The following information is a summary and review based on Dr. Candy’s professional experience and recommendations. Any summary or statement has not been provided nor influenced by the manufacturer.
I am Dr. Candy Akers, a devoted holistic veterinarian with over a decade of experience in nurturing the well-being of our beloved four-legged companions. I am passionate about integrating conventional and alternative therapies to provide comprehensive, individualized care that addresses the whole animal – body, mind, and spirit.
In my practice, one of the common questions I encounter is, “Does my dog really need nutritional supplements?” It’s a valid question, given the plethora of information, and sometimes misinformation, available at our fingertips. I understand the concerns and confusion that can arise when trying to make the best choices for your furry friend’s health and wellness.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the overall health and vitality of our pets. Just like us, dogs have specific nutritional requirements that need to be met to ensure they live a life full of vitality, wellness, and joy. While a balanced diet is the cornerstone of optimal health, there are instances where nutritional supplements can play a crucial role in addressing specific health concerns, filling nutritional gaps, and enhancing the quality of life of our pets.
In this blog, we will delve into the world of canine nutritional supplements. We’ll explore the scenarios where supplementation can be beneficial, the types of supplements available, and how to choose the right ones for your beloved canine companion. Together, we will navigate through the complexities and nuances of canine nutrition, armed with evidence-based knowledge and a holistic perspective, to empower you to make informed decisions that support the unique needs of your pet.
Your pet’s well-being is as much a journey as it is a destination, and I am here to walk this path with you, offering insights, guidance, and support every step of the way.
What Are Nutritional Supplements For Dogs?
Nutritional supplements for dogs are products designed to provide nutrients that may not be consumed in sufficient quantities in their regular diet. These can range from vitamins and minerals to amino acids, fatty acids, and other essential elements that contribute to optimal health and well-being.
Types of Nutritional Supplements
- Vitamins and Minerals: These are essential for a variety of bodily functions, including bone health, digestion, and nerve function. Supplements can help ensure that your dog is getting adequate amounts of specific vitamins and minerals, especially if they have special dietary needs or health concerns.
- Probiotics: These beneficial bacteria support gut health, aiding in digestion and supporting the immune system. A balanced gut microbiome is crucial for overall wellness.
- Fatty Acids: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are vital for skin and coat health, brain function, and inflammatory responses. They can be found in fish oils and flaxseed oils, among others.
- Joint Supplements: Ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are popular for supporting joint health, particularly in older dogs or breeds prone to joint issues.
- Antioxidants: These help combat free radicals in the body, supporting immune health and aging gracefully.
Why Your Dog Needs Nutritional Supplements
As we continue our exploration into the world of canine health and wellness, we arrive at a pivotal question that many pet owners grapple with – why does my dog need nutritional supplements? In this section, we will unveil the circumstances and conditions where supplementation can be a vital ally in your dog’s health journey. Every dog is unique, with individual nutritional needs shaped by factors such as age, breed, lifestyle, and health status. While a balanced diet lays the foundation for optimal health, there are instances where supplements become essential to address specific nutritional deficiencies, support health challenges, and enhance the overall quality of life. Join me, as we delve into the science and holistic insights that will illuminate the path to informed and conscious supplementation choices for your beloved canine companion.
1. Loss of Nutrients Due to Modern Agriculture and Over-Farming
One reason why every dog needs nutritional support today is due to the results of modern agriculture. The commercial farming industry has repeatedly harvested food crops without giving the land time to rest and recover. We have stripped the land of nutrient resources for decades. The result has been a food supply that only contains a fraction of the vitamins and minerals it used to. This drastic decrease in nutrients has been estimated to range from 37% – 85% according to recent studies. So our dog’s food is automatically starting from about one third the amount of vitamins and minerals than our dogs of past generations.
