Most people take vitamins or supplements to maintain the healthy functioning of their bodies. You should also provide your puppy with the same opportunities to live a long and healthy life. Adding vitamins and supplements to their diet will provide them with the nutrients they need, boost their immune system, improve their skin and coat, aid in good digestion, and protect their bodies from certain diseases.

Vitamins and supplements have many benefits, but that doesn’t mean your puppy gets a free pass on eating a poor diet and skipping daily exercise. A balanced diet and exercise are even more important to the well-being of your puppy than additional vitamins. And, if provided with them, they may not need supplements at all. However, many lower-quality foods don’t provide your puppy with all the fats and proteins they need to develop well, and additional nutrients may be necessary.

There are so many different vitamin and supplement options on the market that offer different benefits. To make things a bit easier, we’ve listed and reviewed some best vitamins and supplements for puppies below.

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The 10 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Puppies

1. Zesty Paws Bites Soft Chews – Best Overall

First on our list is the best overall option, Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Bites Chicken Flavored Soft Chews, which give your puppy eight multifunctional benefits which support their immune system, hip, joint, and gut function, heart, liver, and skin health, performance, and antioxidant activity. However, it doesn’t aid in kidney or liver function.

This supplement contains vital vitamins, such as vitamin E and B Complex, that help bring the shine and health back into your pup’s skin and coat while keeping their heart healthy. It also contains probiotics to maintain gut health. Only top-quality ingredients make up this product, and if your puppy is sensitive to chicken, there is a tasty peanut butter flavor option to munch up instead. These soft chews are suitable for puppies and older dogs.

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2. Health Extension Lifetime Vitamins – Best Value

We know how expensive puppy food can be, so if you’re looking for an affordable nutritional option to supplement their diet, the Health Extension Lifetime Vitamins are the best vitamin supplement for the money. One bottle contains 180 chewable tablets for an affordable price!

These chewable tablets contain many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, D, K, folic acid, and calcium, that aid in the development of your puppy while keeping them healthy and happy. Although a supplement, these tablets are so tasty that your puppy will most likely think it’s a treat but be sure to keep the dosage to 1 per day. Because these tablets are soft, they can break in the bottle if not handled with care, and some may get crushed into a powder, reducing your quantity.

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3. Vetericyn ALL-IN Life-Stage Puppy Supplement – Premium Choice

Specifically formulated for your puppy of 18 months and younger is the Vetericyn ALL-IN Life-Stage Puppy Dog Supplement. This premium option contains absorption technology, making sure that your puppy’s body actually benefits from the supplement instead of passing through it with little effect.

This product focuses on growth and development while supporting your puppy’s digestion, bones and joints, mental health, immune system, and cellular health. This brand offers versions suited for your puppy’s next life stages, so you can stay with this brand throughout their life.

This supplement is nutritionally balanced and gluten-free without the presence of GMOs. Puppies 10 lbs and under only need one tablet per day, but some may find it too big. You may need to break it in half or crush it over your puppy’s food.

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4. PetHonesty Soft Chews

PetHonesty is a brand that cares about providing your puppy with the best; that’s why their supplement is purely made up of natural ingredients that don’t contain GMOs, additives that’ll be harsh on your pup’s tummy, or chemically derived preservatives. All the ingredients in this product are sourced from the USA, India, and New Zealand.

These bite-sized soft chews are packed full of minerals, vitamins, omegas, and probiotics which protect them from diseases, aid in their performance, and maintain a healthy gut. All those nutrients are covered with an enticing chicken flavor that tastes great to most puppies but may not appeal to sensitive or picky pups.

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5. Fur Goodness Sake SmartChews Multifunction Support

Fur Goodness Sake SmartChews Advanced Multifunction Support has a catchy brand name and a chicken bacon flavor most puppies can’t pass up. These soft chews are made up of an impressive 31 different minerals and vitamins that are beneficial to your pup’s body.

If your pup struggles with allergies, this might be the option for them as it provides allergy relief to most dogs, adding to their quality of life. The omega 3 and glucosamine are vital to your puppy’s development and will aid in healthy joints and a soft, shiny coat. The included probiotics may change your pup’s poop, leaving it less stinky and improving its consistency—a win for both you and your pup!

