7 Supplements to Help Each of Your Dog’s Health Concerns

As our beloved pets age, it can be hard watching them struggle with things they once found easy. Dogs who are getting older may struggle with their eyesight, inflammation, and especially joint concerns like arthritis.

“Look for supplements including joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and green-lipped mussels to maintain mobility and reduce joint stiffness and antioxidants such as vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) to support a healthy immune system and protect against age-related illnesses,” Dr. Levitzke says.

When your dog gets itchy, raw skin, it can be difficult to watch, especially as they often scratch and scratch, making it worse. If there are no obvious allergy triggers, you’re left with no choice but regular oatmeal baths, which is time consuming.

When diet doesn’t offer any obvious answers, you can try supplements that contain ingredients to lower inflammation. The best supplements may lower histamine levels in case there are allergy issues, but will also feature soothing ingredients for the skin and coat like salmon oil, sunflower oil, turmeric, chamomile, and primrose oil.

We’ve all met a dog that’s impossible to calm down, no matter how much exercise they get. Maybe they’re a rescue, maybe they’re reactive, maybe there’s really no obvious reason for them to be that way at all. While environmental changes can have a more long term effect, supplements can help.

Dr. Levitzke recommends supplements that contain naturally calming ingredients like valerian root and chamomile. “They may offer benefits such as mood enhancement, improved cognitive function, better sleep quality, and reduced hyperactivity and destructive behavior.”

It’s never pretty when a dog regularly gets an upset stomach, and we don’t need to tell you the symptoms. While you should always go to the vet and address dietary or medical issues first, if you’ve tried all that with no luck, supplements can help.

“Dogs with stomach issues can benefit from supplements that promote digestive health and soothe gastrointestinal discomfort,” Dr. Levitzke says. “Consider supplements containing probiotics to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria and improve digestion, digestive enzymes to aid in the breakdown of food and enhance nutrient absorption, and fiber-rich ingredients like sweet potato to regulate digestion and promote regular bowel movements.”

Just like us, our dogs get seasonal allergies that give them sniffles, itchy skin, and other annoying symptoms. These reactions can be confusing and even itchy for your dog, especially because it’s basically impossible to get them to stop scratching.

On top of giving them a basic antihistamine to target the source of their pain, you should try supplements that contain soothing ingredients like chamomile, apple cider vinegar and omega-3. Zesty Paws offer a bundle that comes with wild salmon oil, colostrum, a probiotic blend, and apple cider vinegar. This unique combo helps to balance everything out during allergy season, bringing their histamine levels down to a better place.

Just like people, female dogs can get UTIs. While more serious ones that feature symptoms like blood in their urine might need a trip to the vet, there are ways of managing recurrent, less serious UTIs at home. In fact, the right supplement could even prevent them.

If your pup’s UTI isn’t serious enough to warrant antibiotics, the only answer is high concentrations of cranberry. Cranberries have the natural power to maintain normal pH and optimal bladder function, while some supplements may also contain ingredients like echinacea, which provides immune support that can help with overall health and recovery. 

If your dog is a little older or is a rescue, especially, they might have multiple concerns that you’re looking to tackle. Maybe their skin is a little flaky, and their joints hurt, and you’re concerned about their stomach health.

In that case, it’s best to take the same route you would for a person and try a multivitamin. A good multivitamin, like this one by Zesty Paws, should contain ingredients like glucosamine, probiotics, chondroitin, and other ingredients that support skin health, gut function, the immune system, liver health, and more.