The world of dog supplements can feel like a minefield. Don’t worry, we’re here to take the stress out of shopping for these supplements with a guide that covers it all; what they are, which ones your dog could benefit from and what to watch out for.
What Are Dog Supplements?
Dog supplements are a specialized type of product that usually contain vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and other ingredients to support a dog’s overall health. They don’t replace the nutrients that a dog should receive, but they support their nutrition.
Dog Supplements vs Dog Food
The relationship between dog supplements and dog food is a joint effort, rather than one being ‘better’ than the other. Dog food provides the foundational level of nutritional support that a dog needs for a basic level of health.
The best dog supplements act as a boost to your dog’s diet. They usually contain a concentrated dose of a specific ingredient that’s supposed to target a specific issue, like helping joint discomfort or making their coat turn from dull and lackluster to shiny and smooth.
In both cases, you should try to aim for high quality food and high quality dog supplements.
Why dogs may need supplements
There’s a few reasons why dogs may need a supplement. Although they’re not essential, they boost their overall health.
As dogs age, their physiology starts to change. It starts taking older dogs longer to process things, so when it comes to nourishing and protecting their joints, they'll need a boost. Essentially, the best dog supplements provide the nutrients that they are naturally lacking in.
Some dog breeds, especially larger dog breeds like Retrievers, are more exposed to joint issues that their genetics aren’t able to help with.
If your dog is fed a home-cooked diet, there’s actually a lot of nutrients they may be missing out on. So, they’ll need to get these nutrients from another source. Enter: Supplements.
Sometimes, if a dog has undergone a medical procedure, it can often mean that it’ll take them a long time to recover. This is a good opportunity to take supplements to help support their body in recovering.
Some dogs also have upset tummies. Introducing a supplement like probiotics into their diet can really help by introducing good bacteria into their gut. This means they’ll have a better time with digestive issues if their gut, A.K.A. their second brain is in good condition.
Are dog supplements necessary or optional?
In short, most dog supplements are optional. They aren’t necessary, but they do provide a very useful boost to a dog’s overall health. Supplements are designed to enhance the quality of a dog’s life, just like it does for humans.
Are Dog Supplements Safe?
It’s a great question. A lot of the time, dog supplements are safe, but it’s important to check that they have the accreditation and use scientifically-backed ingredients that are also high quality, at high quality doses.
What do vets think about dog supplements?
Vets tend to lean towards a combined approach to dog care, involving medication, a solid diet and certain dog supplements.
The most well-researched and trusted areas of supplementation from a vet perspective tend to fall into three categories.
Joint support
This is a super common area that most dogs tend to need extra supplementation in. The best dog supplements include the ingredients Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Omega-3s.
“In my opinion – if you want to help your adult dog to stay active and maintain optimal mobility as they get older – it's not only beneficial, but virtually essential, for them to take a high quality joint supplement daily,” as one of America’s leading vets, Dr. Marty Goldstein says.
Fish oil
This type of dog supplement is highly regarded as a staple, because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps with a wide range of issues; skin allergies, kidney function and heart health.
Probiotics
These dog supplements are often recommended when dogs are going through a course of antibiotics, as they can usually upset their bellies. Probiotics introduce a range of good bacteria in their gut, making it a much more hospitable environment.
The risks of over-supplementing dogs
It can definitely be easy to think that the more of something we take, the better, but that’s not the case with dog supplements. So, what are the risks of taking too many dog supplements? Let’s get into it.
- Vitamin toxicity: Vitamins A, D, E and K are insoluble and when there’s too much, it can store in a dog’s liver and fatty tissues and start to cause issues. The most toxic build up of vitamins are of vitamin A and D.
- Mineral imbalances: You can have too many minerals in their system, particularly calcium, phosphorus and zinc. Too much zinc tends to interfere with how iron is absorbed, which can lead to anemia.
- Organ overload: If a dog’s body doesn’t need a certain supplement, over time it’ll make their organs work harder to process their everyday function.
- Interacts with medication: If your dog is taking prescription medication, the viscosity of their blood is really important. When taking too much of a supplement, like fish oil, it can thin their blood, which can cause bleeding.
How to choose safe, high-quality dog supplements
This is super important. It can be hard to find dog supplements that are actually safe and high quality. Don’t worry, here’s a checklist for things to look out for:
- Seals of approval: From bodies like the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
- Back of pack signs: Check the back of the pack to see if it displays the specific milligram of active ingredients, no fillers, artificial colors, a lot number and an expiration date.
- Third party testing: This is crucial. This means that there are no heavy metals, mold or bacteria in the product.
