Which supplements should I give to my puppy, if any? I am going to feed Innova Adult, after transitioning from what the breeder is feeding, Puppy Chow. What should I give to allow for proper coat and devlopment. Are the supplements in capsule form? And where is the best place to buy?

None because that food is very nutrient dense and has good levels of Vit C..

Nutrient Analysis.....http://www.innovapet.com/product_line.asp?id=1

I should't do any fish oil. Isn't the DHA in the oil suppose to help with brain development.

If you want to do fish oil... which will not hurt your puppy, remember to also supplement with Vit. E.

I should't do any fish oil. Isn't the DHA in the oil suppose to help with brain development.

Fish oil would not hurt.... as long as you add Vit E... but I would wait and see how the Innova switch goes....

Remember Innova already contains Herring and Flaxseed... so you may be already getting enough.... this is one food you really don't need to supplement.

Most foods are formulated do that you don't have to supplement. If you live in a dry area, you may want to do the fish oil for the coat.

Most foods are formulated do that you don't have to supplement. If you live in a dry area, you may want to do the fish oil for the coat.

based on this comment, would the addition of coconut oil be necessary or beneficial (for my pup)?

My breeder was feeding a brand I'd never heard of before-- Now! (yes, that's the name)...It has a pretty impressive ingredient list but I'll be transitioning to Blue Buffalo puppy due to the ease of availability.

Cap. Jack absolutely loves the coconut oil but he only gets a 1/2 teaspoon/day.

You don't want to suppliment a puppy at all. Feed a quality food and you're good to go.

Which supplements should I give to my puppy, if any?


I would consider adding a small amount of colloidal silver to his drinking water once per week or so, only because he is a healthy pup, and you want to keep him that way. Do some research on it.

Keep an eye on his skin and coat. You could give a small amount of coconut oil once or twice per week as well.

Other than that, the food should provide the main ingredients, although the occasional treat of apple, banana, and veggie pieces would be a bonus as he gets older.

Thanks for all the input. I don't think I will do any supplements just yet, since Innova is a quality food.

If you want to do fish oil... which will not hurt your puppy, remember to also supplement with Vit. E.

this may be a dumb question, but why is it important to use Vit. E. along with the fish oil? Is fish oil harmful on its own? Thanks!!

this may be a dumb question, but why is it important to use Vit. E. along with the fish oil? Is fish oil harmful on its own? Thanks!!
with every thing you add to a diet there is an effect.. Fish oil while beneficial will deplete the Vit E stored in the body..Vit E is not water soluble ..so you can give too much..

Fish Oil or Salmon Oil: An important source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 EFAs are beneficial to the immune system, the nervous system, the heart, and help stop inflammation, such as in arthritis and allergies. They also support brain development of puppies and fetuses. This is probably the most important supplement to give, no matter what you feed, as Omega-3 EFAs are hard to find even in a natural diet, and are highly perishable when exposed to heat, light or air, so they do not survive in commercial foods even if added. Omega-3 EFAs are found in fish body oil, not liver oil. They are also found in flax seed oil, although that form is not as well utilized and some dogs can be allergic to flax. Recommended amount is 1000 mg fish oil (containing 300 mg combined EPA/DHA) per 30 pounds (14 kg) of body weight. Maximum dosage for dogs with health problems would be 1000 mg fish oil (300 mg EPA/DHA) per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight. You can also use sardines in place of fish oil supplements; one small sardine supplies over 100 mg EPA/DHA. Vitamin E should also be given whenever oils are supplemented (even small amounts are adequate, but highest recommended dosage would be 100 IU per day for small dogs, 200 IU for medium-sized dogs, and 400 IU for large dogs). Note that fish oil is not the same as cod liver oil, which is high in vitamins A and D. Never add cod liver oil to a commercial diet, as they are already high in vitamin D, and too much is harmful. from dogaware .com A great site for reference.
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#supplements

with every thing you add to a diet there is an effect.. Fish oil while beneficial will deplete the Vit E stored in the body..Vit E is not water soluble ..so you can give too much..

from dogaware .com A great site for reference.
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#supplements

Thanks Uplander!!!