Last Updated: 16/03/2026
Instinctive Bite Supplements: A Vet's Guide to Choosing the Right Support
Not all dogs need supplements, but the right ones can be life-changing. Discover the Instinctive Bite range, from gut-boosting prebiotics to joint support, to help your dog feel their best.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 2 minutes - short read
While every dog is unique, many pets require an extra nutritional boost to truly thrive. Whether you are looking to support a growing pup, manage the "creaks" of a senior dog, or settle a sensitive stomach, the right supplement can be a game-changer for your pet's quality of life.
The new Instinctive Bite range has been expertly formulated to bridge the gap between standard nutrition and peak wellness. By using high-quality, functional ingredients - from potent prebiotics to clinically backed amino acids - these supplements offer targeted solutions that go beyond basic health. Understanding what each formula provides ensures your dog feels more comfortable, vibrant, and resilient from the inside out.
In this article
- Supporting the microbiome: Digestive health for sensitive stomachs
- Natural anxiety relief: How to soothe and relax your dog
- Mobility and joint support: Managing stiffness in dogs
- Skin and coat health: The benefits of Omega fish oils
- Supporting senior dogs: Longevity & immunity
- Daily vitality: Filling nutritional gaps with multivitamins
- How to safely introduce supplements to your dog's diet
- FAQs
Supporting the microbiome: Digestive health for sensitive stomachs
Instinctive Bite Digestive Health Powder
A healthy digestive system relies on a delicate balance of bacteria within the gut microbiome. Prebiotics and probiotics work together as a powerful team to maintain this equilibrium. Think of probiotics as the beneficial live bacteria that are introduced to the gut to support immunity and digestion, while prebiotics act as the essential "fuel" or food source that helps these good bacteria flourish and multiply.
When these two work in harmony, they help to regulate stool consistency, reduce gas, and improve nutrient absorption. By fostering a diverse and stable microbial environment, you aren't just easing a rumbly tummy; you are supporting your dog's overall wellbeing, as a significant portion of the immune system is actually located in the gut. This "inside-out" approach to health ensures your pet feels their best after every meal.
The Instinctive Bite Digestive Health Powder focuses on this ecosystem using a number of ingredients.
- Green Banana Powder and Jerusalem Artichoke: Potent prebiotics that provide resistant starch and inulin, acting as fuel for beneficial bacteria
- Pumpkin powder and Pea fibre: Provide soluble fibre, which is highly beneficial in helping to regulate stool consistency and improve stool quality
- Bio-az Synbiotic: A blend of prebiotics (Inulin sourced from Chicory Root, Organic Pea Fibre, Organic Green Banana Resistant Starch), Probiotics (Bacillus subtilis) and Postbiotics (inanimate Bacillus subtilis). This combination helps to maintain overall vitality by enhancing digestion and strengthening the immune system.
Suitable for: General digestive system support, and particularly helpful for dogs struggling with sensitive stomachs, flatulence, or irregular toileting.
Learn more in our guide to the Best Foods for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs.
Natural anxiety relief: How to soothe and relax your dog
Instinctive Bite Soothe & Relax Powder
For dogs with mild to moderate anxiety or situational phobias, such as thunderstorms or vet visits, targeted nutritional support can help manage stress responses without sedation.
Non-sedating ingredients, such as L-tryptophan, work by supporting the body’s natural chemistry.
By supporting these neurological pathways, these supplements help dogs better manage their emotional response to common stressors like loud noises, travel, or vet visits. Unlike heavy sedatives, these targeted nutrients allow your pet to remain focused and engaged with their surroundings while feeling more relaxed and resilient. It is a gentle way to take the edge off anxiety, helping your dog feel more at ease in their environment without losing their natural spark.
The Soothes & Relax Powder contains a number of ingredients to help calm and settle.
- L-theanine: An amino acid that helps promote a "calm but alert" state by increasing GABA and Serotonin levels in the brain
- L-tryptophan: A precursor to Serotonin, supporting stress resilience
- Combined with adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Chamomile, Magnesium and B-vitamins, supporting the nervous system’s ability to rebound from stress
Suitable for: Pets with situational anxiety (vet visits, fireworks) or general reactivity.
Learn more in our guides to:
Mobility and joint support: Managing stiffness in dogs
Instinctive Bite Joint Health Powder
Joint issues and osteoarthritis are common in dogs, often appearing earlier than many owners realise. One in five adult dogs over the age of one have degenerative joint disease, and this increases to two out of three senior dogs over the age of seven.
In a healthy joint, cartilage acts as a natural shock absorber, allowing bones to glide smoothly over one another and producing joint fluid to lubricate the joint. Over time, or due to underlying conditions, this cartilage can begin to wear, causing increased inflammation within the joint and reduced joint lubrication.
Joint supplements help support the health of the joint cartilage and maintain the viscosity of the joint fluid, which reduces friction and eases the discomfort associated with stiffness. By proactively supporting the joint structure, you are not only helping to improve your dog's current mobility but also working to protect their long-term agility, ensuring they can continue to enjoy their daily walks and playtime with ease.
The Joint Health Powder provides "chondroprotective" agents:
- Glucosamine & Chondroitin: Work together to maintain the shock-absorbing properties of joint fluid and slow the enzymatic breakdown of cartilage
- MSM: A natural source of organic sulphur that contributes to connective tissue health
- Vitamin C: Antioxidant that supports collagen formation and joint tissue integrity
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress.
- Zinc & Copper: Trace minerals that support connective tissue metabolism and enzymatic function.
