best vitamins for Golden Retrievers

8 Best Vitamins For Golden Retrievers to Keep Your Fido Healthy!

Like us, Golden Retrievers can suffer from nutrient deficiencies and a weak immune system. To avoid this, the best vitamins for Golden Retrievers can help bridge the nutritional gap. These vitamins and supplements will augment your pet’s changing needs while boosting its immunity. But as with your dog’s food, you have to be very picky when it comes to vitamins and supplements.

Take note that vitamin products for dogs vary widely in terms of nutrition, ingredients, and overall value. There’s no one-supplement-fits-all product. You have to know what your dog actually needs by consulting your pet’s veterinarian.

Below, I reviewed 8 of the best-selling dog vitamins in the market. See which one is the best pick for your Goldie.

DOG VITAMINS
BRAND
EXPERT RATING
CHECK PRICE
 Our Top Pick! 
Zesty Paws Advanced
11-in-1 Vitamin Bites
PetHonesty 10-in-1
Multivitamin
Zenapet Dog Immune
Support Supplement
Rx Vitamins for Pets
Onco Support
Pet-Tabs Plus Vitamin
Supplement For Dogs
NaturVet VitaPet Adult
Dog Daily Vitamins
Wholistic Pet Organics
Ester-C Powder Supplement
MOKAI Daily
Multivitamins for Dogs

Does my Golden Retriever need vitamins?

Not all dogs require a vitamin supplement on their diet. A complete and balanced commercial dog food product usually contains ample vitamins for your pet. Also, some dog food products are mixed with vitamins, just like the one found on the Blue Buffalo brand.

However, some Golden Retrievers require an additional dose because of a health problem and other conditions.

For example, an aging Golden Retriever will benefit from a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement. These two substances help delay cartilage deterioration on the canine’s joints. Meanwhile, Goldies with severe skin allergies can be given a Vitamin C supplement upon the vet’s approval. 

To know whether your dog needs a supplement, the best person to talk to is a veterinarian. The vet can identify your dog’s deficiencies after a thorough examination.

Take note that too many vitamins and minerals can be harmful to your Golden Retriever. The excess can tax your dog’s kidney and liver, which can lead to health problems later on.

When in doubt, always call the vet first. You can also mention the specific product you’re planning to buy to receive professional advice. The vet can surely recommend a vitamin supplement in case your dog needs it.

8 Best Vitamins For Golden Retrievers to Keep Your Fido Healthy!

OUR #1 CHOICE

OUR TOP PICK: Zesty Paws Advanced 11-in-1 Multifunctional Vitamin Bites
best vitamins for Golden Retrievers

Product Name: Zesty Paws Advanced 11-in-1 Multifunctional Vitamin Bites

Product Description: If you’re looking for the best vitamins for Golden Retrievers, I highly recommend the Zesty Paws Advanced 11-in-1 Multifunctional Bites. This supplement is in the form of a yummy treat, making it effortless to give to your Golden Retriever. This delicious chew is packed with natural ingredients like psyllium husk, glucosamine, chondroitin, folic acid, as well as Vitamins A, B, C, and E. It has a long list of other nutrients that will surely boost your Golden Retriever’s health. Aside from that, this supplement contains Zesty Paws’ proprietary blends like OptiMSM, Qmin+, CoQ10, and CranMax that help reduce oxidative stress. Overall, these Zesty Paws bites offer a wholesome and broad-spectrum benefit for every dog. From your Goldie’s gut, skin, immunity, heart, brain, and more, this is probably one of the best dog supplements on the market.

Offer price: $$$

Availability: InStock

  • Ingredients
  • Nutrition
  • Flavor
  • Benefits
Overall
5

Summary

In terms of serving, an adult Golden Retriever can consume up to two soft chews a day. I also like that this supplement doesn’t have corn, grains, or soy, which is very important for dogs with sensitive tummies.
Also, Zesty Paws is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and has passed the organization’s strict quality audit. This guarantees that every bite delivers nothing but the best nutrition for your Golden Retriever.
Overall, this supplement did wonders on my Golden Retriever. The soft chews have a nice smell and can be given like a normal treat. There’s no need to hide pills or tablets!

Pros

Packed with essential vitamins and minerals
Formulated as a tasty treat
Broad-spectrum supplement

Cons

So far, so good


RUNNERS-UP

PetHonesty 10-in-1 Multivitamin with Glucosamine for Dogs

best vitamins for Golden Retrievers

If your Golden Retriever needs more joint support, you should consider buying the PetHonesty 10-in-1 Multivitamin instead. This is infused with glucosamine that will help delay the onset of joint damage and arthritis.

