Looking for the best supplements for German Shepherds?
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Supplements
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The top 5 supplements for German Shepherds
- How to pick supplements for German Shepherds
- The differences in supplements
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to read our in-depth buying guide to choosing the best German Shepherd supplements.
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Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Pet Hemp Oil For Dogs Anti Anxiety and Pain Relief
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| View on Amazon |
Best high-End  | Best high-End | Super Snouts Joint Power
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Purina FortiFlora Probiotics Supplements
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| View on Amazon |
 | Dogzymes Probiotic Max
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Wholistic Pet Organics Colostrum For Dogs
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On January 11, 2022
Charlie And Buddy Pet Hemp Oil is fast-acting for dogs and has the desired effect on your German Shepherd quickly.
Amongst the products within this review, we found this supplement to offer the most effective pain relief in the least amount of time.
Pet Hemp oil uses cannabidiol (CBD) to lower the level of stress and anxiety by changing the response to serotonin.
This can kick in as soon as 45 minutes leaving your dog calm and relaxed for a good night’s sleep.
The product contains vitamin E and Omega 3,6 and 9 which will help boost your doggo’s health.
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Our Top 5 Best Supplements for German Shepherds
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 German Shepherd supplements. Keep reading to discover more about our top picks!
What are supplements for German Shepherds?
Dog supplements are nutritional feed used alongside other food for the purpose of improving the nutritive performance or balance of the total nutrition. Supplements are intended to be either:
- Fed in its pure form and added to the dog’s current diet.
- Diluted and added to fat, carbohydrates, or meat component to provide your pet’s meal.
- Freely offered to the German Shepherd with separately available other parts of the ration.
Supplements help prevent, treat or mitigate canine diseases. Genuine supplements for nutrition are often fat, vitamin, and mineral supplements.
When you supplement an already balanced, complete meal, there is a risk of exceeding certain nutrients’ upper limits. Fat supplements don’t carry these risks as much. However, if used excessively, they can have undesirable effects, with weight gain at the top of the list.
Does a German Shepherd really need supplements?
Often, pet nutritional supplements are fat or vitamin and mineral supplements.
When it comes to supplements, the first question to ask yourself is whether you are already feeding your dog a balanced and complete diet appropriate to their stage in life or not.
In order to incorporate supplemental nutrition effectively, you need to know the nutrient-content baseline in a German Shepherd’s regular diet.
Find out what the level of supplement nutrients will be and the safe levels for specified nutrients.
This prevents exceeding the upper limits of nutritional intake, which can lead to toxicity.
What Are The Different Types Of Dog Supplements For German Shepherds?
In the United States, many German Shepherds are given one type of supplementation or another.
Ranging from joint stiffness and arthritis to coat care, digestion, and heart health.
Here is the list of the supplements your German Shepherd will benefit from:
- Probiotics
- Antioxidants
- Fish Oil
- Glucosamine
Probiotics
It is not surprising that probiotics for dogs have gained in popularity alongside the increase in human probiotic use.
These live in the body naturally in the form of live bacteria that aid with intestine health and digestion and other times in the form of yeast.
Probiotic supplements are useful for treating digestive problems such as diarrhea.
They come in several forms including dog food formulations, powders, chews, capsules, and yogurt.
Antioxidants
For German Shepherds, antioxidants counteract aging effects including cognitive dysfunction and memory loss.
These supplements are also used for reducing inflammation and treating dog heart disease.
For example, CoQ10 is one powerful, a natural antioxidant that fights free radicals and converts food into energy. Antioxidants are also found in vitamins E and C.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is also another supplement given that helps German Shepherds with skin allergies and sensitivities.
They contain fatty acid Omega 3 which alleviates the allergy and improves the quality of the coat.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a popular supplement for German Shepherds with arthritis that’s used to stimulate cartilage and thicken synovial fluid.
Slowing the progression of arthritis reduces discomfort and stiffness in dogs.
According to the 2007 study from the Veterinary Journal, improvement can be noticed within 70 days of treatment.
