10 Benefits of Eye Supplements for Dogs – Protecting Their Vision
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As dog owners, we want to ensure our pets have the best of everything. This means searching for the best dog food, the most comfortable pet bed, the best veterinarian in town, and the right supplements to help promote better health. One of the areas where supplements can help our pets is their eyes. Supplements that promote better eye health are easily available at most pet stores or even in the veterinarian’s office. If you’ve considered giving your dog these supplements, here’s a look at 10 benefits you should know.
The 10 Benefits of Eye Supplements for Dogs
1. Supplements Provide Extra Lutein
Dogs get most of what they need from the foods they eat. However, your veterinarian may mention your dog needs more lutein. Many eye supplements on the market include lutein, which is an antioxidant that is important in improving both retinal response and visual function in dogs. It’s often found in leafy vegetables such as spinach. If your dog isn’t getting enough lutein through a well-balanced diet, an eye supplement with lutein can help balance things out.
2. Added Fish Oil
Fish oil is found in many dog food brands on the market. Fish oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are beneficial for your dog’s skin and coat. It even helps reduce inflammation which makes it great for joint health. When it comes to your dog’s eyes, however, the DHA in fish oil can help boost the DHA already present in your dog’s retina to improve eye function. You can find supplements that include fish oil, or simply use fish oil itself to give your dog these great benefits.
- Related Read: 7 Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs (Based on Science)
3. Bilberry for Eye Disorders
Bilberry is common in many eye supplements for dogs. It is an antioxidant that is used commonly to treat certain eye disorders in dogs. Bilberry is also available in single supplements. If your dog deals with any eye disorders, speak to your veterinarian about supplements with bilberry to see if they feel they could be beneficial.
4. Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene for Better Eyesight
The importance of vitamin A and beta-carotene has long been talked about when it comes to eye health. Your dog’s eye health depends on adequate amounts of vitamin A and beta-carotene which are found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. While lots of high-quality dog foods on the market include these ingredients, supplements are a great way of ensuring your dog is receiving enough to reap the visual benefits.
5. Eye Supplements Should Include Vitamin C
If an eye supplement you’re considering for your dog doesn’t have vitamin C, it isn’t worth your time. This vitamin is fundamental for providing your dog with a healthy lifestyle. When it comes to their eyes, however, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C are great at improving overall eye health in canines.
6. Vitamin E Fights Sight Degradation
Many eye supplements for dogs include vitamin E which is a fat-soluble vitamin. Dogs that suffer from low levels of vitamin E can suffer from sight and muscle degradation. Having this vitamin in a supplement is a great way to keep your dog’s sight, and overall health, better.
7. Dogs That Eat Homemade Foods May Need a Boost
Another advantage to using eye supplements is for dogs who live off a homemade diet. While homemade foods are great for your pooch, you may not be including all the vitamins and minerals they need to support eye health. Providing your pooch with eye supplements can help in the areas where their homemade foods aren’t up to par.
8. Helps Aging Dogs
As a dog ages, it’s understandable that, like humans, its eyesight will weaken. Providing your dog with eye supplements in its golden years can help them fight vision issues. Not to mention, the added vitamins and antioxidants used in many eye supplements can help with other issues such as achy joints.
9. Fights Dry Eyes
Eye supplements can aid in your dog’s battle against allergies and dry, itchy eyes. Most eye supplements include antihistamines and omega fatty acids, which are great tools in the battle against dry eyes. If your pup deals with allergies or dry eyes, adding an eye supplement can make life easier for them overall.
10. Less Watering and Tear Staining
Watering eyes that lead to tear staining can be difficult for a dog to deal with. Luckily, the anti-inflammatories found in most eye supplements can assist with this issue. You can see a reduction in redness and watering when giving your pooch routine eye supplements. When the watering eases, so will the tear staining that pet parents are constantly battling.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several benefits your dog can receive by using eye supplements to protect their vision. If you’re interested in adding these supplements to your dog’s daily routine, reach out to your veterinarian. They will discuss the options available, give their recommendations, and help you find the supplement best suited for your dog’s specific needs.
Featured Image Credit: Hulabear, Shutterstock