Like the one from Zesty Paws, this PetHonesty multivitamin is made into a treat. Your Golden Retriever won’t know that he’s taking a supplement.

Also, this supplement doesn’t have soy, wheat, dairy, corn, and artificial additives. It doesn’t have steroids either, so your dog gets guilt-free nutrition.

Moreover, this multivitamin has natural ingredients, including fish oil, flaxseed, pumpkin, and eggshell. This will give your dog a long list of vitamin benefits, which includes Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. It’s also a good source of folic acid and biotin that will keep your Goldie’s coat healthy and shiny.

I also like how it improved my Goldie’s digestion. This isn’t surprising since each multivitamin in the tub contains 1 billion CFU probiotics that promote gut health. No more diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach issues for us so far.

Overall, your Goldie will reap 10 health benefits in just a single vitamin. This is while your doggo enjoys the peanut butter, smoked duck, or chicken flavor.

Each jar of the PetHonesty multivitamin contains 90 pieces, good for 45 days if you have an adult Golden Retriever. It’s a little pricier than the one from Zesty Paws, but for good reasons.

Pros
  • 10-on-1 benefit
  • Promotes healthy digestion
  • Infused with glucosamine
Cons
  • Some pet owners reported that their dogs don’t seem to like the taste.

Zenapet Dog Immune Support Superfood Supplement

best vitamins for Golden Retrievers

If your Golden Retriever isn’t a fan of multivitamins in the form of treats, you can try giving a powder type. I recommend the Zenapet Dog Immune Support Superfood Supplement. This powder can be added to your Goldie’s meal for an added dose of vitamins and minerals.

Every scoop of this supplement contains spirulina, turkey tail mushroom, beta-glucan, and resveratrol to boost your dog’s health. It acts as a natural antioxidant and is also an excellent choice for allergy relief and the heart health of your dog.

Moreover, this supplement doesn’t have fillers, so your dog gets nothing but 100% nutrient-dense ingredients. It also has more scoops per jar than other powder supplements on the market.

Aside from that, this supplement doesn’t have hormones, soy, corn, dairy, preservatives, and oils. It’s very gentle on the tummy for faster absorption. So far, I haven’t noticed any irritations on my dog.

For Golden Retrievers weighing 31 lbs. to 60 lbs., two scoops a day is ideal per day. For bigger dogs up to 90 lbs., 3 scoops is the recommended serving. Each scoop is equivalent to 1,000 mg or half a teaspoon.

Another thing that I really like about the Zenapet supplement is its 30-day money-back guarantee. You’re entitled to a full refund if you’re not happy with the results. For me, that’s an excellent guarantee for the price.

Pros
  • Packed with natural ingredients
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Servings are small for easy blending
Cons
  • It’s not the most convenient supplement to give to your dog, but it provides good results.

Rx Vitamins for Pets Onco Support

best vitamins for Golden Retrievers

Another powder supplement I recommend is the Rx Vitamins for Pets Onco Support. This is formulated for both cats and dogs, with my Golden Retrievers reaping the benefits.

The Rx Vitamins Onco Support is a blend of botanicals and nutraceuticals that boost your dog’s immune system. It contains L-glutamine, kelp powder, nutritional yeast, L-arginine, green tea extract, and spirulina. This is also blended with probiotics, Vitamins A, D, and E.

Moreover, this is an excellent supplement for canines recovering from metabolic problems and chronic diseases. The formula is vegetarian, so there’s a lower risk of your dog suffering from allergic reactions. It’s also made especially for canines with compromised immune systems.

Each tub contains 300 grams of hypoallergenic, potent, and innovative immune adjuvant. It’s also formulated by Robert J. Silver, a practicing veterinarian for more than 30 years. This speaks volumes about the safety and efficacy of this vitamin supplement in keeping your Goldie healthy.

One scoop is the ideal dosage per day, which you can add to your dog’s food by mixing it with some warm water. Each tub lasts for about a month of daily serving.

One of my friends who have a dog with cancer swears by this supplement. But as with any supplement, you should still ask the approval of your pet’s vet first.

Pros
  • A complex blend of botanical and nutraceutical
  • Made to boost dogs’ immune system
  • Perfect for dogs recovering from serious illnesses
Cons
  • Not yet proven safe for pregnant dogs

Pet-Tabs Plus Vitamin Supplement For Dogs

The Pet-Tabs Plus is made with the right balance of vitamins and minerals. It’s an excellent source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and chloride. It’s also rich in Vitamins A, B, D, and E, among others.

