Dog health supplements and vitamins are your pet’s best safeguard against most skin, teeth, and coat conditions. They also improve your dog’s health and structural integrity from the inside by providing the essential nutrients it requires.
Invented by James Spratt in the 1860s, dog supplements’ popularity has been increasing and we witness today a wider offering and supply.
What Are Supplements and Vitamins For Dogs?
Vet recommended dog vitamins and supplements are additional food given to dogs to complement their existing diet. Dog vitamins and supplements differ from dog treats as they are used for health reasons.
Most dog supplements contain important active ingredients such as chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, glutamine, collagen, manganese, vitamin B complex, etc. These will improve your dog’s joints, teeth, hair, skin, nails, energy level, etc.
Dog Supplement vs. Dog Vitamins
Most of you might be confused between pet vitamins and supplements. Of course, you should be aware whether to give your dogs health supplements or vitamins.
To further understand, dog vitamins are known to be a singular source of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. On the other hand, dog supplements provide different vitamins all together (an all-in-one solution) composed of probiotics, amino acids, proteins, zinc, and antioxidants.
Do Dogs Need Nutrient Supplements and Vitamins?
Yes. Some dogs lack specific nutrients or need an increase of a particular vitamin to improve their coat, teeth, or overall health. Giving them a punctual supplementation, as advised by their vet, is going to balance their health and let them get what they are missing or needing.
Some dogs may receive a balanced diet with vitamins and minerals especially if you’re feeding them commercial dog food. Pet owners may not know this but processed dog food is designed to supply dogs’ nutritional supplement needs, most of these products have grains, fruit, vitamins, and meats. The American College of Veterinary Nutrition stated that commercial dog foods are a healthy and safe option for feeding your pets.
What are The Most Common Dog Health Supplements and Vitamins?
Listed below are the most common vet recommended dog vitamins and supplements to help your dogs become healthy and sustain life.
Vitamin A for Dogs
Vitamins A makes sure that your dogs have healthy vision, just like the vitamins in carrots. This fat-soluble vitamin also helps your dog have nutritious growth, immune function, cell function, and fetal development.
Vitamin A deficiency in dogs can cause unhealthy coat and skin or they can suffer from night blindness.
B Vitamins for Dogs
The B vitamin plays a huge role in your dog’s health. This group of vitamins contains Riboflavin, B12, and niacin that promote enzyme function. The thiamine activates ion channels, energy, and carbohydrate metabolism. It also has folic acid that.s a huge factor in amino acid, nucleotide metabolism, and mitochondrial protein synthesis.
Lastly, Vitamin B6 is a great response for red blood cells, glucose generation, nervous system, immune response, and gene activation. Also, the pantothenic found in B vitamins for dogs helps with their energy metabolism.
If your dog lacks B vitamins, they may experience loss of interest in food, weight loss, diarrhea, and seizures.
Vitamin C for Dogs
Dog’s vItamin C is an important antioxidant that protects your dogs from harmful free radicals and helps reduce any inflammation and cognitive aging. Though dogs’ bodies can produce vitamin C in their livers, you can still give them these vitamins for supplementation.
Vitamin C deficiency for dogs can cause bad breath, bleeding, bone weakness, and joint pains.
Vitamin D for Dogs
Vitamin D allows your dog’s body to balance minerals such as calcium and phosphorus for them to have healthy bone growth. If your dog lacks vitamin D, your dog won’t be able to properly develop or maintain healthy bones and muscles.
Vitamin E for Dogs
Another fat-soluble vitamin that’s a great defense against oxidative damage. Vitamin E for dogs is also essential for their cell function and fat metabolism. It’s also good for your dog’s muscles, liver, nerve cells, heart health, and immune system.
Lack of vitamin E can lead to eye and muscle degeneration and cause reproductive problems.
Vitamin K for Dogs
Vitamin K is an essential vitamin for your dogs that activates their blood’s ability to clot and helps them prevent any bleeding problems. This fat-soluble vitamin also helps your fur buddies to regulate healthy blood functions.
Lack of vitamin K can cause bleeding (hemorrhage) into your dog’s skin that can cause bruises. Worse case, your dog’s stomach may bleed inside and cause vomiting with blood.
