Your Pet Probably Doesn’t Need Supplements
Most people don’t need to take vitamin supplements , and most pets don’t. But Vox says the pet supplement industry is about as big as the “pumpkin spice industrial complex.” While some pets certainly need supplements medically, many others get their vitamins just because companies love to sell them. We think that of course I want to take the best possible care of my pet. So we buy them things.
But we think too much about it. If your pet eats store-bought food, the law requires that food contains the right amount of the nutrients it needs. If they do not eat store-bought food, well, maybe you, too, think too much about it. Homemade pet food recipes can easily lead to nutritional imbalances , and a supplement won’t necessarily fix that.
The American College of Veterinary Medicine writes in its FAQ :
If your pet is eating a complete and balanced commercially available pet food, supplementation is not recommended unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. This reduces the likelihood of excess and adverse interactions with nutrients or medications.
After all, you don’t want your pet getting too many certain vitamins and nutrients – that can be as much of a problem as a lack of them. Meanwhile, some supplements contain other ingredients, such as CBD , that have yet to be established for safety and effectiveness.
The bottom line is that if you are concerned about your pet’s health or nutrition, there is already a way to fix these problems: talk to your veterinarian. They can advise you if a supplement makes specific sense for your puppy, and may even refer you to a veterinary dietitian if you need a special diet.