Dogs need health supplements as often as humans do. Just like with people, dogs get most of their nutrition from the food they eat. However, for various reasons, with people and dogs, experts often recommend adding nutritional supplements to food.
For example, an elderly animal might need supplements to help ease joint pain and make moving easier. Some dogs may be picky eaters, so they don’t get the vitamins they need every day. Certain health conditions or even health histories may lead your veterinarian to recommend food supplements to help ease or prevent disease. There are even supplements to help dogs with anxiety.
Not all pet foods are created equal, either. Some may lack important ingredients vital to a dog’s health, and some experts think supplements are necessary to counteract unhealthy additives like hormones in commercial dog foods. Whatever the reason, choosing the right top-quality, vet-recommended supplements for your dogs will ensure your pets get the maximum benefits.
UltraK9 Pro
UltraK9 Pro uses a nine-ingredient formula to improve your dog’s health and energy levels in various ways. The company cites scientists from the University of Missouri as saying all dog foods have hidden ingredients, including hormones that are not healthy for your dog. The formula for their supplement counteracts the effects of these ingredients in addition to supporting your dog’s immune and digestive systems.
The proprietary formula includes nine high-quality nutrients, including burdock root to improve liver and kidney health, and dandelion root, rich in proteins and vitamin A, and clears toxins from your dog’s system. The turmeric is an anti-inflammatory that helps relieve joint pressure and support the dog’s ligaments. The MCT oil in the formula boosts the turmeric’s effectiveness and helps with digestion and arthritis. Bovine collagen also helps with joint health and mobility. It’s a good protein source, too. Horsetail is full of calcium, so it helps maintain strong bones. The chicken bone broth helps digestion and improves skin, bones, and coat. The supplement also includes ginseng for important minerals, immune support, and weight loss. The last two ingredients are astragalus root and ashwagandha. The first helps with digestion and supports heart health. The second has the important hormone detox properties needed with commercial dog foods. Ashwagandha also promotes thyroid health and can relax your dog, too.
Nutramax Maximum Strength with MSM Soft Chews
Many small dog breeds are prone to joint discomfort, and older dogs start having cartilage and mobility issues. Nutramax soft chews are specifically designed for small dogs because the smaller size makes consuming them easier. Dogs love the sweet taste, so it’s more like a treat they will want to accept. Other vitamins have harsh flavors, making them hard to get into your pet.
The chews contain three ingredients, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3s. The first two components promote joint mobility and better cartilage health in dogs. Small breeds often face joint problems. The omega-3s help keep a dog’s skin and hair healthy. Customers choose the Nutramax product because it costs less than some other supplements.
Zesty Paws 11-in-1 Multifunctional Bites
The Zesty Paws company offers various top-quality dog and cat supplements. This one which is appropriate for all adult animals has 11 nutrients, all beneficial to a dog’s health. These supplements are also in a chew form in a tasty chicken flavor, making them easy to give. The ingredients support a dog’s immune system, help improve digestion, heart, and organ health, and boost skin and coat health.
Some ingredients designed to help a dog’s larger life functions include vitamins A, B, C, and E. The bites also contain chondroitin, glucosamine, and OptiMSM for better joint health and freer mobility. CoQ10 and folic acid help keep your dog’s heart healthy. This is an excellent choice for all adult dogs.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Support
Appropriate for puppies and adult dogs, the purpose of this supplement is gastrointestinal support. This supplement comes in a powder you add to food and is a great choice for dogs with stomach stability problems. This probiotic helps maintain a healthy digestive tract and combat diarrhea. The powder, which includes helpful vitamins, was created by a group of nutritionists, veterinarians, and researchers studying optimal food quantities for balancing microorganisms.
Most dogs, although not all, like the taste of the powder. It’s easy to add to their wet food. It’s a little harder with dry food, so the company recommends adding a small amount of wet food before adding the supplement. This supplement works well for all breeds, large and small.
Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Multivitamin Bites Immune & Digestive Support
Another Zesty Paws product is their multivitamin bites for immune and digestive support. It’s a multipurpose vitamin pack for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs of all breeds and sizes. The eight ingredients combine to support a dog’s immune system, digestive, musculoskeletal, heart, skin, and liver health. The supplements include vitamins A, B-complex, C, D3, and E, as well as probiotics, glucosamine, and MSM.
Your dog will love them. They don’t contain the sometime problematic maize, wheat, or soy like many others do. They are not the least expensive vitamin supplements available, but they are delicious soft chews dogs love, and owners report excellent health and energy level results.
Supplement for PetHonesty Allergy Support and Immunity Strength
Dogs have allergies like humans, and pet allergies have increased in recent years. Dogs can’t use some of the products helpful to humans but , this PetHonesty supplement can help combat a dog’s allergy symptoms. It’s recommended for adult dogs only but works well for all breeds, regardless of size.
The chews contain probiotics and turmeric to support the dog’s digestive health and immune system. Other ingredients induce a histamine reaction. The formula contains colostrum, probiotics, curcumin, vitamin C, and Alaskan salmon oil. These supplements come in packages of 90 and don’t use any soy, maize, GMOs, wheat, or preservatives.
VetriScience GlycoFlex Stage III Maximum Joint Support Chews
Dogs often develop joint problems as they age. The VetriScience supplement provides comprehensive support for hip and joint health for dogs of all ages. By starting the supplement before the issues start, dogs continue to move easily as they age.
VetriScience has been a well-known and trusted brand vets have trusted for decades. This product greatly improves mobility because it has the greatest concentration of MSM, glucosamine, and perna canaliculus on the market. Dogs love them for their genuine chicken flavor, so you won’t have any trouble getting your dog to take them. Daily use of this chew will boost a dog’s hind leg strength by up to 41% in about a month.
Senior Dog Soft Chew Multivitamin from VetriScience Canine PlusÂ
Senior dogs have unique health challenges, and supplements can help. These senior soft chews are packed with 25 balanced nutrients specially designed to support your older dog’s biological systems. These chews also contain biotin, which increases skin and coat hydration and elasticity. The formula also includes inositol, which is beneficial to your pet’s cardiovascular to keep him active and brain systems to keep him sharp.
Many consumers see positive results quickly, and these chews cost less than some other brands. The vegetable taste appeals to most dogs, but the soft chews can easily be broken down and hidden in food or a pill pocket for those who reject the taste.
Honest Paws CBD for Dogs
Some dogs are always anxious, and others get anxious in certain circumstances. The Honest Paws Calm CBD formulas help dogs get through stressful situations like traveling or fireworks. The Honest Paws Calm CBD line comes in oil, soft chews, bites, and peanut butter, so finding the best form for your pet is easy. All products contain organic full-spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD.
The company recommends consulting your vet before trying CBD or other anti-anxiety supplements. There’s little published research on how well CBD oil works for dogs, but pet owners have reported positive results. CBD is reported to be safe and rarely causes negative side effects.
Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Dogs
Another alternative for dogs that are anxious all the time is this supplement. Bites calm dogs down during anxiety-producing events like thunderstorms, travel, or separations from their humans. These treats have many anxiety-relieving, organic, natural ingredients, including hemp seed powder, chamomile, valerian root, passionflower, ginger root, thiamine, L-theanine, and L-tryptophan.
These calming bites work, and pets love the peanut butter flavor and pleasant, dog-friendly texture. They work for all ages and breeds of dogs, are easy to use, and are well tolerated. If you have an anxious dog, these might help.
Be Sure to Use Dog Food Supplements that are Recommended by Veterinarians
So, whether you are looking for an all-purpose vitamin supplement, something to help your dog with digestion, allergies, or joint health, or need a product to calm your dog, one of the ten supplements listed here would be a good choice. If you are concerned that your dog food isn’t providing the nutrition it should, or you are concerned with additives, a supplement might be the answer.