Practical Tips For Starting With ProDog Supplements

We all want what’s best for our dogs, and will do whatever we can to keep them happy and healthy. Feeding a species-appropriate, raw diet is a great way to ensure our canine companions are getting the nutrition they need, though there are times when additional nutrient support is warranted. 

Feeding your dog supplements can be easier than you might think. With ProDog supplements there are no pills to swallow, and most dogs accept them quite readily, even the fussy ones! ProDog’s nutritional supplements are designed as powdered meal toppers, packed with natural, whole food ingredients, and easily mixed with your dog’s regular diet. 

Each of our supplements come with clear guidelines on how much to feed your dog based on their weight and can be adapted to any dog’s diet. Here are some tips on how to incorporate these nutrient-dense formulas into each type of dog food:  

With raw 

Thanks to its moisture-rich content and absorbent texture, raw dog food makes it easy to introduce supplements to your dog’s diet. Simply sprinkle your dog’s pre-measured supplements over their raw food, mix well, and feed as you normally would.  

Though easily mixed with raw food, adding a little cold water will help to ensure effective absorption. This is especially true for dogs that are taking multiple supplements at once; it prevents the supplement powder from absorbing too much moisture from their food while maintaining the texture that they’re accustomed to. 

Want to learn more about feeding raw dog food? Discover more in our articles, Raw Dog Food for Beginners and Top 12 Health Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Raw Food. 

With kibble 

Kibble is naturally dry, so it’s important to add moisture to ensure your dog’s supplements are mixed well. A little cold water (or better yet, bone broth) will allow the supplements to mix in more effectively. As advised with raw feeding, simply sprinkle your dog’s meals with their supplement powder, add water/bone broth, and mix well. 

As kibble is less absorbent than raw food, mixing in liquids slowly works best. Adding small amounts of water/bone broth, mixing, then adding more as needed will ensure the finished product is of the right consistency.  

With vegan 

As there are various vegan-based dog food options available, you’re likely the best judge when it comes to deciding how much moisture to add. The guidelines in the raw and kibble sections above will be helpful when introducing supplements to your dog’s diet.  

Essentially, the less moisture in your dog’s food, the more you’ll need to add, and vice versa. Start with a little at a time and see what works best. As long as the supplements are well mixed with your dog’s food, you’re good to go!  

Feeding supplements to fussy eaters  

While many dogs easily accept new additions to their diet, some are more reluctant to embrace change. Caroline Spencer, ProDog’s canine behaviourist, shares tips in this section on helping those fussy eaters adapt to their new dietary supplements. 

As humans, we know the health and longevity benefits that supplements offer our dogs. However, a dog’s suspicion regarding the safety of this unfamiliar addition can often override their hunger, which is especially true when dogs are already fussy eaters.   

This can occur for a number of reasons. As young puppies, dogs’ mothers act as the trusted taste testers when new foods are introduced, so puppies raised without that support and confidence can experience anxiety and suspicion around new foods into adulthood. Also, nutritional supplements sometimes contain herbs or other plant substances that are quite strong-smelling, which can put dogs off wanting to try them. These scenarios can result in a dog that won’t eat, which is both frustrating and worrisome for their humans. 

Here are a few tips for introducing nutritional supplements to a fussy eater without putting them off their food: 

Slow method 

Whether a dog has gone off their food or not, it’s always advisable to start slow with new supplements. This allows your dog to become accustomed to the new taste, while ensuring their digestive system is accepting of the change. Start with a quarter of the recommended dose, increasing by a quarter every 3-4 days until they’re receiving the full amount. 

For super fussy eaters, this can be done even more gradually to appease their suspicions and encourage them to accept the new addition. Start with a very small amount like a light sprinkle, and increase every few days in smaller amounts than the guidelines above. 

Utilise bone broth 

Bone broth is a nutritious and hydrating ingredient to add to your dog’s diet, but it can also serve an additional purpose. Adding bone broth for dogs to a fussy eater’s food can make it more enticing, as it smells delicious to dogs. This also helps with disguising the scent of the supplements if your dog has gone off their food since incorporating them into the diet.  

Bone broth can be mixed with food or given as a drink on its own before or after meals. Whichever method you choose, adding a small amount of your dog’s nutritional supplement and gradually increasing over time will help them become accustomed to it, and eventually they’ll be taking their full dose. 

Discover ProDog’s Scottish Bone Broth range, created especially for dogs  

Disguise supplements with special treats 

Sometimes it’s necessary to make a special treat out of supplement time, and that’s perfectly fine if it helps increase your dog’s comfort level. Ideally this treat will be something healthy and appealing, such as sardines in olive oil or spring water. These are nice and smelly and many dogs love them!  

To avoid being found out, fill some gelatin capsules with their nutritional supplements and hide them within the sardines (or your healthy treat of choice). It may be a little tedious at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. You can even purchase a capsule filler like this one to make the job easier! 

