Pet Supplements at Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital
If you're like many Americans, your kitchen counter or medicine cabinet may contain more than a few nutritional and dietary supplements, from multivitamin formulas to specific herbal remedies for this or that condition. But did you know that supplements can help to optimize, not just your own health, but also that of your beloved pet? The right kinds of supplements can ensure that your pet gets the nutritional support that he needs -- and we can provide those pet supplements here at Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital in San Diego.
How Pets Benefit From Supplements
Every creature requires a precise balance of certain raw organic materials to help it sustain its physical functions. Both humans and their pets require specific amounts and ratios of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fiber, and water in order to experience good health. You may be able to provide the right nutritional mix for your pet simply by feeding him the correct portions of a commercially-available pet food recommended by veterinarians. But if your pet tends to dine "off the menu" by feasting on foods not meant for his species, he may be woefully malnourished no matter how much he eats. For instance, human foods are totally wrong for pets in terms of sodium, fats, and sugars. A cat who subsists on dog food won't receive enough taurine or other key nutrients to stay healthy.
Pets with specific medical challenges may also have special nutritional needs that call for supplementation by veterinarians. A pet suffering from an inflammatory condition such as arthritis, for example, may benefit from nutrients that boast anti-oxidant or anti-inflammatory properties.
Nutritional Supplementation and Guidance at Our San Diego Animal Hospital
Although you may find nutritional supplements for animals at your local pet shop or grocery store, it's important to note that feeding supplements to your pet indiscriminately can make his health worse instead of better. Our San Diego Animal Hospital can evaluate your pet's baseline health and nutritional needs. We can then prescribe specific nutritional supplements as needed to improve your maintain your pet's well being. Examples include:
- B vitamins to support a variety of biological functions
- Vitamin E to promote healthy eyes, muscles, and reproductive organs
- Omega-3 fatty acids to keep the skin, coat, and immune system in good shape
- Glucosamine to ease osteoarthritis pain and maintain cartilage
- Herbal supplements such as turmeric or cinnamon to treat or prevent inflammation
Ask Our Veterinarian About This Important Aspect of Pet Care
Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital is your knowledge center for all kinds of pet care, including nutritional counseling. Call our San Diego clinic at (858) 292-6116 today to learn more!
