Human children are given a whole range of supplements while they are growing. They get multivitamins, vitamin C, fortified cereals and milks, etc.
But what about your Rottweiler puppy? Would they benefit from some supplements, and what are the best options out there?
The best supplements for Rottweiler puppies:
- NaturVet® Glucosamine DS Plus™ Soft Chews
- COSEQUIN® Joint Health Supplement Maximum Strength With MSM Plus Omega-3’s Soft Chew
- Nutri-Vet® Puppy-Vite Chewable Tablets
- Zesty Paws® Aller-Immune Bites
- NaturVet® Advanced Probiotics And Enzymes Plus Soft Chews
In this article, we discuss why Rottweiler puppies could benefit from taking supplements. We also provide a list of the best supplements that are currently available on the market.
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Do Rottweiler Puppies Need Supplements?
Technically, a Rottweiler puppy should be receiving all the required nutrients from a balanced diet. There is even an association that monitors the composition of dog food.
This is the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
However, there are two circumstances under which a dietary supplement can be beneficial or even necessary to the healthy growth of your Rottweiler puppy.
Supplements May Be Necessary If Your Puppy Has A Health Condition
Sometimes, dogs can have a medical condition that requires even more specific and concentrated nutrients than their puppy food provides.
This could be something like a mild skin condition, which requires extra oils to be included in your dog’s diet. Or it could be a more complicated and serious condition.
For example, if your Rottweiler puppy suffers from hip or elbow dysplasia, then they will need additional glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and omega 3.
Supplements May Be Necessary If Your Puppy Is Being Fed Homemade Food
Another situation in which dietary supplements may be necessary is if you have opted to feed your Rottweiler puppy with homemade foods.
It is difficult to pack the same level of nutrients into homemade food as are found in wet and dry dog foods.
Thus, a supplement can close the gap without you having to feed your Rottweiler vast quantities of the homemade food.
Are Supplements Necessary Under Other Conditions?
If your Rottweiler puppy does not have a health condition and you are feeding it a good quality large-breed puppy food, then is there any point in giving them a supplement?
In these situations, people often give their Rottweiler puppy a supplement for their own peace of mind.
They really want to do everything in their power to ensure the health of their Rottweiler, which is completely understandable.
Additionally, there are supplements like probiotics that are not strictly necessary but may help to maintain a healthy digestive tract and skin, as well as facilitate better absorption of nutrients from the Rottweiler’s food.
In the end, as long as the supplement is not going to cause harm (as determined by your veterinarian), then you can go ahead and give your Rottweiler a supplement.
After all, there has been very little research into the long-term benefits of dietary supplements for dogs, so it might just have undocumented benefits for your canine kid.
Always Discuss A Supplement With Your Veterinarian First
When it comes to supplementing a Rottweiler puppy’s dietary requirements, there is a fine line between promoting strong bones and healthy growth and causing the puppy to grow too quickly.
Large breed puppies like your Rottweiler cannot be allowed to grow too quickly.
If they do, they are at risk of a condition known as osteochondritis dessicans (OCD), in which the cartilage of the dog’s joints does not properly attach to their bones.
Furthermore, Rottweilers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, so if your Rottweiler pup has one or both of these conditions, then monitoring their growth is vital.
Even if your Rottweiler puppy does not have hip or elbow dysplasia, you do not want them to put on excess weight as this can affect the healthy growth of their joints.
You also have to be careful because all puppy foods are already supplemented with additional nutrients, and you do not want to be overdosing your puppy!
To make sure a supplement is not going to cause too rapid growth and weight gain (anything more than around four pounds per week is too much), you will need to consult your local veterinarian before starting your puppy on a supplement.
Never Give Your Rottweiler Puppy A Human Supplement
You probably know that chocolate, which humans can eat safely, is poisonous to dogs.
Well, this applies to many other foods—things like garlic, onions, and even potatoes.
So, just because a supplement is safe for you or even your kids to take, this does not make it safe for your Rottweiler puppy.
Only give your Rottweiler puppy a supplement that has been specifically tailored to dogs unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise.
Avoid Extra Calcium
Below, we list the best supplements for Rottweiler puppies.
The list does not include supplements that provide large amounts of extra calcium because this is one of the few supplements which have been documented to cause growth complications in large breed dogs.
1. NaturVet® Glucosamine DS Plus™ Soft Chews
NaturVet® Glucosamine DS Plus™ Soft Chews is a supplement aimed at promoting joint health.
