Food & Nutrition: Nutritional supplements

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We all want our dogs to be as healthy and long-lived as possible, so it makes perfect sense to feed them well. But can the same ol', same ol' food that we plop into the bowl every day fulfill 100 percent of our dogs' dietary needs?

The short answer: it probably can, and probably does. Although there's a lot of controversy about dog food, most vets and canine nutritionists agree that the major dog foods on the market do a very good job of meeting the average dog's needs, and supplements aren't necessary. So if your dog food is formulated for your dog's age and weight, and your dog is healthy, chances are you don't need to worry about supplements

When to consider supplements

• A dull and brittle coat
• Dry, flaky skin
• Radical and swift change in weight (up or down)
• Low energy level

What about allergies, malabsorption, and "cooked" foods?

These are three of the most common arguments used to justify supplements. But consider these facts:

Allergies do seem to be on the rise in dogs, some experts say, but supplements would have little effect on the underlying condition. If you suspect allergies, get it verified by your vet.

Malabsorption is a rare condition that hinders a dog's ability to absorb nutrients from food. Your veterinarian can test for malabsorption and prescribe special medications to treat it, but this isn't something you should try to diagnose or fix yourself.  [Continued]