Pet Vitamin Supplements - Whether You Need One and How to Choose One

Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!

There is evidence to suggest that a good vitamin supplement for your dog not only helps prevent, improve or cure many degenerative type illnesses and disease, but may actually lengthen your dog's life span. Really!

This is particularly the indication if you supplement with vitamins while your dog is young and healthy, rather than waiting for your dog to get sick or show the usual signs of aging and degeneration.

So let's start with a little lesson on the cause, and effects, of disease. ...

Disease is a process which gradually debilitates the cells of an organism. The organism may be you, or me, or your dog (or mine!)

Debilitated cells are unable to rebuild, regenerate and repair damage which inevitably occurs just through the fact of being alive and moving day by day closer to the end of life. Of course, much greater damage can be caused by poor nutrition or other dietary deficiencies or excesses, environmental poisons, physical and/or emotional stress or insufficient excercise. In short, anything which pushes the organism past its optimum capacity, or causes it to fall short of its optimum capacity, can and will cause damage and will debilitate the cells.

Do you ever supplement your own diet and lifestyle with vitamins and/or minerals?

Me too.

But you know what? It didn't occur to me that my beautiful dogs would benefit from a good vitamin supplement until recent years.

I always (wrongly) assumed that if I gave my dogs a largely natural diet of raw meat and bones, with the occasional addition of steamed vegetables and rice or pasta, and with a morning snack of a small handful of commercial dry dog food, my dogs would always remain in tip top health.

Luckily for me, I was on the right track, and my dogs have always been very healthy. My vet routinely compliments me on their great teeth and gums and wonderful general health.

But as they started getting past their prime, some health concerns started popping up. Kara, my Rottweiler, started developing arthritis and the effects of hip dysplasia (which she's had since very young, but without any symptoms). Similar to my own parents (who're well into their 60's), Kara started to look a bit older and stiffer when she moved, and especially when she got up after lying still for a while.

So I started Kara on a dog vitamin supplement. And, oh, what a difference! It took a few weeks to kick in, but once I'd found the right dose and the vitamins started to show their effects, Kara appeared more youthful - less stiff - and she didn't look so uncomfortable when moving around. It really has done wonders.

And still I didn't "get it" in general terms. Because Kara clearly had a problem, I decided to treat it with a supplement. But I didn't think to treat Jet, my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, as well, which I should have done just to keep her in tip top health even though she had no specific problems back then. Besides which, Kara takes her vitamins in tablet form, whereas Jet is a tablet nightmare!

But when Jet was also diagnosed with the early stages of a degenerative disease - gradual loss of her eyesight - the penny finally dropped. I thought "Why on earth am I not giving Jet a vitamin supplement as well?" So I use a tablet crusher and mix the crushed tablet with peanut butter. Yes, these tablets crush pretty well. And Jet eats them! I have to admit that she still looks suspiciously at the concoction each day, but the lure of the peanut butter usually gets the better of her!

Nowadays I absolutely swear by dog vitamins. I really don't know why I didn't think them necessary long ago. But better late than never.

And my dogs are now in peak health even though they're both coming up to 10 years old.

Do you want your dog to enjoy peak health?

Click Here for more Pet Vitamin information! - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/Vitamins

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Her site, Healthy Happy Dogs, has pages and pages of information on improving your dog's health naturally. Brigitte is the author of several reports, articles, and the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

For your special FREE report - "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!", Click Here for Your Free Dog Health Report! http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

---

You Can Help Reduce the Number of Unwanted Cats - Spaying and Neutering of Cats

Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are... Read More

Dogs And Their Allergies

A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More

Canine Communication and Body Language

A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More

Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started

There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More

Apistogramma , Dwarf Cichlids in the Aquarium

The real apistogramma's come from southern America, they all have... Read More

Guinea Pig History

Their scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and their nickname in... Read More

Declawing Your Cat

This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More

The Need for Pet First Aid Kits

Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More

Okay Lets Do A Poodle Again

My wife and I have been married for 32 years.... Read More

Are Your Fish Sick?

Keeping a fish tank is a wonderful and relaxing hobby,... Read More

Orthopedic Dog Beds

Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More

Top Five Dog Breeds for Homes with Children

Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More

Agility Training For Dogs

Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More

Your Cat The Hunter

Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More

How Intelligent is Your Dog

It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More

Canine Arthritis Medicine

Before you decide to give your dog canine arthritis medicine... Read More

The 7 Stages of Puppy Development

Let's take a look at the different stages, but before... Read More

How to Housebreak Your Dog or Puppy

Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More

Cats Make Great Pets If You Understand Them

Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover.... Read More

Ten Important Things Your Dog Wants You To Know

If your dog could talk, these are some of most... Read More

Crate Training Your Puppy or Dog

Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More

Dog Eye Problems - What To Watch Out For

Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More

Birdie Body Language

Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic... Read More

Your Dog and the Dentist: Learn the Drill

While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More

Which Breed Is Right For You?

Why does one breed appeal to a person over another?... Read More

Tips for Introducing Two Cats

Adding a new member to your feline family is usually... Read More

Nutrition and Your Dogs Behavior

Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior Proper nutrition is the fundamental... Read More

West Highland White Terrier - Picking the Right Breeder

Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More

Mind-Set: The Second Of 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With Your Horse

Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More

Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know...

Some Dogs like Boxers unfortunately, are prone to several potential... Read More

Dog Jewelry: A Celebration of Mans Best Friend

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More

Dog Aggression: How to Recognize & Respond

Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More

Why Dont I Understand My Dog?

I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More