Home

>

Dog

>

Health & Wellbeing

>

How To Choose The Right Supplements For Any Pet

How To Choose The Right Supplements For Any Pet

Updated On December 10th, 2024

Image profile

Reviewed By Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM

DVM, MBA, DACVPM

Today, if you walk the aisles of any grocery store you’ll find all manner of nutritional supplements for human health. Social media is the same, with new brands bringing myriad options via Instagram and TikTok to promote health and wellbeing.

It’s a trend that has been steadily growing in the pet care space as well, with sales of pet supplements growing at roughly 6% in the U.S over the last five years according to Euromonitor data.

And it’s easy to see why; with 62% of pet owners stating that they consider vitamins and supplements important for their own overall health and nutrition, it’s clear people are thinking about pet health in the same way they do their own.

But with so much choice it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Buying from a trusted retailer, looking for the NASC seal and even doing additional research is helpful – but it can still be hard to know where to start.

So, here’s what you need to know.

Prevention and Cure

Pet supplements can be broadly divided between prevention and therapeutics. The most common types of preventative care include multivitamins for cats and dogs, immune support, and digestion – all of which are a critical part of every pet’s health and wellness.

There is also a growing awareness that gut health is just as important in pets as it is in animals. As a result, pet parents are turning to probiotics and prebiotics to not only ensure that your pet has the best possible digestion and gets all the nutrients from their food but can support a health immune system and proper gut function so as to prevent issues like indigestion or bloating.

Supplements can also be added to diets to treat specific issues. Common issues aided via supplements include allergies, urinary tract support, and hip and joint care that can be particularly effective in supporting cartilage and connective tissue health in active, frisbee-obsessed dogs!

And sometimes, it’s ok to not know what you don’t know. Supplements form part of a larger health and wellness ecosystem in pet care and services. That’s why it’s always good to speak to a member of the Petco team in one of our locations or consult a Petco veterinarian if you’re not sure which supplements to give or if the issues get worse. 

Age

Age is another big consideration when deciding what supplements might be right for your cat or dog. Generally speaking, supplements fall into three age categories: puppy/kitten, adult, and senior.

For puppies and kittens, supplements to promote healthy growth as well as cognitive development are key. In addition to food designed for younger pets, supplements with vitamins, trace minerals, fatty acids and amino acids to support growth and development at the cellular level can provide the foundation for a long and healthy life.

As they enter adulthood, pets will all have specific needs that are part and parcel of their breed and their age. Many adult cats, for example, can benefit from skin and coat supplements, as well as omega-3 and fatty acid supplements that will help keep a spring in their step when they’re attempting parkour across your living room.

The same is true for dogs when it comes to skin and coat, and fish oils can also be helpful with weight management as well as keeping joints supple. And if like mine, they love nothing more than diving into muddy puddles, skin and coat supplements can also be used alongside both medicated or all-natural shampoos and conditioners to keep them both clean and healthy.

And then as they get older, hip and joint as well as immune support are key areas of focus to keep your beautiful frosted-face dog or cat healthy in their later years. Specific pets will have particular needs as they are older, but urinary support and skin and coat supplements can also help manage concerns that develop in later years.

Types of Supplements

Anyone who has tried to feed a dog or a cat a tablet will know it can often be a tricky business! That’s why one of the most exciting innovations we’ve seen in pet supplements is innovation in feeding types.

Supplements can now be added to your pets regular mealtime in the form of broths, liquids, powders, or even soft chews. This means along with age-specific foods, Rx diets and medications, you can now give supplements to your dog in a way that doesn’t disrupt their feeding routine and can help them through all stages of life.

Even more fun are supplements that come in the form of paw gels for cats. By applying a small amount to your cat’s paw, your cat will digest it by slowly licking it of their paws as part of their normal grooming behavior. This means it’s not only easier to make sure you cat is getting the supplements they need, but also provides great mental and physical exercise at the same time.

Seasonality

Not all pets need the same supplements all year round, and in fact they can be an incredibly effective way of addressing specific issues at specific times of the year either in place of, or alongside prescribed medication.

Calming treats are great for anxious pets all year round, but even the most stalwart pup can get nervous with fireworks and all the parties around 4th of July, Halloween or New Year.

Just like humans, our pets sometimes enjoy the benefits of holiday feasts with us – whether it’s a few extra treats, or some turkey snuck from the table – and that may upset their normal digestion or weight management. Supplements can be a good addition to settle upset tummies, or as part of a healthy balanced diet to keep your pet feeling great after the holidays.

February is pet dental month at Petco! Dental health is sometimes overlooked as a key part of a healthy pet's daily routine. Supplements help oral and gum health, in addition to plaque-fighting chews for your dog or cat can be an effective habit to start in the new year and form healthy habits all year round.

And finally, fleas and ticks are a year-round problem, but late Summer and early Fall can see a surge in these pesky pests. Restocking on flea and tick medication during this time can be an important part of holistic pet care making sure you have happy and healthy pets all year long. 

 

Shop Supplements by Pet 

Related Questions

Hello, my 22 lbs Boston Terrier recently defecated an odd black color. He eats a mixture of fresh and baked dog food and no supplements other than Ocu-Glow for his cataracts. He is 10 years old. He occasionally eats food off the floor but I have not noticed anything recent and he has NO change in behavior. Here is an attached picture. If you could please share your expert opinion on what the cause may be and if he needs immediate treatment, I would appreciate that.

