Dog Vitamins and Fish Oil

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I was wondering if any of you give your doods vitamins, we know a couple of Cattle dog who's owners swear by them and my SIL gives their dogs a Fish Oil capsule every day.

What are your thoughts?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Because of the quality of dog food, I do not give vitamins.  My beliefs are if a diet is well balanced and eaten in the correct amounts, that is just about all you need.  If a dog was lacking in an essential mineral or vitamin--sure I would give it then.

I stopped eating my chewable Fred Flintstone vitamins after a nutrition class and just try to eat balanced. 

Instead of fish oil, I have supplemented with Evening Primrose Oil --EPO  MANY USE EPO here on DK

There have been many discussions on DK about EPO but none I have seen lately.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most of the EPO discussions are in TFG.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Makes sense. I left the food group a while back because I could not control the --follow this discussion email issue--

No wonder I have not seen the discussions. I really need to get back in there. Let me see if I can do it right this time.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree. The dogs get well balanced food with all they need for usual vitamins. But I take vitamins and supplements since I don't eat as well as they do in terms of balance and I'm a lot older than them. I do think we all need to be aware of what we need int terms of calcium, vitamin D etc., which are almost impossible to get from food alone in the required amounts.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen, F. If you look at a woman's requirements for iron or calcium, it would be almost impossible to get that from your diet alone, no matter how well you eat. I have taken a multivitamin daily for more than 32 years, and I do eat a pretty good diet.

Our food isn't supplemented with vitamins and minerals, like our dogs' food is.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Okay Mom, I get it ... just joking.  My mother dropped off some D, Calcium, and some others  the other day because I told her I was not taking my vitamins any longer   :)

Did she call you two?  She is 87 and still kicking.  Wonder why?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Um, because she takes vitamins? LOL

I used to do nutritional counselling as part of my job.

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Drum roll..... they are now out of my med cabinet and on my desk.  Eww, they are chewable and taste like coconut.  But I hear you.  My bones thank you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You mom and I had a wonderful and funny conversation about you. You know I think she is wise!

[F, Calla & Luca]

My iron is pretty low always and I do supplement. But many post menopausal women (and men) do not need much iron, which is why senior vitamins have none or very little. Too much iron is not a good thing either. All supplements should be individualized. Read about them, know your own status and ask your doctor if need be although your own common sense may be just as good : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Right. Iron is necessary for women in child bearing years, but not after menopause. Too much iron used to be believed to be connected to risk of heart attack, I'm not sure if that's still the case or if it's been found to be untrue, as I no longer get professional journals.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Well Daisy is fed Acana, (by the way Joanne I was meaning to ask you where you get yours) and as you know that is a good food.

I will look into the EPO, thanks.