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Some people worry that their dogs aren't getting all the nutrition they need. They may supplement their dogs' diets with people food or with vitamin or mineral supplements similar to those many humans take. But if you're already feeding a nutritionally complete and balanced dog food for the appropriate lifestage, these supplements are unnecessary and could possibly be harmful.
When it comes to providing optimum nutrition for our dogs, reputable pet food manufacturers have done the work for us. Research scientists have formulated commercial diets containing all the nutrients normal, healthy dogs need for a particular life stage. For dogs with certain health conditions, there are special dog foods that are designed to help address those issues. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right food.
People Food
Supplementing with human food adds calories to a pet's diet, may lead to an obese pet and can unbalance a pet's diet. People food can lead to other issues depending on the food and the amounts in which it is fed. Read more about People Food.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Vitamin and mineral supplements are best left to the experts. For example, some pet owners believe that additional calcium, and possibly other minerals, should be added to the diets of pregnant and nursing females and growing puppies and kittens.
It is true that more minerals are needed at these times, but they are normally obtained through increased consumption of a high quality nutritionally balanced diet. Adding them out of proportion to other nutrients can create skeletal deformities and other problems. Learn more about the interactions of minerals.
Always talk to your veterinarian if you think supplements may be needed. Your veterinarian can make that call, and if they are needed, will prescribe the right minerals in the right amounts.
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