Darker stools like this can be due to a number of things. If Milo recently ate something off the floor or had some minor digestive upset, it may cause a darkened stool. Eating a lot of leafy greens like spinach can also darken the stool. In some cases, dark or tarry stools can indicate issues such as GI bleeds in the stomach or intestines, or more severe intestinal irritation. If this has happened only once, I would continue to monitor Milo at home for any other signs of a problem such as a painful tummy, vomiting, not wanting to eat, etc. If you see those symptoms, the dark stools continue or worsen, or you notice anything else ongoing, then it's time to see your vet.

Read More

My Shih Tzu havanese is 11 yrs diagnosed with cancer mams. She had surgery in October and it got worse. Recently she scratched the area which is under her right armpit and open up the lumps. Now they are weeping. My question is how do I stop the weeping and how do I stop her from scratching it.? I do keep her covered at all times except for when I'm cleaning the wounds. I also lightly blow dry the area so it stays dry and I use Pet silver wound spray. She takes CBD, Prednisone salmon oil

Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. I'm sorry you and Pitoune are dealing with this. Please be advised that to prevent this from happening to future pets, they need to be spayed before their first heat cycle. The chance of getting mammary tumors is virtually zero when a female dog is spayed young. It is very difficult for me to tell the orientation of what is going on in this photo. I'm assuming the photo is of the abdomen since you said they are mammary tumors but again, it is hard to tell what is going on based on this one photo. You are not going to get these to clear up and will likely only get worse; they are malignant cancer. They will only stop weeping when she stops scratching them. All you can do is exactly what you are doing although I don't think you should blow dry them - it is very easy to burn the skin making it worse. Everything else you are doing is fine. I'm not sure what you are using to cover her but I suggest a recovery suit and to put a feminine maxi pad between the skin lesions and the suit to catch any discharge. This protective layer should stop her from traumatizing the area. You can also put a human baby sock on her back feet so it covers the nails so if she does scratch she cannot hurt the area. ( https://www.amazon.com/s?k=surgery+suit+small+dog&crid=ZTVVO4IRU78L&sprefix=surgery+suit+small+dog%2Caps%2C120&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 ) If they are worsening I suggest you speak to your vet about possibly increasing the dose of Prednisone. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Read More

My previous question was answered but I wanted to add. So my cat has constipation, vomiting a little after pooping, I had her on glandex for a few days but now she has diaherra, I was told miralax can help but I do have benefiber on hand, would that work instead? How much do I give and can I give her benefiber daily for the rest her life or switch back to glandex for daily life long supplement to prevent constipation again?

Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco! Miralax and Benefiber are quite different from each other. I would not use Miralax if she is having diarrhea as you no longer need a laxative. Benefiber would be my recommendation to help bulk up the stool since she is experiencing diarrhea now. Glandex is fine to continue long term as it is a good source of fiber. You can also use Vetasyl capsules for cats (protein in capsule form). If using Benefiber, I would use ~1/2 tsp added to the food. You can also use Laxatone to help keep stools soft and help prevent constipation. I hope this helps!

Read More

Romeo is due for his annual series of vaccines. This includes Bordatella. They’re gonna spread his shots out a week apart. He had bloody diarrhea last year when got all his shots together. But he also had new flea med that day. Not sure if it was stress related or not. Can Romeo have a calming supplement with Melatonin before his shots or after to prevent stress? Would Benadryl be better? Thank you

Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Romeo. His bloody diarrhea could have been stressed related from the vet visit, but I do not recommend giving him Benadryl. Benadryl is used in pets for allergic reactions, not for calming, and it can actually have the opposite effect. In terms of the Melatonin, I can't say for certain it is safe for him. I would check with his vet. Best of luck.

Read More

my dog is 4yearsold, 14pounds poodle, refuses to eat since 06/02.First he ate a little chicken liver, cookies, 6/3 and06/04 refuses to eat at all, drinks water, vomited 4-5 times during these days after water. Pooped with blood 3 times Tonight and today didn't vomit, only pooped diarrhea with blood two times, but still refuses to eat. Drinks and keeps water, acts normal, concern he refuses to eat and diarhea, I talked to his vet, said wait, look, give rice, probiotics, come 06.05,but he not eat

Poor guy. It sounds like you should go to another vet for a second opinion here. Something is definitely causing your pets inappetence and GI symptoms. Some things to consider as causes would be addison's disease and pancreatitis. I would recommend going back to the vet to have bloodwork analysis and a urinalysis to start. They may also want to do radiographs as well. In the meantime it is best to offer small portion meals of boiled plain chicken or lean ground turkey and white rice with some pedialyte (non-flavored) diluted 50:50 with water to help replace some of the electrolyte losses. Best of luck with your pet going forward. Take care

Read More

My dog may have eaten a 600 mg calcium and 800 is vitamin d3 pill. He is 22 weeks and 14 lbs. What should I do?

This is not a toxic dose for a 15 pound dog. That being said, it could still upset his stomach. He could show signs anytime in the next 48 hours. If he starts to seem sick you should take him to your vet ASAP. I suggest you feed him 1/2 a piece of bread that will help coat the tablet and pull it through his GI tract. No other food for 6 hours. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Read More

image

Have a Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Filed Under

Sponsored