You can improve your dog’s food by adding:
- Probiotics: Provides digestive support
- Fish Oil: Boosts skin and coat health and is an important source of vitamin E
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate: Protects hip and joint health in active or elderly dogs
- Multivitamins: Supports the immune system, skin and coat health, eyes, joints, heart, and digestion
In general, the best supplement depends on your dog’s individual needs. While commercial food is formulated to meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), supplements can boost the efficiency of your dog’s food and ensure that they’re not lacking any vital nutrients.
Probiotics
Digestive supplements such as probiotics can help improve your dog’s gut health. Deley Naturals Advanced Probiotic Supplement for Dogs contains live microbials that help your dog digest their food more efficiently and extract more nutrients from every bite.
Probiotics can also help strengthen your dog’s immune system. Your dog’s stomach forms the foundation of their health. Although you may only consider your dog’s gut health when they have tummy troubles, maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria affects more than the consistency of your dog’s poop. A robust gut microbiome can reduce inflammation, lowering the overall chances of disease and other health risks.
Deley Naturals Advanced Probiotic Supplements contains five strains of “good” bacteria strains specially formulated to promote digestive wellness. These bacteria compete for the same resources as more harmful strains (such as salmonella), starving them out and reducing their population. These supplements combine probiotics with a proprietary enzyme blend designed to break down their food and ensure that your dog is receiving quality nutrition.
Finally, probiotics have other, subtler benefits. They can boost appetite, especially in older dogs, and prevent diarrhea when given before stressful events such as boarding or vet visits. Young puppies still in the process of establishing healthy gut flora appreciate the extra infusion of good bacteria. And the strain Lactobacillus plantarum (or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) reduces anxiety and aggression and contributes to improved emotional stability in dogs.
Fish Oil
Fish oil supports your dog’s cardiovascular health, alleviates skin and coat issues, adds shine and gloss to your dog’s fur, relieves allergies, and provides important omega-3 fatty acids that play an instrumental role in reducing joint pain.
Omega-3 fatty acids contain Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a component found in coldwater fatty fish. Deley Naturals sources their fish oil from small, non-predatory species–herring, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies–to avoid any potential issues with mercury contamination. DHA is instrumental in the development of eye and brain function in puppies, while improving supporting cognition in senior dogs.
Your dog does not produce omega-3 fatty acids naturally. Instead, they obtain these fats through diet alone. Unfortunately, omega-3 fatty acids tend to decompose over time, especially when exposed to light, humidity, heat, and air. Supplementing your pet’s daily meals with fish oil ensures that they’re receiving optimal nutrition.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine supports cartilage and connective tissue development. Deley Naturals Advanced Hip & Joint Supplement For Dogs combines glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and turmeric in order to provide anti-inflammatory benefits for your dog. When administered consistently, glucosamine used in conjunction with these other ingredients may also relieve joint-related pain.
If you’re concerned that your dog may develop osteoarthritis in the future, adding glucosamine into their diet early on can stave off or reduce future symptoms. Your dog already naturally produces glucosamine, but the amount drops as they age. Over the years, movements like running and jumping can wear down the cartilage tissue beneath the joints faster than your dog’s body can replenish it, resulting in pain and stiffness as they age.
Certain breeds such as Golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labradors are at higher risk for developing hip dysplasia or arthritis. Cautious pet parents can add glucosamine supplements to their food early on to support their dogs’ joint health.
If your dog has already developed osteoarthritis, glucosamine is recommended as a safe, long-term alternative to NSAIDs. Because it has minimal to no side effects, most dogs are better able to tolerate it. The Veterinary Journal published a study demonstrating that after about 70 days, dogs that received a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate saw reduced pain and severity in their osteoarthritis symptoms.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins ensure that your dog receives an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals no matter their food source. While commercial dog food comes already balanced, if your dog is a picky eater or doesn’t have much of an appetite, supplementing their diet with a multivitamin prevents them from developing any nutritional deficiencies.
In general, multivitamins vary widely between brands. Deley Naturals 15 in 1 Multivitamin Chews contain probiotics, fish oil, and glucosamine in order to provide a wide spectrum of health benefits for your dog. Puppies can enjoy receiving a daily multivitamin to make sure they’re getting the best possible start in life, while adult dogs may appreciate the boost to their overall health and fitness.