Multivitamins are typically dietary supplements that supply nutrients missing from homemade dog food. As a result, they are not essential for your dog every time. If you feed your dog with dog food brands that adhere to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), there is no need to administer multivitamins.
Dogs generally need multivitamins when they are recovering from illnesses or if you feed them with homemade food. In those cases, you should get a veterinarian’s advice on which kind of multivitamin you would use for your dog. The wrong supplement could worsen the dog’s condition if it is recovering from an illness.
Some highly rated multivitamin products include:
1. Nutramax Dasuquin Soft Chews for Dogs
Nutramax Dasuquin Soft Chews is a flavored chewable supplement specially formulated for older dogs suffering from joint illnesses like arthritis. Research into canine joint-related conditions is not as extensive as that of humans. However, some clinical trials suggest that the glucosamine-chondroitin combination relieves the ache dogs experience from such conditions.
Nutramax’s Soft Chews contains glucosamine hydrochloride and sodium chondroitin sulfate, which supply the needed minerals to ease the pain from joint illnesses. There are two versions of this supplement, one for dogs under 60 lbs and another for those over 60 pounds. The administration starts with a high dose, which reduces over a few weeks.
The soft chews cost about $17.50 per month, making them one of the most affordable diet supplements available for dogs. Vets also popularly recommend it for pet owners as the brand is famous for its high-quality products.
2. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 oils
Nordic Natural is a brand well-known for producing fish oil supplements. Fish oils are rich in omega-3 oils, essential for maintaining healthy skin in dogs. The omega-3 fatty acids also help prevent skin diseases and reduce the risk of developing arthritis.
The omega oils come in different bottle sizes for various dog sizes. Dosage is often based on your veterinarian’s prescription. It doesn’t contain flavoring, and you can add the needed amount of supplement to your dog’s meal daily.
Compared with other fish oils, Nordic Naturals is reasonably priced at about $27 as it is only slightly costlier than other brands. There is a gel-like formulation if you don’t want to use the liquid type.
3. Senilife Nutritional Supplements for Elderly Dogs
Like humans, dogs experience significant cognitive decline as they get older. Illnesses like dementias become prevalent, frustrating the owner and pet alike. Most veterinarians regard Senilife’s Nutritional Supplements for Elderly Dogs as a great blend for most aging dogs.
Extensive research into such conditions suggests that some nutrients are essential to slow down such decline and reduce the risk of developing dementia. Senilife contains these nutrients, including phosphatidylserine, tocopherol, pyridoxine, and extracts from Gingko Biloba plants.
Senilife’s Nutritional Supplements come in capsule forms which you pour into your dog’s food. It is not flavored, so the dog doesn’t know it’s eating something different. It is also available on Amazon for about $37.
Most multivitamin supplements require a veterinary prescription, so you don’t use the wrong doses or products for your dog. The supplement brands listed above are tested and recommended by several veterinarians and researchers.