fish oil and multi vitiman
Submitted by amos1 on March 3, 2012 - 5:56pmI am currently wanting to start adding in some fish oil/omega 3's into my pupps diet. Does anybody have any reccomendations? Would sprinkling ground flax seed over his food be suffucuent or is fish oil more appropraite.
I also need a good quality multi vitiman... We have only had amos for a week, but yesterday morning i cought him trying to eat his poop. The veteranarain said he might be lacking vitimans/nutrients?
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amos1
A high quality food, should contain most needs. . .
I have never been one for suppliments (not even for myself) A good quality food, should have everything he needs - now I do a little treats here and there, a dash of Olive Oil on her food for a change in pace, and a dolop of Yogart. Some here swear by the Joint and Bone suppliments (I forget what they are called, and I probably couldnt spell them if I could pronouce them! LOL) -
Eating poop - I'm not familar with why he would do this, I'm sure someone here knows (and the vet SHOULD know!)
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
nutrients
we have only had him for a week and I am transitioning him on to a better food from what the breeder had him on so that should help. It seems they can eat there poop for many reasons, but seeking nutrients can be one reason, not necesarily it though. the omegas thought would be good for his coat and skin? is that what you use the olive oil for? yogurt I am assuming is for his digestion?
amos1
I have had Vern on Natural
I have had Vern on Natural Balance sweet potato & fish for over a year. I also have my foster on it without issue.
To cover all my bases, I wanted to add omega 3s.....I supplement 1 fish oil per meal (twice/day), each capsule is 1000 mgs. After reading the reviews on here about coconut oil, I also add a heaping teaspoon of that to each feeding. Someone posted on here a dog food analysis website & it said n.b. can be a bit low in fat & dry skin can be an issue. I had already added the coconut oil prior to reading that & since, Vern no longer has any flaky skin.
Vern's coat is shiny and thick.
I also give the foster a glucosamine & chondroitin supplement each day. Vern is allergic so he cant have this. My vet, his client base is largely bullies, supported the supplement regimine.
Good luck!
Correct on the Olive Oil and Yogurt :)
We have gone to Grain Free Salmon Based Taste of the Wild - she seems to be doing really well with it - each bully is different, and it will take some experiementing - specially w/ some bullies have alergies :)
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
Poop Eating
I never understand if this is because of a lack of stimulation, exercise, play, socialization, etc with the breeder. I have never in 20 years had a dog eat their poop. Besure you keep it picked up right after he poops so he doesn't get to eat it and create this disgusting habit. Some articles attribute it to a lack of Vitamin B.
Salmon Oil - I use Wild Salmon Oil only. Flax seed oil is also good. I would think it would take longer for the body to absorb powder. I also have all my dogs on a liquid joint supplement as a preventative. Other then that I don't feed any other supplements or vitamins.
olive oil is not a good source of omega 3 fatty acids
Fish oils contain the easiest to absorb form for dogs.
Flax seed has alpha linolenic acid that must be converted by your dog to DHA and EPA. It is a very inefficient conversion, less than 10%.
Yougurt has probiotics, but in order to get enough probiotics out of them to really aid digestion they would have to eat vast quantities. Theer are many kinds of powdered probiotics availalable for dogs, if your goal is to add a probiotic, I'd use that. Yogurt can be fed as a really tasty treat.
Feed lot raised animals do not have a good omega 3 to omega 6 ratio, that's why supplementing with omega 3's is important. If you feed kibble, they may have already added the extra omega 3's. A good readily absorbed form of omega 3's are essential for skin, coat, heart, and joint health.
Can't help with the poop eating. I've had dogs all my life and some did and others didn't. Picking it up immediatley is about all I can think of to make sure they don't have access to any.
Cathy and Audrey
Yogurt
I've heard the same about yogurt and that a spoon full on a meal does nothing in terms of digestion. Also some dogs are lactose intolerant so yogurt can be causing more harm then good.
we stopped yogurt
wasn't doing any good at all and Audrey has a sensitive stomach. She does get probiotics.
Cathy and Audrey