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6. PetAg Sure Grow Multivitamin for Puppies

A supplement that you can give to all your dogs without having to purchase individual ones according to their life stages is the PetAg Sure Grow 100 Tablet Multivitamin for Puppies. It contains excellent nutrients to give your puppy the muscle strength they need for their developing bodies, and it helps improve connective tissue. Some of the included nutrients are phosphorus, vitamin A and D3, and calcium.

Thanks to vitamin D3, your puppy’s body won’t be passing all the nutrients straight through, but absorbing them instead. These tablets help bring the spring back into your puppy’s step, giving them the energy they need to live an active life. The tablets are pretty big and hard and may be a bit of a struggle for puppies of small breeds, though. The bottle also doesn’t have a seal.

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7. NaturVet VitaPet Puppy Plus Soft Chews Multivitamin

The NaturVet VitaPet Puppy Plus Breath Aid Soft Chews Multivitamin is an option you can trust because veterinarians do—and they recommend it. This product has been formulated for puppies and offers them everything they need for the life stage they’re in, without certain beneficial nutrients being overlooked.

This supplement is fun to administer because your puppy will almost always get excited for one as they’re soft and treat-like. For pups 10 pounds and under, only half a soft chew is necessary, while puppies over 11 pounds can take one to two per day. They not only add to your puppy’s health, but they help freshen your puppy’s breath at the same time. However, some customers and pups aren’t the biggest fans of the smell of the soft chew itself.

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8. Wholistic Pet Organics Powder Multivitamin

For something a little different, try a powdered vitamin supplement option such as Wholistic Pet Organics Canine Complete Powder Multivitamin. This is a great way to improve your puppy’s nutritional intake, and it’s easy to use. Because it’s not a soft chewy or tablet, you can sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons over your dog’s familiar food without the struggle of convincing them to eat it. It’s suitable for all dogs, regardless of their life stage.

This powdered supplement is made with kelp, flaxseed, and fish protein and is free from fillers, GMOs, synthetics, and artificial flavoring. A few extra flavors would be appreciated as not all pups are fond of fish, but we appreciate the included scoop for the convenience of their customers.

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9. Nutri-Vet Puppy-Vite Chewable Tablets Multivitamin

Nutri-Vet Puppy-Vite Chewable Tablets Multivitamin contains 60 chewable tablets that are so flavorful that you can use them as a daily treat that your pup is sure to look forward to. However, some pups might find them a bit too flavorful, and you may need to try a few options to get the right supplement for your picky eater.

This product is not only NASC certified but has been developed by veterinarians, making it a product you can trust on your beloved fur baby. Although it’s affordable, each tablet has a load of goodness locked into it, giving your puppy the nutrients they need for strong bones, teeth, nervous system, and immune health.

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10. Pro-Sense Chewable Tablet Multivitamin

Another incredibly affordable vitamin supplement is the Pro-Sense Dog Vitamin Solutions Chewable Tablet Multivitamin. Puppies weighing 10 pounds and under only need half a tablet, so this 90-count bottle will last you a very long time.

This supplement contains necessary vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin A and E, thiamine, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, giving your puppy the balanced diet they need. Unfortunately, it doesn’t contain probiotics to maintain good gut health. It’s chewy and tasty and can be enjoyed by dogs of all breeds and ages. However, puppies with dental problems may struggle with these tablets as they’re a bit hard. You can crush them and add them to your pup’s meal instead.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Vitamins and Supplements for Puppies

Vital Vitamins Your Puppy Needs

Puppies are in a life stage of constant development and growth, and their bodies need higher levels of certain nutrients than adult dogs do to help with the process. Puppies that don’t receive good nutrients will have a compromised immune system. It’s important to get the right vitamin supplements for your puppy because dogs require different vitamin levels throughout their different life stages.

We know how important fats and proteins are for the healthy development of your puppy’s heart, coat/skin, and muscles, but there are some vital vitamins that they need too. A few of them are:

When Are Vitamins and Supplements Most Necessary?

If your puppy is healthy and eats a complete and balanced diet while receiving plenty of exercise and care, adding vitamins and supplements to their diet isn’t necessary.

