Pet supplements have become very common in recent years as pet owners look for products to help support the overall health of their beloved animals. In the same way that supplements work for humans, supplements for pets can fill gaps in nutritional intake and strengthen their immune system against diseases. If you are feeding homemade meals to your dog or cat, the chances are they are not getting enough nutrients and can benefit more from specialized pet supplements.
In this article, we have put together some recommendations for the best supplements that you should include in your pet’s diet.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins for pets contain various vitamins that your pet will need, including Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K as well as useful minerals. The experts at https://www.paramountpethealth.com/products/liquid-vitamins-for-dogs explain that the major benefit of giving a multivitamin supplement to your pet is that they cover a wide range of necessary vitamins, so your pet will be sure to get a more balanced diet and you will not need to shop around for different types of vitamins. The only downside with a multivitamin is that you may need to regulate your pets’ vitamin intake to make sure that they are not imbalanced. Every kind of animal requires different amounts of vitamins, so if you have a reason to be concerned about your pet’s health, you should check with a vet to decide the amount of vitamins your pet will need.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a key supplement to support joint health and relieve pain in cases of cartilage degradation or inflammation. It can also help speed joint recovery after injury. Animals like dogs and horses often need to use glucosamine, so if your dog needs a joint supplement, source the best glucosamine supplements on the market. It is very important, however, that you check if your pet is suffering from diabetes because glucosamine is sugar-based and may not be a good supplement for animals with diabetes. As animals age, they need more joint supplements. A good combination includes glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as the MSM. Together, they can be very effective in reducing joint degeneration and arthritis. It’s important to point out that the effects of these supplements will not take place overnight, sometimes it will take up to several weeks to be effective.
Fatty Acids
Just like humans, pets also need fatty acids in their diet, namely Omega-3 and Omega-6. Pets can receive Omega-6 from their daily food, but for Omega-3, they usually require a supplement. Dogs, in particular, cannot produce Omega-3 due to the way their bodies function, so if you are a dog owner, you should include an Omega-3 supplement in your dog’s diet. These essential fatty acids help with skin, fur, and heart health, reduce inflammation, aid kidney function, and also lessen the effects of arthritis. Omega-3 fish oils also help with brain function and improve the overall cognitive capability of senior animals.
Probiotics
Probiotics are an important supplement to improve your dog or cat’s digestive and immune system, thus strengthening their overall health. Probiotics help to maintain the right balance of bacteria in the intestines. It is often used to treat diarrhea, or when an animal is receiving antibiotics or other prescription drugs that deplete the “friendly” bacteria in its intestinal system. Digestion is one of the critical defense lines to protect your pet’s health, so taking care of this will ensure that your pet’s immune system is functioning optimally.
Digestive Enzymes
Some animals are not able to digest and absorb food properly. This can lead to harmful immune responses such as allergies, inflammation, and chronic diseases. If your dogs or cats are eating cooked or processed food, you should consider giving them digestive enzymes with every meal to help with digestion and to protect against these disorders. Pets eating raw meat also need these enzymes to break down plant-based ingredients. Proper digestion and absorption of nutrients will help your pets avoid diet-related problems such as body odor, excessive shedding, or itchy skin.
A balanced diet is always the foundation for good health, and this is true for both humans and animals. Providing your beloved pets with fresh and high-quality food is the first step towards keeping them healthy, but providing them with supplements will further ensure that they are getting all the key nutrients because even the best food or most carefully home-cooked meals are not guaranteed to provide adequate nutrients. By understanding your pet’s dietary needs and health, you will be able to provide them with the supplements they need to ward off disease and stay healthy.