Supplements for Dogs - an Owner’s Guide

All living things need the right nutrition, the right vitamins and the right minerals - from great aunt Gladys, through to her potted geraniums. But while we’re all conscious of the supplements we need, or our children need, we often have a blind spot when it comes to our furry friends.

Supplements for dogs are becoming more and more popular with dog owners looking to make sure their canine companions have all of the vitamins and minerals they need to live a happy, healthy life.

How to choose the right pet supplement supplier

You wouldn’t give your kids supplements you wouldn’t trust. And you wouldn’t take nasty, poorly made supplements yourself. So make sure you show the same consideration when it comes to buying vitamins for your pet pooch.

That doesn’t mean wasting money on overpriced vitamins - we’ve explained in the past that the difference between affordable supplements like ours and the expensive ones you find on the high street is often down to nothing more than branding.

But before you buy, ask yourself one simple question. Would I take supplements made by this company myself? Don’t drop your standards just because it’s your pet’s health you’re looking after.

Which supplements will help your dog

Dogs, much like people, are mammals. So they need most of the same vitamins and minerals as you or I. Obviously where we need a supplement for strong hair and nails, they need it for a glossy coat, but for many vitamins there’s a direct one to one match. We need vitamin D to boost our immune system, and so does Rover. But if you’re wondering what they need, here’s a quick run-down:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• B Vitamins
• Calcium
• Phosphorus

So just like you take your daily multivitamin to make sure you're getting enough of the right nutrients, your dog can take their multivitamin too!

How to give your dog supplements

Most pet supplements are designed to be easy for your dog to take, whether they’re sprinkled over or added to their food, or a tablet which is flavoured to be more tasty for them.

Getting your dog to take a supplement tablet is easy. Treat it as part of a game or a training session. Wrap the tablet in a little sliced meat, or cover it with a dollop of peanut butter, and you can offer it to your dog the same way you would a treat.

Easy!

How else you can supplement your dog’s health

While vitamin and mineral supplements for your canine companions are a good idea - especially if you’ve chosen the right supplements for your furry friend, made by a reliable manufacturer of quality products - that’s not all your dog needs.

You need to make sure they are regularly exercised and given time and space to explore their surroundings, have a good old sniff and meet other dogs. They need training and play to keep them from being bored, and they need good quality dog food.

But most of all, the best supplement you can give your dog is love and affection.

Just don’t forget to toss them a doggie vitamin or two along with it!