Last Updated: 20/08/2026
Your Guide to Pet Supplements
Navigating the world of pet supplements can be overwhelming. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about pet supplements, as well as the different kinds of supplements available.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Most healthy pets don't need a supplement, a complete and balanced diet already covers it. But “don't need” isn't the same as “won't benefit”: plenty of pets do well on a joint chew for ageing joints, or a calming aid before storm season, when there's a specific reason for it. Nearly half of Australian adults take a supplement themselves, and plenty want the same benefits for their pets.
So how do you know if your pet actually needs one, and with so many options available, how do you choose something safe? Here's our vets' quick-reference guide to every major supplement type.
What are supplements?
Supplements top up a diet, or support a pet already showing signs of an issue like arthritis, digestive upset, or anxiety. They come in a range of different formats including tablets, chews, powders, liquids, meal toppers, even spot-ons.
Does my pet need a supplement?
A complete and balanced commercial dry or wet food meets a pet's nutritional needs on its own, most pets don't need anything extra. Home-cooked or some raw diets are harder to balance and often fall short without expert input.
Supplements aren't regulated in Australia, so quality varies enormously between brands. Stick to veterinary-recommended names like PAW Blackmores, Virbac and Protexin.
For more on feeding a premium diet: The Real Cost of Supermarket Food.
Are supplements safe for my pet?
Not always and more isn't always better. Excess vitamins, minerals or amino acids can cause harm even in a healthy pet (too much calcium in a growing large-breed puppy, for example, can disrupt bone development), and some supplements interact with prescription medications.
Check with your vet before starting anything new, and never reach for a human supplement bottle for your pet.
WARNING: Human supplements should never be given to pets, without veterinary approval.
What supplement is best for my pet?
Here's how our vets break down the main categories, what each one is, what it does, and when we'd actually recommend it.
What do multivitamins do for my pet?
- What it is: A blend of vitamins and minerals, usually in a chew, powder or liquid.
- What it does: Tops up a diet that's falling short, and supports general wellbeing and immune function, it's not a cure, and it's not a substitute for a complete diet.
- When we'd recommend it: Pets on home-cooked diets, or recovering from illness.
Vet tip: The most common mistake I see is a multivitamin added “just in case”, on top of an already-balanced diet. If your pet's healthy and eating a complete diet, it's usually not doing much beyond emptying your wallet.
What are omega fatty acids and do pets need them?
- What it is: Essential fats - omega-3 (EPA/DHA) from fish or algae, omega-6 from plant oils, that pets can't produce themselves.
- What it does: Supports skin and coat health, eases inflammation (arthritis, skin conditions, heart disease), and supports brain function in senior pets.
- When we'd recommend it: Dry, itchy or dull coats, stiff joints, or ageing pets showing signs of cognitive decline.
Vet tip: Omega-3s are one of the few supplements I'd call close to universally useful, most pets, healthy or not, do a little better with one on board.
What do glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen do for joint health?
- What it is: The raw materials of healthy cartilage often paired with green-lipped mussel or a collagen supplement for extra support.
- What it does: Helps protect, nourish and repair joint cartilage, with far fewer side effects than long-term pain medication. Collagen supports that same connective tissue and is often used alongside glucosamine for extra reinforcement, particularly as natural collagen production slows with age.
- When we'd recommend it: Senior pets, larger breeds, or mild arthritis, alongside other therapies, not instead of them.
Vet tip: I'll usually suggest collagen as an add-on alongside glucosamine and chondroitin rather than on its own, it's reinforcement for connective tissue, not a replacement for a joint supplement.
Vet recommended joint supplements
What are hemp and CBD supplements used for?
- What it is: A low-THC oil extracted from hemp seed, different from CBD oil, which contains concentrated cannabidiol and, in Australia, needs a vet prescription.
- What it does: Some owners use hemp seed oil for anxiety, skin support and mild inflammation, though pet-specific research is still limited.
- When we'd recommend it: As a gentle add-on alongside vet guidance, avoid in pregnant or lactating pets, and never give a human cannabis product to a pet.
We stock a range of hemp and CBD supplements, read more in our full guide.
What are probiotics and when does my pet need them?
- What it is: The “good” bacteria and yeasts that make up your pet's gut microbiome.
- What it does: Restores gut balance, supports immune function (a large share of the immune system lives in the gut), and may ease anxious behaviour through serotonin production.
- When we'd recommend it: After a gut upset, a course of antibiotics, or a stressful bout of diarrhoea. Prone to wind? Our guide to dog flatulence and digestive issues covers it in more depth.
Vet tip: Probiotics make the biggest difference after a genuine disruption, a bout of gastro, a food change, or the days after finishing antibiotics. If digestion's already settled, they won't add much on top.
Full vet-recommendations: best probiotics for dogs and probiotics for cats.
Vet recommended probiotic supplements
What is L-tryptophan and can it help calm my pet?
- What it is: An amino acid and building block for serotonin.
- What it does: May take the edge off anxious or stressed behaviour.
- When we'd recommend it: Mild anxiety or stress. Already on prescription anxiety medication? Check with your vet first, combining the two can occasionally trigger serotonin syndrome.
What do dental supplements do for my pet?
- What it is: Dental gels, water additives and chews designed to reduce plaque and tartar build-up.
- What it does: Slows the build-up that leads to gum disease and bad breath, a daily habit rather than a one-off fix.
- When we'd recommend it: Small and toy breeds prone to periodontal disease, or any pet that won't tolerate having its teeth brushed.
Vet tip: Dental disease is one of the most under-treated conditions I see in clinic. A daily dental chew or water additive is one of the easiest wins for long-term health, but it doesn't replace a professional scale and clean when one's needed.
Chosen carefully and under veterinary guidance, the right supplement alongside a complete and balanced diet can genuinely support your pet's health. When in doubt about what your pet actually needs, ask your vet before you shop.
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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 28 Apr 2026
Edited by Dr Antonella Virina DVMDr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
