But Why Use Supplements For My German Shepherd Puppy When I Feed A High Quality Dog Food
Any nutritional deficiency can harm your German Shepherd puppys health. Unless youre feeding them the highest quality dog food, theyre likely missing out on essential nutrients for their growth.
Even if your puppy is getting the most well-researched food, they may still benefit from a supplement, depending on their health and breed. However, excessive amounts of nutrients can deteriorate your dogs health, doing more harm than good.
Hence, its vital to choose a proper supplement for your growing puppy. Lucky for you, we have researched a variety of the best supplements for puppies on the market. Each one serves a different purpose.
Our Pups Love The Iheartdogs Brushy Sticks Dental Treats
This product comes as a pack of 30 sticks that wont only clean the tartar off your puppys teeth but will also help them have fresh breath all day long.
Its especially good for puppies that have a complicated tooth structure and are difficult about getting their teeth brushed. It will also work for dogs who have grain allergies since its grain-free.
These chews clean teeth by brushing the plaque off as dogs gnaw on them, which prevents the tartar from slowly building up. Since tartar is the root of many oral health issues, taking steps to prevent it is essential.
Benefits Dental Sticks for German Shepherd Pups:
- Grain-free to protect puppies with allergies.
- Made with real chicken.
- Leaves your pup with minty-fresh breath.
- Prevents tartar by not allowing plaque to build up.
- Makes cleaning your dogs teeth easy.
Pick #: Super Snouts Joint Power
Super Snouts Joint Power contains one hundred percent green-lipped mussels for dogs.
Supporting the growth of tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Also containing polysaccharide GAGS or Glycosaminoglycan to repair joint tissue.
This supplement exerts strong action against connective tissue inflammation. GAGS provides tensile strength, elasticity, and flexibility to cartilage.
In fact, the amount of GAGS directly relates to how severe a dogs arthritis is.
Glycosaminoglycans contain chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, and heparin sulfate.
Each active ingredient results in joint replenishment, continuous self-repair, and lubricating properties.
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Healthy Breeds Puppy Multivitamin
The Healthy Breeds multivitamins have a tasty liver flavor that puppies like, which makes them easy to administer. They can be taken daily as a supplement with food. They have the most needed vitamins for the development of the German shepherd puppy.
The Healthy Breeds multivitamin is formulated by veterinarians who know the needs of a puppy. The nutrients help your puppy develop strong joints and teeth. These multivitamins are recommended for puppies under one year.
Pros
- They have a unique liver flavor
- They are easy to administer
- Formulated by veterinarians
- Price per Serving = $0.18 $1.15
- Product Reviews = 5/5
- Serving Size = Depends on weight of dog
- Taste / Absorbability = fish, bioavailable
- Labeled Effect = Help support healthy skin coat joints heart and the development and maintenance of the brain and eyes
- Food Allergens = Only contains anchovies and sardines so very safe
- Pros = Competitive pricing, sustainably sourced, high quality ingredients
- Cons = Contains no other vitamins, minerals or herbs
About Omega-3 Pet:
Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Oil provides your dog with the essential omega-3 fatty acids to help support healthy skin, coat health, joints, heart, brain and eyes.
The pure oil is derived from wild anchovies and sardines that are sustainably harvested off the coast of South America.
As a liquid supplement, you can easily add this to dog food to enhance taste and nutrient value.
The 7 Best Fish Oils For German Shepherds You Need Right Now
The best fish oil for German Shepherds helps support your dogs heart, joints, coat, skin, and immune system.
Its a natural supplement that can become part of your dogs long-term dietary lifestyle or used temporarily for a boost in nutrition.
Either way, adding fish oil to your dogs diet can improve their overall health when added to a nutritious diet.
Lets find out the best fish oils for German Shepherds, their benefits, and the right way to give your companion this nutritious powerhouse.
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How Do I Choose A Good Fish Oil For My German Shepherd
Choosing the best fish oil for your German Shepherd may seem overwhelming at first. And, flashy packaging and long aisles of products dont help the situation.
Its good to know there are basically three types of fish oil on the market:
- Synthetic triglyceride oil which as the name states, is synthetic in origin and absorbs the least easily.
- Ethyl ester oil which is concentrated and distilled, removing all impurities. Although distilled it is not all natural. Consider this a semi-natural oil containing high levels of important pieces of omega-3: eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid
- Natural triglyceride oil which is the most natural and easiest to absorb for your dog however, it may contain a variety of contaminants since it isnt purified.
Over the long term, giving fish oil as a supplement if your dog eats a grain-based diet may deplete vitamin E. So, your German Shepherd may need a vitamin E supplement too. Some fish oil brands include vitamin E to aid in the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish and salmon oil come in a variety of forms from various commercial and natural brands.
