Just like humans, dogs are also susceptible to sickness if not fed and maintained well. Apart from giving dogs a strict and nutritional diet, they must also take reliable vitamins that would protect them from sickness.
There are several dog vitamins available in stores, but if you’re conscious of your dog’s health, you should pick the best dog vitamins as recommended by licensed veterinarians. Choosing the best and most reliable vitamins for your dogs is a crucial step as buying random stocks can be detrimental to your dogs.
In line with this, we have listed and reviewed some of the best vitamins for your dogs. However, let’s talk first about how to choose dog vitamins.
Top Picks
[amazon box=”B07121B839,B00O6FIOEY,B000ETJI7I,B0180A1JQ0,B0002DJDLM,B0002YFBF8,B00CMORHV2,B000FO1QOU,B01HGQP7DK,B071R3FM21,B07GRMQLGK” template=”table”]
How to Choose Dog Vitamins
There are many dog vitamins available on the market, but first, you must consider some factors before giving it to your dogs.
Your dog’s diet
Given that dog food is already packed with vitamins and minerals necessary for your dogs to stay healthy, some owners prefer to feed their dogs with home-cooked meals. Dogs that eat homemade food may need further supplementation.
Dog food contains the right amount of nutrients needed for dogs, whilst home-cooked food proves otherwise. Hence, dogs fed with the latter must take the necessary supplements to have a balanced level of vitamins and nutrients for good health.
Your dog’s condition
Just like humans, dogs are also bound to experience deficiencies. For dogs diagnosed with a certain type of deficiency, the veterinarian will alleviate the problem by prescribing low dosage or combination of supplements, depending on what vitamin or mineral is low in your dog’s body.
Vitamins can also be used as a remedy for several diseases, like choline being used to treat dogs with epilepsy and zinc used to treat dermatitis.
The vitamin’s ingredients
The ingredients that make up a product are the most important factor you have to consider when choosing the right dog vitamin. After all, the ingredients are the main reason why you’re buying vitamins for your dog in the first place. It would be ideal to consult your veterinarian for this so you can obtain some advice and suggestions while buying.
Taste
Although it might not sound much, some dogs won’t even take their vitamins if they don’t taste good. This might not be too much of a concern if your dog’s not a picky eater. However, if it seems that your dog is a bit reluctant to eat dog treats, then you should pay attention to its taste. The same goes for his vitamins.
11 Best Dog Vitamins
Zesty Paws Multivitamin for Dogs
Tasty and Nutritious Chewable
This 5-in-1 multivitamin from Zesty Paws is a chewable vitamin coated in chicken flavor for your dogs to easily ingest. It supports the coat, skin, joints, digestive function, immune response, and heart of dogs of all ages and breeds.
As dogs are not conscious of their health, giving this supplement helps to maintain the important functions of their body. The presence of fish oil for dogs and other vitamins for the skin helps in providing an anti-itch effect. Meanwhile, glucosamine and chondroitin contribute to the maximum efficiency of joints and hips.
In addition, digestive enzymes and probiotics are responsible for the proper digestion of dogs, while Kaneka Q10, a pure form of CoQ10, helps in cardiovascular function.
Why We Like It:
- Comes in a chewable form which makes it easier for dogs to ingest
- Encourages dogs to eat due to its tasty flavor
- It has a large array of necessary nutrients needed in a dog’s body
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains palm fruit oil that has a laxative effect on dogs
NaturVet All-in-One 4-in-1 Support Dog Supplement
Also Doubles as Joint Supplement for Dogs
An entire bottle contains soft and wheat-free chewables that are filled with equal distribution of vitamins and minerals needed for your dog’s body.
The ingredients in a single chewable include digestive enzymes, omegas 3, 6, and 9 for healthy skin and coat, and all-needed nutrients that promote good health of your dog.
Why We Like It:
- The chewable is wheat-free which is important for dogs that are allergic to wheat
- Sold in 60 or 120 chewables per bottle
- Can be an ideal joint supplement for dogs with the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs find the taste too disgusting to their liking
Nutri-Vet Multi-Vite Chewables for Dogs
Chewables with Antioxidant Properties
This liver-flavored chewable manufactured by Nutri-Vet contains an appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for your dog’s overall health. Each chewable has antioxidant properties essential in the removal of free radicals.
