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*]

Sure,  email me and we'll talk about food.   I would love to know where you get  yours too. I've been bargain hunting and have gotten a few good deals lately.  I have no idea about the stores in northern Summit County.   Might prove interesting.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack takes EPO for his skin, because the fish oil caused loose stools. It was recommended by his dermatology specialist. EPO has been shown to reduce inflammation and itching in dogs and humans with Atopy, especially when given with antihistamines.

EPO is contraindicated in dogs with seizure disorders, as it can lower the seizure threshold.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My two get EPO also.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Maybe that is one thing that you can attribute to his gorgeous fur?!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Lisa, I do think it contributes to that shine!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Evening Primrose Oil

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Acana has an excellent Omega 3 content and an excellent Omega 6:3 ratio. It also provides all the vitamins and minerals Daisy needs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I get Acana on line from doggiefood.com. The shipping is free if you spend$49. They occasionally have discounts but I manage to miss them. The service is great and it's nice to have dog food delivered to the door since I usually but Almost 60 pounds at a time, only 2 months worth for us. It's much easier than putting it from shelf to cart to car to house.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Fish oil provides Omega 3 fatty acids, which the body cannot make on it's own and must get from food. Giving fish oil is a good idea for dogs who have dry skin or coats, itchiness, or do not get enough from their food. The Omega 3s in fish oil are DHA and EPA which is easier for dogs to absorb and utilize than other forms of Omega 3, like the kind they get from flaxseed and other plant sources. If a dog is eating a good fish-based food with a good Omega 6:3 ratio, they probably don't need fish oil supplements. Fish oil can cause loose stools in some dogs.

There's no reason to give a multi-vitamin if the dog is healthy and eating a good diet. If you're home-cooking, it's a must. It may also be necessary for dogs who have absorption issues. Jack had to take them these past few months due to his health issues. But multi-vitamins are generally not needed, and when they are, veterinary specialists recommend a basic human multivitamin, which is less expensive and usually of better quality than vitamins that are made for pets.

Be careful of certain pet vitamins. There is one in particular that is sold as part of a MLM (pyramid scheme), and some breeders actually insist that you buy the vitamins and give them to the dogs or your health warranty is not valid. These vitamins are way overpriced, and no better than any other, despite the advertising claims. The breeder gets a commission every time you order. There are trainers, groomers, etc. who sell them, too. That's a racket, plain and simple. There are very few vitamins that dogs don't make themselves, and those are provided by good quality commercial foods. The amounts of other things like glucosamine, etc. that are in multivitamins are not enough to provide any benefits anyway, so it's a waste of money.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Is that what that pet vitamins supplement stuff mumbo jumbo....  Now I understand why I have come across that on many breeders sites.  A pyramid scam.   Good to know.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Actually glucosamine and chondroitin are pretty good rackets by themselves.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Okay ladies, is Primrose Oil human grade and can I pick that up in any Vitamin section of say Walmart?