- Ingredient sources: Look for how something is actually sourced, like ‘wild-caught’ or corn-derived’. This usually adds to the quality assurance of an ingredient.
Common Types of Dog Supplements Explained
The world of dog supplements is incredibly wide-ranging. There’s a lot to cover, so grab your notepad.
Joint supplements for dogs
Some breeds are genetically predisposed to joint issues, but most dogs will encounter some joint pain as they age, which happens naturally. When it comes to the dog supplements that are great at working with a dog’s joints, you want to look out for ones that contain three hero ingredients:
- Glucosamine: Helps re-build lost cartilage by stimulating chondrocytes in the joint. It also helps maintain the integrity of the synovial fluid, enhancing mobility and reducing occasional stiffness.
- Chondroitin: Commonly found in red meat and made by the body naturally, Chondroitin can help reduce joint discomfort. It also helps stimulate Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid production and stimulates cartilage repair mechanisms and inhibits the enzymes that break down cartilage.
- MSM: Methylsulfonylmethane is a compound that is naturally produced by the body but is also found in a lot of fresh foods. MSM helps to improve blood flow to the affected areas and helps reduce discomfort and stiffness.
Skin and coat dog supplements
These types of dog supplements are focused on enhancing the health of the skin barrier and the state of a dog’s coat. Think about it like this; a dog’s skin is their largest organ, and it’s exposed to the elements all the time. So, naturally, they may end up dealing with a skin issue like dry skin or hotspots during allergy season, fleas or parasite infections.
When it comes to a dog’s coat, sometimes they can experience shedding or thinning, a dullness or dryness, too greasy or loss of pigment. There’s plenty of things they may experience.
The types of dog supplements you should look for should try to contain the below ingredients:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are often polyunsaturated fats that a dog’s body can’t naturally produce. The main sources of Omega-3 can be found in foods, including algae, salmon and flaxseed. They’re known to help reduce inflammation in the skin, hydrate the skin, help heal the skin, add luster to coats, help with joint health and heart health. A real all-rounder.
- Fish oil: This is essentially a highly concentrated oil, made from Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Common oils include; salmon oil, sardine oil, pollock oil and cod liver oil.
- Biotin: Otherwise known as Vitamin B7, this vitamin actually helps your dog’s ability to process carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It helps to strengthen brittle fur, strengthen cracked paw skin, helps heal hot spots and helps boost their energy levels.
Digestive supplements and probiotics
Some dogs deal with upset bellies. The gut, just like for us humans, is a dog’s second brain. It’s actually widely known that 70% of a dog’s immune system is in their gut, so important that this area of their body is fully taken care of. What can help? Take a look below.
- Probiotics: These are live, good bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance in the gut. In supplements, you’ll usually see an amount for CFU (Colony Forming Units). This basically tells you the billions of good bacteria that’s in each dose of that supplement. As a general guide, for a healthy medium-sized dog, there should be around 1 to 5 billion CFU.
- Prebiotics: These look similar to the above, but they’re different. A prebiotic is a specialized fiber that a dog’s body can’t produce. These are then eaten by the probiotics, to keep the good bacteria (probiotics) in a good, healthy state. They work together really well.
- Fiber: These are usually within an ingredient, like pumpkin, helping to keep things moving steadily through the digestive tract. This helps with bulk up runny poops. Thicker poops help maintain anal health and the addition of fiber in their diet also helps maintain calories, keeping them fuller for longer.
Immune system supplements
A dog’s immune system is so important. It helps keep them from getting sick and keeps the rest of their systems functioning well. Try to look out for a couple of key ingredients in your dog supplement search:
- Antioxidants: These neutralize free radicals in your dog’s cells. At a cellular level, when your dog does everyday things, like breathe or digest food, they produce free radicals. These are unstable and they need to go. Antioxidants get rid of these and keep things running smoothly. Examples of these are; Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Selenium.
- Vitamins and minerals: This is another example of something that your dog’s body needs at a cellular level, but these help in the formation of white blood cells that fight off infections, bad bacteria and pathogens. When looking for these in supplements, try to make sure any of these are included in the ingredients list; Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D3, Zinc and Manganese.
Calming and anxiety supplements
Dogs experience stress and anxiety, just like us. According to Texas A&M University, almost 50% of dogs suffer from fear and anxiety*, which is too high for our liking. Simple things like doorbells ringing to fireworks and visits to the vet can be super stressful for them.
