Does a Labrador Retriever need vitamins: what supplements to choose?

Vitamins for Labrador are not sources of energy, but rather regulate physiological and biochemical processes that underlie many important functions of the dog’s body. In modern veterinary medicine, a dog’s health condition worsens due to a lack of essential vitamins. Most often this happens in the spring, after a long period of winter and autumn.

Vitamins are organic compounds with low molecular weight and high biological activity, necessary for a Labrador to be healthy, and enter the dog’s body with food. Food does not contain as many vitamins as proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

How to choose vitamins for a dog

Every dog, regardless of its size or breed, has its own characteristics and health problems. This could be hair loss, a severe injury or broken bone, a tendency to become overweight, excessive exercise, or age-related changes. For each of these cases, you need your own vitamin complexes that will help your pet improve its health.

Your veterinarian will give you basic recommendations, but you should still know some of the nuances of choosing such supplements in advance.

You need to focus on the characteristics of your dog:

1. Age

Puppies, pregnant or lactating animals require an increased amount of microelements, so their dosage may exceed the daily requirement. The composition itself should be as complete as possible.
Older dogs need a special caring multicomplex with calcium and phosphorus to strengthen bones and joints, as well as retinol, which will support weakening vision.

2. Breed

Some breeds have a genetic predisposition to skin or musculoskeletal problems. For example, German Shepherds often suffer from hip dysplasia, Shih Tzus have weak kneecaps, and Dachshunds suffer from spinal problems. Vitamins for such dogs should contain chondroprotectors and minimize the possibility of such diseases.

Owners of large animals should pay attention to multivitamins with a high content of calcium and other minerals that have a beneficial effect on the condition of their pets’ bones and joints.

Do not forget that dogs on dry food need to take a vitamin course twice a year. Animals on a natural diet or consuming ready-made economy-class food will require more frequent prolonged courses of supplements.

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What to feed your Labrador?

Labrador is a very popular “family” dog breed.
These animals are very noble, easy to train, calm and affectionate. At the same time, the Labrador is an excellent watchman, security guard and an excellent nanny. If there is a small child in the house or you are expecting a new addition to the family, you will not find a better breed. Labrador owners need to give their pet a lot of affection and attention in order to establish warm, friendly relationships. You also need to carefully and responsibly approach the choice of food. Food for a Labrador is of great importance, since only with a balanced diet will your pet be alert, active and healthy.

The best vitamins for puppies

Puppies can be given special vitamin supplements from 2 months of age to one year of age. At this time, babies especially need calcium and other microelements necessary for proper growth and development.

Canvit Junior - with natural composition

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The Canvit Junior supplement is designed specifically for puppies or young dogs of different breeds. The high content of amino acids, fatty acids of natural origin and organically associated microelements has a beneficial effect on the development of their body.

The use of Canvit improves the condition of the skin and coat, and prebiotics improve digestion and enhance immunity. The vitamin supplement is available in powder form and is suitable for puppies of all breeds.

Advantages:

natural composition;
high content of omega-3 and -6 acids;
no contraindications;
convenient release form - easy to mix into food;
can be combined with calcium-containing drugs.

Flaws:

high price;
Not all pet stores have it.

Canvit Junior is one of the best vitamin preparations for puppies, but the owner will have to spend time searching for it or waiting for an order.

8 in 1 Excel Multi Vitamin Puppy – the best in microelements

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Complex 8 in1 is recommended to be given to dogs no older than one year old with an unbalanced diet. These vitamins are available in tablet form and contain microelements such as phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, as well as brewer's yeast, which are a source of a large number of useful substances.

The drug has a comprehensive effect on the entire body of a growing baby, supporting its activity.

Advantages:

rich composition (as many as 11 vitamins and 10 minerals);
suitable for all breeds;
pleasant taste and smell of tablets;
the price is about 400 rubles.

Flaws:

The tablets are large, without notches.

Despite its versatility, Multi Vitamin Puppy is more suitable for medium or large breed puppies due to its size.

Unitabs Junior Complex – for puppies prone to allergies

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Many veterinarians recommend these vitamins for daily use. They come in the form of pleasant-tasting tablets, so puppies eat them with pleasure. The drug is approved from 3 weeks of age for babies of all breeds.

The supplement is designed to meet the requirements of an actively growing body. Its action is aimed at the health of the skin and coat, improving metabolism and appetite, as well as the development of muscles and bone tissue.

