Pet Tabs and supplements

[shippers]

I have heard that Pet Tabs are good to give to a dog once a day as a vitamin boost. Is anyone using Pet Tabs at the moment and recommends them? Or can anyone suggest other supplements that can help general health?

[Lexie in CA]

Well, I am currently using Nuvet. It was recommended by the breeder, but I had seen other breeders who recommended it. https://www.nuvetlabs.com/order/default.asp

ETA: It is very expensive though.

[CavyMom]

Keep in mind to much of many vitamins is as bad or worse then not enough. Personally, as long as the dog is on a high quality food suitable for the breed and lifestage, I see no need to add alot of "extras" to the diet.

[AT]

Keep in mind to much of many vitamins is as bad or worse then not enough. Personally, as long as the dog is on a high quality food suitable for the breed and lifestage, I see no need to add alot of "extras" to the diet.

I agree . If I had a puppy they would be fed a complete food with no suppliments at all . they should not need it if fed a good quality food & you can do more harm than good.

I consider one of my dogs to have been over fed & over supplimented as a pup. Their bones have not grown to the right lengths in relation to each other .
Of course it might not be the food but none of my other dogs were fed in the same way & none of them have had the same problem.

[shippers]

We feed Sally a good quality diet so there is probably no need for supplements. I was just wondering if certain vitamins and supplements might improve coat and vitality and give them a boost. I wouldn't want to cause any harm though

[merlinsmum]

I give mine Vetzyme Conditioning tablets for a few days if they have had the runs or anything. I don't give them all the time. (You can get them at Croston Corn Mill)

[hollyandmel]

I give Holly an evening primrose capsule once a day for her coat (when she was speyed it went very guinea pig like, coarse and curley)

[shippers]

I'll have a look at all the vitamins recommended. It's not that Sally has a dull coat or isn't healthy I just want to do the best for her. I was recommended Pet Tabs by a retired Vet and they're made by Pfizer so thought they'd be good. I'll buy some and see how she goes with them. Will let you know the outcome

[Caraline]

Well I am rather anti the whole vitamin supplement thing. Regardless of whether we are talking about humans or dogs, my thinking is that supplements should only be given if there is a known deficiency. In affluent countries like USA, UK, Australia etc., at best 99.99% of vitamins that humans take get peed down the toilet, because they are not needed and are simply excreted. At worst, they can have nasty side effects caused by build up or interaction with other medications. It is just a big commercial rip off and the health food shops are laughing up their sleeves.

If a human or a dog is given a well rounded diet there is no need for supplements, unless some symptoms or laboratory diagnostic reveals that there is in fact a deficiency. The other reason would be if for medical reasons a particular food group can not be given, leaving a shortfall in the diet.

Ask yourself, exactly what vitamin/mineral/trace element is it that you think your dog might be deficient in? Ask yourself why you think that. Then go do a Google to find out what foods those goodies occur in naturally.

That is my humble opinion anyway.

[Barbara Nixon]

A retired vet, on another forum, highly recommended Pet Tabs as having the best vitamin makeup and uses them as treats. I don't think they are really necessary unless your dog seems to be lacking in some way. Mine only get a fish skin roll or cube a day , as this not only shines the coat, but cleans the teeth, too. Joly has certainly had less tartar buildup since we started using them.