Dogs need to consume a balanced diet to stay healthy and happy. While dog foods provide our pets with what their bodies need, it may not always be enough. In cases like this, we need the best dog vitamins to provide them with the necessary nutrients.
Keep your dog on top of health with dog supplements. Choosing the best supplement packed with essential vitamins and minerals may be a challenge for every dog owner.
In this blog post, we share with you some guidelines on choosing dog supplements and a few recommendations from our pet experts.
AT A GLANCE (SEE ON AMAZON):
- Our Top Pick: Cordyceps Pet Support Mushroom Supplement
- Runner Up: Vet Promise Dog Multivitamin
- Also Great: Multifunctional with Iron Supplement for Dogs
- Also Great: NaturesPlus FurBaby Multivitamin for Dogs
How to Choose Vitamin Supplements for Dogs
Choosing a vitamin supplement is important to identify what your dog may need for better health. And the best way to do this is by consulting your veterinarian.
Nowadays, there are specific multivitamins for many diseases and health conditions of our dogs. For example, there are vitamins for pregnant dogs, for joint pain and support, for shedding, for eye care, for older dogs, for puppies, for allergies, for skin and coat health, and for immune system protection.
Depending on your dog’s condition, choose a supplement with the ingredients he needs. Upon consultation with a vet, he would be able to tell you what is best for your furry companion. He is the best person to tell you what your pet needs.
Generally, dogs need vitamins and minerals to boost their health and keep them away from sickness. These can be provided by dog food from well-trusted brands and pet product manufacturers offering high-quality and wholesome goodness.
However, when your dogs have specific health conditions, they may need a lot more specific vitamins and minerals that their dog food cannot provide.
But, on a general note, the following are the vitamins and minerals dogs generally need and their food sources.
Vitamin A
Food Sources: Vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, turnips, and green, leafy vegetables.
Good for: Eyes support, body cleansing, cell functions, and fighting infections.
Vitamin D
Food Sources: Marine and fish oils, egg yolks, liver, some cheese, beef
Good for: Enhances absorption of phosphorous and calcium.
Vitamin E
Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, bran, and whole grains.
Good for: Better coat and skin, healthy joints, and acts as antioxidants, promoting proper blood circulation and cardiovascular function as well as protecting the body from free radicals, which can damage cells.
Vitamin B-Complex
Food Sources: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, liver, dairy products, and nuts.
Good for: Red blood cell function, enzyme functions, nervous system support, release energy, brain support, and cognitive functions, and help in fat metabolism.
Vitamin C
Food Sources: Vegetables and fruits.
Good for: Provides antioxidants, boosts immune response, promotes cardiovascular health, cognition, and joint support, especially for senior dogs.
Vitamin K
Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, liver, milk, and fish.
Good for: Aids in better blood flow and blood clotting.
Omega fatty acids
Food Sources: Fish oil.
Good for: Promotes better coat and skin health and treatment of allergies.
Calcium
Food Sources: Dairy products, cheese, and milk.
Good for: Building bones and teeth.
Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese, Folic Acid, and Copper
Food Sources: Green, leafy vegetables, dairy products, cheese, and milk.
Good for: Promote overall wellness as they help in body functions and biological reactions in the body.
So, in choosing a dog multivitamin, make sure that it has these essential ingredients.
Also, when purchasing supplements for your dogs, check for the mark of approval of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). The National Animal Supplement Council is a non-profit organization aiming to protect and promote the health of animals.
What are the Best Vitamins for my Dog?
Review and research done by our pet experts here on dogchool.com reveal several pet supplements that are worth checking out. Here are our top picks!
Our Top Pick
- Cordyceps Capsules for Your Pet’s Energy & Vitality: Made using hand-picked and real cordyceps militaris mushroom extract, our dog supplements & vitamins are the perfect sidekicks for providing your furry pal with energy, vitality, and fortified immune defense. Taking 1 capsule a day will give your pet a sufficient dose of beta-glucans,...
