I don't think this question has ever been asked so I hope someone on the board is knowledgeable enough to answer this question. I am really interested in finding the answer to these questions below.

Does anyone know if it is better to pull a capsule of powdered "garlic" "for instance" apart and spread the powder on your dogs food or will the dog get the same benefit from swallowing the whole capsule? Dumb question maybe but I am curious because I use to just add powdered capsules to my dogs food but now find myself pulling them apart thinking that they will digest the supplement faster and easier.

I would think that something would dissolve the capsule before it passes through the digestive tract. Am I wrong?

I have the same question about gelatin capsules? Both my dogs seem to take the gel caps with no problem so I have never poked a hole in them.

Glenn

my only response is that i have never seen a capsule of any kind come out the other end intact.

if you want to conduct your own in-depth study, have a ball.

just don't be offended if i don't shake hands if we ever meet in person... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Pills usually come in capsules so that the GI tract doesn't get irritated. The capsule disolves after it leaves the stomach, where it can cause the most damage, ulcers and whatnot. It has nothing to do with bioavailability.

I asked the initial questions because I notice that alot of dog supplements come in granular or powder form. Well at least Ed sells the stuff in powder or granular form I think.

Glenn

the gel caps themselves wouldn't be bad. That should be good for their nails and such. I doubt if there is enough there to make a difference anyway.

I would guess the powder is just easier to adjust when feeding different sized dogs and dogs with different nutritional needs. Rather than one pill fits all.

I have been selling nutritional supplements for 15 years. I hear this question all the time. Opening a cap has the benifit of spreading it eaisely into their food and thats about it. Caps break down IN THE STOMACH very quickly. The only way that they get through the stomach undisolved is if they are enteric coated so they will break down in the small intestine where the ph is alkaline instead of acid. Tablets on the other hand sometimes are pressed so hard that on occasion they will not break apart. I usually grind them in a pestal first. With reputable companies this is a rare problem. There is a real advantage to giving your dog raw garlic as opposed to most dry or oil caps. That is the Alicin content of garlic is destroyed in processing of most garlic unless they state a process for retaining it. Alicin has a strong antibacterial effect and is immune enhancing. It's really to my mind the best part of garlic. I use a garlic press with one clove per dog, and then just mix it in my dogs food. They have always loved it and none of my dogs have flea problems and are always healthy. Hope this is of help.

Thanks for the information John. I was curious about this issue because of the dogs short digestive system. I guess I'll continue to add the complete capsule and gelatin capsules to their food with the confidence of knowing that they are getting everything from them.

Glenn

i would really leave them as is they are designed to pass through the digestive track without any irritation so you are taking away that safeguard that is a human perspective we dont have a ton of research on how dogs deal with that my rule of thumb has been if its bad for me its bad for them

Yes but then you have advise of experts telling you that things like kelp and alfalfa are best given to your dog in powder form. Does this mean that kelp and alfalfa pressed tablets, capsules, or gel caps don't do the same job as the powder?

Right now I have been feeding my dogs the complete capsule or gel cap 98 percent of the time. This even includes the hard pressed kelp and alfalfa tablets. Maybe I should find one of those weird bowls with the mushroom type handle tosmash up the tablets.

My only concern is that I want both my dogs to benefit from "everything" I give them no matter the form it comes in. Somethings are just plain hard to find in gel caps or powder and some things aren't.

Glenn

Glen, Like I said, a mortar and pestal (one of those wierd bowls with the mushroom handle) will do the trick on tablets. Capsules can be easily opened and the contents added to food.This is not very time consuming. You seem to be really worried about this and unsure of who is giving you correct information. So go ahead and do everything in power and give your self some peace.