Choline for Dogs
Choline is an important component of your dog’s phospholipid cell membrane and brain development. This vitamin supplement ensures your dog’s liver health by protecting it from hepatic lipidosis and maintaining hydration by preventing the loss of water through your dog’s skin.
Choline deficiency in dogs can cause vomiting, fatty liver, and high cholesterol.
Omega 3, 6 & 9 for Dogs
This vitamin supplement is considered healthy fats that are important to your dog’s balanced diet. These give your dogs modulate inflammation, energy, process hormones, promote brain and heart health, and help your dogs absorb vitamins.
Omega deficiency in dogs can cause dry or scaly skin, brittle nails, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.
Joint Supplements for Dogs
Joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, & MSM, are natural compounds made of glucose (sugar) and glutamine (amino acid), that help your dogs maintain healthy cartilage and joint functions.
These supplements stimulate the growth of cartilage cells and are known to normalize the synovial fluid that lubricates our dog’s joints. Though there are healthy dog foods for joint pains, giving the joint supplement can aid your dog to feel more comfortable and stay mobile longer.
Joint supplements for dogs can prevent arthritis and support dogs with hip dysplasia and other hip and joint pain problems.
Skin and Coat Supplements for Dogs
Dog’s skin and coat supplements aim to reduce excessive shedding and dandruff. These supplements are usually made with nutritious ingredients that support their optimal wellness.
Most dog skin and coat supplements have antioxidants rich blueberries and moisturizing coconut oil that gives your dogs a healthy and shiny coat.
Are Multivitamin Supplements Any Good For Dogs?
Your dog needs to eat a well-balanced and complete nutrition dog food that’s made from high-quality ingredients. But despite this, your dogs still need a ‘boost’ of supplements to provide the essential nutrients.
Multivitamins supplements for dogs have plenty of good benefits to your dog’s health. To name a few, listed below are the most common advantages of dog supplements:
- Maintain healthy digestion (probiotics)
- Improve cognitive development (vitamin E and C, L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q-10)
- Improve skin and coat (fish oil, biotin, and amino acids)
- Provide essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids)
- Increase absorption rates (chondroitin)
Besides these, multivitamins supplements are also important for senior dogs to maintain a complete and balanced diet. Make sure that they have the right amount of minerals, essential vitamins, anti-arthritic, joint supplements, and probiotics to prevent any health complications.
How to Choose a Dog Vitamin?
Of course, the best way to know what pet vitamins and supplements are best for your dog is to consult a veterinarian. Your dog’s health condition is also an important factor when it comes to choosing the right vitamins and supplements.
Not all dogs have the same weight and health condition, it’s important to know the right amount of dosage before giving vitamins and supplements to your dogs. Veterinary consultation can also help you know what are problems your dogs are encountering. Since our dogs may seem okay physically, we still don’t know if they’re okay on the inside so better leave it to the experts.
There are also risks associated with dog vitamins and supplements especially if you don’t know what is the proper dose. Underdose will affect the effectiveness of the vitamins and supplements while an overdose can lead to poisoning.
10 Best Dog Supplements & Vitamins
We have hand-picked the best 10 must-have dog supplements and vitamins, to be used along with a balanced diet and with veterinary advice if need be.
Below, you will find our winner for each category, including the absolute best:
- Joint Support Supplement
- Dog Immune System Booster
- Dental Care Supplement
- Dog Shedding Control Supplement
- Upset Stomach & Digestive System Enhancer
- Coat & Hair Supplement for Dogs
- Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation for Dogs
- Extra-Strong Hip & Joint Supplement
- Bone Strengthener for Dogs
- Muscle Mass Gainer for Dogs
1. Nutramax Cosequin DS Double Strength
— Best Joint Support Supplement
A comprehensive best-selling supplement developed for your dog and contains a superior combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, and unsaponifiable substances derived from avocados and soybeans.
A patented combination of dietary ingredients of unparalleled purity and each has its primary function in joint and connective tissue synthesis. It is the most complete non-prescription joint support supplement available over the counter, and a Vet’s favorite.
