20 Mar Pet Vitamins & Supplements [Do They Work?]

Go into any pet store or pet supply aisle and you’ll be sure to find rows of vitamins and nutritional supplements claiming to work wonders for your pet. You may have even purchased a similar product in the past. But are vitamins and supplements just a trend? Or are they something you should make a part of your pet’s daily routine?

Vitamins and supplements can be an excellent option for your pet, especially if your pet deals with deficiencies or chronic conditions. Buying quality pet food is another way to ensure your pet gets the nutrition they need. If you choose to put your pet on vitamins or supplements, you should talk to your vet to see which option would benefit them the most and follow their instructions. 

Do Pet Vitamins and Supplements Work?

At PetWellClinic^Ⓡ, we believe in the power of adding the right nutrients to your pet’s diet. But not all nutrients are made the same. A lot of products currently sold in pet stores promise complete nutrition and wellness for your pet, but they may deliver results that fall short of what your pet actually needs. 

As pet parents, we all want our pets to be as happy and healthy as possible, so it’s important to understand the tools that are available to us. Additional nutrients like vitamins and supplements have increased in popularity, with roughly one-third of dogs and one-fifth of cats taking some kind of supplement in the U.S. With the growth of the pet pharmaceutical industry, options for nutrition are increasing and it can be overwhelming to know what is right for your pet.

In order to find the right vitamin or supplement that has exactly what your furry friend needs, you should consult with one of our veterinarians at PetWellClinic^Ⓡ. They only make recommendations for products that are made with high-quality ingredients and work with your pet’s health, age, and lifestyle.

Not all supplements are able to target the cause of health issues that your pet may experience, which is why it is essential to get a vet’s recommendation. For example, certain symptoms that look like muscle weakness could actually be something more sinister like a brain issue, but a vitamin targeting arthritis wouldn’t fix the root of the problem. Some ingredients in the supplements could also interact negatively with other medication a pet is taking. Your vet can guide you to the vitamins or supplements that fit your pet’s needs, while always keeping your pet’s safety and long-term health at the forefront of treatment. 

Are Pet Vitamins and Supplements Necessary?

There are times when extra nutrition benefits your pet’s overall health. But before you put your pet on a generic vitamin or supplement regimen, talk to our vets at PetWellClinic^Ⓡ to see what supplements your pet needs. Our vets will be able to guide you through the process.

Pets usually need nutritional support for a few reasons:

• To supplement a home-cooked diet
• To fix a vitamin deficiency
• To help with a medical condition

At PetWellClinic^Ⓡ, our vets will be able to advise you in all three scenarios. They will also be able to advise you on how much of a vitamin or supplement your pet needs.

Are Pet Supplements Safe?

We offer several vitamin and supplement options at PetWellClinic^Ⓡ from Nutramax Labs. They’re all manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice using high-quality ingredients that are proven to work. All of their supplements and vitamins are backed by scientific studies and go through 80 quality-control checks before ever leaving their facility.

What Conditions Can Pet Supplements Help With?

Some examples of pet conditions that Nutramax Labs’ supplements help with are:

• Osteoarthritis
• Liver Disease
• Cognitive Conditions
• Diarrhea
• GI Upset
• Skin Conditions
• Urinary Tract Infections
• B12 Deficiency
• Pancreatic Insufficiency
• Kidney Disease

We’ve seen many pets’ conditions improve when using Nutramax Supplements. If you think your pet might benefit from supplements, they can be purchased directly from PetWellClinic^Ⓡ. Our vets can help you determine which supplements would be best for your pet and when they should start taking them.

In some cases, vitamins and supplements for pets may not be necessary. Instead, you may need to alter your pet’s diet for optimal nutrition. But again, discussing what’s best for your pet’s diet with one of our vets is the first place to start.

How Can I Ensure My Pet Gets the Right Nutrition?

The best way to make sure that your four-legged friend gets the nutrition they need is by feeding them quality food. When shopping for pet food, look for labels that say “complete and balanced.” Pet foods with this label have been designed to contain everything they need to be a pet’s sole diet.

In order to have the “complete and balanced” label, pet food brands must:

• Meet one of the Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
• Pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures

“Complete and balanced” foods contain vitamins and minerals essential to their health, such as:

• Vitamin A
• B vitamins
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Choline

You can also look for formulas specifically designed for your pet’s life stage. Whether you have a rambunctious puppy or a senior cat that just likes to lay in the sun, these formulas will help ensure they’re getting the nutrition they need for their stage of life.

You can also look for food that takes your pet’s size into consideration. For example, large-breed puppies have different nutritional needs than smaller dogs. While all puppies need calcium, too much can cause large-breed puppies to develop hip dysplasia if they grow too quickly.

There’s a wide variety of quality food options available for your pet. There are so many that it may be hard for some people to choose! Just remember to talk to your vet at PetWellClinic^Ⓡ when in doubt. They’ll be able to help you choose the right food for your pet at any stage of life.

Are There Risks When Using Pet Vitamins and Supplements?

The saying that you can have too much of a good thing is as true for pets as it is for humans. Pet vitamins and supplements are a perfect example of this. They can be a huge benefit if your pet needs them. On the other hand, giving them a higher dose than our veterinarians recommend may put them in unintended danger.

Our veterinarians’ recommendations for your pet are always based on their size, weight, and nutritional needs. All of these and more play a role in what kind of nutritional support your pet needs, as well as the dosage they require. 

Always be sure to follow directions properly when supporting your pet’s health with additional nutrients. Talk to your vet about how much to give and make sure to read the directions beforehand to ensure that you do it properly. This will help keep your pet safe as you’re supporting their health.

Find your nearest PetWellClinic^Ⓡ

To make certain that your pet is getting the nutrition they need, the first step is to pick the right diet, looking for food labels that say “complete and balanced.” Sometimes a vitamin or supplement may be helpful, but you should talk to your PetWellClinic^Ⓡ vet to see if they would benefit your pet.

If vitamins and supplements are what’s best for your furry friend, PetWellClinic^Ⓡ offers high-quality products made by Nutramax Labs to help manage any chronic conditions or deficiencies your pet may have. Make sure to follow your vet’s instructions when giving your pet supplements.
PetWellClinic^Ⓡ provides convenient, affordable veterinary care for pet owners. PetWellClinic^Ⓡ has locations and services built with your convenience in mind. Stop by with your pet anytime! No appointment necessary.