Short answer: it depends. It varies based on their diet, health history, activity levels, and genetics. If your dog is healthy and receiving a balanced, commercial diet, chances are they don’t need supplements added into their diets. However, should they fall a little short of that, supplements ensure that their basic needs are still covered.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Known more colloquially as “good” fats, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to your dog’s:
- Skin and coat health
- Cognitive development
- Cardiovascular health
- Joint support
- Immune function
An imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids causes inflammation, which increases the likelihood of your dog developing different diseases over time. While current AAFCO standards call for a specific ratio of 30 to 1, this is more of a guideline than a hard and fast rule.
Your dog needs DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, deboned fish, and algae-derived oil. It is especially important for puppies whose eyes and brains are still developing, and for seniors who may be facing cognitive issues. Deley Naturals Fish Oil for Dogs sources its product from small, non-predatory fish in the North Atlantic, which avoids potential issues with mercury contamination or other toxins.
Unfortunately, omega-3 fatty acids can only be obtained through diet. Although commercial dog food already contains them, these fats go bad very quickly when exposed to light, heat, and air. Supplementing their food with omega-3 fatty acids helps guarantee that your dog is receiving adequate amounts of nutrition, just in case.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two of the primary ingredients found in Deley Naturals Advanced Hip & Joint Supplements specifically because of how proven they are to be effective for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis or other joint-related pain.
The most popular supplement in America for dogs, glucosamine stimulates the growth of cartilage cells between your dog’s joints. This helps maintain or improve your dog’s mobility and range of motion, and even provides long-term pain relief from arthritis symptoms.
Certain large-breed dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German shepherds, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Huskies, and Bernese Mountain Dogs have a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia or other joint diseases. While your dog does naturally produce glucosamine, the rate slows down as they age. By the time your dog shows visible signs of lameness or stiffness, cartilage degeneration has already taken place. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can be effective when taken proactively so as to prevent the cartilage from deteriorating too quickly.
Probiotics
Probiotics seem to do it all: they populate your dog’s gut with “good” bacteria, eventually starving out the “bad” bacteria and boosting your dog’s digestion and immune system in the process. If your dog’s appetite seems dwindling or they’re suffering from loose stools, you might be reaching for the probiotic supplements–and you have good reason to do so.
If you’re interested in probiotics, you should know that they’re most effective when given ahead of time. The more time a disease has to establish itself in your dog’s stomach, the harder it becomes to kick out those offending bacteria. However, if administered early on and regularly, probiotics help your dog develop a robust microbiome rich in microflora. And if you know that your dog is prone to diarrhea during stressful events (think vet visit or boarding kennel), giving them probiotics beforehand can keep their systems running smoothly and, above all, cleanly.
Deley Naturals Advanced Probiotic Supplements for Dogs take iit one step further by combining 5 bacteria strains with a proprietary enzyme blend that aid in the digestion of food, ensuring that your dog is extracting the maximum amount of nutrition that they can from every bite.