Nutritional Therapies for Dogs and Cats

Guidelines to Giving Supplements

to Dogs and Cats

Can nutrients be used like medicine? Yes. They can play a major roll in the treatment of various disease conditions in dogs and cats. Nutrients are a natural part of the cellular environment. The use of nutrients as part of a therapeutic program for promoting healing and regeneration can help speed up and strengthen the healing response.

The nutrient and supplement list below is not necessarily complete for a given condition. The list is meant to be a general guideline and therefore should be changed or modified based on the assessment of individual cases. The actual dose range suggestions are presented only as a general guide. Actual daily dose depends on species variation, weight, age, physiologic state, and other dietary considerations. The doses given below are for educational purposes and are written in daily amounts. The amount used should be 'divided' and given in smaller portions, 2 or 3 times, as separate doses throughout the day.

Geriatric dog or cat

Supplement: B complex; B1, B2, B6 (5-30 mg), Folic acid, B12 (10-100) Vitamin C (25-4000 mg), Vitamin E (50-200 IU), Coenzyme Q10 (20-100 mg), Primrose oil (500-200 mg), Fish oil (250-1000), Digestive enzymes (4-160 mg), Dimethylglycine (24-100 mg), Zinc (1-15 mg).

Allergic dermatitis; atopy
Supplement: Vitamin C (500-600 mg), Digestive enzymes (4-160 mg), Primrose oil (1000-3000 mg), Fish oil (500-1500 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg), Vitamin E (50-400 IU), Dimethylglycine (50-250 mg), Vitamin A (500-10,000 IU).

Canine degenerative joint disease; disk and spinal disorders
Supplement: Perna mussel (300-1500 mg), Glucosamine sulfate (250-1500 mg), Bovine tracheal cartilage 500-2000 mg), Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Sulfated minerals: Manganese (2-15 mg), Magnesium (24-300 mg), Zinc (5-30 mg). Silicon (2-10 mg), Vitamin B6 (5-60 mg).

Canine heartworm disease
Supplement: Coenzyme Q10 (20-150 mg), Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Vitamin E (100-400 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg), L-Carnitine (200-2000 mg).

Canine seizures
Supplement: Betaine HCI (100-300 mg), Dimethylglycine (50-500 mg), Taurine (200-1000 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg).

Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disorders: Vitamin C (500-6000 mg)

Dilated cardiomyopathy: Vitamin E (50-400 IU)

Congestive heart failure: Coenzyme Q10 (20-100 mg)

Myocarditis: L-Carnitine (500-1000 mg)

In addition to the specific supplements: Taurine (100-1000 mg), Selenium (5-50), Fish oil (250-1000 mg), Dimethylglycine (50-250 mg).

Colitis - inflammatory bowel disease

Supplements: N-Acetyl glucosamine (250-1000 mg), Glutamine (250-3000 mg), Lactobacillus acidophilus (20-500 million microorganisms), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg), Dimethylglycine (50-200mg), Vitamin C (250-3000).

Chronic diarrhea

Supplements: N-Acetyl glucosamine (250-1500 mg), Digestive enzymes (4-200 mg), Lactobacillus acidophilus (20-500 million microorganisms), Glutamine (250-3000 mg).

Lingering illness
Supplements: Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Vitamin E (100-400 IU), Proanthocyanidin complex (20-200 mg), Digestive enzymes (10-200).

Connective tissue disorders: Vitamin C (500-6000 mg).

Arthritis: Perna mussel (300-1500 mg).

Hip dysplasia: (Glucosamine sulfate (250-1500 mg).

Sprains: Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg).

In addition to the specific supplements: Glycosaminoglycans (100-1000 mg), Primrose oil (250-1000 mg).

Canine Demodicosis (red mange or "demodex")

Supplements: Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Digestive enzymes (4-160 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg), Primrose oil (250-1500 mg), Dimethylglycine (50-250 mg), Vitamin A (500-10,000 IU).

Diabetes mellitus

Supplements: Chromium (50-300), Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Digestive enzymes (4-160 mg), N-Acetyl glucosamine (200-1500 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (20-200 mg).

Feline hyperthyroidism

Supplements: B complex vitamins; B1, B2, B6 (2-10 mg), Coenzyme Q10 (10-60 mg), Primrose oil (250-1000 mg).

Feline immunodeficiency virus

Supplements: Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (5-30 mg), Coenzyme Q10 (20-100 mg), Dimethylglycine (50-200 mg).

Food intolerance

Supplements: Pantothenic acid (20-150 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg), B complex vitamins: B1, B2, B6 (4-40 mg), Folic acid (50-200 mg), Digestive enzymes (4-160 mg).

Lyme disease

Supplements: Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Fish oil (250-1500 mg), Perna mussel (250-1500 mg), Vitamin E (50-400 IU), Vitamin A (500-10,000 IU).

Neoplasia The growth and development of benign or malignant tumors.): Shark cartilage (5-40 g).

Vascular tumors (a growth (benign or malignant) formed from blood vessels): Coenzyme Q10 (20-100 mg).

Melanoma (cancer of the pigment producing cells in the skin): Vitamin C (1000-10,000 mg).

In addition to the specific supplements: Dimethylglycine (50-500 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (10-200 mg).

Periodontal (gum) disease

Supplements: Coenzyme Q10 (10-100 mg), Vitamin C (500-6000 mg), Bioflavonoid complex (200-1500 mg).

Cataracts

Supplements: Glutathione (50-250 mg), Vitamin C (500-4000), Coenzyme Q10 (20-100 mg), Proanthocyanidin complex (20-200 mg), Vitamin E (50-400 IU), Dimethylglycine (100-400 mg).

To learn more about holistic treatments and natural healing strategies for pets, be sure to visit Pet Remedy Charts the ultimate guide to using herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and acupressure in home pet health care.