I’m sure you all can tell by now that my pups are essentially equivalent to human babies to me.  Incredibly spoiled and they absolutely know it.  From multiple best of the best beds, to snuggly blankets, toy boxes (yep, really), birthday parties, and the best food money can buy, my two boys are living their best lives.  Since dogs have a limited life span, I want to make sure theirs is full and I keep them as healthy as can be to live as long as possible. 

The biggest part of that is their food, which you can read about in our Healthy Food for Your Fur Babies post, but to ensure that they’re receiving all the nutrients they need I also provide them with daily supplements.  Sure, they’ll receive most of their nutrients from their food, but like humans, pets only absorb so much and they can’t always eat enough, or enough of the right thing to obtain everything they need.  That’s why I find it important to provide them with everything they need to stay nourished.

Wholistic Pet Organics Canine Complete

The first of the supplements is a multivitamin I highly recommend.  If you want a single supplement to provide quality nutrients to your pup, then this is the one.  It’s fantastic!   Full of vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants.  Some of which are organic kelp, organic flaxseed, lipase, and lactobacillus acidophilus to name a few (check out the full list of ingredients here).  It’s easy to mix into your dog’s food and there has never been any resistance from my guys to eating it with the supplements in it.  Both of my pups weigh 100+ pounds and the 4-pound container will last me 5-6 months, which I find a good value.

Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

One of my boys has arthritis, and salmon oil has made it possible for him to feel like a puppy again.  He runs and plays like nothing is wrong.  My other boy gets hot spots from allergies.  He’ll lick and bite at his skin until inflamed lesions appear.  His coat has typically been courser and skin dryer than his siblings.  Since providing him with salmon oil, he is so dang soft and although occasionally licks, has yet to have a hot spot outbreak.  I prefer this salmon oil, but just make sure it’s 100% wild Alaskan salmon oil with no dyes, or anything else in it.  Some do contain vitamin E as a preservative which is completely fine for your pup.

Canned Pumpkin or Carrots

I never want my boys to worry about diarrhea.   Splitting a 15 oz can of pumpkin between my two guys at each meal has prevented me from having to even think about it.  Pumpkin is a savior when it comes to dogs and poop.  If it’s too soft, it hardens it up; too hard and it softens it up.  To prevent the pups from getting sick of pumpkin, although they absolutely love it, I will swap out their pumpkin for a large carrot each at each feeding.  Again, they love it.  Along with all of the same health benefits carrots provide to humans, they also have the same affect as pumpkin when it comes to preventing diarrhea.  It’s always great when things that are so healthy are also seen as treats to puppies.

That’s it!  Three simple supplements that will keep your pups in tiptop shape and feeling great.  After all, the point of having these beautiful creatures as part of our families, is so they can actually feel like part of our families.  Keeping them healthy and treating them well will keep them being your little fur babies for a long time. 

Are there any great supplements you find helpful for your dogs?