Since a lot of you on the list feed raw, I am curious to all the supplements you give along
with the raw diet. I give Vit C, Vit E,
Glucosamine and Chondrotin to my dogs and when I can I order Pycnogenol(an antioxident 50x more powerful than C and E). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I give ester-c, E, B-complex, borage oil, grape seed extract, kelp, missing link, salmon oil, cosequin but not everything everyday.
Nancy

I use Ester C also <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> How much kelp do you use and how much would say it cost a month for the supplements

I give Grand Flex to most of my dogs, and since I include lemons in my veggie grind, I don't supplement w/vit.c. Someone told me dogs produce their own vitamin c and one shouldn't supplement it. Anyone else hear this? I continue to include the lemons as I notice no side effects. No loose stools, which I know is an indicator to back off on the "c"

As long as you don't go way over board, excess Vit C is eliminated by the kidneys. As long as renal function is preserved it is hard to go over board. I gave a gram a dy to my GS as a puppy with no problem.

It is a mistake to not give your dog Vitamin C - just one example is that it helps the dogs deal with stress. You will find various books talk about using vitamin C to the point of bowl tollerance when they need stress.

I always find myself thinking about how anciant sailors get scurvy if they do not get Vitamin C - it's not hard to wonder if a lack of vitamin C can play a part in bone problems (dysplasia) in our dogs.

Karmen - I give my dogs 1-2 tsp kelp per day, but missing some days.

I agree Vit C is very good I give my guys 1000 - 1500 mg per day. Vit E, I give 800 mg per day. E is very good to help fight the auto-immune problems. B complex they get 50 mg per day. There are days suppliments are not given depending on what I feed that day.

Nancy

I use Ester-C (4500 mg/wk), Super B50, kelp (900mcg/wk), Alfalfa (600/wk), Salmon oils (9000 mg/wk), Vit E (2400iu/wk), Cod Liver Oil on occasion, but mostly in the winter. I only add the supplements to the veggie meals so they only get them 3X per week. The 2 puppies get 1/2 of these amounts until about 6 months of age. I have a bitch with PF who gets 3000mg of Ester-C and 3000mg of B-12 per day.

Lately, we have been putting honey and cod liver oil in with our dogs food. They seem to be doing really well on it.

I also give some cod liver oil to my dogs but you should know that it also interferes with the absorbtion of Vit. E, so you should not give it on a daily basis. Salmon oil is a much better choice.

I tend to alternate between a variety of supplements. Variety is important when feeding raw natural. Feeding this way is not about balancing the food daily but over a period of time.

I talked with a vet from Denmark that looked into many of the supplement brands on the market. In his opinion when he was finished his research , he felt that WOW WOW was one of the best on the market. For some it may be hard to find as it is imported from Denmark but several places carry it out here in B.C.

I use WOW WOW ; Hokamix ; and my own blend. Giving equal amounts of alfalfa and kelp is a great source of vit/minerals.

I also supplement with vit E (200iu) 2 times a week and vit C (1000 mg) daily. Cod liver oil once a week, salmon oil daily, and for my older dog who is a bit arthritic I also supplement with SAM-E and recovery.

As well all my older dogs (over 6) get milk thistle seeds (ground) in their food daily. This helps to detoxify the liver and is especially important for those of you who are giving your dogs heartworm prevention meds. (or any other meds known to be hard on the liver).