If you’ve got a dog that means the world to you, you’re probably going to do your very best to ensure that he or she gets everything they need. You’ve probably looked at countless of possible foods, including Acana dog food reviews. After finding the perfect food for them, you’re probably wondering if they need any supplements. Well, it only makes sense, since more and more individuals are starting to take supplements for themselves, which leaves them wondering whether it’s a good idea to do so for their doggies as well.
Do They Need Vitamins?
If you’ve made sure to pick the best possible food for your dog, it’s very likely that they’re already getting everything they need, which includes vitamins and minerals, from their food. On the other hand, if they’re getting a homemade diet, then they may need supplements, However, if this is the case, you should be sure to check with your dog’s vet before picking which vitamins and minerals to give him or her.
Are There Any Dangers?
It is possible that giving a dog supplements will do more harm than good. How? Well, if they are already eating a very balanced diet, then when they receive too much of a particular vitamin or mineral, it could harm their system. For instance, receiving too much calcium can actually lead to bone issues, particularly for dogs belonging to large breeds. Another example would be too much vitamin A, which can lead to joint pain and dehydration. Finally, an excess of vitamin D can cause muscle atrophy and be harmful to the bones.
Do Supplements Work?
Presuming you’ve talked to your dog’s vet, and they said that your dog needs supplements, you may be wondering if they work or not. Well, the answer is that it depends. Sadly, there aren’t many clinical trials on this topic. However, what you should keep in mind is that you have to make sure to get quality supplements if your dog needs them, since poorly-made ones will certainly have no effect.
Things that seem to definitely help include fatty acids, which helps their coats look amazing. Fish oil is very helpful for inflammation, while antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C also help with inflammation, while also offering support to dogs with memory problems caused by age.
Choosing a Supplement
If you’re thinking of getting a supplement for your pooch, you should be sure to get one that’s high quality. However, you may have a hard time figuring out how to do just that. Well, first off, try to look for a brand that either has commissioned clinical studies done on their products, or just specializes in one particular area (ideally, you’d want one that’s both). Next step, is looking at the label. In order to do this well, you should be sure that you know the name of the ingredient you’re looking for, so that you won’t end up getting something that just sounds similar.
Lot number is the next step on your search, as this is a sign that the company has quality control checks in place. After this, make sure to look for the company’s contact number, to call and ask who formulated the product, their expertise and how long they’ve been in business. Ideally, the supplement should have also received a certification from an organization that independently checked the contents of the supplement.
Finally, be sure to watch out for claims that are simply too good to be true. If a supplement promises to alleviate or even cure diseases such as hip dysplasia, cancer, or the parvovirus, it may be a sign that you should stay away from them, since they make claims they can’t deliver on.
Popular Supplements
Fish oil, which was already mentioned, is a very popular dog supplement. That’s because fish oil contains fatty acids, which improve the quality of the coat, while alleviating skin allergies. Some research suggests that fish oil can be of help in treating arthritis, joint health and heart health.
Another type of supplement that was mentioned earlier is one containing antioxidants (like the ones found in vitamin C and E). Antioxidants offer great protection against free radicals. Another example of a great antioxidant is Coenzyme Q10.
Finally, another popular option are probiotics, which are used for treating diarrhea and other issues digestion. You can purchase them in different forms, from chews, yogurts, powders and capsules.
Before purchasing a supplement, any supplement, you should first make sure that your dog actually needs it, by talking to the vet. The next step is to pick a supplement that’s high in quality, to ensure that it actually does what it’s supposed to do.
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