Dietary supplements are self -serving products sold by veterinarians, pharmacies and parapharmacies as well as some pet stores. These are not medicines, but more or less complete solutions intended to provide the animal with the nutrients it needs in an hour. If they don’t pose a danger to the dog, their overdose can have an impact on the dog’s well -being, so it’s best to systematically seek the advice of your veterinarian before considering giving it to your dog. little companion. But are they really useful and effective? Let’s examine the topic.
Dietary supplements for dogs: what are we talking about?
As its name suggests, a dietary supplement is a food -supporting product. It is composed of natural ingredients and is intended to provide the dog with the elements it needs to fill some of its food gaps. These deficiencies or deficiencies can be triggered by an unbalanced diet, poor quality, pregnancy, excessive strenuous physical activity or certain pathologies, or even taking certain medications.
There are several types of dietary supplements. Others may contain vitamins, minerals, trace elements, nutrients, amino acids or essential fatty acids.
Over-the-counter in veterinary practices, pharmacies, parapharmacies and some pet stores, dietary supplements pose no danger to dogs, if used properly. In fact, if it is intended to compensate for certain animal deficiencies, their excessive concentration can, on the contrary, have unproductive or harmful doggie effects. So avoid any excess, because even if you think you are doing the right thing, you can affect the well -being of your animal.
It is always better to seek the advice of your veterinarian before giving it to your little companion. In most cases, it is the practitioners who recommend them and who prescribes them if the situation requires it.
Dietary supplements for dogs: in what cases are they useful?
A veterinarian may prescribe dietary supplements in a variety of situations, as these products can relieve many ailments and diseases. Let’s simultaneously discover situations in which they can be useful:
- to support the animal and any imbalances likely to occur during certain periods of its life (pregnancy and lactation of the female dog, sports practice, etc.);
- to promote the good growth of puppies, especially by supporting the development of their coat, their bones, their muscles or even their tone, and so on. ;
- to accompany the aging animal and to help it better cope with certain diseases associated with advancing age (digestive disorders, urinary disorders, flatulence, immune deficiency, etc.);
- to condition a stuffed animal before a sporting event or a competition, and so on. ;
- to help the dog cope with certain pathologies (anxiety, osteoarthritis, depression, diabetes, stress, etc.);
- to strengthen the dog’s immune system during recovery, after injury, illness, and so on. ;
- to help the animal find a softer and shiny coat in times when it is duller and rough.
These are the main cases where dietary supplements may have some effectiveness, but there are many more. However, it is important to emphasize that dietary supplements always involve more. These are products that are not intended to cure an animal, but to help it depending on its condition or restraint.
Remember that it is best to avoid transferring these products without the advice of a veterinarian. The harmful side effects that are possible if there is an overdose, it is best to seek the advice of your practitioner before administering it to your dog.
Dietary supplements: when and how should they be administered to your dog?
Dietary supplements for dogs are sold in many forms, namely:
- of tablets, usually chewable, which makes it easier for the animal to take them;
- in liquid solutions, diluted in their water or in their food;
- of powders, to mix with its food or, in some cases, with its water.
It is important to read the instructions carefully and respect the veterinarian’s advice and the dose prescribed by the manufacturer. In addition, dietary supplements are usually administered regularly over a long period of time, from a few weeks to a few months, to observe the effects. Be careful to respect your practitioner’s prescriptions to avoid any overdose.
Remember that dietary supplements are not medicines. If they could be prescribed for prevention, they would never replace drug treatment. In addition, their long duration of effectiveness makes them ineffective in treating urgent need.
You can find specific dietary supplements on the market that include an element or combination of elements, but also complex ones that are specially shaped to meet certain needs (special growth, special dog sports, special pregnancy, etc.). To make your choice, a veterinarian’s opinion is always preferred.
It should also be remembered that dietary supplements are not subject to the same requirements or the same controls as drug treatments. There is no need for them to be effective. So it is better to seek advice from your veterinarian or pharmacist before buying it.
Dietary supplements for dogs: how to choose them?
As said before, dietary supplements are not medicines. It is accessible to everyone, but they are not subject to permission to be placed on the market. The only obligation of the manufacturer is to make the offering of products that do not pose a risk to animal health – as long as they are used wisely.
However, there is no guarantee of their effectiveness. Other manufacturers have tested their products, but they are not systematic and do not require obligation on the result. So you are free to trust them or not.
However, the opinion of your veterinarian remains the surest solution to ensure making the right choice. He or she is the only one who can advise you on any vitamins, minerals and nutrients your dog needs. He can also direct you to the most trusted brands, which he knows and where he has good experience in terms of efficiency.