By Dr. Michael Skarie, DVM
If you have ever searched for ways to improve your dog’s or cat’s health, you have probably noticed how many pet supplements are available.
There are joint supplements, probiotics, skin and coat products, digestive supplements, calming chews, immune-support products, multivitamins, oils, powders, and treats with added nutrients. New products seem to appear constantly, and many are marketed as something every pet owner should consider.
That can make a simple question surprisingly difficult to answer:
Does my dog or cat actually need a supplement?
For most pet owners, the answer is not as simple as “yes” or “no.”
Some pets may benefit from a targeted nutritional supplement as part of an individualized health plan. Other pets may already be getting everything they need from a properly formulated diet. Adding several products simply because they are marketed for wellness does not necessarily make a healthy pet healthier.
This is one of the most common questions we hear during wellness conversations: “What can I be doing better for my dog?” and “What supplements should I be getting?”
There is a lot of marketing surrounding pet health, and not everything you see online has the same level of scientific support. Dr. Skarie’s approach is to help families separate useful recommendations from unnecessary spending and focus on changes that actually benefit the individual pet.
At Hess Ridge Animal Hospital, that means starting with the basics, understanding your pet’s individual needs, and adding something only when there is a good reason to do so.
A Healthy Pet Does Not Automatically Need More Products
One of the easiest traps for pet owners is assuming that more must be better.
If one supplement is supposed to support joints, another supports digestion, and another supports the immune system, it can seem logical to give all three.
But your dog’s or cat’s nutritional needs are not determined by how many products you can fit into their food bowl.
A complete and appropriately formulated diet can already provide the nutrients your pet needs. If your pet is healthy, eating an appropriate diet, maintaining a healthy body condition, and doing well overall, there may not be a nutritional gap that needs to be filled.
That is why we do not approach supplements as a standard requirement for every dog or cat.
Instead, we ask:
- What is your pet currently eating?
- How much are they eating?
- How old are they?
- What breed or size are they?
- What is their lifestyle like?
- Are there any medical conditions?
- Are there changes in appetite, digestion, skin, mobility, or behavior?
- What are you hoping the supplement will accomplish?
- Is there evidence that the particular product is likely to help?
Those questions are more important than the label on the bottle.
What Is a Pet Supplement Supposed to Do?
Before giving your pet a supplement, it is worth identifying the actual goal.
“Better health” is too broad.
A supplement should have a specific purpose if you are going to add it to your pet’s routine.
For example, an owner might be considering a product because their dog has developed mobility concerns. Another family may be looking at a product because their cat has digestive issues. Someone else may simply want to give their senior pet “extra support.”
Those situations are very different.
The right response may be a supplement. But it may also be something else entirely.
A dog with mobility changes may need an orthopedic or neurologic evaluation rather than a joint chew. A cat with recurring gastrointestinal problems may need an examination and dietary assessment rather than another digestive powder. A senior pet may benefit from a more comprehensive wellness plan rather than a shelf full of supplements.
This is where veterinary guidance becomes important.
The question should not be, “What supplement should I buy?”
It should be, “What does my pet need, and what is the best way to address it?”
When a Supplement May Be Worth Considering
There are legitimate reasons a veterinarian may recommend a supplement.
The key is that the recommendation should be connected to a specific patient and a specific goal.
A supplement may be considered when:
Your pet has a specific nutritional need
Some animals have nutritional considerations related to their health or life stage. A veterinarian may recommend a particular nutritional product when it makes sense for that individual animal.
Your pet has a condition where nutritional support may be useful
Nutrition can be part of managing certain health conditions. But when a medical condition is present, supplementation should be considered as part of the overall treatment plan rather than as a replacement for diagnosis or appropriate medical care.
You have a specific goal for your pet
If you are considering a supplement for mobility, digestion, skin, or another concern, it helps to identify the problem first.
That allows us to determine whether the supplement is appropriate and whether there may be a better way to address the issue.
Your veterinarian identifies a reason for supplementation
This is perhaps the simplest situation.
If we examine your pet and determine that a nutritional supplement could be beneficial, we can discuss what it is intended to do, how it fits into the rest of the pet’s diet, and what changes we want to see.
The important point is that a supplement should have a reason for being there.
When a Supplement May Not Be Necessary
There are also many situations where adding a supplement does not accomplish much.
For example, if your dog is healthy and eating a complete, balanced diet that is appropriate for their life stage, adding a multivitamin simply because you saw an advertisement may not provide an additional benefit.
The same applies to cats.
Cats are not automatically healthier because their food contains several added supplements. What matters is whether their overall nutritional needs are being met.
