Veterinarians Are a Dog’s Best Friend
When it comes to choosing the best vitamin supplement for your fur baby, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. A vet can help you decide what vitamins might be missing from your pet’s diet and advise you on the best way to support your dog’s long-term health. Our veterinarian formula vitamin is crafted in the United States in a cGMP and NSF certified facility to ensure purity and unmatched quality.
Regardless of age, your dog may benefit from supplements that promote their health. Your vet is the best resource for determining whether your dog is facing a health issue and how you can care for your pup moving forward.
The right multivitamin for your dog can help supply nutrients that they may not be getting through their regular diet. By providing your dog with a daily multivitamin, you can help promote the overall health of your beloved pet. Supplements can offer dogs a wide range of potential benefits:
Can I Give My Dog a Multivitamin?
Although your vet should always be your guide when it comes to your dog’s health, multivitamins are generally safe for dogs — especially if you choose the right one.
Multivitamins are supplements that contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrient-dense ingredients that contribute to a healthy, sustainable life. Many foods contain necessary vitamins and minerals, but like humans, dogs don’t always get the recommended dosage from food alone.
There are a few factors to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to give your dog a multivitamin:
Age & Size
Your dog’s age, weight, and size (which likely changes over time) are important factors to consider when choosing the right multivitamin.
Different stages of life require different amounts of vitamins and nutrients. What’s right for a puppy might not work for a senior dog, and vice versa. For example, a 9-year-old golden retriever might benefit from a multivitamin that helps with joint pain, while for a 1-year-old Yorkie, that would be unnecessary.
Be careful not to jump to conclusions about your pup’s needs based on age and size alone. Too much of one mineral could have an adverse effect on your dog. For example, calcium consumed in excess can present skeletal problems for larger breeds. It’s important to consult your vet so they can help you navigate that decision safely.
Diet
Diet plays a large role in determining whether or not multivitamins will be beneficial for your pooch.
Some dog food brands are specifically formulated to include all necessary nutrients, and will often label their products as “complete and balanced.” If it’s properly designed to provide the necessary nutrients, you might not need a multivitamin. Like we mentioned above, it could even be detrimental if your pooch gets too much of a certain vitamin. For instance, too much Vitamin A can result in blood vessel damage, joint pain, and dehydration.
Work with your vet to understand what’s really going into your dog’s food. Sometimes, food products that claim to provide all the nutrients actually don’t, because the minerals might be synthetic and not properly absorbed by your dog.
In addition, dog owners who feed their dogs homemade diets are likely leaving out key nutrients necessary for long-term, sustainable health. A multivitamin may be a great way to round out their diet and give them the adequate amount of vitamins they need.
Your vet may also recommend a multivitamin if there’s been a recent change in your dog’s diet. For example, if your vet has your dog on a new diet for weight loss, a multivitamin may be necessary to make up for any lost nutrients.
Health Factors
Some dogs require additional supplements because of a medical condition or deficiency.
Your vet may recommend incorporating a multivitamin if your dog suffers from digestive issues, joint pain, or a compromised immune system.
It’s important to consult with your vet before you feed Fido anything outside of his normal diet.
Side Effects of Multivitamins in Dogs
Although multivitamins can be advantageous to dogs if they need a boost to their health, there is a risk of side effects, particularly in large doses. That’s why it’s crucial you stick to the manufacturers recommended amount and only add supplements to your pet’s diet if they need them.
Signs of multivitamin poisoning in dogs vary depending on the vitamins/minerals used in the product, as well as which vitamin your pet has overdosed on.
Vitamin D poisoning
Iron poisoning
Dogs with iron poisoning will appear unwell at first, then seem to improve, the latter of which is a sign of liver failure.
If you suspect your dog has overdosed on a multivitamin or supplement, seek veterinary attention immediately. Most cases of vitamin poisoning will require your dog to be hospitalised and have their gastrointestinal system decontaminated.
Once your dog has been allowed to go home, you will need to make sure your pet is given plenty of rest to aid their road to recovery. Provide your pet with a quiet area to sleep with food and water nearby.
If you notice any new symptoms or are concerned at any point, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
Can I give my Dog Human Vitamins?
Your pup is a part of your family, and they need proper nutrition just like us! From puppy stage to golden years, your dog needs vitamins, minerals, and many other compounds to stay healthy. Even if your dog has not taken a supplement before, it is never too late to add a nutritional boost to their diet. With Dr. Pol Heart-Shaped Multivitamin for Dogs, you can treat your pet to a delicious chew packed with nutrients to support their wellness at any age, and they’ll love the beef flavor. But first, let’s talk about why multivitamin supplement matters.
If you have experienced the delight of watching a puppy grow up, you know how fast they sprout! To support their growth and development, they need additional nutrition that may be missing from their puppy food. Minerals like calcium support healthy bone growth, and our complex vitamin blend promotes healthy development of nerves, eyes and eyesight, and the brain. Starting a puppy on a consistent multivitamin supplement at a young age, as young as about 12 weeks, will help set them up for a healthy life into their adult years and beyond.
Though it varies by breed, the average dog is considered an adult dog after about a year. Although their growth and development are mostly complete, they still need vitamins and nutrients to support their healthy systems and promote overall wellness. High quality foods that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile like Dr. Pol dog foods, or state “complete and balanced nutrition” are great starts to maintaining your pet’s health. You’ll also want to check with your veterinarian. At this age, a multivitamin can serve as a maintenance supplement especially for those pets with dietary restrictions, picky palates, and chronic conditions.
As your dog gets older, their nutritional needs change once again, just like humans. When the body ages, some systems become less efficient and need supplemental support. For example, a pet’s joint mobility may decrease and lead to inactivity, limping, or slowness. Your veterinarian may recommend a multivitamin supplement for your senior dog to help prevent or lessen the effect of age-related health problems. Pets of increasing age are also more susceptible to serious health conditions which may be linked to poor nutrition or poor nutrient absorption.
Dr. Pol Heart-Shaped Multivitamin for Dogs is a fantastic option for a dog supplement, packed with nutrients for total-body support and a savory beef flavor dogs love. Show your pup the same love they show you with a wholesome multivitamin supplement! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more reliable pet information, helpful blogs, and updates from Dr. Pol!
⭐ Did you know? ⭐ Our new pages, Dr. Pol Pets, is your destination for pet wellness tips, Q&A’s, and more blogs like this. Click the like button and join the Paw-some family!