Supplements

Healthy dogs on good quality diets should not, in theory, require any supplements. However, commercial foods and fresh foods can also lose significant nutritional value through cooking and storage. And there can be differences in how well dogs digest their food, how well they utilise the various nutrients it contains, and what their individual requirements are. Dogs that are in poor health or that have additional requirements such as old dogs, working dogs, very active dogs or growing dogs may benefit from the addition of various supplements in their diet. Supplements and other natural products need to be used appropriately.

Kelp

Kelp is a seaweed supplement and is rich source of minerals and trace elements, particularly organic iodine. It is a good supplement for all dogs because iodine is needed for the correct functioning of the thyroid gland, which in turn affects health, skin, coat and metabolism.

Dose

Small dogs 1/8-1/4 teaspoon daily

Medium dogs 1/4-1/2 teaspoon daily

Large dogs ½-1 teaspoon daily

Wheat Germ

Wheat Germ is an excellent source of thiamine and wheat barn is an excellent source of manganese. 

Brewer's Yeast

Debittered, dried brewer's yeast is an excellent supplement. As a powder, it's high in protein and a rich source of vitamin B. Yeast can help with skin disease, heart disorders, nervousness and low energy.

Dose

Small dogs 1/8-1/4 teaspoon daily

Medium dogs ¼-1/2 teaspoon daily

Large dogs ½-1 teaspoon daily

Caution: Some dogs are sensitive to yeast and can show skin reactions!

Alfalfa Powder

Alfalfa contains calcium, potassium, plus all known vitamins. The minerals are in a balanced form, which promotes absorption. These minerals are alkaline, but have a neutralizing effect on the intestinal tract. Alfalfa helps with arthritis pain.

Dose

Small dogs ¼ tsp daily

Medium dogs ½ tsp daily

Large dogs 1 tsp daily

Vitamin C

Dogs produce their own vitamin C at around 200 mg/kg per day. However, stress can increase requirements considerably. Vitamin C is vital for wound repair, healthy gums and structures that hold the body together such as ligaments, cartilage and tendons. It's also critical to immune function and is a very important antioxidant. Vitamin C supplements come in powders, capsules and tablets. The powdered form the easiest to give and to digest and it should be mixed in food.

Vitamin C is also beneficial for dogs that are stressed and in treatment of allergies, cataracts, cancer, infections ( bacterial and viral), heart disease, liver disorders, arthritis, urinary tract infections, hip dysplasia, disc disease and spondylosis of spine, dental disease, wound healing, diabetes and canine distemper.

Dose

Small dogs 50-125mg twice daily

Medium dogs 125-250mg twice daily

Large dogs 250-500mg twice daily

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an important fat soluble vitamin and antioxidant, protecting cell membranes against free radical damage. It's necessary for normal immune function and provides a protective effect in many health problems. Poorly stored dry foods or poorly prepared home-made diets can be low in vitamin E. Vitamin E requirements increase with an increasing fat content of the diet, so if you are supplementing with fatty acids, supplement with vitamin E, too. Vitamin E deficiency is associated with digestive problems, skin disease, skeletal muscle dystrophy, failure of gestation, poor fertility and impaired immunity.

Vitamin E is a beneficial supplement for any chronic disease, any degenerative disease and cancer to help increase resistance to disease and for dogs with immune depression, infections, inflammations, allergy, heart disease, skin disease, arthritis, cancer, periodontal disease, muscle problems, epilepsy and liver disease.

Dose

Small dogs 25-50 iu daily

Medium dogs 50-100 iu daily

Large dogs 100-400 iu daily

Salmon Oil

It's an excellent all-natural source of Omega3 and Omega 6. It's easier than capsules for a puppy to swallow.

Serving Instructions

Add to do's food daily and use on long-term basis for best result.

Body Weights Up to 12.5 lbs Pump Strokes

12.5-25 lbs ½ Stroke- 1 Stroke

25-50 lbs 2 Stroke

50-75 lbs 3 Strokes

Over 75 lbs 4 Strokes



One pump stroke is equal to o.12 fl oz.

Probiotic Supplements

Why use Probiotics?

• To provide a source of live, naturally occurring microorganisms
  
• To maintain a healthy microbial balance in dogs
  
• To supplement desirable organisms to newborn puppies
  
• During incidences of diarrhea
  
• To help maintain appetite
  
• As part of a health maintenance program
  

When to use Probiotics

Dogs are exposed to many stresses that can result in lack of appetite, diarrhea and other intestinal upsets. These stresses may include:

• Transportation ~ Some dogs can become extremely agitated when traveling by car or plane which
  
• Intensive Training ~ Training for Obedience, Schutzhund, Agility, Personal Protection, and Police Service puts considerable stress on the dog.
  
• Competition Dogs ~ The excitement of the competition, along with traveling, and exposure to strange dogs and people, can create a nervous stress in dogs, frequently manifested by reduced appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.
  
• Boarding ~ Lack of appetite or nervous diarrhea are common in some dogs when boarded in a strange kennel.
  
• Antibiotic Therapy ~ Antibiotics can destroy pathogenic microorganisms as well as the beneficial bacteria that are normally found in an animal's digestive tract.
  
• Post-Parvo Virus Infections ~ Parvo virus infection in dogs is a devastating disease of the small intestine in susceptible dogs causing enormous stress on the dogs digestive system.
  
• Post-Surgery ~ High doses of antibiotics are often used to reduce the possibility of heavy contamination during surgery. This frequently lowers populations of beneficial bacteria as well. In addition, antibiotics are used after surgery, which can alter the physiological activity of the gut and allow the intestinal microbial population to become unbalanced.
  
• Chronic Diarrhea ~ Many times, the etiology of chronic diarrhea is unknown, and the animal won't respond to usual therapy.
  
• Post-Whelping ~ To maintain appetite and good milk flow, give Probiotic to bitches, especially "nervous mommas" and first time whelpers.
  
• Newborn Pups ~ The neonatal period for the newborn pup is a critical time for survival. Normally, newborns quickly acquire bacteria from their mother and surrounding environment, many of which are potential pathogens such as E. coli. Therefore, it is desirable to establish early colonization of the intestinal tract with beneficial bacteria, especially if the pups become orphaned.
  
• Geriatric Dogs ~ Digestive problems are fairly common in older pets, including reduced appetite, diarrhea and constipation. Probiotics helps reduce the occurrence of digestive problems due to old age.
  
• Other Uses ~ There are many other situations in which dogs may benefit from Probiotics, such as excessively nervous or "high-strung" breeds, injured animals or during exposure to weather extremes.
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