Our pets fill our lives with much love, and every pet owner wants them to live a long life. Dog parents make sure that their beloved pups get enough nutrition in their diet so that they can live a joyous and healthy life. But, they often need some supplements to upkeep their wellbeing. 

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By supplements, we mean additional products added to your pet’s diet to increase their nutritional intake, boost health and enhance their wellbeing. The dietary supplements are usually individual or combinations of different ingredients in a concentrated form made into pills, capsules, tablets, powders, or liquids. 

Dietary supplements such as CBD Hemp Oil for pets, Fish oils, and probiotics can help improve their health conditions and enhance their overall quality of life. Pet Supplements can help treat joint pain and mobility issues, digestive problems, allergies, behavioral issues, boost heart health, and combat oxidative stresses.   

Does My Dog Need Health Supplements?

If your dog eats a healthy diet rich in all the necessary vitamins and nutrients, shows no vivid sign of weakness, and is otherwise healthy, it may not need any supplements. But if your pup is not in good health or has lost its usual disposition, it may benefit from the supplements. 

Some supplements can help manage stress, reduce pain and inflammation and prevent premature aging. Supplements containing antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E can help improve your dog’s immune system. Veterinarians also recommend owners feed their pet supplements comprising glucosamine and chondroitin for treating symptoms of arthritis. Dogs with flaky, dry skin, allergies, or other skin ailments can benefit from supplements. However, we advise you not to give any supplements to your pet without consulting a veterinarian.

Top 5 Supplements To Improve Your Dog’s Health

#1. Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance found in the cartilages of the joints of both humans and dogs. With increasing age, the glucosamine disintegrates, leading to osteoarthritis. Glucosamine supplements help increase collagen synthesis and maintain the integrity of the cartilages, the soft, spongy material that acts as a cushion between the joints. 

Research indicates that glucosamine can help improve joint health and improve mobility. It helps repair the wear and tear of the cartilages that occur due to friction between the two joints. It also helps reduce joint inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. 

Glucosamine supplements are available in several combinations: Glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl-glucosamine. They come in different oral forms like liquids, tablets, pills, and soft chews. Veterinarians usually advise pet parents to give these supplements to their pups starting from an early age to promote a healthy exercise regime. 

#2. Probiotics

Probiotics are supplements infused with beneficial microorganisms, usually bacteria. These healthy bacteria help maintain the natural equilibrium of their internal environment. Probiotics help break down the food your pet eats for better digestion. It also improves the absorption of dietary nutrients and vitamins and combats against potential pathogens.  

Probiotics for dogs usually contain microorganisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria help to strengthen immunity, prevent anxiety, relieve stress, and improve mood and emotions. It can also help prevent diarrhea and improve food allergies. 

Probiotics may have some mild to moderate side effects too. It may cause digestive discomfort, bloating, constipation, and nausea. Veterinarians usually recommend feeding one teaspoon of probiotic supplements to small breeds of dogs, two teaspoons for medium-sized puppies, and three teaspoons to larger dogs. 

#3. Kratom:

Feeding your dog with some Kratom products will improve its hunger and thus require more food. Users who have tried it proclaim that your dog will no longer avoid eating, and therefore, enhance his energy level and power. Many use white borneo because of this effect. From numerous dog owners who utilized Kratom on their dogs, only a rare number of dogs did not show significant healing signs from pain. Others even say Kratom responds well to dogs with aches and soreness. Similar to a large number of human beings, even dogs can suffer from stress. As a result, dogs could end up in a chronic state of anxiety. In such a situation, administering Kratom can help manage the dog down and enhance their psychological state.

#4. Fish Oil

Most processed dog foods supply high amounts of Omega-6 fatty acids to your pet. Excessive consumption of Omega-6 can cause chronic inflammation in dogs leading to several adverse health conditions like allergies, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and even cancer. The Omega-3 obtained from fish oil supplements helps balance the excess Omega-6 and reduce the risk of the diseases. Fish oil comprises rich concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids.  

Fish oil supplements are usually available as capsules and soft chews. It helps in promoting brain and nervous system development. It also boosts immunity, improves eye health, relieves inflammation, and improves your dog’s heart health. It also helps to relieve skin allergies and improve your dog’s coat health.

However, if laced with toxins like arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium, fish oil can damage the organ, endocrine problems, blindness, neurological problems, and even cancer. If the fish oil supplement turns rancid, it can cause oxidative stress, premature aging, and chronic liver and kidney diseases. 

#5. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that fight against the destructive free radicals in your pet’s body and prevent the onset of several health disorders. Lack of adequate antioxidant-rich food in their diet can lead to health issues such as respiratory diseases, skin allergies, eye problems such as cataracts and blindness, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, joint problems, heart diseases, and cancer. 

Here are some of the most potent and beneficial antioxidants every dog parent should include in their pet’s diet:

• Vitamin E: It is a natural immunity booster. It also helps to improve the circulatory system of your dog. 
• Vitamin C: This antioxidant improves wound healing and relieves inflammation. 
• Beta Carotene: Beta Carotene helps increase antibodies and improves immunity. 
• Selenium: This antioxidant helps improve cognitive functions, relieves asthma, and supports thyroid health.

The Bottom Line:

Your dog needs a blanched diet so that they ingest all the nutrients and vitamins necessary for optimal wellbeing. Veterinarians often prescribe dietary supplements to improve your dog’s health. These supplements can help improve joint stiffness heart health and boost overall immunity. Though the over-the-counter supplements have several benefits, they may have some side effects too. Thus, we recommend dog parents consult their vet before giving their furry friend any supplements.