Should You Feed Supplements And Vitamins To Your Dog

Yes, being a pet parent is difficult! It is no less than raising a child; care for your pet, and make sure that its health and mind are in good shape at all times. As such, pet parents are generally keen on dietary supplements and dog vitamin powder. 

But is it alright to feed dogs with vitamins and supplements? 

Generally, processed dog foods available in the market are fortified with nutrients essential for your dog's overall growth and good health. But, dogs that are fed homemade food might need some dietary supplements. 

What must be kept in mind is that you cannot just prepare a diet plan on your own and feed your dog vitamins just like that without consulting a vet or an animal nutritionist. You first have to understand which dog food you can choose for your furry companion. 

Yes, it can be a little overwhelming because the market is full of so many options that claim so many things. The question is, how will you decide? Firstly, you have to pay attention to what your dog is eating every day and what nutrients are required to promote good health. With a little bit of know-how, you can easily understand the dietary needs of your dog. 

What does your dog need to survive healthily? And what steps can you follow?

• Six dietary components help your dog maintain good health like water, fats, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, and other minerals. The body type and size are two determining factors of how much of each of these components your dog will need to remain in good shape. 

• Talk to your vet or an animal nutritionist for diet recommendations. You have to take your dog for regular checkups, and this is the only way the vet will understand whether your dog is ingesting all that it needs or not. Now, it is up to the vet if they feel that your dog requires supplements, then they will suggest what you can choose or do for your dog. 

If your dog has special medical needs or is growing old, your vet can prescribe dietary supplements. Young dogs usually don't need supplements to lead a happy and active life. 

As we already know, too much of anything is bad so, if you feed your dog huge amounts of vitamins unnecessarily their might be a problem. The dog might develop several health issues; for example, too much vitamin A can have adverse effects on blood vessels, cause joint pain, and even lead to severe dehydration. Calcium deficiency is harmful but, at the same time, too much calcium can give rise to skeletal issues. 

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, but the question is, what will happen if you feed your dog huge amounts of it? 

The answer is simple, bones will become weak, your dog might lose its appetite, and muscle atrophy will be common. So, the point is, you have to decide carefully whether your dog needs vitamins at all or not, and if you get confused, don't shy away from consulting a vet.