This supplement is suitable for dogs ranging from 1 to 7 years of age. Therefore, it greatly promotes the required vitamins and minerals needed for the dog’s growth. As dogs grow, they should have the required amount of Calcium in their body for strong and healthy bones and teeth.
In addition, they must have the needed vitamins for optimal protection against infections, proper absorption of the needed nutrients in their body, antioxidant properties for cell protection against free radicals, equal distribution of energy, and proper function of their digestive and nervous system.
Why We Like It:
- The chewables come in liver flavor
- Several vitamins are present in a single chewable, providing optimal protection against infections and free radicals
- The presence of a specific vitamin, Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), is important for the generation of body tissues and metabolism of fats
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs find the smell pungent
Pet MD – Canine Tabs Plus
Microbiologically-Tested Tablets for Dogs
This is another dog multivitamin that provides the necessary nutrients needed for active puppies or adult, working, or senior dogs. Pet MD tabs give dogs the right amount of protection and nutrients against sickness with their advanced formula.
Tablets are infused with liver flavoring, enticing dogs to consume it with or without any food. This supplement is tested microbiologically for the following contaminants before it is to be released for selling: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, yeast, and molds.
Why We Like It:
- Each bottle contains 365 tablets
- Tested microbiologically before it is released in the market for selling
- High-quality source of protein necessary for healthy fur and skin
What We Don’t Like:
- May be difficult to ingest for some dogs
Pet-Tabs Plus Advanced Formula Vitamin Supplement
Designed for Better Canine Performance
This multivitamin from Pet-Tabs which is manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health is intended for active, working, or senior dogs. It serves as the successor of Pet-Tabs Plus Original Formula and has, therefore, improved ingredients that can sustain enough vitamins and minerals necessary in a dog’s body.
Why We Like It:
- Helps in giving active, working, or senior dogs better performance
- A more advanced formula that makes it better than the original counterpart
- Tastes good that dogs want to eat it immediately
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs find it difficult to ingest
Solid Gold SeaMeal Kelp-Based Supplement
All-Natural Seaweed-Based Supplement
This product from Solid Gold is derived from the combination of red, brown, and green seaweeds that makes it more natural. Taken twice a day, this powder-form supplement provides an ample amount of nutrients to ensure a dog’s health and daily movement.
This SeaMeal product helps in improving a dog’s fur with an additional presence of flaxseed (other benefits of flaxseed are listed here) and digestive enzymes and pineapples for better digestion in your dog’s stomach.
Why We Like It:
- No coloring, flavor, or preservative present
- Can be mixed with wet food
- Beneficial for both dogs and cats
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs dislike the taste
Ocu-GLO Vision Supplement Animal Necessity
Perfect for Dogs with Vision Problems
There are several eye problems encountered by dogs in case they experience infections or as they reach old age. A list of eye problems has been noted by veterinarians for people to be aware and immediately take action on the situation so as not to prolong their furry friend’s agony.
This eye supplement is ideal for dogs with vision problems or discomfort. Typically, senior dogs are highly prone to vision problems; thus, veterinary ophthalmologists formulated this supplement to eradicate this problem and strengthen older dogs’ eyesight.
It is manufactured according to breed size: small dogs may ingest liquid GelCaps or Snip Caps, while medium to large dogs can have the liquid GelCaps.
Why We Like It:
- This supplement focuses on vision problems, making it ideal for dogs experiencing the aforementioned condition
- Comes in two forms, each used according to your dog’s size
- Easy ingestion
What We Don’t Like:
- It is quite expensive
Tomlyn High-Calorie Nutritional Gel for Puppies
The Ideal Supplementation for Growing Puppies
This product from Tomlyn is the best vitamins for puppies that are picky with puppy food or require more energy since it serves as an appetite stimulator. Unlike other supplements, this veterinarian-formulated vitamin is made of gel, making it easier to give to puppies.
