Many of us choose to supplement our diets with vitamins and minerals, especially if we feel they may be missing from our diet. As we grow older, these supplements will most likely increase in amounts, as our body struggles to produce the same nutrients and vitamins as it once did.
It is not just our bodies that struggle with age; our pets will also encounter the same problems as they become older. For that reason, we have decided to list the best senior dog vitamins we think would help your beloved pet fight the signs of aging.
Best Senior Dog Vitamins Reviews
Just as our bodies start to struggle to produce vitamin D as we get older, so does a dog’s body. In fact, our pets can benefit from many of the same vitamins and supplements that we take ourselves.
However, before giving any supplements to your dog, you should always consult a veterinary doctor. That’s because animals have different sensitivities to certain compounds than we do. If you’re looking for options, take a look at our top five picks below.
1. Zesty Paws Seniors Advanced 8-in-1 Multivitamin Bites
Zesty Paws have a passion for pet wellness, which can be seen through their extensive research into pet nutrition. Their ultimate goal is to provide premium products that are formulated to keep your pet as strong as the bond that you two share. They also adopt sustainable business practices that minimize the impact they have on the environment.
Product Highlights
This eight-in-one multivitamin can help to combat a myriad of problems that sometimes affect older dogs. A blend of powerful vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are combined in this supplement to work towards improving your dog’s skin and coat, hips and joints, digestion, immune system, heart, kidneys and bladder, vision, and cognition. In fact, there are reports that these supplements have put a spring back into their dog’s step in as little as one week!
Featuring premium-quality ingredients manufactured to more stringent guidelines, Zesty Paws have combined well-thought-out and well-balanced amounts of OptiMSM, Qmin+, curcumin, Cran-Max Cranberry, and Lutemax 2020 Lutein to help geriatric dogs age more gracefully.
Supplementing with MSM is widely used in the alternative medicine market to help alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system, while Qmin promotes better hip and joint mobility. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that is found in turmeric, while Cran-Max promotes urinary tract health. Lutemax is a marigold extract that is fantastic for eye health and is also taken to combat type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The tub of 90 soft chews would last our Westie three months, as just one a day is the recommended dose for smaller dogs up to 25 pounds. Dogs that weigh 26 to 75 pounds should take two chews per day, and larger dogs that weigh over 75 pounds should chew on three per day for full benefits, which means one tub would last larger dog owners for only one month.
The Good
We love the fact that these vitamins are packed with everything you could ask for. The majority of the ingredients are also of the highest quality.
The Bad
It’s a shame that these supplements contain palm oil, and we wish that Zesty Paws would replace it with a more premium and healthy oil. The curcumin in these supplements can stain if your dog is a messy eater. These should be served in a bowl, on a hardwood floor, or tiles for easier cleaning up afterward. It should also be noted that these supplements are some of the priciest on this list.
Pros
- Made with all-natural, premium quality ingredients
- Senior-specific formula
- Combats eight problem areas in one
- 100% satisfaction or your money back (lifetime guarantee)
Cons
- Can stain your carpet if you’re not careful
- Contains palm oil
- More expensive than others
2. VetriScience Laboratories Canine Plus Senior Multivitamin
Developed by vets for vets, this multivitamin from VetriScience aims to provide powerful solutions that are backed by science and complement traditional therapies.
This brand is among the leaders in the pet health industry and uses only pure and highly researched ingredients to deliver products that are safe and effective. It has been leading the way in quality and safety for over 40 years.
With over 25 ingredients that are not normally found in dog food or other multivitamins, these chews can help boost your dog’s overall health and wellbeing massively.
Product Highlights
This multivitamin from VetriScience has been specially formulated for older dogs to help boost their immune system. It does this by targeting common nutrient deficiencies that often occur with old age. Using a balance of amino acids, fish oil omegas, and B-vitamins, these chews could help support heart, liver, brain, and eye health as your dog ages.
The 60 bite-size chews are already priced incredibly reasonably as one of the lowest prices on this list. On top of that, it is recommended that you give smaller dogs (under 25 pounds) only half a chew daily. That effectively gives a Westie four months of supplement for a really low price.
We were surprised to see that the multivitamins from Zesty Paws contained many of the same ingredients as these but in larger amounts. It has three times the amount of vitamin A, nearly four times the niacin, 250 IU of vitamin D3 against 100 in VitraScience. We also noticed that there are many ingredients in the VetriScience formula that aren’t included in Zesty Paws, such as iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Another product with excellent ratings and feedback, these chews are tasty (apparently!), vet-approved, and appear to increase energy and vitality levels in dogs in around two weeks. With the VetriScience 100% satisfaction guarantee attached to every product, you really can’t go wrong with this purchase.
The Good
We love that these supplements are formulated by veterinarians and have such a range of essential nutrients packed in an affordable product. The money-back-guarantee it comes with is also fantastic.
