Best Vitamins and Supplements for Dogs
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You know your dog best in terms of personality and dietary preferences, but how much do you really know about what’s going on inside your dog’s body?
Your dog requires a delicate balance of essential nutrients to enjoy optimal health and long-term well-being. Most of the nutrients he needs can (and should) be obtained from your dog’s diet but some dogs need a little extra help.
If your dog is a picky eater or suffers from health problems that impair his ability to absorb nutrients, a multivitamin might be a good addition to his daily routine. Other dogs can benefit from supplementation of a specific nutrient or the addition of active ingredients to provide support for various issues like joint pain, skin problems, or digestive issues.
We’ve done the research to determine some of the best dog supplements in various categories to help you decide which option is right for your dog.
At A Glance: Best Dog Vitamins And Supplements To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Dog Vitamins And Supplements
|
Best for Joint Support
4. Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews Joint Supplement |
Best for Digestion
5. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Digestive Supplement |
Best for Allergies
6. PetHonesty AllergySupport Salmon Flavored Soft Chews |
Best for Puppies
7. The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Instant Goat’s Milk with Probiotics |
Best for Senior Dogs
8. Zesty Paws Senior Advanced 11-in-1 Bites Multifunctional Supplement |
Best Calming Supplement
9. VetriScience Composure Behavioral Health Canine Formula |
|||
|
Supplement Type
Multivitamin |
Supplement Type
Various |
Supplement Type
Multivitamin |
Supplement Type
Joint Health |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Multivitamin |
Supplement Type
Calming |
|
Flavor
Chicken, Beef, Peanut Butter |
Flavor
Various |
Flavor
Chicken |
Flavor
Beef |
Flavor
Animal digest |
Flavor
Salmon |
Flavor
Goat’s milk |
Flavor
Chicken |
Flavor
Chicken liver |
|
Key Benefit
Supports eight aspects of functional wellness |
Key Benefit
Customized for your dog |
Key Benefit
Supports overall health |
Key Benefit
Provides joint support and anti-inflammatory benefits |
Key Benefit
Supports healthy intestinal microflora |
Key Benefit
Relieves seasonal allergies |
Key Benefit
Supports healthy digestion |
Key Benefit
Supports numerous aspects of senior health |
Key Benefit
Relaxes the central nervous system |
|
Ideal For
All life stages |
Ideal For
Dogs with specific health concerns |
Ideal For
All dogs |
Ideal For
Dogs with arthritis, mobility issues, and anti-inflammatory problems |
Ideal For
Puppies, dogs with digestive issues |
Ideal For
Dogs with allergies and occasional digestive issues |
Ideal For
Puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs |
Ideal For
Senior dogs |
Ideal For
Anxious dogs |
Before we get into the details of our recommendations, let’s take a closer look at the subject of vitamins for dogs and whether dogs really need daily supplements.
Does Your Dog Need Supplements?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 57% of American adults over the age of 20 take a daily supplement. It’s completely natural for pet owners who are proactive about their own health to want to take the same steps for their dog, but is it necessary?
The biggest determining factor in your dog’s long-term health and wellness is the quality of his nutrition. Most commercial dog food recipes are formulated to provide for the basic requirements of dogs, but certain challenges can stand in the way of your dog receiving a balanced diet.
Picky eaters may prefer supplemental foods or treats over a nutritionally balanced dog food.
Dogs with dental health issues may have a hard time eating.
Underlying health problems may interfere with a dog’s ability to properly absorb nutrition.
These are examples of cases in which a veterinarian might recommend daily supplements to make sure a dog gets the proper daily dose of essential vitamins and minerals.
In most cases, however, supplements are not necessary. In fact, taking supplements when it isn’t required could have a detrimental effect on your dog’s overall health.
If your dog already gets the nutrients he needs from a balanced diet, supplements could result in an excess of certain nutrients. Excess calcium in the diet can lead to skeletal malformations in puppies, especially when it isn’t properly balanced with phosphorus. Too much vitamin A could exacerbate joint pain and harm the blood vessels while excessive vitamin D can cause bone and muscle problems.
Before giving your dog any kind of supplement (especially human vitamins or supplements), it’s important to consult your veterinarian. Your vet can confirm your dog’s need for a supplement and tell you what nutrients he needs and in what dosage.
How To Choose The Right Dog Supplement
If your veterinarian recommends a supplement for your dog, he may have a specific brand he suggests based on your dog’s individual needs. If not, there are a few things you should look for when shopping around for supplements.
-
Choose A Supplement Made With Scientifically Supported Ingredients.
