Here is the list of supplements, vitamins, and minerals we like to give to our pups. We know that we do more than is needed, especially since we have considerable variety in their meals. We make this effort, though, because as we experiment with food there is a chance that we leave some nutritional areas uncovered by accident. This use of supplements reduces the risk of not preparing properly balanced meals for our pets.
Here are the vitamins we give our dogs every meal:
Cranberry Chews – Link on Amazon
Comment: We used this to help protect our females against UTIs.
Excerpt from Product Description: Help your dog feel great with the ultimate strength chewable cranberries fruit extract supplement with Apple Cider Vinegar ACV concentrate to also prevent flea, bladder infection & kidney infections; Cranberry for stopping bacteria & flushing them out in the urine; Natural food pharmaceutical grade renal formula remedies bladder pain, control inflammation relief, post antibiotics medicine treatment; Supplements dogs diet, aids total immune health & wellness in puppy, adult, spayed, senior pets
No byproducts, no allergies, 100% safe, Made in the USA, veterinary science approved & hypoallergenic; Works great for allergy prone dogs. Made fresh with care in small batches in a GMP organic certified facility; Ingredients 3rd-party-tested for purity & correct dosage
Pet Tabs Plus – Link on Amazon
Comment: We view this as just a general vitamin pill. Only give one per dog, which is under the recommended dosage.
Ingredients: Wheat Germ, Kaolin, Corn Syrup, Pork Liver Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sugar, Lactose, Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Corn Starch, Stearic Acid, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Iron Oxide and Proteinate, Magnesium Stearate, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin A Acetate, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Acetate Monohydrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate.
Minerals: Calcium (minimum) 2.5%; Calcium (maximum) 3.5%;Phosphorus 2.5%; Potassium 0.4%; Salt (minimum) 0.1%; Salt (maximum) 0.6%; Chloride 0.1%; Magnesium 0.15%; Iron 3.0 mg; Copper 0.1 mg; Manganese 0.25 mg; Zinc 1.4 mg.
Vitamins: A 1000 IU; D3 100 IU; E 2IU; Thiamine .81mg; Riboflavin 1mg; Niacin 10mg; B6 .1mg; B12 .5mc.
Probiotics Premium Plus – Link on Amazon
Comment: Since we vary the food quite a bit, having a healthy gut is important. It helps their digestion stay normal with all of the variety we provide.
Excerpt: Increase gastrointestinal health; Boost immune system; Enrich your dog’s diet with antioxidants, bioavailable vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients + increase absorption; Boost energy and stamina; Support and restore digestive tract during and after antibiotic and steroid treatments; Support digestive and overall health during training, travel and times of increased stress; Support your puppy to develop a stronger immune system and healthier body systems thus reducing the risk of developing future health issues like allergies and digestive tract issues; Help your aging dog support vital body systems and boost it’s health and vitality
Ingredients:
Active: Proprietary probiotic/prebiotic blend (L. Plantarum, L. Brevis, L. Lactis, L. Acidophilus, L. Fermentum, FOS – Fructooligosaccharides) 4 Billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) + Papaya (source of digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants) 230 mgs + Proprietary Green SuperFood Formula (source of digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients) 200 mgs + Yeast Extract (source of nucleotides) 50 mgs + Delphinol Maqui Berry Extract (source of antioxidants and vitamins) 10 mgs
Inactive ingredients: Flaxseed Meal, Pea Flour, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Olive Oil, Natural Duck Flavoring, Tapioca Flour, Palm Oil, Honey, Sorbic Acid, Natural Chicken Flavoring (in coating only), Microcrystalline Cellulose Powder (in coating only).
Krill Oil – Link on Mercola
Comment: We will frequently squirt this onto the food. This is basically omega-3 fatty acids similar to other fish oils that people give pets. We mix in a fair amount of tuna, salmon, and other fish products from time to time, but feel this is a good supplement. We like this brand because of the certification by the Marine Stewardship Council and other best practices.
