Humans care for themselves by exercising, taking vitamins, and eating healthy. We can go to similar lengths for our dogs by providing them good-quality food and giving them plenty of exercise. However, the best way to make sure that they are getting all the nutrients they need is through supplements.
Supplements are vitamins and minerals that can keep a dog’s skin, organs, joints, and immune system in tip-top shape. Like humans, dog can benefit from such dietary additions.
What are the most important nutrients that dogs need? What is the best method of giving them supplements? Where can you find the best quality and most affordable options? We have created a list of reviews of the top-rated products in this category, so you can get the best information.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Zesty Paws Omega 3 |
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Best Value | Pro-Sense Skin & Coat |
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Premium Choice | Missing Link Ultimate |
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Makondo Pets Fish Oil |
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Ultra Oil |
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The 10 Best Dog Coat & Skin Supplements
1. Zesty Paws Skin & Coat Dog Supplement – Best Overall
This is a supplement rich in Omega-3s fatty acids. It includes biotin, fish oil, and vitamins C and E. Dogs are more likely to eat this chicken-flavored supplement without you having to cover it in peanut butter or cheese. They’ll think it’s a treat due to its chewy nature and flavor, but they’re also receiving nutrients that support healthy skin and hair, as well as healthy joints and muscles. By giving your dog a serving every day, you’ll see a difference in their appearance, as well as with their general health and wellness.
The only drawback to this supplement is that it does not do anything for your dog’s immune system, but there are supplements specifically for the immune system that you can safely add to their diet as well.
- Supports skin and joint health
- Delicious chicken flavor
- Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids
- Good for shiny hair
- Does not support immune system health
2. Pro-Sense Dog Skin & Coat Solutions – Best Value
This is another great option when it comes to skin and coat health for your dog. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids and a small amount of biotin. This is the best skin and coat supplement for the money because you get many great vitamins and minerals for a low price.
The difference between this supplement and the Zesty Paws is that Zesty Paws is chicken flavored and chewy. Pro-sense comes in tablet form and is not flavored. Although your dog would be getting many of the same nutrients, the flavor of the Zesty Paws makes it easier for them to get used to having it daily and actually enjoy taking it.
- Supports skin and coat health
- Affordable
- Lots of DHA and EPA omega fatty acids
- Not flavored
- Tablet form less appealing to dogs
3. Missing Link Skin & Coat Dog Supplement – Premium Choice
This powdered formula can be sprinkled onto your dog’s food to boost their skin, joints, coat, and immune system. It is rich in fiber and healthy bacteria that can help regulate your dog’s digestive system, as well as support general gut health. This product is veterinarian created and is human quality, so you know you’re giving your dog the best of the best. The major consideration here is cost. You will pay more for the Missing Link supplement than for others, but it also can last much longer depending on the size of your dog. If high-grade ingredients in a palatable formula is what you’re looking for, then the extra cost may be worth it.
- Powdered
- High-quality ingredients
- Veterinarian created
- Supports skin, coat, joint, and immune system health
- More expensive than other formulas
4. Makondo Pets Skin & Coat Supplement
This bacon-flavored chewable tablet makes it easy to support your dog’s skin and coat health. The formula provides nutrients to relieve dogs with dry, itchy skin or skin conditions. Although it doesn’t necessarily contribute to digestive or joint health, this formula is great for dogs dealing with shedding, bald spots, skin conditions, and allergies. It also supports eye health. Similar to Pro-Sense, Makondo is in tablet form, though it is flavored, so it may be more appealing to pets. It is slightly more expensive than Pro-Sense, albeit having the same benefits.
- Chewable and bacon flavored
- Supports skin, coat, and eye health
- Helps with allergies, shedding, and skin conditions
- Tablet form
- More expensive than Pro-Sense but with same benefits
See: The top bones for puppies of the year
5. Ultra Oil Dog Skin & Coat Supplement
This Omega fatty acid supplement is in liquid form, which makes it easy to add into your pet’s diet. You can drop it into their water or their food or even directly into their mouth. The benefit of using a liquid is that you don’t need to disguise it or worry that your dog won’t like it. This formula is made of high-quality ingredients, including Omegas 3, 6, and 9. Omega 9 helps Omega fatty acids 3 and 6 absorb completely, a feature lost on some of the other products.
