Most good quality premium dog foods have lots of nutrients, supplements and vitamins. Some of the cheaper quality dog foods do not have the additional nutrients added to their ingredients. You should read the packaged listing of components that are in the dog food. If you feed your dog one of these generic dog foods that do not contain sufficient nutrients, then you should give your dog additional vitamins and supplements. If you feed your adult dog or puppy, a good quality premium food, then you really don’t need to give vitamins….read the labels very carefully.
You must make these choices for your dog’s general health. Be aware of the nutritional requirements for your dog. All breeds have different needs. You will have to modify the nutritional supplements as your dog grows from puppy to adult.
There is a problem when the intake of vitamins exceeds the normal requirements of daily diet. This excessive intake is called “toxicity”. Toxicity can occur in the following vitamins…vitamin A, B-6, C, and D.
Signs of Clinical vitamin toxicity depend upon the time the ingestion occurs and the amount of ingested vitamins. You must monitor the changes in your dog’s behaviors. Some of the symptoms can be…lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, constipation and stiffness, limping, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive drinking and urination, depression and many other signs.
You should contact your veterinarian if you experience any of the toxicity signs. Treatments depend upon the unexplained vitamin toxicity.
Make sure you do not over supplement your dog with vitamins. As indicated, If you are giving your pet a premium dog food and you have checked the labels, you probably do not need to give him addition nutrients.
There are times when giving your dog additional supplements makes sense. Dogs have various nutritional needs at different stages of their lives. There are some lesser dog foods that put more filler and fewer nutrients in the preparation of the foods.
Certain medical conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia can be treated with dog supplements. Many of the vitamins such as A, B-1, and Folic Acid can aid in the digestion and other necessary body functions. You can strengthen the immune system and give a shine to the coat. These are just a few examples. You should check with your veterinarian for more details.
You want to make sure your dog is receiving the right supplements at the right stage of his life for his size, breed and general health condition.
“See Things from a Husky’s Perspective”Download FREE copy of 142 page “Husky Master Guide” at: http://www.huskydogstore.com/Tom Ellerbe and daughter Marci Winchester have raised and trained Siberian Huskies for many years. Website is loaded with a ton of information about this very special breed of dogs.