I recommend this supplement if your Golden Retriever is suffering from a dull and brittle coat. Aside from the mentioned nutrients, these vitamin tablets also provide your dog a dose of choline and folic acid that help boost your pet’s coat health.

When it comes to dosaging, one tablet a day is suitable for dogs weighing 10 lbs. and above. For smaller pups, you can give half a tablet per day.

Another thing I like about these vitamin tablets is their meat-flavored base. It’s easier to sneak into a soft chew treat or in your dog’s meals. It seems to have improved by Goldie’s appetite as well. But if your dog is really good at spotting tablets, you can crush it and sprinkle it all over your dog’s kibble.

For a 180-count jar, I’m quite happy with its price. This is one of the cheapest dog vitamins I ever bought. And since it’s a trademarked product of Pfizer Animal Health, I have peace of mind that this supplement is safe.

Some pet owners say that the current formula isn’t like the old one, but I haven’t noticed any major changes over the years.

Pros
  • 180-count jar for a low price
  • Meat-flavored base
  • Manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health
Cons
  • It can be challenging to give to your dog since it’s in tablet form.

NaturVet VitaPet Adult Dog Daily Vitamins

If your Golden Retriever loves chewable treats, the NaturVet VitaPet Daily Vitamins might be the supplement you’re looking for. Each jar contains 365 time-release chewable tablets that increase absorption and nourishment. This minimizes wastes on every tablet taken by your dog.

Moreover, this canine supplement is packed with all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs. It has the right amount of calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and more. This is also blended with Vitamins A, B-complex, and D.

For dogs over 10 lbs. you can give 1 to 2 tablets a day based on the veterinarian’s advice. Meanwhile, dogs recovering from an illness should only be given one tablet daily. Just remember that this is formulated for dogs over a year old.

Aside from that, this canine supplement is NASC and cGMP-compliant to guarantee the quality of each tablet. It’s also manufactured in the United States.

For this price range, the NaturVet VitaPet is already a steal. It contains enough doses for an entire year, which is a big money-saver, especially for those with multiple Golden Retrievers like me.

Unlike typical tablet vitamins, this is easier to give to dogs because of the palatable flavor. Some dogs also consider it as a treat, which makes feeding a total breeze. This is a big relief because the tablets are pretty large and hard to hide, especially for finicky Goldies.

Pros
  • Time-release tablets for better absorption
  • Very affordable canine vitamins
  • Veterinarian-recommended
Cons
  • You have to be careful in storing the jar as the tablets tend to crumble.

Wholistic Pet Organics Ester-C Powder Supplement

Is your Golden Retriever suffering from a nasty allergy? If that’s the case, you should consider giving him the Wholistic Pet Organics Ester-C Powder Supplement. This is a non-acidic form of Vitamin C made with pure calcium ascorbate concentrate. With this form, the supplement remains easy on the stomach and is faster to absorb.

Moreover, this supplement provides a powerful antioxidant that will help counter the irritation brought by allergic reactions, UTI, and coat problems. It also removes free radicals on your dog’s body to boost its immune system.

Whether it’s for your puppy or senior Golden Retriever, this Ester-C powder supplement is a good choice. You can easily add this to your dog’s food. For dogs weighing 31 lbs. to 60 lbs., the ideal dosage is just half a teaspoon. Meanwhile, for bigger dogs, the maximum dosage is ¾ teaspoon.

For Goldies weighing 60 lbs., each 1-pound jar will last for 227 days. That will save you a lot of money, even if the upfront cost is much higher than most.

Unlike basic vitamin C, this patented formula is 4 times more readily available once ingested. It’s also chondroprotective, which helps delay your Goldie’s cartilage deterioration.

Aside from the 1-pound jar, you can also buy this in small amounts of 3 and 6 ounces to see if your dog will thrive on it. Overall, this is NASC-reviewed, tested, and label compliant for your peace of mind.

Pros
  • Non-acidic Vitamin C that’s gentle on the stomach
  • Multifunctional Vitamin C
  • 4x more bioavailable than basic ascorbic acid
Cons
  • It’s a bit messy to feed.

MOKAI Daily Multivitamins for Dogs

My last pick for this list is the MOKAI Daily Multivitamins for Dogs. This is a vitamin that doubles as a treat, which makes it very easy to feed to your Golden Retriever. It’s packed with Vitamins A, B12, D3, and E, as well as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. This is also a healthy source of iodine, iron, and magnesium.

