Difference Between Dog Food and Supplements: Key Insigh

Dog food is a specialized type of food formulated specifically for canines, whereas supplements are designed to target specific benefits and provide additional nutrients.

On the surface, highquality dog food is already wellbalanced in terms of nutrition. So, why do so many supplements exist? Let's delve into this question.

What is Dog Food?

Dog food is a premium pet food that falls between human food and traditional livestock feed. It is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of dogs, offering a comprehensive range of essential nutrients for their basic survival, growth, and health.

It boasts a variety of benefits, including a balanced nutritional profile, high digestibility, scientific formulation, quality standards, ease of feeding, and the ability to prevent certain diseases. Each type of dog food is designed by professional pet nutritionists to cater to the unique physiological and nutritional requirements of dogs, making it simple to use, easy to carry, and longlasting.

What are Supplements?

Supplements are products that can help replenish the body's deficiencies and losses in specific nutrients. They include vitamin supplements, protein powders, calcium supplements, goat milk powder, and products that enhance coat health and coloration. These supplements are beneficial for a pet's overall health and development, and can also aid in the recovery of sick animals.

Which is Better: Dog Food or Supplements?

While dog food should be the mainstay of a dog's diet, supplements can act as a supportive addition. Dogs of all life stages should primarily consume dog food, but even the best dog food cannot meet all of their nutritional needs. Supplements can fill in the gaps where absorption may not be perfect.

Most dog foods and supplements on the market provide the necessary proteins, vitamins, and fats for dogs at different life stages. However, dogs cannot express their needs through words, so when should you consider adding supplements to their diet?

Here are some situations where additional supplements may be needed:

I. Large and mediumsized dogs have higher calcium requirements than small dogs. If you notice joint deformities, abnormal milk tooth loss, lack of energy, or dull hair during their growth, it's important to supplement calcium promptly.

II. Dogs that are picky eaters, have an irregular diet, or consume a monotonous diet should be supplemented with vitamins or minerals based on their specific needs.

III. Dogs with weak constitutions or those who are sick may require additional vitamins or trace elements. For example, certain skin diseases may be caused by a lack of vitamin B, and dogs with poor gastrointestinal absorption may benefit from probiotics.

IV. Dogs at different growth stages and with different purposes may have varying nutritional requirements. For instance, weaning puppies can be supplemented with goat milk powder, while working dogs or competitive dogs may have different nutritional needs compared to pet dogs.

Science in Pet Care, Love at Home

Good dog food offers a wellbalanced nutritional profile, so a scientific and reasonable diet can help dogs grow up healthily. Generally speaking, from an economic, practical, and safety perspective, blindly and excessively supplementing with supplements can have the opposite effect, potentially leading to allergies, obesity, and other serious consequences. The key to a healthy diet for dogs lies in the complementary use of dog food and supplements.