This is one of the reasons Dr. Skarie talks about the difference between wellness advice and the marketing noise pet owners encounter every day. Families are constantly being presented with products that promise to improve their pets’ lives, even when the pet may not actually need them.
Sometimes the most useful wellness recommendation is not something you purchase.
It may be changing how much food your pet receives.
It may be providing more appropriate exercise.
It may be giving your dog more mental stimulation.
It may be scheduling a wellness examination.
Or it may simply be continuing what you are already doing because your pet is doing well.
Be Careful With “More” Vitamins and Minerals
One reason we recommend talking with your veterinarian before adding supplements is that nutrients are not automatically harmless just because they are necessary for life.
The goal of nutrition is balance.
Your pet needs appropriate amounts of many different nutrients. Giving additional products without understanding what is already present in the primary diet can create unnecessary overlap.
This is especially important when a pet is already eating a complete diet and receiving multiple treats, chews, powders, oils, or other products.
Instead of asking whether a product contains something beneficial, ask whether your pet actually needs more of it.
That distinction is easy to miss when shopping.
A product can contain a nutrient that is important while still being unnecessary for your individual pet.
What About Probiotics for Dogs and Cats?
Probiotics are another common category in the pet supplement market.
They are often marketed for digestion, stool quality, or general gut health.
But if your dog or cat has ongoing digestive problems, the first step should not necessarily be choosing a probiotic from a store shelf.
We want to know what is causing the problem.
Is your pet having intermittent diarrhea?
Vomiting?
Changes in appetite?
Weight loss?
A sudden change in stool?
Has something changed in their diet?
Are there other symptoms?
A supplement may be part of the conversation in some situations, but recurring gastrointestinal symptoms deserve attention rather than simply being covered up with another product.
The same principle applies throughout wellness care: treat the pet, not the advertisement.
What About Joint Supplements for Dogs?
Joint supplements are especially popular among owners of older dogs.
And mobility is absolutely worth paying attention to.
But if your dog is slowing down, having difficulty with stairs, hesitating before jumping, getting up more slowly, or avoiding activities they once enjoyed, we do not want to assume the problem is simply “old age” and start a supplement without looking further.
Dr. Skarie specifically discussed the importance of recognizing changes in activities a pet used to enjoy rather than automatically dismissing those changes as normal aging.
That change in behavior can be valuable information.
A dog that suddenly stops jumping into the car may be uncomfortable.
A dog that no longer wants to go on the same walks may have a mobility problem.
A dog that becomes reluctant to use stairs may need an examination.
A joint supplement might eventually be part of the plan, but first we need to understand what is happening.
That is a much more useful approach than simply asking which joint supplement has the best reviews online.
What About Skin and Coat Supplements?
Skin and coat products are another area where marketing can easily influence decisions.
If your dog is itchy or your cat has changes in their coat, it can be tempting to assume that they are missing a particular nutrient.
But skin problems can have many causes.
Allergies, parasites, infections, environmental factors, underlying disease, grooming issues, and nutrition can all be involved.
If the underlying problem is not nutritional, adding a supplement may not solve it.
This is why we want to look at the whole patient.
A healthy coat is one part of a larger picture that includes the skin, diet, environment, medical history, and overall health.
What About Supplements for Senior Pets?
Senior pets deserve individualized care, but getting older does not automatically mean they need a collection of supplements.
Dogs and cats age differently, and even pets of the same age can have very different health needs.
Dr. Skarie generally considers dogs to enter their senior years around age seven, although breed and size can affect that timeline. This is also a period when certain abnormalities become more common, including arthritis, changes in vision, dental problems, heart murmurs, and internal changes that may show up through diagnostic testing.
That means senior wellness should be about more than buying a senior supplement.
It should be about paying closer attention to the pet.
How are they moving?
How is their appetite?
Are they drinking more?
Are they sleeping differently?
Are they still interested in their normal activities?
Have they lost or gained weight?
Are there changes that you have noticed at home?
Sometimes those observations lead to a conversation about nutrition. Sometimes they lead to additional diagnostics. Sometimes they lead to a change in exercise or daily routine.
The supplement itself is only one possible part of the plan.
Puppies and Kittens Have Different Nutritional Needs
Young pets are another reason not to take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Puppies and kittens are growing rapidly, and their nutritional needs are different from those of adult animals.
This is why the food being fed matters so much.
During the first year, we are also watching for things that can affect a young pet’s health, including gastrointestinal problems, inappropriate eating, breed-related concerns, and other issues that may require early attention. Dr. Skarie describes puppies and kittens as more vulnerable during this stage because their immune systems are still developing.
Rather than automatically adding vitamins to a growing pet’s food, we want to make sure the foundation is appropriate first.
