I've noticed that many people on the board seem to give their dogs suppliments, mainly salmon oil. Why is that? Does it really make a difference? I'm not trying to be snippy or anything here, I just honestly don't understand: if a dog is eating a balanced and good diet, why are suppliments necessary?
Why suppliment?
- Thread starter Gempress
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I use several suppliments . . .after some research, I determined that nothing in them was likely to hurt her, and some of it was likely to help. As for salmon oil, I take fish oil tabs myself <shrug> They seem to help me. For me its partially an affection thing. Since I'm almost sure its not hurting her, and fairly sure it will help, its a way of expressing affection I guess. That and since she came to me malnourished, I just thrill to see her becoming stronger and healthier each day, even if its just because she's on good food . . . also, she seems to like the taste of the suppliments . . .so . .. why not?
:lol-sign: My friend and I always joke that with horses, owners seem to think that the more supplements they feed, the more they love their horse. Dog people are tame compared to horse people in the suppliment department.
Both of my creatures get supplements high in Omega-3s, because otherwise their diets are pretty high in Omega-6s (which apparently can cause inflammatory responses). Tristan gets flaxseed, Meg gets salmon oil and a flax-based joint supplement. Tristan also gets any weight-gain supplements I can shove down his throat.
Both of my creatures get supplements high in Omega-3s, because otherwise their diets are pretty high in Omega-6s (which apparently can cause inflammatory responses). Tristan gets flaxseed, Meg gets salmon oil and a flax-based joint supplement. Tristan also gets any weight-gain supplements I can shove down his throat.
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Fish oil is definitely beneficial to more than just skin and coat. Great, great add for the immune system, for arthritis or other joint issues, allergies, cardiovascular health, brain function, etc.
Although most do feed a balanced diet, most balanced diets are low in omega 3 fatty acids, and fairly low in fat in general.
As for vitamin supplements - my theory is this: Most commercial pet foods rely heavily on supplements to be balanced and complete. Not all supplements in the kibble are perfectly utilizable by every animal, therefore, supplementing or at least rotating kibble is a good idea.
Although most do feed a balanced diet, most balanced diets are low in omega 3 fatty acids, and fairly low in fat in general.
As for vitamin supplements - my theory is this: Most commercial pet foods rely heavily on supplements to be balanced and complete. Not all supplements in the kibble are perfectly utilizable by every animal, therefore, supplementing or at least rotating kibble is a good idea.
i use fish oil over the winter for mushroom because otherwise his skin gets dry. i've thought about adding it to all three dogs' food just because, but i haven't managed to buy any yet.
luce takes glucosamine for her knee, and harvey takes an antioxidant supplement because it's supposed to be good for combating old dog brain.
luce takes glucosamine for her knee, and harvey takes an antioxidant supplement because it's supposed to be good for combating old dog brain.
I don't actually give him any pills - it is far too much of a struggle. He has had some serious issues the past year with anorexia of unknown origin - he dropped probably 200+ lbs and was refusing almost any feed. Trying to hide something unpleasant tasting in his food would just turn him off eating again for a long, long time, and I've worked way to hard to pack those pounds on him
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He gets powdered suppliments (ground flax seed, Source Weight Gain, and live yeast) mixed into a mash I make him with hay stretcher pellets every afternoon. Any meds like bute, I give the paste version just like wormer. It's more expensive, but he rarely gets it, and it keeps him from associating his food with something yucky. I don't feed joint supplements - I use either Legend (an IV injection), Adequan (an IM injection), or joint injections.
.He gets powdered suppliments (ground flax seed, Source Weight Gain, and live yeast) mixed into a mash I make him with hay stretcher pellets every afternoon. Any meds like bute, I give the paste version just like wormer. It's more expensive, but he rarely gets it, and it keeps him from associating his food with something yucky. I don't feed joint supplements - I use either Legend (an IV injection), Adequan (an IM injection), or joint injections.
Soils today are terribly depleted, and factory farming selects against sufficient levels of nutrients in meat animals and plant products both. Farm products are grown too quickly, with too little variety in the environment and nutrients used to get the products to market.
So I have gotten very serious about supplementing the biggies - antioxidants and OFAs - both in the dogs and for us. Supplementing with the "Bs" also helps maximize available nutrients in a food as they are mostly involved with processing and use of nutrients.
So I have gotten very serious about supplementing the biggies - antioxidants and OFAs - both in the dogs and for us. Supplementing with the "Bs" also helps maximize available nutrients in a food as they are mostly involved with processing and use of nutrients.