The usual signs of stress are behaviors, including barking or whining, lip licking and tail chasing, pacing or restlessness, frequent peeing indoors, hiding or attempting to escape, pinning their ears back or tucking their tail and trembling or shaking.
There’s a few things to look out for with these types of dog supplements.
Natural ingredients
These can include the ingredients L-Theanine (found in green tea), L-Tryptophan, Magnesium, CBD, Melatonin, Valerian Root, Chamomile and Ashwaghanda. All of these are used to add a level of calm to your pup’s behavior.
When are behavioural supplements appropriate?
There’s a sweet spot that you want to find in terms of timings with this. Ideally, you should see that your dog’s level of anxiety or stress is high, but not high enough for other routes that involve sedation – like a lot of medicines.
So, if you notice that your dog is showing physical signs, including shaking, panting or pacing, it usually means that their brain is in panic mode and they will need some calming help.
If you know there’s a super stressful event coming up, like a vet visit or fireworks night on the fourth, it’s usually best to start taking a calming dog supplement a few weeks before, to build up the right level of product in their system. This means that when it comes to the actual event, they’re already in a much calmer place.
If your dog is dealing with more everyday anxiety and they’re super vigilant naturally, it may be the case that they need an everyday support that isn’t too strong. Consult your vet for the best recommendation.
Multivitamins for dogs
A multivitamin dog supplement provides the nutrients that a dog’s diet doesn’t contain, so when dog food and the supplements are taken together, they’ve got full nutritional support. These best dog supplements are multivitamins that include ingredients, like vitamins and minerals, that essentially give your dog’s system a boost.
When multivitamins help dogs
Multivitamins are great for dogs when it’s meant to create a more balanced meal at home. So, they should be having their dog food, plus a multivitamin to provide the nutrients that dog food often lacks. One complete meal is what you’re looking for here.
Another great time to start feeding multivitamins is when they become more senior. Older dogs are much slower at processing nutrients that they take in, so a multivitamin picks up the slack.
Sometimes, there are dogs that deal with conditions that don’t let their bodies absorb nutrients, like with Irritable Bowel Disease and Chronic Pancreatitis.
If a dog’s also undergone a medical procedure, their systems are going through a lot. A multivitamin provides comprehensive care that supports their recovery.
When multivitamins for dogs are unnecessary
There’s a few key areas to be aware of here. Let’s get into it.
- If your dog’s food already contains all of the nutrients that they need, then it’s not truly necessary to take multivitamins. This, of course, depends on the type of food they’re consuming and their current state of health.
- Some dogs can be put on a prescription diet by a vet. In this scenario, it’s best to avoid multivitamins, as the specific diet they’re on, is intended to work without any interference from other supplements, like multivitamins.
- When they’re puppies, dogs are growing at an incredible rate. You don’t want to interfere with this process, so if they take too much of a supplement, for example, Vitamin D, it could interfere and cause uneven or accelerated growth.
- If all of a dog’s physical signs are fine, it’s likely that they don’t need a multivitamin. These signs include; bright, clear eyes, a shiny coat, consistent, high energy and firm, regular poops.
How to Choose the Right Supplement for Your Dog
There are tons of dog supplements out there, so it’s hard to know which ones are the right ones for your dog. You want to always bear in mind the brand, the quality of ingredients, if the product is third party tested and scientifically-backed.
Matching supplements to your dog’s age and needs
Dogs at different ages need different things. So, the best dog supplement for them will really depend on a few things. We’re breaking it down nice and simple for you. Want to keep this as reference? If you’re looking on your phone, just take a quick screenshot.
Puppy, 0–12 months
Focus: Growth and brain.
Ingredients to look for: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Calcium.
Adult, 1–7 years old
Focus: Maintenance.
Ingredients to look for: Probiotics, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Biotin.
Active or Working, 1–7 years old
Focus: Recovery.
Ingredients to look for: Glucosamine, Antioxidants, including Vitamin C and Vitamin E and Curcurmin (A.K.A. Turmeric).
Senior, 7+ years old
Focus: Longevity.
Ingredients to look for: MSM, Chondroitin and MCT Oil.
Dog breed-specific supplement considerations
No dog is the same. Different breeds require different things and go through certain things that are specific to their breeds. Try to use the below as guidance on the best dog supplements for that type of breed.
Large Breeds, Including Great Danes, German Shepherd’s, Mastiffs and Labradors
Focus: Skeleton and heart support.
Ingredients to look for: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Taurine, L-Carnitine and Probiotics.
Toy and Small Breeds, Including Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Pugs and Pomeranians
Focus: Dental, metabolism and longevity support.