If your dog suffers from joint pain, an all-in-one multivitamin may not be necessary. It’s best to choose a supplement formulated for the specific issue your dog is having and look for scientifically supported active ingredients.
More than just the ingredients listed, however, it’s a good idea to check for a certification from the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). This organization sets labeling guidelines and tests products to see if the formulation matches the claims on the label.
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Check For Clinical Studies And Quality Control Measures.
Not only do you need to make sure that the list of ingredients includes the things your dog needs, but you want to verify that the product actually contains those ingredients. Many brands have begun to place QR codes on their labels which enable you to look up the exact lot number for the product and view safety information and independent lab results.
For supplements designed to support a specific area of your dog’s health, it’s a good idea to choose a company that has commissioned clinical studies on their products. If you can’t find information on the website, look for a contact number for the company and call to ask.
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Look Out For Unnecessary Ingredients.
Once you’ve verified that the supplement contains the right active ingredients, make sure there isn’t too much else on the list. Avoid products that are overly loaded with carbohydrates and formulas that contain artificial additives like artificial flavoring, coloring, and preservatives.
If your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, it’s particularly important to pay attention to the list of ingredients. Many supplements include animal proteins for natural flavor.
-
Take Marketing Claims With A Grain Of Salt.
While the NASC sets certain requirements for labeling and makes some effort to verify claims, it’s your job as a consumer to be responsible when selecting products. Be wary of claims on the label that sound too good to be true or that speak in generalities rather than specifics.
Keep in mind as well that dog vitamins and supplements aren’t a cure-all. They’re designed to help support your dog’s health and wellness in the areas where support is needed.
Now that you have a better understanding of when your dog might benefit from a supplement and how to choose one, let’s get into our top picks.
Our Top Picks For The Best Vitamins And Supplements For Dogs
All of the following are top-rated products that have earned a reputation for safety and effectiveness.
Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Bites Chicken Flavored Soft Chews
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Multivitamin
- Flavor: Chicken, Beef, Peanut Butter
- Key Benefit: Supports eight aspects of functional wellness
- Ideal For: All life stages
- Supports eight aspects of functional wellness
- Easy-to-administer soft chews
- Contains probiotics and digestive enzymes
- Some dogs dislike the flavor
- Glucosamine HCL: 200mg
- MSM: 100mg
- Cod Liver Oil: 100mg
- Enzyme Blend: 90mg
- Microbial Count: 500 million CFU
- Chondroitin Sulfate: 75mg
- Vitamin A: 3,501 IU
- Vitamin D3: 234 IU
- Vitamin E: 7.65 IU
- Vitamin C: 20mg
For dogs of all life stages who could use a nutritional boost, this all-in-one multivitamin from Zesty Paws is a great choice. This multifunctional formula comes in a soft chew in three different flavors and even comes in a mini size for small dogs.
Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Bites support eight different aspects of dog functional wellness. Your dog will receive joint support from a glucosamine and chondroitin blend with cod liver fish oil for improved mobility. A gut health blend of probiotics and digestive enzymes helps relieve digestive distress and vitamin C supports healthy immunity.
Dogs seem to enjoy the flavor of these daily supplements and dosage is simple with 1 chew per day recommended for dogs up to 25 pounds and 2 chews per day for dogs 26 to 75 pounds.
Dandy Personalized Dog Supplements
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Various
- Flavor: Various
- Key Benefit: Customized for your dog
- Ideal For: Dogs with specific health concerns
- Easy to create a customized supplement regimen
- Reasonably priced, around $40 per month for a small dog
- Vet-backed recommendations or pre-made packs
- Free shipping and Happiness Guarantee
- No option to buy more/fewer than 4 supplements
- Spirulina: 50mg
- Wheatgrass: 100mg
- Tasco Kelp: 100mg
Pet supplements are typically formulated to address a specific nutritional need, but you don’t necessarily have to choose just one. If you want to build a custom supplement regimen for your dog to support numerous aspects of his health and wellness, Dandy is a great place to start. Dandy is a personalized dog supplement service that enables you to create a custom blend of four supplements that will be sent right to your door in convenient monthly deliveries.
Not only can you tailor a supplement regimen to your dog’s needs by choosing four of Dandy’s fifteen options, but you can shop veterinarian-formulated 4-packs or answer a few simple questions about your dog to get a vet-backed recommendation.
The Supergreens supplement from Dandy is formulated to support daily wellness and healthy immunity. It contains a nutrient-rich blend of spirulina, wheatgrass, and kelp and is flavored with beef and cheddar cheese.
Choose from a 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month plan that automatically renews. Dandy makes it easy to change or cancel your order whenever you like but keep in mind that there’s no option to purchase individual supplements. Dandy only sells supplements in 4-packs.