One drawback of this supplement is that the packaging does not hold up well. Because it is a liquid, we found reports of it leaking from its container.
- Easy-use liquid form
- Blend of Omega fatty acids: 3, 6, and 9
- Low-quality packaging
- Leaks from bottle
6. Pet Parents Omega Skin & Coat Supplement for Dogs
This formula is chewy, which makes dogs think that they are receiving a treat. This supplement is made with high-quality ingredients, like Omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil, and salmon oil, as well as whole meats and veggies, to promote a healthy skin and coat. It also claims to help with dry/itchy skin, allergies, and hair loss or dullness.
We found a few user reports that claim it works well enough for their pet, but their dog didn’t like the taste or that the product didn’t do all that it claimed it would. It seems that it depends on your dog whether it will work for them.
- Omega 3 fatty acid, fish oil, and salmon oil blend
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Chewy formula
- Made with whole meats and veggies
- May not have appealing flavor
- May not work for some dogs
7. Lloyd and Lucy’s Dog Skin and Coat Supplement
Lloyd and Lucy’s Omega Supplement offers a chewable, bacon-flavored supplement containing Omegas 3 and 6, as well as a small amount of biotin. Omega fatty acids 3 and 6 work best when accompanied by Omega 9, however, which this supplement lacks. It also does not contain other beneficial ingredients that other supplements do, making it less effective.
This product also has additives and preservatives. Just like humans who want to avoid putting artificial ingredients into their bodies, dogs should be treated with the same amount of respect for their health. Don’t give your pet unnatural ingredients if you can help it.
- Chewable, bacon flavored
- Contains Omega fatty acids 3 and 6
- Does not include Omega 9
- Does not include other beneficial vitamins and minerals
- Includes additives and preservatives
8. Canine Matrix Organic Dog Supplement
This organic mushroom supplement provides a 100% natural way to help your pet have healthy skin and fur. It acts as an anti-inflammatory that can help with joint health, as well as allergies. The flavorless powder formula works for most dogs, though some may have an issue with it, either due to the texture or the taste.
Drawbacks to this product include the fact that it may not be as effective as formulas that include fish oil, omega fatty acid, and other vitamins and minerals. There has also been research that indicates the mushrooms could contain toxins if they were not cooked beforehand. We found reports from users that their dogs had diarrhea after using this product.
- Powder form
- 100% natural ingredients
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports healthy skin and coat
- Not as effective as formulas with fish oil and other vitamins and minerals
- Could contain toxins
- Could cause diarrhea
9. PETIPET Fish Oil Dog Supplement
This supplement contains Omega fatty acid and whole, natural ingredients as a wholesome option for supporting skin and coat health. This product has shown that it can improve skin allergies and inflammation.
However, this product has a fishy smell — it depends on your dog’s preference, but if your dog doesn’t like the smell or taste of fish, they probably won’t like this product. Some owners have also reported that this product didn’t do what it claimed to do and that their dog’s skin was still dry/itchy/inflamed even after using it for a while. Another drawback is that it is more expensive than other supplements on our list.
- Supports skin and coat health
- Contains whole, natural ingredients
- Increased in price
- Fishy smell
- Not appealing to some dogs
- Ineffective for some dogs
10. VetriScience Dog Skin and Coat Supplements
This product claims to support immune system and skin health by including Omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9 and vitamin E. It is also affordable and has worked for some dogs to alleviate their skin issues.
However, this product can also cause bad breath in dogs, as well as upset stomach and diarrhea. Some dogs won’t take it because it smells and tastes fishy. It is also not the healthiest choice because it is full of preservatives and additives and lacks beneficial ingredients that other supplements offer.
