Can the Right Dog Vitamins Help Your Dog Live an Even Better Life?

Dog vitamins can provide great support for your dog’s health. But not all supplements are good for all dogs - and they’re not all made to the high standards they should be. This article will show you how to find the supplement that may be right for your dog. 

Does Every Dog Need a Vitamin or Supplement?

If you look at a dog food’s nutrition label, you’ll likely see many vitamins and minerals listed there. But that doesn’t always mean your dog is getting their benefits.

That’s because many dog foods, like some people's food, are highly processed and subjected to high heat when they’re made. The processing can make the food harder for your dog to digest, and the high heat can damage or destroy some vitamins.

So, while a supplement doesn’t replace the need for food, it can fill in some nutrient gaps.

Dogs That May Benefit from a Nutritional Supplement

Senior Dogs 

We all want our dogs to stay happy and healthy their whole lives, but there are health issues that inevitably come with aging. These may include cognitive issues, digestion impairment, and joint and mobility issues.

While old age can’t be cured, the right supplement can help.

The omega-3 fatty acid DHA, found in fatty fish like salmon, has been shown to improve cognitive dysfunction in dogs with cognitive issues. Vitamins B1 and B12 also play a critical role in supporting your dog’s healthy brain.

For digestive issues, probiotics are a great choice. Probiotics support a healthy gut and promote a healthy microbe balance in your dog’s digestive system. When your dog’s gut health is out of balance, your dog can suffer from diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bad breath.

Arthritis is incredibly common in older dogs, with up to 80% of dogs over 8 years old being afflicted. Glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin can support your dog’s joints and promote elasticity in the joint cartilage.

Dogs with Joint Issues 

While we mentioned arthritis in older dogs above, younger dogs can suffer from joint issues as well. 

Many large breed dogs are at risk for joint issues due to their rapid growth when they’re young. If they get too big too quickly, sometimes their joints can’t keep up. Their heavier weight also puts them at higher risk for arthritis at a younger age.

That doesn’t mean small dogs’ joints are guaranteed to be okay. One pet parent related the story of how her Yorkie-Chihuahua mix, Zuzu, was diagnosed with luxating patellas at her very first wellness visit! 

With this disease, which commonly affects small dogs, a dog’s kneecaps slip out of place. Zuzu had to have surgery to correct hers before she was even a year old.  

 

So no matter their age, a supplement that supports your dog’s joint health can be a wise investment. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are a great combination to support joint health and to help keep your dog active their whole life.

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Dogs with Allergies 

Allergies have become increasingly common in dogs. However, many people don’t know their dog has allergies since their symptoms differ from humans.

It’s not a runny nose but itchy skin that is the most common symptom of allergies in dogs. If you notice your dog scratching but you know fleas or ticks aren’t to blame, allergies could be the culprit. 

In other cases, it affects the dog’s digestive system, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.

If you suspect your dog has allergies, speak with your veterinarian. They can help you identify what’s causing your dog’s allergies and develop a treatment plan.

Supplementing your dog’s diet with fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, can also help since they act as anti-inflammatory agents. In fact, some veterinarians will recommend fish oil be taken alongside any prescribed medication because it can sometimes improve those medications’ effectiveness

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Rescue Dogs

When you bring home a standard breed dog, you often know what health problems are more likely for that breed. For mixed-breed dogs, that’s a mystery. So how can you give them the right supplements?

That was our dilemma when we rescued George (and what led to us starting Balanced Breed). We wanted to give him the best shot at a healthy life, but we couldn’t find any supplements aimed at mixed-breed dogs.

And mixed-breed dogs often need a lot of support. Since you can’t tell what health issues they may be prone to, they can benefit from all-over nutrient support. Plus, it’s quite common for rescue dogs to suffer from disrupted nervous systems due to anxiety and abandonment issues, so vital nutrients can help. 

Dogs with Anxiety 

More than half of all dogs in the United States suffer from anxiety or stress. Besides being distressing for your dog, anxiety can lead to destructive behaviors. These include chewing, scratching, and inappropriate urination and defecation.

In addition to any treatment your veterinarian recommends, proper nutritional support can help. When your dog doesn’t feel their best, their fear and anxiety can worsen. By providing them with the vitamins and nutrients they need, you can help relieve your dog’s anxiety.

Dogs with Chronic Health Issues

When your dog is suffering from chronic health issues, they need all the support they can get. Of course, no supplement replaces proper medication. But after your veterinarian has set up your dog’s treatment plan, discuss with them what vitamins and nutrients would best support your dog’s health.

In addition to specific nutrients that are recommended for different conditions (like fish oil for arthritis), a well-rounded multivitamin can support your dog’s overall systems and maintain healthy energy production in the face of chronic disease. 

