The world of dog supplements is vast. You can find canine versions of nearly every human supplement, from multivitamins to fish oil, and even CBD. But for most dogs, additional supplements aren’t necessary if they’re eating a complete and balanced diet formulated for their life stage. That said, some of the best dog supplements can benefit dogs with specific health issues like diarrhea, joint pain, itchy skin, and anxiety.
To find out which supplements are truly beneficial, we consulted three veterinarians, conducted in-depth research on ingredients known to support canine health, and evaluated dozens of products. Our top recommendation is Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil. Research shows fish oil offers several benefits, from reducing inflammation to promoting skin and coat health. This supplement has excellent overall safety and has undergone extensive third-party testing.
As with human supplements, there’s no regulatory oversight guaranteeing the presence of active ingredients or a product’s safety. That’s why all the veterinarians we spoke to stress the importance of buying supplements from trusted brands that use science-backed ingredients and have been third-party tested. It’s also essential to talk to your vet before starting your dog on any supplement, as the wrong dosage or ingredients could worsen existing health issues or interfere with their current medications.
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.
Best overall: Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil – See at Chewy
Best probiotics: Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement – See at Chewy
Best calming: Vetriscience Composure Calm and Confident – See at Chewy
Best joint chew: Vetoquinol Flexadin Advanced with UC-II Chews for Cats and Dogs – See at Chewy
Best CoQ10 for heart health: Vetriscience Conenzyme Q10 Healthy Heart – See at Chewy
Best vitamin B supplement: ThorneVet B ComplexVET – See at Chewy
Form:Sprinkle capsules
Strains:7 strains
CFUs:5 billion
Quality seals and third-party tests:ConsumerLab tested
Storage instructions:
Probiotics can benefit dogs with gastrointestinal issues, whether they have a diarrhea-causing virus or a chronic condition like inflammatory bowel disease. These supplements introduce good bacteria into a dog’s gut, helping to reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery of their gut microbiome. However, best results are achieved when probiotics are given alongside a fiber-rich, complete and balanced dog food that fosters good bacteria, says Dr. Jan Suchodolski, associate director for research at the Texas A&M University Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Gastrointestinal Laboratory. Beyond supporting digestive health, Patel says probiotics may also improve a dog’s oral health.
Our top pick for the best probiotics for dogs is Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement. This high-quality supplement contains 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), which are the live organisms responsible for the supplement’s effectiveness. It includes seven strains of beneficial bacteria recommended by our experts. More strains mean a greater diversity of microbes is reintroduced to a dog’s microbiome.
Unlike many probiotics that require refrigeration to maintain potency, Nutramax Proviable-DC is shelf-stable, making it more convenient for storage and travel. It’s also more affordable than many similar products, NASC-certified, and third-party tested by ConsumerLab for quality and safety.
Ingredients:Anchovy oil, herring oil, mackerel oil, sardine oil
EPA and DHA:720 mg EPA, 475 mg DHA
Available quantities:16 oz., 32 oz.
Quality seals and third-party tests:NASC-certified and ConsumerLab tested
Dosage directions:2 mL daily (20 lbs.), 4 mL daily (40 lbs.), 6 mL daily (60 lbs.), 8 mL daily (80 lbs.)
Probiotics can benefit dogs with gastrointestinal issues, whether they have a diarrhea-causing virus or a chronic condition like inflammatory bowel disease. These supplements introduce good bacteria into a dog’s gut, helping to reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery of their gut microbiome. However, best results are achieved when probiotics are given alongside a fiber-rich, complete and balanced dog food that fosters good bacteria, says Dr. Jan Suchodolski, associate director for research at the Texas A&M University Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Gastrointestinal Laboratory. Beyond supporting digestive health, Patel says probiotics may also improve a dog’s oral health.
Our top pick for the best probiotics for dogs is Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement. This high-quality supplement contains 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), which are the live organisms responsible for the supplement’s effectiveness. It includes seven strains of beneficial bacteria recommended by our experts. More strains mean a greater diversity of microbes is reintroduced to a dog’s microbiome.
Unlike many probiotics that require refrigeration to maintain potency, Nutramax Proviable-DC is shelf-stable, making it more convenient for storage and travel. It’s also more affordable than many similar products, NASC-certified, and third-party tested by ConsumerLab for quality and safety.
