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05/01/2024

6 Tips to Boost Your Pooch's Health With the Right Supplements and More!

Life Extension Europe: Dog being examined at the veterinarian

We want to encourage dogs’ tail-waggingly good health. How can we do this, you ask? Through nutrition, offering vitamins and minerals for your best friend! 

You are your dog's world at the end of the day. There's something truly unique about relaxing alongside your dog, even at the cost of getting your clothes covered in fur. Hearing their heartbeat, you are reminded that your furry friend’s heart beats just about for you. 

As "pet parents," we naturally desire only the best for our furry companions.  No doubt you want to see that tail wagging with happiness and good health. Ensuring they receive proper nutrition is a fundamental aspect of maintaining their overall wellness, from nose to tail.  

Consulting your vet, choosing high-quality dog food, and considering supplements can all contribute to your dog's long-term health and well-being. Let's explore some top tips from experts on how to ensure the best for dog!


Optimise your Dog's Nutrition for a Happy, Active Life

1. Know Why You're Giving your Dog Supplements 

A dog's well-being requires an all-around approach to their health care. Providing them with the essential vitamins and nutrients is crucial for supporting multiple aspects of their overall health. 

This includes:

  • A balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs.
  • Regular exercise to keep them physically fit.
  • Regular visits to the veterinarian for check-ups and vaccinations.

What's more, it's important to look after their mental health. This can be by providing them with enough stimulation. That can be through play and training, and ensuring they have a safe and comfortable environment. 

We suggest giving your dog supplements if (1):

  • They are a picky eater.
  • You feed them home-cooked meals.
  • Simply to ensure their nutritional needs are fully met.

Together, these factors should help keep your dog healthy, happy, and full of energy!

Supplements can particularly benefit dogs who may not absorb enough nutrients due to dietary habits or age-related metabolic changes (2). This can help in maintaining their immune system, joint health, and overall vitality. Check out our trusted dog multivitamin here

2. Probiotics for a Healthy Balance

A dog's gut health is closely linked to their immune system and mental health. This is down to the gut-mind connection. 

Making sure they receive nutrients like probiotics not only promotes a healthy digestive system. It strengthens their immune response and overall vitality also. 

Furthermore, probiotics can help maintain a balance of good bacteria in the gut, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption, and can have additional positive effects on mood and behavior (1). 

Regularly incorporating these beneficial nutrients into your dog's diet, along with a balanced, high-quality food, can lead to a happier and healthier dog with a tummy ready for all those beloved rubs!

3. Supplement Their Immune System 

A robust immune system is key to ensuring a long and healthy life for our canine companions. 

As dogs age, their immune system may not function as effectively, making them more susceptible to illnesses.

Providing your dog with a high-quality multivitamin can be a great way to support their immune health throughout their life, especially as they enter their senior years. Ingredients like colostrum are particularly beneficial; it's rich in antibodies and immune factors that can help boost your dog's natural defenses (2). 

Along with a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and veterinary care, a multivitamin tailored to your dog's needs can help maintain their immune system's strength, ensuring they continue to enjoy a high quality of life even as they grow older.

4. Encourage Calm Behaviour 

Managing your dog's stress is essential for their well-being (8), and there are several strategies you can employ.  

It's worth it to give your dog stress and anxiety relieving supplements.  Our Petz Park supplement for stress contains L-tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid that:  

Promotes sleep Supports mood health Encourages a healthy stress response The Stress + Anxiety supplement is designed to alleviate various forms of fear and anxiety in dogs, including:   

  • Separation anxiety.  
  • Storm anxiety.  
  • Stress during car trips.  
  • Issues arising from ageing. 

The Stress + Anxiety supplement is a great non-drowsy formula, made with a blend of herbs and natural ingredients, and starts working within 30 minutes. 

It also promotes restful sleep, easing insomnia with its natural components and tasty beef-flavored powder, ensuring your dog wakes up in a good mood.   

Additionally, it brings focus and clarity, aiding your dog in learning new skills and making tasks less overwhelming, thus enhancing their ability to concentrate and learn(16). 

Your dog's behaviour is no doubt a concern of yours. Some of the antisocial behaviour dogs express can be down to stress or anxiety on your dear pooch.(4) This could lead back to your behaviour as their owner. 

