Vitamin Supplements for Dogs?

Today we see many commercials and vets promoting vitamin supplements. Are they necessary? Which ones are more important than others?

By: David P Lee


If you haven’t realized this yet, then you might want to read further. Dog food is not enough to sustain your dog or cat for that matter. They need more than just the dog food you can offer them from the store.  They need a healthy diet that will enable them to live long and happy lives.  One way to make sure that your dog doesn’t develop health issues related to their eating habits is by offering them canine supplements.  Arthritis is very common in dogs and the main reason the supplements tend to be added to their diet.  However, you can prevent some diseases from becoming a nuisance just by offering the proper supplements before they begin to show signs of health issues.  Even with arthritis you can prevent a lot of damage by giving your canine the proper supplements.   

Unfortunately, veterinarians and the dog owners rarely see the signs of arthritis until the problem reaches the later stage, the reason being that dogs tend to ignore their discomfort, such as soreness in the joints, until the pain becomes unbearable to ignore.  It is then that the dog will begin limping or voicing their pain to their owners.

We will launch into the supplements to treat arthritis a little further on, but it is imperative for you to learn more about arthritis and its symptoms.  When a pet has scar tissue, calcium deposits, cartilage tears or damage, or any other change to the bones surrounding their joints, it can lead to arthritis.  The malformation in the joints can begin to rub away any cartilage that is left, resulting in further pain. This issue will continue, even when the appropriate nutrients are in their dog food.   

There are multiple causes of arthritis in dogs.  The most common involve a genetic malformation that is found in the bones, infection to the joints, torn tendons, obesity, and immunity-related problems.  The joint begins to not work properly, which becomes irritated and sends pain or discomfort signals to the dog’s brain.

 

Common signs that a dog is suffering from arthritis include limping, reluctant to be as active as they were previously, or resting often.  The changes in the joints or signs of arthritis can occur very rapidly.  Your dog could be running and playing one day, and then limping the next.  More than likely, they have been suffering with the arthritis but have only just begun to show the pain.

 

Keep in mind that through the use of supplements, the dog will not be cured from the damage in the joint, but it will decrease the amount of inflammation present.  The main benefit is that the canine will not be experiencing as much pain, and they will have a better resistance to any future joint tissue damage.     

 

The most common supplements released are “Glucosamine” and “Chondroitin Sulfate“.  They have both been proven to provide the most relief for dogs suffering from arthritis.  Both variations are also a much safer method than traditional drugs because they can be introduced in the dog’s diet.  In addition, both supplements help to promote a natural healing of the tissue or joints. Omega Fatty Acids and Vitamin E are also great at helping to improve the body’s repairing ability.

 

There are a variety of steroid drugs (Prednisone) and non-steroidal drugs (aspirin) that can be prescribed from the veterinarian.  However, they do not help promote the same healing in the joint tissues as supplements or nutraceuticals do.  You should consult your dog’s veterinarian before starting any type of supplement or arthritis treatment. They might also be able to suggest any additional forms of relief for your canine’s pain. 

David P Lee

Author Bio

For more information on Dog Illness, Dog Sickness check out this link. You can also find great cat furniture, cat trees, pet carriers and pet steps for your pet.









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