The short answer to this long story is yes! For most parents, a multivitamin for dogs is a simple and effective way to add nutritional benefits beyond the diet.
As loving dog parents, we strive to ensure our furry companions are leading their best lives. Providing our dogs with a balanced and nutritious diet is vital for their health and happiness. While there are numerous dog food brands and home-cooked meals available, even the best options sometimes fall short in providing all the essential nutrients that our dogs require.
Of course, a lot of diets alone would be considered “complete,” but there are still many great nutrients that can be added for further benefits beyond the standard diets. Why a specific parent might choose to add a multivitamin for dogs to their daily routine might differ slightly, but the general purposes remain relatively the same: to add additional nutritional support and deliver long-term benefits to proactively address certain health issues.
Diet
Adding a multivitamin to a dog’s diet can be done in various ways, regardless of the type of food we feed. Here are some ways to add a daily multivitamin for dogs to different types of diets
1. Kibble
Kibble is a popular choice among dog parents due to its nutritional content and convenience. Adding a dog multivitamin to a kibble bowl will boost its nutritional value and provide extra nourishment in the diet.
A daily multivitamin is quick and easy to incorporate into your dog’s routine and can be quickly tossed into any kibble bowl, making it a hassle-free way to add nutritional benefits to improve overall health. Specifically, our DM-01™ Daily Multivitamin is free
from artificial flavors and preservatives, making it the safest and healthiest option for our dogs
2. Homecooked diet
Homemade meals are an excellent way to ensure our dogs are consuming high-quality ingredients, but it can be challenging to guarantee the necessary nutrients in the right amounts.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that nearly all homemade dog diets are nutritionally deficient in at least one essential nutrient. That’s why adding a dog multivitamin for parents who homecook is a no-brainer and will pay off dividends in the long-run.
3. Fresh “delivery” Diet
Fresh dog food delivery services have gained popularity in recent years due to the convenience they offer. While fresh food is a great choice, during processing the whole food is exposed to high heat which decreases the natural nutrient and enzyme availability.
Furthermore, like homecooking, certain fresh diets can sometimes fall short when it comes to nutritional profile, especially when compared to more mass-market commercial diets like kibble. As a result, many parents who opt for a fresh “delivery” diet choose to add a daily multivitamin for dogs like our DM-01™ chews to their fresh delivery meals. The core purpose is to fill any potential nutritional gaps and add additional support to proactively address long-term health issues.
4. Raw Diet
Feeding our dogs a raw diet can offer numerous health benefits by providing them with wholesome, unprocessed, and nutrient-dense foods. However, ensuring that our dogs receive the correct balance of nutrients can be a daunting task, and we may find it challenging to provide a complete and balanced diet solely through raw feeding.
Adding a daily multivitamin for dogs offers a convenient solution. In the specific case of the DM-01™ Daily Multivitamin, its clean and 100% human-grade formula makes it the perfect addition to a raw bowl, boosting the nutritional value of the meal and providing optimal nutritional support for our dogs.
5. Variety Diet
Introducing different types of base foods to our dog's diet can provide them with a range of nutrients and flavors. However, keeping track of the vitamins and minerals our dogs are getting from each type of food can be challenging. To ensure that our pups are receiving a complete and balanced diet, choosing to add a multivitamin to a dog’s variety bowl is an excellent solution.
A high-quality multivitamin for dogs will provide additional nutritional value to their meals, regardless of what they're eating that day, which helps develop consistency across each day. This way, parents can be confident that they’re providing key essential vitamins and minerals on a daily basis.
The Benefits of Multivitamin for Dogs
Skin & Coat Health
Wild Alaskan Fish Oil and Omegas in a multivitamin can help with making sure your dog has a shiny and thick coat.
Digestive Health
Probiotics are friendly bacteria that play a critical role in the proper absorption of vitamins and minerals, supporting digestion and a healthy microbiome. By promoting better gut health, probiotics can also help boost your dog's immune system.
Immune Support
Certain vitamins like Vitamin A can also help heighten your dog's immune response by increasing mucus levels in the body, providing better protection against infection.
Hip & Joint Health
Commonly found in multivitamins, MSM and Glucosamine HCL provide powerful support for your dog's joint health and mobility. MSM is a natural antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and Glucosamine HCL, on the other hand, is a natural amino sugar that can help reduce joint pain for dogs.
Heart Health
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in cellular energy production, making it an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy heart function. As dogs age, their natural levels of CoQ10 can decrease, which may contribute to a decline in heart health.
Listed above are just some of the most common benefits of a multivitamin. The core purpose is not to cure, but rather to provide preventative support for long-term health. Nevertheless, every dog is unique, and their nutritional needs will depend on a variety of factors, such as breed, age, and activity level.
Dog Multivitamin for Different Breeds
When it comes to breeds, there are no limitations. Certain breeds might need more support in certain areas as they are predisposed to specific issues, in which case it's a good idea for some parents to opt for additional support beyond the multivitamin.
For example, certain large dog breeds (ex: Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, German shepherds) might need extra nutritional support to address hip & joint issues as they tend to experience more stress on their joints and cartilage, which can lead to issues like arthritis.
Different Sizes and Ages
Different dog sizes will have different recommended serving sizes, with larger dogs having a greater recommended daily quantity. When it comes to age, the common recommendation is for pups 3 months+, but this could vary depending on the multivitamin so in general a multivitamin for dogs is a smart choice for both younger and senior dogs.
Conclusion
Every dog is unique, and it goes without saying that it’s best to consult with your vet to ensure adding a daily multivitamin is appropriate for your dog’s specific needs and health status. Note, a multivitamin for dogs alone will not fix everything, as diet and exercise are incredibly important, but it’s a great way to provide the best possible nutritional support and care. If your vet approves, there are plenty of benefits, and it can be a simple and effective way to set your dog up for a long and healthy life.