Sliwa Pet Powder Mix
We mix together several powders and give a 1/2 scoop to each pet with every meal. We generally add water or bone broth to each meal, which helps to absorb the powder. The dogs like the taste enough that they lick the solution and any powder remnants to clean off the bowl. In terms of proportions we generally try to even things out between the diatomaceous earth and the Nupro powder; and then just add sizable quantities of the other powders.
Diatomaceous Earth Powder – Human Grade – Link on Amazon
Comment: Our breeder for our poodle at SCSP is such a strong believer in the use of diatomaceous earth to the point where she sent all of the new pet owners home with a sample bag. She argued its benefits for fleas, ticks, worms, parasites for eating and spreading on bedding and pets themselves for fleas, ticks, and scorpions. People tend to use it as part of a cleanse. I first heard of this as a key ingredient for water filtering.
Benefits can include (according to websites):
- improved digestion and more regular bowel movements
- better liver and colon functioning
- improved detoxification and removal of heavy metals
- stronger immune function and protection from illnesses
- a cleaner home, free from parasites, bed bugs and viruses
- healthier-looking skin, hair and nails
- stronger bones and protection from fractures or osteoporosis
- improved joint and ligament health
- improved energy
- for dogs and cats, cleaner skin and flea control
ProDen Plaque Off Dental Powder – Link on Amazon
Comment: Although we are now brushing their teeth and using Orapup, we think it is good to promote oral health as much as possible. So we recently began adding this power to our concoction.
Excerpt: Proden plaqueoff animal is an easy way for those dog and cat owners to care for their pet’s teeth who don’t have the patience or inclination to brush their dog or cat’s teeth regularly. The product comes in powdered form and it is simply added on a daily basis to dry or wet food. Dogs and cats like the taste of the small amount that is added. Proden plaqueoff animal does not rely on topical application or friction. The product is ingested and works systemically. The natural compound in the product comes out through the saliva and works to break down the bacterial biofilm that forms on the teeth and gums. This is how the natural bacteria in the mouth take hold onto the teeth and gums, colonizing and creating the oral problems of plaque and tartar, bad breathe and gingivitis. It does not change the ph of the mouth or kill off the normal levels of bacteria. Proden plaqueoff has been proven to reduce plaque and tartar on the teeth and gums, depending on composition, diet and how long it has been there. It then works to prevent bad breath, plaque and tartar from returning. Patients generally begin to see results over a 2-8 week period, and will see further benefits with continued use. Proden plaqueoff animal is made from a specific strain of selected seaweed harvested from above scandinavia. This seaweed has developed a natural defensive mechanism against bacterial biofilm. The product is made only from this seaweed and has no additives or chemicals added. It is human grade and human tested.
Nutri-Pet Nupro – Link on Amazon
Comment: This is just a general vitamin and mineral supplement that tastes good.
Excerpt: All natural dog supplement. Does not contain corn or wheat. Helps promote hair growth, repel fleas, improves appetite. Controls itchy, dry, flaky skin, aids digestion, will help arthritic conditions and fertility in females and potency in males.
Ingredients: Desiccated liver, Norwegian Kelp, micropulverized bee pollen, yeast culture, Flaxseed and Ground Borage seed, Lecithin, Garlic and Lactobacilla Acidophilus.
Anti-Oxidants for Pets – Link on Mercola
Comment: We believe that having a good flow of anti-oxidants is critical for healthy cleansing due to exposure to household toxins, vaccinations, and city water (chlorinated/fluoridate).
Excerpt: One of the most important things you can do to help protect your pet from oxidative free radical damage is to make sure they receive adequate antioxidants each day. Antioxidants help gobble up and neutralize free radicals in your pet’s body before they can damage your pet’s brain, heart and other organs.
Research shows that by supplementing antioxidants, you can increase the level of circulating antioxidants in your pet’s bloodstream and help protect cellular materials from oxidative damage. This plays a key role against the effects of excessive cellular aging.
