Robyn Stewart
Some of you may know that my background is primarily in equine and livestock nutrition and I am often asked what supplements I recommend. Supplements are products added into a feeding program to solve a problem or help improve an animal’s health or wellbeing. They are available for almost any species, from livestock like horses, cattle, and sheep, to pets like dogs and cats. It can be overwhelming to determine what additional feed products your animals need to look and feel their best.
There are a wide variety of reasons you might consider adding a supplement to your animals’ diet. Whatever the case may be, there is a series of questions I like to ask to help determine if you need a supplement and whether the one you are considering is the right choice for you.
- What am I trying to accomplish?
What is your goal for feeding this supplement? Is it for behavior? Gut health? Hoof quality? - Who recommended it?
Is there someone who recommended you use this supplement? Who was it? Was it a trusted vet or other reputable source? Be careful of accepting recommendations from people who don’t have the knowledge/education to support their recommendation or who have a stake in the game (feed dealers, vets who supply vitamin supplements, etc.) - What scientific, peer reviewed evidence is there that it does what I want it to do?
Does the supplement actually work? If a company claims to have research, will they allow you to look at it and review it? If there is evidence that it works, how much of the supplement were they using? - Is it safe (and legal!) for me to use?
Is the product safe for you to use? At what amounts? How long can the animal be on it? Who makes it? A well-known, reputable company? Keep in mind that many supplements are not regulated—there is no governing body making sure they are safe! - What anecdotal evidence do we have that it works?
Perhaps a supplement itself does not have supporting scientific research, but maybe there are people using it and seeing improvements in their animals. How long has it been on the market, and how well supported is it by professionals in the industry? Is there any risk to trying it (see #4 above)? - Is there a proven, effective method of solving my problem?
Do we have a better, research-backed option that we know is effective and safe? Instead of trying to experiment on your own, choose the best quality option that you can afford to. - Economics and will my animal eat it?
This may not be a huge deal, but can you afford to feed the product consistently? If yes, will your animal actually eat it? How long do you have to feed the supplement before you can expect to see a change? - Supplement quality and overall appearance
Does the supplement have clear labeling that indicates its ingredients, purpose, and dosage? Does the label have any misspellings or indications of a less than professional presentation? Does the supplement itself appear to be correct? What is the manufacture date or expiration date?
After you answer these questions, you may determine that your animal does need the addition of a supplement to their dietary program. If at any point you can’t get a good answer, you may want to see if there is a better option or reconsider if you need the supplement at all. If you do choose to feed a supplement, make sure you follow all of the feeding instructions and guidelines provided by the supplement company. Several macro and microminerals are toxic and over supplementation can lead to toxicity, health problems, and even death. More is not always better!
If you have further questions about animal nutrition and supplementation, please reach out to us at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233!
