Healthy eating is essential for pets as it supports their growth, strengthens immunity, maintains optimal weight, promotes longevity, enhances energy levels, and prevents diet-related illnesses, ensuring overall health and well-being. In addition to a healthy diet, supplements play a vital role in maintaining their quality of life. Dog supplements are dietary enhancers to support your four-legged buddy's health, address specific concerns, or prevent potential issues. Although breed tendencies can offer guidance, the primary focus should be on the individual dog’s diet, and lifestyle. This small read throws light into how supplementation works for furry friends.
Also Read: Dog Stiffness And Pain: How Do You Identify And Ways To Cure It
Why Dog Supplementation?
While a well-balanced diet typically provides essential nutrients, certain factors such as age, breed, lifestyle, or medical conditions may necessitate supplementation. Available in forms like powders, tablets, and chews, these supplements cater to various needs, including joint health, skin and coat care, digestion, immune function, and cognitive support. Senior dogs, for instance, may benefit from joint healing supplements to ease joint discomfort, while puppies of large breeds might require additional calcium to support growing bones. Highly active or working dogs may need supplementation for inflammation reduction and quick recovery. Likewise, supplements like probiotics can promote a healthy gut microbiome, while vitamins such as C and E are antioxidants to bolster the immune system.
Also Read: Medium-Coated Dogs: Essential Care To Manage Fur For Our Fluffy Companions
How Do Supplements Benefit Furry Pets?
Here are a few examples of breeds and their potential supplement needs:
- Large and Giant Breeds (Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Golden Retrievers) may benefit from Glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids supplements.
Reason: These breeds are prone to joint and hip issues such as hip dysplasia and arthritis.
- Small Breeds (Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers) get benefitted from calcium, vitamin D
Reason: Small breeds may be more prone to dental issues and weak bones, especially in older dogs.
- Sporting and Working Breeds (Border Collies, German Shepherds, labradors may need extra supplementation like Omega-3 fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, antioxidants
Reason: These active breeds may benefit from supplements to support joint health, energy levels, and recovery after strenuous activity.
- Flat-faced (Brachycephalic, Bulldogs, Pugs) may need respiratory support due t0 their body type thus antioxidants, and omega-3s Supplements are ideal for them
Reason: These breeds are prone to breathing issues, and certain supplements may help reduce inflammation.
- Nordic and Arctic Breeds (Huskies, Malamutes) may require zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids as extra Supplements.
Reason: These breeds can develop zinc-responsive dermatosis and may benefit from anti-inflammatory support.
- Dogs Prone to Allergies (Boxers, West Highland White Terriers) benefit from probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids supplements.
Reason: Skin and digestive health supplements can help manage allergy symptoms.
- Senior Dogs may need chondroitin, coenzyme, and joint supplements
Reason: Ageing dogs often require support to maintain joints, cognitive health, and liver function.
Also Read: Feeding Your Dog Properly? Meal Habits That Could Impact You And Your Pet’s Health
How To Add Supplements To The Diet?
Adding supplements to your pet’s diet requires careful consideration and guidance. Introduce supplements gradually to ensure your pet tolerates them well. Mix powders into their food, or offer tablets and chews as treats, following the recommended dosage. Monitor your pet for any reactions or changes in behaviour, appetite, or health. Choose high-quality, vet-approved supplements tailored to target areas like joint health, skin and coat care, digestion, or immunity.
Precautions Before Supplementation
Giving unnecessary or excessive supplements can cause imbalances or toxicity, so a veterinarian should always guide their use. Tailoring supplements to meet a dog’s unique needs ensures their health and vitality are well-supported at every stage of life. Regular check-ups ensure the supplements remain appropriate and effective for your pet's needs.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile: Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma has a master’s in electronic media and mass communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.
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https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1748-5827.dog-welfare.vi
https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/dog-journal
