Depending on the diet you chose and got your dog accustomed to, he or she may lack some specific nutrients, trace elements, minerals, and vitamins. In some cases, the consequences on your dog’s health are negligible while in other cases, the dogs will lean towards an unhealthy future. Having a little box with the right dog health supplements will help cover most shortcomings and improve your dog’s health significantly.
Some supplements are filled with a precise purpose. For example, the bully world is fond of weight gainers and protein supplements to boost the dog’s muscle mass. Other dog supplements are great to soothe some existing complications such as MSM and Glucosamine for dogs to relieve joint pains and arthritis.
Warning point, though: supplements can’t be used to replace a dog’s healthy balanced diet. Whether you prefer kibble or raw or homemade, you have to use your best judgment to offer your dog(s) the best quality you can afford. Then, you can complement it using these dog supplements.
Fish Oils for Dogs
Fish oils for dogs are a great cost-effective way to enhance your dog’s intake of healthy fatty acids including polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Different fish oils offer different ratios of omega-3, omega-6, and other much-needed micronutrients that your dog’s body and hormone system would benefit from. You can opt for cod, salmon, wild fish or even blends of several fish oils within the same bottle to attain the right balance.
Digestive Aids for Dogs
Digestive aids for dogs assist you in bettering your pet’s gut microbiota and general digestive tract and intestinal health. Supplements include probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and vitamins. Most of the pet supplement industry is constrained by very low standards of regulation from the FDA. While the average digestive aid is not going to hurt your dog, very few of them would actually benefit your dog’s gut health.
Digestive Enzymes for Dogs
Digestive enzymes for dogs are special proteins whose job is to break down macronutrients from the ingested food. In a healthy dog, the digestive enzymes are continually produced by the dog’s pancreas. They then go on to quickly decompose carbohydrates, fibers, fats, and proteins to fasten the digestion of the macronutrients.
Not to be confused with probiotics, though, as these two are completely different in many ways. Digestive enzymes are produced by a dog’s body whereas probiotics are not. In fact, enzymes are required by a dog’s body in order to break down the food ingested while probiotics are just a bonus.
Fibers for Dogs
Dietary fibers for dogs are recommended for a healthy gut flora, solid stools, and an overall well-kept digestive system. Our guide answers all common questions about crude fibers, soluble and insoluble fibers for dogs, as well as prebiotics. We have also reviewed the top fiber-rich dog foods and the best fiber supplements for dogs.
Prebiotics for Dogs
Prebiotics for dogs are fibers found in some fruits and vegetables that help maintain a healthy gut flora in dogs. Dog prebiotics work best when taken with canine probiotics and digestive enzymes. Dog owners and dog breeders are constantly trying to find ways to enhance their dog’s health, whether it being for improving the pet’s digestive system, its coat or its overall immune defense. Trends seem to follow those of human discoveries so it was only predictable that dogs, just like humans, would benefit from prebiotic (and probiotic) supplements.