Adding supplements

[Pomp]

Is there any rule of thumb regarding adding supplements to a dog's food? I use salmon oil as a supplement now, but I also would like to add a chondroitin supplement.

 

[RawFedDogs]

If you are feeding raw, salmon oil is a good thing to supplement with. If your dog has a joint problem, by all means add chondroitin and also glucosamine. If no joint problems present, no need for chondroitin.

 

[Saeleofu]

I feed fish oil for Gavroche's skin and it may also help his joints. He gets glucosamine because of his hips.

I've heard that there's no benefit to giving a joint supplement if the joints are all already healthy. Fish oil does seem to be overall a good supplement though. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and so they're good for allergies, arthritis, etc.

 

[Pomp]

Thanks for the responses. Specifically, I'm thinking about adding Vetri-Disc: Vetri-Science Vetri-Disc For Dogs

I have two beagles. One of them hurt his neck over the weekend when he freaked out when on a doberman. He's on prednisone now, but when that's done, I'm thinking about putting him on the Vetri-Disc which is a condroitin supplement. Beagles, along with other short-leg/long bodied breeds, are prone to disc and spine problems so I wanted to add this. I was even thinking about giving it to my other beagle.

What's the difference between condroitin and glucosamine anyway? They seem to serve the same function.

 

[Saeleofu]

Glucosamine and chondroitin both help the joints. As far as I've read, it's better to supplement with one or the other, or give the two at different times because they kind of cancel eachother out. Quite frankly I don't know what the differences are lol.

I would say given the situation, that supplement is a good idea.

 

[Pomp]

Yeah, that's what I thought too. Although chondroitin supposedly builds up cartiledge, which is highly-concentrated in the spine and discs. ???

Any problems with giving them both the salmon oil and condroitin supplement at the same time? Didn't know if you could "overdo" supplements.

 

[Saeleofu]

I give fish oil and glucosamine at the same time, so I don't think there's a problem giving it with chondroitin either.

 

[Pomp]

Wohoo. You're my dog.

See what I did there.

 

[dobesgalore]

I give mine omega 3-6-9 from springtime Inc.

 

[puppydog]

I always use kelp. It does wonders for my guys, especially in the stomach department.

 

[JennSLK]

I was talking to a chow breeder at that last show. She gives her dogs Glucosamine (sp?) that is ment for horses. She swears by it. It is stronger than dog or human stuff, but she says they just pee out what they dont use, like a vit. Id add that.

 

[Saeleofu]

I personally wouldn't use horse glucosamine. Sure, they pee out what they don't use, but then you might as well throw your money on the ground and pee on it. It's a waste. As long as you're giving a proper dosage for the given dog, it's fine.