Dogs are hardy little beings for the most part - they are natural scavengers and will survive on most things, or at least for a while. A great, balanced diet like the Harringtons range will not only help them survive, but they will thrive.
But, does a great diet give each individual everything they need?
The answer as always is, it depends! As our dogs go through different phases in not only their life, but their development too, they have different needs - this is why we feed puppy food and then adult food and then senior at the correct age milestones as their needs change. They have different vitamin needs depending on their fitness levels, if they have any underlying health concerns and also if their environment changes, if you have gone from living in the countryside to a more urban area (or vice versa) this is a factor to consider too. Other factors to consider may be that they need something a bit extra to support their immune system after a period of illness.
Whilst we recommend that you usually switch your dogs to senior food at around 7 years old, we know dogs can live much longer than that, and their needs will change over that time.
Just like humans, dogs have different needs and often need to take additional vitamins at different times in their lives. Like some of us have a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals, dogs are much the same. Sometimes we are not aware of these in our dogs because they haven't given us need to investigate it further through the vets, but adding vitamins and supplements to their diet can only help bridge the gap in these deficiencies and most of these will be flushed through the system if they are in fact getting enough while the more useful ones get put to work and increase your dog’s health, vitality and extend their life as part of your family.
You don't know if you don't try, and imagine helping your furry family member feel better and able to enjoy life more with you. They can't talk to us and tell us they may be feeling a bit under the weather or a bit stiff so it's up to us to try and help them in every way we can.
Minor injuries, stiffness and joint pain are all more common than we think in dogs. All those jumps and twists after a ball, the tripping clumsily going up or down the stairs that once, or just twisting wrong can induce some pain and of course injury. We have all slept funny and woken up in pain, or rolled over on our ankle briefly in the past and something that may have seemed minor at the time and caused pain for days, weeks or even months. These types of incidents can cause weaknesses in or tendons, joints and muscles. Dogs are the same and will commonly not show their discomfort, especially when on a walk as their adrenaline and excitement takes over acting as a natural pain killer but then they will feel the effects after their walk. We will often think they are just tired when they rest after a walk when they may actually be in some pain and are stiff.
Young dogs are just as prone to weaknesses as older dogs, and even if you don't suspect any injury or such like adding something like Harringtons Advanced Science Joint Supplements to their daily routine, is not only an extra treat for them to look forward to but it will also help their joints, tendons and overall health and help put your mind at ease that they are in the best condition they could be. Supplements can be used as a preventative as much as to help with existing weaknesses. Adding support to their physiology and their health can only help if they then clumsily bump or knock into something, twist in the air when after their favourite toy or when playing with another dog.
Whether it be for maintenance, prevention or for a supportive effect, adding a joint supplement, like Harringtons Advanced Science Diet chews and tablets, to their diet will truly help you and your dog lead an active and life together.
*If your dog is lame, limping or in visible pain or discomfort your first point of call should always be a vet. Supplements do not replace veterinary care.
