Dog supplements and vitamins are all the rage today. Considering all the interest that supplements for dogs are attracting, you might be tempted to question whether your canine actually needs dog supplements. Most dog owners want the best for their dogs and as such it is only natural for them to consider any and all nutritional options that might improve the health of their dog, this then raising questions about dog supplements. It has been argued by medical professionals a raw dog food diet provides most dogs all the things they need to maintain their health, this including Omega-6 fatty acids. However, even those dog owners that take special care when organizing their dog’s diet are advised to take into consideration the beneficial nature of supplements, which will introduce to a dog’s diet elements such as Vitamin C and E as well as iodine, essential for combating a variety of ailments.
Do Supplements Pose Any Danger For Your Dog?
The reason so many dog owners are anxious about utilizing supplements for dogs and even dog vitamins is because of all the suspicion littering the internet about the dangers dog supplements pose. And most dog owners would be right to question the safety of using supplements. For the most part, most supplements should prove beneficial to the health of your dog, but only in the right proportions. If you are already giving your dog a proper balanced diet, excess vitamins and minerals consumed via a supplement could cause considerable harm to your dog. Calcium, especially, might compromise the skeletal structure of your dog, with excess Vitamin D causing the muscles to Atrophy. Simply put, supplements are safe but only in the right proportions.
Do You Need To Check With Your Vet Before Using Supplements for Dogs?
As a dog owner, you have every reason to approach supplements for dogs with some suspicion; you should closely scrutinize anything that your dog consumes, be it dog vitamins or dog supplements of any variety. For this reason, a vet is crucial in any dog owner’s efforts to decide whether or not to complement their dog’s diet with supplements. For the most part, if your dog’s diet is keeping your pet healthy, then supplements are unnecessary. However, if you must use them, first consult your vet.
How Effective Are Dog Supplements?
The hullaballoo surrounding supplements for dogs often revolves around questions regarding the efficacy of dog vitamins and the numerous other dog supplements on the market. There are a lot of studies standing ready to justify the effectiveness of supplements, particularly fatty acids (which make coats look better) and fish oil supplements. For the most part, whether or not a supplement works will depend on the supplement you choose to purchase. Not all supplements are equal and some could do more harm than good, this being the reason you are encouraged to consult your vet before using supplements.
Choosing Supplements
The number of supplements for dogs is such that selecting the best dog vitamins for your canine can prove difficult, especially if you are new to the world of dog supplements. There is no guaranteed method for locating the best supplements; the best you can do is to ensure that the products you select are appropriate for your dog’s needs. As such, you must take care to read the labels, noting the names of the ingredients included. Remain alert for any claims that seem too good to be true, and do not be afraid to contact the manufacturer when you need to ask questions.
