On the surface, it might seem a little absurd: supplements for dogs? 

The idea can bring to mind images of crystal-gazing new-agers dreamily feeding their chihuahuas little purple pills.

At Whole Hound, we like to think the reality is a little different. Supplements help sick dogs. Sometimes they do a much better job than conventional medicines. And they relieve pain without the side effects often associated with canine meds. 

The idea of supplements for dogs is roughly as crazy as supplements for humans. And the same arguments for and against apply. Some people claim that supplementation isn't necessary if you (or your dog) eat a balanced diet. Others say that even the best of diets can leave nutritional gaps.  

When it comes to their own health, most health-conscious hedge their bets. People give themselves supplements — even if only a good multivitamin. They take supplements even when their diet is packed full of seaweed smoothies and sprouts and organic free-range everything. Because they might still be a little low on this or that nutrient, and a supplement is a good to way help take care of that.  

And so it is with supplements for dogs. Dog food doesn't always do the job of giving your dog everything it needs for top health. One problem is variety: eating the same food every day — no matter how healthy that food is — opens up the likelihood that there will eventually be dietary deficiencies. Another problem is absorption. Just like humans, sometimes dogs just don't do a great job of absorbing one or another particular nutrient.

Supplements for dogs fill in those gaps.

The idea of buying your dog supplements may still seem a little unusual. It may raise a few eyebrows and draw out the odd nay-sayer. But so, once upon a time, did seat-belts, antibiotics and sterilized surgery tools.

When something works, it endures. 

For more information, see our selection of premium supplements for dogs.