What To Look For In High-Quality Supplements For German Shepherds
Supplements for German Shepherds need to be:
- Antioxidative
- Good For Joint Health
- Gut-Friendly
- Age-Specific
Antioxidative
To slow down your German Shepherd’s aging process, make sure his supplements contain antioxidants.
Antioxidants are nutrients found in dog food that protect the body from free radicals.
Free radicals are oxygen molecules that have an uneven number of electrons that when imbalanced lead to cognitive decline.
This can damage proteins in the body, fats in the body, the reproduction system and lead to dysfunctions and death.
Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage to the brain and are commonly found in food containing Vitamins E and C.
Good For Joint Health
German Shepherds have rapidly-growing bones that begin to decay when they reach old age resulting in joint pains.
Glucosamine and chondroitin (used in joint supplements) are commonly recommended by vets for dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or injury.
This can be taken orally in the form of flavored tablets, pills, powders, and liquids. Aimed at stimulating cartilage repair, these sulfates work to reduce the inflammatory of bones within the affected area.
You should see results from as soon as 2 weeks time when using an effective product.
Note, In the U.S. these types of supplements are not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration.
Gut-Friendly
Probiotics are needed for a gut biome that is truly healthy. A balanced gut biome results in physical wellness as well as proper nutrient absorption.
Age-Specific
Senior supplements offer increased protein diets to older dogs that contain Vitamin B complex, including Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12.
On the flip side, growth supplements contain more proteins, calories, and fats that are essential to the healthy muscle and bone development of puppies.
Both are curated for the best stages of a dog’s life and promise to reduce inflammation or encourage healthy development.
Our Reviews Of The Best Supplements For German Shepherds
Pick #1: Charlie And Buddy Pet Hemp Oil For Dogs Anti Anxiety and Pain Relief
Hemp Oil enhances clarity and focus. This unique product causes relaxation, soothes nerves, and encourages deep sleep at night.
The anti-inflammatory properties of hemp oil soothe discomfort for German Shepherds in pain.
Pet hemp oil provides good sleep, relieves pain, and fights stress.
Organically grown in the United States, this supplement helps German Shepherds to sleep better and deeper. Many users have reported a healthier-looking coat with long-term use too.
This natural supplement causes a reduction in anxiety, pain, inflammation, and arthritis.
Pros
- Resulted in a 15-year old finally going outside again
- Fast acting
- Reduces hyperactivity
Cons
- No change in behavior for some dogs
Pick #2: Super Snouts Joint Power
Super Snouts Joint Power contains one hundred percent green-lipped mussels for dogs.
Supporting the growth of tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Also containing polysaccharide GAGS or Glycosaminoglycan to repair joint tissue.
This supplement exerts strong action against connective tissue inflammation. GAGS provides tensile strength, elasticity, and flexibility to cartilage.
In fact, the amount of GAGS directly relates to how severe a dog’s arthritis is.
Glycosaminoglycans contain chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, and heparin sulfate.
Each active ingredient results in joint replenishment, continuous self-repair, and lubricating properties.
Pros
- Improved arthritis in 2 weeks
- Can be added to food
- Leaves healthy looking coat
Cons
- Many buyers reported skin and vomiting side effects
Pick #3: Purina FortiFlora Probiotics Supplements
ProPlan Veterinary Supplements by Purina go through a proprietary microencapsulation process for greater stability.
These supplements contain probiotics that help reduce flatulence and promote normal microflora in the intestines.
Purina aims at helping German Shepherds with diarrhea.
The probiotic content in this product has been recommended by veterinarians. One box contains thirty supplements your GSD can ingest daily.
Pros
- Got rid of tear and mouth bacterial stains
- Rid diarrhea
- Dog no longer has soft stools after using
Cons
- Contains salt
Pick #4: Dogzymes Probiotic Max
Dogzymes Probiotic Max helps soothe an overactive immune system.
This product contains ten different enzymes and eight strains of specialized bacteria beneficial to the gut health of German Shepherds.
Probiotics maintain a desirable balance in his intestinal microbes. A healthy canine naturally balances digestive microbes.
