K9 Instinct: Holisitic Dog Health Care Blog
  • Home
  • Nutrition
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Shop

Supplements and multivitamins for dogs: The best of the best!

1/16/2013

18 Comments

 
Picture
A lot of pet owners believe that adding a multivitamin or whole food supplement to their pet's diet isn't necessary if they are already on a balanced diet. When it comes to adding supplements and multivitamins, I always describe it as an extra boost in nutrition that makes an impact on the body. While they can do very well without a supplement, providing one in their diet is an excellent way to give your dog extra nutrition and fill in any holes their diet may miss. Chances are high that despite a high quality diet, your dog is missing something.

Many people have have dogs that experience lots of dander and shedding, bad doggy smell and lacklustre fur would benefit greatly from the added nutrition. That extra boost ensures your dog is getting everything it needs every day and that reflects on their physical condition. Nutrition truly does show itself on the outside and a good way to judge whether or not a dog is getting exemplary nutrition is to look to their skin, coat, ears, eyes and muscle tone.

When it comes to selecting the right whole food supplement or multivitamin, there are several things to consider. I first check where the product is made, selecting only products produced within North America. Secondly, I want to see whole food ingredients as opposed to added vitamins and minerals. Whole food ingredients supply whole vitamin and mineral complexes, meaning you get the entire "nutritional picture" as opposed to one part of a vitamin added synthetically to the formula. An example of this is vitamin C; Vitamin C is more complete when it comes "with rosehips" as it contains bioflavonoids, flavonoids and tannins. Adding rosehips also increases vitamin C absorption. Another benefit of whole food supplements is that the nutrients are derived naturally from real food sources, which is better accepted by the body with a higher level of nutrient absorption.

Picture
Nupro Gold / Nupro Silver
Ingredients: Desiccated liver, Norwegian kelp, amino acids & enzymes, imported yeast cultures, flaxseed, lecithin, garlic concentrate, lactobacillus acidophilus, calcium citrate

My first recommendation is a whole food supplement called Nupro. This comes in two varieties; the Gold is their original formula and the Silver is their original formula with the addition of joint supplements. Nupro contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and enzymes that come from the live, unprocessed, raw human grade ingredients that they use.

Picture
Carmspack's Feed-sentials
Ingredients: Carob powder, ground sunflower seed, dried parsley leaf, kelp flakes, alfalfa greens, ground almond, hulled oil rich hemp seeds, hemp seed flour, dried red and green pepper, dry celery leaf, dried blueberry, dried cranberry, dry dandelion leaf, ground pumpkin seed, powdered carrot, stinging nettle, barley grass powder, dried mint leaf, powdered rosehip, paprika, burdock root powder, garlic powder, ground walnut, ground flax seed, sesame seed, Prozyme, glucosamine, MSM, dried dill week, coriander, anise, fennel, goat mild whey powder, powdered marshmallow root, blue Hawaii spirulina, rosemary, ascorbic acid, Primal Defense probiotic, oregano, ginger, cumin, marjoram, thyme, savory, basil, sage, cayenne, powdered yucca, turmeric, fenugreek, bilberry, vegetal silica.

Feed-sentials is a whole food, complete nutritional supplement made in Canada. This is the perfect supplement for raw feeders to incorporate for a nutritional boost, but works just as well when mixed in with homemade dog food or a high quality commercial kibble diet. Once again you see whole food ingredients and a complete nutritional picture.

Picture
Solid Gold SeaMeal
Ingredients: Dried Seaweed Meal, Flaxseed Meal, Dried Lemon, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Pineapple, Lactose

SeaMeal is also a whole food supplement deriving a lot of its nutrition from seaweed. SeaMeal contains 60 trace minerals, 12 vitamins, 22 amino acids and digestive enzymes. Not as complete as the others mentioned above, but still good quality.


Picture
Holistic Blend Seagreens Powder
Ingredients: Dried seaweed (19 different types), dehydrated bioflavonoids, ground flax meal, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, complex vitamin B, digestive enzymes, probiotics.

Holistic Blend's Seagreens Powder is also a whole food supplement, but unlike the Solid Gold product it also contains a good dose of probiotics.

These supplements have the best ratings and reviews, and I have seen good results in my clients using these products. I personally use Nupro Gold and Feed-sentials on rotation, so those are always my go-to recommendations.

For more information on creating true health and vitality in your dogs by means of diet and nutrition, visit my nutrition consultation page or contact me!

Angel Leandres
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com
18 Comments
Katie S.
4/25/2013 11:09:08 pm

Just wondering your thoughts on the supplement called Fido-Vite?

