Can you add too many supplements to dog food? - Page 1

I add Salmon Oil, Glucosamine/Condroiton tablets, daily multivitamin, and Missing Link to my dogs dry food. I heard its possible to overdo supplements and actually CAUSE problems. Are the supplements I'm adding to their dog food OK?

Yes you can OD on supplements.Check to see if the food has the same things in there or not.If not then as long as the things you are giving your dog don't all have the same things in it as the other then it should be ok.Missing link might have the same things that mulitvitamin has. Is there a reason that your dog needs all these things?

Overdosing vitamins and minerals can have fatal consequences. Only supplement when prescribed by your vet!

The vitamins were given to me by my vet. The glucosamine/condroiton are mainly for my Shepherd because she plays really hard, so its sort of a preventative thing to help protect against problems down the line (although I do give it to my little dog also). The Salmon Oil I added because my little dog has itchy skin so I was told that would help. And the Missing Link I give to help give them shiny coats!

From my experience healthy dogs only need good quality food (I only feed raw meat and veggies - but that's entirely up to your own preferences) and from what I have seen working in a vet hospital specialized in working dogs I can say that dogs without supplements stay healthier on the long run. But then again, some vets try to make money with selling certain specialized foods and supplements, always do your research. If your dog has dry skin you can also add a raw egg once a week and a tablespoon of canola oil (1-2 times a week) into the food or feed fish filet directly (without bones), then you don't need the salmon oil. Salmon oil is expensive and can turn bad quickly(depending on age and storage).

Well, maybe I'm going a little overboard. I think I'll finish up what I've got, and then just continue with the Missing Link and the glucosamine.

I would think that the Missing link would have the oils for skin if it for their coat as well. You might want to try hyluronic acid instead of the glucosamine. It helps with skin as well as the joints.

Yeah I think you can use too many supplements.

I can't believe some folks would rather buy a pill than add something natural and fresh to your dogs diet that would have so many more benefits.

And I think some people go over board and do more harm than good.

JMO.

You didnt mention what food you were feeding. I too think that the missing link would have most, if not all of the necessary extra things your looking for. I think thats an excellent product, though way overpriced imo.

Water soluable vitamins are destroyed when bagged food is cooked so unless they are sprayed on after the fact (most are not) they will be lost. B vitamins are for skin so should be replaced. Vitamin C is another lost vitamin if not sprayed on that has a myrad of health benefits. Ive personally taken Glucosamine and it did NOTHING but make my stomach hurt. I was working for an Ortho pod at the time and we didnt really give it out much. Kinda made me wonder why. I think that is one of the most over used meds out there and if it would have helped anyone, it would have been me. Vitamin C I think works better. It actually helps to rebuild synovial fluid in between the joints.

It amazes me what Vets try and sell these days. Then again dogs might need vet vitamins if they feed Vet food or Science Diet