Treats & Supplements
Dog Supplements: When Are They Necessary & When Are They Not?
Dog supplements aren't magic pills. Learn when they're beneficial for your dog's health and when they might be unnecessary. Consult your vet first.
1 min readReviewed: Sep 25, 2025
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Dog Supplements
When They Make Sense
- Joint Support (glucosamine, chondroitin)
- Omega Fatty Acids
- Probiotics
- Zinc, Biotin
When They're Unnecessary
- If your dog eats high-quality, complete dog food
- If you give them "just in case"
- Never give human vitamin supplements
Important Considerations
- Always consult your veterinarian
- Overdosing can be harmful (Vitamins A and D)
- Supplements do not replace a proper diet
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How much food does your dog need per day?
Enter weight and activity level — 10 seconds and you get the daily portion.
References
- 1.Bhathal A, Spryszak M, Louizos C, Frankel G — Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis: A review. Open Veterinary Journal 7(1):36–49, 2017. https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v7i1.6 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 2.Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, et al. — Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 236(1):67–73, 2010. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.236.1.67 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 3.Schmitz S, Suchodolski J — Understanding the canine intestinal microbiota and its modification by pro-, pre- and synbiotics – what is the evidence?. Veterinary Medicine and Science 2(2):71–94, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.17 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 4.FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) — Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. FEDIAF, 2024. https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/ (accessed: 2026-09-10)
This is general information and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.
This guide was compiled based on the expert input of Reka Fazekas-Birizdo canine nutritionist.
Certified Canine Nutritionist
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