- Affordable
- Supports immune system
- Promotes skin health
- Causes bad breath
- Causes upset stomach and diarrhea
- Smells and tastes fishy
- Contains preservatives and additives
- Does not include other beneficial ingredients
Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Dog and Skin Coat Supplement
When you want to give your dog supplements to treat their coat and skin — under the supervision of your vet, of course — there are many factors to consider. Let’s break it down.
Ingredients
When it comes to the best dog skin and coat supplements, Omega fatty acids, fish oil and/or salmon oil, and biotin are almost always included. These work to keep your dog’s skin healthy and moisturized and your dog’s coat shiny and soft. They can also help relieve skin and hair conditions like dryness, itchiness, skin allergies, and hair loss or dullness.
Make sure to avoid products with many additives and preservatives, as these probably won’t be as efficient as 100% natural, clean ingredients. Although additives and preservatives won’t directly harm your pet, it’s pointless to load them up with ineffective, useless ingredients when you could choose a more beneficial option. The key is to choose ingredients that you would ingest yourself. Don’t compromise your pet’s health for a sub-par supplement. If it ends up doing more harm than good, then stop using it and keep searching for the best product for your dog.
Patience
Many dogs regrow hair in bald patches and achieve soft, moisturized skin that isn’t flaky or painful only after using supplements for an extended period of time. It usually takes about three to eight weeks for the supplements to take effect, so be patient. You’ll begin to see results in a month or so. Don’t lose heart, but do stop giving the supplements if you aren’t seeing results after the eight-week mark.
Other Benefits
Many times, supplements designed for a dog’s skin and coat health also provide support for other systems or work as an overall diet booster. Systems supported by dog supplements include the joint, muscle, and immune systems. Their eye health can also be boosted with vitamin A, as well as the immune system with vitamin C. Vitamin E is essential for skin health, as it helps lock in moisture from the environment. It can also be used topically as a humectant. If your dog has a dry paws, you can use topical vitamin E to moisturize.
Different Forms
There are several different forms that supplements can come in. You could get a chewy version that resembles a dog treat, a tablet that you crush into food or have your dog swallow, a powder version that can be added to food or water, or even a liquid that can be put into food, water, or your dog’s mouth. The formula you choose depends on your dog’s preference. Some won’t like the ones that are scented or flavored, while others will turn their nose up at the texture of a powder. It may take experimentation to see what your dog will prefer. Most dogs like the chewy, flavored options because they are usually a meaty flavor, like bacon or chicken, and are soft like a treat.
Conclusion
The Zesty Paws supplement takes first place in our list of best dog skin and coat supplements because it has the most beneficial ingredients like omega 3 that support skin, coat, and joint health. It is the most well-liked flavor and is easy to take. It also comes at a reasonable price.
Pro-Sense comes in second because it has both great value and great quality, and third place goes to Missing Link for providing a high-quality powder formula that contains the best ingredients. You also receive a large amount of product for the price.
We hope that this list provided you with helpful information that you can use to purchase supplements for your dog’s skin and coat health. If you can have a product that works well, your dog enjoys, and is affordable, be sure to include it in your dog’s everyday health and wellness routine!
Contents
- A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
- The 10 Best Dog Coat & Skin Supplements
- 1. Zesty Paws Skin & Coat Dog Supplement – Best Overall
- 2. Pro-Sense Dog Skin & Coat Solutions – Best Value
- 3. Missing Link Skin & Coat Dog Supplement – Premium Choice
- 4. Makondo Pets Skin & Coat Supplement
- 5. Ultra Oil Dog Skin & Coat Supplement
- 6. Pet Parents Omega Skin & Coat Supplement for Dogs
- 7. Lloyd and Lucy’s Dog Skin and Coat Supplement
- 8. Canine Matrix Organic Dog Supplement
- 9. PETIPET Fish Oil Dog Supplement
- 10. VetriScience Dog Skin and Coat Supplements
- Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Dog and Skin Coat Supplement
- Conclusion