Supplements

[sheesh]

Hello!
I was just wondering who supplements their dog's diet (including all BARFers and non-BARFers and semi-BARFers!) with vitamins, cod liver oil, alfalfa, kelp, probiotics, enzymes, garlic, other oils, etc.
If so, what kinds of doses do you use? I have done some research and am still not sure of which products to buy (for ex: for kelp powder, I bought kelp tablets...but what is equivalency of tsp to powder??)
If you have a good reference, please tell. Also, where do you buy stuff like kelp & alfalfa powder? GNC only had the tablets. I guess a 'natural store' like Whole Foods or something.

[alicat613]

Umm.....I pretty much add some. LOL
Kymythy's Schultze's book has some good guidelines on amounts per weight and it's a great overview of raw feeding.

I use salmon oil, cod oil, and ground flax seeds and I only give those sporadically, not in every meal.

Kelp and alfalfa in powder form, and mixed in equal parts he gets a scoop every meal.

Garlic I do only sometimes, or ginger instead and with either just a little bit. A bit goes a long way.

I used digestive enzymes and saw no difference but my dog has been pretty much raw fed since birth. He was weaned onto raw and kibble. Some dogs may need it.

Rather than probiotics we just use yoghurt or kefir. He has a breakfast of fruit and yogurt, but some raw methods are very against dairy at all.

Whole Foods, natural markets or co-ops, local farmer's markets and feed stores are all great resources for the non-meat aspects of the diet.

I don't supplement any vitamins because my dog eats a lot of produce. I keep powdered calcium ascorbate (vit C) on hand for illness or stress though, and in those times I will supplement. Vit C is a pretty easy one, you can't really overdo it in the short term - all it can do is cause diarrhea.

[Kaleb124]

I feed kibble and supplement it with Nupro. Since feeding it, he doe not smell as doggy, he does not have gas, he looks wonderful and does not shed. I am really glad I decided to use it!

[Mary's Mama]

I feed Wellness kibble with a little wet for gravy and .5 tsp of Wellness Supplement every other day. They are all made to work together and balance completely so no worries of over or under supplementing.

I do hear that the Solid Gold Seameal is good as well, and Dr. Krugers.