Whichever of these methods help your fussy eater accept their supplements, also try to remember that feeding time should be as relaxed and stress-free as possible. Anxiety decreases appetite, so anything related to food should be calm and pleasant. For more tips on feeding fussy eaters, read How to Help a Fussy Dog Eat by ProDog’s Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer.  

Caroline also discusses her helpful tips for introducing supplements to fussy eaters in this video 

Maximising potency 

To ensure your dog enjoys the nutritional benefits of every last serving and to prevent landfill waste, ProDog’s supplements arrive in 100% recyclable, zip lock pouches. Resealable to maintain freshness for long periods and therefore minimise waste, this eco-friendly design helps us to decrease our carbon footprint and allows you to contribute to the planet in a positive way whilst you promote the health and wellbeing of your dog.  

Learn more about our product packaging and gain advice on recycling in ProDog’s Packaging Promise.  

Feeding your dog supplements regularly and finishing the packet before its expiration date helps them remain effective, and ensures they receive the intended nutritional benefits. To provide your dog with the maximum potency of their supplements, adhere to the storage guidelines below.  

Safe storage 

To ensure freshness and effectiveness, our dog supplements  should be stored in a dry cupboard away from heat and sunlight, the same way most human vitamins or supplements are stored. 

High shelves or child locks are ideal if you have small children or curious animals at home, as this will help to avoid any accidental ingestion or overdose. Our labelling is brightly coloured and clearly displays that the contents are for dogs, so the risk of any confusion happening is minimal; though it may be a good idea to store dogs’ supplements on a separate shelf just in case.

Shelf life of whole food ingredients 

As our supplements are created with whole food ingredients, they do have an expiration date. This is because whole foods are natural and, as such, will decompose after a period of time. Our dog supplements are designed to last through to the end of their expiration date (generally several months) without the use of any preservatives, chemicals, or artificial additives.  

If dog supplements go unused, are exposed to air or heat, or are left open for a prolonged period, they do have the potential to go off. However, if you’re sealing your dog’s supplement packets properly, storing them correctly, and using them regularly, they’ll be fine for up to 6 months.  

Always contact us for advice if you’re concerned about dog supplement spoilage. 

Individual feeding quantities 

As all dogs are different, our supplements will last for different lengths of time depending on several factors. Your dog’s weight should be taken into account in order to determine their individual dosage. Meanwhile, their age, activity levels and health conditions may determine how long you choose to feed a particular supplement for. 

Each of our dog supplements come with pre-measured serving scoops, with serving guidance for the size and weight of your dog provided on the packaging. These guidelines allow you to give your dog the correct amount of supplement as per their body weight.  

Each supplement blend contains a unique combination of nutrients, therefore the recommended serving can differ between them. This also means the amount of servings in each supplement container varies: for example, ProDog’s Boost supplement contains 60 one-scoop servings, whereas ProDog’s Protect requires a smaller feeding quantity, and contains 100 servings. 

Targeted health support  

Dog supplements work the same way human supplements do: they provide a nutritional boost in condensed form. They can be used to deliver targeted dietary support for a specific health concern or symptoms such as dog allergies, pancreatitis in dogs, dog dermatitis and more. ProDog supplements are formulated to address specific needs in the most natural way possible. 

Due to the potential side effects of some pharmaceutical treatments and prescription drugs, many dog owners prefer using natural methods to support their pets’ health. Additionally, when medications are necessary, they often use supplements alongside prescribed treatments to bolster the dog’s system and minimise side effects. 

A guide on the supplements that best suit your dog’s individual health concerns is listed in a later section. 

Overall health support 

Another use for dog supplements is to support overall health. As with people, many dogs don’t receive all their required essential nutrients through diet alone, which is where supplements come in handy: you can rest assured your dog is receiving all they need to thrive, even when they’re picky eaters or have other dietary issues. 

Dogs with high level demands, such as working dogs or sports dogs, often benefit from additional dietary support. ProDog’s inhouse canine nutritionist, Alison Frost shares her expertise in this article, Expert Nutritional Advice for Sporting Dogs and Working Breeds. 

Dog vitamin and mineral supplements are also a helpful addition for homemade raw diets, where nutritional imbalances can occur [1] or for dogs on restricted diets. Whilst it’s recommended that raw dog food is composed of the appropriate ratios of protein, fat, organ meats, bone, and plant fibre, we understand that this isn’t always possible. Supplements such as ProDog’s Boost, multi-vitamin and mineral blend with probiotics and antioxidants, can help to bridge dietary gaps, providing you with confidence that your dog is receiving balanced nutrition.   

A word on side effects/reactions to dog supplements 

Each of our dog supplements are created with science-backed, species-appropriate, natural ingredients that are safe for dogs to consume. However, all dogs are different, and there may be certain ingredients that don’t necessarily agree with your canine friend [2].  

Discover more about the science behind all our supplement ingredients in our handy A-Z Ingredients List. 