That means discussing:
- Appropriate food for the pet’s growth stage
- Feeding amounts
- Treats
- Breed-specific considerations
- Safe foods
- Changes in appetite or stool
- Activities and exercise
- Any concerns noticed at home
Good puppy and kitten nutrition starts with getting the fundamentals right.
The Food Bowl Is Only One Part of Wellness
It is easy to become focused on what goes into the food bowl while overlooking everything else that affects a pet’s health.
Nutrition matters.
But so do activity, enrichment, body condition, preventive care, dental health, parasite prevention, behavior, and regular veterinary assessment.
This is particularly important when an owner asks, “What else can I do?”
Sometimes the answer is not another product.
It may be spending more time playing with your cat.
It may be giving your dog opportunities to explore and use their brain.
It may be adjusting treats.
It may be changing a feeding routine.
It may be paying closer attention to a subtle behavior change.
Many meaningful improvements do not require spending more money.
Dr. Skarie specifically points out that some of the changes that can improve a pet’s wellness are simple changes families can make at home at little or no cost.
That is an important part of how we think about preventive care.
How We Look at Pet Nutrition at Hess Ridge
Nutrition conversations can become surprisingly emotional.
There are strong opinions about kibble, fresh food, raw diets, homemade diets, treats, and everything in between.
Our job is not to shame you for what you are feeding.
Our job is to help you understand whether the diet is appropriate for your individual pet.
Dr. Skarie explains that he tends to see fewer problems with properly formulated kibble and appreciates that these diets can be formulated to provide appropriate nutrition consistently. At the same time, he works with families who choose other feeding approaches and focuses on helping them understand the potential risks and benefits rather than simply criticizing their choices.
That approach matters because there is rarely value in making a pet owner feel guilty.
If you have questions about your pet’s diet, bring those questions to us.
If you are considering changing foods, we can talk about why.
If you are considering a raw or fresh diet, we can discuss what you should know.
If you are considering supplements, we can help determine whether they actually have a place in your pet’s care.
The goal is not to win an argument about food.
The goal is a healthy pet.
How to Evaluate a Pet Supplement Before Buying It
Before adding a new supplement to your dog’s or cat’s routine, take a few minutes to ask yourself some basic questions.
1. What problem am I trying to solve?
If the answer is simply “I want my pet to be healthier,” take a step back.
Try to identify a specific goal.
2. Does my pet actually have that problem?
If your dog is moving normally, why are you buying a joint supplement?
If your cat has no digestive symptoms, why are you adding a digestive product?
A product should be connected to a need.
3. What is already in my pet’s diet?
Look at the primary food and other products your pet already receives.
You may already be providing the nutrient you are considering adding.
4. What evidence supports the product’s claims?
Be careful with dramatic promises.
“Supports” can mean many things in advertising.
A product being popular online does not automatically mean it is appropriate for your pet.
5. Could this interfere with something else?
If your pet takes medications or has a medical condition, ask your veterinarian before introducing a supplement.
6. How will we know whether it is helping?
If you are using something for a specific reason, establish what improvement you are looking for.
That makes it easier to decide whether continuing the product makes sense.
The Best Wellness Plan Is Not Always the Most Expensive One
Pet owners sometimes feel pressure to spend more because they believe spending more means they are providing better care.
That is not necessarily true.
A more expensive food is not automatically better for every pet.
A longer supplement list does not automatically mean better nutrition.
A cabinet full of wellness products does not replace preventive veterinary care.
What matters is whether the care is appropriate for the individual animal.
At Hess Ridge Animal Hospital, we want to help families make informed decisions instead of reacting to every new trend in the pet industry.
That means looking at the pet in front of us.
It means listening to what you are seeing at home.
It means considering age, breed, lifestyle, diet, medical history, and risk factors.
And it means being willing to say, “You probably don’t need that.”
That can be just as valuable as recommending a product.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Add Anything to Your Pet’s Routine
If you are considering a supplement for your dog or cat, bring the product—or at least the product name and ingredient list—to your next veterinary visit.
Tell us what you are hoping it will accomplish.
Tell us what you have noticed about your pet.
And tell us about everything else your pet is already receiving, including food, treats, chews, medications, and other supplements.
That gives us the information we need to look at the complete picture.
Because the best supplement for your pet may be a particular product.
It may be a dietary change.
It may be part of a medical treatment plan.
Or it may be nothing additional at all.
Good preventive care is not about doing everything that the pet industry tells you to do. It is about understanding what your individual dog or cat needs and making thoughtful decisions based on that information.
At Hess Ridge Animal Hospital, that is the kind of conversation we want to have with every family.