About Vitamins & Supplements for Your Dogs Health
When it comes to maintaining a healthy mind and body, we all know how important vitamins and minerals are, but do we stop and consider whether our dogs are getting what they need, too?
Ideally, specially prepared dog foods should contain everything our canine friends need, especially as there are formulations available to cover a variety of age, sizes and lifestyles, but the truth is that for many dogs, supplements would be a useful addition to a diet that’s lacking in vital nutrients.
A dog’s health depends largely on nutrients that support his natural defenses. If he isn’t receiving those nutrients then a dog’s vitamin and mineral supply may need supplementing.
Sadly, pet food manufacturers don’t always have your dog’s health and best interests in mind. Because both canned and dried dog foods are heat processed, many of the nutrients are lost through the heating process. This can mean that up to 100% of the original vitamin content is lost and up to 60% of the amino acids. Both enzymes and probiotics are destroyed, and a loss of up to 10% of fatty acids can occur. These losses can cause serious health problems in your dog and should be taken seriously.
It’s also important to understand that a lot of manufacturers dog foods derive proteins from grain products rather than from meat. Because a dog’s digestive system isn’t developed to utilize corn products, most of the proteins are of no use to him. In these cases, when feeding a dog, supplements should always be given.
Which Supplements?
Knowing which dog supplements to offer isn’t easy but one can generally assume that a multivitamin preparation will be needed. These are available as both drops, powders and tablets and can be either added directly to the dog’s food or given as a treat, depending on the type.
Other supplements depend on the individual dog and the dog’s health situation. For example, if your dog has a metabolic skin disorder or his coat needs improvement, a Biotin and B-vitamin complex could be helpful. On the other hand, there are supplements available that help improve the dog’s health in general, many of which are herbal based.
If you’re unsure of your dog’s vitamin and mineral requirements, it’s worth consulting a holistic vet for advice on herbal remedies and similar, natural products.
Natural Dog Food
Some owners choose to feed their dogs a diet of raw food as they can then be more certain of the nutrients being received by the dog. Some butchers produce raw food packs for dogs, ready to serve and some owners are happy with this. Other owners prefer to buy meat and make up their pet’s meals themselves, adding vegetables and other food in order to ensure the dog’s vitamin and mineral requirements are covered. In other words, they try to emulate a dog’s natural diet as closely as possible.
How you choose to feed your dog is entirely a matter of personal choice but the dog’s health must always be kept in mind and thought should be given to the requirements of the individual dog, supplements given and his health monitored.
Tags: dogs, pet food, pet meds, supplements, therapy