Great Pet Daily Great Multivitamin for Dogs
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Multivitamin
- Flavor: Chicken
- Key Benefit: Supports overall health
- Ideal For: All dogs
- Soft texture is easy for dogs to chew
- Made in the USA
- Supports numerous aspects of health
- Dosage is higher than some supplements
- Some dogs dislike the flavor
- Linoleic Acid (Omega-6): 5mg
- Alpha-Linoleic Acid (Omega-3): 240mg
- Calcium: 35mg
- Phosphorus: 27mg
- Potassium: 0.01mg
Dogs who struggle to get adequate nutrition from their daily diet may benefit from dog multivitamins. This formula from Great Pet is an all-in-one daily supplement packed with nutrients to support your dog’s immune system, bones and joints, skin and coat, and digestive system.
Made in the USA, these multivitamins have a soft, easy-to-chew texture perfect for dogs of all ages, including dogs with dental problems.
Dosing these multivitamins is simple. Dogs under 30 pounds should receive 2 chews per day and larger dogs should receive 4, 5, or 6 chews. The flavor is appealing to dogs and the dosage can be divided between morning and evening snack time.
Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews Joint Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Joint Health
- Flavor: Beef
- Key Benefit: Provides joint support and anti-inflammatory benefits
- Ideal For: Dogs with arthritis, mobility issues, and anti-inflammatory problems
- Easy to administer soft chews
- Formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin
- Recommended by veterinarians for joint support
- Fairly expensive
- Some dogs experience digestive upset
- Glucosamine Hydrochloride: 600mg
- Methylsulfonylmethane: 400mg
- Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate: 250mg
- Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables: 45mg
- Boswellia Serrate Extract: 20mg
- Green Tea Extract: 16mg
Joint problems are common in older dogs, but dogs of any age can benefit from joint support. These soft chews from Nutramax feature an exclusive formulation of glucosamine and chondroitin along with anti-inflammatory ingredients to relieve joint pain and stiffness.
Packed with active ingredients to support joint health, these soft chews are perfect for dogs suffering from arthritis and other mobility issues. The supplements have a soft texture that is easy to chew and dosage is simple – just give your dog one or two chews based on his weight.
Nutramax formulas like these Dasuquin supplements are veterinarian-supported and backed by scientific research to provide the intended benefits.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Digestive Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal digest
- Key Benefit: Supports healthy intestinal microflora
- Ideal For: Puppies, dogs with digestive issues
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Easy-to-administer powdered supplement
- Supports healthy intestinal microflora
- Microencapsulation technology enhances probiotic stability
- Fairly expensive
- Contains some vaguely named ingredients
It comes in a convenient powdered form, individually packaged in single servings for easy administration. Simply sprinkle over your dog’s dry food or stir it into his wet food once per day.
This supplement powder is produced using a unique microencapsulation process which enhances the stability of the probiotics. It’s formulated to promote healthy intestinal microflora in dogs suffering from digestive issues. Live microorganisms and antioxidants promote digestive health and help reduce symptoms like diarrhea and gas.
PetHonesty AllergySupport Salmon Flavored Soft Chews
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Salmon
- Key Benefit: Relieves seasonal allergies
- Ideal For: Dogs with allergies and occasional digestive issues
- Provides support for skin and seasonal allergies
- Colostrum and probiotics for digestive support
- Helps promote a healthy immune response
- Contains added plant ingredients
- Some dogs dislike the flavor
- Colostrum: 500mg
- Organic Turmeric Root: 200mg
- Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil: 100mg
- Vitamin C: 100mg
- Organic Mushroom Blend: 100mg
- Quercetin Dihydrate: 50mg
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 25mg
- Probiotic Blend: 400 million CFU
Dogs can be affected by seasonal allergies just like humans, triggered by everything from pollen to grass. This supplement from PetHonesty is formulated to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies while also boosting your dog’s skin and digestive health.
This supplement features a tasty salmon flavor and is packed with omega-3 fatty acids from Alaskan salmon oil. It also contains colostrum, turmeric, vitamin C, and probiotics to support your dog’s overall health and wellness.
PetHonesty supplements are completely free from corn, wheat, soy, and GMO ingredients as well as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Instant Goat’s Milk with Probiotics
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Goat’s milk
- Key Benefit: Supports healthy digestion
- Ideal For: Puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Easy to mix with warm water
- Contains 1.25 billion active probiotics
- Boosts immune health and digestion
- Some dogs dislike the flavor
- May separate fairly quickly after mixing
This goat’s milk supplement comes in an easy-to-use powdered form. Just add warm water to dissolve the powder and stir the liquid into your puppy’s food.
