I take three steps when choosing a dog vitamin or supplement for one of my patients. The first is to identify a medical problem for which a nutritional or nutritional supplement might help. The second is scientific understanding and the studies that support its use. The third is to choose a manufacturer or brand that you trust.
Nutraceuticals isn’t a magic bullet or a miracle cure, but that’s how many are advertised. I view these treatments as an adjunct to or “complementary” to a multimodal disease prevention and treatment approach. Some common medical conditions in dogs that have been shown to benefit from nutrients include:
- arthritis
- skin allergies
- intestinal disorder
- Behavioral problems
- weight management
- immune system support.
There are many (many) other indications with varying degrees of scientific evidence, but it’s a great place to start.
And before you start any vitamins or supplements for your dog, consult your veterinarian. These products may contain active ingredients that may interfere with your dog’s medication administration or worsen and even cause illness. That’s why it’s essential to learn the science of “vitamin doggies” before giving them to your dog.
Reviews of vitamins and supplements for dogs
Evaluating scientific research on nutrition can be very complex. Many studies are limited by a small number of dog species, some extrapolated data from other species, and some other studies conducted by the manufacturer. None of this necessarily excludes a dog vitamin or supplement from consideration but must be considered when assessing validity and applicability. In general, I evaluate as much research as possible (thanks to the literature reviews and large studies) and provide an opinion before recommending a dog vitamin or supplement to a client. mine.
Keeping up with nutritional science can be a challenge when there is so much work in a busy veterinary clinic. You can help your veterinarian by sharing information about a nutritional medication you are considering. Don’t bother submitting unpublished studies from websites, personal anecdotes, or endorsements. Your veterinarian will probably ignore it if it is not published in a peer-reviewed journal. As a professional courtesy, I encourage you to email these links or copies prior to your visit. Sitting down with a portfolio of hard copies and asking for an immediate assessment during the exam can be an embarrassing mood.
Are vitamins and supplements for dogs safe and effective?
Once you’ve determined your dog has a condition where an evidence-based supplement could help, it’s time to take a supplement. But with so many choices, how can a dog parent decide what to give? How do you know if a supplement is safe and contains what it claims to be?
Start by asking your veterinarian for specific brand recommendations. If the person cannot provide instructions, seek third-party authentication such as National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), ConsumerLab.com and United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). Certain products may be fine without these claims as long as they have undergone rigorous testing and ongoing quality control.
If the NASC or USP doesn’t verify the nutrition, look for the branded ingredient on the label, such as “omega-3 fatty acid DHAgold” or “FCHG49 glucosamine HCl”. For manufacturers to trademark or patent an ingredient, they must conduct more extensive research and quality control, allowing dog parents to trust in safety and effectiveness. of ingredients.
And don’t think that the most expensive supplements are always the best. Studies show that even the most expensive products can lack the active ingredients they promise. That’s why it’s important to work with your veterinary health care team to find the best product for your puppy’s needs.
11 vitamins and nutritional supplements for dogs
Here are some of my favorites:
Omega-3 fatty acids The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA have been recognized as powerful brain fuels for nearly a hundred years. The best sources are oils from algae and fish. If you’re curious, fish gets its omega-3s from algae, making it my favorite source whenever possible.
Omega-3 supplements may improve learning, maintain memory and cognition, support vision, the nervous system, and fight harmful inflammation. DHA/EPA is also useful in the treatment of arthritis, allergies, and many skin conditions.
Dogs who eat a commercial dry diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids may benefit from a daily omega-3 supplement. Adding DHA/EPA to your dog’s diet helps restore a healthier balance between omega-6 and omega-3. Dosages can vary widely and depend on the dog’s age, weight, diet, and medical condition. I generally use pet omega-3 formulas and avoid supplements with added vitamin D.
Glucosamine: Every year, joint supplements, most of which contain glucosamine, top the list of most used dog nutrients. TV and print ads boast magical claims, pet store shelves overflow with choice, and social media stories abound.
Where there is hype and hope, there is also hoax. I’ve advocated glucosamine supplements for decades, but I’m increasingly wary of some of the products dog parents share with me. How can you tell the difference between mock and function?
The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal is one of the first criteria to look for in a generic supplement. Next, is the company reputable and trustworthy? Can I talk to someone about ingredient sourcing, research and quality control? Finally, is there any evidence to support its use? Most veterinary glucosamine formulations have been researched, verified and earned my trust.
Probiotics: I will never forget attending a nutrition conference on probiotic research for humans and dogs about 10 years ago. A parade of Harvard scientists impressed the audience with a large number of studies demonstrating the positive health effects of probiotics on humans and animals. Improving digestive health, boosting immunity, and preventing many diseases are just a few of the potential benefits. I leave a proven feeling in promoting probiotics for my canine patients, especially those who are inpatients, stressed, undergoing anesthesia or GI issues. I recommend using a veterinary formula or whole probiotic containing at least one billion CFU (colony forming units).
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe): SAMe is an anti-inflammatory supplement used primarily in dogs with liver disease, cognitive impairment, and arthritis. In humans, SAMe is also used to improve mood and fight depression and Alzheimer’s disease, and some veterinarians use it for certain behavioral conditions. I recommend SAMe for older dogs with early signs of declining mental function, liver problems, toxin exposure, and as part of my arthritis treatment regimen. I only recommend veterinary formulations that have been shown to be fully absorbable. These products have a special coating that prevents acid breakdown in the stomach and allows the use of SAMe.
L-carnitine: I have been recommending carnitine to my canine patients for many years to aid in weight loss and heart disease as well as support brain function in older pets (I take it too.). Dosage can range from 100 mg to 2 grams per day, based on the individual needs of the dog. Before prescribing this supplement, I always check to see if carnitine has hypothyroidism due to carnitine’s ability to impair thyroid hormone function. When treating obesity or heart disease, I often combine carnitine with omega-3s, coenzyme Q10, and taurine.
turmeric: One of my favorite natural supplements is turmeric. Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, and it has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and even anti-cancer activities. I recommend giving it 2-3 times per day with food. Formulations containing piperine (black pepper extract) may further enhance bioavailability.
Other Supplements to Consider
There is an extensive list of nutrients for dogs that have been shown to benefit a variety of medical conditions, prevent or minimize illness, and alleviate symptoms. I encourage all dog parents to be on the lookout for advances in nutritional science that may benefit their dogs.
Mushroom Extract: Over the past decade, mushroom extracts have become one of my top recommendations for dogs with a variety of ailments, especially cancer. My favorite medicinal mushrooms are Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail and Cordyceps. If your dog is diagnosed with a chronic illness, ask your veterinarian about incorporating medicinal mushrooms into his treatment plan.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD): Reduces oxidative stress associated with liver and kidney disease, cognitive decline, spinal cord injury and obesity. If you’re wondering, much of honey’s healing powers are thought to be related to its SOD.
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone): CoQ10 helps protect against free radical damage, may promote oral health, and is used for heart health in dogs.
Astaxanthin: One of the most powerful antioxidants in nature, astaxanthin gives salmon its pink color and is believed to be key to its health benefits. I use it on dogs with chronic skin allergies, those with dry, flaky coats or any inflammatory conditions.
Does my dog need a multivitamin supplement?
In my opinion, as long as the dog is eating a complete and balanced diet and there are no conditions that inhibit the absorption or metabolism of nutrients, your dog may not need a multivitamin supplement. daily case. I prefer a supplement approach that targets specific nutrients rather than a single vitamin and mineral. Additionally, many compounds proven to be beneficial for a particular disease need to be in concentrated doses, meaning that most “multi” compounds simply don’t contain enough beneficial ingredients.
