by: Dr. Anne Chauvet
With all of the joy our dogs bring into our lives, it’s no wonder that we continually look for ways to keep them active, healthy and thriving. More and more, people want to know if they should give nutritional supplements to their pets. While supplements can be beneficial, there are three things pet owners must know: always work in collaboration with your veterinarian, look at your pet’s food first for nutrition, and buy the highest quality food you can.
Having said that, I am a big proponent of proper nutritional supplements and have seen their benefits in my own pets as well as my patients. I also have become a juicing enthusiast and believe it can be very beneficial to certain pets, but there are some things you must consider first.
1. Always work with your veterinarian. This is important for several reasons. For one thing, many conditions mimic each other. While you may think arthritis is causing your dog’s lameness, it also could be other more serious causes ranging from a muscle strain or torn ligament to a ruptured disc or tumor pressing on the spinal cord, which I frequently see in my neurology practice. Your vet can give you an accurate diagnosis.
Your vet also can offer guidance on what and how much of a supplement should be given to your dog. Never give a supplement for humans to your dog unless you are doing it under a veterinarian’s care. Even with formulations specifically for pets, each animal is different, and you want to be sure that what you give your dog is appropriate for his specific condition and does not interfere with any treatments or medication. This can be particularly true for herbal supplements.
2. Look at your pet’s food first for nutrition. Commercial foods are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of our pets, so many already contain some vitamins and minerals. It is important to know what your dog already is getting in her food because some supplements, like vitamins A and D, can be detrimental to your dog’s health if the doses are too high. Plus, your pet should have vitamin D3 from animal sources. Vitamin D2, which comes from plants, is not as beneficial for dogs and cats.
3. High quality pet food is your best nutritional source for a well balanced diet. Many high quality foods also are formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of older dogs or puppies. At my clinic and at home, I use Royal Canin and its related brands of pet foods. They are high quality, all natural and many are formulated to address the needs of individual breeds.
Here are some supplements to consider:
· A number of the higher quality foods are now incorporating probiotics to help with digestive issues. You can supplement probiotics with Activia© yogurt if your pet is not lactose intolerant or get pure probiotics from a local health food store. This is very useful for general bowel health and also when taking antibiotics that can change the bacterial flora of the bowel.
· Glucosamine chondroitin for joint health is becoming a widespread ingredient in many pet foods and is one of the most common supplements purchased for pets. Results of research studies about its effectiveness have definitely been mixed, but many people report that it does help their pets’ joint mobility with reduced pain and tenderness. For pets with joint issues or arthritis, I would recommend it if your vet says your dog is a good candidate for taking it.
· When looking for areas where nutritional supplements can be beneficial to your dog’s overall health, your pet’s immune system matters. Some breeds’ immune systems are more challenged than others, such as German shepherds. We can boost this with supplements like vitamins C and E along with wheat grass. Usually, you can get wheat grass in trays, and if your dog or cat will eat it, that is good for their digestive systems. One-half ounce of wheat grass juice a day will go a long way for your dog’s immune system, but the juiced product tastes pretty awful, and you may have to feed it to your pet. It sometimes works to put it in your dog’s drinking water. Note that wheat grass is thought of as the ultimate anti-cancer supplement.
· For pets suffering from multiple bladder infections, consider cranberry or blueberry juice. Organic and fresh is best because other juices can be mostly sugar water. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent certain bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, including E coli, which are associated with urinary tract infections. This same property may also inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers. Garlic also is excellent for the immune system, but should never be given to cats and only given to dogs under veterinary supervision because it can lead to problems with red blood cells.
· Antioxidants like beta-carotene, coenzyme Q-10 and lycopene help to fight damaging free radicals. Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, and if your dog will eat them, make a great lower-calorie treat.
· Fatty acids are very important to our pets’ health. Omega 3, which is found in fatty fish primarily, helps cognitive function, reduces inflammation, and boosts cardiovascular health. Probably the best source of Omega 3 is wild salmon. It is unlikely you would need to supplement Omega 6 because our Western diet, and that includes our pets, already contains an overabundance of Omega 6, and too much is unhealthy. Again, knowing what is in your pet’s food and consulting your vet can guide you to the right choices. And remember more is not necessarily merrier.
One of the best “supplements” to add to your pet’s regime is exercise to increase oxygen and energy levels. Regular massages also help energy and blood flow. So go for a walk with your dog and come back for a good massage and some quality time together.