In addition to folic acid - the main component for the harmonious growth of puppies - the composition includes 13 more active substances, including vitamins A, C, E and D, fish oil, traditional brewer's yeast, calcium and phosphorus.

Advantages:

hypoallergenic;
balanced composition with 14 active elements;
The tablets crumble and chew well;
affordable price.

Flaws:

contains flavor enhancers.

Unitabs offers an affordable multivitamin for puppies with many beneficial elements. Although not every dog likes the taste of Junior, if the puppy agrees to eat them, the owners can save a lot of money.

Other means

All of these drugs are the medications that doctors recommend most often. Experts recommend them in order to give the patient’s body the necessary substances, most of all this concerns B vitamins.

Doctors also prescribe other useful remedies. For example:

"Combilipen";
"Unicap";
"Magne B6";
"Magnelis B6";
"Neurobion";
"ATF-long";
"ATF-forte".

Important! There are still a great variety of means. So the remedy, method of administration, as well as dosage should be prescribed by a specialist. It is necessary to make adjustments to the daily menu in order to consume foods rich in vitamins, getting them from food.

Attention: in order to achieve sustainable results, as well as prevent the acute phase of osteochondrosis, you must achieve the following:

cessation of degenerative processes;
stimulation of regeneration in tissues;
preventing inflammation.

To do this, it is necessary to use vitamins as well as metabolic agents.

The best vitamins for small breed dogs

Decorative pets require careful selection of vitamin complexes. Some babies (for example, Chihuahuas) are prone to rapid weight gain, so the amount of fatty elements in such preparations should be strictly limited.

Farmavit Active - the best multicomplex for small dogs

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Farmavit is one of the most popular vitamins for small pets. They provide mineralization to the entire body and are suitable not only for adult animals, but also for puppies, as well as pregnant and lactating dogs. Their use is recommended for loss of appetite, especially if the dog is on natural feeding.

The composition includes 11 vitamins, fish meal and fruit enzymes, which are responsible for the absorption of microelements by the body. The drug comes in the form of tablets that dogs eat with pleasure.

Advantages:

high degree of digestibility of all vitamins;
does not cause allergic reactions;
suitable for pets of any age;
natural composition.

Flaws:

Not available in all stores.

Farmavit "Active" is a universal complex with a rich vitamin composition, which is suitable for regular use by small dogs of any age.

Wolmar Winsome Pro Bio Booster Ca Mini – good digestion and strong skeleton

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World-proven vitamins from a Swiss manufacturer are developed for dwarf breed dogs. The composition is selected so that microelements penetrate into the animal’s body gradually and provide a prolonged effect.

The complex includes vitamins A, D3, E and B12, essential amino acids, and probiotics are added to improve the digestion of small pets.

Advantages:

improve appetite;
establish phosphorus-calcium metabolism;
prevent eating inedible objects and feces;
can be given as early as one month of age;
unexpressed smell and taste.

Flaws:

some dogs refuse to eat the pills.

Vitamins Ca Mini will help maintain the health of the bones and digestive system of your four-legged friend. And so that the pet does not get capricious and gets its portion of vitamins, they can be crushed and mixed with food.

Gelakan “Champion” – for preparation for the exhibition

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The food additive, unique in its composition, has no analogues. Gelakan vitamins improve the appearance of dogs’ skin and coat, restore pigmentation of the eyes and nose, which is especially important for show-class pets.

“Champion” is especially popular among owners of miniature dogs who regularly participate in exhibitions, but the complex is also suitable for larger breeds. There are two types of vitamins on sale: for dogs with bright colors and for black and white pets.

Advantages:

reduces seasonal shedding;
returns shine to wool, helps cope with fragility;
The powder dissolves quickly in water.

Flaws:

the complex is aimed exclusively at improving appearance;
it costs expensive.

Gelacan will help prepare your dog for an exhibition in record time, but these vitamins will not improve the overall health of your pet.

Veterinarians' opinion

When determining the diet for a Labrador, not only the amount of food is taken into account, but also the routine. For a puppy up to 4 months, the menu is divided into 4 doses per day, from 4 to 6 - 3 per day. An adult dog needs only two meals a day for life.

Useful information about prohibited foods will help you avoid allergies and skin reactions in your Labrador. For example, rolled oats porridge can cause irritation, redness, dandruff and even eczema in a dog.

The best vitamins for medium breeds

Representatives of medium breeds will benefit from most vitamins designed for adult dogs.

Phytocalcevit for adult dogs - inexpensive broad-spectrum vitamins

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Fitocalcevit is a universal supplement, which is a complex of vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on all functions of the animal’s body.