 

 

13 Ingredients to Look for in a Dog Multivitamin

Glucosamine HCl

This natural compound found in cartilage supports your dog’s hips and joints and battles weakness there.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate promotes water retention and cartilage elasticity. This helps ensure hydration of the tissues in your dog’s joints as well as adequate shock absorption.

MSM

MSM is an organic sulfur compound that is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and joint health benefits.

 

Vitamin C

This vital nutrient supports your dog’s immune system, healthy aging, energy maintenance, and strength.

Vitamin E

A fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin E defends against oxidative damage. It’s also necessary for cell functioning and fat metabolism.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Thiamine is a vital nutrient. That means it must be part of your dog’s diet for them to maintain optimal health. Because it is needed for carbohydrate metabolism, your dog needs thiamine for their brain and other high-energy organs to properly function.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 

Riboflavin supports your dog’s healthy weight and helps them avoid weakness and ataxia. That is a loss of muscle control, balance, and coordination.

 

Vitamin B6

This is another vital nutrient. Without it, glucose generation, red blood cell and nervous system function, hormone regulation, immune response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation would be impossible.

Vitamin B12

The nerves in your dog’s brain are coated with protective tissues that keep them functioning at their best. Vitamin B12 helps to create and build those tissues.

Folic Acid

Without folic acid, your dog’s body would be unable to carry out critical metabolic functions such as DNA synthesis and red blood cell production.

Taurine

Taurine is an essential amino acid that assists in maintaining your dog’s cardiac, eye, and immune health. It also can help calm some dogs.

 

Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

The fatty acids in this fish oil support your dog’s heart health, promote healthy skin, and can help with allergies due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Look for “wild caught” over “farm-raised” to lower the risk of heavy metal contamination and increase its nutritional value.

Probiotics

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, “Probiotics promote the establishment and development of a desirable intestinal microbial flora balance.” An unbalanced gut can be caused by stress or illness, and that can lead to further digestive problems. Probiotics help control that.

How to Find the Right Dog Vitamins

Not all vitamins are created equal. With all the dog supplement choices out there, you want to be sure you’re getting a supplement that is safe, effective, and high-quality. Here are some key items to look for:

Where the Supplements Are Made

Human supplements have far stricter manufacturing requirements than pet supplements. That’s why you have to be able to trust the brand making your dog’s supplements - and trust that they’ll make the effort to find reputable manufacturers.

Look for companies that can back their quality claims with hard evidence. For example, our facilities are USDA-inspected & third-party audited based on 21 CFR Part 117 – CGMP Practice, Hazard Analysis, & Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food. 

In short, look for companies that always put the quality of their supplements - and the safety of your pet - above their bottom line.

 

What Binders Are Used in the Supplements

Many brands use cheap fillers and binders to hold their supplements together. That’s often why you hear “My dog threw up” or “These didn’t agree with my dog” about some vitamins. Always look for supplements that have labels like “no fillers” and “no synthetic binders.”

Many supplements won’t even tell you what their inactive ingredients are - never a good sign. Look for transparency and honesty, as well as natural and safe inactive ingredients.

Where the Ingredients Come From

Some vitamins and minerals can be synthesized in a lab, but bioavailable natural food sources are always the best choice.

Find ingredients as close to nature as possible, preferably non-GMO. Our dogs don’t need anything not found in nature.

 

Whether the Brand Stands Behind Their Product

What is the brand’s return policy? You shouldn’t have to shell out money for something if it turns out your dog won’t even eat it. 

A solid return policy is a clear sign of a brand’s confidence in their products, their quality, and their effectiveness. Also, look for signs of quality like extensive experience in the pet supplement arena and the approval of veterinary experts.

Does Balanced Breed Have Natural Vitamins for Dogs?

Yes. We would never carry anything else. 

We talked above about George and how we wanted a high-quality supplement to support his health for his whole life. But, try as we might, we couldn’t find any that worked for his specific needs as a mixed-breed dog.

That’s why we devoted ourselves to creating an all-in-one dog supplement that provides natural, high-quality vitamins suitable for all breeds of dogs. And that was how Balanced Breed began.

We believe that, just like George, your dog deserves to have the very best natural nutritional support available. And we will always put that dedication to quality at the forefront of everything we make and do.

The Final Woof

The right vitamins and nutritional support can make a massive difference in your dog’s health and overall quality of life. From promoting healthy joints to heart health to better digestion and more, the right supplement can do your dog a world of good. 

By picking a supplement that is made with your dog in mind and with a focus on natural ingredients, high standards of manufacturing, and no harmful binders or fillers, you’ll be helping your dog live his best, healthiest, happiest life.