  • Maintaining calmness yourself as their leader is crucial. Dogs pick up on your energy, so stay composed, especially during the hectic times. (5)
  • Crate training can give a safe space for your dog, though ensure it's a gradual and positive experience with cozy bedding and toys. 
  • Regular exercise is vital to expend excess energy, making them more relaxed overall. (6)
  • Encouraging independence and not fostering overly clingy behavior will help them stay calm when alone (7). 
  • Other calming supplements like Life Extension's, containing melatonin and L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, perfect for soothing your pooch if they're prone to stress. 

Managing your dog's stress is essential for their well-being (8), and there are several strategies you can employ. 

Another tip is to leave them with something that smells like you can offer comfort (8). Talking to them, even if it feels odd, can reassure and calm them with your familiar voice (9) and energy.

5. Regular Vet Checkups 

Maintaining regular veterinary check-ups is essential to handle all factors of your dog's health and well-being. 
Routine veterinary visits are critical for your dog's health, allowing early detection and management of health issues. These visits often include checking for: (10)

  • Ear infections.
  • Eye issues.
  • Oral health.
  • Skin conditions.
  • Heart and lung function.
  • Abdominal abnormalities.

Here too, the veterinarian will assess your dog's musculoskeletal health. Routine tests such as blood work, heartworm tests, urinalysis, and fecal examinations are important for early disease detection, particularly in dogs that are senior, to maintain their health and well-being. 

Regular exams can help extend your dog's life by catching and managing problems early on (11).

6. Focus on Nutrition 

Focusing on proper nutrition (12) is crucial for your dog's health and overall well-being. 

It is key to ensure they receive a balanced diet (13) that includes: 

On top of that, it's important to adhere to a consistent feeding routine and be mindful of overfeeding, as this can lead to obesity. 

Treats should be given sparingly and seen as a reward, not a major component of your dog's diet.

Consulting with your veterinarian can help you determine the most suitable type and quantity of food for your pet.


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References

  1. https://www.lifeextension.com/wellness/pet-health/dog-needs-multivitamins
  2. "Supplements." Association of American Feed Control Officials. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/supplements/ 
  3. Satyaraj E, et al. "Supplementation of diets with bovine colostrum influences immune function in dogs." Br J Nutr. December 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23773360/
  4. Weir M and Buzhardt L. "Signs Your Dog Is Stressed and How to Relieve It." VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it 
  5. "Smarter Than You Think: Renowned Canine Researcher Puts Dogs' Intelligence on Par with 2-Year-Old Human." American Psychological Association. 2009. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2009/08/dogs-think
  6. Riggio C, et al. "Physiological Indicators of Acute and Chronic Stress in Securely and Insecurely Attached Dogs Undergoing a Strange Situation Procedure (SSP): Preliminary Results." Vet. Sci. September 2022. https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/9/10/519 
  7. Weir M and Buzhardt L. "Signs Your Dog Is Stressed and How to Relieve It." VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it 
  8. Mariti C, et al. "Effects of Petting Before a Brief Separation from the Owner on Dog Behavior and Physiology: A Pilot Study." Journal of Veterinary Behavior. October 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787817302502
  9. Shin Y-J and Shin N-S. "Evaluation of Effects of Olfactory and Auditory Stimulation on Separation Anxiety by Salivary Cortisol Measurements in Dogs." J Vet Sci. June 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4921663/ 
  10. https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/why-are-regular-veterinary-visits-important/#:~:text=Annual%20or%20biannual%20exams%20nip,medication%20or%20simple%20lifestyle%20changes.
  11. Cavanagh K. "Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. Pocket — 7th edition." Can Vet J. December 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3500119/
  12. Tupler T. "Dog Nutrition: Guide to Dog Food Nutrients." PetMD. February 2021. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food#which%20vitamins 
  13. "Your Dog's Nutritional Needs." National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/10668/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf
  14. Burke A. "7 Vitamins Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Life." American Kennel Club. May 2020. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle/
  15. Arford K. "Fish Oil for Dogs." American Kennel Club. May 2020. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fish-oil-for-dogs/
  16. https://petzpark.com.au/products/stress-and-anxiety-behaviour-supplements-for-dogs