- Made From 100% Real Cordyceps Militaris Mushrooms: Our supplement is made using the fruiting bodies from Cordyceps militaris, not Cordyceps sinensis. Unlike other mushroom blend supplements in the dog health supplies market, we don’t use mycelium, grains, additives, or fillers. Hot water extraction breaks down the tough cell wall of these...
- Potent Cat & Dog Vitamins with Measured Beta-Glucans: Beta-glucans are the main beneficial compounds in mushroom complex products that support our immune defense & white blood cells. Each cordyceps powder capsule has measured levels of beta-glucans verified by 3rd party laboratories, with >25% beta-glucans in each serving.
Runner Up
- VET Formulated
- Made in the USA
- All Natural Soft Chews
- Made in FDA registered Facility
Also Great
- 18-in-1 Multifunctional with Iron: Provides essential nutrients and assists in managing anemia and enhances red blood cell health.
- Proven in a Clinical Trial: The iron in NovaFerrum has been clinically proven to be Safe, Well Tolerated, and Effective at raising iron levels. (JAMA June 13, 2017 Volume 317, Number 22
- Glucosamine Infused: Supports joint health and mobility, vital for both young pups and older dogs to maintain an active lifestyle.
- Probiotic Boost: Aids in digestive health, promoting a balanced gut flora and supporting a strong immune system.
- 90 Chews: Each package comes with up to a 3-month supply.
Also Great
- MULTIVITAMIN FOR DOGS - NaturesPlus FurBaby Multivitamin for Dogs provides a wide range of important vitamins & minerals for overall canine well-being, including healthy coat & joints, peak immune function, and improved energy production.
- BENEFITS - This formula includes omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine & chondroitin for joint support. It also supports immune health & a healthy coat; promotes healthy functioning of the heart, liver & other vital organs; and supports optimal vitality.
- SPRINKLE-ON FORMULA - This convenient, delicious, sprinkle-on formula is made from 100% human-grade ingredients—because you only want the best for your furry kids.
- DOSING - For small dogs (10-20 lbs.), 1 scoop daily; medium dogs (21-50 lbs.), 2 scoops; large dogs (51-80 lbs.), 3 scoops; extra-large dogs (81-110 lbs.), 4 scoops or as recommended by your veterinarian. For extra support, administer twice daily.
Should You Give Dogs Vitamins?
When your dog experiences a specific vitamin deficiency illness or any other health condition, giving them dog supplements may help.
Pet owners preparing homecooked meals for their furry companions should also consider dog supplements. No matter how wholesome, homecooked dog food may not have the essential vitamins and minerals your pup needs.
While you may think that a complete and balanced meal is what your dog needs, there may be instances when they would need a bit more of some specific vitamins and minerals.
Take, for instance, the case of senior dogs. As dogs age, they need more Vitamin B and Vitamin C to support their aching joints.
On the other hand, dogs that are prone to skin allergies need more Vitamins A and E and fatty acids to keep their skin moisturized and alleviate skin itching and allergies.
Again, consult with the vet first to maximize your knowledge of what would be best for your furry companion.
What about Organic Dog Vitamins?
Organic vitamins are those that include only natural ingredients as compared to synthetic vitamins. Vitamins for dogs that are organic contain whole foods among their ingredients which provide the necessary nutrients to help your dogs stay healthy.
While there are many options for your dogs, getting something organic is definitely better for them.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, your dogs would surely benefit from any dog supplement. It surely brings lots of health benefits provided that it has all the ingredients providing the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs.
Be a responsible pet owner by consulting with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any multivitamins.
Read the labels and packaging of the dog multivitamins you are purchasing to ensure that it is what your vet recommended that is best for your pup.
Can you give your dog human supplements?
Like other people, this question might have crossed your mind too. And the simple answer is No.
Do not give human vitamins or supplements to your dog. No matter how effective your vitamin supplements may be, human multivitamins are not intended and may not be safe for canine consumption.