If you are a pet lover, you must know that pets need healthy nutrition just as humans do. And since we love our dogs as much as we care about our children, giving the right food to them is a number one priority.
According to the American Kennel Club, there are seven vitamins that dogs need for a healthy lifestyle, including Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K and Choline. Before you run out to buy supplements, let’s take a look at when your dog needs them.
If your puppy is on a commercial diet (as in, it eats formula food from the grocery or pet store), it probably does not need vitamins. Naturally, this doesn’t apply to cases where a veterinarian has prescribed vitamins. However, your dog does likely need supplements when on a homemade diet. You need to give some supplements to ensure that your pet gets enough vitamins with its meals.
Now the question is how to choose the right vitamin for your pet? To be honest, you can’t decide on your own. You need to get the advice of a veterinarian or an animal nutritionist to determine what your dog needs. A lot of factors affect on the type and amount of vitamins needed for your pet, including the kind of food it eats or the type of medication it takes. So, first things first, consult the veterinarian.
The second question is how to choose from the abundance of vitamin supplements that the market offers. Here are some questions to ask before you buy a supplement:
- Has the brand commissioned clinical studies?
- Does the company undergo quality control checks by an trusted organization?
- Is the company’s expertise confirmed?
- What does the label say? Do not believe the magic cures. Supplements are just supplements.
- What other medication does your pet take and how the supplement fits with that?
You may also want to read some influential sites that can recommend to you the right amount and type of vitamins. Search for sites that have reviews, studies and information about all the products on the market. Topdogvitamins.com is a site that can help you with reviews and case studies into how dogs have responded to different foods. They are trusted by some because they were started by a group of dedicated dog lovers.
Whatever your choice, never make an uninformed decision. Too many vitamins or the wrong type of vitamins can do more harm than good to your pet. As the dog nutrition guide of the National Research Council of the National Academies writes, “As our knowledge of the relationship between diet and health continues to advance and as the range of foods available for dogs continues to expand, it’s more important than ever to base feeding choices on good information.”
As long as you don’t get experimental, you’re not in much danger of harming your friend. Just make sure you don’t make any serious changes before talking to a vet.
