Dog
Dietary Supplements
Daily
multi-vitamins for humans are commonplace, but what
about dog dietary supplements? Are
they
really necessary?
Many
experts believe the answer to that question is a firm,
YES!
There
are a number of reasons why experts recommend dog
dietary supplements and there are many alarming things that you should
know.
Jump straight
to the best
dog
supplements on the market
at the bottom of this page
Why do
experts recommend dog supplements?
Which
ailments can be helped by supplements?
Which
supplements do experts recommend?
Are
the products offered on-line and in stores
safe?
What
should I consider when purchasing a supplement?
Can
dogs take the same supplements as humans?
Why do Experts
Recommend
Dog Supplements?
While
the importance of a healthy balanced diet is never
questioned, many veterinarians have recognized the lack of
certain essential
nutrients in some of their patients’ diets.
Dog
dietary supplements are prescribed by veterinarians to
compliment the diet and maintain optimal health.
Even the healthiest of natural organic dog food
may not be enough.
Supplements
are also prescribed to dogs who suffer from joint
problems, arthritis and other types of skeletal problems. They have been found
effective when used in
aging dogs that lack energy for play or daily tasks.
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to top)
Why Does Healthy, Natural
Organic Dog Food to Be Supplemented?
Unfortunately, the fresh
foods that we eat today do not have
the same nutritional benefits as the foods grown 50, 100, 200 years ago.
According
to the Earth Summit Report of 1992, the soils on
North American farms and free range have been depleted of over 85
percent of their
natural minerals.
Yes,
it’s true, the soil that our fresh crops are grown in
is so over used that it no longer allows the food to carry many of the
essential minerals we hope to transfer into our bodies.
But
is this the only cause of depleted nutrients in our
dog’s diets? Actually
there are a few
contributors to this problem:
- Storage
and cooking methods cause our foods to loose essential vitamins and
minerals. When
foods are stored at extremely high or low temperatures, they tend to
loose essential nutrients. Also,
when foods are cooked at very high temperatures they can loose up to
70% of their nutrients.
- The
complications associated with acid rain have been making things
difficult for our growing plants.
It decreases their ability to take
minerals from the soil which in turn yields plants with a much
lower mineral content.
- The
extremely high demand for fresh foods has forced farmers to use tactics
such as artificial fertilizers to speed up the growth process. This accelerated growth
does not give the plants adequate time to absorb the necessary minerals.
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Which Ailments
Can be
Helped by Dog Dietary Supplements?
Dr.
Pitcairn recommends, “For animals that are not in the
beast of health, mineral supplements are an essential part of the diet.”
Dogs
who suffer from the following can reap benefits from
dog dietary supplements:
The
list can truly go on and on when you consider the
possible benefits of a daily multi-vitamin for your dog. Veterinarians recommend a
multi-vitamin to
keep your dog healthy and to strengthen the immune system. Herbal remedies are also a great
option.
When
your dog is healthy they are less likely to be the
carrier of an illness or chronic condition.
If supplements can keep your dog healthy then
why not give them a shot?
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Which Supplements Do
Experts Recommend?
There
are numerous dog dietary supplements that can benefit
the health of your dog.
Selecting
supplements for your dog requires adequate
information and a safe supplier. The
following is a list of some of the most highly recommended dog dietary
supplements and excellent sources of that supplement.
Please
click on the supplement for additional information:
- Calcium
supplements- Bone meal, seaweed, Di-calcium
phosphate,
calcium tablets or powder, eggshell powder
Experts
also recommend a daily multi-vitamin or herbal supplement for your
dog. Click here to jump to the bottom of the page for our recommendations.
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Are the Dog
Dietary Supplements Offered Online and In Stores Safe?
Yo u can rest assured that
the majority of dog dietary
supplements are quite safe and free from harmful ingredients.
With
that said, though the dog’s safety might not be an
issue, the quality of the ingredients used in the supplement may very
well be.
Many
suppliers attempt to cut costs and use ingredients that
may not yield
all the healthy benefits they claim.
According
to an article entitled, “Does your pet need a
dietary supplement,” found on CNN.com, many supplements tested do not
contain
exactly what they list on the label.
|
“Dr.
Tod
Cooperman is president of ConsumerLab.com, which independently
tests supplements for humans and animals.
In the past
few
years, his company has reviewed roughly a dozen multivitamins,
joint supplements and fish oils for pets and found that about half
of the products tested don’t pass.” (CNN.com) |
Dr.
Cooperman also stated, "We have repeatedly found the quality of
supplements for pets to be worse overall than for supplements for
people."
As pet owners are
informed about the potential benefits of supplements, many of them
express
excitement and make purchases before researching the necessary details.
The
FDA urges pet owners to talk with their veterinarian
before ordering and feeding supplements
to their pets. Though they are relatively harmless, extreme overuse or
misuse
of supplements can be harmful to your dog.