This dog nutrition supplement is recommended for dogs who are less active, experience difficulty going up and downstairs, experience stiffness, and are uncomfortable when getting up.
2. BIXBI Organic Pet Superfood For Dogs
— Best Dog Immune System Booster
This amazing natural supplement for dogs can be used preventively and as adjunctive therapy for dogs recovering from trauma, sickness, or cancer. It includes powerful and natural antioxidants along with organic mushrooms that provide high levels of polysaccharides that help to support digestion through prebiotic action.
This is a must-have supplement to boost your dog’s immune system in the most natural way possible. A dog nutrition supplement that’s grain-free, gluten-free, and made without any artificial preservatives or flavors
The BIXBI Organic Pet Superfood for dogs is certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and USDA organic.
3. ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Care for Dogs
— Best Dental Care Supplement
Formulated using a specific seaweed harvested from above Scandinavia, this dog supplement will, within a few weeks, improve your dog’s teeth, gums, and breathing noticeably.
Made with sea kelps that are harvested on the North Atlantic coast, the ProDen plaque off dental care for dogs is free from any additives and artificial preservatives. This dental care supplement will surely reduce tartar, bad breaths, and plaque.
Simply add the powder to your dog’s food daily and you won’t need to brush your dog’s teeth much, simply do it weekly just to be on the safe side and expect healthier dog teeth and gum.
4. SynergyLabs Shed-X Dog Dermaplex
— Best Dog Shedding Control Supplement
Your dog’s skin and coat are both vital to having a healthy animal at home. This 100% natural, comprehensive daily nutritional supplement will provide your dog with the finest nutrients to control excessive shedding.
It includes quality fish oil from sardines, Norwegian anchovies, organic flaxseed oil, Zinc, Biotin, and natural wheat germ oil that will surely eliminate excessive shedding in 3 to 6 weeks when used as directed.
The Synergylabs Shed-X Dog Dermaplex also contains the exact ratios of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins that enhance and maintain the condition of your dog’s coat and skin.
5. Purina Fortiflora Canine Nutritional Supplement
— Best Digestive System Enhancer
These tablets are improving and calming your dog’s upset intestines through multiple beneficial microorganisms that are found naturally in the canine digestive system.
Another add-on effect with this supplementation is the promotion of a healthier immune system and the shortening episodes of diarrhea. These nutritional supplements also promote a healthy immune system and contain high levels of vitamins A, E, and C, and antioxidants. Available in 3 packs (30 sachets per pack).
6. Grizzly Salmon Oil All-Natural Supplement
— Best Coat & Hair Supplement for Dogs
This supplement contains Omegas derived from Alaskan wild-caught fish like wild salmon, wild pollock, and wild whitefish that contain the highest levels of Omega 3 and fatty acids. These supplements support your dog’s heart and immune system, while also refining your pet’s coat.
As stated by the manufacturer, this Grizzly Salmon Oil helps to relieve dry and itchy skin and promotes a bright and lustrous coat. A natural supplement for dogs that also supports their organ health, cognitive vision, fertility, immune system, and heart. Each bottle is equipped with an air-tight, medical-grade pump for an exact measurement.
7. Zoetis Pet Tabs Plus
— Best Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation for Dogs
Best multivitamin for dogs that contains 23 essential dog vitamins and minerals that are designed to supplement the diets of working dogs, older dogs, or dogs under stress.
The Zoetis Pet-Tabs Plus helps correct any nutritional deficiencies that are caused by poor diet and appetite loss. It has a palatable meat-flavored base that gives a special taste appeal so you won’t have a hard time feeding this to your dog.
This is the best way to give your dogs an extra boost (one tablet per day formula). Made with Wheat germ, kaolin, corn syrup, pork liver meal, dicalcium phosphate, sorbitol, choline chloride, sucrose, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, safflower oil, gelatin, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, etc.
8. Finest For Pets Hip & Joint Flex Extra Strength
— Best Liquid Hip & Joint Supplement
The Rejenease formula offers extra strength compared to other products found on the market: it boosts your dog’s levels of chondroitin sulfates, glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane (also called MSM), vitamin C, and manganese.