You should only start giving your Rottweiler pup this supplement when they are over 12 weeks old, but you can continue this supplement into adulthood; you just increase the number of chews per dose.
Glucosamine DS Plus™ Soft Chews come in jars of 70, 120, and 240 chews.
Active Ingredients
These soft chews contain the following active ingredients:
| INGREDIENT | AMOUNT |
| Glucosamine HCl | 500 mg |
| Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) | 500 mg |
| Yucca schidigera | 90 mg |
| Chondroitin sulfate | 60 mg |
| Vitamin C | 58 mg |
| Vitamin E | 60 IU |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1800 mcg |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 946 mcg |
Pros
- Because this is a supplement that can be taken by puppies (over 12 weeks) and adults, you will not have to change supplements if it works for your Rottweiler.
- It is a tasty chew, so you don’t have to try to get your Rottweiler puppy to swallow a capsule or pill.
- NaturVet® offer a full cash-back guarantee.
- The supplements are routinely tested by the FDA and the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to ensure compliance.
Cons
- As your Rottweiler gets bigger, it will require more chews. The daily dose may eventually become 3-4 chews, which can get expensive.
- The supplement does contain some calcium (vitamin C is calcium ascorbate), so you have to make sure that the supplement combined with your Rottweiler’s food is not going to exceed the recommended daily dosage (speak to your veterinarian).
2. COSEQUIN® Joint Health Supplement Maximum Strength With MSM Plus Omega-3’s Soft Chew
COSEQUIN® Join Health Supplement Maximum Strength With MSM Plus Omega-3’s Soft Chew is another supplement aimed specifically at promoting healthy joints.
You should only start your Rottweiler pup on this supplement when they weigh more than 10 pounds.
Joint Health Supplement Maximum Strength With MSM comes in packets of 60 and 120 chews.
Active Ingredients
These soft chews contain the following active ingredients:
| INGREDIENT | AMOUNT |
| Glucosamine HCl | 600 mg |
| Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) | 400 mg |
| Sodium chondroitin sulfate | 300 mg |
| Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) | 35 mg |
| Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) | 20 mg |
Pros
- Because this is a supplement that can be taken by puppies (over 10 pounds) and adults, you will not have to change supplements if it works for your Rottweiler.
- It is a tasty chew, so you don’t have to try to get your Rottweiler puppy to swallow a capsule or pill.
- The glucosamine HCl and sodium chondroitin sulfate used are formulated according to proprietary veterinary research specifications.
- The supplement contains no additional calcium.
Cons
- To be honest, we looked and can find no obvious cons for this product other than one customer reported receiving a packet with only 59 chews in it.
3. Nutri-Vet® Puppy-Vite Chewable Tablets
Nutri-Vet® Puppy-Vite Chewable Tablets are a straightforward mineral and vitamin supplement aimed at promoting general health in a growing puppy.
The dosage is one chewable tablet per 10 pounds, so while your Rottweiler puppy is less than 10 pounds (which won’t be for too long!), then you can give them half a tablet if this is approved by your veterinarian. These are for puppies up to nine months old.
Puppy-Vite Chewable Tablets come in a bottle of 60 tablets.
Active Ingredients
These chewable tablets contain the following active ingredients:
| INGREDIENT | AMOUNT |
| Magnesium | 0.1% |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Copper | 0.025 mg |
| Zinc | 1 mg |
| Vitamin A | 1000 IU |
| Vitamin D3 | 100 IU |
| Vitamin E | 5 IU |
| Thiamin | 1 mg |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B1) | 1 mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 8 mg |
| Pyridoxine | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.0005 mg |
| Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) | 120 mg |
| Taurine | 2.3% |
Pros
- It is a flavored and chewable tablet, so you don’t have to try to get your Rottweiler puppy to swallow it.
- The supplement is formulated by veterinarians.
Cons
- The supplement is specifically for puppies, so you will have to move your Rottweiler onto a new supplement when they get older.
- As your puppy grows, the number of tablets they require for a daily dose increases by one for every 10 pounds. This means that this might only be affordable for the first few months of your Rottweiler’s life.
- The supplement does contain some calcium (vitamin C), so you have to make sure that the supplement combined with your Rottweiler’s food is not going to exceed the recommended daily dosage (speak to your veterinarian).
4. Zesty Paws® Aller-Immune Bites
Zesty Paws® Aller-Immune Bites are designed to guard against seasonal allergies and promote digestive and immune system health.
