5 Ingredients That Make Dog Supplements Effective

As pet owners, we all want our dogs to stay happy and active all the time. But it can be difficult at times for us to give our pets a well-rounded diet full of the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. Most commercial pet nutrition companies claiming their products as the best dog supplements rarely contain important ingredients and so make our pets miss out on key vitamins and minerals. Luckily, there are other dog supplements available in the market that bridge the gap between our pets’ current diet and their nutrient needs.

Let us take a look at some key ingredients that make a dog supplement effective.

• ·         Glucosamine

The biggest name in the supplement market for pets and the most talked about is glucosamine. It is sold individually or with a combination of nutrients like MSM, chondroitin, green-lipped mussel extract, and many others. It is commonly sold over the counter, through pet clinics or as an additive in the best dog supplements for nutrition. Glucosamine is widely believed by pet owners and vets to be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.

• ·         Fish Oil

After glucosamine, the second most used ingredient to make the best dog supplements is fish oil. In humans, fish oil is effective in dealing with blood pressures and cardiovascular conditions. But for dogs, fish oil is normally used as a treatment for canine skin allergies as it can improve their coats’ quality as well as reduce the dosage of steroids needed to control itching. Another common use of fish oil for dogs is treating arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, there is very little evidence present that fish oil really is effective for such ailments in dogs.

• ·         Probiotics

The next best dog supplement ingredient is probiotics. This is usually associated with treating and controlling gastric problems in dogs. Studies have suggested that probiotics look promising as supplements for treating gastrointestinal disease. However, due to the lack of knowledge of the gut flora of dogs, the use of probiotics has minimal reliable clinical support.

• ·         Multivitamins

Multivitamins are widely regarded as a preventive health measure to bridge the gap between healthy and unhealthy diets. Just as multivitamins are effective for humans, the best dog supplements also have these as key ingredients to fill in nutritional gaps in dogs. Owners need to avoid adding these multivitamins separately in homemade or raw pet diets as it can be nutritionally inadequate and may lead to excessive levels of fat-soluble vitamins. They should use multivitamins only if they see signs of a possible deficiency in their pet or consult a vet before adding it to their diet.

• ·         Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a herb widely recommended and used by pet owners and pet clinics. It is an ingredient found in the best dog supplements and has made a name for itself as an alternative to conventional medicine for dogs. The most important part of milk thistle is a cluster of compounds called silymarin which has many potential benefits. The primary benefit is protecting the liver and kidney from toxins.

Conclusion

As responsible pet owners, we have to give every possible care to our dogs. Taking care of their food is one thing while making sure their nutritional needs are fulfilled is another. The ingredients mentioned above are some of the most widely used in dog supplements around the world. They give dogs the nutrients they need. However, consult your vet before adding any individual or combined supplement to your pet’s diet to make sure they are needed.