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Have you noticed your dog isn't moving as smoothly as he used to? Or maybe your dog has been itchier than usual? Check out the best dog supplements of 2026 to boost your dog's health.
When it comes to your dog's health, food is the holy grail, but some dogs need a little extra support to meet their unique dietary needs.
Choosing a healthy and complete diet is the best place to start, but most dog food is crafted with the average dog in mind. This means that to ensure your pet thrives, you may need to customize their diet with natural supplements.
Just like with food, natural is better, and there are many natural supplements for dogs available to help with a variety of problems and needs for dogs of all life stages, breeds, and lifestyles.
Some dog supplements will help with very specific issues, while others are a little more generic and act as a slight nutrition buffer to support overall health. In this post, we will explain the 10 best supplements for dogs and how they can help support and enhance their health.
Do Dogs Need Supplements?
Sometimes. We are all looking for an easy button to solve our pet's issues, but it's important to know that dog supplements are not a cure or magic fix for any health issues. Instead of a cure-all, think of natural dog supplements as a tool for helping your dog's body help itself.
This means that results take time, and the supplements rarely work by themselves. Changes to diet, routine, lifestyle, and possibly even environment may have to be made to ensure your dog is at peak health.
It's also important to keep in mind that not all dogs need supplements. Healthy and active dogs that eat a high-quality and well-balanced diet and get plenty of exercise may be getting everything they need to thrive without the addition of canine supplements.
In fact, over-supplementing is becoming an issue for some pets. Before adding a supplement to your dog's diet, you need to ask yourself two questions:
What problem am I trying to solve?
If there is no problem to solve, then your dog doesn't need supplements. Unless instructed otherwise by your vet, a dog in good health is likely getting all the essential nutrients they need from their food.
Is this something my dog can get from a natural food source?
Additionally, if your dog can get the same benefit from their diet that they would be getting from a supplement, then they should be getting it in their diet. Food is almost always the best medicine.
Too often, we are drawn to supplements in both our own and our pets' diets to help maximize nutrition and health, but what we should be looking to do is optimize nutrition by ensuring an appropriate diet and only offering supplements when and if they are needed.
Find Your Starting Point: Dog Supplement Categories at a Glance
Supplements are not a cure-all, and every dog's needs will differ depending on breed, environment, lifestyle, and their unique health condition.
To help you find the right supplements, we broke down the most common health issues in dogs to help you find the one that matches what you're seeing, and you'll get a clearer picture of what's actually going on and which natural options are worth looking into.
1. Joint Health: Why is My Dog Slow to Get Up?
Stiffness after resting, hesitation on stairs, or a slower pace on walks are often early signs of joint pain and inflammation. It's common in large breeds, senior dogs, and dogs carrying extra weight, but it can start earlier than most owners expect.
As connective tissue starts to naturally wear down, the cartilage loses some of its cushioning ability. This can lead to bone rubbing on bone, resulting in inflammation of the joint.
Proactively caring for your dog's joint health can help maintain comfort as they age. It starts with a healthy diet, weight management, and proper exercise, and finally, hip and joint support supplements can be used to slow deterioration and offer some relief from joint pain.
More advanced mobility issues, especially in breeds with predispositions for chronic issues, may need a more robust solution. For a diagnosis or treatment plan, work with your veterinarian.
Supplements That Can Help
Finding the right supplements for joint health is key to reducing inflammation, slowing wear and tear, and improving mobility. Depending on the severity of discomfort and the type of joint issues, there is a range of options.
One of the most well-known combinations for dogs (and people) is Glucosamine and Chondroitin. This pair of natural supplements helps to support and protect connective tissues in the joints. Check out our list of the Best Glucosamine Supplements for Dogs to find the formula that works for your dog.
Inflammation is the main cause of discomfort, so natural aids that can help reduce inflammation may offer some pain relief, which can improve mobility in some cases.
Many naturopathic and homeopathic remedies use a blend of ingredients that, combined, offer anti-inflammatory properties or pain relief, like boswellia, white willow bark, devil's claw root, and yucca schidigera.
No one supplement is best for all cases. Many formulas combine several ingredients to offer a wider range of benefits. Make sure you consider their size, age, current discomfort level, and the cause of their pain to help you choose the most effective natural supplement for joint health.
Talk to your vet before introducing supplements to help you make a more informed decision.
Check out the Best Joint Supplements for Dogs to learn more.
