Today is family fun day for me and mine! Please enjoy a guest post  By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

Supps for Pups: Yes or No?

The love between you and your four-legged friend is unconditional and indefinite. Admit it; you’d do just about anything to ensure Fido lives a long, healthy and happy life. Well, news flash! The best way to keep your pup in his prime is to provide him with wholesome and complete nutrition. Yes, plenty of play time and loads of love also contribute to his happiness. But like you, your furry counterpart needs an assortment of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and amino acids to feel his best inside and out.

I thought dog food provided vitamins and minerals.

Unfortunately, pet foods do not fulfill every nutritional need. It’s true that many animal foods and treats are formulated with added vitamins and minerals. However, the nutrient content does not always meet your dog’s daily values. Enter pet supplements.

The number of different pet supplements is overwhelming.

Your dog’s nutritional needs will determine the supplements that are best for him. Is his coat not as shiny and soft as it used to be? Try dog supplements rich in essential fatty acids, including an omega-3 or fish oil capsule. Is your pup past his puppy years with his agility waning? A glucosamine supplement may help support his joints. You will also find pet supplements for bladder support, immune system health, probiotics for a balanced digestive tract and more. If you’re unsure of which nutrients your doggie may be lacking, talk to your veterinarian for guidance.

Giving my dog a pill is near impossible.

Luckily, there is a variety of pet supplement forms on the market. You can find capsules, tablets, soft chews, liquids and even dog jerky that contains added vitamins. When chewable or drinkable supplements don’t do the trick, give him a treat, instead. Try flavored treats that feature a pocket where you hide the pill. The pocket envelops the capsule or tablet so that your pup thinks they’re just eating a piece of food.

Here are some quick tips to help you safely give your pet supplements:

• Look at labels – Because not all human supplements are suitable for pets, you’ll need to choose supplements specifically formulated for your four-legged friend. Then, you can narrow down the options depending on your dog’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten free, soy free, no preservatives and so on). 
• Trick him with a treat – As mentioned before, hiding capsules or tablets in soft treats is a sneaky but effective way to get him his daily dose. Plus, it relieves you of having to wrestle and pin him down every day.
• Watch, listen and feel – Pets need to be monitored whenever you introduce something new to their diet. So, be aware of any changes in mood or physical appearance, especially within the first 72 hours of introducing a new supplement.
• Be organized – For the best benefit, your dog needs his supplements on a regular basis – not erratically. Help remember each day’s supplements with a 7-day pill case. This way you can keep track of when he has gotten what (and if you did forget a day).

Pets are creatures of habit, so why not get your dog started on a healthy routine that will last him a (long) lifetime?

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. They know that a healthy lifestyle is more than organic vitamins and natural supplements.  That’s why Vitacost.com offers essentials for your home, your baby, your pantry, your beauty routine – even your furry, four-legged friends! Since 1994, Vitacost.com has been taking the cost out of healthy living and have many discounts and coupons. Today, you can shop over 35,000 products, such as elderberries and pet products from your computer, tablet or smartphone with just a click of a button. Some might say Vitacost.com is the silver platter of healthy living – let them serve you. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.