However, if your puppy’s diet isn’t made up of high-quality ingredients, they just aren’t eating well enough to get the necessary amount of nutrients into their bodies, or they have a disease that blocks the nutrients from being absorbed, adding vitamins and supplements to their diet is necessary. Chat to your vet about the situation, as they’ll have the solution for you and will put your puppy on the right vitamins and supplements specific to your puppy’s problem.

If you prefer to feed your dog home-cooked meals, you’ll need to add vitamin supplements to make sure your puppy isn’t missing out on a few vital nutrients.

If your vet has seen your puppy and has informed you that they have a deficiency and has encouraged you to provide your puppy with certain vitamins and supplements, make sure you follow their guidance and add the right product to your puppy’s diet.

Signs That Your Dog Needs Vitamins and Supplements

If you’re worried that your puppy may have a nutritional deficiency, there are a few symptoms to look out for. If you spot several of these symptoms in your puppy, take them to the vet to get fully evaluated and placed on the right treatment.

Feces

You can tell a lot about a puppy’s health by the color of their feces. They can even highlight a nutritional problem. Your puppy’s poop should be milk-chocolate brown in color, soft but not runny, and mucus-free. It’s vital to take proper looks at their feces now and then so as not to miss out on any warning signs.

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Lethargy

Your puppy should be full of life and bouncing up to you whenever you walk into their view. Of course, if your puppy has just woken from a nap, this might not be the case, but they should show some signs of excitement. If your puppy’s behavior has changed and they seem tired all the time, something is wrong and may potentially be a sign of a nutritional problem.

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Unhealthy coat or skin

If your puppy’s coat has lost its shine or has become thin or patchy, irritated, red, and scaly, it’s a serious matter. The right vitamins in the right amounts aid in skin and coat health. Adding Vitamin A and Zinc supplements, for example, into your puppy’s diet could resolve the issue and leave your puppy with a soft, shiny, and healthy coat and skin.

Unfortunately, there may be other conditions causing these symptoms, which is why it’s always best to take your puppy to the vet for a full assessment and proper diagnosis before putting them onto a supplement they may not benefit from.

Can Too Many Vitamins and Supplements Be Dangerous?

It’s weird to think that the very things you need most in life can also be harmful. In some cases, having too much of a particular vitamin can be just as dangerous as having too little in your body. We just discussed that adding vitamin A to a puppy’s diet can improve their coat and skin. Worryingly, too much of it can cause stiffness in their bodies as the vitamin will grow new bone around their joints.

The same is true for vitamin D, it’s vital to your puppy’s skeletal development, but too much of it may cause their kidneys to fail, which is life-threatening.

The bottom line is that it’s dangerous to put your puppy onto supplements without a good reason. They don’t need to be on one just because you’re on one. If your puppy is showing no signs of a nutritional deficiency, your vet hasn’t advised you to put your puppy on one, and they’re eating a well-balanced diet, don’t add a supplement to their diet because it’s likely to do more harm than good.

How to Choose Vitamin Supplements for Puppies

First, you need to chat to your vet about whether your puppy needs supplements or not and, if they do, which ones would be best for your puppy. Supplements don’t always work with medications, so your vet will suggest options that will work best with your puppy’s other treatments.

When choosing vitamin supplements, pick brands that have done clinical studies of their product and are recommended by vets. Products that have lot numbers and clear quality and safety instructions should be picked over ones that don’t.

Never give your puppy human supplements as they have different vitamin levels and ingredients that aren’t suitable for puppies. No matter what the product advertising may try to persuade you with, remember that vitamin supplements can’t cure your dog or be used as a substitute for medication.

Conclusion

While vitamins and supplements aren’t necessary for all pups, they are vitally important if your puppy has any deficiencies. Chat to your vet first before purchasing any.

Our best overall option is Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Bites Chicken Flavored Soft Chews for their top-quality ingredients. Our best value option is the Health Extension Lifetime Vitamins for their affordable 180-count bottle. Our premium choice is the Vetericyn ALL-IN Life-Stage Puppy Dog Supplement for its brilliant and unique absorption technology.

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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels