Why add supplements for dogs when feeding an already balanced manufactured food, such as kibble or canned dog food, you may be asking yourself.
While many manufacturers promise “balanced” and “complete” on the package, the truth is that many processed pet foods have a very general and basic formula. As a result it is simply not possible to really meet ALL of your dog’s needs by just feeding this food.
Some processed foods can even cause deficiencies, if fed solely over years and not alternated with other foods or supplemented with nutrients.
Compared to humans some of those dog foods have the same level of quality as if you were eating nothing but fast food all your life.
Also there are some ingredients, which are considered healthy and helpful, but are just not part of standard food – mostly because they enhance production costs. Some examples are probiotics, vitamins or fish oil, which are available as add-ons for that exact reason, because many manufactured foods do not contain them or at least not enough. supplementing can also be a good idea to balance a raw diet.
Below you find a list of recommended supplements for dogs:
Salmon Oil
Salmon oil is very rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are known to benefit the health of humans and your pet. when feeding it, you will also notice visible effect in the form of a shiny coat.
A very good and often recommended product is Grizzly Salmon Oil All-Natural Dog Food Supplement in Pump-Bottle Dispenser, 32 Ounces.
If you buy this product, it already comes with dosage recommendations and a pump for easy dosing. I use it for Mila myself and we both love it.
- SOFT, SHINY, & SMOOTH COAT – Does your dog, cat, ferret, horse, or energetic ball of fur have a dull, dry or coarse coat? Essential omega 3 fatty acids from our salmon oil supplement will help support healthy skin and coats. You’ll want to hug them even more!
- DRY SKIN, ITCHING, FLAKING, SHEDDING, & ALLERGIES? – Is your pet constantly itching or scratching due to dry skin and allergies? The essential fatty acids contained in salmon fish oil help support natural allergy defense. Your pet will be much happier playing rather than itching and scratching.
- INFLAMMATION, JOINT PROBLEMS, & ARTHRITIS? – Have you noticed your pet playing less and having trouble with common activities? The omega 3 in salmon fish oil helps support joint and bone health and also supports a healthy immune system. Normal activities will be funner and more comfortable.
- SUSTAINABLY SOURCED – Our salmon oil has been sustainably sourced ensuring healthy oceans and safeguarding seafood supplies for the future.
- PROUDLY WOMEN-OWNED, FAMILY-OWNED, and US-OWNED – We are proud to be Family-owned, Woman-owned, and US-owned. Our products and ingredients are sourced globally so we can give our fur babies the best.
Yogurt or Cottage Cheese
Some spoons full of plain yogurt/ plain greek yogurt/ cottage cheese is a wonderful way to add some probiotics to the nutrition of your dog, helping the dog’s digestion.
If you want to add a commercial product, take a look at this one:
- With billions of probiotics per serving, Stonyfield Organic Whole Milk Probiotic Yogurt helps support immunity and digestive health when eaten regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle and diet
- Cut fat and calories: Sub Stonyfield Plain Yogurt to make tasty dressings and desserts, creamy soups, moist baked goods and tender marinated meats. The perfect breakfast staple or afternoon snack for you and your little ones alike
- This probiotic yogurt is made with simple, wholesome ingredients and live active cultures. Packaged in a 32-ounce container
- Stonyfield whole milk yogurt is made with milk from pasture-raised cows. USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher Certified, and gluten-free. No high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners
- Good on Purpose – we want our products to be good for you, good for the planet, and good for your taste buds
There are also others.
Note: If your dog has a problem with yeast overgrowth, you may want to avoid the so-called PRE-biotics, which often are part of a probiotic mix, for a while, because sadly these particular otherwise healthy microorganisms are said to play a possible role in yeast overgrowth.
For lactose intolerant dogs dairy products, such as yogurt, may not be an option!
Vitamins & Minerals
To add valuable vitamins & minerals to your dog’s nutrition there are a few very good options on the market:
I can recommend this product, which I have been using for years now:
Nutri-Pet Research Nupro Dog Supplement, 5-Pound
- All Natural Dog Supplement
- Does Not Contain Corn Or Wheat
- Helps promote hair growth, repel fleas, improves appetite
- Controls Itchy, Dry, Flaky Skin, Aids Digestion, Will Help Arthritic Conditions And Fertility In Females And Potency In Males
If your dog is very active, having a lot of exercise, jumping a lot etc., these products may also be interesting for you (have not tried one of those yet).
