Do dogs need supplements when eating homemade food?

If you regularly give your dog homemade food, then you may be wondering if you need to give your dog supplements. Should you give your dog supplements? If you’re going to give your dog homemade dog food for a long period, the nutrition in the food must be balanced. Since the nutrients in the food alone may not fulfill the micronutrient requirements of your dog’s body, you need to add nutritional supplements to your dog.

While it is possible to meet most of your dog’s nutritional needs through a combination of ingredients, there are still some nutrients (such as vitamins, minerals, and taurine) that may be difficult to fully obtain through ingredients or may not be obtained in sufficient amounts to meet your dog’s needs.

Hsviko has sorted out in detail the question of whether or not a dog eating homemade dog food needs supplements, and has recommended a sensible homemade dog food program for you!

Dietary Needs of Dogs

Dogs are omnivores and carnivores, and their nutritional needs are diverse, including a wide range of nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Even with your carefully selected ingredients, it’s hard to ensure that the amount of each nutrient is just right for your dog’s needs. That’s why it’s essential to use supplements when your dog is eating homemade food.

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  Puffed Goat Milk Dry Dog Food
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  Natural Insect Protein Dog Food

Nutritional Needs of Dogs at Different Stages of Growth

Nutritional Needs at Puppy Stage

Dogs in the puppy stage have particularly high nutritional needs, and these dog foods require high levels of protein and fat with essential vitamins and minerals added. Proper calcium and phosphorus supplementation is also necessary to support bone development.

Nutritional Requirements for Adulthood

Adult dogs should choose a nutritionally balanced formula that is appropriately adjusted for their size, activity level, and health. The right amount of protein to maintain muscle mass and body function, adult dogs also need to consume enough vitamins and minerals to maintain immunity and overall health.

Nutritional Needs in Old Age

The body functions of older dogs gradually decline, so they need to choose an easily digestible and highly nutritious dog food with the right amount of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D to maintain bone health. For senior dogs, we can choose dog food specially designed for senior dogs, which usually contains high fiber and low fat to help with digestion and weight control.

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  Liquid Calcium Supplement for Dogs and Cats
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  Goat Milk Calcium Supplement for Dogs and Cats
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  Chondroitin Sulfate Tablets for Dogs and Cats

Importance of Supplements for Dogs

One of the main roles of dog supplements is to make up for nutritional deficiencies in the daily diet. Dogs may not get enough of certain nutrients from their daily diet due to limitations in ingredients, cooking methods, etc.
Dog supplements can help to improve the health of your dog and help to boost your dog’s immunity. Immunity is an important part of a dog’s ability to fight off disease, and certain nutrients such as vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene have antioxidant properties that can help boost your dog’s immunity and reduce the incidence of disease.

Advantages and Potential Benefits of Nutritional Supplements

Dogs can achieve complete and balanced dog nutrition when consuming the right amount of supplements, filling in nutritional gaps in the daily diet to provide the full range of vitamins and minerals that dogs need.

Some supplements can promote health recovery and maintain support for specific physiological stages (e.g., puppy growth, old age decline), and assist in the recovery of illnesses, such as skin problems, joint problems, and so on.

Dog Immunity Supplements enhance your dog’s immunity antioxidant ingredients fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Boosts your dog’s natural defense mechanism and reduces the occurrence of diseases.

In addition to this, dog skin care supplements improve coat and skin condition, promote digestive health, and increase vitality and mental state. That’s why the proper use of dog supplements is very important for your dog’s health.

Common types of dog supplements

Calcium supplements for dogs: Calcium and phosphorus are key nutrients necessary for the development of bones and teeth in dogs. Liquid calcium supplements are commonly used in puppies, pregnant bitches, and senior dogs.

Vitamin supplements: vitamin and mineral supplements are also common dog supplements. These supplements can help supplement your dog’s daily diet with nutrients that are difficult to obtain or insufficiently available, and probiotic and digestive enzyme supplements can help improve your dog’s intestinal health and promote the absorption and utilization of nutrients.

Lecithin Supplement: Lecithin has a positive impact on your dog’s health and grooming. It can enhance your dog’s skin resistance, deeply nourish your dog’s coat, replenish nutrients, boost your dog’s immune system, and improve your dog’s mood.

Probiotic Supplement: Probiotics help boost your dog’s immunity, prevent disease, and improve their gut health. Probiotics also promote bone development in dogs, maintain a good intestinal environment, and reduce constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. Probiotics are also extremely beneficial in relieving your dog’s picky eating, loss of appetite and problems such as bad breath and tartar.

Homemade Food Recipes and Ingredients

Let’s start by making it clear that even the most carefully crafted homemade food is hardly ever completely nutritionally balanced. Below are two common homemade food pairings for dogs:

Chicken Breast with Vegetables

Chicken breast is vital for your dog’s muscle growth and repair. Meanwhile, vegetables such as carrots and broccoli help to boost your dog’s immune system, and you need to add some calcium and phosphorus powder or bone meal to ensure the health of your dog’s bones and teeth.

Fish with Brown Rice

Fish is good for your dog’s cardiovascular health and skin coat. Brown rice contributes to your dog’s energy supply and intestinal health. However, certain nutrients in fish may be insufficient, such as vitamins and minerals. In this case, a multivitamin supplement is recommended to make up for this deficiency. For dogs in need of an immune boost, it is recommended to consider adding a supplement containing probiotics and antioxidants, and for older dogs, a joint supplement may be needed to maintain your dog’s joint health.

Consult a Veterinarian

For dogs consuming homemade food, supplements are often a necessary consideration It is recommended to add the right supplement in the right amount for your dog’s specific needs to ensure their nutrition is complete and balanced. However, always consult your veterinarian for advice to avoid blind supplementation or overdose.