Dog Supplements to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy

In addition to quality food, regular walks and frequent hugs, your dog also needs additional supplements in order to have good health and stamina. Like humans, dogs become more fragile as they age, so often it helps to use supplements to minimise the effects of aging or a possible injury. What’s more, the addition of supplements to your dog’s diet helps build stronger immunity and protect from some diseases.

Joint Supplements for Dogs

It’s not unusual for dogs to have problems with their joints. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and is a very common condition many dogs suffer from. Over time the structure of the joints changes and becomes damaged with a distorted shape which makes it difficult for the dog to walk or run. It causes pain, discomfort and inability to perform proper movements. This is often the case with an ageing dog, but also with dogs in the developing stage and those who are overly active.

Luckily, with quality dog supplements joints can stay healthy and strong, providing protection from injury and helping to relieve any chronic pain. Checking out the supplement range of a well-stocked pet chemist is the best thing you can do to help your dog in a situation like that.

The ingredients in supplements for dog joints vary from brand to brand and you can choose the best ones for your dog in consultation with a veterinarian or a pet chemist.

Some dog supplements for joints are made out of a blend of two marine lipid concentrates designed to support joint health. They improve mobility, have anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. The dosage is one capsule per day.

You can also find joint supplements for dogs made out of Epiitalis. That’s an oil extract from the seed Biota Orientalis. It’s best to use it after joint damage has occurred, surgery, or as a prophylactic for high-risk large athletic dog breeds. It’s in the form of granules and can be mixed with food.

Another great option is a dog joint supplement that’s 100% natural and made out of Rosehip powder. This is a plant-based product that has anti-inflammatory properties and supports the immune system in the fight against inflammation. It reduces pain and improves mobility, while also promoting general health and improving skin and coat quality.

There is also a chewable dog supplements joints health range. These products are usually a combination of green-lipped mussel, curcumin and Boswellia. This blend has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves the symptoms of arthritis, supports healthy joint cartilage and it’s made from natural ingredients.

Probiotic Supplements for Digestive Health

A probiotic is basically a type of bacteria that has an important role in improving and maintaining gut health. Probiotics naturally live inside all animals and maintain the balance in the organism. However, many health conditions and medications can affect this delicate balance and cause digestive problems which can luckily be resolved with the use of probiotic supplements.

In addition to helping with digestive problems, probiotics are known to help improve your dog’s mood, improve the quality of their skin and fur and minimise the negative effects of antibiotics and many other strong medications.

You can find probiotic supplements in the form of chewy threats, capsules, pills or powders. Choose whichever you think is best for your dog. Keep in mind that pills or capsules can be hard to swallow so maybe a supplement in the form of a chewable treat is the best option for a dog.

Omega 3 for Better Coat Quality

Omega 3 is a supplement known to help with inflammation, but it also has amazing effects on the skin and improves the coat quality of your dog. You can combine this supplement with the supplement for joints if you want to improve your dog’s mobility, minimise joint stiffness and eliminate pain and other symptoms of arthritis.

Omega 3 can also be found in some types of food, but it may be hard for your dog to get the right amount of it since the ingestion of omega 3 trough food is indirect. Instead, choose supplements since they’re a direct way for your dog to ingest them.

The Most Important Vitamins for Your Dog

Vitamins are crucial for the proper functioning of your dog’s body and for better health. Vitamins can be found in different types of food but if you think your dog lacks some or if your veterinarian suggested them, here’s what you need to know about them.

• Vitamin A can be found in carrots and is responsible for providing good vision and good eye health. It also helps with growth, proper immune and cell function.
• B vitamins are a group of vitamins that are vital for the proper function of the metabolism, regulation of the energy levels and proper function of the nervous system.
• Vitamin C has antioxidant properties, helps remove toxins from the body, helps with inflammation and slows down aging.
• Vitamin D is a vitamin that naturally comes from the rays of the sun and is known to help with healthy bone growth. Lack of vitamin D can cause muscle and bone problems.
• Vitamin E is important for proper cell and metabolism function.

Positive Effects of Supplement Use

With the proper use of supplements, you can improve the health of your dog and avoid certain health problems. Sometimes a proper diet is not enough and that’s when supplements come into play. Many minor health problems or problems related to the skin, fur or bones can be resolved with the additional intake of supplements. Like humans, dogs too need a proper intake of nutrients for development and to minimise the risk of disease.

However, you should always consult a veterinarian first about which products will work best depending on your dog’s lifestyle and health conditions. You want nothing less but the best for your furry friend!