The Bad
Unfortunately, these chews have a strong chemical smell to them. We also think that the levels of some of the vitamins and minerals are rather low, especially if we’re cutting them in half for a single dose.
Pros
- Contains a large variety of vitamins and minerals
- Senior-specific formula
- Very cost-effective option
- Approved by the National Animal Supplement Council
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Con
- Could contain higher amounts of certain ingredients
3. NaturVet VitaPet Senior Daily Vitamins
NaturVet pet supplements were created out of a personal need for a product to help the founder’s own dog, who was diagnosed with arthritis and hip dysplasia. Fast-forward to 20 years later, and NaturVet is FDA-registered and -audited, carries the NSAC quality seal, and produces some of the highest quality supplements on the market. They also donate a percentage of all their sales to pet rescue groups.
Product Highlights
The VitaPet Senior formula provides a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that may otherwise be missing from your older dog’s diet. Each ingredient has been carefully selected with senior dogs in mind, and they have also added glucosamine to help promote healthy joints.
We love the fact that these are time-release supplements, which means that the essential nutrients can benefit your dog all day, helping them to remain active. It also helps them get a good night’s sleep.
These supplements are recommended for any aging dogs and are designed to help them maintain an active lifestyle. Doubling the dose is suggested for sick, nursing, or convalescing dogs.
With a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their products, this is another company that is confident that their supplements will benefit your dog. They are happy to offer complete peace of mind with each purchase.
The Good
We love the fact that these supplements use a time-release formula. It’s such a good idea to ensure that the vitamins and minerals are working hard for your dog—all day and all night, and not just during the few hours of administration.
The Bad
These supplements have quite low levels of vitamins and minerals compared to other products on this list, especially the Risky Paws. We also think this product should carry a warning for owners of diabetic dogs as the supplements contain maltodextrin, which can cause blood sugar to spike.
Pros
- Designed for older dogs
- Provides a wide range of vitamins
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Approved by the National Animal Supplement Council
- Time-release formula
Cons
- Low levels of vitamins and minerals in comparison to other products
- Contains maltodextrin
4. PetHonesty 10-for-1 Multivitamin with Glucosamine
PetHonesty is among the companies in this industry with the highest safety standards, boasting manufacturing facilities that are Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certified. Their team has a combined 75 years of experience in the pet and animal health industry, and they pride themselves in bringing you products that are of premium quality and effective.
Product Highlights
PetHonesty tries to source all of their ingredients from right here in the USA. If they do have to go elsewhere, it won’t be China. Many people worry about the standards and regulations of products coming from China, so we imagine that this will be good news indeed.
Using natural ingredients, PetHonesty has created a fantastic 10-in-one multivitamin that delivers tons of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in a well-rounded blend. The no-heat cooking method employed ensures that the nutrition is staying right where you need it, in the supplement.
As a multivitamin with added glucosamine, this supplement has the potential to drastically help a dog’s mobility, digestion, skin health, heart health, immune system, and energy levels—all of which can become problems in aging animals.
We love the fact that these chewy, treat-like supplements also contain probiotics, which massively aid the digestion system and also possibly make the nutritional content of these supplements more bioavailable to your dog.
The Good
We love the fact that these supplements have everything from vitamins, minerals, and glucosamine to probiotics!
The Bad
Unfortunately, these supplements aren’t specifically formulated for senior dogs, but we still feel they are some of the best on the market.
Pros
- A formula that combats 10 common health problems in dogs
- Ingredients sourced in the USA
- Contains probiotics
- 100% natural ingredients
- No heat cooking method employed
Con
- Not specifically for senior dogs
5. ProSense Hip and Joint Solutions
The ProSense brand offers a variety of proactive and sensible solutions for the healthcare and wellness needs of your pets. They are a member of the National Animal Supplement Council and understand that you want to care for your pet’s health as you would any other member of your family.
Product Highlights
These supplements are fantastic for dogs that suffer from hip and joint problems at any age in their life. Nevertheless, we included them here as this problem is most commonly seen in aging dogs.
If your dog receives a healthy and balanced diet but struggles to walk, play, and run, then they may just need a supplement that can give them a boost in this one area. These supplements from ProSense contain ingredients that specifically promote cartilage and joint function. For example, the inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin helps repair damaged cartilage; MSM helps promote better flexibility and movement; and vitamin C promotes collagen growth.
We love the fact that these supplements offer a time-release formula so that your dog receives all the vitamins and nutrients throughout the day, rather than just immediately after taking the supplement. This will help your dog enjoy their day and get a more restful night’s sleep.
The Good
We love the fact that these supplements are specifically targeted towards joint problems. If your pooch is healthy in all other ways, then this will be all they need.
The Bad
It may be quite difficult to entice your dog to eat these supplements as they are chewy tablets and not flavored in any way or disguised as treats. Often, they will be left in the bowl after the dog has finished eating his food.
