Supplements Made Simple

Supplements can be an important addition to your pet’s regular diet. As their name suggests, supplements serve to augment the other healthy components already found in your pet’s food. Some people decide to add supplements to their cat or dog’s diet as their pet grows older or develops certain health conditions, and others might begin supplementation earlier to provide a strong foundation. There are a few supplements that we would recommend to most any pet, at any life stage, and on any diet. For example, most dogs and cats can benefit from additional support for their overall wellness through Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Pre and/or Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes,  some Whole Food Supplements(like kelp).  In any event, adding supplements to your pet’s diet can be both simple and cost effective.

Before adding anything new to your pet’s diet, including supplements, pet owners should first discuss their plans with a veterinarian to make certain the supplement you are hoping to provide will work well for your unique wellness journey and there are no underlying conditions that require medical attention.

In addition to supplements that provide general health solutions—such as kelp or other whole food supplements—or ones geared to species-specific concerns—such as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease in cats or cognitive health in dogs—there are a number of different types of supplements that serve targeted areas of need for pets, including mobility, dental health, digestive health, skin/coat health and calmatives.

Joint Health & Mobility

Older pets may benefit from hip and joint supplements, and some dog owners may wish to use supplements as a preventative measure for large breeds and growing puppies.

Dental Health

Systemic supplements and enzymatic products can complement a regular dental hygiene plan. For dogs who have persistent plaque problems, or cats who develop plaque in hard-to-reach areas, supplements can help minimize vet visits.

Digestive Health

Supplements can assist when making a food transition for dogs and cats. As well, supplements can improve overall digestion either as a temporary or permanent addition to the diet and, in turn, support improved immune and skin and coat health.

Skin/Coat Health

Skin and coat supplements can improve the appearance and luster of your pet’s coat, and also help provide prevention against fleas and ticks, allergies and hot spots. Additionally, supplements may help reduce shedding (and, subsequently, hairballs, in cats).

Calmatives

Calmatives are supplements available for immediate, short-term and long-term uses. It’s important to decide on what the goals are in order to choose the correct supplement. Some pets just need help with a particular stressful situation, while others can benefit from a more steady and chill life in general.

It is also helpful to remember that some dietary supplementation requires a time commitment to evaluate success. Ideally, a 90-day trial period should begin to show positive results. In some cases, six months may be needed for a condition to show substantive improvement. If unsure that supplementation is working, you may want to try a supplement with a different active ingredient. Mud Bay stocks supplements that follow Chinese herbalism, Western herbalism or nutraceutical traditions.

As well, it is important to select a supplement that your pet will consume easily. Many pet owners find that supplements in powder or liquid form can be easily mixed in with regular meals. Some pets may find supplement chews more appealing, which is another option that may work for pets who are more finicky about their meals.

Mud Bay works to select supplements that meet rigorous labeling, content and sourcing standards, preferably with companies who have built long-term relationships with us. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) approves many of our supplements, and our manufacturing partners can also provide third-party testing results to verify companies meet our active ingredient standards.

Our team investigates the scientific research behind each active ingredient and looks for supplements with high bioavailability to ensure that your pet’s body will be able to process the contents effectively.

Working with our consulting veterinarian, we have built a selection of supplements that offer unique active ingredients. Offering this variety of choices allows you to try several supplements that work to alleviate the same condition in different ways.

Finally, we are always focused on value. In many cases, supplement quality may seem connected to price, but it is also important to remember when evaluating supplement value, cost-per-day is a better indicator than cost-per-container. Many of our supplements are highly concentrated, which means a small bottle may last many months.

We offer multiple supplement options, with choices in active ingredients, delivery method and price for almost every condition your pet may encounter. If you still have questions about supplements, please drop into your local store and speak with a Muddy or use our online Muddy Support Chat. We’re always happy to share our knowledge and to help you find the best possible solutions so your dog or cat can thrive.