Some of the forms you can give to your dog include:
- various flavorful treats
Liquid oil is usually the easiest to administer supplement because you easily stir it in with any dog food. Capsules are difficult for most dog owners to give due to their dogs lack of participation.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Wet Dog Food
Image courtesy Blue Buffalo
If you’re searching for high-quality, all-natural wet dog food, Blue Buffalo Wilderness is a wonderful alternative.
This dog food is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for an entourage diet. It’s made with real beef and chicken, can be served as a delicious treat, or blended into your dog’s regular dry food.
The Blue Buffalo puppy food contains no chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives making it a healthy choice for your dog.
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Give Them Zinc For Healthy Skin
Zinc is a vital mineral for skin and coat health. It helps to improve a dogs coat by increasing their skin resilience and adding to healthy skin.
Dogs suffering from a zinc deficiency may exhibit poor skin and coat conditions.
Symptoms of a lack of proper zinc levels include:
- cracked paw pads
- excessive hair loss
- lesions around the mouth, eyes, and ears
Zinc, besides other important minerals like copper, improves a dogs coat if they are not getting enough of these minerals in their diet.
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Do German Shepherds Need Vitamins Or Supplements
You may choose to take vitamins and supplements, but do German Shepherds really need them?
Healthy German Shepherds dont need to add vitamins or supplements to their diet if they eat a good quality, complete, and balanced pet food.
You should only give your dog vitamins or supplements if your veterinarian recommends them, as in my case.
My German Shepherd has been recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine. In addition to her prescribed medication, she takes YuMove Joint Supplements from Amazon. Her vet recommended these, and they contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint support and easing stiffness.
I have to say Ive been pleased with how she is doing on them, so if your dog has a similar condition, Id advise you to consult your vet.
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What To Look For In High
Supplements for German Shepherds need to be:
To slow down your German Shepherds aging process, make sure his supplements contain antioxidants.
Antioxidants are nutrients found in dog food that protect the body from free radicals.
Free radicals are oxygen molecules that have an uneven number of electrons that when imbalanced lead to cognitive decline.
This can damage proteins in the body, fats in the body, the reproduction system and lead to dysfunctions and death.
Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage to the brain and are commonly found in food containing Vitamins E and C.
Best Natural Dog Food Ingredients For German Shepherds
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world, but they’re also one of the most misunderstood. They’re not just a big dog with droopy earsthey’re extremely intelligent and can be trained to do just about anything. Naturally, this means they require a specific diet that meets their unique needs. In this article, we’ll look at five ingredients that will help you feed your German Shepherd so he stays healthy and strong for years to come!
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Can You Afford It
Simply put, cooking a nutritionally complete diet for your dog at home is not cheap, and significantly more expensive than even the highest quality dog food. You cant beat the low cost of mass production.
Ingredients like meat are not cheap and the serving requirements pound for pound are much higher than they are for a person. Also, home-cooked meals for your dog will require supplements in addition to basic store-bought ingredients, adding to the cost even more.
You can realistically look at this expense like feeding another person with expensive tastes. If you are financially prepared to do that, then perhaps home-cooked meals for your GSD are something that you may want to consider.
Pethonesty 10 In 1 Dog Multivitamin With Glucosamine
If you want your puppy to get the most from one vitamin package, try out the PetHonesty 10 in 1 dog vitamins. They contain omegas, probiotics, glucosamine, and vitamins, all in one package. They are great for joint development. Your puppy will grow to be more flexible and have stronger joints with these vitamins.
If your German shepherd puppy has digestion issues, the probiotics in this multivitamin help with digestion and stomach issues. Your puppy will no longer have diarrhea or indigestion. The oils in the vitamins are great for the puppys skin coat. The antioxidants are great for a good immune system and a healthy heart. They are soft and chewy, which works great for a puppy.
- They have many benefits in one package
- Great for joints, skin, and immune system
- They solve digestion issues
- They are soft and chewy
Cons
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Lack Of Diverse Bacteria
Sometimes probiotics dont colonize for more than a few days in dogs. Or, they arent the right strains for your dog. Your dogs microbiome is as individual as he or she is. Your dogs digestive system needs to be a diverse community of thousands of different bacteria, fungi and viruses, all working together to maintain a healthy immune system.
For this reason, its important to use diet to bolster gut bacteria, include prebiotics and polyphenols. Polyphenols can be found in bright yellow, orange and red colored vegetables, such as chlorella, Jerusalem artichokes, mushrooms, dandelion, burdock root and apples.
