Wellness and fitness supplements like omega fatty acids and multivitamins are no longer just for us. Now our dogs can get many of the same benefits that we do with these products.
The vet’s opinion on how to give supplements to our dogs
Like doctors, veterinarians have a wide range of opinions about the usefulness of supplements.
Unlike us, our dogs ’diets are considerably healthier thanks to many brands that offer dog food that meets the vast majority of dogs’ needs.
However, like us, our dogs are experiencing an increase in obesity rates, with most of our dogs now overweight or obese.
This is creating new health problems in addition to those already commonly seen in dogs. And it is when a dog is experiencing health issues that most veterinarians are lined up that supplements can help.
Most veterinarians believe that the average healthy dog probably does not need to consume supplements of any kind, as long as they receive well-balanced dog food.
However, they agree that the Best Dog food supplement, like the following, can be incredibly helpful in helping a dog change its health.
Fish oil
Omega fatty acids, specifically omega-3s, are one of the most researched supplements, with almost everyone agreeing that their range of benefits can really help improve the western diet.
The Western diet is full of meat from animals and terrestrial plants rich in omega-6 fatty acids, and while they are important, too much can upset the important balance between omega-3s and 6s.
Fish is rich in omega-3s, which is why fish oil is the most popular way to supplement omega-3s. But what does the human diet have to do with our dogs, you ask?
Well, while many commercial foods are properly formulated and offer the perfect combination of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, the snacks we give our dogs, especially our food, are not.
Even the usual treatment for dogs can often contain more omega-6 fatty acids than they need.
Now, omega-6s, even when in abundance, are relatively harmless. But when their number significantly exceeds omega-3s, the body creates excessive inflammation.
Also, if your dog’s diet lacks omega-3, his cardiovascular health may be successful.
As in humans, veterinary research has found that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, can help reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, help prevent blood and improve heart, eye and mental health.
Multivitamin
Many of us take a multivitamin because we worry that our diets lack key vitamins and minerals. And when you own a dog that is taking a multivitamin, it is quite common to wonder if your dog should take one.
The truth is that most dogs do not need a traditional multivitamin because their staple food will provide them with all the vitamins they need. However, a traditional multivitamin may still be helpful for pets who are having trouble with their diet.
That’s why companies like Innovet Pet are preparing multivitamins that include select ingredients that focus on issues such as joint, digestive, and mental health instead of overloading them with excessive amounts of vitamins.
To do this, they include ingredients like the next two supplements on our list, so what if we check them out ?!
CBD for pets
Created from the resin that grows on the leaves of cannabis plants, CBD oil is the non-intoxicating version of marijuana.
CBD products are designed to give you the many benefits of medical marijuana but without any of the highs. They do this by deriving from hemp plants instead of marijuana plants, which are both cannabis plants.
Hemp plants do not naturally produce significant amounts of THC chemicals such as marijuana. This chemical is responsible for the euphoria associated with them.
Farmers then intentionally grow hemp plants that produce even less THC than normal, giving us industrial hemp-labeled plants that are legally required to produce no more than 0.3% THC in the United States.
These plants are derived from the legal products of CBD and, due to their low THC content, it is legal for them to be given to children under 18 and to our pets.
As seen with humans, CBD can help our dogs, cats, horses and more with a multitude of health issues ranging from anxiety to chronic pain.
In fact, because of how CBD works, many simply give it to their pet for preventative health and daily well-being. Speaking of, how does CBD work?
CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a regulatory system whose main function is to regulate other regulatory systems well, making sure that they perform their important functions correctly.
To simplify, CBD supports the endocannabinoid system in the same way that ECS supports regulatory systems such as the immune and nervous systems.
Research finds this to be incredibly helpful, and why CBD and other cannabis products are being promoted to help with so many health conditions.
Unlike the immune system, ECS does not seem to have a regulatory system that supports it, although it often needs support, especially when it helps fight temporary and chronic illnesses.
Mobility and Joint Support
Mobility support supplements often include a variety of ingredients that help support your dog’s mobility in a variety of ways, from reducing inflammation to supporting cartilage health.
Let’s take a look at the five most common ingredients you’ll normally see in mobility support supplements.
Glucosamine HCL: Naturally produced in cartilage, glucosamine is one of the basic components of this resistant tissue that cushions the joints. Cartilage health is severely affected by daily wear and tear and injuries, making it a key component that needs support to support general mobility.
The other major reason why glucosamine is supplemented is because it is not common in our diet or that of our pet. Glucosamine is collected from shellfish or made in a laboratory.
Chondroitin: Similar to glucosamine above, chondroitin is another building block of cartilage and is not found to a large extent in a pet’s diet.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are often included together to help slow the degeneration of articular cartilage, which is a hallmark of osteoarthritis.
PurforMSM – The pure form of methylsulfonylmethane is a chemical found in the body that is essential to support proper cell structure and defense against free radicals that damage cells.
Research also finds that it can help repair connective tissue and support the immune system, reducing excessive inflammation that can cause swelling, pain and further damage to mobility.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: If there is one thing that can probably help with excessive inflammation that is often the core of mobility and joint disorders, most veterinarians agree that it is omega-3 fatty acids.
Full Spectrum Hemp Extract: Better known as CBD, although not as commonly found in mobility support aids as above, it is quickly being considered essential for hip and joint support.
This is because CBD can help reduce pain, swelling and excessive inflammation in the joints, as well as promote energy and healthy appetite, which are often affected by poor mobility.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that is increasingly being supplemented due to its ability to help with certain heart conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
The body naturally produces this antioxidant for cell growth and maintenance. In combination with meat, fish and nuts, younger, middle-aged pets tend to have adequate levels of COQ10 in their body.
However, CoQ10 levels in the body decrease with age, putting large pets at risk. In some cases, you will find CoQ10 in mobility and joint support supplements because it can increase energy and physical performance; the research, however, is mixed.
CoQ10 should always be discussed with your veterinarian before giving it to your dog. This is because while it may help some heart conditions, it may not do anything for others.
In addition, one of the rare side effects seen with this antioxidant is the interactions with anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, which make them less effective.
Vitamin B
Two of the most common health problems that dogs experience are skin problems and digestive problems, and this makes vitamin B a popular supplement for our skin friends.
A vitamin B complex supplement usually includes vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. The risk of toxicity is incredibly low with all these B vitamins, with the excess simply excreted from the kidneys and released through urination.
Veterinarians are more likely to recommend vitamin B supplements for older dogs and those who need help with skin, energy, and digestive support.
Probiotics
Our dogs are no strangers to digestive health issues, to our disdain. From the weird things they eat outside to the foods we give them that aren’t a normal part of their diet, the modern dog’s gut isn’t always a fun place to be.
As with our health, a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut is critical to our health.
A bad gut can not only cause poor nutrient absorption, intestinal problems, and discomfort, but a poor microbiome can cause inflammation in the gut that can affect the brain, causing mental stress and disorders.
In addition to giving your dog healthy snacks such as Greek yogurt and fibrous candy, you may want to talk to your veterinarian for probiotic supplements to support your gut if you often have digestive problems.
When looking for probiotic help for your dog, you want to look for two things. First, look for one that supplies the gut with several strains of healthy active bacteria. Second, great probiotic aids often include prebiotic ingredients that help feed and nourish all the good bacteria in the gut.
Final thoughts
All in all, when you want to provide your dog with supplements and vitamins you can choose between these products. These ingredients are best when it comes to supporting your dog with various problems.
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