What are Good Supplements to Add to Dog Food?
As pet owners, we continually seek ways to enrich our dogs' lives, starting with what we put in their food bowls.
While high-quality dog food can provide a solid foundation, dog vitamins and dietary supplements can offer the extra vital nutrients to support your optimal health and overall well-being.
At Fortunate Paws, we understand the importance of having a complete and well-balanced diet for your furry friends, offering an array of feed supplements for dogs to choose from.
In this guide, we'll be taking a look at the importance of a diverse, homemade dog diet and the best types of natural supplements that will give an extra boost to your pet’s meals.
Disclaimer: While supplements can provide assistance, it's best to seek advice from a board certified veterinary nutritionist prior to use. This is to ensure the appropriate dosage and use of our products.
Why You Should Be Making Homemade Dog Food
A homemade diet provides full transparency on the ingredients, allowing pet owners to select fresh, whole foods over the often mysterious and highly processed constituents found in dog's kibble. This dietary choice can lead to a wealth of health benefits for dogs, including improved digestion, enhanced energy levels, and a healthier coat. Moreover, homemade meals give pet parents the ability to tailor their dog's diet to specific nutritional needs and preferences, addressing individual health concerns, allergies, or dietary restrictions with precision.
Embracing homemade dog food is a step toward ensuring your pet enjoys a nutritious, balanced, and enjoyable diet tailored to their unique health requirements and taste preferences. By including carefully selected supplements into your dog's homemade food can maximise these benefits, ensuring they receive a well-rounded diet that supports all aspects of their health.
Read this article on 'Homemade Dog Food: Is It Healthy to Cook for Your Dog'.
Importance of a Diverse Diet
Dietary diversity is not just a human necessity - it's equally crucial for our canine friends. A varied diet ensures that dogs receive a comprehensive spectrum of nutrients, thus supporting their overall health and preventing nutritional deficiencies. By adding a wide range of proteins, vegetables, and grains into their meals, owners can mimic the natural feeding patterns of wild canines, which consume a diverse diet to meet their nutritional needs. This variety not only enriches the eating experience for dogs but also promotes a balanced intake of essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to their vitality and well-being.
Types of Supplements
Dental Supplements
Dental health in dogs is often overlooked, yet it's vital for their overall well-being. Dental supplements, such as our Simply Seaweed, can significantly reduce plaque and tartar buildup, freshen breath, and maintain healthy gums. These supplements often come in the form of powders or treats, making them an easy addition to include into your dog's daily routine.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that play a crucial role in maintaining your dog's digestive health. They help balance the gut microbiome, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption, while also supporting the immune system. Probiotics can be especially helpful for dogs with gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, or for those on antibiotics which can disrupt the natural gut flora.
Joint Supplements
As dogs age, their joints may begin to wear out, leading to discomfort or even arthritis. Joint supplements are designed to support healthy joint function and bone health, offering ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, which help maintain cartilage and reduce inflammation. Our Rose-Hip Vital Canine is a plant-based option that supports joint mobility and relieves joint pain, ensuring your dog stays active and happy.
Skin and Coat Supplements
A shiny coat and healthy skin are signs of good nutrition. Supplements rich in Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, such as fish oil, Vitamin E, and our Hemp Seed Oil for Pets, are excellent for improving skin health and enhancing coat shine, softness, and overall condition. These supplements can also help reduce skin allergies and promote healing from conditions like dermatitis.
Calcium Supplements
Calcium supplements play a crucial role in a dog's diet, especially for those on homemade meal plans, as it's vital for ensuring proper bone health, muscle function, and overall cellular operations. Homemade diets, while beneficial in many ways, may not always provide adequate calcium unless carefully formulated. Too much calcium can cause skeletal problems, especially in large-breed puppies, and can lead to kidney stones or other health issues in adult dogs. That's why it's important to consult with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to determine the right amount of calcium for your dog's diet.
