Important Reasons Pets Need Supplements

Just like with human wellness and health, there are several supplements available in the market for our feline and canine companions. The pet supplement industry is rising very fast and this is because most pet owners now know the importance of these supplements.

According to a report, this industry is estimated to be valued above 1.05 billion dollars by 2027 (Click here to read up on this). Due to this immense growth and the sheer number of options available in the market, you can get overwhelmed with it all. You may even find yourself wondering when your pet requires a supplement or if it even needs one at all.

Trust us, we know how overwhelming it can all be. But as a wonderful pet parent, we know your baby’s health is always a priority. Hence, below we’d talk about sign and behaviors that will indicate that your dog or cat need supplements. But first, what are these supplements.

What Are Pet Supplements?

Pet supplements are several concentrated ingredients that are added to the diets of dogs and cats to enhance their overall health and boost nutrition. You can start giving your pet any supplement from their early stages and then continue throughout their lives.

Some common form supplements come in are powders, tablets, treats, and liquids.

Signs That Show Your Pet Might Need Supplements

Your pet doesn’t need to have any symptoms or be suffering from any condition before you start adding a supplement to its diet. This is because as we have said, supplements are used to improve pets’ overall health. It can even prevent your dog or cat from experiencing some health conditions these animals are prone to.

However, if you haven’t been giving your furry friend any supplement, the following are some common indications that you might have to reconsider that decision.

1. Itchy Skin

If your pet’s skin is always itchy, then it may be due to inflamed or dry skin. You can use a supplement that contains fish oil and flaxseed oil to relieve itching. Also, check for supplements that have DHA and EPA. These ingredients are known to restore and rebuild both allergic and inflamed skin.

2. Urinary Tract Illnesses

Animals are susceptible to several urinary diseases. If your pet’s urinary tract condition is recurrent (keeps coming back), then you may need to get it cranberry supplement.

Cranberries typically contain proanthocyanidins. These compounds don’t allow the bacteria known as E. coli to get attached to a pet’s bladder and urethra lining.

However, cranberries also contain oxalates; a compound that could be dangerous for dogs with some pre-existing illnesses. Hence, before administering it to your furry baby, make sure you speak to a vet first. If given the go-ahead, ensure you only buy a supplement that its quality can’t be questioned.

3. Dementia

Supplements as we have said work to improve pets’ general healthiness. Check Holistapet (for health) to learn more about this. This is why it’ll work to enhance your pet’s general wellness which includes its mental health.

Your pet will not always be as psychologically alert and sharp as it once was. With age, it might develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction; a professional term for dementia. This neurobehavioral syndrome sometimes causes pacing, aggression, excessive barking, reduced energy levels, and disorientation.

Sadly, this condition cannot be cured. However, its symptoms can be treated with environmental management, behavioral enrichment, medication, and of course nutritional supplementation.

4. Arthritis and/or Hip Dysplasia

Arthritis and hip dysplasia are other health conditions that dogs and cats are prone to. If you notice that your dog or cat no longer moves as fast as it used to, then this may be the reason. 

In which case, adding joint and hip supplements to its diet will go a long way in reducing inflammation. You just need to get a supplement that has chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids.

You could combine supplements with other arthritis medicines such as an NSAID drug to make your arthritic furry companion comfortable. Although, you may need to speak to the vet before you do this.

5. Constipation

Like us, your dog or cat can also suffer gastrointestinal problems and they can also experience constipation. If your pet keeps having gastrointestinal issues, then probiotics (dubbed “good bacteria”) may have died off in its body.

You can replace the dead probiotics by adding probiotics supplements to its diet. This will help improve its gut health and also reduce how often it experiences constipation.

6. Stress and Anxiety

Animals are susceptible to anxiety. You may have noticed that your pet gets stressed and anxious on some occasions including when it’s left at home alone, during car rides, visiting new environments, and so on.

If you have, then you could try to ease its stress by giving it a supplement that will calm it during these stressful situations. You could do this alongside behavioral training and watch to see the excellent result you’d get.

Supplements that have L-tryptophan and L-theanine can promote relaxation while ensuring your pet’s stress response is reduced. You may also use CBD oil to achieve this.

This compound affects our endocannabinoid systems which typically have several different receptors. This is why CBD is known to produce calming effects in mammals because it can (through the endocannabinoid systems) activate brain receptors and induce calming effects. Visit https://www.healthline.com/ to learn more about the benefits of CBD oil.

Conclusion

Supplements are great for pets for a myriad of reasons. Your pet doesn’t need to have any condition before you start administering some to it. However, some conditions require that you add supplements to your pet’s diet immediately. These conditions include stress and anxiety, constipation, arthritis, dementia, and so on.