Beginners’ Guide to Dog Supplements

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about dog supplements but aren’t sure where to start, this article is for you. Anna Bain, ProDog’s canine nutrition writer, explores what dog supplements are, how they can benefit your pet, and how to choose the right ones for your dog’s specific needs. Additionally, you’ll get an overview of ProDog’s vet-approved dog supplement range.

Dog supplements are designed to provide additional nutrients that may not be sufficiently obtained through a dog’s regular diet. They come in various forms, including powders, pills, liquids, and chews, and aim to support different aspects of canine health.  

Just as people use supplements to bridge nutritional gaps or to further support a health issue, and access vitamins and minerals they may be missing in their diets; dog supplements serve the same purpose. 

Many dogs don’t have access to key nutrients that help with specific health concerns through diet alone. In these cases, targeted supplements designed to support dogs’ bodies and minds to function optimally, giving them the best chance of a healthy, happy life. 

Vitamins are vital to the healthy functioning of a dog’s body. Like humans, dogs need a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to keep them healthy. Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K are important to canine development and overall health, as are minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc. Fatty acids like Omega-3s and Omega-6s are also crucial for dogs’ health [1].  

Thankfully, much of this can be found in their food if you’re feeding a quality species-appropriate, raw dog food or natural whole food diet; especially if you provide your dog with a variety of proteins, offal, fats, and fibre options. However, there are still cases in which certain dogs need additional support using supplements.  

Our Complete raw dog food meets FEDIAF nutritional standards, which means it is expertly formulated to include everything your canine friend needs to achieve optimal health, but sometimes extra support is necessary, due to things like age, health, activity levels and genetics. 

As humans often turn to multi-vitamin and mineral supplements to support overall health and provide preventative nutritional benefits, there are also supplements designed for dogs that serve the same purpose. Regardless of your dog’s diet—whether it’s kibble, raw, freeze-dried, or otherwise—ProDog’s Boost, a dog multivitamin, offers a comprehensive spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals. Enriched with probiotics and antioxidants, Boost provides extra daily dietary support to enhance overall health and gives you peace of mind knowing your dog is receiving the nutrients they need. 

To learn more about raw dog food our articles, Top 12 Health Benefits to Raw Feeding Your Dog and Raw Dog Food for Beginners, are great starting points.

Determining if your dog needs supplements involves observing their behaviour, physical condition, and overall health. Here are some key indicators that your dog might benefit from additional nutrient support: 

Signs Your Dog May Need Supplements 

1. Poor Gut Health: Symptoms like frequent diarrhoea, dog constipation, bloating, sickness or other digestive issues can indicate that your dog might need probiotics or digestive enzymes to help balance their gut flora and improve digestion.

2. Skin Irritation and Coat Problems: If your dog is experiencing dry, flaky skin, excessive shedding, or a dull coat, they might benefit from supplements containing certain ingredients such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Meanwhile, many skin conditions or dog allergy-type symptoms, such as a dog constantly itching and biting themselves, are closely linked to a dog’s gut health and as such additional nutrients to enrich the gut and balance inflammatory response, such as probiotics, turmeric and liquorice root can make a big difference to your dog’s wellbeing.  

3. Joint Issues: Dogs showing signs of stiffness, limping, or difficulty moving might need joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM to support joint health and reduce inflammation.

4. Lack of Energy: If your dog seems lethargic, lacks stamina, or tires easily, they might need a multivitamin to boost their overall vitality and energy levels, or perhaps they may benefit from a detox and additional nutritional support for their liver and kidneys. 

5. Specific Health Conditions: Dogs with diagnosed conditions such as arthritis, heart problems, or immune deficiencies can also benefit from targeted supplements to support their health more effectively.

Other considerations 

Working or competition dogs: Dogs that are highly active or involved in competitions often require additional nutrients to support their energy levels, muscle health, strength, stamina and performance. Supplements designed for these dogs can help with energy replenishment and recovery, such as ProDog’s Revive or Perform. 

Preventative care: Even if your dog appears healthy, supplements can serve as a preventative measure to ensure they receive all the essential nutrients needed for long-term health and wellness. Certain breeds, such as German Shepherds, are genetically predisposed to conditions like hip dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis as they age. Using a dog joint supplement, such as ProDog’s Flexx, can help minimise mobility deterioration and maintain joint health over time. 