Gut Health & Immune Supplements
The gut is central to your dog’s immune system and overall health. Probiotics and prebiotics are supplements that support gut health, aid digestion, and help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. This leads to improved nutrient absorption, reduced gastrointestinal issues, and a stronger immune system. Our Hemp Seed Oil for Pets products are helpful in improving gut health issues, assisting in not only their appearance but their healthy immune function as well.
Calming Supplements
Most dog owners have no clue what to do when it comes to anxious and stressed-out pups. Calming supplements can be the perfect remedy to relieve the zoomies! Ingredients like hemp seed oil, found in our MellowPet Omega Drops, offer natural soothing properties without sedation. These supplements are perfect for pets that get nervous during thunderstorms, fireworks, or when experiencing separation anxiety.
Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes play a pivotal role in a dog’s nutrition by breaking down food components such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This process enhances nutrient absorption and improves digestive efficiency, making these supplements particularly beneficial for dogs with digestive issues like gas, bloating, or irregular stools. By supplementing your dog's diet with digestive enzymes, you can help mimic the natural digestive process, supporting their overall gastrointestinal health.
Nutritional Supplements
Beyond specific health concerns, general nutritional supplements can fill any gaps in your dog’s diet. Multivitamins, amino acids, and minerals ensure your pet receives a well-rounded intake of essential nutrients, supporting their day-to-day health and preventing nutritional deficiencies. Our range of Meal Toppers is one of the best dog vitamins and supplements we have that can provide additional protein alongside hemp, making it the perfect accompaniment to add to your dog's food.
Our Feed Supplement Products
Hemp Seed Oil
Unleash the power of nature with our Fortunate Paws Hemp Seed Oil for Pets, our finest skin, gut, and joint supplements. This pure, cold-pressed supplement is your pet's ticket to improved skin/coat health, energy-filled days, and a balanced diet for gut health.
Sourced from the lush fields of Australia, it's the perfect blend of Omega fatty acids, 6, and 9 and other essential nutrients — all without the nasties. Choose from our three convenient sizes to fit your furry friend's needs perfectly.
Simply Seaweed
Dive into the simplicity of Simply Seaweed, a single-ingredient powerhouse aimed at keeping your pet's teeth sparkling and breath fresh. This natural kelp wonder works magic in preventing plaque and tartar, all while packing a nutritional punch. A sprinkle over their meal is all it takes to harness the ocean's goodness.
MellowPet Omega Drops
Transform your pet's daily routine into a serene journey with MellowPet Omega Drops. Formulated with the best of nature, including our signature hemp seed oil, this dog supplement brings calmness and balance to your pet's life, promoting healthy skin and a gleaming coat. It's the perfect antidote to the stresses of pet life, now in a fresh, new look.
Meal Toppers
Elevate mealtime with our range of Meal Toppers. Crafted with care, these blend the tasty flavour of either Beef, Chicken or Kangaroo and hemp's nutritional health benefits into a low-fat, high-protein treat. Perfect for pets of all sizes, these flakes add excitement to every meal, ensuring your pet gets the essential nutrients they crave.
Rose-Hip Vital Canine
Embrace the natural strength of Rose-Hip Vital Canine, a clinically proven, plant-based powder that champions your dog's joint health and overall vitality. Made from pesticide-free Rosehip berries, it's an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant marvel, ready to support your pet's active and healthy life.
Take Your Pick of the Litter Out of Our Natural Goodies
The right choice of supplements can dramatically improve your dog's health, fill in any missing nutritional gaps, and bring more joy into their lives.
At Fortunate Paws, we offer a range of natural, wholesome dog supplements to enhance your pet's diet and turn them into healthy, grown adult dogs.
Whether you’re looking to improve your dog’s skin coat, support joint health, or simply add a delicious treat packed with all the essential vitamins and minerals, we have something for every need.
Explore our feed supplement products to give your pets the nutritional boost they deserve.
Contact us today to find the best supplements for your pup.