So, if your pup struggles with itchy skin or allergy-related watering eyes, then this supplement can help you to keep these allergies in check.
The dosage of this supplement is one chew per 25 pounds of body weight.
Aller-Immune Bites come in different flavors (lamb, peanut butter, and liver) but are only available in bottles of 90 chews.
Active Ingredients
These soft chew bites contain the following active ingredients:
| INGREDIENT | AMOUNT |
| Colostrum | 250 mg |
| EpiCore® Fermentate (yeast) | 80 mg |
| Apple cider vinegar | 80 mg |
| Salmon oil | 75 mg |
| Astragalus root | 70 mg |
| 5-strain probiotic blend | 60 mg |
| CFU (colony forming units) | 250 million |
Pros
- As this is a supplement that can be taken by puppies and adults, you will not have to change supplements if it works for your Rottweiler.
- It is a tasty chew, so you don’t have to try to get your Rottweiler puppy to swallow a capsule or pill.
- The supplement contains no additional calcium.
- Zesty Paws® offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- As your Rottweiler gets bigger, it will require more chews. The daily dose may eventually become three chews, which can get expensive.
5. NaturVet® Advanced Probiotics And Enzymes Plus Soft Chews
NaturVet® Advanced Probiotics And Enzymes Plus Soft Chews are a supplement aimed at increasing gut health naturally by introducing and promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Rottweilers are one of the breeds that are prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus, which is commonly called bloat. But bloat in dogs is actually a potentially fatal condition wherein the stomach can twist, cutting off the blood supply to multiple organs.
This means that keeping a Rottweiler’s gut healthy and happy is a very good idea.
This supplement can only be used for your Rottweiler if it is over six weeks old.
Advanced Probiotics And Enzymes Plus Soft Chews come in jars of 70, 120, and 240 chews.
Active Ingredients
These soft chews contain the following active ingredients:
| INGREDIENT | AMOUNT |
| Alpha-amylase (Aspergillus oryzae) | 2320 SKBU |
| Lipase (Aspergillus niger) | 210 LU |
| Cellulase (Trichoderma longibrachiatum) | 75 CMCU |
| Protease (Papaya) | 22100 PU |
| Bacillus subtilis (PB6 probiotic) | 1 billion CFU |
| Bacillus coagulans (Probiotic) | 100 million CFU |
Pros
- Because this is a supplement that can be taken by puppies (over six weeks) and adults, you will not have to change supplements if it works for your Rottweiler.
- It is a tasty chew, so you don’t have to try to get your Rottweiler puppy to swallow a capsule or pill.
- NaturVet® offer a full cash-back guarantee.
- The supplements are routinely tested by the FDA and the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to ensure compliance.
Cons
- As your Rottweiler gets bigger, it will require more chews. The daily dose may eventually become four chews, which can get expensive.
Remember To Reassess
Make Sure It’s Helping
When you start your Rottweiler puppy on a supplement, you should watch them for any signs of benefit or improvement (depending on your reason for introducing the supplement).
Obviously, you will have to wait a few weeks (give it four to six weeks); you won’t be able to see a change after only a few days.
If you cannot see a difference after four to six weeks, then try changing to a different supplement. There is no reason to continue giving your dog something that costs you money but does not serve its intended function.
The Supplement Need Not Be A Permanent Addition To Their Diet
You do not have to give your Rottweiler puppy supplements permanently and into adulthood.
If you rescued your pup or they go through a time when they have an easily upset stomach, then a few months on a supplement can boost them into good health, and you can then stop giving them the supplement.
Stop If It’s Hurting Them
Of course, you don’t need to be told this, but we do have to just mention it.
If your Rottweiler starts to display any signs of adverse reactions, stop the supplement immediately and take them to their veterinarian to be examined.
Final Thoughts
Dietary supplements are not technically necessary if your Rottweiler puppy is healthy and is being fed an AAFCO-approved large-breed puppy food.
However, there are some circumstances in which supplements may be necessary and other situations in which there is proof of neither benefit nor harm, so you can provide supplements for your own peace of mind.
You should avoid supplements that add too much additional calcium into your Rottweiler puppy’s diet because extra calcium causes too rapid growth, which can lead to or aggravate joint problems in your giant breed dog.
You should also avoid human supplements as dogs cannot safely ingest everything that humans can.
Finally, the most important guideline for dietary supplements for your Rottweiler puppy is first to discuss it with your puppy’s veterinarian.