Dietary supplements for dogs: useful or needless?

As the name suggests, food supplements are not a complete food, but an addition. They are given to the dog to provide it with additional nutrients. If you feed your dog complete food, it already contains all the nutrients it needs. In this case, there is no need for supplements.

The situation is different if your dog is ill or malnourished, is already old or you have a pregnant bitch. Food supplements can also be useful during the shedding period to provide your dog with additional nutrients.

A balanced diet for dogs includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. These can be supplied via various food supplements if required.

• Proteins:The best source of protein for dogs is meat.
• Fats:Fish oils, for exampleSalmon oil, are rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
• Carbohydrates: Cereals, pseudo-cereals and various types of fruit and vegetables (e.g. potatoes, apples, parsnips) are full of carbohydrates.
• Vitamins: The various vitamins are contained in plant and fish products, among other things.
• Minerals: The different Minerals are contained in many products, be it fish products, vegetables, cereals or meat.

Nutrients are important for your dog, but remember that an oversupply can have negative consequences. You should therefore seek advice from your vet about which nutrients your dog needs and in what quantities. This is different for every dog and depends not only on the breed, but also on other factors such as size, age and level of exercise.

If your dog does not get enough nutrients from its daily food, it will suffer from deficiency symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Skin and coat problems
• Weakened immune system and therefore increased susceptibility to diseases
• Increased fatigue/lack of energy or even apathy
• Susceptibility to stress

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a deficiency, you should visit the vet. They can determine the causes and advise you on whether a dietary supplement is advisable and in what form.