Through out your dog’s life, you’ve always made sure your pup has received the best of care – regular vet visits, the best treats, toys, and you’ve ensured that your fur-baby has the most nutritious diet possible. However, as a dog ages, his nutritional demands often change as well.
Your senior dog may have issues with joint pain that require supplements to offset the discomfort. Some senior dogs also require a multivitamin supplement as their bodies might not absorb nutrients properly. Furthermore, if an older dog has digestive, liver, renal or other health issues, he might not be able to eat a commercial dry food that is specially made for senior dogs.
What supplements will my dog need?
Some experts agree that supplements are not truly necessary for every dog. Therefore, you should first consult your veterinarian before beginning any type of vitamin or supplement regimen. Your vet can do lab work in order to determine what supplements are best for your dog. This is actually also a safety issue; you won’t want to give your senior dog unnecessary supplements as certain ones may build up in your dog’s system. For example, too much calcium in a large-boned dog can actually cause skeletal problems, and a dog who has taken in too much Vitamin A may become dehydrated, experience joint pain, and can suffer from damage to the blood vessels.
Another reason to check with your vet before giving your dog supplements involves the idea that issues you may believe are easily treated with a supplement might actually be symptom of something quite serious. Perhaps you notice your dog appears to have a weak posterior. You might think to yourself that giving him an MSM or glucosamine supplement will ease what appears to be hip pain to you. Surprisingly, your dog might actually be suffering from a neurological problem rather than arthritis pain. An owner might also observe her dog’s coat becoming dull or that the dog is losing hair and decide to give the pup a vitamin for that issue. However, a dull coat is often a sign of a hormonal imbalance, a food issue or a myriad of things. Lastly, if you dog is on medication, giving your canine pal a supplement that has some type of herbal compound in it could actually counteract any medications your dog might be taking.
What are the Best Supplements for my Senior Dog?
It’s a good idea to educate yourself on what the typical supplements for an aging dog might be, check back here for additional articles and information on how to optimize your dog’s nutrition.
First, many older dogs take a supplement that is intended to help with dental issues. If your senior dog has issues with her teeth to the point that she can only have soft food, then a supplement is likely in order. This is due to the fact that some soft or wet foods as well as some dry foods, simply don’t supply a full and balanced diet. As a plus, most dental supplements will help your dog to keep their teeth in addition to protecting the dog’s overall dental health.
Second, many older dogs experience osteoarthritis just as older humans might. Glucosamine and MSM supplements are often recommended by veterinarians, but there is some debate as to whether human glucosamine supplements are safe for dogs, so opt for veterinary grade glucosamine instead. And always look for the NASC seal on all vitamin and supplement labels.
A third supplement that vets typically recommend for older dogs supports their mental health. There are a variety of supplements that can promote mental health for your dog, but one of the most commonly recommended is an Antioxidant. Vitamin E, Vitamin C, L-Carnitine, DL-lipoic acid – each of these antioxidants are known for their brain-boosting power. While your dog should primarily get these nutrients from their diet, a routine lab test can tell your vet if any of these antioxidants is lacking. That will determine exactly which antioxidant you should choose.
Finally, older dogs often have decreased liver function as they age. This may be the result of natural aging or liver disease. There are many herbal supplements recommended for improving the health of your dog’s liver, including: milk thistle, turmeric, and zinc. However, turmeric can interfere with some of the medications your dog might have to take, so once again, check with your vet before choosing a supplement for your furbaby if she is on any medication.
Other Considerations for Choosing Supplements and or Vitamins for your Senior Dog
The vitamin and supplement industry, especially for pets, is highly unregulated. In particular, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no governance over pet supplements. So, companies can make all types of claims about a product without having to prove that the product fulfills said claims or even contain a certain amount of the active ingredients that the manufacturer claims is within the product. Therefore, it is imperative to look for the NASC Seal in addition to getting suggestions from your veterinarian as to the best supplements on the market for your senior dog.
Remember, its always best to do your research and consult with your vet regarding what supplements your senior dog needs as well as choose reputable products when providing that little something extra for your long-time companion.
Will Corrente is a career entrepreneur and trusted authority and expert in the dog care industry. Will has over 15 years of experience as the owner and operator of Very Important Paws Dog Resort in West Palm Beach, FL. Copyright 2020 k9vitatherapy.com