Are Supplements Safe for Breeding Dogs?

As a responsible dog breeder, you want what's best for your animals. You only want to give them the best food, the best toys, and the best care. But what about supplements? Are they safe for your pets? Do they actually work? Let's take a look at the safety and efficacy of supplements for breeding dogs.

Supplements for pregnant and nursing dogs or for stud dogs in particular need to be approached with care. There are quite a few ingredients that would normally be innocuous in dogs but can cause problems or worse in breeding dogs. Some supplements can cause abortion, impact fertility, interact with medications or have other side effects, so it is always best to err on the side of caution. This is why it's critical to always read labels carefully and always consult your board certified reproductive vet about product safety. While general practice vets are often wonderful, they do not have the years of specialty education reproductive vets do and don't have the same level of knowledge.

Once you've gotten the green light from your repro vet, it's time to do your own research on the different types of supplements available.

There are three main categories of pet supplements: vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, and herbs. Vitamins and minerals are the most common type of supplement given to pets, and they can be helpful in addressing deficiencies or imbalances. Fatty acids are often used to improve skin and coat health, and they can also help with joint pain. Herbal supplements are sometimes used for general wellness or for specific issues like anxiety or digestion problems.

Not all supplements are created equal

When it comes to safety, not all supplements are created equal. And there's virtually no regulation for pet supplements, which means you can get a supplement that doesn't have any of the ingredients on the label, or worse has harmful ingredients.

Make sure you ONLY buy products that have been certified by the NASC, which is the gold standard for pet supplement safety and efficacy. And always follow the dosage instructions on the label—giving your pet too much of a good thing can actually be harmful.

The NASC certification seal

Look for NASC certified supplements to ensure you are buying from responsible suppliers that have successfully passed a comprehensive third-party audit and maintain ongoing compliance with rigorous NASC quality requirements.

To earn the seal, companies must successfully pass a third party audit every two years. The audit includes:

Look for products at my favorite NASC preferred company here.