How to Choose the Right Food Supplements for your Dog?

Who said that vitamins were reserved for humans? Your faithful companion also has the right to his dose of energy, especially since food supplements prove to be valuable allies for the health of the dog. Which supplements should you favor for your four-legged friend? In which case should you use them? Find out more on the subject.

Food supplements for dogs: what are they?

In synergy with food, food supplements for dogs help meet your pet's needs and avoid deficiencies. They can relieve some of their ailments or give them energy.

The different food supplements for dogs

Food supplements for dogs can have very varied compositions: minerals, plant extracts, proteins, calcium, amino acids, etc. They are found in different forms:

Edible pasta, packaged in tubes;

Powders, are to be incorporated into the dog's food rations or diluted in water. They are particularly useful for difficult dogs;

• In liquid or drop form. This type of food supplement can be easily slipped into the corner of the dog's mouth or administered by a syringe if he refuses to swallow it.
• Whatever the form of the supplement, know that to make it easier for your pet to take it, you can opt for products marked "palatable".

Food supplements for dogs: seek the advice of a veterinarian

Food supplements should never be given to your pet without the prior advice of a veterinarian. Indeed, certain products that are unsuitable for your dog's physiological needs can affect its state of health.

 Even if it is natural, a food supplement can be dangerous because it is unsuitable, or interact with other medications. In general, it is advisable to avoid your companion taking them repeatedly and for a long time without consulting a specialist.

In what context should you give food supplements to your dog?

Your dog has specific needs

Some dogs will need more than others to receive nutritional supplements. These include pregnant or lactating females, puppies belonging to large breeds (Great Dane, Saint Bernard, etc.), and older or very sporty animals (hunting dogs, etc.).

Diseases and conditions

Taking food supplements can help relieve certain pains and diseases in dogs such as diabetes or osteoarthritis. These supplements can also reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. A stressed dog may be subject to diarrhea and vomiting, excessive barking, hypersalivation, destructive behavior, etc. These are all symptoms that will disappear thanks to the action of targeted food supplements.

Which supplement to choose?

Dogs fed with “homemade rations”

We speak of home-cooked rations when the dog's food is prepared by its owner with fresh products. In principle, it must contain a source of animal proteins (meat, eggs, etc.), energy (rice, potatoes, etc.), lipids (fish or vegetable oil), and fibers (cooked vegetables, beans, etc.). When your dog is fed this way, supplementation with trace elements, calcium, and vitamins will be necessary. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you toward the product suited to your animal.

Life-Stage Specific Supplements

Puppies fed an adult diet will need to receive a mineral and vitamin supplement. For older dogs, different supplements are adapted to the effects of old age by acting on eyesight, skin, kidneys, liver, etc. 

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Among the most commonly used, we find supplements to preserve the lens, specific vitamins for older dogs (B, E, and PP), antioxidants, omega 3, and trace elements. Finally, pregnant or lactating females have increased calcium needs due to the production of milk or bones for future puppies. Since these needs are rarely met naturally, supplementation with trace elements and minerals will be necessary.

Sick or athletic dogs

Sick dogs can heal more easily thanks to specific food supplements designed to boost their immune system. For osteoarthritis in dogs, compounds such as chondroitin are particularly used. Food supplements from herbal medicine can also support the treatment of diabetic dogs. They will regulate blood glucose levels and have a hypoglycemic action.

Stress can also be combated with alphaS1-casein, a milk protein, or with plants also used by humans: passionflower, valerian, etc.

To compensate for deficiencies in very sporty dogs, it is generally advisable to give them vitamins and L-carnitine in addition to a balanced diet.

For a shiny coat

If your dog's coat is dull or shedding, supplementing with essential fatty acids, vitamins, cystine (an amino acid), and zinc should restore its splendor. Brewer's yeast is also a natural dietary supplement of choice. 

It contains many B vitamins, minerals such as zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium, proteins, and amino acids such as lysine. Among other things, it helps your companion regain a shiny coat, combat hair loss, and stimulate his skin.

In case of illness, pregnancy, significant physical activity, or dull coat, the use of food supplements can certainly bring its share of benefits to your dog at all periods of its life. However, be sure to adapt the product to the specific needs of your animal.

The three key points for choosing the right food supplements for your dog:

• It is recommended to give food supplements to your pet if it has specific needs (pregnancy, sport, old dog, etc.) or if it suffers from certain illnesses;
• The food supplements given to your animal must take into account its breed, physical activity, age, but also its type of diet;
• Some food supplements can put your dog at risk, ask your veterinarian for advice.