However, first of all, it serves for the proper formation and strengthening of the skeleton, as well as the restoration of bone tissue after fractures or other injuries. The drug also helps well with growth retardation or weakened condition of the pet.

Advantages:

The powder is easy to mix into food;
Suitable for dogs of all ages;
combined with any medications;
good as a chondroprotector;
strengthens the cardiovascular system;
low price.

Flaws:

Not suitable for dogs with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract.

Phytocalcevit is a budget-friendly but effective food supplement with a very wide range of effects. However, when introducing it into the diet, you will need to monitor the animal’s stool and health.

Wolmar Winsome Pro Bio L-Collagen – the best chondroprotector

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Bio L-Collagen is a narrow-profile nutritional supplement for the complex treatment of joints and ligaments. Also, these vitamins help restore the strength and elasticity of tendons and connective tissues.

Veterinarians recommend giving them to dogs with a weakened skeleton or after injuries. They are also useful for active pets with high physical activity, since the drug contains L-amino acids and collagen, which normalize protein metabolism.

Wolmar Winsome is available in the form of water-soluble tablets, so there are no difficulties in feeding the supplement to your pet. And the digestibility of the components in this case turns out to be higher.

Advantages:

suitable for dogs of any age;
high efficiency of the additive;
convenient way to use;
prevents age-related changes in joints.

Flaws:

price;
narrowly targeted action.

Wolmar L-Collagen is necessary for animals with musculoskeletal problems, and is also used during rehabilitation after injuries (fractures, dislocations, sprains).

Sanal Dog Biotin - the key to shiny coat

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Sanal “Biotin” vitamins are indispensable during seasonal molting, as well as in the complex treatment and prevention of pet skin diseases.

They do not contain preservatives or other substances that cause allergies. But the formula includes calcium, yeast and biotin, which is completely absorbed by the animal’s body.

The latter is responsible for fat metabolism, stable functioning of the sweat and sebaceous glands, promotes cell renewal and maintains the health of the nervous system.

Advantages:

completely organic composition;
hypoallergenic;
reduces the duration of molting;
strengthens teeth and bones.

Flaws:

• high consumption – 4-5 tablets per day.

Dog Biotin is a specific complex of vitamins, the activity of which is mainly aimed at improving the appearance of the animal.

Reasons for refusing to eat

If refusal to eat is accompanied by lethargy, reluctance to drink water, nausea, fever or upset bowel movements, you should immediately consult a doctor. This condition in your Labrador may be the cause of a disease that requires treatment.

There are a number of reasons why you should not worry:
If refusal to eat is accompanied by lethargy, reluctance to drink water, nausea, fever or upset bowel movements, you should immediately consult a doctor. This condition in your Labrador may be the cause of a disease that requires treatment.

The best vitamins for large breed dogs

Each vitamin will definitely have a special line for large breeds. Such pets especially need calcium, which strengthens and maintains the health of the musculoskeletal system.

Unitabs ImmunoComplex - a multicomplex for strengthening the immune system

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You can start taking the Unitabs immunostimulating complex as early as 12 months of age. The action of these vitamins is also aimed at maintaining healthy bones and muscle tissue, which is important for representatives of large breeds. The tablets are packaged in jars of 100 pieces.

The ImmunoComplex formula was developed by our veterinarians together with leading German specialists. As a result, the composition based on brewer's yeast was enriched with coenzyme Q10, more than a dozen vitamins and 9 microelements.

Advantages:

rich vitamin and mineral composition;
does not contain preservatives and GMOs;
highly effective when taken regularly;
low price.

Flaws:

Contains unnatural flavoring.

Unitabs ImmunoComplex is purchased for large dogs prone to infectious diseases and with weakened immunity (for example, due to prolonged use of antibiotics).

8 in 1 Excel Brewer's Yeast – for a healthy coat

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This vitamin preparation was developed with the participation of veterinarians, so the composition turned out to be rich but balanced. It contains B vitamins plus fish oil, which are responsible for a healthy shine in the coat.

The tablets also contain brewer's yeast - they normalize metabolism, support the functioning of the immune system and internal organs.

Advantages:

facilitates seasonal molting;
improves skin regeneration;
pleasant taste of vitamins - dogs eat them with pleasure;
good packaging with mica.

Flaws:

narrow focus of action of vitamins.

If you want to make it easier for a large dog to shed, it is better to start giving Brewer's Yeast before it begins.

