Useful nutritional supplements

Nature provides everything we need – including for our dogs. Yet, these days, we often can't get by without supplements. This article explores why this is the case, what you should consider when choosing, and how you can do your dog a natural good.

Supplements aren't absolutely necessary, but they can be used specifically for your dog's specific needs. Here are a few situations where supplements make sense:

* Growth & Senior Time
* Skin & coat problems
* Gastrointestinal sensitivity
* Joint support
* Strengthen the immune system

Why nutritional supplements can be useful despite BARF

The idea behind BARF is clear: to feed dogs as naturally as possible—raw, species-appropriate, and wholesome. However, even with the best diets, nutritional deficiencies can occur:

- Our soils are depleted, and many foods today contain fewer vitamins and minerals than before.
- Some nutrients (e.g. iodine, manganese, zinc, vitamin D) are difficult to cover in accordance with needs through daily feeding alone.
- Age, activity, stress, illness or medication change nutrient requirements.

🌿 Nutritional supplements are not a contradiction to naturalness – but a mindful addition to provide your dog with optimal support.

Complement with naturalness

Those who feed naturally also want to supplement naturally. Instead of synthetic vitamins and artificial additives, we recommend using gentle, plant-based, and natural supplements:

Seaweed flour
- Natural source of iodine
- Supports thyroid function & metabolism

Eggshell powder or seaweed lime
- Source of calcium for bone-free feeding
- Supports bones, teeth & nerve functions

Rosehip & Nettle
- Rich in vitamin C, iron & secondary plant substances
- Ideal for strengthening the immune system and for allergies

Green-lipped mussel & devil's claw
- To support joints and the musculoskeletal system
- Especially for older or athletic dogs

Psyllium husks, healing clay, probiotics
- To promote digestion and intestinal health
- Important, for example, after worming, vaccinations or feed changes

Oils ( salmon , linseed, hemp , black cumin )
- Carrier for fat-soluble vitamins & essential fatty acids
- Supports coat, skin, brain, immune system

Complement with feeling – and reason

Not every dog ​​needs everything, and not everything is needed every day. Therefore, pay attention to:

• Individual needs: life phase, constitution, environmental conditions
• Seasonality: During the coat change, for example, more biotin and zinc, in winter more vitamin D
• Observation: How does your dog appear? Is his coat shiny? Is his digestion stable?

💫 Your intuition counts! Sometimes your dog will tell you what's wrong with him even without lab results – through behavior, appetite, energy, or body language.

Checklist: How to recognize useful additions

🔎 Natural & transparently declared

🔎 No artificial vitamins, fillers or sugar

🔎 High-quality raw materials (e.g. organic herbs, cold-pressed oils)

🔎 Manufacturer philosophy: Sustainability, animal welfare & quality

🔎 Adapted to BARF feeding or natural nutrition

In my shop at www.barfliebe.ch you will find a lovingly selected selection of nature-based nutritional supplements – including from brands like Anibio, which stand for gentle, effective, and natural products.