Like humans, sometimes dogs’ immune systems need a boost to fight off allergies and inflammation. Besides exercise and eating a healthy diet, immune system vitamins are an excellent option to help support your doggie’s health.
The essentials
- Dogs suffer from allergies, too. Whether it’s seasonal, skin, food, flea, or environmental allergies, some vitamins help with specific issues or a multitude, so make sure to read the label to make sure it’s the right fit.
- Look for these common ingredients. According to our vets, vitamin ingredients for a healthy immune system should contain antioxidants, all-natural immune boosters, mushrooms, vitamin A, and vitamin E.
- Dog vitamin ingredients aren’t regulated by the FDA. Use caution when choosing vitamins and when in doubt, consult your vet.
6 vitamins to support your dog’s immune system
Our favorite immune vitamins for dogs, reviewed
Immune system booster
Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Supplement
What we love: These vitamins are full of nutritional boosting ingredients for your dog, including antioxidants, fiber, and protein. They also contain prebiotics and probiotics for extra digestive support.
What customers say: These immunity-building vitamins are a customer favorite! Many users noted a difference in their dog’s coats after using these vitamins. Some doggies also experienced less itching, scratching, and licking.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Colostrum (Bovine), Dried Fermentate (Made Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (EpiCor®), Apple Cider Vinegar, Salmon Oil, Astragalus Root, 5-Strain Gut Health Blend (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis).
Organic, veterinarian-recommended pills
Native Pet Allergy Immunity for Dogs
What we love: These vitamins are made using only 9-ingredients to provide both immune and gut support. Even better, they’re made with over 80% chicken and have a cranberry flavor your dogs will love. But, if your dog has a poultry allergy, you may want to avoid this option.
What customers say: These vitamins currently have a 4.3 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, with over half of the reviews awarding it 5-stars. Many reviewers mention their dogs love these soft and tasty vitamins. Owners are happy to see their pets finding relief from their allergy symptoms after repeated use. Customers also love the natural ingredients in these chews, which is why one pet parent chose these over other options.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No
Ingredients: Spirulina, dried fermentate, colostrum, B. coagulans, real chicken, chicken bone broth, organic coconut glycerin, dried whole krill, and natural tocopherols.
Relieves allergy related symptoms
Premium Care Aller-Immune Chews
What we love: These soft chews pack a punch. With natural ingredients like bee pollen and vitamin C, they help reduce seasonal, skin, and food allergies — all while improving your dog’s immune system. We love that they also help support the growth of your dog’s muscles, bones, and nerve tissue to keep your furry friend in good health.
What customers say: Customers on Amazon highly recommended these vitamins, with a 4.1-star rating from a total of over 4,800 reviews. Reviewers say these chews have reduced their dogs’ seasonal allergies symptoms and helped stop itching and irritated skin due to sensitivities. One customer said even after the 3rd day, they could see a difference in their dog’s itching.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No
Ingredients: Bee pollen, kelp, vitamin C, organic licorice root, and colostrum.
👉 Avoid licorice root if your dog has heart disease, kidney disease, and blood pressure issues.
High-quality product pets love
PetHonesty Allergy Support Supplement for Dogs
What we love: Not only do these vitamins help your dog fight off seasonal and skin allergies and provide digestion support, but with long-term use, they help your dog’s immune system learn to fight off allergens resulting in fewer reactions in the future. Dogs will also enjoy the peanut butter flavoring that adds a delicious taste on top of the vitamin’s long list of health benefits.
What customers say: Over half of the 24,060 ratings on Amazon give this product a perfect 5-star rating. Customers shared these helped their dog’s skin flare-ups that resulted from seasonal or environmental allergies. Many people also like that they are chicken-free for dogs sensitive to this ingredient.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No
Ingredients: Active: Colostrum, turmeric roots (curcuma zedoaria), proprietary organic mushroom blend reishi, cordyceps, chaga, mesima, lion’s mane, turkey tail, maitake, shiitake, blazei, poria, agarikon, suehirotake, oyster, and true tinder), wild Alaskan salmon oil, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), quercetin dihydrate, apple cider vinegar, 5-strain probiotic blend (dried lactobacillus acidophilus, lactococcus lactic, lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus fermentum, lactobacillus Brevis), Inactive: carrot, coconut glycerin, microcrystalline cellulose powder, mixed tocopherols (preservative), natural peanut flavoring, oat flour, organic brown rice syrup, peanut flour, rosemary extract, salmon hydrolysate, sorbic acid (preservative), sunflower lecithin, and sweet potato.
Made with 100% pure salmon oil
Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil by Natural Dog Company
What we love: Made from 100% Alaskan salmon oil, this oil is bursting with omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. This essential nutrient helps support your dog’s health with results you can see. Spice up your dog’s mealtimes by adding the recommended pumps to their regular food for an easy and nutritious immune system boost.
What customers say: Close to 80% of the reviews on Amazon give this product 5 out of 5-stars and would recommend it to other dog owners. Many reviewers love how easy it is to use, and some even mentioned their picky dogs enjoy it due to its subtle salmon flavor when added to their everyday kibble.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No
Ingredients: 100% Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil.
Recommended by our vet
VET Classics CAS Options Extra Strength Immune Support
What we love: This is a great vitamin that provides immune and antioxidant support year-round for both dogs and cats. It’s packed with nutrients, including a nutritious blend of mushrooms that help support a natural inflammatory response and strengthen your pet’s immune system for all seasons.
