Did you remember to take your vitamins today? How about your dog? You’re probably scrunching your eyebrows at that last question, but it’s not as weird as you think. As the pet industry continues to grow, supplements and vitamins for your pet has been an up and coming category to keep an eye on for 2022. According to the FDA, most dogs do receive a well-balanced diet from commercially processed dog foods which includes all necessary vitamins and minerals. So why all the hype about pet supplements? We took some time out of our dog-filled schedules to explore what supplements are, how they help and if your dog really needs it.

Your dog needs six essential nutrients to live a healthy lifestyle: water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. However, each individual dog may need more or less of some of these essential nutrients. Supplements are a way to boost your pet’s diet with nutrition as well as enhance their health or wellbeing. They provide essential ingredients that may be hard to come by in your dog’s diet. Supplements are often used to treat problems with joint and mobility, digestive and immunity, skin and coat, allergy relief, heart health, behavioral problems and antioxidants…to name a few! While supplements may not be for every dog, there are some dogs whose quality of life can be improved significantly by taking supplements. 

With supplements boosting your pet’s diet, does this mean your dog should take them? Not necessarily! Most dogs don’t need supplements until they are older, although some may require them from an early age due to health concerns. Commercial dog food is specifically formulated to meet your dog's nutritional needs as long as it is labeled as “complete and balanced.” If your dog does not exhibit any health issues, then a supplement is most likely not for them. You can always integrate some fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet to boost their nutrition. 

If you are feeding your dog homemade meals, you may need to add supplements to balance out your dog’s diet. While homemade, whole food diets are paw-tastic for your canine friend, you may not have easy access to the specific vitamins that your dog needs. That’s where vitamin supplements come in handy. Figuring out what vitamins your dog needs with your homemade meals is a conversation you will need to have with your veterinarian so you can be aware of your dog's nutritional needs. 

The FDA does warn against feeding supplements to your dog on top of their well-balanced diet, with concerns that an overabundance of these supplements could harm your dog. An excessive amount of calcium can interfere with natural bone development, an added amount of vitamin A could lead to dehydration, arthritis and damaged blood vessels and too much of vitamin D could cause a loss of appetite and muscular atrophy. 

For those dogs who are at risk for health problems or have current health problems, there are certain types of supplements that will benefit their overall wellness and make their life a little easier. There are four popular dog supplements that pet owners like to give their dogs to help with health problems: glucosamine, fish oil, antioxidants and probiotics. 

Glucosamine is one of the most popular supplements taken by dogs; many pet owners and veterinarians believe that taking glucosamine helps with arthritis since it is an amino sugar found naturally in the fluid around the joints that helps to build cartilage. Fish oil is the second most popular supplement given to dogs as it is a great source to improve the quality of their coat and helps to alleviate allergies since it is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants as a supplement are used to help counteract the effects of aging, such as memory loss and cognitive dysfunction, and it is also used as a treatment for heart disease in dogs as well as to reduce inflammation. Probiotics, as supplements, are used to treat digestive issues and come in a variety of ways to ingest such as yogurts, capsules, chews, powders and in some dog food formulations. 

But, before you jump on the supplement bandwagon, there are a couple of things you should be aware of:

1. You should ALWAYS consult your vet before giving your dog any supplements

2. Supplements will not cure cancer or any other serious conditions, so if something sounds too good to be true it probably is 

3. When looking for a brand to buy, go with a reputable brand from a respected company that has done research or has conducted clinical trials

4. Just because your supplements are good for you, don’t assume that they are good for your dog too - ingredients in your supplements may be toxic for your dog

So while pet supplements may be on the rise, not all trends are good for your dog. Dogs have different needs at different stages, so if you feel that their behavior has been off or their health looks to be going downhill, consult with your veterinarian to find out if a supplement would be the best way to help your dog. If your dog already eats a ‘complete and balanced’ meal and is healthy, you probably don’t need to worry about any type of supplements. 

If you are worried about your dog's health and wellness and the problem is more exercise, then we have you covered! Going Mutts Pet Services would love to help you out if exercise has become a problem for your dog. Giving your dog daily walks with one of our caregivers is a great way to make sure they are getting the exercise and fresh air they need each and every day to keep living a long and healthy life. Contact us to talk about a customized walking plan for your dog today!

Sources:

https://www.rover.com/blog/best-vitamin-supplements-for-dogs/ 

https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/nutrition-feeding/dog-vitamins-and-supplements 

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/popular-dog-supplements/ 

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle/