You might be wondering why vitamins and supplements are important in assisting your pet’s usual diet, and at first, I did too! After some research, I discovered that supplements for dogs and cats have an abundance of benefits that will help you be proactive in preventing your fur baby from developing various injuries or diseases. Shockingly, animals can develop some of the same ailments that humans do. Important life events, such as aging or pregnancy, can largely affect your pup or cat’s body and overall health. Factors such as activity level, breed, and size could also negatively affect your fur baby.
If you have ever been down the vitamin aisle at your grocery story, you know that the options can be truly overwhelming! In order to make this a less daunting task, we will go over some basic supplements and tips if you are wanting to optimize your pup or kitty’s health.
Enzymes & Probiotics Supplements for Dogs and Cats
Ensuring that your pup or cat is ingesting the proper number of enzymes and probiotics is a key factor in creating a healthy diet. Enzymes, in supplemental form, have been known to improve and increase digestion by properly breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These are especially useful if your fur baby is enduring a period of stress or disease. Additionally, enzymes may be helpful for treating cancer, allergies, and arthritis. Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that assist in healing a number of things.
The benefits of probiotics include increased production of healthy fatty acids, increased antibody production, immune
support, inflammation reduction, and so many more! Probiotics have been proven to be beneficial in treating leaky-gut syndrome, acute gastroenteritis, medication-induced diarrhea, allergies, stress, obesity, neuro-generative disorders, high cholesterol, irritable-bowel disorders, and parasite infestations. They can also be helpful for our aging pups and cats. As you can see from this exhaustive list, enzymes and probiotics are so incredibly helpful if you are treating your pet for something specific, but can also be preventative of future ailments.
Vitamins Supplements for Dogs and Cats
Some vitamins that have been effective in treating our furry friends are Vitamin A and B. Vitamin A is the main protector of your pet’s vision. Lack of Vitamin A can lead to vision problems, and even blindness. Insufficiency of Vitamin A can also damage your baby’s skin and hair. Vitamin B, along with fatty acids, help build a healthy skin and coat and can be helpful in both preventing and treating a dull coat or flaky skin that is a result of some skin diseases.
Other helpful supplements include Denamarin, which can help pets suffering from liver problems. Dasuquin has proven to be effective in treating weak and achy joints that often accompany our elderly animals, while a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin preserve and lubricate aging joints. This combination increases comfort and enables our babies to live happier lives in their later years.
Introducing a new vitamin or supplement into your pet’s diet can be a scary, and even tricky process. Educating ourselves as pet owners is so important, so that we don’t give our pet something that they just don’t need. Researching products before giving them to our babies is always a good idea, as well as consulting your trusted veterinarian on what option is right for them. A good reminder is that supplements are just that… supplemental to an already healthy and nutritious diet and routine exercise. Don’t forget to advocate for your pet’s health, so that they live a long, happy, and healthy life!
