Vitamin and supplement support is important for maintaining optimal health in cats and dogs. There are many clinical situations where extra vitamins or supplements can even help prevent or treat chronic disease tendencies in pets.

From a holistic perspective, the leading factors of various degenerative and inflammatory diseases center on inadequate nutrition, as well as the exposure to excessive toxins, not only in the environment, but in the diet as well.

I cannot stress enough the importance of trying to feed a fresh and varied, species-appropriate, meat-based diet. Many commercial diets contain processed ingredients with cheap sources of often grain-based protein, as well as other filler ingredients, not to mention the many preservatives and by-products included in the recipes. Very often, these diets come from GMO sources of protein that are high in toxic pesticides like Roundup.

When pets consume commercial diets on a regular basis, pro-inflammatory chemicals are produced in the body, which leads to oxidation and free radical damage of organs and tissues, including the bones, joints, skin and eyes. When we feed predominantly processed diets over a long period of time, supplementation becomes essential to maintaining health and function.

Helpful supplements for the skin include fish oils as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and allergic reactions to environmental and dietary allergens.

Adding medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) such as coconut oil may also help in this regard, in improving both itchiness and dryness of the skin. Oils that are rich in vitamin E, including primrose oil and sunflower oil, are also helpful in maintaining overall skin health and lessening allergic reactions.

Over decades of practice, I have found that adding plant-based digestive enzyme formulations are also helpful, especially for animals fed processed and cooked commercial diets.

When digestion is functioning optimally, there is less formation of pro-inflammatory chemical mediators in the gut, as well as less likelihood of development of a leaky gut syndrome in the animal.

And since the gut immune system is the window to the health of the rest of the body, maintaining gut health is essential. Rotating fresh probiotic formulations added to the diet may also be helpful in this regard.

Two other groups of supplements I have found helpful for overall skin health include quercitin and yucca.

As a natural bioflavonoid, quercitin (especially when bromelain is added) can function as a natural antihistamine in the body and thus reduce excessive itchiness and reactivity to dietary and environmental allergens.

I often refer to yucca as a natural steroid-like, plant-derived supplement that is far less toxic than synthetic cortisone in relieving itching and inflammation in allergic animals.

The musculoskeletal system is also often victimized by progressive inflammation and damage in both developmental and degenerative bone and joint disease. It is estimated that one in four dogs suffer from some degree of inflammatory arthritis by middle to senior age. Appropriate vitamin and supplementation may significantly help reduce inflammation and pain.

One of my favorite all-around natural, whole-food-based joint supplements is green lipped mussels. This food from the sea contains a natural source of glucosamine, which can help repair joint damage, as well as manage pain and inflammation. Green lipped mussels contain both types of omega-3 fatty acids with DHA and EPA.

Chondroitin, the major glycosaminoglycan (or “building block”) in cartilage, is also important to include in a broad spectrum joint protocol, and which is also included with MSM in many formulations to enhance efficacy. Many holistic veterinarians find that adding natural egg shell membranes to the diet also may help reduce pain and improve joint function.

Turmeric is also an outstanding addition to a supplement protocol in reducing pain, stiffness and inflammation.

Finally, full spectrum CBD oil supplementation can help round out the list of supplements added to the supplement regimen as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.

Many holistic veterinarians stress several lifestyle factors in easing a dog’s joint pain, by hopefully changing to a raw meat based diet, keeping animal companions at a healthy weight with regular exercise, and not over-vaccinating, which also may lead to an excessive toxic burden on the body.

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory protective nutrients are also important in maintaining overall eye health.

One also may add health-promoting foods to the diet for the eyes, including blueberries, carrots, kale, broccoli and sweet potatoes. Many of these foods may improve eye sight when added regularly to a supplement regimen.

Bilberry is another powerful eye supplement that supports eye circulation, and can help maintain and support normal visual function. It is important to include eye supplements that improve eye health and vision, boost retinal response and neutralize free radicals.

Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation boost the immune system and support the different eye structures, while lutein boosts retinal response in optimizing vision. Antioxidants such as zeaxanthin, vitamin C and E, and grapeseed extract all neutralize free radicals and can help slow progressive eye inflammation and damage.

I will often have clients make up diluted natural sea salt eye solutions to help with dry eye and overall eye health, to which I will often add dilute eyebright or goldenseal to especially help with inflammatory diseases of the cornea. Finally, I have found that oral cod liver oil, as well as a drop or two in the eyes once or twice daily may also be very helpful in maintaining or helping with corneal health.

Dr. Michael Dym, VMD