Beaphar Top 10 Chondro Treat – prevention of joint diseases

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The Chondro Treat supplement will help prevent the development of diseases of the joints, ligaments, and loss of muscle elasticity. Veterinarians recommend regular courses of these vitamins for large dogs to prevent skeletal problems.

The main component of the complex is glucosamine. This substance, produced by healthy joints, helps restore cartilage damage and strengthen bone tissue. This also includes, among other things, taurine, which improves metabolic processes in the cells of the whole body.

Beaphar Top 10 Chondro Treat comes in the form of two-color tablets that dogs perceive as a treat.

Advantages:

natural ingredients;
pleasant taste and smell;
easy to digest;
strengthens the animal's immunity.

Flaws:

inconvenient narrow packaging;
not a small price.

Beaphar Top 10 is an effective chondroprotector for large dogs. Moreover, it can be taken both for prevention and in the process of complex treatment.

Calcium

Calcium deficiency is a very common thing, especially in people who refuse dairy products (and it is fashionable to refuse dairy products these days).

Calcium is fundamentally important for women. Women are much more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis during menopause. Therefore, you should start taking care of your bone health as early as possible. And calcium is not just about teeth, bones and nails - it plays an important role in muscle contraction, that is, during any movement. Without calcium, muscle movement is basically impossible, so the body has a large storage area for it - bones. When there is a calcium deficiency in food, “bone” calcium is used.

The minimum daily dose of calcium is 1000 mg in a highly digestible form (citrate, malate).

If you want to get all your calcium from dairy products, then note that 100 grams of cottage cheese contains 120-150 mg of calcium. That is, even 3 standard packs of cottage cheese per day do not replenish the calcium requirement. Hard cheeses contain the most calcium (600-1200 mg), but due to their fat content, cheeses cannot be considered as the main source of calcium.

The best vitamins for pregnant and lactating dogs

During pregnancy and lactation, dogs need more vitamins in order not only to maintain the health of the four-legged mother, but also to have a beneficial effect on the development of puppies - both in the womb and after birth.

Canina Caniletten – the best multi-complex

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A complex of vitamins and microelements from a German manufacturer ensures the full development of puppies in the womb and increases their body’s resistance to infections in the future. And thanks to the presence of iron, the drug does an excellent job of preventing anemia in the mother.

Canina Caniletten includes 10 vitamins plus 7 microelements. They compensate for the lack of nutrients due to unbalanced feeding, improve metabolism and the functioning of the digestive system. The additive is available in the form of tablets, which are packaged in packages of 150, 500 or 1000 pieces.

Advantages:

quickly restores calcium balance;
perfectly absorbed;
has a complex effect on the body of mother and puppies;
improves the condition of the coat of an adult dog.

Flaws:

high consumption of tablets for large breeds;
high price.

Caniletten is one of the most balanced vitamin complexes for dogs. Unfortunately, the high cost, multiplied by the high consumption of tablets, stops many owners.

Canvit Nutrimix Biocal – vitamins for bone health

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The powdered food supplement is suitable not only for pregnant dogs, but also for pets in need of enhanced vitamin therapy.

The cause may be recent injuries, rickets, changing teeth, dermatitis, as well as some infectious diseases.

The composition is completely natural and includes shock doses of 3 essential elements for the dog’s body: calcium, phosphorus and sodium.

Advantages:

excellent digestibility;
microelements are reliably retained in bone tissue;
natural gelatin-based composition;
fits the ears well.

Flaws:

do not give a comprehensive effect.

Nutrimix has a narrowly targeted effect on bone and cartilage tissue. It is good as an additional supplement to other vitamin complexes.

Dry food rating

The ideal food for a dog, according to veterinarians, is dry food. It makes life easier for pet owners thanks to a balanced set of nutrients and the ability to calculate the exact dosage for the dog’s weight and age.

It is advisable to choose a brand after consulting with a specialist. Below are general recommendations from the Association of Veterinarians on choosing a diet for a Labrador.

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Large breed ranking table:

Despite the balance of dry food, it is recommended to include fresh vegetables in the dog’s daily menu. There are no restrictions on plant foods for feeding a Labrador, except perhaps individual taste preferences.

The Best Vitamins for Older Dogs

After 6-7 years, dogs of any breed are recommended a special diet and supporting vitamin complexes, which will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the bones, as well as strengthen the immunity of the aging pet.

Anivital CaniAge – multivitamin complex for aging dogs

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Anivital CaniAge vitamins are intended for regular use by pets of all breeds over 6 years of age. They are also prescribed for recovery after a long illness of an animal.

