Do Pets Actually Need Supplements?
Most commercial pet foods are nutritionally complete, but they are formulated for the average healthy adult pet. Senior pets, active breeds, large dogs prone to joint problems, and pets with specific health conditions often benefit significantly from targeted supplementation.
The most impactful supplements for pets are joint support (especially for large breeds and seniors), omega-3 fatty acids for coat and inflammation, probiotics for digestive health, and dental products for oral hygiene, which directly affects heart and kidney health.
Top 5 Pet Health Products in 2025
Zesty Paws Multivitamin Bites for Dogs
Zesty Paws Multivitamin covers eight health areas in one chew: joints, heart, immunity, digestion, skin, coat, eyes, and energy. Dogs love the taste. (source)
- Covers 8 health areas in one
- Dogs love the flavor
- Made in USA
- Premium price per chew
- Not for cats
- Some dogs have loose stools initially
Nutramax Cosequin for Small Dogs Joint Supplement
A joint supplement for dogs. Cosequin contains glucosamine and chondroitin, plus MSM and omega-3s. A 2022 systematic review found little pain-relief effect from chondroitin-glucosamine products in dogs and cats.[1] Evidence: strong This formula is dosed for small dogs specifically; large or giant breeds need Nutramax's large-breed Cosequin formula instead, not this one.
- Great for senior dogs
- Benefit uncertain; see the 2022 review
- Dogs only, not for cats
- Dosed for small dogs; large/giant breeds need a different Cosequin formula
- Higher price point
Grizzly Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats
Pure wild Alaskan salmon oil that works for both dogs and cats. A 2022 systematic review found clear pain relief with omega-3 supplements in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis.[1] Evidence: strong Coat and brain claims are not checked here. Simply pump over food once daily.
- Works for dogs and cats
- Wild Alaskan sourced
- Easy pump bottle
- Strong fish smell
- Can stain surfaces
- Picky pets may refuse
Vet's Best Dental Gel Toothpaste Kit
Periodontal disease is one of the most frequent inflammatory diseases in dogs. In a retrospective study of 136 dogs, it was associated with cardiac disease.[2] Evidence: limited Vet's Best Dental Kit includes enzymatic toothpaste and a finger brush. Flavored to be palatable for most dogs.
- Most affordable dental care
- Enzymatic toothpaste
- Kit includes brush
- Finger brush included
- Takes patience to train
- Some dogs resist brushing
- Daily routine required
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora
A probiotic supplement for dogs and cats, with a guaranteed level of live cultures on the label. In a small randomised trial of dogs with acute idiopathic diarrhoea, a different probiotic strain (B. animalis AHC7) shortened recovery. That trial tested AHC7, not FortiFlora.[3] Evidence: limited It is also sprinkled on food as a palatability enhancer; some owners report that picky eaters take it better.
- Live cultures stated on the label
- Works for dogs and cats
- Individual sachets stay fresh
- Some owners report picky eaters do better
- Expensive per day
- Not for long-term daily use
- Results vary by pet
Ellevet Sciences CBD + CBDA Soft Chews: A Vet-Formulated Wellness Option
Most of the picks above target one specific health area, but the Ellevet CBD + CBDA Soft Chews take a broader wellness approach. Ellevet is a veterinary-founded brand whose hemp chews support joint comfort, stress, skin, and cognitive health in one product, with glucosamine and chondroitin added for mobility. Its CBD evidence comes from a Cornell University trial of CBD oil in dogs with osteoarthritis, which did not name this product.[4] Evidence: strong The trade-offs are the price, which sits well above a standard glucosamine chew, and the fact that it is a hemp-based product, so check with your vet first if your pet is on other medication.
Check Price at Ellevet SciencesQuick Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Dogs & Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Zesty Paws Multivitamin | Overall health | Dogs only |
| Nutramax Cosequin (Small Dogs) | Joint support | Dogs only |
| Grizzly Salmon Oil | Coat & inflammation | Both |
| Vet's Best Dental Kit | Dental health | Dogs only |
| Purina FortiFlora | Gut health | Both |
Our Final Verdict
For most healthy adult dogs, start with Zesty Paws Multivitamin; it covers the most ground in one product. For small dogs already showing joint stiffness, add Nutramax Cosequin for Small Dogs; large or giant breeds need Nutramax's large-breed Cosequin formula instead.
For cats, Grizzly Salmon Oil and Purina FortiFlora are the two most impactful products you can add to their routine.
Get Zesty Paws on AmazonShipping to the Netherlands or elsewhere in the EU? Kattensupplement, developed with vets specifically for cat health, is worth a look outside the US-Amazon picks above. For dogs, see our Hondensupplement review for a comparable EU-shipping brand. (Vital Pet Life used to be listed here too, but their affiliate program ended in September 2026, so we dropped it.) I haven't run these against the Amazon picks above yet, so treat them as EU-shipping alternatives to check out rather than a head-to-head recommendation.
For the wider picture, see Best Dog Dental Chews: Keep Your Pup's Teeth Clean, Best Flea Treatment for Dogs: Complete Guide to Keeping Your Pup Itch-Free and Hondensupplement Review: Dutch Dog Supplements Compared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Willemijn has kept animals for around 45 years. She did not have these particular items in her own home. What follows is her read on them, put together from research and from what she has seen at other owners' houses. We keep it separate from her hands-on notes on purpose, because the two are not the same thing.
Vet's Best Dental Gel. Does not work all that well. Drawback: The effect.
ElleVet CBD + CBDA Soft Chews. Drawback: The price.
Willemijn is a friend of the founder and is not paid for this.
References
- Barbeau-Grégoire M, Otis C, Cournoyer A, et al. A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci, 2022. PubMed
- Pereira Dos Santos JD, Cunha E, Nunes T, et al. Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs. Res Vet Sci, 2019. PubMed
- Kelley RL, Minikhiem D, Kiely B, et al. Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with acute idiopathic diarrhea. Vet Ther, 2009. PubMed
- Gamble LJ, Boesch JM, Frye CW, et al. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Front Vet Sci, 2018. PubMed