A nutrient-dense diet lays down a solid foundation for optimal health and wellbeing. We all want our pets to enjoy longer lifespans with good health. All pet owners have to be greatly responsible at monitoring the daily diet and nutrient intake of our furry friends. It is always ideal for giving them a diet comprising of fresh food and home-cooked meals.
However, much like humans, dogs and cats often lack essential nutrients in their daily diets. This can promote certain deficiencies, putting them at risk for infections, chronic diseases and acute ailments. If your dog or cat is not able to digest or absorb their food adequately, it can prove immensely dangerous.
In this article, we will walk you through the essential supplements to help regulate and fortify your pet’s health. All cats and dogs will greatly benefit from these supplements, as they boost immunity and energy levels.
Here, take a look at the essential supplements required for your furry companions:
Probiotics
The digestive tract is always the fine line of defense our furry friends have against bacteria, infections and ailments. If they have a weak immune system or suffer digestive problems, they will be more vulnerable to countless diseases. Probiotic supplements play an instrumental role in strengthening their immune system and digestive abilities.
You see, the intestinal ecosystem is laden with good and bad bacteria. Stress, illnesses, the use of antibiotics and diet changes can cause good, gut-friendly bacteria to decrease. While the bad bacteria can continue to multiply if you suspect symptoms of diarrhea or foul-smelling stools, be sure to invest in probiotic supplements.
They are highly recommended for all animals who are being administered any prescription drugs, particularly antibiotics. Regular intake of probiotics will maintain a harmonious bacterial balance, and regulate the immune system.
Worming Tablets
It is extremely important to invest in worming tablets for dogs. These are administered at least once a month to ward off and prevent a wide array of worms. Our dogs are at risk of being infected with a broad range of worm attacks. These include hookworms, roundworms, and heartworms amongst others.
Healthy pets require regular intake of worming tables to prevent the attacks of respiratory and intestinal worms. These tablets are tasty and easy to chew, so you don’t have to worry about administering them to your dogs. Some of the popular brands include HeartGard, TermaWorm and Drontal. Some of these dog wormers can also be sprinkled atop their regular meals.
Essential Fatty Acids
Dogs and cats both need a sufficient intake of essential fatty acids to regulate and fortify their health. These include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. While omega-6 fatty acids can be obtained through animal fats and vegetable oils, omega-3 fatty acids are somewhat trickier. They need to be administered through supplements.
Two powerful fatty acids, DHA and EPA, are crucial for the development and growth of your pets. EPA is an instrumental part of every single cell membrane and helps the body fight off inflammation. DHA is crucial for the development of neural organs, including the brain and retina. These fatty acids help fight off inflammation and protect our furry friends against inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis.
Multivitamins
Much like people, dogs are greatly in need of regular multivitamin supplements. These are required for the development and protection of vital bodily processes. Each vitamin and mineral serves a distinctive purpose to fortify your pets’ immune system against infections and ailments. Dogs need a regulated dosage of Vitamins A, B-group, C, D, E and K, alongside several other essential minerals.
These minerals and multivitamins help create a balanced diet and regulate the health of your furry friend. For instance, Vitamin A is essential to promote growth and protect vision and the immune system. Vitamin B and its various variants are essential for a wide array of bodily functions, mainly related to the metabolism.
Thiamine supplements aid in regulating energy while Riboflavin, Niacin and vitamin B12 regulates the functions of enzymes. Vitamin B6 is essential for regulating hormones and the nervous system, alongside improving the immune response. Pantothenic acid aids in regulating metabolism and energy levels, while folic acid enhances your dog’s ability to generate and use proteins.
It is important to note that unlike humans, dogs are unable to generate vitamin within their liver. Therefore, they require supplements of this vital antioxidant. Vitamin E supplements support fat metabolism and cell functions, while Vitamin K aids with blood clots.
Investing in multivitamins covers a wide array of vital nutrients, and these are much easy to administer. They typically come as easy to chew tablets but be sure to monitor the dosage. Exceeding dosage requirements can cause grave health complications.
IN CONCLUSION
It is always ideal for administering the nutrient requirement of your pets through food sources and authentic meals. However, supplements help fortify their health and overcome deficiencies to keep them strong and healthy. These supplements should be purchased in the form of chews, which are easy to administer. You can also invest in supplements that can be sprinkled on their food. Be sure to closely monitor dosage requirements and consult a professional for advice.
