For a dog owner, keeping a beloved pet healthy is always a priority. From their teeth and bones to skin and fur, your pup relies on specific nutrients to keep them looking and feeling their best. When your dog doesn’t get enough of those vital ingredients in their regular diet, supplements fill in the gaps. Whether your pet suffers from a specific health issue or you want to prevent future problems, supplementing their diet with certain vitamins and minerals may help. Here are three of the most common canine health issues you can address through supplements.
#1 – Tooth Decay
It’s recommended that pet owners brush their dogs’ teeth once a day. But for most busy pup parents, that’s an unrealistic goal. Dogs aren’t always cooperative, and it’s hard to keep up with all that plaque and tartar. Supplementing your dog’s diet with specially-made dental sticks will help keep teeth clean.
Dogs develop cavities in the same way humans do—through the build-up of tartar on teeth—and dental sticks are designed to scrape away the gunk that coats your dog’s teeth. The best dental sticks include ingredients that also contribute to other healthy bodily functions.
#2 – Joint Pain
As your dog ages, you may notice they’re slower to move around. Joint pain is probably to blame. Dogs develop arthritis like humans do, and the degenerative disease can keep them from doing the things they love.
To help ease the pain and promote better joint health, you can give your dog a supplement rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Research shows Omega-3s are an effective way to decrease inflammation in joints. Krill oil and fish oil are both supplements you can add to your dog’s dish, although krill is a better way to go as fish oil can be dangerous.
Related: 13 Best Skin & Coat Supplements for Dogs
#3 – Skin and Coat Problems
Dry skin, itchy rashes, rough fur, and excessive shedding are all health issues affecting your dog’s well-being. Sometimes itchy skin is the result of an allergy, but it’s also a sign of nutritional deficiency. Dogs with dull, rough coats often respond well to more Omega-3 fatty acids in their diets. It helps fur look shinier and feel smoother. Beneath their fur, a daily supplement will also help moisturize the skin and relieve the itch. Supplements made with krill oil have phospholipids that your dogs’ bodies use to generate cell membranes and keep their skin healthy.
The best way to determine if your dog would benefit from a supplement is to ask your vet. Sometimes their bodies need help producing more of a certain nutrient, and other times—like with Omega-3 fatty acids—they’re completely dependent on their diet to deliver what they need. If your dog’s food isn’t providing a perfectly well-balanced diet, consider adding a little something extra to give them a well-deserved boost to their health and happiness.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.