September 02, 2025
1 min read

Should you Add Supplements to your Pets Daily Diet?

Pet supplements are widely available. They are offered for sale in pet supply stores, veterinarian offices, and online. No matter what the issue is, there is typically a supplement that can help. Supplements are available to help with joint healing, obesity, liver and kidney problems, allergies, and to make up for the evident vitamin and mineral inadequacies in conventional dog food recipes. The search for the "best" supplement starts as soon as you determine that your dog needs additional support from supplements. And trust me, this isn't simple. With thousands of options available in today's market, finding the "one" that sticks out among "many" is quite the task.

Why is there a need for so much supplementation today?

Currently available plant-based pet food diets lack certain minerals. In addition to being chemically treated to the extent that residual toxicity and mineral deficiencies are clearly visible, the soils in this nation have been stripped of vital minerals.

Many of the pet parents who come to BARF World discover that by the time their dogs are four to five years old, they are starting to show symptoms of toxicity and vitamin/mineral deficiencies. They are quite concerned since they witness firsthand the lingering effects, the consequent illness, and the decline in health. By switching to the BARF Diet, which is our natural raw meat diet, we can usually reverse the symptoms. However, reversing the tendency frequently requires additional assistance, such as vitamins.

Research the right supplement for your pet before you buy

This is what further complicates the process of selecting the best supplement. The supplement industry is unregulated. Animal supplements were not mentioned in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Consequently, the FDA only approves and keeps an eye on two categories of animal products: animal medications and food, but not supplements. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between hype and reality. Everyone seems to be able to make claims, and you may essentially say anything you want as long as you are not legally obligated to support them. In our heavily regulated pet market, I realize that sounds unfeasible, but it's the reality.

We take a different approach to supplements here at BARF World. Whether or not the law mandates it, we are committed to creating "supreme" supplements that will support any claims we make. Why? Since we want to restore pets to optimal health, we think that a healthy diet and appropriate, potent supplements are essential.

When Should I Supplement My Dog?

There is frequent confusion on whether a dog needs additional supplements with their regular meals. It is my belief that an animal that is fed a nutrient rich diet, that is species appropriate, does not need additional supplementation. For example, our contain all the necessary nutrients to support and maintain an adequate feeding regimen. it is not necessary to include additional supplements with our diets. In most cases, supplements are included with BARF World® daily meals if there are long-term ailments, or seasonal conditions that are compromising the immune system. This includes but is not limited to:

For kibble fed dogs
Homemade Raw diets
Dogs with digestive issues
Allergies
Pancreatitis
Arthritis

Choosing the proper supplements that do not compromise the integrity and nutritional value of our diets are important. Adding additional supplements that do not complement our formulas could alter the ratios of calcium and phosphorus as well. Due to the lack of nutrition that kibble fed dogs may be lacking, our that includes pre and probiotics is a great addition to each meal. Our E-BARF® Plusbrings back some of the dead nutrition that is kibble and improves digestion and overall gut health. Consider the green superfood or daily vitamin that you take each day.

Most vitamins and minerals that are added after heat processing in cooked diets are synthetic and are not easily absorbed as natural vitamins and minerals. It is important to understand how important the enzyme system and the effects the enzymes have on digestion can affect an animal long-term. After all, a healthy gut is important for:

Tummy upset
Weight management
Healthy joints and bones
Stress and anxiety
Overall mood and energy
New diets

If you are new to raw feeding, we recommend our 90 day challenge to get your pet started on the right track. We have developed a custom bundle that does complement all of our diets! The E-BARF Plus and Alaskan Salmon Oilsupplements can also ease your pet’s transition to a new diet

Give our supplements a try today to see the difference in your pet’s general health.

Robert Mueller

Robert Mueller, BSc, Pharm. is a registered pharmacist, author of “Living Enzymes: The World’s Best Kept Pet Food Secret”, and co-developer of BARF World’s BARF diets patties, nuggets and supplements – the first company to make the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet conveniently available to animals everywhere. He and his wife love to travel around the world with their dog, Moxie – a Yorkshire Terrier/Maltese mix. For more articles like these and to learn more about the benefits of raw food for your pets, sign up for “The Intelligent Pet” monthly e-zine atwww.barfworld.com .