The 4 Best Supplements To Keep Your Elderly Dog Healthy As Long As Possible

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Understanding Pet Health Conditions

Hello, my name is Selena. Welcome to my site about pet health. When your pet is feeling under the weather, all you can do is take him or her to the vet for a checkup. The vet uses diagnostic equipment and knowledge to find out the cause of your pet’s distress. Vets can perform treatments or prescribe medication that helps your pet to quickly heal from the illness or injury. There are so many different pet health conditions, so I decided to create this site to go over them all. I invite you to come along on this journey and learn more about pet health conditions. Thanks.

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The 4 Best Supplements To Keep Your Elderly Dog Healthy As Long As Possible

27 May 2016
 Categories: Pets & Animals, Blog


Trying to help your aging dog make the most of their 10th, 11th, or even 15th year? Supplements can go a long way in reducing pain and health complications that arise from aging in pets, but not all of them are useful or even safe. These four supplements are all well-known to vets and reliably recommended as useful for older dogs.

Glucosamine

Dogs often develop arthritis relatively early in their lifespans, especially individuals from breeds with highly modified legs or pups that are very active throughout their lives. Joint problems are painful and make it hard for older dogs to exercise and keep their weight under control. Glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate is the best supplement for reducing inflammation in the joints of older dogs. This supplement works best when overseen by a vet who can tailor a large dose for the beginning of treatment and taper it to a lower maintenance dose over the course of a few months.

Multivitamin

Older dogs are notoriously picky eaters due to reduced ability to taste and smell, tooth and gum problems, or just plain lack of appetite. This means that even the best foods often fail to provide them with the proper amounts of vitamins and nutrients. A basic multivitamin supplement tailored to the needs of older dogs is a great way to round out their diet and make sure a nutritional imbalance doesn't shock their system and trigger other serious health problems.

Fiber

Even if your dog still loves to chow down without reservation, it's likely getting more difficult for him or her to deal with the aftermath of a meal when it comes time for a walk outside. Constipation is uncomfortable and can lead to serious organ problems if it's not dealt with promptly. Simple fiber supplements containing beet fiber or wheat bran can make a huge difference in your dog's experience when eliminating waste.

This is one supplement that should only be added after consulting a vet since too much fiber can also cause constipation. Let a vet review the foods you already feed your dog and determine if more fiber is a good idea.

Fatty Acids

Finally, don't forget about the power of essential fatty acids like Omega 3s and 6s. Not only does these acids support organ health in a time when many dogs are susceptible for heart and liver problems, they also may boost the efficacy of joint supplements like glucosamine because they also act as anti-inflammatory additions to a healthy diet.

For dog-related nutritional supplements, contact a company such as Dot's Wonder Pet Products.