When to Start Giving Your Puppy Vitamins – And Why

Many of us humans take vitamins every single day to make sure we get enough essential nutrients and improve our health. 

But what about our fur families? When should you start giving your new puppy vitamins?

When Should You Start Giving Your Puppy Vitamins? – The Answer

Paws down, this is the most popular question that we’ve been asked. After all, you want your puppy to grow healthy and strong. So here’s the answer (*cue drumroll):

Some puppy supplements are safe to begin at just a few weeks or months old! Of course, always consult your vet and follow the recommendations of your specific supplement.

Although many dogs become sexually mature by 6 months old, dogs are physically mature between 1 and 2 years old, depending on the breed. 

So, the early months and years are vital to your dog’s development. A safe, natural, and effective multivitamin can help your fur friend get off to the right start and live a long, active life.

 

Does Your Puppy Really Need Vitamins? And Why Start So Soon?

We’d like to think that our new bundle of fluff was born with perfect, puppy health and will stay that way for years to come. However, genetics and environmental factors can get in the way of your dog growing to their full potential.

In an ideal world, our puppies would get all their nutrition from healthful food. The reality is, even the best quality dog foods on the market miss the mark when it comes to filling our pet’s nutritional needs. 

Some large breed puppies are prone to problems with their joints. At a young age, they may appear active and limber. But due to genetics, their joints may begin showing early signs of wear and tear.

Daily Supplements And Their Ingredients

The right supplements contain important minerals to support your puppy’s growth and any emerging health issues. 

For example, calcium helps with proper bone formation and nerve impulse transmission. Phosphorus plays an important role in growing healthy bones and teeth.

Tanya, Pawsomely Healthy’s co-founder and Certified Canine Nutritionist, explains, “The third largest mineral constituent [in dogs] is magnesium.” Unfortunately, she explains that “Magnesium deficiency is quite common in animals.”

She adds, “It’s manifested clinically in a wide range of disorders which include retarded growth, hyper-irritability, anorexia, muscle incoordination, and convulsions.” Clearly, this important mineral needs to be in your puppy’s diet!

Vitamin C is widely used for its antioxidant properties and immune support. Although dogs can produce this vitamin on their own, an extra boost of vitamin C is needed when their bodies are undergoing stress, like the important growth phase in puppies. 

In addition, vitamin C supports healthy collagen levels, an essential as your puppy grows strong joints!

Supplements for Allergies And Inflammation

Some young dogs struggle with allergies and chronic inflammation. Thankfully, there are natural ingredients that successfully address these issues too.

Fatty acids, like those found in Omega-3 fish oil, can help promote healthy hearts, keep coats shiny, and even manage allergy symptoms in puppies. Omega3 also has amazing anti-inflammatory properties. 

Omega-3 fatty acids also aid in preventing and improving inflammation-related conditions such as arthritis, allergies, and digestive problems.

You might think health issues, like arthritis, are reserved for older dogs. However, even puppies can experience the effects of arthritis and joint deterioration.

Supplements For Anxiety

Sadly, some puppies may suffer from separation anxiety. Traumatic separations from previous families, being abandoned at a shelter, and their own unique personalities can all contribute to a dog being prone to anxiety.

Unfortunately, anxiety in puppies can show up as destructive behavior, extra clinginess, and whining. For pet parents, it can be a sad and frustrating situation. 

In conjunction with recommendations from their veterinarian, many have experienced success with natural supplements like this one. 

So from the puppy stage to their golden years, your dog will need a good supplement to help them stay happy, healthy, and active for years to come.

But what about your new puppy? What do they need?

Which Vitamins Does My Puppy Need?

As we’ve explained, there are a host of natural, helpful vitamins that can supplement your puppy’s healthy diet. But to get a customized review of what your puppy needs, take our free quiz.

Growing Puppy Supplement by Pawsomely Healthy

When we formulated our Growing Puppy supplement, we sought to create a safe, tasty, and healthful multivitamin. We used natural, bioavailable ingredients that could be easily absorbed by your dog.

We love it so much, we give it to our own dogs. Here’s why:

• It supports healthy skin and coat
• Aids in cognitive development
• Boosts the immune system
• Promotes good digestion, especially for puppies with sensitive stomachs
• Provides key nutrients for your puppy to build strong joints, bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

The three powerhouse ingredients in Growing Puppy are just what your dog needs in their early years:

• Green Lipped Mussel – Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and minerals, this ingredient supports joints, ligaments, and tendons in growing puppies.
• Aquamin® – This unique multi-mineral contains calcium, magnesium, and 72 other trace minerals. It supports bone health and manages inflammation.
• Vitamin C – This ingredient comes in the form of Calcium Ascorbate, making it highly absorbable and gentle on your puppy’s sensitive digestive system.

When Will I See Results From My Puppy’s Vitamins?

Patience is key. Unlike traditional medicines, natural supplements don’t provide immediate results. It takes time for the ingredients to do their job and unleash your puppy’s full potential.

After about a month of regular use, you and your puppy will begin to notice some paw-some changes: healthier skin, lustrous coats, better poops, improved digestion, and consistent energy.

The Final Woof

Some puppy vitamins and supplements are safe to begin using at just a few weeks or months old. Safe, natural ingredients, like the ones we use at Pawsomely Healthy, will support your puppy’s immune system, joints, and digestion during their important growth phase.

Supplementing with vitamins is an early investment in your puppy’s health and yields the best return as they grow into a healthy, active adult!