If you’re wondering whether or not to add supplements to a raw food diet , consider that every dog is unique and may require different supplements based on their dietary needs and pre-existing conditions.
Adding extra vitamins and minerals without knowing how they’ll react with your dog or conflict can sometimes cause more harm than good. There is a risk of vitamin toxicity with fat soluble vitamins which are stored by the dog’s body as opposed to water soluble vitamins which are more appropriate for dogs because they are able to exit the body. To avoid this concern, add supplements on an as-needed basis and with guidance by your nutritional specialist or integrative veterinarian.
Many dog food companies incorporate some kind of synthetic supplements because their production processes destroy the natural vitamins and minerals found in natural raw dog food. Before swapping in supplements with your current kibble, try the switch to an all natural raw food diet to notice the difference and give your dog the essential nutrients their bodies can absorb.
If your dog is already on a raw food diet and you would like to support their health further, there are many options available that target joints, arthritis, digestion, circulation, immune support.
Before you begin to incorporate any supplements yourself, we encourage you to use informed judgement because you know your dog best. If you think they need a supplements or want to give it a try, come talk to our Canine Nutrition Consultant at Iron Will Raw.