Ingredients to look for: Antioxidants, like CoQ10, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Long-Backed Breeds, Including Daschunds, Corgis and Bassett Hounds
Focus: Spinal disc support.
Ingredients to look for: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Type 2 Collagen.
Flatter-faced Breeds, Including French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs
Focus: Inflammation and respiration support.
Ingredients to look for: Quercetin, Curcumin (A.K.A. Turmeric), Probiotics and Zinc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs really need multivitamins?
No, on the whole, dogs don’t necessarily need multivitamin dog supplements. That is, if they have the right amount of nutrients in their diet already through the food they eat.
However, they’re typically helpful when it comes to specific situations. These situations can include; if a dog doesn’t get all of their nutrients from their food, if a dog has specific conditions, like joint issues or skin allergies or if a dog is more senior (their systems aren’t operating as efficiently or as quickly as a younger pup). The best dog supplements will contain ingredients that fill the gaps that their dog food doesn’t.
What’s the healthiest thing you can give your dog?
There isn’t one specific food that you can give your dog that’s the healthiest – it’s more of a combination of things. If they have fresh, clean water and the right portion of nutritious, fresh food, that’s the healthiest thing you can give your dog.
The best dog supplement would usually be Omega-3s, as they are all-rounder ingredients. This can come in the form of fish oil or fresh fish. They help with brain health, heart health and kidney function.
When it comes to fresh food, blueberries are great antioxidants to add into their bowl. Plain, canned pumpkin is also a great addition, as it’s high in fiber, helping with things like diarrhea and constipation. Fresh, crunchy carrots are great for a dog’s dental health and steamed broccoli is high in fiber and Vitamin C, covering two areas in one.
Are dog supplements safe?
On the whole, dog supplements are safe, but it depends on the specific supplement you’re looking to try for your dog.
Always try to look for accreditation on the supplement packets, like the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and if it’s been made in a regulated facility. There are supplements that don't display any accreditation, which is a red flag. The best dog supplements have all the accreditation, use science-backed ingredients and a generally good brand reputation.
Other important checks to make are ensuring it's been third party tested, to be free from mold and other contaminants. You'll find this information on the back of supplement tubs or pouches. Another good check to make is asking your vet about the brand or the specific type of supplement and see if it’s on their radar.
What dog supplements do dogs actually need?
The best dog supplements can actually make a real difference. One of the key supplements to try are Omega-3s from fish oil or fresh fish. These are great all-rounders, helping with skin allergies, turning dull coats to shiny coats, kidney disease and heart conditions.
Another important area in supplements is joint support. The best dog supplements will contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These help with overall lubrication to the joints, help re-build cartilage and keep the health of the joint intact. This helps with issues like arthritis and its more severe form, osteoarthritis.
A dog’s gut is their second brain, and it’s also a key supplement focus that can make a difference for dogs. The best dog supplements for this, will be Probiotics and Prebiotics. This will help with upset bellies due to diarrhea or chronic gas.
Antioxidants are another great focus for overall brain health. Vitamins like Vitamin E, C and CoQ10 provide support to stressed-out cells. The best dog supplements will usually contain antioxidants as part of their formulation, but usually won’t be the focus of a supplement.
Do dogs need supplements everyday?
This really depends on your dog and the reason you’re feeding them supplements in the first place.
In general, these are the best supplements to take everyday; joint supplements, fish oil (with Omega-3s), probiotics and prescribed supplements. These are some of the best dog supplements to target overall health.
Some dog supplements are taken for specific things that do something very specific, so don’t need to be taken all the time. These includes; fiber and calming supplements. Of course, this is just a general summary. If your dog struggles with anxiety, stress and conditions like diarrhea, then they should be taking the chews according to the guidance on the supplement label or as advised by their vet.
Should dogs on high quality food still get supplements?
In short, no. Dogs who consume high quality food are usually getting their required intake of the nutrients they need to keep them looking and feeling healthy. What’s super important to bear in mind, is the size of the portions that you’re feeding a dog. It shouldn’t be too much or too little food, but precise. If you’re looking to make these as specific as possible, try to use weighing scales. This way, you're guaranteed to get the most accurate amount possible.
The consequences of the amount they eat can lead to issues that they've picked up because of over-eating or under-eating.
To Sum Up
From joint care for dogs to skin and coat care, we’ve taken you through the essential information to know about dog supplements; the best dog supplements for dogs of specific breeds and ages, the dangers of taking too many and the importance of striking a balance between fresh food and supplements. Now, it’s time to take to the dog supplement aisles with the confidence.