To support dogs’ growth and development, feeding them with high-quality food is a must. According to Dr. Ryan Llera and Dr. Cheryl Yuill, six main nutrients must be contained in a dog’s daily diet (read more). These include water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.
All of these nutrients are important as a major part of a canine’s diet to support proper body functions. Additionally, for better development, some owners even add supplements in the form of vitamins and minerals to their pet foods.
Do Dogs Need Vitamin And Mineral Supplements?
Maybe you are wondering if dogs need supplements or not? Yes, they do. Canines need vitamins in minimal amounts to support metabolism in their bodies. It is based on the fact that most vitamins cannot be synthesized in the body, and they generally already get adequate vitamins through their diet.
For pets that eat a manufacturer’s diet labeled “complete and balanced,” they may no longer need additional supplements in the form of vitamins and minerals. However, it depends on each condition whether they need supplements or not. On the other hand, canines who are fed homemade food may still need some supplements to meet their vitamin and mineral needs.
5 Benefits Of Supplements For Your Fur Babies
As mentioned before, dogs need supplements to maintain their health and growth. However, added sustenance can also give many benefits. Here are a few that you need to know.
- Helps Immune System
Generally, immune supplements can help the immune system to alert and ready to protect the dog’s body from infections. However, these treatments also need to do along with nutritious food and exercises. Feeding your pets supplements can also help them to fight various illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammation, orthopedic disease, pain, and cancer (link: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/5-common-signs-heart-disease-dogs). Thus, it is important to provide your fur baby dogs with additional vitamins.
- Power Of Protein
Some dog food does not have adequate protein to fulfill their needs for growth and health maintenance. If you want to start giving your pup an extra boost, you can choose supplements that are specifically made for that age bracket.
Meanwhile, you have to choose the one that is labeled for adults if what you’re giving it to is senile canines. But most of all, you have to choose good quality products that are tested and proven. Otherwise, they can do more harm than good.
- Friends With Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids, such as omega three and omega 6, help to promote a shiny coat and healthy cardiovascular system for your pets. Besides, essential fatty acids are also beneficial in building muscle and strengthening joints for puppies. In general, essential fatty acids for puppies are in the form of coconut oil, hemp oil, and fish oil.
- Boosts Absorption
Wet and dry dog food can build blocks to provide good health. However, the blocks can not improve the low-level absorption of important nutrients for canines. Besides, the supplements can also help to strengthen joints for older dogs and repair cartilage. Therefore, you need dietary supplements for your pets to provide them with a protein-based delivery system.
- Sustains Healthy Digestion
Another benefit they have is sustaining healthy digestion. It is because cbd for dogs contain prebiotics and probiotics that can help to find a perfect balance in a dog’s body, such as their mood and digestion. Moreover, digestive supplements also help to reduce diarrhea or constipation. It is because they can prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in a dog’s body or gut. Furthermore, supplements can also improve IBS and bad breath.
Vitamins For Growth And Health
Here are vitamins that are beneficial for your four legged friend’s growth and health.
1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A or beta carotene is commonly known as a type of vitamin that functions to help sight to function optimally. In addition, the benefits of this for dogs are to support the growth process, fetal development, help immune function and body cells.
2. Vitamin B
Thiamine (vitamin B1) functions to regulate energy and carbohydrate metabolism. It also serves to activate ion channels in nervous tissue. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is responsible for the formation of glucose and red blood cells. The vitamin also helps with nervous system function, hormone regulation, immune response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very important as an antioxidant. Vitamin C will filter free radicals that are potentially harmful to the health of the body. Dogs can synthesize their vitamin C from their liver. However, as they get older, they may need additional supplements. That’s why vitamin C is highly recommended as a type of vitamin for senile canines to maintain their health condition.
4. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is generally not obtained through food but is produced naturally through sunlight. Vitamin D is beneficial to balance minerals, such as phosphorus and calcium, which play a role in the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
Tips For Choosing And Giving Vitamins Safely
According to Dr. Susan Wynn, an animal nutritionist, she explained that vitamins must be adjusted to the food intake given to them. Manufactured food sometimes still require an additional supplement.
Especially if your canine has some special conditions, such as certain types of breeds, health problems, or age, the best way to choose vitamins is by consulting with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist to find out the condition of your pet.
Please remember to not give humans vitamins to dogs. It is to minimize the risk of additives in it which may be harmful to them. Usually, veterinarians also mostly choose vitamins intake for dogs from natural sources, such as vegetables and fruits combined with their daily diet.