2. Skin + Coat: Why does my dog have dry skin?
Your dog's skin and coat health can be the first and easiest signs of health to spot. A dull or damaged coat and dry skin are usually a sign that something else is going on. The root causes can range from dehydration or diet changes to allergies or fleas.
Take note of changes to your dog's skin and coat health. If your dog is scratching or licking more than usual, then it's time to assess their diet, environment, and overall health. Allergies are a common concern, but don't rule out other causes like pests, weather, or infection.
Food is a good starting point. A well-balanced and moisture-rich diet is sufficient for most dogs to maintain a healthy coat, but for dogs with underlying or chronic conditions, supplements that support skin and coat health can make a big difference.
Supplements That Can Help
Fish Oils are the most popular way to support skin and coat health in dogs because they're easy to feed and dogs love them. The omega fatty acids in fish oil may help to reduce inflammation that results in skin reactions or poor coat health, and can also help to protect the delicate skin barrier.
Other oils like hemp oil, camelina, and flaxseed also contain omega fatty acids and different nutrients. Rotating different oils into their diet can give them offer your dog a wider range of benefits. These oils can also work double duty to help with anxiety, eye health, and more.
Another natural supplement that is sometimes paired with other skin-supporting ingredients is olive leaf. It offers antioxidants to protect skin cells and may reduce inflammation in some dogs. This can be helpful for dogs with allergies or chronic skin issues.
Learn more about what causes Itchy Skin in Dogs and how to treat it.
3. Digestion: Why Does My Dog Have Loose Stool?
Digestion is the root of your dog's health. Everything has to pass through the digestive system, and all nutrients are broken down and distributed from the GI tract. This is why digestive aids can help support your dog's overall health.
Your dog's digestive system has its own ecosystem. Good bacteria and enzymes are used to break down food, fight harmful bacteria, and support your pet's immune system by properly identifying and sorting nutrients for distribution or expulsion.
This balance is often referred to as their gut flora. Healthy bacteria, called probiotics, support digestion, while prebiotics ferment and act as a food source for good bacteria to thrive.
The most effective digestive aids for pets are a blend of probiotics and prebiotics because they help your dog's body help itself, but it's also common to combine them with other natural digestive aids to maximize the benefit.
Supplements That Can Help
In addition to traditional probiotics, supplement blends may include ingredients like slippery elm bark, burdock root, or marshmallow root to help reduce inflammation in the gut and soothe irritation that can contribute to discomfort. This anti-inflammatory action can also support urinary health.
For acute digestive issues, some dog-friendly foods can help boost digestion. Raw green tripe, for example, is a probiotic-rich food used in some raw pet foods and can help support healthy digestion.
Hop over to Best Probiotics for Dogs to find the gut aids for your dog's unique needs.
4. Multi-Vitamins: Does My Dog Need a Multivitamin?
Sometimes, dogs just need a little boost to optimize their diet. They may not have a specific problem, but aren't quite thriving. Or maybe they are recovering from a recent illness or injury. Either way, a multivitamin supplement for dogs can help buffer their daily nutrition.
Most multivitamins for dogs will offer low levels of many of the essential vitamins and minerals that dogs may not be getting enough of from their diet.
These supplements aren't meant to replace nutrition from real food ingredients, which is why the levels offered for each nutrient will be well below your dog's daily recommended requirements. Instead, they are meant to complement your dog's complete and balanced diet.
Multivitamins come in many forms, from traditional mineral and vitamin combinations to nutrient-rich foods.
Supplements That Can Help
Unlike most of the other supplements on our list, multivitamins aren't recommended for healthy dogs that eat an appropriate and well-balanced diet. Oversupplementing can lead to other issues, so err on the side of caution.
Learn more about why some dogs need a little extra support in Best Multivitamins for Dogs.
5. Allergies: Does My Dog Have Allergies?
Allergies are a growing concern for pet parents. More and more dogs are developing reactions and sensitivities to food and environment that can leave your dog itchy and uncomfortable.
Changes to diet and environment are the best place to start, but in some cases, more support is needed to support your dog's immune system, offer relief from symptoms, and may help prevent future reactions.
Environmental allergies in dogs are particularly difficult to manage because you may not have the option of avoiding the allergen. Instead, natural supplements can be used to help reduce inflammation, help support the immune system to react appropriately, and help to encourage healing of irritation caused by allergic reactions.
Supplements That Can Help
Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs
A natural rinse some owners use to soothe itchy, irritated skin
Read more →By themselves, supplements aren't going to solve allergies, but they can help manage some of the symptoms and kickstart the healing process while dietary and lifestyle changes are made. Natural ingredients like turmeric can be used to reduce inflammation and itching.