2. Loss of Nutrients Due To Processing
In addition to starting with food void of nutrients, additional nutrients are also lost in standard commercial processing procedures. Today pet food is processed at temperatures in upwards of 600 – 700 degrees, depending on the brand of food. During exposure to such high temperatures, vital nutrients are completely lost or irreversibly bound to other compounds. This makes it impossible for our pets to absorb or utilize them. There are many physical changes made to our pet’s food before it ends up in the bag at the grocery store, these include:
- Temperature and Pressure
- Drying and re-hydrating
- Exposure to gas for extended periods of storage
- Changes in pH
- Exposure to solvents and chemicals
3. Over-Vaccination and Over-Medication
Holistic veterinarians could probably write more than a handful of thick heavy books on over-vaccination, so we will leave that topic to another time. The fact of the matter is that in the world that we live in today, there is a serious risk of over-vaccination. Some vaccines are helpful and required by law in some situations, but that doesn’t mean that MORE is BETTER. Any foreign substance introduced to the body carries substantial risk of causing inappropriate reactions from the immune system. The repeated injection of unnatural or toxic substances year after year has no proven additional benefits and these chemicals and toxins can damage the immune system and other vital cells. This weakening of body systems can result in even more nutrient deficiencies, changes in digestion, altered nutrient absorption, and drains of inflammation.
Over-medication or long-term administration of some medications unnaturally can manipulate body systems and cycles. When your dog’s body is out of balance, we see symptoms of this imbalance. Sometimes in modern medicine, the symptom is suppressed but the underlying cause of the disease or imbalance is not addressed. This can result in your dog’s body pushing even harder in the opposite direction or a transfer of the imbalance to a different body system. Modern medicine is a marvel and saves lives everyday, but over the years research has shown us the development of deficiencies due to certain medications. Some examples can be viewed below :
Medications That Can Cause Nutrient Deficiencies
| Drug Group | Medication Examples (Brand / Generic) | Nutrient Deficiency |
| Antacids | Pepcid (famotidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Tagamet (cimetidine), Prilosec (omeprazole) | Vitamin B12, thiamin, folic acid, Vitamin D, calcium, iron zinc magnesium, potassium |
| Antibiotics | Amoxil (amoxicillin), Clavamox (amoxicillin-clavulanate), Baytril (Eneroflaxacin), Keflex (Cephalexin) | Beneficial bacteria Vitamin K, minerals, B-vitamins |
| NSAIDS | Rimadyl (carprofen) Metacam (meloxicam)Feldene (peroxicam) Galliprant (grapiprant) | Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Iron, Potassium |
| Steroids | Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethazone, Methylprednisolone | Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Vitamin E |
| Betablockers | Atenolol, Propranolol | Coenzyme Q10 |
| Diuretics | Lasix (furosemide), Aldacton (spironolactone), Diuril (chlorothiazide), Hydrodiuril (hydrochlorothiazide) | Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium |
| Incontinence | Proin (phenylpropanolamine), DES (diethylstilbestrol), Incurin (estriol), Horomones (estrogen) | Vitamin C, Zinc, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Coenzyme Q10 |
| Respiratory dilators | theophylline | Vitamin B6 |
| Hypothryroid | ThyroTabs (levothyroxine), Tapazole (methimazole) | Calcium |
What is the Difference Between a Nutritional Supplement and a Synthetic Vitamin?
When it comes to enhancing the health and well-being of our beloved pets, I often find myself reaching for supplements. These powerful tools are not just about preventing diseases but are instrumental in promoting overall health. I’m a firm believer in the potency and efficacy of all-natural and whole food-derived supplements. These gems are born from real food, boasting perfect ratios of vitamins and minerals, and offering a full spectrum of nutrient complexes in their natural, unadulterated forms.
It’s not just about the vitamins and minerals we know and measure but also about the myriad of undiscovered nutrients, each potentially holding the key to optimal health. These supplements come alive with the proper enzymes, ensuring that every nutrient is digested and absorbed efficiently, nourishing the body from the inside out.
In stark contrast, we have synthetic vitamins – a creation of the laboratory, devoid of the holistic essence of its natural counterparts. It’s a common practice in modern medicine to isolate and magnify a single component of a vitamin, labeling it as the “active component.” However, this reductionist approach overlooks the symphony of nutrients that work in harmony in their natural state.
Take vitamin C as a case in point. Many of us have embraced this vitamin as a shield against sickness, and rightfully so, but there’s a catch. In its natural form, vitamin C is a complex, enriched with bioflavonoids, rutin, and copper. It’s a healer, reducing inflammation, calming damaged tissue, and fortifying our arteries, veins, and capillaries. However, the synthetic “vitamin C,” composed solely of ascorbic acid, is a mere envelope, a wrapper, offering little to no healing effects. In large doses, this isolated compound can even be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, potentially causing more harm than good as an unstable antioxidant.
