Similar to humans, dogs need ample vitamins and nutrients to age gracefully.
Simply giving them conventional dog food is not enough. You need to be particular with their diet because each dog reacts differently to what it consumes.
This is a major reason why people have started giving their pets dietary supplements.
In terms of dog vitamins and supplements, it is predicted that over a third of domesticated animals in the United States already take supplements.
What you need to keep in mind is that there are some supplements that can potentially harm your pet.
Just like nutrient deficiency, consuming more than what’s actually needed may lead to an imbalance, which can negatively affect your dog’s health.
Still, Organic Pet Digest refers to dietary supplements as a necessity to maintain optimal canine health.
Following advice from a vet, pet owners can even use them for specific objectives, like treating an illness.
Some supplements can combat joint problems, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal issues.
They’ve also been found to be effective in re-energizing your dog when they’ve advanced in age.
Here is a list of supplements that can address the different problems your dog might face as it ages:
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
In CNN’s article on how people can help dogs age gracefully, they highlighted the importance of glucosamine and chondroitin.
These two supplements, whether mixed together or taken separately, can help a dog’s joints to stay functioning normally.
They’re also been proven to be efficient for any other skeletal problems.
It’s vital for a dog’s health for them to be able to play and run around, and having such disorders ultimately impacts the activities.
Probiotics
The best supplements for older dogs were recently discussed by Senior Tailwaggers.
In their list, they pointed out how probiotic supplements can boost a dog’s immune system.
This is one of the most easily compromised aspects in their body as they increase in age.
Plus, probiotic supplements can strengthen and support a canine’s digestive system as well.
This in turn helps your pet maintain the proper absorption of nutrients from its food and other oral supplements.
Zinc
As hair is a person’s “crowning glory”, so is a fur coat to a dog.
As your dog grows older, its skin and fur may become dull.
To aid in avoiding such circumstances, Animal Wellness Magazine recommends zinc.
The vitamin is essential for your dog’s skin health. It was revealed that the substance produces about 100 essential enzymes in your dog’s body.
The agents provide nutrition that keeps their skin vibrant and resistant to disease.
This is precisely why zinc is a common ingredient in topical creams or ointments that are used to counter various skin problems.
In addition, zinc promotes healthy neurological function as well. As dogs age, their brains may deteriorate too, especially if not given sufficient and proper care.
But to reiterate, not every dog reacts the same way towards specific supplements.
Go Fetch discussed the various types of diet appropriate for canines, and stressed that there’s no single standard to abide by.
If you have several pooches, the chances are they will all need individual diet and supplement plans especially if they are getting old.
This is even more crucial if you have a number of different breeds.
Therefore, it’s best to consult a trusted vet or canine nutritionist and meticulously watch your dog to understand if its diet and supplements work for them.
Following professional advice should be your topmost priority, unless you’re a canine expert yourself.
It’s also vital that you have your dog checked regularly.
There may be symptoms that are not immediately noticeable, especially for senior dogs.
Your vet will be the one to tell you how often you should bring your pooch for health screening.
This is because there are a myriad of factors involved, including size, breed, health history and lifestyle.
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