

With the specialist, it is possible to find out if, for example, due to some illness or even due to age, the dog has joint problems. In this way, a vitamin with collagen or cartilage protectors is recommended in order to strengthen the bones. There are still situations in which it is impossible to meet the animal's needs through ordinary food. This is the case of omega 3 to delay aging and improve immunity and chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, which together contribute to reducing the development of joint diseases in dogs such as Arthritis.All-natural joint supplement recommended by vets. All-natural supplement designed to support your dog's mobility. 

If it is a pet that has an imbalance in the intestinal flora, it can be medicated with a supplement for dogs based on prebiotics and probiotics. Thus, each supplement has a function according to what each animal needs.

Calming natural Supplements can play an important role in decreasing your dog's overall anxiety  scientifically proven ingredients provide an effective way to help reduce stress, support calm behaviour and ease anxiety specially in  milder cases not in short but in the medium to long term .

Known to calm, reduce stress and improve sleep quality, calming supplements are the base ingredients for many dietary supplements. In the case of dogs, can also have the same effects it has for us humans.

Being also indicated for anxious furry, in addition to calming down, these two components, skullcap or valerian, can improve destructive behaviours caused by stress. In this way, they are natural products that bring many benefits. Ingredients range but may include L-Tryptophan, GABA and L-Arginine, L Theanine, Fish protein hydrolysate, melatonin, thiamine and a number of herbal ingredients like Lemon Balm, Passiflora Incarnata and Valarian. Herbal products usually contain skullcap or valerian and have traditionally been used for their calming benefits for many years.  If you decide to try supplements to help with your dog’s separation anxiety, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviourist. They can recommend the appropriate supplements and correct dosage, as well as reputable manufacturers and products .Follow your vet’s instructions or the instructions on the label, and then pay attention to how your dog responds to the supplement. 

References:

https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2017-01-15/assessing-pet-supplements

https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2022/06/11/do-calming-supplements-for-dogs-work/

https://hyperdrug.co.uk/dog/anxiety-stress-in-dogs/

Photo by SplitShire: https://www.pexels.com/photo/animal-dog-pet-dangerous-2238/