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TYPICAL DOG FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
Supplements are commonly used by many people today to help boost and enrich diets.
Pet owners also see the benefits of adding various dog food supplements to their dog’s diet. However this course of action should be normally be discussed with a veterinarian.
Most healthy dogs will not need supplements. However dogs with specialized needs, and owners using the BARF diet for their dogs, may prefer that extra boost that dog food supplements can provide.
As you read through this section, remember that supplements are often times very specialized and you will need to discuss any choice you make with your veterinarian.
Garlic – natures wonder dog food supplement.
A popular dog food supplement can be found in garlic powder. Garlic contains organic allyl sulfur components – S-allyl cysteine and other cysteine derivatives like S-alkyl cysteine sulfoxides.
These components are responsible for many of garlic’s anticancer, antibiotic, anti-lipid and anti-diabetic properties. Pretty powerful stuff, isn’t it?
Those who advocate giving garlic to dogs point to garlic protecting against cancer, enhancing immunity and reducing the formation of athero-sclerotic plaques and thrombi.
It has even been found to be beneficial in reducing cholesterol levels, and lowering blood sugar levels.
Raw garlic is antibacterial and anti-fungal. This action, however, is lost when garlic is cooked or dried.
TIP: Dry ginger is also a good anti-inflammatory. Together with garlic, dry ginger can replace the need for aspirin-like (NSAID) drugs.
Safety Considerations
There are claims however, that garlic is actually harmful or even deadly to dogs and should be avoided at all costs. The reason is that Garlic contains, along with whatever beneficial components, thiosulphate.
Thisoulphate is responsible for a condition that can cause the dog’s red blood cells to burst.
The condition is called haemolytic anemia and is deadly. Some symptoms of haemolytic anemia are vomiting, reddish urine, and breathlessness.
There is no direct evidence that there’s a correlation between dogs consuming garlic and suffering from this disease, but it bears mentioning for concerned owners.
When choosing to feed your dog any human food or supplements such as garlic, you must consult your veterinarian. There are two sides to every coin and every garlic clove.
Keep this in mind if you choose to use it to supplement your dog’s diet.
Other Positive Benefits of Garlic
A few more ways raw unprocessed but pasteurized garlic supposedly helps your dog are for skin boils and other bacterial infections.
Crush a bulb of garlic and extract the juice. Apply it topically on the infected areas. Wound healing will usually take place within a week.
Using a raw, unprocessed (not preserved in any way) clove of garlic, mash it well and add it to your pet’s food daily. Large dog, large clove. Small dog, small clove.
This helps prevent cancer, tone the circulation, and purify the blood.
An added benefit is that it helps keep dogs from having worms, and gets rid of them if he or she already has them.
It also helps to keep fleas and ticks off dogs because neither bug likes the smell of garlic.
This actually works for horses to keep stable flies and other gnats away. Your dog doesn’t smell like garlic to a human, by the way.
The easiest way to give garlic is by liquid. Either spray or pour it on the food, and mix well.
The researched recommended daily dose seems to be:
5-20 lb. dogs – 4 sprays or 1/4 ounce in food daily.
21-50 lb. dogs – 6 sprays into food and mix well.
51 lbs. and over dogs 8 sprays into food and mix well.
Now, if you think the doses are too high, then opt to do what many breeders, vets and animal lovers do: feed the dog.
In other words, just give them what they seem to tolerate. Actually, it would be best for you to just start off slowly with smaller amounts, if this is what you would like to try for your dog.
For those on the BARF diet and who may want to use supplements, or for those wanting to learn more about common dog food supplements, there is a wealth of knowledge out there, either through your veterinarian or on the internet.