Reply
K9 Instinct link
4/25/2013 11:31:34 pm

Katie,

After reviewing the ingredient read I would not recommend it. The supplement contains mostly fortified grain (oat groats) and chicken fat -- two ingredients I consider to be low quality. There are much better options out there for whole food grain-free supplements.

Reply
Michelle
4/26/2013 03:02:35 pm

Does the Nupro Silver make a big difference in dogs with arthritis? I have a GSP/GWP-mix who has it in one hip joint. Glucosamine and Rimadyl do not ease the symptoms as much as I hoped they would. We're regularly seeing the vet about it, but I'm also looking for additional info and supplement alternatives.

Reply
Jon
4/30/2013 01:46:02 pm

I just looked and saw the Nupro Silver also comes in a "Joint & Immune" formula. Anything special in it that would set it above the regular?

I have a 19 month old Dutch Shepherd with environmental allergies. We have actually done skin testing. I've put him on a limited ingredient kibble, actually a combination of Acana Grasslands and Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Lamb, as part of a food challenge.

We will, shortly, be starting to add ingredients to determine if there is a food allergy, but neither my vet nor I think there is one; I'm doing this only because the Dermatologist wanted to be certain after the allergy testing. She has recommended allergy shots for the environmental allergies, but I'm currently looking at a different homeopathic approach, that seems to be working.

I have done my own research and have enough medical training to understand it. I know that allergies are, basically, a malfunction of the immune system, and I've read that a good multivitamin can help.

I also have him on a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement already; Pet Naturals of Vermont Hip & Joint Extra Strength specifically.

If this version of Nupro Silver would actually help with immune function and let me eliminate the Hip & Joint supplement, then it would be worth the extra cost over the regular Silver.

I know you would recommend a raw diet, and I'm considering it, but I have some challenges to overcome that could interfere with my ability to prepare it, so it will be a little longer.

Thanks

Reply
Candace J. Panage
7/26/2015 04:59:08 am

Be very sure what you feed does not have any GMO's used or fed to the protein sources. You can provide all the supplements in the world but if there are GMO's in your dog's diet they can wreak havoc on your dog system, joints, skin etc. Check out The Honest Kitchen, they make dehydrated food with meat already in it, . . . just add water, or, they make a dehydrated base that all you need to do is add water and add whatever source of protein you want (raw or cooked).

Reply
Jackie
5/1/2013 04:42:08 am

Hi,

My question is about the NuPro gold, I've read various places that garlic is not good for dogs, yet it is in the product. What are your thoughts?

Reply
Kathy L
5/12/2013 06:18:37 am

I've tried everything else I can think of to help with my boys allergies....poor thing is miserable most of the year between the dry air in the winter and the pollen allergies in the spring through fall. I've tried Benadryl, and other home remedies that work for a while, but then the allergies come back full force. Since this is about the ONLY thing that I haven't tried; going to add this to his diet along with the probiotics and keep my fingers crossed that this is what has been missing.....

Reply
Debra Pinck
5/14/2013 11:56:04 am

Kathy, my Abby suffers with seasonal allergies (mostly spring, summer). I have been seeking help also. I am feeding mostly raw, using Nupro Gold and eliminated all grains. So far, I can tell you she seems better. I still notice her itching, but no patches of fur missing or yucky yeast smell. I hope that continues. No RX no Benadryl. Keeping my fingers crossed. Going to add probiotic next. She is going to be healthier than I am!

Reply
Janice
6/10/2013 02:00:07 am

Our dog breeder just told me about your web site. Our lab has allergies and is currently on shots. I am interested in using coconut oil in her diet and was wondering if there is a particular brand you recommend? She can not take the sea meal because she is allergic to kelp/seaweed. I like the Feed-Sential's and it doesn't appear to contain kelp. You recommend this suppplement and coconut oil? Thank you so very much!
Jan

Reply
Wendy
8/12/2013 10:05:08 am

For allergies my raw fed German Shepherd gets homeopathic drops made by Professional Formulas for his environmental allergies, as my holistic vet gets better results with the drops than allergy shots. Much less stressful in inexpensive too as each bottle only costs $14. He gets Household Dust & Mold Mix, Grass & Weed Mix, and Northeast Allersode (for Northeast trees) and his allergies go from positive to negative. The latter two should be given before allergy season. For his food allergies I simply rotate the proteins fed.

Reply
Wendy
8/12/2013 10:01:35 am

Dr. Dobias Healing Solutions sells two good supplements. GreenMin for minerals and SoulFood is his new vitamin product that will ship out at the end of August.