- Dog owners claim that nupro joint support has strengthened their dog’s immune system and helped arthritic conditions and joint pain
- It has also improved their pet’s appetite and digestion whil increasing alertness and energy
No products found.
Other optional supplements
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with mother
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with mother (yes, you need the cloudy one!) is famous for a whole lot of health benefits to both humans and dogs. It can be given orally or applied “spot-on”or even used as a washing in its diluted version.
It aids digestion and has antiseptic properties. I can’t cover all of the benefits here in this essay. That will be one of my upcoming topics.
You will find ACV in grocery stores or online.
- Premium Quality: Made from organically grown apples, our raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar boasts quality and purity.
- Versatile Usage: Incorporate into your daily routine effortlessly by enjoying it two to three times a day in filtered or sparkling water, blended into smoothies, or as a flavorful addition to your favorite recipes.
- Certified Organic: Rest assured, our apple cider vinegar is certified organic, ensuring it meets stringent standards for organic farming practices.
- Non-GMO: Free from genetically modified organisms, our apple cider vinegar is crafted with care, preserving the natural essence of the fruit without any genetic alterations.
- Kosher and Gluten-Free: Suitable for various dietary needs, our apple cider vinegar is Kosher-certified and gluten-free, allowing you to indulge with confidence.
Dosage: 1 tsp. for small dogs a day, 1 tbsp. for medium to large dogs a day
Virgin Coconut oil
Virgin coconut oil can be given orally or used as a rub. As for humans, it brings a lot of health benefits for dogs without the same side effects on dogs caused by the high amounts of saturated fats in that oil. Dogs do not have the same issues as humans do with Cholesterol and clogged arteries.
Besides other positive properties, coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties and is able to soothe skin irritations.
It aids digestion, helps with allergies and yeast infections, makes the coat shiny, helps wounds and scratches to heal better and so much more.
You will find virgin coconut oil in grocery stores or online.
Learn more about the health benefits of virgin coconut oil here
Dosage: The recommendations vary a lot. From one tsp. once a day to 1/4 tsp. per 10 lbs of weight twice a day.
- About this Item: Coconut oil in solid form will transform to liquid at temperatures above 75F
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- CONTAINS: Tree Nuts (Coconut)
[…] Learn more here about the best supplements for dogs. […]
I have a 3month bull terrier and I am currently feeding her Blue Buffalo. I was looking for something better for her. She hasn’t been eating as much, but she ends up eating it because she’s hungry. Right now she’s very gassy and her poop smells very strong. I’m not sure if it’s the food, but I want to give her the best. What do you think I should give her?
Hello Michelle,
currently, I am alternating home-made raw dog food and Victor Active Dog and Puppy Grain-Free dry food and Victor Ultra Pro Grain-Free dry food
and I m very happy with the results.
“Alternating” in this case means, I feed raw in the morning and the kibble in the afternoon.
Raw is still no.1 for me and always will be.
There is an awesome provider for raw food, I’ve tested myself, named DARWIN’s.
However, in general, I rather speak about my own experience than recommending particular brands or formulations. That’s because besides many other aspects, every dog is different, every owner has different budgets available and, of course, because I have not tested every brand available on the market.
There’s no such thing as “THE BEST Dog Food”. But there are milestones for orientation and red flags to avoid.
I really like to focus on the important factors when trying to figure out if a dog food is of good quality by looking at the ingredients etc. and give general tips on a dog’s nutrition.
You will find some more advice in this article of mine about “Choosing the right dog food” already.
And, obviously, you have also found my recommendations on supplements.
After checking back in on my essay about “Choosing the right dog food”, I decided that there are some more general aspects I would like to share with you guys. So, I am currently working on a “part II” for this article, so to speak, that I am planning to release soon. Stay tuned.
Until then, if you are uncertain about the quality of a dog food you are considering, check it out on dogfoodadvisor.com.
This site is very informative and very helpful. You did not mention which variety of Blue Buffalo you are currently feeding. But you can use the information on the bag (or can) to check what dogfoodadvisor has to say about the quality of this particular product. Obviously, I would always look for brands/ products with a rating of at least 4.5 to 5 stars out of 5 stars.