Dogs deserve to feel healthy, happy, and comfortable, so you should do your best to provide for your own pet’s needs. Some dogs need vitamins and supplements so they can be more healthy. If you want to understand why you should look into vitamins, what to give your dog and how you can give your dog these vitamins, you should continue reading.
What You Feed Your Dog
What you feed your dog will play a major role in whether or not you need to use vitamins and supplements. Many dog foods will provide the daily nutritional value a dog needs, but some may not.
For example, your dog may need to eat homemade food because he or she has a sensitive stomach, but your furry friend may miss out on some vitamins and minerals. If this happens, you could give your dog some multivitamins to help with that decrease in nutritional value. In short, if your dog doesn’t get enough vitamins through food, you can look into supplements.
Discuss Supplements With a Vet
Before you start giving your dog extra vitamins or supplements, you need to discuss it with your vet. Make sure you point out some of the issues your dog struggles with and what supplements would help him or her. This way, you can ensure that you pick the right vitamins and supplements to help your dog.
Even though dogs need vitamins, you can’t give them too many of one type. Otherwise, you could cause some health problems for your dog. Due to this, you should start by talking with your vet to find out when you should start giving your dog supplements.
Potential Vitamin and Supplement Options
Dogs may need an extra source of vitamins or supplements depending on their situations. We want to point out three common supplements dogs can take so you can start finding some options based on your dog’s needs. They are designed to help dogs in various ways, so make sure you review these different types.
Multivitamins
Since some dogs may struggle to consume enough vitamins, you could look into the multivitamins available. This multivitamin will help your dog by providing more energy, helping the brain and heart, offering anti-inflammation benefits, and many others. You just have to give your dog one of these vitamins each day.
These types of multivitamins seek to help dogs with multiple problems and overall health. They can be excellent options for dogs that don’t eat enough food or get enough vitamins. You can also purchase versions designed for senior dogs so you can help your furry friend when he or she starts to get old.
Joints
When some dog breeds get older, they start to develop joint and hip problems. For example, corgis tend to develop knee problems due to their weight in comparison to their legs. Some dogs need extra help with their joints, so you could use these supplements to benefit your dog.
Joint problems include arthritis, which will make it difficult for your dog to walk and move. He or she can even develop a limp, so these types of supplements could help your dog as he or she gets older. Dogs love to move around, so you should keep their bones healthy. Make sure to visit The Pampered Pup to know more about how you can keep your dog’s joint in perfect health.
Skin and Coat
Your dog may have some issues with his or her skin and coat. Some dogs could have itchy skin, damaged fur, and other problems you will want to address. This supplement is designed to help dogs with those problems by offering natural ingredients that will treat those specific irritations.
As an added bonus, this supplement includes some vitamins to further help your dog when it comes to skin and fur problems. Depending on the type you purchase, your dog could gain some extra benefits when you focus on treating his or her skin and coat. Make sure you review the supplement options to find the right one for your dog.
Do Dogs Need Nutrient Supplements?
If your dog’s food is complete and balanced and meets AAFCO guidelines, he should get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients he needs. So you don’t need a dog multivitamin unless your vet says so.
Dog food is formulated for different ages and stages of life, whether for puppies, adults, or seniors. Dog food companies designed the food to ensure it provides the right amount of calories, macronutrients, and texture for your dog’s age and stage.
Ensure your dog receives the right amount of appropriate nutrients for his age. Feed your dog commercial dog food appropriate to his stage of development.
If your dog eats mostly homemade dog food or a vegan diet, he might not be getting all the nutrients he needs. Talking to your vet about your dog’s supplement plan would be best. You might want to add some foods to your recipes or get a multivitamin from Perfect Poop for your dog.
You should never give your dog human vitamins. A dog’s nutritional needs are very different from a human’s, and too much of vitamins can make them sick. Let’s say you’re thinking about giving your dog a species-specific vitamin. It’s important to check with your vet to make sure your dog gets everything he needs without overdosing on the vitamins he’s already taking. Please visit petdogplanet.com for more info.
When and Why You Should Use Vitamins and Supplements
Before you start giving your dog vitamins and supplements, you should understand when you need to take action and why you should. After all, you don’t want to give your dog extra vitamins if they could potentially harm your furry friend.
Your Dog’s Struggles and Problems
Each dog will have its own sets of struggles or personal health problems. For example, some dogs may suffer from separation anxiety while others may have joint or muscle problems. If this is the case, you should look into your vitamin and supplement options to help your dog and bring him or her comfort.
In short, vitamins and supplements can help your dog with various health issues. You should do some research and talk with your vet first, but those options are available if you think your dog needs the extra boost or help.
How to Feed Your Dog Vitamins and Supplements
Even if you want to give your dog vitamins and supplements, he or she may not cooperate. Luckily, you have a few approaches that could trick your dog into taking them or encourage your furry friend to try them. This way, your dog can enjoy the vitamins and supplements as they benefit from them.
Hide Them in Treats
If you have solid vitamins and supplements in a pill, some dogs won’t want to take them. They see it, know it isn’t a treat and they will want to avoid it. If this happens, you can put the pill inside of a treat. Most dogs will eat the treat so quickly they won’t notice you put the pill in it.
You can also purchase a product called pill pockets. These pill pockets allow you to put the pill inside of them, roll them up and make them look like a treat. Your dog will easily eat this up without giving it a second thought, which makes them perfect for vitamins and supplements.
Purchase Tasty Vitamins and Supplements
While dogs won’t want to eat anything that doesn’t smell or look good, you can purchase specialized vitamins and supplements. Companies design these vitamins and supplements to look and taste like treats so dogs will want to eat them. Since dogs will resist pills, this is one of the better options.
Make sure you treat the vitamin or supplement as a treat. For example, you should give it to your dog during a specified moment and have him or she do tricks beforehand. This will show your dog he or she should enjoy the vitamins and supplements, so your furry friend will eat them.
Even though your dog can get vitamins from certain foods, your furry friend may need some extra help from vitamins and supplements. As you do your research and find out what your dog needs, you can properly care for him or her. Remember these points so you can find the right vitamins and supplements to help your dog live a healthy life.
