As a veterinarian, many of my pet parents ask me about nutrition for their pets. One of the questions I hear pretty frequently, especially from new puppy owners, is “Does my dog need a supplement?”
It’s a good question and the answer depends on what type of supplement we’re discussing.
Canine Vitamin Supplements for Puppies and/or Adult Dogs
This is probably the most common question I hear in relation to supplements for dogs. Puppy owners and owners of senior pets often ask if they should be giving a vitamin and mineral supplement to their pet.
In most cases, I do not recommend vitamin and mineral supplements for puppies or for adult dogs. If the diet is high quality and well-balanced, supplemental vitamins and minerals should not be necessary. If the diet does not provide for the dog’s nutritional needs, it makes more sense to change the diet to a balanced diet.
Adding a vitamin and mineral supplement to an already balanced diet can actually throw off the balance of the diet. In particular, the calcium and phosphorus ratio can be changed, which can lead to serious malnutrition and growth abnormalities, especially with large breed puppies.
That being said, there is at least one exception to this rule. If feeding a home-cooked diet instead of a commercially available diet that is already balanced, a vitamin and mineral supplement may be necessary. However, unless you have a great deal of experience in canine nutrition, I would not recommend trying to create a home-cooked diet for your dog (and particularly not for your young puppy) without the aid of a qualified and knowledgeable canine nutrition expert. If needed, your veterinarian should be able to provide you with a referral to such a person, assuming your veterinarian does not feel competent to help you balance the diet herself (and many of us do not).
Neutraceutical Dietary Supplements for Dogs (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Etc)
Neutraceutical food supplements are dietary supplements which have a positive impact on canine health. Commonly used neutraceuticals include those used for joint health, such as glucosamine, chondrotin and many others. There are neutraceutical supplements that are offered as potential treatments for other illnesses as well.
Many of these neutraceutical supplements are beneficial for the individual dog but whether or not they should be used depends on the individual patient. Many veterinarians and pet owners believe that neutraceutical supplements containing glucosamine can have beneficial effects for dogs at risk of joint disease when given before symptoms become evident. Certainly, they can be beneficial for many dogs that are symptomatic.
Use caution when choosing a neutraceutical product though. Remember that neutraceuticals are not licensed and monitored in the same way as pharmaceuticals (antibiotics and other medicinal drugs). When searching for a neutraceutical supplement for your dog, choose a reputable company that has studies available to back up the efficacy and safety of their product.
Prebiotic and Probiotic Canine Food Supplements
Prebiotic and probiotic food supplements can be beneficial for many dogs. These types of supplements are quite useful in promoting gastrointestinal health. There is evidence that they may help to promote a healthy immune system as well.
Prebiotics and probiotics are particularly useful in the following situations:
- if your dog has been on an antibiotic
- if your dog has had or will have a change in diet
- if your dog will be undergoing a stressful period, such as being in a boarding facility
So, that’s how I advise my pet parents when they ask for my opinion on canine food supplements. Do you use any supplements for your dogs? If so, what do you use and how is it working for you? Please leave a comment below to share your information and experiences with other dog lovers. All opinions are welcome (even if you don’t agree with me 
)
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We use Glyco-Flex III and Grizzly Salmon Oil, both in an effort to delay arthritis and heavy use of NSAIDs in my dog with bilateral luxating patellae.
Since we began these supplements prior to any arthritis, it’s difficult for me to gauge whether they are helping or whether I just feel better giving them!
My dog is a 9 year old mixed breed who was diagnosed with luxating patellae at 3 or 4 years old. She’s now nearly 9 and seems to be comfortable most of the time, although we’ve have a prescription NSAID for occasional use for the last year. If we plan a day of heavy exercise, we use the NSAID, and we also tend to use it in wet, cold weather when she will show some reluctance to climb stairs (the only sign of pain I ever get from her so far).
I think kibble-fed dogs could probably all benefit from a fish oil supplement to provide Omega 3s, however. My understanding is that Omega 3s are destroyed by oxidation and high heat, so they don’t survive the kibble cooking and extrusion process. This would leave kibble fed dogs eating an abundance of Omega 6 and Omega 9, while lacking in usable Omega 3 if they aren’t getting a fish oil supplement.
@Keeping_Awake: Hi, nice to see you here
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think it was a wise decision to begin giving the supplements before the symptoms of arthritis began. I also think it’s very wise to minimize the use of the NSAIDs as much as possible and I think the supplements can help a great deal with that.
There do seem to be a fairly large number of dogs on kibble diets or primarily kibble diets that benefit from the addition of omega-3 fatty acids. So, yes, I think you may be right about that
Just reading this now. Such important info. I had a dog with irritable bowel disease and probiotics did help us some. At the very least, they were trying to make the balance right in her very damaged gastric tract. I appreciate this info.
Hi, Carol. Nice to see you here again
Probiotics may not cure irritable bowel disease or inflammatory bowel disease by themselves, but I do believe that they can be a big help. As you said, restoring the proper balance in the intestinal tract is essential. Thanks for sharing your experience with them.
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