Originally published February 23 2010
Dogs Benefit from the Nutrition of Supplements
by Melanie Grimes
(NaturalNews) Dogs can benefit from taking supplements as well as human, and many pet owners are jumping on the doggie nutrition bandwagon. Sales of pet nutritional supplements in the United States increased by seven percent in 2009, according to the Nutrition Business Journal. Sales of human nutritional products increased as well but only by six percent. A few nutrients are known to provide maximum nutrition for dogs, including Omega-3s, glucosamine, antioxidant vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, and digestive enzymes. Pet stores now stock many of these dog supplements.
Digestive Enzymes for Dogs
Dogs who eat grass need the addition of digestive enzymes to their diet, according to the holistic vet, Dr. Jackie Obando at Mercy Vet. By adding a powered digestive enzyme to the food, the digestion improves and most grass eating is eliminated. There is nothing wrong with eating a little grass, but it can cause an upset stomach in some pets.
Omega-3 and Fish Oil for Dogs
Adding fish oil to a dog's diet helps them deal with inflammation. For dogs that have allergic dermatitis or food allergies, fish oil is an important nutrient to add to their diet. Dogs that are prone to arthritis can also benefit from the Omega 3s. Any joint problem and even cancers are helped by the addition of fish oil. The recommended dose is 150 mg a day for dogs under 15 pounds, and twice that amount for a medium dog. A large dog can take up to 450 mg a day.
Glucosamine for Dogs
Glucosamine has been shown to help with arthritis and joint conditions in humans, and it benefits pets as well. The daily suggested amount is 1000 mg a day, and this can be divided into two servings and given with each meal.
Coenzyme Q10 for Dogs
As dogs age, they may require Coenzyme Q10 to help with their heart health. The sign of a Co-Q10 deficiency in dogs is dry eyes. Though some other supplements are made specifically for dogs, this nutrient will have to be purchased in a human vitamin store. The dosage is 15 to 60 mg depending on the size of the dog.
Antioxidant Vitamin E
Humans and dogs alike benefit from antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E. Vitamin E helps maintain a healthy heart, which is important for many inbred, pedigree dogs. Vitamin E also helps with inflammation and cancer prevention in dogs. For a small dog, 200 IU is the daily dose, and up to 400 IU a day is good for a larger dog.
http://www.naturalnews.com/026806_fish_oil_b...
http://www.mercyvet.com/
http://www.drbasko.com/about.htm
http://petnutritioninfo.com/
http://www.dognutrition.com/
About the author
Melanie Grimes is a writer, award-winning screenwriter, medical journal editor, and adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University. She also teaches homeopathy at the Seattle School of Homeopathy and the American Homeopathic Medical College.
A trained homeopath, she is the editor of the homeopathic journal, Simillimum, and has edited alternative and integrative medical journals for 15 years. She has taught creative writing, founded the first Birkenstock store in the USA and authored medical textbooks.
Her ebook on Natural Remedies for the Flu is available at:
http://melanie-grimes.blogspot.com/2009/04/b...
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