Moreover, the MOKAI Multivitamins is a broad-spectrum supplement that boosts your dog’s coat, nervous system, muscle growth, metabolism, and more. The best part is that your dog will think that he’s eating bacon!

Aside from that, this is an excellent vitamin if your Golden Retriever has a sensitive tummy. It promotes better digestion to reduce diarrhea, vomiting, and similar problems.

When it comes to ingredients, this soft chew has dried chicken liver, cane molasses, soybean oil, bacon flavor, and more. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals that most dogs need.

Each jar contains 180 soft chews that can last for 90 days. An adult Golden Retriever can be fed two chews a day based on its needs.

Just be careful in handling and storing this vitamin as the chews tend to crumble if you happened to shake the jar too much.

Pros
  • Bacon-flavored dog vitamin
  • Broad-spectrum supplement
  • Each jar comes with 180 chews
Cons
  • You have to be careful because the soft chews are crumbly and dry fast if you don’t seal the lid well.

How to choose the best vitamins for Golden Retrievers

There are many canine supplements in the market, that finding the best one can be challenging. To help you narrow down your options, you should consider the following aspects:

✔️Consider your dog’s needs        

The first thing you should think about is your dog’s needs. Each Golden Retriever is different, and so are their nutritional requirements.

The only way to know if your dog has deficiencies is by visiting the veterinarian. Your dog’s vet will advise about your pet’s additional nutritional needs and what supplement it needs.

Remember that canine supplements are made of different ingredients and deliver varying benefits. You should never buy a supplement blindly without knowing how it works and how it will affect your dog. Always listen to your dog’s vet when picking a canine supplement.

Aside from that, you should consider your dog’s age. Many vitamin supplements in the market are formulated for canines that are older than 6 months old. Others stretch it at exactly a year of age. This is to prevent vitamin and mineral overdose.

Nevertheless, many pet owners opt for an all-life stages formula to skip the guesswork. You just have to mind the dosage based on your dog’s weight.

✔️Choose the right form

Canine supplements are available in soft chews, tablets, and powder form. There are liquid options, but it’s not a common option among pet owners.

Of all the forms, soft chews are the most convenient option. It’s formulated like a treat, which makes feeding effortless. Your dog won’t even know it’s consuming a supplement. However, soft chews need to be stored properly to prevent crumbling, drying, and formation of molds.

On the other hand, there are tablet supplements for dogs. The biggest benefit here is that you no longer have to guess about the dosage. Also, tablets are less prone to crumbling than soft chews.

But if it’s not palatable, it will be challenging to give it to your Golden Retriever. And if you have a finicky canine, you have to come up with gimmicks just to hide the tablet.

Lastly, you can consider powder supplements. These are made as a food additive, in case you find it hard to administer tablet supplements. It’s as effective as soft chews and tablets, but it tends to get a little messy.

✔️Check the benefits

It’s very important that you know the benefits the supplement provides. This will let you know if the supplement is the right match for your dog’s needs.

If you’re looking for a maintenance supplement, a broad-spectrum formula is a good choice. It’s formulated with vitamins and minerals based on a dog’s daily requirements. This will help boost coat, heart, kidney, brain, and joint health.

Meanwhile, if your dog needs something to boost its immune system, a Vitamin C supplement might be a good choice. It also helps canines recovering from illnesses without a long list of vitamins and minerals. These supplements are easier on the stomach and faster to absorb.

In addition, senior and aging Golden Retrievers will benefit a lot from supplements infused with chondroitin and glucosamine. These are proven to slow down the deterioration of joint cartilage among humans and animals.

✔️Read the label

Whatever product you’re buying for your Golden Retriever, you should make it a habit to read the label. This way, you’ll know the ingredients, feeding instructions, and warnings.

Aside from that, the canine supplement should be label compliant. Three should be a complete breakdown of nutritional value, company name and contact info, ingredients, and other pertinent information. If any of these are missing, disregard the product and look somewhere else.

✔️Research the ingredients

When it comes to my Goldie’s vitamins, I always look for natural ingredients. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions.

Remember that each supplement is made with different ingredients. I suggest doing a little research to know how the ingredients work and how it benefits your pet.

Overall, a dog’s nutrition is a vast topic. But to give you an idea, the following are some of the key nutrients a Goldie needs to stay healthy:

  • Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B-complex
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Iron
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin
  • Folic acid

Remember that all of these nutrients must be given in proper amounts. As the old saying goes, too much of anything isn’t healthy.

✔️Consider the flavor

If you’re getting soft chew supplements, make sure that it has an appealing flavor. This way, your dog will think of the vitamin as a treat instead of a medication. This will make feeding much easier, especially if you have a picky dog.

