Supplements For Dogs- Yea or Nea?

Attention Boston Terrier owners− I know you love your Boston baby! We’d all like to increase our pet’s life span and overall happiness if we could. So that’s why I started looking at supplements for dogs. Here’s what I found … Dog’s can benefit from taking supplements at all ages! There are so many supplements on the market− and sometimes it all gets a bit confusing. You should consider your dog’s age, level of training, the time of year, and level of conditioning when shopping for supplements for your dog. Vitamins aid in bone growth, metabolism, and healthy vision. Minerals are needed for healthy teeth and bones. However, you should note that supplements will never make up for a low quality dog food or lack of exercise. Supplements can help your dog get the most out of her food and help her reach her personal best! Does Your Dog Need Vitamins? Yes, especially if your dog is undergoing rigorous training. The following vitamins/supplements have been found to be beneficial: Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 helps increase your dog’s appetite. Dosage: Begin with 1-2 cc/ day. The maximum dose should be about 4-5 cc/ day. Vitamin C: Helps maintain your dog’s immune system, helps fight infection, and helps maintain the skin. Moderate doses are approximately 250 mg to 500mg twice daily for the average dog. Vitamins C and D work simultaneously to make collagen. Collagen is important because it helps strengthen tendons and ligaments. Vitamin E: Helps maintain good footpads and also works as a mild anti-inflammatory. A normal dosage should be about 400IU / dog twice daily. Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Glucosamine and chondroitin should always be given simultaneously. It helps increase the viscosity and volume of synovium, aka joint fluid. It works best as a preventative medicine, so dogs as young as two years old should take these supplements. A normal dose is about 500-600mg, twice daily. When a dog is properly supplemented, they live longer, healthier, happier lives. Make sure you research brands of vitamins for dogs thoroughly. You should look at the following factors: • Ingredients • Areas of Improvement • Quality Level • Overall Value Good luck! And be sure to consult with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any new supplement program! Is your dog already on a supplement program, leave a comment below!

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