Feeding Practice & Safety
Supplement ABC: What Do All Those Trendy Ingredients Mean?
Collagen, MCT oil, green-lipped mussel, turmeric, chicken cartilage. We show which supplements have real evidence and which are just marketing.
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Supplement ABC: What Do All Those Trendy Ingredients Mean?
The supplement market is full of trendy ingredients. Let's see which ones have real scientific backing and which are mostly marketing.
Joints and mobility
Glucosamine + chondroitin The best-studied joint supplements. They may help with mild-to-moderate joint problems. Effects appear slowly (4–6 weeks).
Green-lipped mussel A natural source of omega-3 and glycosaminoglycans. A growing body of research supports it for joint inflammation.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA, fish oil) Anti-inflammatory. Useful for joints, skin, heart, and coat. One of the best-supported supplements.
Turmeric / curcumin Anti-inflammatory potential, but poor absorption (improved with piperine). Moderate evidence in dogs.
Skin and coat
Omega-3 + omega-6 (in the right ratio) The foundation of a shiny coat and healthy skin. Salmon oil is the classic source.
Biotin + zinc For coat and nail quality. Clear benefit in deficiency, less so in a healthy, well-fed dog.
Collagen Trendy, but weak evidence in dogs. The body breaks it down into amino acids anyway. A good-quality, protein-rich food provides the same.
Digestion
Probiotic + prebiotic (synbiotic) Useful after antibiotics or for chronic digestive issues. A dog-specific strain is needed.
Digestive enzymes Medically justified in pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Unnecessary in a healthy dog.
Energy and other
MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides) Quickly usable energy. Promising for cognitive decline (senior dogs), but dose carefully (diarrhea risk).
Chicken cartilage (natural glucosamine) A cheap, natural glucosamine source. A sensible addition.
The 3 golden rules
- A good food makes most supplements unnecessary — if it gets a complete, balanced diet, most micronutrients are already covered.
- Never give human products — the dosing and some ingredients (e.g. xylitol) are dangerous.
- Overdosing harms — especially fat-soluble vitamins (A, D), which accumulate.
When to ask your vet?
- With a diagnosed condition (joints, skin, digestion)
- Before giving several supplements at once
- For a pregnant/nursing dog, puppy, or senior dog
This is informational content. Consult your vet before introducing a supplement.
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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