Vet-Recommended Supplements for Dogs: Boosting Health Naturally

Dogs, just like humans, need nutritious food to thrive and live a happy life. In the modern era, pet parents are well aware of the importance of nutrition for their pet’s wellness. As you look for high-quality supplements to boost your dog’s daily diet with an extra dose of essential nutrients, it is important you go with the solutions that meet your fur buddy’s specific requirements. So, how do you select the right dog supplements? The answer is simple, by knowing about them in detail.

This article provides information about the reasons why veterinarians recommend supplements for dogs, how supplements function, the important ingredients they contain, and some of the best supplements for dogs. Read on to get an in-depth idea about dog supplements.

Supplements for dogs

Dog Dietary supplements are concentrated compounds that increase the total nutritional intake and supplement the regular diet of dogs and help improve their health. There are specialty supplements that help fulfil specific health conditions such as joint care, immune support, skin & coat care, etc., while holistic supplements provide support to maintain overall well-being. Dog supplements are also available in various forms such as chews, powder, syrup, paste, etc. for convenience.

How do supplements function for dogs?

Supplements help provide age, size, lifestyle, and health condition-specific nutrition to dogs. Dietary supplements fill the nutritional gap your dog may have even after you feed them healthy food. A nutrient-rich overall diet, thus, helps prevent illnesses, supports ideal growth, and offers plenty of health benefits including managing joint pain, digestive upsets, etc. 

Why are veterinarians in favour of using dog supplements?

If you are giving your dog commercial food, labelled as ‘complete and balanced’, there is generally no requirement for adding supplements to their diet unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian. For dogs on a homemade diet, vets recommend using supplements to provide nutrition they do not get from the food and thus balance the overall diet. Veterinarians also recommend the use of supplements if your dog has a special health condition such as joint pain, constipation or dull skin & coat, to provide them a condition-specific concentrated nutrition boost.

Top vet-recommended supplements for dogs

Here is a list of some of the most useful vet-recommended supplements for dogs that help enhance your canine companion’s quality of life:

Gut health supplements
Supplements containing prebiotics and probiotics help improve nutrient absorption in the body. These solutions promote a balanced gut microbiome and improve digestion & stool consistency. A healthy gut improves immunity and helps prevent illnesses in dogs.

• Joint support supplements
  Rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, etc., joint support supplements help manage arthritic joint pain and inflammation. These products protect dogs against arthritic damage to the joints and cartilage. These solutions are helpful, especially for dogs in their golden years and dog breeds vulnerable to hip and joint disorders.
• Skin & coat care supplements
  Supplements that contain vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and omega fatty acids help support skin and coat care for dogs. Ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitive skin, these solutions help reduce skin dryness, itching, and irritation, and improve skin health and coat shine. Supplements rich in antioxidants are also helpful in improving skin health as they help fight free radicals in the body.
• Vitamin supplements
  Vitamins for dogs are as beneficial as they are for humans because they provide support to sustain life. Eye-care supplements for dogs contain vitamin A, and bone growth supplements are rich in vitamin D. Similarly, supplements with B group vitamins help regulate energy, improve enzyme function and immune response, and offer a bunch of other health benefits. The best dog vitamin supplements help improve the overall vitality of dogs.
• Calming supplements
  Dogs get stressed and anxious due to multiple reasons, like separation from their human parents, travelling, unfamiliar places, loud noises, vet visits, etc. This stress can eventually cause various health problems and impact their health. Supplements containing melatonin, valerian, etc., help keep dogs calm and relaxed.

In the end

Dogs thrive when they get the required nutrition. Dog supplements help add the nutrition boost their routine diets lack. There are a variety of supplements that provide specific nutrients required to handle special health conditions. Besides, holistic health supplements also provide comprehensive nutrition required for vitality and overall well-being. Consider the information provided in this blog to understand dog health supplements and learn about the best vet-recommended supplements to improve your furry family member’s quality of life.