Supplements for dogs

When do dogs need supplements?

For most dogs, good food is enough to go through life healthily. Even so, there are moments when targeted supplementation makes sense. That applies to older dogs whose joints take more load, to dogs with a sensitive digestion, or to animals that are quickly stressed by their surroundings. After an illness, with coat problems or with weight fluctuations, a supplement can help too. If you are unsure whether a supplement suits your dog, your vet is always the best first port of call.

Common themes in dog supplements

Most dog supplements focus on one of five areas. Joints and mobility often come up with older dogs or large breeds whose hips and knees take extra load. Skin and coat is a second theme: support for dogs that itch quickly or whose coat loses its shine. Gut flora and digestion form a third area, particularly for dogs that are quickly troubled by a sensitive stomach or variable stools. There are also calming formulas for dogs that get stressed by thunderstorms, fireworks or changes in routine. Finally weight management, an increasingly important theme with dogs that move less or put on weight easily.

Jacob Hooy’s Healthy Dog treats

In this category we currently carry the Healthy Dog range from Jacob Hooy, a Dutch family business that has been active in natural herbal products since 1743. The line consists of five supplements in treat form, each aimed at a specific need:

• Hip & Joint supports the joints and mobility
• Skin & Coat contributes to healthy skin and a glossy coat
• Belly Support focuses on digestion and gut flora
• Relax Mix contains a calming herbal blend
• Weightcare supports maintaining a healthy weight

Every pot contains 80 treats for daily use. Because they are in treat form, your dog usually eats them by itself, without you having to hide a pill in the food.

CBD oil as an addition to food supplements

Besides food supplements you can also consider CBD oil for dogs as an addition to the routine. CBD is obtained from hemp and is given by animal owners for a wide range of reasons, often around moments when their dog is unsettled. What CBD does for a dog we cannot say: research into CBD in animals is still in its infancy and there are no approved claims. Whether it suits your situation is best discussed with your vet. If in doubt, here too your vet is the best first port of call.

Frequently asked questions about supplements for dogs

Does my dog need supplements?

For most dogs, good food is enough. A targeted supplement makes sense at specific moments: an older dog whose joints take more load, a sensitive digestion, or recovery after an illness. If you are unsure whether it suits your dog, your vet is the best first port of call. We would rather sell a little less than talk you into something.

How do I know which supplement to choose?

Start with the reason, not with the product. Most dog supplements focus on joints, skin and coat, digestion, calm or weight. If you are not sure of the reason, ask your vet before you buy anything.

Can you combine supplements with CBD oil?

Many dog owners do. Do start with one thing at a time, so you know where a change comes from. If your dog is on medication, consult your vet first: CBD can influence the breakdown of certain medicines. More about this at CBD oil for dogs.

How do I get a supplement into my dog?

The Healthy Dog range we carry is in treat form, so your dog usually eats them by itself without you having to hide anything in the food.

How long should you give a supplement?

That depends on the reason. Do not judge on a few days, but do not carry on endlessly without noticing anything either. If in doubt: the vet.

When is it better not to give it?

With pregnant or nursing dogs, with dogs on medication, or if a diagnosis has been made: consult your vet before you add anything.

Any questions about the choice?

Unsure which variant suits your dog? Ask your question through customer service. Otherwise, read when dogs need supplements, or have a look at CBD oil for dogs.