These supplements will improve your dog’s joints and hips and alleviate the pain. It is the perfect supplement for active or working dogs and senior dogs. A 100% pure, safe, and natural supplement that’s veterinary approved and risk-free. A fats reliever that will make your dogs happier, and more active in just 7 days.
UK Visitors: Yumove Working Dog is the best alternative as Synovial is not available on this side of the Atlantic.
9. TopDog Health GlycanAid-HA Advanced
— Best Bone Strengthener for Dogs
Only available in the United States and formulated by TopDog Health founder and joint health expert veterinarian, Dr. James St. Clair. He is known for identifying major gaps in the joint health supplement industry not only in competitors’ formulas but also in the origin and quality of their ingredients.
This dog supplement has been specifically designed for dogs in need of the maximum degree of support to maintain the structural solidity of their connective tissues.
The TopDog Health Glycanaid-HA Advanced will improve joint comfort and mobility for dogs of all ages. And don’t worry, 9 out of 10 dogs love the taste of GlycanAid-HA so they’ll think that this supplement is a treat!
10. Formula Mass Weight Gainer for Dogs
— Best Muscle Mass Gainer for Dogs
Some dogs may need to gain muscle mass and like humans, they require more proteins daily to complement their existing diet. You could and should add natural proteins to their alimentation using chicken for example, but you could use a Weight Gainer like this one to let your dog gain in mass.
The MVP K9 Formula Mass Weight Gainer is formulated for skinny and underweight dogs to help them gain healthy weight faster. This supplement contains whey protein and Crepure that helps support muscle growth and increase the energy of your dog.
It has no fillers, no salt, no sugar, or any unhealthy fillers or additives. Perfect for breeds like Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Boxers, Huskies, Terriers, Pitbulls, Beagles, Great Danes, etc.
Health Supplements & Vitamins for Dogs: FAQ
We gathered the top frequently asked questions about the best pet vitamins and supplements for dogs, below are the best answers to your inquiries.
The most popular dog vitamins and supplements are Glucosamine (prevent joint pains), Fish oils or Omega-3 fatty acids (improves coat and skin), Antioxidants (reduces effects of dog aging), and Probiotics (treat diarrhea and other digestive problems).
In some cases, you are allowed to give your dog supplements and vitamins especially if they have some health complications. If you’re planning to give your dog some multivitamins, make sure to consult your veterinarian so they can give you the right supplements and dose for your dog.
No, human multivitamins are made for humans and can give complications to your dogs. Since humans and dogs have different body builds, some additives from human multivitamins can be harmful to dogs.
Yes, dog vitamins and supplements are an effective way to prevent health problems like joint pains, heart risk, skin and coat problems, digestive problems, etc. It can also boost the energy that they need every day.
No, vitamins and supplements are completely safe for dogs. The only complication that you can encounter is when you give the wrong dose to your dog so make sure to visit nearby vet clinics before giving any vitamins and supplements to them.
Though vitamins and supplements are made to improve your dog’s health, giving them a large amount can cause poisoning risk. The most common toxic additives for dogs include xylitol, iron, and calcium.
The recommended dog supplements for a dog’s dry skin are; overall immunity boosters, fish oil supplements, omega fatty acid supplements, and digestive supplements. You can use these supplements to achieve healthier skin and a shiny dog coat.
Most owners give their dogs vitamins and supplements between meals while others give them before and after meals. The best time still depends on the type of vitamins and supplements and how many times a day they are recommended to give.
Of course, multivitamins for dogs can support the healthy growth of their coat and nails, and inhibit the bacteria that cause bad breaths. Dog’s multivitamins can also improve energy and vitality and boost their immune system.
Making sure that your dogs have a balanced diet, exercise, and the right vitamins supplement will help them live a longer, healthier and happier life.
Every dog should have the right vitamins and supplements recommended by the vet so they can have a strong immune system and overall health.
One comment on “10 Must-Have Dog Health Supplements & Vitamins”
[…] of diet stability is therefore wrong, especially if processed foods are used. Similarly, excessive supplementation can be harmful to the […]