Dubbed as man’s best friend, dogs have long been regarded as the family member who, like anyone else, needs all the attention and care in the world. For those who have dogs as pets, the health of their pets seems to be at the top of the list. Animals have unique physiological structures and therefore require specific foods and nutrients to maintain optimal health.
Science has come a long way when it comes to nutritional supplements for pets. But providing expensive supplements is not enough. Knowing the exact dosage, based on the dog’s diet, age, and breed, is imperative before providing pet supplements. Too much of anything is bad and the same applies to supplements given to dogs.
Here are some of the general supplements and their correct dosage:
Fish oil: Loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, this supplement can be considered one of the most important for dogs as it helps build the immune system, nervous system, heart, and helps stop inflammation such as arthritis and allergies. They also support the brain development of puppies and fetuses. Omega 3 is mainly found in fish oil. Most fish oil gel caps have 300 mg of EPA and DHA. The combination formula for large dogs has 890 mg of EPA/DHA in 1.5 grams of oil.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E also has a number of benefits for dogs and needs to be given in the correct dosage for it to have the desired effect on dogs. Healthy dogs, particularly those eating a fresh food diet, 1-2 IU per pound of body weight per day (or an equivalent amount less frequently) is probably sufficient. Healthy kibble-eating dogs, especially small dogs, might benefit from slightly higher amounts.
For dogs with a variety of health problems, including kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, cataracts, allergies, skin problems, arthritis, and other diseases related to inflammation or the immune system, and for dogs receiving high doses of polyunsaturated oils (PUFA). ) such as fish oil or vegetable oils, doses up to 3-4 IU per pound of body weight per day for large dogs, 3.5-4.5 IU per pound of body weight for medium dogs, and 5-7 IU per pound of body weight for small dogs, may provide additional benefits.
Apart from these, dogs should be regularly given probiotics and digestive enzymes which have a wonderful effect on their health. It helps give them a healthy gut and provides a host of other benefits.