Your Does my puppy need supplements? Expert Advice

Should I give my puppy or kitten additional calcium or mineral supplements?

There is a growing body of research documenting the adverse effects of calcium excess in dogs, especially in large and giant breeds. There is little information available about the effects of calcium excess in kittens. Excess calcium intake may lead to a magnesium deficiency and also may be associated with the development of orthopedic problems, such as osteochondrosis and hypertrophic osteodystrophy in susceptible breeds.

Calcium deficiency is a common problem in kittens and puppies fed an all meat or a home-prepared diet without appropriate supplementation. Calcium deficiency can lead to osteomalacia (rubber jaw syndrome) or other metabolic bone diseases.

Although calcium absorption is dependent on both calcium requirements and dietary intake, puppies have an impaired ability to regulate their calcium absorption. As a generalization, the ability to regulate calcium absorption does not develop until the puppy reaches at least ten months of age. This means that puppies are more sensitive to slight imbalances in calcium and other vitamins when compared to adults. Smaller breeds of dogs appear to be less sensitive to slight imbalances in calcium levels than large and giant breeds of dogs.

Because of the risks associated with both calcium excess and calcium deficiency, supplementation should only be given under the guidance of a trained veterinarian. In general, feeding a commercial puppy food should not require additional calcium supplementation. Your veterinarian can evaluate if there is a need for supplementation and can provide advice about amounts and optimal sources, including recommended brands.

When to start giving supplements to my puppy?

Perhaps the most frequently asked questions are when one should start giving supplements to their puppy? Do puppies need supplements at all? Or is it better to wait until the dog is older?

When we were developing our Growing Puppy supplement, we discussed this question with veterinarians and nutritionists and came to the following conclusion.

Young puppies up to 6 months should get all the nutrients that they need from high quality food. After 6 months puppies grow and develop amazingly fast. They become highly active and the muscles often grow faster than bones.

Many puppies of large and giant breeds may already have problems with hips, lower back, or elbows. These problems are not usually visible to the average dog keeper and do not become apparent until conditions worsen.

Take for example Lio, one of the dogs in the Pawsomely Healthy family. Lio is a gorgeous German Shepherd and it is common knowledge that German shepherds have various problems with lower back and hind legs. Many are also genetically more prone to hip dysplasia.

But Lio looked healthy and was an active puppy. Lio’s parents were first time dog owners and they wanted only the best for their puppy – they found the most nutritious food for him, bought him a lot of toys, started with basic obedience training and took Lio to the park regularly.

When Lio was 10 months old his parents found a very experienced trainer who was also a German Shepherd breeder to start training Lio to become a well behaved obedient dog. He looked at Lio and immediately noticed an abnormal stride and evident hind leg issues. He recommended checking Lio for hip dysplasia.

It appeared, Lio was free of dysplasia, but was diagnosed with Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV), a common hereditary spinal anomaly that predisposes to premature degeneration of the lumbosacral junction. It is a frequent cause of an early progressive arthritis in the joint at the bottom of the spine.

Large breeds (German Shepherd, Great Danes) and dogs with long spinal cords (Beagle, Dachshund) are most susceptible to this disease.

Lio’s parents faced two options: a long term conservative health management that would include weight management, plenty of controlled strengthening exercise, anti-inflammatories as needed, and good dog joint supplements or an expensive surgery and long crate rest. They were not ready for a major surgery for a 10 months old puppy!

Luckily, the dog trainer recommended starting Lio on high-quality hip and joint supplements for dogs right away to avoid the highly likely possibility of becoming disabled by 6 years of age.

So, this story has a happy ending. Lio’s parents found high-quality dog supplements that are keeping him happy, healthy, and active despite his congenital anomaly.

As we can see it is evident that starting your puppy on quality puppy supplements can prevent the onset of numerous conditions, and greatly lessen the effects of existing ones.

Most people think that large breed dogs are the only pets susceptible to joint issues, but this is far from the truth. The fact is almost any dog can develop joint pain as they age and it’s important to keep in mind that it’s never too early to start caring for your pet’s joints.

How should I choose a supplement?

Here are tips from veterinarians and those who test supplements or work in the industry.

Look for a brand that specializes in one area, or that has commissioned clinical studies of their products.

Read labels. Know the name of the ingredient you’re looking for, so you won’t be deceived by sound-alikes.

Look for a lot number on the product, a sign that the company has set up quality control checks.

Look for a contact number for the company on the label. Call and ask who formulated the product, what expertise they have, and how long the manufacturer has been in business.

Be wary of claims that sound too good to be true, such as promises to alleviate diseases like parvovirus, cancer, and hip dysplasia.

Look for certification from an organization that has independently verified a supplement’s contents.

Be cautious about giving human supplements to dogs. Some products, such as garlic, can be dangerous for dogs.

Know the seller. Cooperman says ConsumerLab.com has found fewer problems with supplements sold at vet’s offices, although they do occur.

My thoughts on supplements for your dog

It happened one day while I was walking my Siberian husky, Dakota. With a sweet temperament and stunning blue eyes, just about everyone in the neighborhood wants to come over and pet her (to her delight and mine, too!). This particular day, a neighbor we hadnt seen before asked me how old she was. “Oh, shes eight,” I replied. “Eight?! Shes got the energy of a puppy! Do you give her supplements?” my neighbor asked me.

I answered him that I didnt, I just chalked it up to cooking for her myself. But it was in that moment I thought that maybe she was missing something. Growing up, my parents were pretty forceful about vitamins. Maybe my happy pup needed some more vitamins to be living her best life. So, to make sure the furry love of my life lives as long as she can and stays in the best health possible, I asked a few experts about when, how, and why dogs may need supplements. Related:

According to Rebecca Krimins, DVM, MS Director, Veterinary Clinical Trials Network Johns Hopkins University, a supplement is, in general, a product that is intended to supplement the diet and contains one or more of the following ingredients: A vitamin, mineral, herb, or amino acid. “The field of veterinary supplements covers a tremendous range of products and is constantly expanding with new products being developed and older products being removed,” she explains to POPSUGAR. Dr. Krimins notes that pet owners need to be up-to-speed on the laws and regulations regarding supplements, especially if they are thinking that their dog may benefit from one.