What Are The Best Dog Supplements? Reviews & Ratings!

We all know that a balanced diet is the best way to give your dog the nutrition he needs. But, for picky eaters or those with health issues, it can be difficult to provide your dog with proper nutrition just from his food. Therefore, some dog owners need to give their dogs vitamins or supplements to provide the nutrition he needs to thrive.

Supplements can help a dog’s overall health. Additionally, they can target problem issues, like kidney, digestive, urinary tract, or join issues. It’s important to talk to your veterinarian before beginning a supplement or vitamin regimen, though. He or she will be able to recommend the best nutritional route for your dog to maintain, and improve, his health.

What To Look For In The Best Puppy Vitamins

Puppies have different dietary needs than adult dogs, since they aren’t fully developed. Realistically, most puppies don’t need vitamins or supplements as long as they have a balanced meal. Unfortunately, some pups are picky and may require vitamins to supplement the nutrients they aren’t getting from food.

Typically, the best vitamins for puppies are multivitamins that support the immune system, digestive tract, coat and skin health, and joints. Additionally, essential fatty acids are important to puppy health, as they can prevent and treat diseases. Again, always check with your vet before feeding your puppy a vitamin or supplement.

This nutritional gel packs a lot of vitamin and mineral content for growing puppies. Since it’s in gel form, your pup may find it more favorable to eat than chews or other supplement forms. Most dog owners say their dogs prefer the taste of this gel to others.

This supplement is vet-formulated with carbohydrates for energy and essential fatty acids for immune health. Additionally, your pup will get plenty of important vitamins and other minerals to support his growth and development.

The focus of the Grizzly Salmon Oil Dog and Cat Supplement is on essential fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids provide a wide range of benefits for dogs. One of the biggest benefits is their ability to improve coat and skin health. If your dog suffers from dry, itchy skin, this supplement is a great choice.

Additionally, these fatty acids can improve your dog’s metabolism, decrease risk of heart problems, and lubricate his joints. Simply add the supplement into your dog’s food each day, and he can reap the benefits of this formula.

Your vet must prescribe Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Dog Supplement. The formula contains active microorganisms to target your dog’s digestive tract and promote a healthy digestive process.

This formula is best for dogs who suffer from diarrhea, as it will work to create a balance within the digestive tract for more consistent stools. Furthermore, your dog will have less gas and can benefit from the antioxidants for immune health. Sprinkle the formula on your dog’s food daily to supplement his diet and improve digestion.

If your dog suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, or other digestive ailments that affect his stools, this supplement from The Honest Kitchen may help. Feed this supplement daily to your dog, in addition to a grain-free diet, for best results.

This formula helps to firm up stools and promote overall kidney health by keeping them from overworking themselves. This supplement can also help your dog transition to new foods more easily without as much stomach and kidney upset.

The Nutramax Cosequin supplement for joint health is a favorite of several owners of dogs with joint issues. The formula targets hips, knees, hocks, shoulders, and elbows to improve movement and agility.

Nutramax Cosequin contains chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM, all of which support and maintain your dog’s tissue and cartilage. Furthermore, the minerals work together to produce new cartilage to prevent further breakdown.

Chewy highly recommends this supplement for dogs with joint issues, and explains why in this video: 

How To Find The Best Supplements For Dogs

Dog owners should be careful when purchasing supplements for their dogs, especially when purchasing online. It’s extremely important to do your research and talk to your veterinarian before offering your dog a supplement. Doing so will ensure the best safety for your dog.

Some supplements sold for dogs haven’t even been tested, nor FDA-approved, according to CNN. Additionally, just because you see an ingredient on the label, doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective for dogs.

Some things you should look for before purchasing a supplement for your dog include:

Although not all dogs or puppies need supplements, some absolutely can benefit from them. However, it’s important that dog owners are responsible and talk to their vets about the need for a supplement for their dogs.

The best supplements for dogs are those that exude quality and safety. The company should be transparent and trustworthy. The ingredients in the supplement should be well-researched and confirmed to be safe for dogs to consume.

Your number one priority as a dog owner should be giving your dog a well-balanced meal at feeding time. However, if your dog is a picky eater or has health issues, finding the right supplement for him can greatly improve his overall health.