The
internet is full of very useful information, but
occasionally sellers with ulterior motives will try to mislead buyers
into
purchasing unfit products.
Luckily,
we
have done the research
for you!
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What Should I Consider When
Purchasing a
Supplement?
Here’s a list of four
important things to consider before
purchasing a dog dietary supplement:
- Product quality-
First examine
the intended
active ingredient(s) and then check to see the
amount of
those
ingredient(s) in the
supplement. A
reputable supplier will provide an 800 number on
the packaging that you
can
call with
additional question
- Efficacy- It is
important to
note the research and testing that has been done to prove the
effectiveness of
the desired supplement. Information
regarding the product testing should be accessible through the
company’s
website or elsewhere.
- Tolerance- Always
check the
list of ingredients before giving the supplement to your dog. You should know whether or
not your dog has
any allergies or does not tolerate certain foods very well. It is also a good idea to
consult your
veterinarian to make sure the ingredients will not react with any other
medications
your dog may be taking.
- Safety- Make sure
that the
company has done numerous clinical tests of the supplement. Don’t be fooled by false
reports, do some
serious investigating and make sure the supplement is totally safe for
your
dog.
| We are in the
midst of researching and compiling the best vitamins and supplements
on the market. Please let us know
if you would like to be
notified when our analysis is complete. |

|
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Can Dogs Take
the Same
Dietary Supplements as Humans?
As
a general rule, it is best to purchase or prepare
supplements specifically made for animals. By
doing so you reduce the risk of “over doing it” and
giving them too much of a good thing.
Supplements purchased for animals provide
accurate dosage according to
size, age and breed. It
takes all of the
guess work out!
If
you prefer to grow, mix or prepare your own dog dietary
supplements, it is best to consult
your veterinarian
for exact dosage recommendations.
Certain
vitamins and supplements prepared for humans can
safely be given to your dog if you pay very close attention to the
dosage. In general,
if your dog weighs one-third of
your total weight, serve them 1/3 of the supplement. But, again, please
check
with your veterinarian before feeding human supplements.
| Make sure that
you dog is not given a supplement which contains benzoate
preservative. This
is found in certain human supplements and vitamins and can be gradually
harmful
if accumulated in the dog’s body. |
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Dog Supplements Analysis - Best Choices on the
Market
After months of researching natural supplement vendors, we
have found Native
Remedies (PetAlive.com) to have by far the best proven,
effective and 100% safe supplements with the most appropriate
ingredients by condition.
Want some more good news?
We have researched their products for you and included links below to
the best supplements for the overall health of your dog.
You can take a deeper dive by reading our condition-specific
pages to learn more about your dog's specific problem.
Most of them include direct links to the Native Remedies
supplements we recommend.
If you feel like searching their supplements by condition on your own, click
here and choose a category on the left side of the page under
"Herbal Remedies for Cats & Dogs".
...now on with the best supplements for the overall health of your
dog. We have highlighted the differences to help
you choose the right ones for your dog.
If none of our comments or highlights fit your dog's situation, not to
worry. You cannot go wrong with any of these choices as they all share
many of the same ingredients and qualities.
Overall Cell
Health and Improved Immune System
- Maintain
health and normal functioning in all organs, tissue and cells
- Support healthy liver and lymphatic systems
- Promote
appetite
- Maintain a healthy immune system
- Promote healthy waste and toxin elimination
- Support vitality and healthy energy levels
Healthy Body
Systems and Promote Natural Ability to Get Rid of Waste and Toxins
- Support the body’s natural processes of
cleansing and elimination
- Promote healthy liver functioning
- Maintain
healthy bile flow
- Promote
healthy skin, coat, joints and digestive system through systemic
cleansing
- Maintain
healthy thyroid functioning
- Facilitate healthy energy levels and general
well-being
- Support healthy immune systems
Overall
Energy, Health and Vitality
- Promote healthy energy levels
- Support healthy immune systems
- Support
circulation and the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body
- Encourage
feelings of well-being
- Maintain healthy liver functioning
- Overcome
exercise resistance in sluggish pets
Overall
Health & Energy, including Physical Performance and Brain
Functioning
- Support brain
functioning
- Maintain
healthy concentration, memory, and mental alertness
- Support peak
performance in shows and competitions
- As a brain
tonic for animals attending training classes
- Support the
ability of healthy adrenal glands to deal with stress
- Maintain immune system health and functioning
- Give your pet
a competitive edge and promote high performance levels
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Also see...
Best
Dog Treatments & Home Remedies to get our supplement
recommendations by condition
Native Remedies from PetAlive
Best Natural Organic Dog Foods on the Market
Holistic Veterinary Care and Treatments
Back to Food
and Treat Topics from Dog Dietary
Supplements

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