It contains the nutritional benefits of goat’s milk along with 1.25 billion active probiotics and digestive enzymes. In addition to boosting hydration and supporting digestion, this supplement helps improve your dog’s immune health as well.
Zesty Paws Senior Advanced 11-in-1 Bites Multifunctional Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Multivitamin
- Flavor: Chicken
- Key Benefit: Supports numerous aspects of senior health
- Ideal For: Senior dogs
- Supports 11 different aspects of senior dog health
- Soft, chewable treats easy to administer and dose
- Palatable chicken flavor appeals to dogs
- Contains several added plant ingredients
- Psyllium Husk – 300mg
- Glucosamine HCL – 200mg
- Ceylon Cinnamon Bark – 125mg
- OptiMSM – 100mg
- Qmin+ Curcumin – 100mg
- Gut Health Blend – 100mg
- Cod Liver Oil – 100mg
- Chondroitin Sulfate – 75mg
- Cran-Max Cranberry Concentrate – 20mg
- Coenzyme Q10 – 10mg
Senior dogs have the same nutritional needs as younger dogs but they’re more likely to struggle with chronic health problems. If your dog has dental problems that make eating difficult or an underlying health issue that interferes with nutrient absorption, he might benefit from a multivitamin.
This 11-in-1 formula from Zesty Paws is uniquely formulated to support senior dog health in a variety of areas.
Glucosamine and chondroitin support mobility as well as hip and joint comfort while CoQ10 and folic acid provide nutritional support for optimal heart health. Dietary fiber and digestive enzymes help ease digestive issues while a blend of cod liver oil, biotin, and B-complex vitamins promote skin and coat health.
This supplement comes in soft, easy-to-chew bites flavored with chicken.
VetriScience Composure Behavioral Health Canine Formula
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Calming
- Flavor: Chicken liver
- Key Benefit: Relaxes the central nervous system
- Ideal For: Anxious dogs
- Active ingredients are scientifically supported
- Tasty chicken liver flavor
- Helps relax the nervous system to provide a calming effect
- Dosing may be tricky for small dogs
- Texture may be too hard for some dogs
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1) – 134mg
- Colostrum Calming Complex Biopeptide Blend – 22mg
- L-Theanine – 21mg
With over 19,000 customer reviews on Amazon, this VetriScience formula is easily one of the most popular calming chews on the market for dogs. This formula features a blend of scientifically supported active ingredients that help manage stress in dogs. Whether your dog suffers from separation anxiety or simply needs a little help dealing with stressful events like thunderstorms or vet visits, these supplements are a simple way to provide the support he needs.
VetriScience’s Composure supplement contains a proprietary calming blend as the key ingredient. It contains bioactive proteins found in colostrum that work symbiotically with L-theanine and thiamine to soothe the central nervous system and support relaxation.
This supplement is safe for dogs of all ages and sizes and comes in a tasty chicken liver flavor.
Other Supplements We Like
There is an abundance of vitamins and supplements for dogs on the market, so it’s impossible to include everything we’d like to. If none of the supplements on the list above seem like the perfect fit, one of the options below might be worth considering:
Relax & Roll Soft Chews Calming Dog Treats
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Calming
- Flavor: Peanut butter
- Key Benefit: Reduce anxiety & support healthy brain function
- Ideal For: Anxious dogs
This recipe contains a proprietary blend including active ingredients like acetyl L-carnitine, chamomile, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, and melatonin to relieve stress and anxiety in dogs. Each 5g soft chew contains 1600mg of this active ingredient complex.
PremiumCare Supplements for Dogs
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Calming
- Flavor: Duck Flavor
- Key Benefit: Helps with dog anxiety, separation, barking, stress relief, thunderstorms and more
- Ideal For: Aggressive dogs
Shop PremiumCare’s selection of supplement bundles for older dogs, joint health, or skin care. This brand also offers a calming collar and calming diffuser kit for dogs who suffer from anxiety.
Check out our full brand review for PremiumCare supplements.
Final Thoughts
Not all dogs require a daily supplement. The best vitamins and supplements for your dog are ones your veterinarian recommends based on your dog’s nutritional needs and health status.
If your vet determines that your dog could benefit from a daily supplement, be sure to ask which specific ingredients to look for and what dosage. Keep in mind with vitamin supplements that the majority of your dog’s daily value will come from his staple diet – a supplement is only designed to boost his intake to the appropriate level.
In addition to be mindful of the active ingredients and dosages in your dog’s supplements, look for a recipe made with high-quality ingredients that is formulated by a licensed veterinarian.