By observing your dog and consulting with a holistic veterinarian or accredited canine nutritionist, you can determine if supplements are an excellent option to enhance your dog’s health and quality of life. For personalised recommendations, consider your dog’s specific needs and lifestyle and contact ProDog’s canine nutritionists, who will guide you in choosing the most appropriate supplements. 

Here are some key points to consider ensuring you’re choosing high-quality, effective supplements: 

Prioritise natural ingredients 

Look for supplements that include ingredients derived from nature or those in the most bioavailable form. Natural ingredients are better recognised and absorbed by the canine body compared to synthetic ones. The body instinctively knows how to utilise the nutrients from natural sources effectively. 

Bioavailability matters 

Supplements should be in a highly bioavailable form to ensure your dog can absorb and benefit from them. While it’s not always possible to get all necessary vitamins and minerals from natural whole food ingredients alone, choosing supplements that offer these nutrients in a form that the body can readily use is crucial.  

Avoid harmful ingredients 

Be vigilant about avoiding ingredients that are unsafe or toxic to dogs. Always choose products without filler ingredients, which are often cheap and used to bulk up the product but provide no nutritional value. These fillers can dilute the effectiveness of the supplement, meaning you’re not getting the value you expect.  

Select dog-specific supplements 

Purchasing supplements specifically formulated for dogs ensures that the ingredients are thoughtfully chosen and safe for canine consumption. Human supplements may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs or are not dosed appropriately for their size and needs. 

Look for canine expert formulations 

Check whether the supplements are formulated by experts in canine nutrition and approved by veterinarians. This adds an extra layer of assurance that the products you’re choosing are suitable and beneficial for your dog’s health. 

All Supplements by ProDog are formulated by specialist canine nutritionists, approved by vets, and contain all-active ingredients (no fillers). They are 100% safe for dog consumption and are made primarily with whole food ingredients or high-quality, highly bioavailable forms to ensure maximum absorption and effect. 

By following these guidelines, you can choose supplements that truly support your dog’s health.

Puppies that are fed a raw, natural diet from a very young age are at the greatest advantage nutritionally, as they’re essentially starting from scratch. However, all supplements aren’t safe for puppies under 24 weeks, so this decision requires extra care. Certain supplements can safely support their growth and development though, especially if they’re not getting all the nutrients they need or are predisposed to genetic health issues. 

Discover more about raw feeding pups in our article, Puppy Raw Feeding and Weaning. 

Which supplements are recommended for puppies? 

If puppies are started on a natural, puppy raw food diet with plenty of variety whilst they’re young, they may not need any supplements. However, not all puppies have access to this style of diet, which makes supplementation a smart move. Also, certain breeds are predisposed to genetic health conditions that might affect puppies later in life [2], so it’s a good move to do your research and get them started on any supplements that could help.  

For example, ProDog’s Colostrum supplement is great for puppies; it supports balanced gut health, minimises the potential development of allergies, and works to establish strong, healthy immune systems. Our nutrient-dense Bone Broth for dogs is safe for puppies as well, and is full of nutrients including minerals and electrolytes.

Absolutely! Senior dogs are at increased risk of health issues such as joint pain, gut health imbalances, dental problems, and other canine diseases [3]. This risk is higher for dogs that have been on a processed dry food diet all their lives, but even older dogs on a raw diet can experience various forms of discomfort. Supplements are a simple and effective way to enrich their diets, helping them live their golden years comfortably.  

Discover how to support the health of senior dogs through nutrition by reading our comprehensive article, How to Support the Health of Senior Dogs Naturally. This guide provides valuable insights and tips on enhancing your older dog’s well-being with natural dietary and holistic health solutions. 

Recommended supplements for older dogs 

Supplements are a simple and effective way to enrich older dogs’ mealtimes, providing nutritional solutions to support them to live their golden years comfortably. 

For example: 

Joint and Mobility Support: Products like ProDog’s Flexx offer natural, anti-inflammatory support for your senior dog’s joints, which they might not be getting from their diet alone. 

