Does My Dog Need a Multivitamin? A UK Guide

Walk down any pet shop aisle and you will see shelves of vitamins for dogs. But does your dog actually need one? The honest answer is: it depends. This guide explains what a complete dog food already provides, when a multivitamin can be a sensible addition, how to choose one safely, and why more is not always better.

What a complete dog food already provides

In the UK, a dog food labelled complete is made to provide all the nutrients a healthy dog needs when fed as the main diet. If your dog eats a good-quality complete food in the right amount, they are already getting their essential vitamins and minerals. A multivitamin is a supplement to that, not a replacement for it.

When a multivitamin can make sense

• Fussy eaters who often leave part of their meal.
• Dogs on home-prepared diets, which can easily miss nutrients. Ask your vet or a qualified pet nutritionist to check the recipe.
• Older dogs, whose owners often like the reassurance of an all-in-one daily chew.
• Owners who want one simple routine rather than several separate supplements.

More is not always better

Some vitamins, especially vitamins A and D, are stored in the body. Giving several supplements that contain them, or giving more than the feeding guide says, can lead to too much building up. That is why we recommend:

• Give only one multivitamin at a time.
• Do not combine a multivitamin with other vitamin supplements unless your vet advises it.
• Follow the feeding guide for your dog's weight.
• Keep supplements out of reach, as dogs can eat a whole tub if they find it.

How to choose a dog multivitamin

• A full ingredients list with amounts. You should be able to see what is in each serving.
• A feeding guide by weight in kilograms.
• Useful extras that suit your dog. Some multivitamins add omega-3 for skin and coat, glucosamine for joints, or probiotics for digestion.
• Allergy information. Fish, dairy and shellfish ingredients are common.
• Quality manufacturing. Look for products made in a facility certified to standards such as GMP and ISO 9001.
• Honest claims. A multivitamin supports everyday health. It does not treat illness.

When to speak to your vet

If your dog has lost weight, has a dull coat, seems tired, has stopped eating well or has any health condition, see your vet before adding supplements. These signs can have many causes, and your vet can recommend what your dog really needs.

Our multivitamin chews

Lakshio 25-in-1 multivitamin chews for dogs combine B vitamins, vitamins C and E, zinc and manganese with wild Alaskan salmon oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and a 5-strain probiotic blend. Each 300 g tub holds 120 soft chews, they are made in a GMP and ISO 9001:2015-certified facility, and UK delivery is free. See our multivitamins for dogs page.

This guide is general information for dog owners and is not veterinary advice.