The composition is completely natural, contains fatty acids, vitamin E, amino acids and antioxidants obtained from grape seeds.

The German drug has a complex effect. This is the simultaneous prevention of joint diseases, digestive disorders and strengthening of the cardiovascular system.

It is produced in the form of round tablets with beef flavor. Packaged in dark plastic bottles of 60 or 120 pieces.

Advantages:

balanced natural composition;
dogs eat tablets well as treats;
does not cause allergies;
has no contraindications.

Flaws:

high price.

CaniAge multivitamins are aimed at overall improvement of the condition of an elderly pet of any breed. They can be given to the animal independently when the first age-related changes appear or even earlier if the dog receives serious physical activity.

Viyo Reinforces Dog Senior – healthy drink

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Viyo Reinforces has a very unusual release form - in the form of a drink. It contains prebiotics, which increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the dog’s intestines, improve the functioning of the digestive system, and increase immunity.

The composition is enriched with vitamins A, B, D3, H and E, and also includes a complex of 7 microelements with unsaturated fatty acids. For dogs of large breeds it is prescribed from the age of 5, for the rest - after seven. The course lasts 2 weeks and must be repeated 4 times a year.

Advantages:

comes in the form of spiders;
a noticeable increase in immunity with regular use;
natural composition;
beneficial effect on the condition of the coat;
low calorie content;
Dogs like the taste of the additive.

Flaws:

high price.

Viyo Dog Senior is a truly effective drug, but a visible improvement in the dog’s condition is observed only if you increase the number of courses or alternate the drink with other vitamins.

Side effects

Important! With an overdose of vitamins, which is fraught with excessive consumption, you can get hypervitaminosis. It is harmful to the body.

Short-term hypervitaminosis is not dangerous. Long is another matter. It greatly increases the likelihood of tumors. In addition, it may be fraught with diseases of the entire body. For example:

hypertension;
worsening allergies;
stones in the kidneys;
the appearance of cholesterol plaques;
problems with the nervous system.

Prohibited Products

Foods that should not be given to dogs:
raw sausage, eggs and fish;
spices and seasonings;
pork;
sour cream and cream;
legumes;
fatty broths;
mayonnaise and ketchup.

If your pet has eaten a product from the prohibited list, then if his health worsens, it is better to call a veterinarian. The body’s reaction manifests itself depending on the dog’s degree of endurance and its overall health.

If the choice fell on a natural diet

Many veterinarians and experienced breeders believe that it is correct to feed a Labrador puppy those dishes that were prepared by the owner himself from products that are not in doubt. This does not mean those dishes that are prepared for the whole family (borscht, cutlets, navy pasta, etc.), but what is prepared specifically for the dog, taking into account all its needs.

As a rule, the puppy actively suckles at the mother's breast until 2-3 weeks; around this time, the first complementary foods are introduced in the form of a small amount of boiled meat, turned into puree. And already from 1-1.5 months, puppies begin to eat almost the same as adult dogs. The menu for a Labrador puppy aged 1 to 3 months should include a lot of dairy products - about 50% of the total food (this includes milk, cottage cheese, and fermented milk products). Approximately 20% of food should be meat (including offal, fish), 15% each should be cereals and vegetables.

From the moment the puppy turns 3-4 months old, the situation with the amount of dairy products in the diet changes slightly. At this age, the animal requires more meat - at least 50% of the total food volume, but the share of milk dishes decreases to 20%, vegetables and cereals still account for 15%.

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Character traits

Emotionally, Labradors remain puppies until they are 3 years old, and only after this age do they acquire some degree of sedateness (if such a definition is even applicable to this breed).

Therefore, a five-month-old Labrador is not much different from a one-year-old or four-month-old . Love of life and cheerfulness, gentleness of character and kindness are qualities that run like a red thread through all stages of a dog’s life. At 5 months old, the Labrador is just a very curious, cheerful puppy, always ready to play and jump.

They are also very dependent on people and can get bored if they are left alone for a long time. Then they begin to chew on everything: furniture, a corner of the wall, they can feast on wallpaper, but slippers - this is not discussed at all. This way they relieve stress from the absence of the owner or lack of attention. This is how they are, Labrador puppies, yearning every minute to communicate with a person.

IMPORTANT!

The Labrador is the world's most friendly breed. It’s not for nothing that they work as guides for visually impaired people. By the way, at exhibitions they closely monitor the condition of the breed and its quality, and at the slightest hint of any aggression, the individual is rejected and not allowed for further breeding.