Digestive Health: Our dog digestive supplement helps soothe, balance, and restore digestive function and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, aiding in nutrient absorption which is crucial for older dogs, to help prevent weight loss and muscle wasting. 

Vitality Boost: For older dogs who seem to have lost their zest for life but otherwise appear fine, ProDog’s Revive could be a game-changer. Designed to support natural energy recovery, this supplement contains powerful ingredients like green tea and chlorella. These natural components can provide the nutritional boost your older dog needs to regain their vitality and energy and help prevent cognitive decline.  

Enhancing your senior dog’s diet with the right supplements can make a significant difference in their comfort and quality of life as they age.

Pregnant dogs can also benefit from the added nutrients in natural dog supplements. Their bodies are busy fuelling and nourishing their puppies, so extra vitamins and minerals help promote a healthy pregnancy as well as contributing to the health of the unborn pups [4]. ProDog’s Revive and ProDog’s Boost supplements support pregnant dogs with additional nutrients to maintain their health, during and after pregnancy. 

*Always check with your vet if adding supplements to a pregnant dog’s diet.  

To learn more about supporting your pregnant dog through nutrition, check out our article, Your Dog’s Healthy Pregnancy. This guide offers valuable tips and insights to ensure your dog gets the nutrients she needs for a healthy pregnancy. 

Joint/mobility supplements 

Joint/mobility dog supplements, such as ProDog’s Flexx offer dietary support to dogs with restricted movement such as stiffness, struggling to jump, and difficulties getting up or down stairs or to/from the floor. Joints, bones, and ligaments can be supported through ingredients such as collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM to encourage fluidity of movement and decrease inflammation. These supplements can also serve as preventative care, supplying necessary nutrients to dogs predisposed to joint conditions, thereby maintaining joint health and freedom of movement for longer. 

Performance supplements 

Performance supplements are designed for working dogs, sporting dogs, and those with above-average activity levels. These nutritional aids help dogs recover faster, making them particularly beneficial for high-demand and endurance activities. Quality supplements support muscle recovery and energy replenishment, enabling dogs to maintain their active lifestyles. 

ProDog’s Perform is a protein-packed performance supplement, rich in vitamins and minerals, that supports optimal muscle definition, strength, and speed. It includes superfood ingredients like ginseng to enhance cognitive focus. 

For energy revitalisation, ProDog’s Revive is an excellent choice. This supplement uses human-quality ingredients to support the body’s natural energy replenishment mechanisms, ensuring faster recovery for sporting and active working dogs. 

Muscle building supplements 

Muscle building supplements are not solely for bulking up your dog; they also support recovery from muscle wastage, cruciate ligament tears, and aid malnourished dogs in gaining weight. These supplements help build and strengthen muscle around problematic joints, such as in dogs with hip dysplasia, and provide essential nutrients for maintaining overall muscle health and physique. 

ProDog’s Muscle + is an excellent example of how to build muscle on a dog naturally, created by canine nutrition experts, as with all ProDog supplement blends. This powder-based formula delivers a precise 76% tri-protein blend that can be added to any type of dog food. It supports muscle health, development, and maintaining a healthy weight. Muscle + is beneficial for building muscle mass, supporting underweight or malnourished dogs, improving muscle wastage, helping dogs with poor appetite, and aiding muscle recovery after illness or injury. Formulated with human-quality, whole food ingredients, it ensures optimal health benefits. 

Digestive supplements 

Some dogs can experience sensitive digestion and may need extra support for their gut health. Whilst it may be tempting to rush to the vets for a quick fix to their discomfort, nutritional support is one of the most effective ways to alleviate digestive distress. Various factors can affect a dog’s digestion, and their stool is a great indicator of digestive health. For more insights, check out our article, Dog Poo: Unveiling The Clues Into Canine Health will tell you more.  

Digestive supplements can support the balance of beneficial bacteria within the intestines and provide soothing ingredients to help with problems like diarrhoea,  dog constipation, IBD, and acid reflux. 

ProDog’s Digest is a dog gut health supplement designed to address digestive issues, poor appetite, malnourishment, and anal gland problems. It also supports pancreas health and detoxification. Key ingredients like aloe-vera, chamomile, and liquorice root help to soothe and cleanse the gut, while digestive enzymes, prebiotics and dog friendly fibre promote balance and healthy gut function. 