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Nutramax Cosequin Chewable Tablets For German Shepherd Puppies
Dogs are always intrigued when they look at something new to eat or try, thus chewable tablets become easy for administration. These supplements contain Cosequin that aids in improving the mobility of the joints. Many veterinarians also recommend these tablets for helping the senior dogs or the ones suffering from flexibility related issues. This is the ideal option for your pooch if you have been searching the tablets having Cosequin for german shepherds puppies. Nutramax uses patented formulation to give effective results when it comes to maintaining healthy joints. These chewable tablets are suitable for all dog breeds and age. Be it a labrador or german shepherd, every pet having this supplement will be benefited from it. It is advised to give these supplements for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks to see the noticeable changes in your dogs.
Key Features:
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Should My German Shepherd Take Supplements
If youre feeding a dog properly and he is healthy then dont waste your money on supplements.
Dogs that suffer from chronic conditions such as digestive problems, skin problems, or joint pain may benefit from taking supplements.
In short, supplements are for dogs with injuries, pains, or in need of higher protein diets.
In particular, dogs that eat a homemade diet that may not have all the necessary minerals and vitamins that can be substituted in supplements.
Pick #: Wholistic Pet Organics Colostrum For Dogs
Colostrum, found in mothers first made milk, is a vital supplement. This supplement strengthens newborns system of immunity.
The reason that colostrum strengthens immunity is that it contains proteins, enzymes, and amino acids.
The colostrum content here comes from cows. It will help your German Shepherd recover quickly from injury, illness, or stress. It also helps to fight against common sicknesses.
Colostrum Powder by Wholistic offers recovery support and boosts your immune system.
This supplement fixes leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, improves the natural flora of your gut, aids in skin wound healing, and helps fight against allergy symptoms.
With a high absorption rate this supplement is easy to digest and can easily be mixed into food.
This ensures high levels of antibodies for natural support of your German Shepherds immune system.
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You Need To Know What You Are Doing
Cooking a home-cooked meal for your dog isnt about what you think is best. To prepare a meal that actually fits within your dogs nutritional requirements is actually an exact science. Using your best judgment is not appropriate here.
If you do choose to make homecooked meals for your dog, it can be of great benefit to it. Just make sure that you consult with a dog nutritionist to guide you along the way and to provide you with exact recipes to feed to your dog.
Unless you are prepared to do this, or you have extensive knowledge of your dogs nutritional requirements, its best for your dog that you stick with high-quality store-bought food.
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What Factors Do We Use To Rank Supplements
1 Price: Whats the price of the supplement? Whats the cost per serving?
- At Eating Enlightenment we value quality over price. However, all else being equal, then price comes into consideration.
2 Reviews: How many reviews for each product? Whats the average rating? How many third party reviews?
- We strongly believe in third party reviews. Many supplement companies list positive reviews on their website, but third party reviews include negative comments. We always go with third party reviews.
3 Reputation: How reputable is the brand behind the supplement? How long has the brand been around? Whats their mission?
- We believe that a companys intention is highly important and should be one of your top purchasing decision factors.
4 Taste / Absorption = Whats the taste? How quickly does your body absorb the supplement? Do reviews mention any negative side effects like an upset stomach?
5 Perceived Therapeutic Effect = What beneficial effects or feelings does this supplement promote?
6 Food Allergens = Does the company provide allergen info?
7 Science / Certifications: Does the company list transparent scientific studies on their website? Do third party certifications test the companys supplement for quality control? How many certifications does the company have?
8 Pros/Cons: What are the pros and cons of each supplement? How is the supplement unique? For what situations is this supplement best?
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Our Favourite Probiotic Is The Iheartdogs 3
There are various dog-specific probiotics in the marketplace, however this is likely one of the greatest choices to your pet. These chews have all of the beforehand mentioned advantages, they usually additionally comprise prebiotics and digestive enzymes.
Prebiotics are meals for good micro organism. They assist the probiotics develop, so its clever to take them with probiotics. Digestive enzymes are the enzymes that support in good digestion.
Having all three of these objects in a single chew makes this product a deadly weapon in opposition to an extended record of widespread digestive points that may irritate your pet.
Advantages of Probiotics for German Shepherd Pups:
- Boosts the immune system.
- Cut back stress and anxiousness.
- Incorporates prebiotics that improve probiotics.
What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Joint Problems
If your German Shepherd has joint problems, you’ll want to find a dog food that is rich in omega-three fatty acids. These essential nutrients help to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints.
There are many brands of dog food that offer formulas specifically for dogs with joint problems. These foods often contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are known to help relieve joint pain.
Now let’s chat in more detail about the best dog foods for your furry friend.
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Dental Chews For German Shepherd Puppies
Oral diseases are one of the most common health problems young dogs face. Bad habits such as not brushing their teeth can adversely affect their overall health. The problem may seem to only affect teeth, but it can also have a deteriorating effect on vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Healthy oral habits can prevent such complications. This starts with brushing your German Shepherd puppys teeth, but sometimes, teeth brushing can be difficult. If you struggle to maintain a good oral routine, a pack of dental chews can be a lifesaver.