Should your Aussie be taking a daily supplement? It’s something we get asked a lot!
In this article I’ll discuss what you need to know about your Australian Shepherd taking supplements and give you the best guideline to work from.
From which supplements are best for Aussies in particular, to whether or not your Aussie will even need a supplement, it’s all below.
Does Your Australian Shepherd Need Supplements?
Are daily supplements even necessary for Australian Shepherds?
Although they can certainly boost a dog’s overall health in various aspects, they aren’t needed for their survival. So, they’re aren’t exactly a must!
Unlike our diet which varies greatly, your Aussie’s everyday feed is formulated to meet all their nutritional requirements. And assuming you’re providing a high quality option, they’ll should have everything they need.
However, even when their diet is nutritionally balanced and sufficient, some Aussies can still benefit significantly from certain supplements depending on their age, diet, health, and lifestyle.
Let’s run through the 5 best supplements that your Aussie could still benefit from. Once again, supplements aren’t a mandatory addition to their diet, but they can help depending on certain situations.
How Can Supplements Help?
There’s a wide range of supplements that your Aussie could benefit from, and it mostly comes down to their age, health and lifestyle.
For example, if your Aussie is getting older and has lived a very active lifestyle then a joint supplement could really make a significant difference when it comes to her mobility in those twilight years.
On the other hand, some Aussies might develop sensitive stomachs, and therefore a supplement promoting gut health could aid with that particular trouble.
➡️ There’s pretty much a supplement to help with everything. While a supplement is never the be-all-end-all, it could be what helps your Aussie deal with a particular issue.
I’ll run through the best options below.
The Best Supplements For Australian Shepherds
Let’s run through the most common and “important” supplements that veterinarians often recommend to dogs. These supplements won’t be necessary for every Aussie, so it really depends on their age, healthy and lifestyle.
Joint Supplements ⬇️
Joint supplements can work wonders for any medium to large-sized dog breed, and Australian Shepherds fit right in. Known for their active lifestyle, these medium-sized buddies can greatly benefit from daily joint supplements. These supplements often pack in several ingredients that boost joint health, giving your pooch multifaceted support with just one daily pill or treat.
Used as a preventive measure, these joint supplements can thwart the breakdown of joints, nourish the cartilage, and help fend off painful swelling in your Aussie. If they’re already dealing with a joint issue, these supplements can help alleviate the daily discomfort they might experience.
You’ll find a wide variety of dog joint supplements out there, from prescription ones to over-the-counter options at your nearby pet store. But remember, it’s always best to have a chat with your vet before picking the most suitable joint supplement for your Australian Shepherd
A joint supplement would be suitable for Aussies that are:
- Senior
- Highly active
- Dealing with joint disease
- Overweight
- Recovering from Joint Surgery or Injury
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Fish Oil (Omega 3) ⬇️
Fish oil or Omega-3 supplements can do a world of good for your Aussie friend. These are like little drops of goodness that can make your dog’s coat shiny, their brain sharp, and their joints happy. It’s kind of like when we take vitamins to help our hair look nice and our bodies feel strong.
Fish oil is especially good for the heart. Just like it helps humans, Omega-3 can keep your Aussie’s heart pumping strong. It also helps reduce any inflammation. So, if your dog has a condition that makes them swollen or sore, fish oil might just be the ticket to them feeling better.
Remember, these supplements aren’t a magic cure, but they can help support a healthier, happier life for your Australian Shepherd. Whether it’s making their coat look like it’s straight out of a dog show or keeping their joints moving smoothly, fish oil is like a little boost in a bottle.
An omega 3 supplement could help Aussies that have:
- Skin allergies
- Dry skin issues
- Joint issues
- Heart problems
- Kidney disease
- Cognitive or brain health issues
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Probiotics ⬇️
Probiotics can be a beneficial addition to your Australian Shepherd’s diet. They function like microscopic allies that promote gut health. Analogous to how we incorporate yogurt into our diet for its probiotics, these can help maintain an optimal balance in your dog’s digestive tract.
Should your Aussie experience frequent digestive upset or diarrhea, probiotics could be a potential solution. They aid in establishing a healthy equilibrium between the beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut. This balance ensures proper digestion of food and contributes to regular bowel movements.
If digestive health improvement is on the cards for your Australian Shepherd, consider probiotics.
Probiotics can be beneficial for:
- Aussies with digestive upsets
- Aussies on antibiotics
- Aussies with allergies
- Aussies under stress
- Aussies with poor immune health
- Aussies with certain skin conditions
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Glucosamine ⬇️
Glucosamine can be a potent supplement for dogs with existing joint issues, those at risk, or even the ones with an active lifestyle. Though glucosamine is often already a part of daily joint supplements, some Australian Shepherd owners prefer to give this individually before introducing comprehensive joint supplements.
Glucosamine is a compound naturally present in the tissue of a healthy dog’s joint, where it plays a crucial role in safeguarding and repairing worn-out cartilage. However, as your Aussie ages, the levels of glucosamine within the joint can start to diminish.
By including a daily glucosamine supplement, you can help maintain the therapeutic levels of glucosamine within your dog’s joints, which in turn, supports their joint health for as long as possible.
Glucosamine can be beneficial for:
- Aging Aussies
- Aussies with joint disorders
- Extra large Aussies
- Active or sporty Aussies
- Overweight Aussies
- Aussies recovering from joint surgery or injury
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General Vitamins ⬇️
A well-rounded multivitamin could be a substantial boost to your Australian Shepherd’s overall health. Think of it as a comprehensive health package that caters to various aspects of your dog’s wellbeing, similar to how we take multivitamins to supplement our diet and address any potential nutritional deficiencies.
If your Aussie’s diet falls short in providing all the necessary vitamins and minerals, a multivitamin supplement might be just the thing.
They help ensure that your dog gets a balanced intake of nutrients, contributing to everything from maintaining a shiny coat to promoting good eye health and supporting a robust immune system.
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Consult Your Vet Before Giving Supplements
Giving your Australian Shepherd daily supplements can help keep them healthy. But, remember to always talk to your vet first before starting anything new. Giving your dog too much of something good might not always be best and could lead to problems.
For example, some dogs can get really sick if they get too many vitamins. Sometimes, these problems don’t show up until months later. We definitely don’t want to accidentally hurt our dogs when we’re trying to make them healthier.
So, before changing your Aussie’s food or adding in any supplements, always chat with your vet. They know your dog best and can guide you in the right direction. This way, we can make sure our dogs are getting the benefits from these supplements safely.