Food is medicine, and enriching your pet’s diet with nutritious supplements is one of the most straightforward ways to keep them happy and healthy. While there are plenty of shelf products out there making major claims, adding a few simple ingredients can make a world of difference.
In this list we explore six supplements to add to your pet’s meals for the greatest nutritional benefit. While supplements shouldn’t exceed more than 10 percent of your pet’s meals, they are perfect side dishes ready to boost whole health.
1. Whole Fatty Fish
No, this wasn’t written by a cat. Whole fatty fish is one of the healthiest foods and easiest additions to your pet’s meal. They shouldn’t be the main dish, but they’re your best shot at offering omega-3 that greatly benefits your pet’s inflammatory response and skin health.
You can purchase whole fish such as:
- Mackerel
- Anchovies
- Sardines
- Herring
- Smelt
If they’re canned, opt for those packaged in water rather than oil. Limit the fish to a maximum of 10 percent of your pet’s daily diet.
If whole fish isn’t an option for you, consider dried fish or an omega-3 liquid or powder. If fish products are out due to an allergy or other reasons, the meat and organs from grass-fed cattle also have high levels of omega 3s and offer similar benefits.
2. Green Tripe
Green tripe is one of the best ways to emulate your pet’s carnivorous diet. As the stomach lining of ruminants (grass-fed animals), it’s full of all the nutrients your pet would be after if they were left to hunt a more basic diet.
The stomach lining is also full of natural probiotics that your carnivorous companion is not akin to cultivating on their own. These help with:
- Immune system function and response
- Digestive health
- Joints and connective tissues
Green tripe may not be the color you expect, but you want to see this label. Green refers to processing, meaning that it hasn’t been “bleached” and is in its most natural state.
While you may not be on-board with feeding a raw-food diet, adding a bit of tripe as a supplement is a good compromise. Feed sparingly and cut back on the portion if your pet has diarrhea or other digestive issues.
3. Greek Yogurt
If dealing with raw meat isn’t appealing, you can still get some great benefits from the probiotics in Greek yogurt. Naturally, you want to avoid yogurt with harmful ingredients like Xylitol, but most plain flavors are perfectly fine for your companion.
Greek yogurt is a great source of calcium as well as beneficial vitamins B2, A, and B12. It also introduces live cultures that can help with digestion, intestinal health, and immune response.
4. CBDa
CBD is gaining popularity as a health supplement, but when you’re shopping for your pets, you want to focus on CBDa. As a non-decarboxylated form of CBD, it remains more bioavailable to help with issues like:
- Joint stiffness and arthritis (particularly in older animals)
- Immune support
- Stress support
- Regulating inflammatory responses
Make sure you never give your pets CBD products meant for humans, and always follow dosing instructions closely. While hemp products contain very little THC, there’s always a chance your pet could be poorly affected.
5. Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are staple recommendations when it comes to pet diet supplements. Doctors even recommend it to their human patients because of how well it supports connective tissue construction and preservation, while vets regularly suggest it to owners of large animals or active breeds.
In a 2023 study of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin, researchers found that dogs taking Glucosamine and chondroitin were able to exert more active force after than those in the control group. Another trial found that dogs with osteoarthritis showed increased mobility after 70 days of treatment.
It’s important to note that this is not an outright treatment for joint issues, and it often takes months before you see results. While this one shouldn’t be a harmful addition to prevent joint issues, it’s best to consult your vet for the best course of action.
6. Antioxidants
Antioxidants play a major role in any diet. They help counteract the issues caused by oxidative stress, such as memory loss or cognitive function, but also improve your pet’s overall health.
In addition, antioxidants like blueberries or prepared supplements like Coenzyme Q10 can help with:
- Heart disease
- Inflammation
- Weak immune systems
While commercial pet foods already contain antioxidants to maintain stability, adding fresh foods can boost these free-radical fighters. If your pet has a bit of a sweet tooth, consider adding a few strawberries or blueberries.
Cat’s tend to be pickier about eating fresh food that isn’t meat, but there are plenty of fruits and veggies you can add to their plate.
