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Dog Food Supplements
If we feed our dogs dry, processed food, many of the vitamins and minerals are lost due to processing! Dogs of all ages, hard working dogs, can benefit from health supplements added to their diet. They aid a dog in reaching it’s best in health and fitness. They are additions to help get the most out of the food!
The first step you need to take prior to starting the nutritional supplement programme is to evaluate your dog with the help of a professional. You should consider his age, his level of activity, what is his current level of training, and what time of the year it is!
Some important dietary supplements for dogs:
- Antioxidants They can help pets live a healthier and potentially longer life.
- Vitamin C helps maintain cell and tissue structure, and protects against free radical damage to organs. It is important to give supplements that use high quality vitamin C, such as Ester-C, to get maximum results. Dogs under 2 years of age can be given 250 mg vitamin C twice a day and for over 2 years, 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day.
- Vitamin E works as an antioxidant to fight premature aging; it also assists in fat metabolism and supports cell membrane integrity.
- Digestive enzymes : They can help dogs get the most from the food consumed, as dogs have very small digestive tracts.
- Essential fatty acids: They get destroyed in the high heat processing of dog foods. EFAs act as anti-inflammatory agents and are worth trying if the dog has an autoimmune disorder or arthritis. Many versions of these substances are on the shelves of health-food stores, from salmon oil to capsules of concentrated EFA.
- Amino acids: They are essential to tissue growth. Pets on a vegetarian or grain diet should definitely be supplemented with amino acids. Some of the important amino acids for pets include glutamic acid for energy and nerve functions; lysine for immune function; and methionine to help with liver or skin conditions.
- Glucosamine: This works well on arthritis/joint or obesity problems. Glucosamine sulfate is the primary form found in dietary supplements and when used in conjunction with EFAs, aid in keeping cartilage and intracellular fluids smooth.
Some useful herbal supplements:
- Ginkgo leaves: Recommended for dogs with nervous disorders increases blood flow to the brain. You can buy capsules of its extracts in most health-food stores, although different brands vary considerably in their content of active ingredients ginkgolides.
- Green tea: Green tea is a good general tonic with cholesterol lowering effects. Available as capsules (1 capsule twice a day) or you can even make green tea and add it to the dog’s food.
- Dong Quai: For female dogs only who lack in energy. Available in capsular form, 1 capsule of dong quai once or twice a day for female dogs over 5 years of the age.
Remember to consult your dog’s vet before tossing a supplement pill into your pet’s bowl. It may result in something disastrous.