German shepherds have microorganisms that live in their digestive tract resulting in the need for probiotics.
Probiotics help perform tasks such as fighting off pathogens, creating vitamins and nutrients, and helping break down dog food in the gut.
Dogzymes Probiotic Max contains all the benefits of digestive enhances and then some. The company has taken enzymes and probiotics specific to dogs to a maximum level.
Each tub contains eight strains of beneficial specialized bacteria and ten varying enzymes so that your GSD gets 6.8billion per gram of colony-forming units.
This will help your doggo rid himself of pathogens trying to invade his body and help soothe his immune system when it is on overdrive.
Pros
- Dog now has normal shedding
- Rid of yeast infection
- Nice cheese aroma (if you're a cheese lover)
Cons
- Becomes clumpy and damp in high climates
Pick #5: Wholistic Pet Organics Colostrum For Dogs
Colostrum, found in mothers’ first made milk, is a vital supplement. This supplement strengthens newborns’ system of immunity.
The reason that colostrum strengthens immunity is that it contains proteins, enzymes, and amino acids.
The colostrum content here comes from cows. It will help your German Shepherd recover quickly from injury, illness, or stress. It also helps to fight against common sicknesses.
Colostrum Powder by Wholistic offers recovery support and boosts your immune system.
This supplement fixes leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, improves the natural flora of your gut, aids in skin wound healing, and helps fight against allergy symptoms.
With a high absorption rate this supplement is easy to digest and can easily be mixed into food.
This ensures high levels of antibodies for natural support of your German Shepherd’s immune system.
Pros
- Noticeable results in just 3 weeks
- Remarkable improvement in the dog's skin
Cons
- Caused lethargy in some dogs
- Didn't work for some dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my German Shepherd take supplements?
If you’re feeding a dog properly and he is healthy then don’t waste your money on supplements.
Dogs that suffer from chronic conditions such as digestive problems, skin problems, or joint pain may benefit from taking supplements.
In short, supplements are for dogs with injuries, pains, or in need of higher protein diets.
In particular, dogs that eat a homemade diet that may not have all the necessary minerals and vitamins that can be substituted in supplements.
Can I give my own Human supplements to my German Shepherd?
The dietary supplementation for humans is very different from animal feed supplements.
These should not be interchanged at any time. Supplements made for humans are not designed for your German Shepherd.
Are supplements worth the money if my GSD already eats a balanced diet?
When your German Shepherd has a specific need, giving him extra supplements helps him live an active, healthy, and happy lifestyle.
Most German Shepherds won’t need supplementation until they are seniors. On the other hand, some younger pups may need them due to genetic factors.
How Do I Know Which Supplements To Administer To My GSD?
To know which supplements to administer to your GSD, first find out what his normal diet already contains.
What are the baseline nutrients in the dog food ingredients? You can then check to see what he is not getting and supplement based on this.
All in all, it is best to consult a veterinarian about supplementing your dog’s diet.
Is it possible to overdose on supplements?
When you add supplements to a balanced, complete diet, this risks exceeding certain nutrients’ upper limits.
For example, Vitamin D is one nutrient that dogs need but when given in excess, can be toxic to dogs. Another example is selenium, which can be toxic to dogs when used in excess.
Our Top Pick: Pet Hemp Oil For Dogs Anti Anxiety and Pain Relief
Our Top Pick is the Charlie And Buddy Pet Hemp Oil for dogs and pain Relief.
German Shepherds are prone to stress whether it is from traveling, moving home, or other stressors.
You can use Charlie And Buddy Pet Hemp Oil as a way to relieve your GSD’s anxiety and bring him back to his normal positive temperament.
Ingredients for this hemp oil also include Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Omega 6, and Omega 3.
Final Thoughts On Supplements For German Shepherds
Remember to always consult your veterinarian before you administer supplements to your doggo.
Your vet may check to see if your pet has generic or underlying conditions that need special supplemental attention.
Till then, check out our curated list of supplements for German Shepherds above!
