You consider daily vitamins to be an integral part of your family's balanced health—and that should be no different with your four-legged, furry friends. Food alone might not meet all your pup's health requirements, and supplements can adjust any deficiencies in your dog's daily diet.
Unfortunately, much like with humans, dog supplements are not a 'one size fits all', says Earthgenics. Vitamins must be tailored to your dog's individual needs at every stage of life, easing the transition from an energetic puppy to a mature canine companion.
If you've never considered offering the best supplements for dogs, then read on to discover why it could make a substantial difference in their lives.
While dietary supplements can be an essential building block to your dog's health, remember that it does not substitute for total health coverage. While there are many health benefits of a dog dietary supplement, you're going to have to do more if you want to ensure that your dog has a long and happy life. A healthy dog is a happy dog, and happy dogs need:
Provide Essential Nutrients
Despite claims made by pet food brands, your dog's diet might need a 'boost' to provide them with the essential vitamins in bioavailable amounts. While fats and carbohydrates are usually part of dog food, specific vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids can be leached during heating or cooking.
Veterinarians recommend supplementing with vital ingredients to boost your dog's food efficiency and replace any missing nutrients. But be careful not to overload your pet with unnecessary ingredients—the best vitamins will replenish and support them with maximum efficiency in the smallest doses.
Boost Their Immune System
A balanced, robust immune system reduces your dog's risk of heart disease, inflammation, cancers, osteoarthritis, and diabetes, says Earthgenics. A dog's body will automatically regulate cells to ensure they're working correctly while eliminating potentially harmful pathogens before they become a problem. But even a minor interruption in that natural process can open the door to a host of health problems.
Supplements can make sure the immune system is uncompromised and alert to attack. Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, vitamins with high-quality, purity-tested ingredients will increase your dog's ability to fight illness throughout its life.
Increase Absorption Rates
While the best supplement for dogs is designed to provide the building blocks of a nutrient-rich diet, most don't offer the pathways necessary to improve chronically low absorption rates of vital compounds.
However, the focused, protein-based delivery systems in dietary supplements optimize your dog's intake of essential compounds like chondroitin, which rebuilds cartilage and strengthens joints as they age. This ensures that all nutrients are bioavailable for maximum absorption in your dog's body, rather than just 'passing through' on their way to your lawn.
There are so many different ailments and issues that vitamins and supplements can help with, and in many cases, giving them to your pet makes perfect sense. However, it is essential to remember that too much can cause problems. It is also critical to use the appropriate type of supplement to address their specific issues. When combined with mental stimulation such as walks, training, and playing with other dogs, supplements can significantly slow cognitive ageing, keeping your dog healthy and alert at all stages of life.