For hard-to-avoid seasonal allergies, bee pollen may help reduce reactions by supporting the immune system and histamine responses. Topical treatments like manuka honey, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil can help to soothe itching and allow the skin to heal.
Many products designed to help manage allergy symptoms use a blend of natural ingredients to boost immunity. Here are some of our top sellers:
In addition to allergy supplements, it's also recommended that you offer a digestive aid that includes prebiotics and probiotics to boost digestion. The immune system and digestive tract work together, so healthy digestion will, in turn, support a more efficient immune system in dogs.
Read more about dog allergies and solutions in Dog Food Allergies and Seasonal Allergies in Dogs.
6. Calming Aids: Is My Dog Stressed?
Stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on your dog's health and behaviour. Managing canine anxiety is challenging because it presents differently in every dog, so it requires a lot of trial and error.
Though training, routine, and environment changes will have the most significant impact on dog anxiety, calming aids and supplements can be useful tools to deal with more extreme anxious behaviours.
When used appropriately, calming supplements for dogs can help your dog manage the physical reactions of stress and help promote a feeling of relaxation.
Managing anxiety requires a multi-faceted approach, but one tool at your disposal is calming supplements. These natural aids blend different natural or homeopathic ingredients together to help reduce physical or mental stress symptoms. When combined with training, they can help your dog adjust to new environments and lifestyle changes.
Supplements That Can Help
Some of the most common ingredients found in calming aids include hemp, ashwagandha, passionflower, valerian root, chamomile, or skullcap. Each of these botanicals helps to regulate stress responses, like cortisol levels and other reactions of the central nervous system.
In addition to stress, physical reactions like nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and sleep disruptions can affect dogs. Other ingredients like ginger and melatonin can be found in some supplements to help soothe digestion and encourage relaxation and sleep.
Here are some of the most effective dog-calming supplements:
Calming aids for dogs will not be the sole solution to your dog's anxiety. Training and environment are the foundation of anxiety relief, while supplements can act as a complementary buffer.
Check out our detailed tips for reducing dog stress in our Ultimate Guide to Dealing with Dog Anxiety.
7. Dental Care: Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?
Dental health is one of the most forgotten aspects of dog health. Most of the time, we don't think about dog teeth until there is a problem.
This can lead to permanent damage, not to mention very hefty vet bills. When it comes to dental care for dogs, preventative care is the most effective solution. Daily teeth cleaning and dog dental chews will help to remove bacteria and food debris that can cause bad breath and other dog dental issues.
To maximize your at-home dog dental care routine, dental supplements like food or water additives can help to reduce oral bacteria that contribute to plaque buildup, freshen dog breath, and support better overall canine dental health.
Supplements That Can Help
Plaque Removers for Dogs
Naturally supports a sense of calm alongside everyday omega benefits
Read more →Dental care starts with mechanical brushing, but you can help make your dog's dental routine even more effective by choosing supplements that can help combat bad breath-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Oral probiotics are a popular option for this, as the healthy bacteria compete for the food that bad bacteria need to proliferate in the mouth. Other options work with your pet's saliva to help combat bacteria that contribute to plaque and tartar buildup.
Natural breath freshening aids often contain ingredients that have antibacterial properties, like peppermint and parsley. They can be found in dog dental chews, dog toothpaste, and even water additives.
These products are a hands-off way to help combat bad-breath-causing oral bacteria in dogs, but none of them will be 100% effective on their own. These dog dental supplements are designed to work in combination with a healthy diet, regular toothbrushing, and routine vet checks.
Get tips to improve your dog's dental routine with our Complete Dental Care Guide for Dogs.
8. Urinary Care: Best Urinary Care Supplement for Dogs
Urinary tract issues are often thought to be associated with cats, but it might surprise you to know that they are actually more common in dogs. Urinary care supplements for dogs can help to support kidney and bladder function.
Like most aspects of your dog's health, urinary health starts with diet. Dogs that eat mostly dry food or don't drink enough water are going to be at a higher risk of urinary tract infections and other urinary issues, especially in their senior years.
Supplements That Can Help
Common ingredients in dog urinary health supplements include cranberry, blueberry, and marshmallow root. This blend of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories helps to reduce irritation in the urinary tract and may inhibit bacterial buildup and crystal formation.