✔️Look for a product lot number

A lot number is a code assigned to a batch of products. With that, a supplement with a lot number means it has undergone quality control procedures. This also means that the manufacturer is monitoring the movement of the product, so it can be pulled out of the market even before it reaches the end of its shelf life.

✔️Don’t believe outrageous claims

Always keep in mind that supplements are only meant to augment the deficiency on your dog’s diet. It’s not a medication or cure of any form. If canine supplement sellers make too-good-to-be-true promises, you should consider looking for another product. These claims are often unfounded and can potentially pose harm to some dogs.

✔️Consider the brand

While the brand alone isn’t solid proof of a supplement’s efficacy, it’s worth considering established options. Big brands often have a network of laboratories, advanced manufacturing facilities, and experts that guarantee the efficacy of the vitamins.

Also, you should check the brand’s expertise. As much as possible, look for canine vitamins made by pet brands. Some of the brands I swear by are Zesty Paws, PetHonesty, NaturVet, and more. These brands are also tried and tested by thousands of dog owners around the world.

✔️Look for a money-back guarantee

When it comes to dog vitamins, I try to look for a money-back guarantee for two reasons. First, it allows me to get a full refund if the product didn’t work for my dogs. Second, the fact that the brand is willing to refund your purchase says a lot about their confidence in their products.

While this isn’t absolute, most products that offer a no-questions-asked guarantee are those who are experts in the pet industry.


Tips in giving vitamins to your Golden Retriever

Is your Goldie picky when it comes to vitamins? If the vet recommended a tablet or pill form, the following hacks would help trick your dog into taking the supplement:

  • Mix it with food. Mixing the supplement to your dog’s food is the most convenient and easiest way to feed it to him. Just make sure that your Goldie can’t separate the tablet or pill from the kibble or wet food.
  • Slather it with peanut butter. Another trick pet owners recommend is covering the vitamins with peanut butter. This will mask the undesirable taste of the pill or tablet.
  • Place it inside a strawberry. If there’s one trick that I swear by, it would be pressing the pill or tablet inside a strawberry. This works every single time with my Golden Retriever, who’s quite obsessed with strawberries.
  • Conceal it in a piece of cheese. If your dog isn’t a big fan of fruits, a thick slice of cheese might do the trick. However, make sure that it won’t be a choking hazard.
  • Bait and switch. You can trick your dog into taking the supplement by giving it a few treats in a row then tossing the pill at a constant speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What vitamins are bad for dogs?

A: While vitamins and minerals are often regarded as beneficial for canines, there are some that you have to be careful with. You should always watch out for the iron, calcium, and Vitamin D consumption of your Golden Retriever as too much can become poisonous.

Q: How can I boost my dog’s immune system?

A: Aside from giving healthy meals, you can boost your dog’s immune system with the help of vitamin supplements. These products are made to provide an added dose of nutrition that will fill the nutritional gaps in your dog’s diet. Just make sure that it matches your dog’s needs.

Q: What causes a weak immune system in dogs?

A:  Infections, health problems, and poor diet weaken your dog’s immune system. This is why it’s very important to provide a complete and balanced diet. Many pet owners also swear by a vitamin supplement to give their pets an added dose of nutrition.

Q: Is Vitamin D good for dogs?

A: Both dogs and humans need Vitamin D for good health. However, you shouldn’t give your dog too much, especially in the form of a supplement. Excessive Vitamin D consumption can lead to joint issues, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive drooling, and poisoning.

Q: Can I give my dog human fish oil as a supplement?

A: Most human-grade fish oils are safe for dogs, but you should always mind the serving. If your dog starts to vomit or have diarrhea, you should stop giving fish oil right away. You should also consult with your pet’s veterinarian to know if your dog has an allergy to the supplement.


Final words

The best vitamins for Golden Retrievers will help keep your dog safe from infections and various illnesses. However, it’s very important to choose the right supplement that matches your dog’s needs. Always listen to the vet instead of purchasing a supplement without professional advice.

About Tom Thorpe

Tom Thorpe has overtime interacted with different species of dogs mostly through breeding and training; according to him, man’s best friend is yet to find solace in the company of man, as they are continuously mistreated. He, therefore, runs a rescue center that provides shelter to stray dogs, and has been advocating for the rights of animals; the Golden Retriever dogs are among his favorites, the reason he came up with the extensive excerpts to help educate the society on the right treatment and care of the respective breed. Tom spends most of his time running his dog shelter; he is a husband and proud father of two boys and loves to go fishing during his free time.

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