What customers say: Though this vitamin only has a couple of dozen reviews on Amazon, over 85% of the people give them a 5 out of 5-star rating. Many users were referred to these vitamins by their vet and noticed a positive change in their pet’s immune health after repeated use.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No
Ingredients: Active: Reishi mushroom, shiitake mushroom, turkey tail mushroom, maitake mushroom, milk thistle, calcium ascorbate (vitamin C), coenzyme q-10, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E (D-alpha tocopheryl acetate) Inactive: Dicalcium phosphate, distilled monoglycerides, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, natural flavoring, silicon dioxide.
📷 by Ryan Stone
How we picked our favorite supplements
- Examined ingredients with our vets — We checked ingredient lists with our vets to ensure nothing icky went into these supplements.
- Chose vet-trusted brands — With so many supplements on the market, we chose vitamins formulated by brands with vets or pet nutritionists.
- We selected different types of products — From chews, oils, and tablets, we wanted dog owners to have a variety of products to choose from for their pup.
Does your dog need a supplement to support their immune system?
Dogs eating a well-balanced diet generally don’t need extra vitamins. Senior dogs and pups with certain conditions — like seasonal allergies — may benefit from vitamins and supplements. When a doggie’s body responds to allergens, such as pollen, it causes inflammation. Aller-immune supplements for dogs can help reduce inflammation and uncomfortable symptoms. Always talk to your vet about the best way to manage your dog’s allergies.
How doggie immune supplements can help your pup
Immune supplements can help combat allergy symptoms — like watery eyes and itchy skin — and provide digestive support. They may also help reduce cancers, arthritis, and heart conditions. According to our vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne, they can even protect your dog from infections.
What ingredients should dog owners look for?
Immune supplements should contain well-known antioxidants, all-natural immune boosters, and vitamins. Below is a list of some of the most common and nutrient-dense ingredients found in vitamins.
- Mushrooms. While wild mushrooms are toxic to dogs, not all are bad. Shiitake, reishi, and turkey tail mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting qualities.
- Fish oil. Fish oils, like salmon oil, are a common ingredient found in dog vitamins and supplements. They help support a canine’s heart health and relieve common allergy symptoms, like dry and itchy skin.
- Vitamin E. This vitamin helps support your dog’s cell function and fat metabolism. It also defends against oxidative damage.
- Vitamin B. B Vitamins include a variety of vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, B12, niacin, and folic acids. These vitamins are essential to your dog’s health and aid in enzyme function, neural tissue, and nervous system function.
- Vitamin A. This vitamin is commonly found in carrots. It’s essential for growth, fetal development, eye health, and immune and cell function.
👉 Vitamin C isn’t an essential ingredient in vitamins and supplements. Providing too much vitamin C in a dog’s diet can have negative effects on your dog’s health.
Can your dog overdose on supplements?
Yes. It’s important to always pay attention to dosing instructions and the age requirements listed on the bottle. Even vitamins that are good for your dog, like vitamin A and zinc, can have adverse effects if given in high doses. Make sure to talk with your vet before introducing a new vitamin or supplement to your dog’s diet.
👉 This is very important if your dog has certain medical conditions or is taking other medications.
Other ways to strengthen your dog’s immune system
Daily exercise — One of the best ways to support your dog’s immune system and health is by making sure they get their daily exercise. Stay active with Fido by walking, jogging, or swimming.
Feed your dog a high-quality diet — It’s important to feed your dog high-quality, commercial kibble for a well-balanced diet. To provide additional supplements, you can use fruits and vegetables that are safe for your canine to eat.
Probiotics — Recent studies have shown probiotics can have a positive effect on your dog’s digestive system. While the research is early, it’s best to use a high-quality, multi-strain, and dog-specific probiotic supplement to support good bacteria in your dog’s gut. Dr. Alleyne also recommends using probiotic products with prebiotics or psyllium for additional digestive support.
Frequently asked questions
What vitamins are good for a dog’s immune system?
This depends on your pet’s nutritional needs and allergies. Overall, vitamins A, B, and E, and choline are essential, in moderate doses, for your dog’s health.
How can I strengthen my dog’s immune system?
Daily exercise and a well-balanced diet are the best ways to support your dog’s immune system. Vitamins and supplements can also provide support for allergies or environmental stressors.
What foods are good for doggie immune systems?
Commercial dog foods labeled “complete and balanced” are formulated to provide proper nutritional support based on your dog’s age, weight, or health condition. Fruits and vegetables like green beans and pumpkin can also provide extra nutritional boosts.
What can weaken a dog’s immune system?
Environmental stressors, like seasonal, food, flea, or skin allergies, toxic foods, lack of exercise, stressful situations, and an imbalanced diet can weaken a doggie’s immune system.
What vitamins are toxic to dogs?
Many ingredients found in human vitamins and supplements are toxic to dogs. Some of the most common include xylitol, vitamin D3, iron, coffee extracts, alpha-lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid (found in foods like yeast, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, and meat).
Are human vitamins bad for dogs?
Yes. Humans and dogs have nutritional differences and requirements. Many ingredients found in human vitamins can be harmful to your dog.
Can I give human vitamin D to my dog?
No. Like zinc, vitamin D can cause serious side effects if not properly dosed for your dog’s needs.
Does my dog need vitamins?
It depends. Some dogs with health conditions, allergies, digestive issues, or vitamin deficiencies benefit from a daily vitamin. You should chat with your dog’s vet if you have concerns about your pup’s health to figure out the best plan of action.