Ingredients:
The first antioxidant supplement made totally with plant- and fruit-based ingredients, this unique formula provides an antioxidant value of 5,000 ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units per scoop and contains:
Acerola Fruit Extract – An outstanding source of natural bioavailable vitamin C and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds, both with free radical-scavenging abilities
Red Raspberry Fruit Powder – A valuable source of polyphenols with potent antioxidant activity as well as vitamin C and minerals
Naturally Decaffeinated Green Tea Leaf Extract (standardized to provide 60 mg Polyphenols) – Contains polyphenols and catechins for immune and cell health support
Japanese Knotweed (standardized to provide 25 mg Resveratrol) – This naturally occurring polyphenol helps protect the liver, brain and other organs against toxins and oxidative damage
Inactive Ingredients:
Beef liver concentrate; organic tapicoa (Cassava [Root]); Maltodextrin, Silicon Dioxide.
Immune Balance for Pets – Link on Mercola
Comment: General minerals that serves the function of a supercharged brewer’s yeast.
Excerpt: Immune Balance for Pets harmonizes immune function, boosts cell, tissue, and organ repair to help slow cellular aging, supports liver and digestive health, helps restore a healthy gut microbiome, and much more.
Ingredients:
- Arabinogalactan from Western larch trees, a prebiotic fiber that ferments in your pet’s gut, supporting colon health, protecting your pet’s intestinal lining, and promoting a healthy normal inflammatory response
- Bovine Colostrum with standardized IgG (150 mg/serving) from American dairy cows not fed synthetic hormones or routine antibiotics; contains important immune factors, growth hormone, and probiotics
- Certified Organic Moringa leaf powder contains abundant vitamins and minerals as well as valuable antioxidants to promote a normal healthy inflammatory response, helpful for flexible and comfortable joint movement
- Yeast Fermentate grown, harvested and manufactured in the U.S. (contains no active yeast!), increases Natural Killer (NK) cell activity and antioxidant protection within only hours of consumption
Occasionally We Use These Supplements as Well
These are some additional supplements that sometimes find their way into their meals. It’s already way more than we need, but what the heck:
Ubiquinol for Pets – Link on Mercola
Comment: Interesting debate on the value of this for humans and pets. We sometimes have this and will add a couple of squirts to each bowl.
Excerpt: Cells use CoQ10 to support their energy and growth. Cells with the fastest turnover – like heart cells, mouth tissue cells, intestinal mucosal cells and immune system cells –demand high levels of CoQ10. Certain conditions can affect your pet’s ability to get enough ubiquinol, or active CoQ10, such as: Increased stress load on his body; Not enough CoQ10 in his diet; Greater metabolic demand from cells and tissues; A shortage of factors to convert CoQ10 into its active form, ubiquinol. Even if your pet were to consume a diet with sources high in CoQ10 every day, she would still be faced with her body’s decreased ability to convert CoQ10 into the active form she needs – ubiquinol – as she ages.
Astaxanthin for Pets – Link on Mercola
Comment: We generally believe anti-oxidants are good. Dogs don’t need Vitamin C, so this is a supplement. We sometimes have this and will add a couple of squirts to each bowl.
Excerpt: Astaxanthin, a very powerful antioxidant, helps your pet’s body fight off the harmful effects of oxidation resulting from free radicals. With up to 550 times the antioxidant activity of other potent nutrients such as vitamins E and C, lutein, and beta-carotene.
Liver & Kidney Support for Pets – Link on Mercola
Comment: Our last generation of dogs had some health issues near the end. We added this to their diets and had this left over. Sometimes when we re-order our supplements we throw this in and add it our supplement powder. We believe this will more of an issue when our pups age or when dogs have been exposed to heavy toxins.
Excerpt: You can use Liver & Kidney Support daily, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, depending upon your pet’s exposure and overall vitality.
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