As a responsible pet parent, you always try to make sure your dog is as healthy as possible.
The right diet, exercise, a cozy place to sleep and lots of love are important needs, but should that list include a dog vitamin too?
Giving your puppy a dog multivitamin should be considered in certain circumstances, depending on many different factors about their health and lifestyle.
Key dealers
- Most dogs that eat an AAFCO certified commercial diet do not need multivitamins, but dietary supplements can help in specific cases such as joint diseases or skin problems.
- Common dog supplements include multivitamins, glucosamine for joints and omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation, skin and brain health.
- Always contact a veterinarian before giving your dog any supplement, as some – like human vitamins – may be toxic or disturb medication.
What are dog vitamins?
Dog vitamins are a type of nutritional supplement used to provide nutrients and help some bodily functions. It is estimated that up to 33% of the dogs (and cats!) Is on a supplement or vitamin product in addition to their regular diet, according to this study.
Vitamins provide an extra upswing of an organic compound that may already be found in your pet's food needed for the body's normal metabolism. These nutrients are very important for a healthy immune system, digestive system and nervous system, and they can play an important role in preventing and treating certain diseases.
Vitamin and supplement use in dogs is increasing according to this study, but it is important to talk to your veterinarian before adding them to your dog's health program to ensure that they are safe for your pet.
Types of dog vitamins
The most common vitamins and supplements given to dogs in the United States are multivitamins, joints such as glucosamine and fatty acid supplements, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Choosing to provide an addition or should not be based on its potential advantage versus possible side effects. It is also important to ensure that the product comes from good, quality -controlled ingredients and manufacturers.
Looking for the NASC seal is an indication that an add -on is safe for dogs – but always check with your veterinarian before giving something new to your dog.
Multivitamins are a way to bridge the gap between a dog's diet and what they need to be healthy.
They usually have a combination of vitamin A, B, C, D (low dose), E and K and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron. An example is PET-Tabs Plus.
As long as your dog is on an AAFCO certified diet intended for their life stage (puppy, adult or senior), multivitamins are not needed.
Common protection supplements are good for not only helping dogs that have mobility problems such as arthritis but also to prevent problems when they are started young and are given routinely.
Glucosamine and chondroitin, along with MSM (as in dasuquin), hyaluronic acid, egg curlers (as in Movoflex), and omega-3 fatty acids have all been shown to help protect against joint disease.
Fatty acid supplements are known to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body with its omega-3 fish oils.
They are used for their positive effects on the skin/coat, immune system, nervous system and brain and cardiac function.
Fish oils EPA and DHA (as in Welactin) are also known to help the dog's joints by reducing both pain and inflammation (swelling) from arthritis and other joint disease.
What vitamins and supplements do your dog need?
What vitamins and complements your dog needs depends on many factors, such as age, lifestyle, diet and health status.
Fortunately, with most commercial pet foods, Aafco sets standards for labeling and nutritional requirements to ensure that they provide vitamins and nutrients that your dog needs to be healthy.
You can find the AAFCO statement about the foods that have been evaluated, and it will let you know what life diet is made for (puppy, adult or senior).
If your dog's diet has the Aafco label, it has everything they need and multivitamins are unnecessary.
Multivitamins are needed for specially formulated, homemade diets made for dogs with specific health problems.
Other supplements, such as common protection agents and omega-3 fatty acids, are often given based on your dog's race or ongoing health problems.
Large dogs and those with orthopedic disease benefit from joint supplements, while dogs that have skin problems that allergies often take fatty acid supplements.
Benefits of dog vitamins
Multivitamins help to supplement a dog's diet where it can be missing.
When dogs with severe food allergies are on a homemade diet, multivitamins help them get the nutrients they lack normally found in commercial dog food.
Although specific vitamins, such as vitamin A or B, may be recommended to supplement a diet to help with medical conditions, vitamin D is actually a potential toxin for dogs. All vitamins and supplements should be given under the guidance of your dog's veterinarian.
Risks and side effects of dog vitamins
The risks for dogs that take vitamins are often limited to the side effects they can cause.
Gastrointestinal upset – Veditation, diarrhea, reduced appetite – are among the most common side effects of giving vitamins for dogs.
Allergic reactions can occur to all vitamin supplements and are usually not predictable unless your dog has had a reaction to similar ingredients before.
Vitamins can also have interactions with all medicines that your dog may already be on, so it is important to check with your veterinarian before giving your puppy something new.
It is important that all vitamin supplements used for dogs are specifically marked for dog use.
Human vitamins may contain the same ingredients, but the quantities are very different.
For example, both humans and pets can take vitamin D, but if a dog takes a human vitamin supplement it can cause fatal kidney damage.
When does veterinarians do dog vitamins?
Dog vitamins and supplements are given to increase the health of the pet and provide support for all ongoing medical problems. Itching skin and inflammation from allergies are often improved with omega-3 fatty acids, as they contribute to the skin's moisture barrier, which reduces inflammation and helps promote a shiny, fresh fur.
Vitamin B12 is often recommended for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as they often have low blood levels from not absorbing the vitamin directly from the diet. A B12 deficiency in dogs can lead to various health problems, including lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, poor race quality and even neurological problems.
Common questions about dogs
What is the best multivitamin for dogs?
A good multivitamin for dogs is one that has a variety of vitamins and minerals that dogs need to be healthy. They should also be tasty so that they are easy to give your dog.
Should dogs take multivitamins?
Dogs that are on a commercially accessible, well -balanced and complete diet do not need multivitamins.
Does veterinarians recommend vitamins?
In general, veterinarians do not recommend multivitamins for dogs unless there is a specific medical condition that prevents your dog's body to use minerals and vitamins properly in their diet.
Other supplements, such as glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids, are usually recommended by veterinarians for the prevention and treatment of various medical conditions.
What human multivitamin can I give my dog?
No human multivitamins should ever be given to dogs under any circumstances! Human multivitamins have higher levels of vitamins that can make dogs very ill. They may also have vitamins that are poisonous or even deadly for dogs.
Does the dog's vitamins work?
Dogs do not need separate multivitamins if they are on a complete and balanced diet, as they get what they need from the food. In some circumstances, vitamin supplements may do more harm than good.
Other supplements, such as joint supplements and fatty acids, have a scientific basis for their recommendation and work to help dogs with various medical conditions.
