Are pet supplements worth it?

This article is brought to you and contributed by an outside writer.

Thinking about pet supplements for Fido? Before you reach for the cheapest item on the shelf, do a little research to ensure you’re giving your fur child something that’s actually healthy. Done right, a little bit of extra money spent on a quality supplement could be a useful tool in their health plan.

Purpose of Supplements for Dogs

Pet supplements aren’t a magic pill. You still need to feed your dog a balanced diet and take them to the vet regularly.

Think of it in the same way you think of vitamins for human health — you might take a vitamin for a specific health issue like Vitamin D deficiency or in order to prevent osteoporosis, but you’re not going to skip doctor’s visits just because you’re taking vitamins. They may supplement your health, but they don’t make you invincible.

You’re also going to take care what you put into your body, because this field isn’t regulated. Same thing with your pup — you’re going to research the best vitamins that support your pet’s specific needs, and you may take special consideration of health conditions that tend to affect their specific breed into account. Their age may also be a factor.

Where Pet Supplements Can Help

Let’s look at dental disease as an example. It’s one of the most prevalent health issues for dogs, and without intervention, things can devolve quickly. Some of the worst-case scenarios are eventual infections of internal organs. This will be a big and scary vet visit.

But if you get on the same page with the vet about supplements that can help with that dental disease, you may find your puppy has better outcomes. They’re not the only solution, but they can be a supportive part of a bigger plan that keeps your pet baby happier and healthier.

Digging for Gold

Let’s be real: You will find some garbage products on the shelf that are entirely filler. Not all supplements are created equally.

That doesn’t mean none of them are high-quality, though. Some things to look for when trying to identify a trust-worthy brand include:

Transparency about ingredients.
Clear labeling of active components.
Products that specifically target your dog’s individual health needs.

For example, Pup Labs online offers products like ProDenta — addressing that need for good dental hygiene without trying to address every other issue in your dog’s body at the same time.

What to Avoid

There is some good marketing in the pet supplement space, but good marketing does not necessarily make a good product. Here are some things to look out for when shopping for supplements for your dog:

Anecdotal testimonies without any explanation of why or how the product actually works.
“Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean healthy or safe. This is particularly important if your dog is on any other type of medication, as there are instances where you could see a negative interaction.
Unrealistic timelines. You’re likely looking at weeks before you see any improvements — not days. So any brand promising overnight miracles should raise your eyebrows.

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