Diet Supplements and the English Mastiff

Studies have shown that daily supplements of Vitamin C can decrease the incidence and/or severity of hip dysplasia. As puppies I gave my dogs both 1000 mg of Vitamin C each day. At around 6 months of age I increased the dosage to about 2000mg per day. The best thing about Vitamin C is that any extra amount that is not used up by the body is simply expelled through the urine, so you don’t have to worry about a build-up in their system. I have also found it is much easier to give to them if you buy the powdered form.  You can just sprinkle it on the dog’s food instead of trying to give them multiple horse sized pills each day.

There are two other supplements that can and should be given to your dog in my opinion. One is a daily supplement of fish oil or coconut oil.  I give coconut oil in the morning with breakfast and fish oil in the evening with dinner. Make sure the fish oil is all natural with no chemicals added and that the coconut oil is cold pressed.  While Omega fats and oils play many important roles in the body, it helps keep the coat healthy and can aid in joint movement.  I also recommend a daily Glucosamine/Chondroiton Supplement.  This can be given for the life of the dog. I used to give human pill form Glucosamine, but recently switched to a liquid concentrate.  Again, it’s much easier to administer, just a tablespoon or so on the food, plus it’s much more cost effective to purchase it in this form.

Finally, one supplement you should NEVER give a Mastiff is CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS! The use of calcium supplements can lead to bone and joint deformities and electrolyte imbalances, especially as a puppy. All the calcium a dog needs will come from its food, ensuring a proper balance of minerals for its growth.