In my journey of holistic healing, the choice is clear. Whole, unadulterated, and natural – that’s where true healing and wellness lie. Every pet is a world of its own, deserving nothing but the purest, most potent forms of nourishment, and that’s a belief I hold close, each day, with every life I’m privileged to touch.
Healing Actions of Synthetic Vitamin C vs. Whole Vitamin C Complex
| Ascorbic Acid | Whole Vitamin C Complex |
| 1. Antioxidant | 1. Whole vitamin C complex 2. Increases immune function 3. Increases collagen synthesis 4. Increases iron absorption 5. Increases cardiovascular 6. Increases antioxidants 7. Decreases depression and anxiety 8. Decreases nervous system balance 9. Increases balance of glucose and lactate |
Another common example of the troubles caused by single synthetic vitamins revolves around the B vitamin complex. Scientists have proven that high doses of single synthetic isolates result in the body excreting the other B vitamins. This reaction results in deficiencies of the other B vitamins, not the intended healing benefits of the B vitamin.
Vitamins and minerals are necessary for life. Our dog’s bodies have evolved to get these important structures from natural, unprocessed food. Below are just a few examples of vitamins and minerals your dog needs to maintain a healthy and balanced immune system alone.
Nutrients Needed by the Immune Alliance
| Tonsils | Liver | Thymus | Spleen | Lymphatics |
| – Vitamin C – Vitamin A – Calcium | – B vitamins – Vitamins C and K – Essential Fatty Acids – Wheat germ oil | – Vitamin C – Vitamin A – Copper – Zinc | – Chlorophyll – Iron – Vitamin B12 – Folic acid – Vitamin K | – Vitamin C – Omega-3 fatty acids |
| Bone Marrow | Skin | GI Flora | Stomach | Mucous Membranes |
| – Folic Acid – Vitamin C – Amino Acids | – Vitamins A and E – Sea Salt – Amino Acids – Essential fatty acids – Zinc | – Acidophilus bacteria – Bifidus bacteria – Fermented foods | – Vitamin B1 – Zinc | – Vitamins A, C and E – Calcium – Essential Fatty Acids |
A Note on Glandular and Organ Support
Historically in the wild, cats and dogs would capture a prey animal and then eat the entire animal. This included all the vital organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and thyroid glands. Studies have demonstrated that the ingestion of certain organs provide direct support for the same organ in the animal that consumes it. For example, some research has tracked up to 80% of the proteins from the ingested organ end up being assimilated into the animal that ate it. So, you would eat a healthy liver to support the health of your liver. Heart to support the heart, and so on. Most commercially prepared pet foods contain only muscle meat or are processed to a degree in which these vital nutrients are degraded or lost. I use specially prepared, body system specific supplements to restore health and healing in your dog.
Whole food-based system-specific supplements can improve health in the following ways/areas:
Musculoskeletal Support
- Prevent progression of arthritis
- Reduce inflammation and joint pain
- Heal tendons, ligaments, muscle, and bone
Thyroid Support
- Balance optimal thyroid hormone levels
- Maintain healthy body weight
- Normalize circulation and healing
Adrenal (stress) Support
- Reduce fear and anxiety behaviors
- Prevent muscle loss
- Strengthen the immune system
Renal (Kidneys) Support
- Prevent and treat UTI’s
- Maintain healthy red blood cell numbers
- Detoxify the body and prevent cancer
Cardiac (Heart and Lungs) Support
- Improve circulation, especially to the brain
- Balance blood pressure
- Prevent and treat heart disease (such as DCM)
Dermal (Skin) Support
Enteric (organs) Support
- Improve digestion and absorption of nutrients
- Maintains a healthy immune system
- Kill intestinal parasites (such as worms/giardia)
Immune Support
- Prevent infections and illness
- Reduce chance/risk of cancer
- Calm allergies and autoimmune reactions
These are only a few of the health benefits we see every day. Improved nutrition with whole food supplements improves your furry family member’s health.
Learn more about the support of specific body systems and specific health problems that we can heal. You will be surprised how quickly your pet will heal when they are fed the right nutrients to support their specific condition.
Your pet’s body can and will heal itself if we just provide it with the right resources.
~Dr. Candy
Check out our other articles for even more knowledge to keep your pet healthy and happy!
Dog Constipation and How You Can Treat It Naturally
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