Pet Owner’s Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Supplements

From gut health supplements to joint health and allergy support, the wide range of dog supplements parallels those meant for humans. The guide below explains the different types of supplements, their benefits, and how to choose the best supplements for your dog.

How to choose the best dog supplements 

Selecting the best supplement for your dog requires time and research. Here are four factors to consider when shopping for the best supplements for your dog.

1. Your dog’s needs: Nutrition that meets AAFCO standards and is tailored to your dog’s life stage, size, and breed provides them with all the vitamins and minerals they need. However, if your dog has certain health predispositions or if their lifestyle dictates, they may benefit from supplements for mobility, gut health, or allergy support. 
2. Your veterinarian’s recommendation: It’s important to talk to your veterinarian before trying any new supplement. Consulting with your veterinarian is the best way to confirm that a supplement is necessary, safe, and effective and that your dog does not have other health conditions that might be exacerbated by using a new supplement. 
3. Transparency: Supplement labels should contain a list of ingredients and describe the company’s sourcing and manufacturing practices. When looking for the best dog supplements, make sure product labels and websites include essential information, such as usage guidelines, health cautions or considerations, or potential medication interactions. 
4. Testing and endorsements: In addition to your own veterinarian’s recommendations and certifications from reputable organizations, knowing that a supplement has been researched, tested, and endorsed by other dog health experts provides an additional vote of confidence. When researching a supplement, look for endorsements from veterinarians, scientists, or other canine health experts.

Benefits of different types of supplements

According to Embark data, 46% of dogs in the United States take dietary supplements, such as probiotics, fish oil, and more. Common types of dog supplements include:

• Gut health supplements: These digestive supplements often contain probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, or a mix. These products are designed to support digestion, nutrient absorption, and the regulation of bacteria that live inside your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. All of these factors affect your dog’s gut health as well as their overall health.
• Joint health supplements: These products typically contain glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds found in cartilage, to support a dog’s joint flexibility and mobility. Senior dogs, certain large or giant breeds, and small dogs may benefit from joint supplements to support their mobility and help them stay active.
• Skin and coat health supplements: These supplements often contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3s are usually derived from sources like fish oil, green-lipped mussel, or flaxseed oil. Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids help nourish your dog’s coat and moisturize their skin. They may also help support seasonal allergies in dogs.
• Comprehensive health supplements: All-in-one supplements, like the Embark Multi Supplement, contain ingredients to support a dog’s whole body. That includes their joint health and mobility, skin and coat, eye health, brain function, and immune system. 

Why Embark offers dog supplements you can trust

From the brand behind the Breed + Health Test, Dog Age Test, and more, Embark offers a variety of dog supplements to help keep dogs feeling their best. Here are five reasons why Embark supplements stand out:

1. They are formulated by veterinarians and endorsed by geneticists.
2. They contain high-quality, all-natural active ingredients.
3. They are easy to administer and specifically designed for dogs. 
4. They are made in the USA using globally responsibly-sourced ingredients.
5. Embark soft chews contain an all-natural bacon flavor that dogs love!

Embark supplements—including Embark Multi, Embark Allergy, and Embark Joint—are high-quality, veterinarian-backed supplements for dog lovers who want to make the right choices for their best friend. 

Founded by scientists with a passion for research and a lifelong love for dogs, Embark is an official research partner of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Through our partnership with other science-led companies, like AnimalBiome, we also offer gut health supplements from another team of scientists and veterinarians to bring you the best supplement options for your dog.

Want to hear more about the experiences of other dogs and dog lovers who have used Embark supplements? Dog trainer and Embark customer Liz Burke shares puppy Rave’s gut health and mealtime transformation as a result of using the Gut Health Test and Gut Restore Supplement. 

Frequently asked questions about dog supplements

1. Can I give human supplements to my dog?
   There might be similarities between dog and human supplements, but you should always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog a new supplement to make sure that the amount and ingredients are right for your dog. Some ingredients commonly found in products for humans, like the sweetener xylitol, are toxic to dogs. Human supplements may contain vitamins and minerals, such as calcium or iron, at levels that are too high for dogs to consume safely. Your veterinarian can also help ensure that a new supplement does not conflict with any of your dog’s existing prescriptions or health conditions.
2. Can dogs take supplements every day?
   Supplements should be taken per your veterinarian’s guidance and the usage instructions. Some supplements need to be taken every day to be effective, while others should be used as needed.
3. How long does it take supplements to work?
   Many factors influence the time it takes to start seeing benefits from a supplement, including the type of supplement, the consistency of administration, and the expected effect. For example, the Gut Maintenance Plus supplement may begin to support your dog’s digestive system in as little as 24 hours, while benefits from glucosamine supplements may take several weeks or months to see an effect.

Under the guidance of your veterinarian, dog supplements may be a powerful addition to your dog’s health care regimen. For supplements to support your dog’s whole body health, allergy and coat health, joint flexibility, and more, explore our veterinarian and geneticist-backed product catalog and harness the science of happy dogs!

For more about health and nutrition, read our top tips to help you keep your dog’s diet healthy.