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 your puppy’s well-being than additional vitamins. Generally, most healthy dogs do not need supplements unless their veterinarians recommend them. However, 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.

Several vitamin and supplement brands on the market provide different benefits, and it’s difficult to determine which one is ideal for your pup. To help, we have reviews of some of the 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 to support their immune system, hip, joint, and gut function, heart, liver, and skin health, performance, and antioxidant activity. This supplement contains vital vitamins, such as vitamin E and B Complex, that 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 are used, and if your puppy is sensitive to chicken, there is a tasty peanut butter flavor flavor to try 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 supplements for the money. One bottle contains 180 chewable tablets for an affordable price!

These chewable tablets contain several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, D, K, folic acid, and calcium, that aid in your puppy’s development while keeping them healthy and happy. Although a supplement, the tablets are so tasty that your puppy will most likely think they’re treats, but be sure to keep the dosage to one per day. Because the tablet is soft, it 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

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

Vetericyn focuses on growth and development while supporting your puppy’s digestion, bones and joints, mental health, immune system, and cellular health. It has several dosage options for older dogs, 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 pounds 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 made 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 are sourced from the USA, India, and New Zealand.

These bite-sized soft chews are packed with minerals, vitamins, omegas, and probiotics, which protect pups from diseases, aid their performance, and support 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. 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 you can give to all your dogs without purchasing 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 helps improve connective tissue. Some of the nutrients include phosphorus, vitamins A and D3, and calcium.

Thanks to vitamin D3, your puppy’s body won’t pass all the nutrients straight through; instead, they will absorb them. The PetAg tablets help bring the spring back into your puppy’s step, giving them the energy they need to live an active life. They are pretty big and hard and can be difficult for small breeds to consume. 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 a product veterinarians recommend. It has been formulated for puppies and provides everything they need for the life stage they’re in. The supplement is fun to administer because your puppy will almost always get excited since 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 also freshen your puppy’s breath. However, some customers and pups aren’t the biggest fans of the smell of the soft chew.

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8. Wholistic Pet Organics Powder Multivitamin

For something a little different, you can try a powdered vitamin supplement such as the Wholistic Pet Organics Canine Complete Powder Multivitamin. This is a great way to improve your puppy’s nutritional intake and is easy to use. Because it’s not a tablet, you can sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons over your dog’s 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 since some pups aren’t fond of fish, but we appreciate the free scoop for portioning the powder.

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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 will surely look forward to. However, some might find them too flavorful because they have a strong scent.

This product is NASC-certified and developed by veterinarians. 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.

The supplement contains necessary vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, zinc, iron, vitamins A and E, thiamine, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. 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 since they’re 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 nutrients than adult dogs to help with the process. Puppies that don’t receive enough nutrients will have a compromised immune system. It’s important to get the right vitamin supplements for your puppy because dogs require various amounts of vitamins throughout their 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 composed of high-quality ingredients, they aren’t eating enough to get the necessary 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. However, you need to speak to your vet before purchasing supplements. They can examine your pup and determine which products are ideal for their condition.

If you prefer to feed your dog home-cooked meals, you’ll need to add vitamin supplements to ensure your puppy isn’t missing out on a few vital nutrients. Preparing your dog’s food also requires veterinary assistance, and your vet may recommend a recipe or provide a reference for a veterinary nutritionist.

If your vet has seen your puppy and informed you that they have a deficiency and need vitamins and supplements, follow their guidance and dosing recommendations closely.

Signs That Your Dog Needs Vitamins and Supplements

If you’re worried your puppy may have a nutritional deficiency, there are a few signs to look out for. If you spot several of these signs 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, soft but not runny, and mucus-free. It’s vital to take a look at their feces occasionally to detect warning signs.

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Lethargy

Your puppy should be full of life and bouncing around whenever you walk into their view. Of course, if your puppy has just woken from a nap, that 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 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, other conditions may be causing these signs, which is why it’s always best to take your puppy to the vet for a full assessment and proper diagnosis before giving them a supplement.

Can Too Many Vitamins and Supplements Be Dangerous?

In some cases, having too much of a vitamin can be just as dangerous as having too little in your body. We 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 on 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 with your vet about whether your puppy needs supplements and, if so, which ones would be best for them. Supplements don’t always work with medications, so your vet will suggest options that work best with your puppy’s other treatments.

When choosing vitamin supplements, select brands that have done clinical studies and are recommended by vets. Products with lot numbers and clear quality and safety instructions should be picked over those without.

Never give your puppy human supplements since 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 vital if your puppy has any deficiencies. However, you must talk to your vet first before purchasing any. Our best overall option is Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Bites Chicken Flavored Soft Chews for its top-quality ingredients. Our best value option is the Health Extension Lifetime Vitamins for its 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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