What supplements do you give your dog?

[Mvons]

Adult dog food was great for my dog, but I changed to senior food only because it had glucosamine and she was getting stiff joints. Her coat lost luster compared to the adult dog food, and I was brainwashed by the label on the food and hadn't found this forum to know I needed to find different food or go back to the adult.

If I decide to continue adult food as my future dog ages, could/should I supplement the glucosamine that may not be in the food she is eating at that age?

In other words, this IS NOT a thread on whether to feed senior vs adult, or adding other edible food. It is regardless what you feed, if you supplement with herbal or vitamins, what do you give and why?

Thanks.

Merrie

[Chip's Mom]

Merrie:

I give Dale, who is a puppy, Pet Tabs. He was puny when I first got him because of his teeth and didn't perk up so I asked the vet about a vitamin. He is doing great now but I am keeping him on the daily vitamin anyway as he has to have adult canines pulled in May.

[Jespah]

My two, who are 5 years and 1 year, are fed very good adult food to which I supplement Missing Link Plus - the plus is glucosamine. I had never fed Rupert or Riley a supplement, but Jemma's breeder recommended it. I saw a big difference in Rupe's coat within two weeks, and he used to limp after a day of hard running or swimming and now he doesn't. I will keep them on it for life, as long as it is available. Here are the ingredients:

Canine Plus Formula Ingredients:
Flaxseed, glucosamine hydrochloride, freeze dried liver, blackstrap molasses, rice bran, primary dried yeast, sunflower seed, dehydrated alfalfa, dried carrot, shark cartilage powder, freeze dried fish protein powder, freeze dried oyster powder, barley grass leaves powder, dried kelp, zinc monomethionne, lecithin, chromium yeast, selenium yeast, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, garlic powder, yucca powder, yucca schidigera extract, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, folic acid and cobalamin

[Fluffypants]

I give Jackie Vitamin C and the Missing Link Plus that Deb describes above. Actually, I give her that on Deb's recommendation! We have only just started it, so I haven't seen a difference yet, but I'll let you know.

I also give her a TBSP of pumpkin and a TBSP of plain yogurt. Those aren't necessarily supplements, but in the interest of full disclosure . . . there u have it.

[mtoy]

I read on another board (somewhere? or other) that some people give their pets regular glucosamine and fish oil supplements - the kind for humans. I can't see why that wouldn't work, as long as the dosage is correct. Does anyone have info on what would be the right amount for a corgi?

[Mvons]

Originally Posted by mtoy

I read on another board (somewhere? or other) that some people give their pets regular glucosamine and fish oil supplements - the kind for humans. I can't see why that wouldn't work, as long as the dosage is correct. Does anyone have info on what would be the right amount for a corgi?

I know that one! Shaklee stated their supplement dosage was for a 140lb average person. Course that was before the airlines etc had to bump up the average as Americans weigh more now! So if I ignore Shaklee's statement that they are for human consumption only, I divide out the dose by the weight. I rounded up for ease. But I HATED trying to squeeze the fish oil out of the capsule and ending up with fish fingers and Pepper didn't like it. So I resorted to fish oil from KV Supply during her illness.

Merrie

[Clogs]

So far, the only time Rose has had suppliments was when her back was really bad. But she's seven 1/2 now, so I think it might be time to start her on something for joints.

But she does get a yoghurt/garlic/animal milk "extra" every morning. Keeps the breath sweet and helps the tummy bacteria.

[Clogs]

Originally Posted by mtoy

I read on another board (somewhere? or other) that some people give their pets regular glucosamine and fish oil supplements - the kind for humans. I can't see why that wouldn't work, as long as the dosage is correct. Does anyone have info on what would be the right amount for a corgi?

When Rose had her back-bing, I took to to an trained-for-animals acupuncturist, who is also a vet. She reccommended that I give human-type glucosamine and fish-oils at the same suppliment dosage as humans, because their metabolism is different.

[Dillydoodle]

I suppliment the boys food with the following:
I give them Alaskan salmon oil ( one squirt twice a day), Joint care with MSM ( it is glucosamine chondriotin ) one scoop in the morning meal... I also give a 250 mg Vitamin C with the morning meal as well becuase it helps the body to absorb the glucosamine better also it was recommended for dogs with autoimmune disorders ( which is what Gus has). I also do the pumpkin and the organic low fat plain yogurt for good digestive health. I have seen the missing link and have considered it and will probably try it out, the one thing i am concerned about is trying to figure out how much glucosamine is in it compared to what i am giving the boys with the other suppliment i am using... I have heard good things about it..

the only other suppliment i am going to talk to my vet about next week is vitamin A and E ( as these are two of the things recommended for dogs with autoimmune disorders, so i will ask about them and see if she feels I should use it or not...)

Emilie

[manymuddypaws]

I give Missing Link Plus aswell and LOVE it. My dogs coats are great- my shepherd has digestion problems and that combined with yogurt makes a huge difference.

-AMANDA

[disraeli]

Where do you get the Missing Link Plus? I currently don't give my kids any supplements.

My Mom gave her border collies glucosamine when they were older, because they both had arthritis. Now she gives it to my 11-year-old Lab (who is, however, in really good health for her age/size).

[glencorgi]

Missing Link is widely available either on line or most of the pet supply places. PetsMart, Petco, Pets Supply Plus and many of the specialty type stores. Excellent supplement.

Emilie, you might want to the Wellness line of supplements. They have a few formulated for the immune system. GSE is another supplement to ask about for the immune system.

My list:
Vitamin C - 500 mg
Glucosamine/Chondrotin
Cranberry extract for some of the seniors
Fish Oil capsules (will use salmon oil capsules too) for skin, coat and immune system

1 TBS plain yogurt with active cultures

Debbie