Are Human Supplements Safe & Effective for Dogs, Too?

by Jeff Caceres 

Pet owners often wonder why their dogs are not healthy despite eating high-quality food, exercising with them, regular veterinary check-ups, and so on. Despite efforts to make their dogs healthy and safe, it is not always enough or guaranteed to give the results they deserve.

There are several brands of nutritional supplements especially for dogs to take. Some of these supplements for dogs are water-soluble, fat-soluble, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, the quality of their dietary supplements is the primary concern. The product should be highly efficient and safe for the dog to take.

What if that nutritional supplement for your dog is not useful? Or, what if that product is not available on the market anymore?

Not all supplements are created equal and, for pet parents, it’s often difficult to find one that’s effective, especially considering pet products don’t face the same scrutiny and testing as similar human supplements. Dog owners must not rely themselves on different brands of nutritional supplements for dogs available today. After all, there are no guarantees that it could absorb into their dog’s blood stream due to its low bioavailability. One of the possible alternatives that you could provide for your dog is a nutritional supplement taken by humans.

How can pet owners consider that dietary supplements for humans are okay for dogs?

First and foremost, the dog owner must seek advice from a local veterinarian. Assuming that the dog is not being fed a well-balanced diet, you can bring a bottle or box of your nutritional supplement and let the doctor examine and research about it. The number one concern of most physicians and veterinarians is the quality of the product.

Just like humans, the quality is based on the number of nutrients, the body absorption rate, potency level, and has no side effects or adverse reactions. There are some foods that pet owners cannot allow their dogs to eat. It is the same thing when it comes for your dogs to take nutritional supplements marketed for humans.

Are human supplements totally safe for dogs as alternatives?

Human supplements containing zinc and iron, especially, should NOT be given to dogs. Just in case you let the dog take something with zinc and iron, immediate veterinary assistance is required. It is to prevent the dog from suffering permanent damage inside its body.

Never let your dog take a human nutritional supplement without seeking professional advice from a veterinarian. Even if you are confident that the product is safe and effective for dogs, do not forget to bring it to the vet before allowing your dog to take it.

Jeff Caceres is a freelance blogger who loves dogs. He and his family currently own 4 fluffy house dogs and 3 guard dogs. He loves to share tips, stories, pictures and videos on living his life with his lovable dogs. You can check out his dog website http://lifewithpuppy.com/ for more stories from different dog owners around the world.