Suitable for: Senior dogs, breeds prone to dysplasia, or pets showing early morning stiffness.
Learn more in our articles:
Skin and coat health: The benefits of Omega & fish oils
Instinctive Bite Omega + Fish Oil
For dogs with itchy skin or a dull coat, omega oils are a clinical go-to. In the veterinary world, we often view the skin as a protective shield; omega fatty acids help ensure the "mortar" between the skin cells remains supple and intact. By nourishing the skin from the inside out, these essential fats help trap moisture, which prevents the dryness and secondary irritation that often lead to scratching.
Beyond hydration, omega oils are highly valued for their natural ability to soothe the body’s inflammatory response. When a pet’s skin is challenged by environmental allergens or sensitivities, it can become inflamed and reactive. Consistent intake of high-quality oils helps to calm this reactivity, and can result in a noticeably softer, shinier coat and a much more comfortable pet.
The Instinctive Bite Omega + Fish Oil provides a concentrated blend of ingredients to support skin health in dogs.
- Flaxseed Oil & Canola Oil: Plant-based sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support skin, coat, and cardiovascular health.
- Fish Oil: Rich in EPA and DHA, essential omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to cognitive function, joint health, and overall vitality. At higher therapeutic doses (managed by a vet), these oils can also act as a potent anti-inflammatory "booster" for joint mobility.
- Vitamin E: Natural antioxidant that protects fatty acids from oxidation and supports immune health.
Suitable for: any pet needing skin/coat improvement or as a potent anti-inflammatory "booster" for joints as recommended by your treating vet.
Learn more in our articles
Supporting senior dogs: Longevity & immunity
Instinctive Bite Longevity & Immune Powder
As dogs age or face recovery, their nutritional requirements change, and cellular health and organ function support become more important. With age, the body’s ability to repair tissue and defend against environmental stressors begins to slow down. Supporting cellular health is about providing the body with the tools it needs to combat "oxidative stress" - a natural biological process that, if left unchecked, can damage healthy cells and accelerate the ageing process.
For senior pets or those on the mend, maintaining organ function is a top priority. The heart, liver, and kidneys are under constant demand, and targeted nutritional support helps these vital systems work more efficiently.
The Instinctive Bite Longevity & Immunity Powder combines functional ingredients to support healthy ageing and optimal immunity.
- Flaxseed Meal: Rich source of omega-3 fatty acids for heart, skin, and coat health
- Taurine & L-Carnitine: Amino acids that support cardiac function, energy metabolism, and overall vitality
- Reishi & Lion’s Mane Mushrooms: Adaptogenic and functional mushrooms that support immune function and cognitive health
- Turmeric & Bromelain: Natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Suitable for: Ageing pets (7+ years) or those needing a seasonal immune boost.
Learn more in our article all about Senior Dog Care.
Daily vitality: Filling nutritional gaps with multivitamins
Instinctive Bite Multivitamin
Even when we feed high-quality diets, individual factors like life stage, activity levels, and metabolism can create subtle "nutritional gaps." Multivitamins for dogs act as a comprehensive insurance policy for your pet's health, ensuring they receive a consistent spectrum of essential nutrients every day.
For pets that are particularly fussy with their food, those on home-cooked meals, or senior dogs whose bodies may not absorb nutrients as effectively as they once did, a multivitamin provides targeted support for long-term vitality. Rather than focusing on just one area of health, a well-balanced multivitamin supports total body wellness, helping your dog feel strong, vibrant, and resilient at every stage of life.
The Instinctive Bite Multivitamin contains:
- Magnesium & Zinc: Essential minerals that support metabolic function, energy production, and immune health
- Vitamins A, C, D3 & E: Key vitamins that contribute to vision, skin, bone health, and antioxidant protection
- B-Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12): Support energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall vitality
- Iron & Copper: Trace minerals that support healthy red blood cells and enzymatic functions
- Manganese & Iodine: Contribute to skeletal development, thyroid health, and overall wellness
Suitable for: Pets on home-cooked/raw diets, picky eaters, or seniors.
How to safely introduce supplements to your dog's diet
Even the best supplements should be introduced with care to ensure the digestive system adjusts comfortably.
- Introduce slowly: Start with a 1/4 dose for the first 3 to 5 days. This allows the gut to adjust to the new fibres and oils.
- Check for interactions: Ensure you consult with your vet prior to introducing any supplements, especially if your pet has an underlying condition, requires surgery, or has been prescribed medication or a prescription diet.
- Correct dosing: Always calculate the dose based on your dog's current weight, not their "goal" weight.
- Proper storage: Keep oils in a cool, dark place. Exposure to heat and light can cause delicate fatty acids to go rancid, reducing their efficacy.
Before starting any new supplement, it is a great idea to chat with a vet to ensure the choice is most beneficial for your dog’s individual needs.
Learn more in our Guide to Pet Supplements.
Supporting your pet’s health is about more than just meeting their basic needs; it is about providing the specific tools they need to truly thrive. Whether you are addressing a rumbly tummy, supporting ageing joints, or simply looking to maintain that signature coat shine, the Instinctive Bite range offers a scientifically backed, targeted approach to wellness.
By choosing the right formula for your pet's unique life stage and health goals, you are taking a proactive step toward a longer, happier, and more vibrant life together. As always, if you are unsure which supplement is the best fit for your pet, your local vet is your best partner in tailoring a plan that helps you "pet better" every single day.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 17 Feb 2026
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
