Why You Should Consider A Natural Dog Supplement
Over 48 million households have at least one dog. Most of these owners treat their dogs like loyalty - buying them treats, the best dog food, fun toys, comfortable beds, and so much more!
But a lot of dog owners look over the fact that they should be giving their dog a dog supplement - even if they seem as healthy as can be!
You may be wondering why. And we're here to tell you why you should consider giving your dog supplements. Read on to find out more about this!
What Are the Vitamins That Dogs Need in Their Diet?
Just like humans, dogs need specific vitamins in their diet. Without them, we don't function properly, and dogs don't either.
But what vitamins should dogs have in their diets? Here's a list of vitamins that dogs need in their diets on a daily basis.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K acts as a blood-clotting vitamin to ensure that dogs can't bleed too much if they get hurt due to keeping calcium in the arteries. Vitamin K also activates bone proteins and other proteins.
Vitamin K is also known to reduce heart disease. While some dog foods have Vitamin K, they may not all have the recommended amount.
You can give your dog more Vitamin K through these foods:
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Green beans
Cabbage
Cheeses
Pork
Bacon
Ground beef
Chicken
Eggs
Vitamin K Deficiency
There are obvious signs of a Vitamin K deficiency in your dog. Here are signs to look out for:
Excessive bleeding from sores or wounds
Random bruises
Lethargy and weakness
Pale or white gums
Bloody diarrhea, or coughing or vomiting blood
These can be severe, and it is important to immediately take your dog to a vet for diagnosis and help.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, helps with metabolism and energy for dogs. It can also activate ion channels in the neural tissues of the dog.
Vitamin B can also help keep away fleas and ticks on your dog. Not only that, but it also helps promote healthy skin and hair, prevents heart disease, helps the brain function properly, and strengthens the immune system.
Riboflavin and Niacin also help with enzyme functions.
Vitamin B Deficiency
If you think your dog may be deficient in Vitamin B, you would notice a few signs. These are:
Anemia
Anxiety
Bleeding gums
Confusion
Constipation
Decaying Teeth
Depression
Diarrhea
Dry skin
Fatigue and overall weakness
Hair loss
Increased Cholesterol levels
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Fleas
There are other vitamins that dogs need as well, but these are the most important ones for the full functioning of your dog.
Different Dog Supplements Depending on Their Behavior and Their Benefits
When it comes to the type of supplements you want to give your dog, it all depends on their behavior and what they need. While you may know what they are lacking or what it seems that they need, having this conversation with your vet will ensure that you get the right supplements.
General Health and Wellbeing
You may not have any specific concerns when it comes to your pet's health; however, that doesn't mean you can't give them supplements that are good for their general overall health, similar to what you would do as a human.
What are some examples of some dog supplements that you could be giving them?
Fish Oil
This is a great supplement for dogs to take, even if they don't have any health issues. This is great for the nervous system, circulatory system, and immune system.
Fish oil is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which can also help with inflammation.
Not only does it have these advantages, but it can also give your pup a beautiful coat, making it soft and shiny. It will also reduce any flaky, dry skin that your dog may be dealing with - even if you can't see it!
Probiotics
Probiotics are also great for dogs because it helps with their gut health. This can help if they are having issues with their digestion and bowel movements or just, in general, to keep their gut health in check since that can affect so many other parts of their body as well.
Joint Supplements for Dogs
One of the most common joint supplements for dogs has glucosamine in it. This is a great supplement to give your dog whenever they are healthy, but especially as they get older. Giving glucosamine to larger dog breeds is also great to help with their joints.
This supplement comes from shells of shellfish, so it is effective in helping out the joints to rebuild cartilage. It is naturally found in the fluid around joints, so taking a supplement gives your dog even more of that.
However, if your dog is experiencing pain, the pain is actually caused by nerve in the bone from bone on bone contact. For that, you need a supplement that reduces nerve pain. Mobility Max reduces the pain associated with joint issues as well as increases mobility for your dog.
You can find Mobility Max through an Integrative Veterinarian or on the Breed Genetics website.
Anxiety
If your pet struggles with anxiety, especially when you leave or you take them to the groomers, you can get supplements for dogs that can help them deal with the nerves and anxiety around these moments.
Natural supplements that have certain components can help out with this. The following ingredients in supplements can help:
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
Chamomile
You can also give your dog CBD supplements. These also come in treat form as well to help reduce anxiety in your dog. CBD can also help with many other ailments that your dog may face like joint problems as well.
Physically Active Dogs
If you have an extremely active dog like a cattle dog or herding dog that is constantly working, carnitine is a great supplement to give the dog. This helps build muscle for their physical activity. It also supports higher lean body mass.
How to Choose the Best Supplements for Dogs
Supplements are not medicine. Because of this, it means they are not regulated in the same way that medications are. This goes for both people and dogs.
While this is great because they are easily accessible, it also means that you have to pay closer attention to the specific ingredients in each supplement to reduce the risk your dog may face when taking a supplement.
As a pet owner, you may feel that you can grab a supplement off of the shelf at the store, take it home, and start giving it to your pet. While you could do this, it is not recommended. You should always talk to your vet first because they know what supplements your dog may benefit from the most.
They also know if some supplements interact with any medications that your dog is taking as well as make sure they don't overload on supplements and vitamins in their diet. It is best to trust your vet when it comes to this topic.
In addition to trusting your vet's opinion, here are some other tips to choose a supplement for your dog:
Go with a brand that has run clinical studies of the supplements
Read all labels for ingredients and safety
Choose a brand that has a lot number on the label (this means that they have had quality control checks)
Read peer reviews of the products
Be wary of claims that sound too good to be true (they probably are!)
Only purchase supplements made in an FDA registered facility or with the NASC seal
Once you choose supplements for your dog, it is always best to monitor them to make sure their health is not declining but rather improving. Bringing your dog to the vet after you start the supplements is also a great idea so the vet can monitor bloodwork, vitals, and more that you wouldn't be able to.
Consider a Dog Supplement for Your Furry Friend!
Now that you know more about what a dog supplement can do, the different kinds, and how to look for the right ones, you may want to consider getting dog supplements for your furry friend!
Your pooch will thank you! And you'll even thank yourself when you see how happy and healthy your pup is!
If you are ready to go through with getting the best dog supplements out there, then you can take a look at our shop! All of our dog supplements are FDA compliant and GMP registered! Happy shopping!