Allergy supplements 

Dogs can suffer from various allergies, and often these symptoms are linked to gut health. While medications typically address the symptoms, nutrition and supplementation can target the root cause by improving gut and immune function. Many dogs find relief from allergy symptoms by switching to a natural, whole food diet like raw dog food. However, some dogs need additional support to manage uncomfortable symptoms. Allergy supplements can help balance the immune response and histamine levels, calming allergy symptoms from the inside out. 

ProDog’s Protect supplement offers comprehensive support for environmental allergies, dog itchy skin, rashes, hotspots, recurrent ear/skin infections, and excessive paw licking. This powdered meal topper is made with natural, whole food ingredients such as astragalus root, turkey tail mushrooms, probiotics, quercetin  and milk thistle. It is designed to address the root cause of allergy symptoms by supporting gut health and promoting a balanced histamine response and immune system. 

Skin and coat supplements 

A dog’s skin and coat condition can either reflect their overall health and happiness or be a source of misery and irritation. A dull coat might indicate poor diet, underlying health issues, or nutritional deficiencies, with the skin underneath often compromised as well. Skin and coat supplements provide support from the inside, helping your dog’s coat and skin to look and feel their best. 

ProDog’s Shine is a skin and coat supplement for dogs perfect for optimising the coats of show dogs, those with poor skin and coat conditions, fur loss, and dry, dull, or smelly coats. This powdered meal topper is enriched with human-quality, all-natural ingredients to deliver key nutritional support for radiant skin and coat health.

Combining a high-quality diet with targeted supplements offers a holistic approach to enhancing your dog’s skin and coat health. ProDog’s Shine, when combined with addressing any digestive issues or underlying health conditions, can ensure your dog looks and feels their best.

For more tips on taking a holistic approach to your dog’s skin and coat health, check out our article, Canine Coat Care. Additionally, Dr. Katie Woodley shares her insights in her article, Nourishing Skin Health.

Immunity supplements

A dog’s immune system is intricately linked to their gut health, with a significant portion of the immune system residing in the gut. Ensuring optimal gut health can substantially boost your dog’s immunity, making them more resilient against illnesses and allergies. Recovery and immunity supplements play a crucial role in maintaining this balance, offering a comprehensive approach to overall health.  

With the right supplements and dietary adjustments, you can help your dog achieve optimal health and vitality. For more detailed information on how to support your dog’s immunity through nutrition, our article, The Basics of Dog Immunity and Nutritional Support.   

ProDog’s Colostrum provides powerful immune support, gut health maintenance, and overall wellness for puppies and senior dogs. It aids in recovery from illness or injury, supports digestive health, and promotes skin health. Bovine colostrum contains naturally occurring ingredients such as immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, growth factors, and proline-rich polypeptides, which collectively support skin, gut, and overall health. 

Specific dog probiotics can be the answer for dogs with acute digestive issues, those transitioning to a new diet, or those needing short-term gut health reinforcement. Animotics Probiotic Paste is an excellent choice; this formula contains multiple strains of beneficial bacteria, nutritional yeasts, and melon pulp. It restores gut health and promotes overall wellness. 

Alternatively, for a daily probiotic that promotes general gut health, Kiki Body Biotics is an excellent option. This soil-based probiotic capsule is perfect for long-term gut biome maintenance and overall well-being. It contains eight strains of soil-based beneficial bacteria with built-in prebiotic sources, ensuring a balanced digestive system. Kiki Body Biotics can be used as a 30-day boost or for ongoing use.  

Multi-Vitamin and mineral supplements 

Not all dogs have specific health concerns that require targeted supplements, but vitamin and mineral supplements that are rich in natural food-based ingredients are beneficial for ensuring they receive all essential nutrients. This is particularly important for dogs on restricted diets whether due to health reasons, food intolerances/allergies or fussiness. 

Much like humans take multivitamins to bridge nutritional gaps and enhance vitality, dogs can also benefit from the addition of essential vitamins and minerals to help them feel and perform their best. 