Check out our best-selling and top-rated urinary care supplements for dogs:
Alone, urinary tract supplements are unlikely to prevent infections or other urinary issues, but when combined with a moisture-rich and high-quality diet and routine veterinary care, they can help to reduce occurrences of kidney, bladder, and other urinary problems that are common in dogs.
9. Senior Care: How do I support my dog's health as they age?
As dogs age, their bodies can start to deteriorate. Chronic diseases that are common in older dogs can be debilitating in later stages, which is why you might consider preventative solutions, like natural supplements.
Lung, kidney, and liver supplements for dogs are typically focused on detoxing. Helping to remove built-up toxins can improve overall organ function. These can be used a few times per year to help flush out anything that could be making the organ work harder than it needs to do its job.
For heart health support, most supplements offer taurine, which is an amino acid that is required for proper heart function. Dogs do synthesize their own taurine from other amino acids in their diet, but in recent years, there has been speculation as to whether it's enough to maintain good heart function long-term.
Supplements That Can Help
Take a look at a few of our top picks for heart, liver, lung, and kidney supplements, respectively:
Getting old doesn't automatically mean your dog will have health issues. Many senior dogs are perfectly healthy and don't need this kind of supplementation, but it is best to keep up with vet visits to monitor their condition as they age.
When it comes to treatments for chronic and serious diseases, talk to your vet about effective options. Supplements can be a tool, but aren't a solution. Natural supplements are not a replacement for proper medical care.
Aging often affects more than one system, which is why any of the supplements in this post could apply to your old dog. If your seems stiff of slower to get up, see Joint Health above. As dogs age, digestive needs can change too, so revisit the Digestion section to help boost gut health. And a senior-specific multivitamin can help fill any remaining gaps if your goal is more focused on slowing natural signs of ageing.
10. Vision Care: How do I keep my dogs clean and healthy?
Another system that often breaks down as your pet ages is vision. Over time, your dog's eyesight can get worse, and they can be at a higher risk of common eye issues or diseases in their senior years, like cataracts.
In addition to regular grooming and cleanliness, supplements to support dog vision can help delay and minimize the natural degeneration of eye health that comes with aging.
Eye health supplements for dogs will focus on reducing bacteria and inflammation in the eye and tear ducts to support proper drainage and boost their immune system. Dog eye supplements can also be used to help minimize tear stains on furred and short-snouted dog breeds.
Supplements That Can Help
Caring for your dog's vision health and eyesight starts with a well-balanced diet and routine vet care, but some nutrients can be supplemented to offer further support for dogs that need it.
Antioxidants are a big part of eye health, so nutrients like lutein, astaxanthin, and vitamins C and E are commonly found in many eye care supplements. Many of these are abundantly found in fruits like blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries.
Even with vision care supplements for dogs, eye issues may not be completely avoidable for all dogs. The idea is to maintain eye health for as long as possible. Work with your vet to identify early signs of eye issues and practice regular grooming of your dog's eyes, ears, and muzzle to remove bacteria that could irritate the eyes.
Improving eye health can also reduce tear stain issues. Natural excretion is normal, especially in smaller breeds and dogs with more prominent eyes, but discolouration and odours can be a sign of bacteria that can irritate the skin and fur around the eyes.
Read more about routine eye care for dogs in How to Get Rid of Dog Tear Stains.
Best Dog Supplements FAQs
Can I give my dog more than one supplement at a time?
Yes, but within reason. Many supplements are either multipurpose or are safe to pair with other natural supplements, but not all. You need to consider all the ingredients and nutrients offered so you don't end up accidentally over-supplementing.
Do vets recommend supplements?
Vets generally recognize that supplements can be helpful, but would prefer to see their clients feeding complete and well-balanced diets to support overall health and wellness. Nutrition from food will always be more effective and sustainable than a slew of supplements.
How do you know if your dog needs supplements?
Supplements are used to buffer a complete and balanced dog diet. If your dog is eating an appropriate and nutritious diet and is still not at peak health, supplements can be used to boost their diet and provide relief from symptoms.
What is the best supplement to add to homemade dog food?
The trick with homemade dog food is finding an appropriate balance of essential nutrients. Broad-spectrum supplements like kelp are going to offer the most benefit to homemade diets by providing a full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, omega-3 supplements for dogs can also help to properly balance a homemade dog diet.
How long does it take for supplements to work?
This varies considerably between supplements. Some natural aids are fast-acting, like digestive aids, while others take time to be effective. Joint supplements, for example, often don't show immediate results, with some taking days or weeks to show results. It typically depends on whether this is treatment for acute issues or long-term care.
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