Arshine:Cons of Nutraceuticalsan
Arshine:Cons of Nutraceuticalsand
Many
people add health supplements to their daily regimen to support their health,
whether to increase their brain function or improve their joint mobility.
Many pet owners also want to go the extra mile to support their four-legged
friends’ health. In 2019, more than 26% of dog owners and 13% of cat owners
regularly gave their pets a vitamin or supplement, according to the American
Pet Products Association (APPA). Our arshinefeed team explains
the pros and cons of giving your pet veterinary supplements and other
over-the-counter supplements and medications.
What are veterinary nutraceuticals?
The
term nutraceutical was coined in the early 1990s and refers to micronutrients,
macronutrients, and other nutritional supplements. Generally,
nutraceuticals are derived from foods and herbs, or other natural products,
such as animal glands or organs. Nutraceuticals are not considered essential
nutrients, however, so before you start adding supplements to your pet’s diet,
consider scheduling a dietary consultation with our veterinarian to
ensure your pet’s nutrition is on the right track. Feeding your pet a diet
of Association of American Feed Control Officials
(AAFCO) approved food for their life stage and species will ensure they
receive all the essential nutrients.
Pros and cons of veterinary nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals
are available to support and improve a variety of medical conditions in your
pet, including osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal (GI) gut flora imbalances, and
decreased immune function. Benefits of veterinary nutraceuticals include:
- Decreased
chances of side effects from some prescription medications
- High
margin of safety
- Broad
spectrum of health benefits
- Unique
chemical actions to support health that are not available with
prescription medication
Veterinary
nutraceuticals are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), so pet owners should use caution when purchasing supplements not
recommended by their veterinarian. Our veterinarians have carefully researched
nutraceutical options for your pet, and we carry the highest quality,
well-researched, and quality-controlled products in our hospital and online veterinary
pharmacy. We
carry the following categories of nutraceuticals:
- Joint
support
- Probiotics
and GI health support
- Skin
and immune system support
- Liver
support
- Brain
and cognitive function support
Many
of the same products may be available from other online resources, but the risk
encountering counterfeit products is higher, and such counterfeit products
could be harmful to your pet. Always consult your veterinarian before giving
any nutraceutical supplement to your pet.
Pros and cons of over-the-counter medications and your pet
Over-the-counter
(OTC) medications can be beneficial for your pet in specific cases, but they
should only be used under the direct supervision of your veterinarian. For example,
if your pet has a reaction to a vaccine, your veterinarian may advise you to
give them the OTC medication Benadryl. Doses of OTC medications for people are
different from those for pets because animals metabolize medications
differently. If your frisky feline develops a limp from a clumsy landing off
their favorite shelf, it can be tempting to give them an OTC pain reliever.
However, many common OTC medications are dangerous for pets. Tylenol, in
particular, can be deadly to cats.
You may be tempted
to purchase OTC human and pet nutraceuticals from your local market or health
food store. However, many of these products are not highly regulated, or
quality controlled, compared to the veterinary-formulated supplements
recommended by our Arshinefeed veterinarians. These
supplements may also contain additives and ingredients that are not listed on
the label, and may be toxic to pets. For example, calcium, which may seem
harmless, can lead to bladder stone formation in pets who ingest high amounts.
Always consult our veterinarian before giving any OTC medication or supplement
to your pet.
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