Dietary supplements for dogs and cats in table form
Important general information
- Blood values and organ function (liver/kidney) should be monitored during long-term administration.
- Consider total intake:
- Do not “double up” on vitamins, trace elements, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, or selenium (food + supplements + snacks).
- Note drug interactions:
- e.g., Omega-3 and coagulation, herbal extracts and liver metabolism, tryptophan and SSRI/MAO inhibitors.
1. Dietary supplements for joints and the musculoskeletal system
Joint pain (osteoarthritis, HD, spondylosis, etc.)
Active ingredient / preparation | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) | approx. 50–100 mg EPA+DHA/kg BW/day (osteoarthritis, CKD, heart) | approx. 30–60 mg EPA+DHA/kg BW/day | Calculate total amount of EPA+DHA, not oil quantity; use caution with coagulation disorders/surgeries. |
Glucosamine | approx. 10–20 mg/kg BW/day | approx. 10–20 mg/kg BW/day | Often in combination with chondroitin; introduce gradually in case of GI sensitivity. |
Chondroitin sulfate | approx. 5–15 mg/kg BW/day | approx. 5–15 mg/kg BW/day | Frequently in fixed combination preparations, follow manufacturer’s instructions. |
Green-lipped mussel (powder extract) | roughly 20–50 mg/kg BW/day (depending on extract) | roughly 20–50 mg/kg BW/day | Extract content varies greatly → manufacturer’s dosage is decisive. |
MSM | approx. 50–100 mg/kg BW/day | approx. 30–50 mg/kg BW/day | Increase slowly; check gastrointestinal tolerance. |
2. Dietary supplements for skin and coat
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
Omega-3/6 (skin) | similar to above: 30–70 mg EPA+DHA/kg BW/day | 20–50 mg EPA+DHA/kg BW/day | Latency of effect 4–8 weeks; ensure protection against oxidation. |
Biotin | approx. 0.02–0.05 mg/kg BW/day (1–5 mg/day for a medium-sized dog) | approx. 0.01–0.03 mg/kg BW/day | Mostly in combination preparations; very safe range. |
Zinc | approx. 1–2 mg/kg BW/day (total from food + supplement) | approx. 0.5–1 mg/kg BW/day | Do not overdose long-term (monitor copper/blood count with high doses). |
3. Dietary supplements for stomach, intestines, and intestinal flora
(Probiotics are usually dosed “per animal”, not mg/kg.)
Active ingredient / group | Example dog | Example cat | Notes |
Enterococcus faecium (e.g., 10⁸–10⁹ CFU) | often 1–2 ×/day according to preparation | often 1–2 ×/day according to preparation | Choose a veterinary preparation; note the germ count per dose. |
Psyllium husks | approx. 0.1–0.5 g/10 kg BW, 1–2 ×/day | approx. 0.1–0.25 g/cat, 1–2 ×/day | Always with plenty of water; introduce slowly due to flatulence. |
Inulin / FOS | roughly 0.1–0.5 g/10 kg BW/day | roughly 0.05–0.2 g/cat/day | In combination products, doses too high → diarrhea/flatulence. |
4. Dietary supplements for the liver
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
SAMe | approx. 18–20 mg/kg BW/day (often 1 ×/day) | approx. 18–20 mg/kg BW/day | Give on an empty stomach, do not split/crush tablets (note enteric coating). |
Silymarin (milk thistle extract) | approx. 10–20 mg/kg BW/day | approx. 5–10 mg/kg BW/day | Bioavailability varies by extract; often combination preparations with SAMe. |
Vitamin E | approx. 5–10 IU/kg BW/day (for liver/oxidative stress) | approx. 5–10 IU/kg BW/day | Note total intake including food (fat-soluble!). |
5. Dietary supplements for the kidney
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes | |
Phosphate binder (Ca-containing) | roughly 30–100 mg elemental Ca/kg BW/day, divided among meals | similar, 30–100 mg Ca/kg BW/day | Dosage strictly according to phosphate levels and diet; overdose → hypercalcemia, constipation. | |
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | as above: 50–100 mg/kg BW/day | 30–60 mg/kg BW/day | Particularly discussed for proteinuric CKD patients. | |
B-complex | depending on preparation, often 1 ×/day according to manufacturer | 1 ×/day according to manufacturer | Water-soluble, excess is excreted, but monitor kidney status. | |
6. Dietary supplements for the heart
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
Taurine | approx. 50–100 mg/kg BW/day (sometimes 2–3 ×/day) | approx. 50–100 mg/kg BW/day (max. 250–500 mg/cat/day, depending on source) | Particularly for DCM (breed-specific) and feline cardiomyopathies; monitoring levels is useful. |
L-Carnitine | approx. 50–100 mg/kg BW/day (often 2–3 ×/day) | approx. 50–100 mg/kg BW/day | In DCM cases, geriatric patients with muscle weakness. |
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | 50–100 mg/kg BW/day | 30–60 mg/kg BW/day | Caution with anticoagulant therapy. |
7. Dietary supplements for seniors
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
Phosphatidylserine | approx. 1–5 mg/kg BW/day | approx. 1–3 mg/kg BW/day | Mostly in “senior” combination products. |
L-Carnitine | see heart above | see heart above | Can be useful for geriatric muscle weakness & performance decline. |
Antioxidants (Vit. E/C, selenium) | Manufacturer’s instructions; usually fixed combinations for weight ranges | Manufacturer’s instructions | Note total intake from food + supplement; selenium can become toxic. |
8. Dietary supplements for stress and anxiety
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
L-Tryptophan | approx. 20–50 mg/kg BW/day | approx. 15–30 mg/kg BW/day | Delayed effect; do not combine uncritically with serotonergic medications. |
Alpha-casozepine | approx. 10–15 mg/kg BW/day (depending on preparation) | similar; usually fixed capsule/tablet strengths | As a supplement to behavioral therapy, especially for mild to moderate anxiety. |
9. Dietary supplements for young animals, BARF, and home-cooked diets
- Young animals / BARF / Home-cooked
Active ingredient | Dog – typical range | Cat – typical range | Notes |
Calcium (total) | Puppy: approx. 100–200 mg Ca/kg BW/day (depending on breed/growth phase, incl. food) | Kitten: approx. 120–240 mg Ca/kg BW/day (incl. food) | Only based on a calculated ration; incorrect Ca/P ratio → massive skeletal problems. |
Vitamin D | very narrow therapeutic window → only via complete supplements / calculated rations | likewise | Avoid independent high dosing (risk of hypercalcemia). |
Complete mineral/vitamin supplements | usually dosed “per kg of food”/”per animal” | likewise | Strictly adhere to manufacturer’s ration guidelines. |
10. Cat-specific
- Cat-specific (General)
Active ingredient | Cat – typical range | Notes |
Taurine (maintenance requirement) | for home-cooked/BARF: often 250–500 mg/cat/day | Better to divide into several portions; industrial food already contains taurine. |
GAGs (bladder preparations) | often flat rate 1–2 ×/day per cat according to preparation | Exact mg/kg details depending on product; as long-term support for FIC/FLUTD. |
Malt paste/fiber | usually 2–5 cm paste/day, or 0.5–1 g fiber/day | Too much → diarrhea; always investigate further in case of chronic vomiting. |