It’s not surprising that for almost every human health supplement there is an animal equivalent. But do they really work? Let’s have a look at some of the more common supplements and consider their benefits.

Oil supplements – These are extremely popular in the pet world – for years owners have been giving their pets some version of cod liver oil or Evening Primrose Oil for its supposed benefit for skin and joints. There is some encouraging evidence that good quality fish oils, high in Omega 3, can have some benefits on skin and joint health. However, they can contain large amounts of Vitamin A which can be harmful if the pet’s diet is already generally high in liver or other sources of Vitamin A. Evening Primrose Oil is popular, but as a plant derivative it has less of the beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids. It can also increase the risk of epileptic seizures or exacerbate bleeding disorders. Bottom line – fish oils high in Omega 3 can be beneficial as part of a balanced diet in certain conditions.

Probiotics – There are a large variety of human probiotics available, but it goes without saying that animals all have very different guts and gut bacteria. There are good quality probiotics that are species specific (there’s no point giving a rabbit Yakult!) and they can be quite useful when the normal gut flora has been affected by either a gastrointestinal disease or occasionally antibiotic usage. However, the benefits of probiotics are limited to specific conditions, so there’s no need to supplement an otherwise healthy animal.

Joint supplements – In recent years there has been an explosion of supplements for joint health. Apart from the fish oils, supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin or collagen have been used with some success in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. Some high quality senior pet foods will even have these added to them. The quality and source of these supplements is highly variable and the benefits generally mild. If you are going to use a joint supplement, use a good quality one that is ethically sourced.

Multivitamins – As in humans there are differing views as to the benefits of vitamin supplements as the main source of vitamins should be from a good quality balanced diet. There are some circumstances where extra vitamin supplements are required such as in Vitamin B12 deficiencies, iron supplementation with anaemias, or calcium supplements in nursing bitches with eclampsia. Most of the time, pets enjoying a high-quality diet should be getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.

Health supplements appeal to us as a safe, natural treatment for various ailments and conditions. They can have a benefit for specific conditions but are not always appropriate for some animals, and the quality and source of these supplements can be highly variable. Be aware there may be much more effective treatments for advanced or debilitating conditions, so make sure you speak to your vet.