Potency or serving size may also disagree with some dogs. If you notice any gastric upset symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, skin flare ups, or decreased appetite, this may be a sign that a particular ingredient doesn’t agree with your dog. Stop the supplement for a few days, and see if your dog’s condition improves. Contact your vet or our canine nutrition team for guidance if you’re concerned.

With so many options available, you might be wondering which supplements are best suited to your dog’s individual needs. All our supplements are formulated by canine nutritionists and approved by vets. Our product pages are filled with detailed information about each of our dog supplements. To help you get started and point you in the right direction, here’s a quick description of each supplement ProDog offers and how they can benefit your dog: 

Repel 

Parasite prevention can be a gamble, as many treatments use harsh chemicals to keep pets safe from unwanted visitors. Repel is a natural, whole food pest preventive that keeps fleas, ticks, and worms at bay, allowing you to protect your dog without the risks associated with chemical treatments. 

Learn more about taking a natural approach to parasite prevention in our flea, worm and tick prevention guides.  

Protect 

Allergies are all too common in dogs, with many conventional treatments addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause: dogs’ gut and immune health. Protect includes ingredients such as quercetin, bromelain, turmeric and turkey tail mushroom to address the core of the unwanted symptoms, supporting gut health, balancing immunity and histamine response, and providing much-needed relief from itchy, uncomfortable allergy symptoms. 

Shine 

Dogs’ skin and coat reflects the condition of their internal environments, which starts within the digestive system. Shine  is rich in natural B vitamins from the Brewer’s Yeast element, packed with enriching minerals, chlorophyll from Barley Grass, and hemp protein to nourish the skin and coat. Fish collagen and oil provide the omegas and essential fatty acids. Designed to deliver key nutritional support for radiant skin health and coat condition. 

Digest 

Regular digestive upsets such as dog diarrhoea, acid reflux, dog constipation or dog vomit are often due to imbalanced gut health, causing significant discomfort for dogs ProDog’s Digest ProDog’s Digest is designed to condition the gut, soothe irritation, restore gut microbiome balance, and promote overall health, helping dogs live free from digestive discomfort. 

This expertly formulated blend also supports pancreatic health and helps to maintain anal gland function. 

Revive 

Illness, injury, pregnancy, and intense exercise can deplete dogs’ energy levels, hampering their ability to recover quickly. ProDog’s Revive supplement provides a boost of nutrients and antioxidants, to strengthen the immune system, aid in muscle recovery, and replenish energy levels. 

Boost 

Try as we might, it may not always be possible to provide our dogs with all their required nutrients through diet alone. Boost serves to fill in any nutritional gaps, whilst adding additional all over support to help your dog feel their best. 

Flexx 

Joint health and mobility can decline as dogs age, but with the right nutritional support, this doesn’t have to be the case[3]. ProDog’s Flexx supplement provides joint health support. Utilising science-backed ingredients, this daily-use dietary addition helps to maintain the health of joint fluid and connective tissues, providing preventative joint care and aiding dogs in remaining active throughout their lives, even into their golden years. 

Muscle + 

Fussy eaters, malnourished dogs, and dogs with ligament tears/ injuries, can have a hard time maintaining their weight and muscle mass, which can lead to various other health issues. Muscle + is designed to help dogs gain weight and muscle mass safely, using, wholefood ingredients. Muscle+ features 76% quality protein in every scoop. 

Perform 

Working and sporting dogs are a sight to behold, but without the appropriate nutritional support, their active lifestyles can take a toll. ProDog’s Perform supplement helps to fuel athletic performance, supporting their strength, stamina, focus, and fitness with ingredients such as collagen, ginseng and hemp protein. This dynamic dietary addition is also a healthy fat loss aid.  

Colostrum 

As health begins within the gut, appropriate digestive support can go a long way towards a dog’s health. Colostrum supplement is a powdered form of cows’ first milk, a rich source of minerals, prebiotics and immunoglobulins that supports gut health, immune health, and overall wellbeing. Through its naturally nutrient-dense composition and health-promoting properties, colostrum is an excellent addition for supporting your dog’s natural defences. 

Probiotics 

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that form the gut microbiome, influencing most bodily systems and functions while maintaining balanced and healthy digestion in dogs. ProDog offers probiotics for both short-term and long-term use, whether your dog needs help with an acute digestive concern or an ongoing maintenance plan. To learn more about dog gut health and the microbiome, read our article, The Secrets of Dog Gut Health.

Supporting your dog’s health with nutritional supplements 

Nutritional supplements are a fantastic way to boost your dog’s health, whether it’s to support your dog who has a specific ailment or as proactive wellbeing maintenance. The decision to start your dog on their own supplement regimen is an excellent first step. 

Knowing which supplements are best for your dog based on individual needs and circumstances will help you find your way to the best possible outcome for their health. As always, our canine nutrition team is available to guide you through any queries or concerns, contact us today for FREE nutrition advice.