Across the country, many people own pets. Pet owners across the globe spend over a billion dollars every year on pet food, dog training, pet vaccines, and even clothing for them. So we have to ask ourselves, if I take a multi-vitamin is there any reason my dog shouldn’t get one?
The answer is yes. A multi-vitamin or health supplement would be beneficial for almost any pet. Even the best pet food might not have all the nutrients your active dog needs. When you give your dog a vitamin you can help them live longer and live healthier.
When purchasing a multi-vitamin for your dog look for supplements that contain vitamins A, C and D. It should also contain B vitamins as well as the minerals zinc, calcium and magnesium. You should also consider the size of your dog because large dogs like German Shepherds may have special needs.
Dogs can also benefit from fish oils. Just like omegas are good for us they are also good for our dogs. Recent studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of kidney and heart disease in dogs.
If your dog is getting older look for vitamins or dog food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements are taken by humans to help with arthritis and they can also help your dog. The reason they help is that glucosamine helps create new cartilage and chondroitin can help neutralize enzymes that cause cartilage erosion.
One common source of extra vitamins that dogs try to consume is grass, but that can be contaminated with chemicals like insect killer and weed killer. A better source of nutrients to boost their immune system, reduce allergies, and increase energy would be healthy green foods. Foods that contain green foods like barely grass, spirulina, and any other naturally green food should be loaded with nutrients that most commercial dog food doesn’t have. There are also studies conducted in China and other places that show that spirulina can help when a dog is undergoing cancer treatment because it helsp protect from the harmful radiation and chemotherapy.
When purchasing vitamins and other supplements for your dog make sure you buy well known brands. Don’t just buy the cheapest vitamins out there. You can, however, look at online sources of vitamins to save money and still get high quality. The dosage of different vitamins varies so make sure to follow the directions on the box. As mentioned above, larger dogs may need larger doses. By making sure your dog gets all the proper vitamins and minerals, you ensure it has a long healthy life.

