Many veterinarians, myself included, currently recommend nutritional supplements to our patients. A nutritional supplement refers to any product taken by mouth that contains one or more "dietary ingredients" intended to supplement the diet. These dietary ingredients refer to vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, organ tissues, glandulars, metabolites, extracts or concentrates. These come in many forms like capsules, tablets, powders, liquids or even tasty treats. The use of supplements has become extremely popular both in human medicine and in veterinary medicine. Over 20% of dog owners offer some type of nutritional supplement to their pets.
But not all supplements are created equal, and their use should be supervised under the guidance of a veterinarian. When choosing supplements, there are several things to consider. A big choice is in deciding to use a natural supplement or a synthetic one. Natural therapies are also termed holistic or alternative sometimes as there is no single agreed-upon definition of this when applying it to supplements.Here's an example though of natural versus synthetic. The leaves and bark of the White willow tree have long been used to treat fever and pain. In 1897, the Bayer company extracted the primary ingredient believed to produce these fever lowering effects, salicin. Salicin was then chemically modified to acetylsalicylic acid and marketed as aspirin. The small modification that was done gives aspirin its anti-clot properties, as white willow bark does not do this. A more "natural" approach to lowering a fever is to use white willow bark. Western conventional medicine would prescribe aspirin. See the difference? (Note- I am not recommending aspirin or white willow bark use. Consult your family veterinarian for instances of fever in your pet.)
Many people think that "natural" means safe. But let's consider this. There are many plants and such that in their natural state are toxic. As an example, improperly diluted tea tree oil can be dangerous and even fatal to dogs, Just because something is from nature, i.e. natural, doesn't mean its safe. Natural remedies tend to have greater safety profiles than conventional medicine but many "natural" supplements have multiple ingredients, some of which may not be well understood. This can be good or bad. While conventional therapies have their place, so do "natural" supplements and remedies. Each should be used under the guidance of a knowledgable veterinarian though,
But not all supplements are created equal, and their use should be supervised under the guidance of a veterinarian. When choosing supplements, there are several things to consider. A big choice is in deciding to use a natural supplement or a synthetic one. Natural therapies are also termed holistic or alternative sometimes as there is no single agreed-upon definition of this when applying it to supplements.Here's an example though of natural versus synthetic. The leaves and bark of the White willow tree have long been used to treat fever and pain. In 1897, the Bayer company extracted the primary ingredient believed to produce these fever lowering effects, salicin. Salicin was then chemically modified to acetylsalicylic acid and marketed as aspirin. The small modification that was done gives aspirin its anti-clot properties, as white willow bark does not do this. A more "natural" approach to lowering a fever is to use white willow bark. Western conventional medicine would prescribe aspirin. See the difference? (Note- I am not recommending aspirin or white willow bark use. Consult your family veterinarian for instances of fever in your pet.)
Many people think that "natural" means safe. But let's consider this. There are many plants and such that in their natural state are toxic. As an example, improperly diluted tea tree oil can be dangerous and even fatal to dogs, Just because something is from nature, i.e. natural, doesn't mean its safe. Natural remedies tend to have greater safety profiles than conventional medicine but many "natural" supplements have multiple ingredients, some of which may not be well understood. This can be good or bad. While conventional therapies have their place, so do "natural" supplements and remedies. Each should be used under the guidance of a knowledgable veterinarian though,