The Essential Guide to Dog Supplements

Many of a dog’s essential vitamins and minerals can naturally be found in their diets, but some pups may need extra support to help them live a happy and healthy diet. Particularly for dogs with extra conditions such as arthritis.

Supplements are usually in the form of vitamins but there are two main types. You can have water soluble vitamins and fat soluble. The difference between these two supplements is that water soluble vitamins can be given freely. A dog’s digestive system will process and use the vitamins as needed while the rest is expelled through their urine so there’s no risk of giving them too much.

Fat soluble vitamins are a little bit different in that you can add too much to their diet, so they need to be calculated more carefully. It’s well worth the extra effort as dog supplements can help keep their joints healthy and extend the longevity of their eyesight and general condition.

Dogs need several different vitamins through their diet to ensure they stay happy and healthy. These different vitamins help to create a foundation for having a happy and healthy pup from a baby all the way through to them being doggy senior citizens!

The water-soluble vitamins dogs need are C and B complex while the fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K which can all benefit them in different ways.

Unlike humans who require vitamin C in their diet to stay healthy, dogs can synthesise their own, so they don’t require additional vitamin C in many situations. There are some life stages and specific times when dogs would benefit from extra vitamin C which include when they’re growing, senior dogs and pregnant or lactating dogs.

Vitamin C helps to produce collagen which promotes healthy skin and bones. It also protects against cancer, reduces the chances of developing bladder stones, and helps in hormone and vitamin E production. If you don’t think your pup is getting enough vitamin C in their diet, you can try adding a supplement to see if they benefit. As it’s a water-soluble vitamin they will just pee out any excess they don’t need. Too much vitamin C will usually only result in mild diarrhoea.

Vitamin D is commonly known as the sunshine vitamin because humans can synthesise it from sun exposure. Dogs don’t share this ability so all the vitamin D they need must come from their diet instead.

The bones are the real beneficiaries of vitamin D considering its main purpose is to control the calcium deposits and absorption throughout the body. It also plays a role in muscle function so it’s vitally important for healthy movement and keeping bones good and strong to support your pooch throughout their whole life. 

YuMOVE Tablets are a great option for owners looking to give their pups a boost in vitamin D and help prevent any joint and bone issues as they get older.

Vitamin E is found very often in dog food, it’s a vital ingredient to keep them healthy but diets don’t always have all the recommended vitamin E they need. Manufacturers use vitamin E for its preservative effect to help keep food fresh for as long as possible.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to keep the immune system healthy and robust. It also helps to keep the heart, muscles, liver nerve cells and skin healthy. As many diets contain vitamin E, it’s often only when your vet suggests a supplement that your dog may need it. As a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, vitamin E is often used to support older dogs with arthritis.

A good multi vitamin supplement will often contain vitamin E like Johnsons Multi Vitamin Supplement For Dogs will often benefit senior dogs.

It can be hard to tell when your pooch needs the extra support of supplements in their diet, but common signs that they have a vitamin deficiency include:

A dog that is vitamin deficient will struggle to thrive. Any changes in behaviour and energy levels may indicate they need some extra support. If your pooch is older and starting to slow down, they might take longer to get up from lying down.

This often indicates that their joints are sore so they may need extra support to prevent further weakening of their joints with joint care in the form of supplements.

Different supplements may be needed at different ages. A growing puppy could use a boost of vitamin C, especially after they receive their vaccinations to help get them feeling better faster. It’s generally recommended that after they finish growing at approximately 12 months of age depending on the breed that they start to receive some form of joint support to prevent the risk of joint issues as they grow older.

If you’re unsure about what supplements your pup may benefit from throughout their life you can always ask to discuss it with your vet to make sure they’re getting everything they need. For everything your pooch needs to give them the best nutrition and all other puppy and dog necessities, check out our range online and in-store.