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Every year, I used to publish a blog post sharing the supplements I add to my dogs' meals, and then I realized this was a bad idea. My goal was to give people examples of what they can add to their dogs' diet, but what people were taking away from the post was:
- a list of supplements that they couldn't afford, so they decided not to feed raw (it's too expensive).
- a list of supplements they couldn't find because they lived in a different country.
- a list of supplements that would balance the raw diet they fed to their dogs (balance, in my opinion, is BS).
In reality, every dog is different, and what works for my dogs may not work for your dogs. Many people new to raw feeding make the mistake of buying every recommended supplement with the belief that (1) it's required and (2) it's balancing their dogs' diet when neither is the case. I made the same mistake, and I hope this post saves you time, money, and stress.
Why I Give My Dogs Supplements
I made the mistake of over supplementing my dogs' diet when I was new to raw feeding because I thought my dogs needed these supplements. It didn't occur to me that I was over-supplementing my dogs, that I didn't know which supplements worked and which didn't, and that I was wasting money. As I learned more about raw feeding, I realized I didn't need to buy every supplement on the market. Instead, I realized that there were two reasons to give my dogs supplements:
- To support a health condition or boost the immune system.
- To provide a nutrient that can't be covered with whole food.
I'm fortunate enough to have access to various proteins and other ingredients to feed my dogs, so I've been able to replace most of the supplements I used to add to my dogs' diet with whole food. Which allows me to focus more on each dog's individual needs.
Whole Foods that Replace Supplements for My Dogs
I follow a lot of raw feeders on Instagram, and I started paying attention to what others add to their dogs' dishes, asking questions and looking a bit deeper. I learned that most of the supplements I bought could easily be replaced with whole foods, which would be more bioavailable and effective for my dogs.
- I use fish oil from a trusted brand, alternating it with whole sardines, mackerel, canned sardines, and fish stock.
- I alternate natural digestive supplements with fermented foods, kefir, and raw goat's milk.
- Instead of a multivitamin, I add pasture-raised raw eggs, organ meat, and a base mix by Dr. Harvey's.
Whole foods are less expensive and easier to find, and I believe they are healthier for my dogs.
Before You Start Ordering Supplements…
Before you start ordering supplements to “balance” or improve your dog's diet, I want to give you a few warnings based on my experience feeding raw to multiple dogs:
- Be careful about ordering supplements from Amazon. Many scammers create fake supplements and sell them on Amazon at a lower price. It's tempting because of the lower price and convenience. However, some fake supplements make dogs sick, so before ordering, confirm with the company that these are their listings.
- Before ordering a supplement, be clear on why your dog needs it. The reason can't be that some random person in a Facebook group made the recommendation. Take the time and do some homework to make sure that it's something your dog needs. I realized that I had overdone it on supplements when I couldn't clearly articulate WHY I was giving a supplement to my dogs.
- Look for whole food options in place of supplements. Sometimes, whole food is cheaper and easier to find—like raw eggs and fermented vegetables. Sometimes, a supplement is better because the brand can access better ingredients, like medicinal mushrooms or pancreas (and other glands).
- Avoid supplement companies or MLM (multi-level marketing). It always concerns me when someone contacts me with a link to a website filled with supplements. Dogs don't need tons of supplements in their diet. The supplement list I share is based on my experience with my dogs and discussions with my veterinarian and other experts. A stranger prioritizing selling supplements or building their downline will not understand my dogs' needs. I'm also nervous about the sourcing and formulation, especially since there don't seem to be a lot of regulations surrounding the supplement industry for humans or pets.
Overall, I recommend you do your homework before spending your hard-earned money. Learn from my mistake; I spent hundreds of dollars on supplements I either gave away or threw away because my dogs didn't need them.