Pros
- Targets hip and joint problems
- Contains both glucosamine and chondroitin
- Time-release formula
- Approved by the National Animal Supplement Council
Cons
- Doesn’t help any other age-related problems
- Not disguised as a treat
Buyer’s Guide
With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start in the hunt for the right vitamin supplements for your Westie. To try to make it easier for you, we have identified four factors that we think you should give consideration to before making your purchase.
1. Formula
The formula of the product is very important as it will affect the impact that the supplements have on your dog. You should consult your veterinarian if you are unsure of which vitamins to get. You should also try to familiarize yourself with the ingredients you are looking for, and check the amounts of each ingredient carefully to ensure that the nutrients appear in a large enough quantity to have a positive effect.
2. Manufacturer
Checking out the manufacturer is important with everything you buy, especially if the product is to be ingested. Making sure that the manufacturer is quality assured, meets FDA approval, and has registered and approved facilities is vital to guarantee that you will receive a safe and quality product.
We also like to favor manufacturers that go above and beyond the minimum requirements set out for the supplements market. By buying products from companies that share our love of dogs, support animal charities, are environmentally conscious and use natural, premium ingredients, we feel like we are also giving something back.
3. Cost
Cost is important in any purchase but especially when it comes to supplements. After all, they are an ongoing cost as opposed to a one-off purchase. You need to find something that is within your budget. You would also want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.
When buying supplements, you need to look at three things to find out the true cost involved. You can’t just look at the physical price and the number of supplements you are getting; each product’s dosage will vary.
Some require just half a chew or tablet per day for a small dog, while others need a whole one or even two! Based on the amount of product you will need each day, you can then work out how long the supplements will last your dog, giving you a true daily cost.
4. Quality Verification
How is the manufacturer able to prove to you that due care and attention was taken in producing these supplements? As with any food or supplement, the quality verification that each company offers is very important.
Zesty Paws demonstrate their quality by carrying four premium-branded ingredients known for their quality and proven safety profile, whereas VetriScience and NaturVet both carry the National Animal Supplement Council seal.
The NASC identifies products that are committed to quality and vigilance to help improve the well-being of animals. They offer their seal of quality to be carried on products that submit to an independent audit on their facilities every two years, as well as random product testing to ensure that the ingredients listed on the product match what is found inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I give my Dog vitamins?
Most dogs receive a healthy and balanced diet, but if yours is a fussy eater, eats home-made human food, or suffers from health problems, then they may need supplements. It’s critical, however, that the supplements you give them match what is missing from their diet.
If your dog is getting older, then they could definitely benefit from some added vitamins and minerals to give their body and energy levels a boost. Have a chat with your veterinarian to see what they think.
2. Why senior dogs need vitamins?
Older dogs, like people, can start to become nutritionally deficient as their bodies struggle to produce certain vitamins. Therefore, dogs, like people, can potentially benefit from taking supplements to fill in those gaps.
3. What supplements should I give my senior dog?
If your dog is starting to show general signs of aging, such as lack of energy and vigor, then many good multivitamins on the market could help them regain some of their lost vitality and lust for life. If your dog is struggling with mobility issues or has joint problems and pain from arthritis, you can also find supplements that are particularly good at targeting these specific problems.
Your veterinarian should be able to advise you on which supplements to get. You shouldn’t ever start your dog on a new supplement without consulting his vet first.
4. Can dogs take human vitamins?
While they can, it is better to buy specially produced supplements for dogs. This is because some ingredients that are safe for human consumption aren’t safe for dogs. Also, animals have different sensitivities to certain compounds than humans, so the optimal amounts of vitamins will be different to a dog than a human.
At the end of the day, you could research the subject thoroughly and use human vitamins only once you have enough information. Alternatively, you could just leave it to the experts who have done all of the work for you and buy supplements specially formulated for dogs.
5. Does glucosamine help older dogs?
Yes, glucosamine may be able to help an older dog. As your dog gets older, his body’s production of glucosamine will slow, which will have a knock-on effect on his joints. Taking glucosamine supplements may help to boost the repair of damaged cartilage and joints. It is used to help alleviate pain associated with arthritis and other types of joint degeneration.
Conclusion
If your dog has a specific problem related to old age, then it may pay to do a little research to see which vitamins or minerals could benefit them most. Then, talk with your pet’s vet and buy the supplements that can target that problem the best.
If your dog simply seems to be showing signs of weariness that comes with aging, such as lack of energy and vitality, then we personally think the Zesty Paws Advanced 8-in-1 Multivitamin Bites is the best of the best senior dog vitamins. This supplement combats eight common age-related problems, and a lot of research and care has gone into picking each premium ingredient.
We also love the product from PetHonesty because of the added probiotics. However, before giving your dog any vitamin, you should remember to consult your veterinarian to check that they approve of any planned dietary changes.