Reply
Gruppo Lupo link
8/26/2013 08:00:18 am

We couldn't agree more and although we feed our dogs Blue Buffalo wet and dry and Germany's MaxiZoo house brand Real Nature wet and dry we still supplement their diets with a hard boiled egg daily, Dasuquin for their joints and Hartz' Precision Nutrition Adult Dog Multivitamins (no intent to favor a particular brand, just pleased with how our dogs are doing with this regimen and best of all, they think we're giving them treats). You state above "selecting only products produced within North America" but living here in Europe we've found the purity laws for pet foods and supplements to be in a word impressive. Great article and much appreciated comments from our fellow readers. Ciao from Bella Italia, Gruppo Lupo

Reply
Vikki
8/26/2013 12:42:04 pm

Hello, I feed my dog earthborn holistic grain free naturals and give him a vitamin supplement developed by wendy volhard called endurance. I also give the b-vitamins from her to my smaller silky terrier. I was wondering your opinion on her supplement, if it's a good all around supplement or if I should go with one suggested above. Thanks.

Reply
Pat Burroughs
5/3/2014 02:52:05 am

I have 5 dogs 2 who are on raw in the am and Acana kibble in the pm the other 3 are double digit seniors a 15 ,12 12 and 11 1/2 they get Acana in the am and home cooked in the pm they all get coconut oil pure salmon oil , kelp , probiotics , homemade dog treats and joint supplements Sasha's Blend for the 2 younger ones found it to rich for the older ones they get a chewable one my question is should they get a multi vitamin too ?

Reply
K9 Instinct link
5/3/2014 02:53:45 am

No, Pat. It sounds like their diet is already very balanced and high in nutrient density. You should be just fine without a multivitamin!

Reply
Rebecca Gardner link
2/17/2021 08:14:46 am

I like your suggestion to check the supplements for whole food ingredients instead of added vitamins. My sister wants to find an anti-aging supplement for her black lab since he's a large breed susceptible to joint problems. I'll share your advice so she can more easily evaluate and compare different dog supplements on the market.

Reply
Yvonne
2/7/2023 03:35:15 pm

I need help figuring out if Nupro Gold has enough vitamins and minerals to supplement for missing nutrients in a simple home cooked diet of chicken, rice, carrots, peas, egg shells, coconut oil and turmeric for my two dogs. I’m currently using Nupro Gold along with this recipe. I hope you can help me. Thank you so much!

Reply
Manuel Franco
9/6/2023 04:56:48 am

I just want to say Thank You to everyone who supported me through the years. My name is Manuel Franco, New Berlin, Wisconsin. My story of how I won the Powerball lottery of $768.4M is a bit of a tale. I have been playing Powerball tickets for 6 years now since I turned 18. I bought my first ticket on my 18 birthday. I was feeling very lucky that day because I had contacted Dr. Odunga Michael to help me with the winning Powerball numbers. I really had that great great feeling that I looked at the camera wanting to wink at it. I only did a tiny part of it and trusted him. He gave me the numbers after I played a couple other tickets along with it for $10. I checked my ticket after the winnings came online and saw the numbers were correct including the Power play. I screamed for about 10 minutes because it felt like a dream. I had won $768.4M. You can check my winning testimony with the lottery officials just with my name search. Thank you Dr Odunga. Well, his email is [email protected] and you can also call or Whats-app him at +2348167159012 so you guys can contact him


FIX THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS TO ALL ACROSS THE
GLOBE ON:

Get your ex back spell
Lottery Spell
Love/Reunion Spell
Pregnancy Spell
Protection Spell
Freedom From Prison Spell
Marriage spell
Killing/Revenge spell
Healing/Cure spell


Contact him for any of these today at:
EMAIL: [email protected] OR Call and WHATS-APP HIM +2348167159012

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Follow me on Youtube for more amazing content!
    Picture

    A Guide to Raw Feeding eBook

    Picture
    Proudly fueled by Iron Will Raw Dog Food!

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Bonding
    Chews
    Dental Health
    Diet
    Disease
    Dog Products & Reviews
    Dog Training
    Do It Yourself
    Ebook
    Exercise
    Feel Good Stories
    Flea And Tick
    Health
    Holidays
    Homemade Diet
    Homemade Treats
    Hunter
    Just For Fun
    Natural Remedies
    New Puppy
    News
    Nutrition
    Raw Food Diet
    Real Food
    Socialization
    Supplements
    Treats
    Vaccines


    Picture






































































































    Dark Romance Author
    Kay Alastor
    www.kayalastor.com

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.