Why We Like It:
- Helps in the improvement of diet in puppies who are picky eaters
- Manufactured in gel form which makes it easier to feed on puppies
- Can also be given to kittens and ferrets
What We Don’t Like:
- Can be quite messy
- May not be given in exact amount since you have to manually measure it
Pet Naturals Daily Multi for Dogs
A Complete Vitamin For Dogs Formulated By Vets
If you’re looking for a complete supplement to boost your dog’s vitality, you might want to consider Pet Naturals daily multi-vitamin. It has no less than 28 important nutrients inside each tasty chew, so your pet gets a helpful boost to his diet to help him thrive each and every day.
Owners will love the many benefits their pet will get through these yummy treats. Heart function, organ function, skin and coat condition, immunity and energy are all boosted with the supplements. They are also free of artificial ingredients, wheat and corn so sensitive pets are not likely to see tummy upset as a result of their daily vitamins.
Dogs will find taking their daily health chew a real pleasure, as the USA manufactured product is flavored with yummy veggies. This makes it so much easier to help them take what’s good for them.
Why We Like It:
- Packed with 28 nutrients
- Free from corn, artificial ingredients and wheat
- Yummy veggie flavor
- Manufactured in the USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs may not like the taste
- Humans may find the smell very strong
VetriScience Laboratories-Canine Plus Senior
For Healthier Bones and Nerve Function Among Older Dogs
This veterinarian-formulated supplement is intended for senior dogs. As older dogs require more supplements than younger ones, it has a mixture of contents not found in most dog foods and other supplements.
It is a vegetable-flavored chewable that contains the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep bones healthy and the nerve function in its best state.
Why We Like It:
- It mainly improves the overall performance of senior dogs
- Presence of certain ingredients that are mainly intended for senior dogs
- Focuses mainly on the welfare of geriatric dogs, which requires intensive care and sensitive diet
What We Don’t Like:
- Its strong odor may discourage dogs to eat it
PetHonesty 10 in 1 Dog Multivitamin
Packed with Essential Nutrients for Better Health and Performance
Just like other multivitamin supplements, this product by PetHonesty provides an effective amount of vitamins and minerals in a single treat to keep dogs healthy and secure. As mentioned, it contains essential nutrients like glucosamine for joints, flexibility, and motility, probiotics, and pumpkin for smooth digestion, and omegas for healthy skin and coat.
However, this supplement physically looks much like a dog food. As a matter of fact, it is shaped as a snack treat to easily give it to dogs.
Why We Like It:
- It comes in a chewable treat
- Easy to give to dogs with its shape and interesting flavor
- Comes with certain ingredients not found in other multivitamins (pumpkin)
What We Don’t Like:
- It crumbles easily when crushed to smaller pieces
FAQs
Q: Does my dog need vitamins?
A: Although vitamins are necessary for keeping your dog healthy, dogs who are on a well-balanced diet are not required to take supplements. However, dogs with a specific condition may require vitamins as consulted by your veterinarian.
Q: Are vitamins safe?
A: Vitamins are tested by licensed veterinarians to ensure that the contents placed in a single tablet or chewable are measured in the right amount. Although it is relatively safe, it should be given to your dogs as instructed by your veterinarians to avoid overdose.
Q: Do supplements contain the promised nutrients?
A: Dog supplements are strictly formulated by veterinarians; therefore, they contain the right amount of nutrients needed for dogs to stay healthy and active.
Q: Doesn’t dog food contain enough vitamins?
A: While it may be true that dog food has enough vitamins needed in a dog’s body, other dogs may require more than what dog food can offer. Dogs with specific deficiency are given supplements by a veterinarian so they can receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals needed for them to stay healthy.
Q: Can I give human vitamins to my dog?
A: Probably as required by your licensed veterinarian. Water-soluble vitamins may be the safest among the list of supplements intended for humans since only a small amount of vitamins will be stored in your dog’s body.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best dog vitamins for your furry friend may depend on the kind of deficiency your dog experiences. Although there are many supplements sold on the market, you must seek advice from your dog’s veterinarian before purchasing one for your dog.