ProDog Boost is a comprehensive vitamin and mineral formula designed to enhance the nutritional content of any dog food. It’s an easy way to add extra nutrients to any dog’s diet, particularly beneficial for older and active dogs, those on 80:10:10 diets, and dogs on restrictive or low purine diets. Formulated with essential vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, omegas, and antioxidants, Boost provides everything dogs need to achieve optimal health. Made with species-appropriate, human-quality, whole food ingredients like chlorella, green-lipped mussel, and Reishi mushrooms, Boost enriches your dog’s bowl with vital nutrients, ensuring they thrive. 

Recovery supplements 

Dogs, especially those with high activity levels, often face physical stress that can lead to fatigue, muscle strain, and slower recovery times. Recovery supplements are designed to support the body’s natural healing processes, replenish energy, and enhance overall vitality. These supplements provide essential nutrients that help dogs recover more quickly from strenuous activities and supply much-needed nutrients to dogs recovering from malnutrition, illness, injury, or surgery. This ensures they can return to their optimal condition swiftly and efficiently.  

ProDog’s Revive supplement is designed specifically for energy replenishment and faster recovery in sporting and active working dogs. It is also ideal for malnourished, low-energy, or lethargic dogs, as well as those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. Additionally, it offers extra nutritional support for breeding dogs. Created with science-backed superfoods, and nutraceuticals such as, green tea, chlorella and the vitality boosting duo DMG and NAC, Revive is the ideal nutritional aid for revitalised supports natural energy.  

However, depending on your dog’s circumstances, one or more of our other supplements might be more beneficial or helpful when used alongside Revive.  

Whatever your dog’s situation, ProDog’s specialist canine nutritionists can provide expert advice. If our supplement range doesn’t cover your dog’s needs, they can guide you to products that will. Contact us today for personalised recommendations.

Certain health conditions may contraindicate the use of supplements, so it’s important to proceed with caution. If your dog has a serious or chronic illness or is on medication, consult your vet before introducing any supplements. Ensure that any supplements for puppies under 24 weeks are safe, and always check with your vet before administering supplements during pregnancy. 

For more tailored advice on nutrition for dogs with health conditions, consulting a holistic vet is often beneficial. Holistic vets consider nutrition a cornerstone of health and are highly knowledgeable in this area. Alternatively, canine nutritionists can provide valuable guidance when adjusting your dog’s diet or deciding on supplements, ensuring their recommendations align with your vet’s care plan. 

ProDog’s in-house canine nutritionists offer free, personalised advice to help you navigate the world of supplementation. If you’re unsure where to start, contact us today. Our expert team is ready to answer any questions and guide you toward making the best dietary choices for your dog’s needs. 

What not to do when supplementing your dog’s diet 

1. Avoid introducing multiple supplements simultaneously: Introducing more than one supplement at a time can lead to supplement overload and adverse reactions. If you’re addressing specific health issues, starting with multiple supplements can make it difficult to determine which one is effective. Instead, select supplements that address specific needs, introduce them one at a time, and gradually work up to full doses. Monitor your dog closely for any adverse reactions.

2. Leave your vet out of the loop if your dog is on a care plan: If your dog is on medication, receiving vet treatments or is pregnant, always consult your vet before adding any supplements. This ensures there are no potential interactions or other issues.

3. Feed continuously with no breaks: Occasionally giving breaks and rotating supplements can be beneficial, especially if your dog takes more than one. This helps prevent overloading your dog’s system and ensures better nutrient absorption.

4. Avoid completely synthetic supplements.: Supplements that are predominantly made with natural food-based ingredients are preferable as they are more effectively utilised by your dog. ProDog Raw’s supplements are formulated from bioavailable, mostly natural, food-based ingredients, ensuring optimal health benefits.

Supplements for your dog’s wellness 

While many dogs receive all they need from high-quality raw diets, some situations require additional nutritional support. Dog supplements are designed to provide your pet with the extra nutrients they need to round out their nutritional profile, whether for specific health concerns or overall wellness. 

Our dog supplements are crafted with high-quality, science-backed, primarily whole food ingredients. Each blend is formulated by canine nutritionists and approved by vets. We never use fillers; all ingredients are active to ensure your dog receives the best dietary additions. If you have any questions, feel free to speak with our nutrition team anytime.