Best Dog Supplies, According to PetMD Vets

Boasting fresh chicken as the first ingredient, this offering from Hill’s Science Diet line is fortified with an exclusive blend of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your pet’s health.

“This is an excellent choice for adult dogs,” says Dr. Higgs. “It contains antioxidants to reduce damage to cells and reduce inflammation, prebiotic fiber and whole grains to help digestion, and omega fatty acids to keep the skin healthy.”

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe is recommended for dogs ages 1–6, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

“This is a balanced, high-quality adult dog food,” says Dr. Higgs. “Protein is about 20%, making it a great choice for most average house dogs. However, it may not be appropriate for high-energy or working dogs.”

Purina ONE made the list as a cost-conscious option that still offers a complete and balanced diet for senior dogs.

Formulated soft kibble for picky eaters, it includes MCT (an oil that offers many health benefits), added antioxidants, and glucosamine for healthy joints.

Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken, its first ingredient. So, you might want to consider Purina’s PRO line (another favorite of our panel) for them. 

The dog food you buy for your growing pup sets the stage for their health and development. Our vets love that it is formulated by board-certified nutrition vets, meets AAFCO nutritional standards, and is backed by feeding trials.

Our vets recommend food that’s specially designed to support growth and high energy levels. That’s why our vet team is all in on Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend dry puppy food formula.

It has real chicken as the No. 1 ingredient, combining crunchy kibble with tender, meaty shreds for a taste and texture that’s engaging for puppies.

Essential nutrients like DHA from omega-rich fish oil support brain and vision development, while antioxidants and live probiotics bolster the immune system and digestive health.

Plus, it provides a great balance of calcium and phosphorus to promote strong bones and teeth during these critical growth phases.

Purina®’s Pro Plan® FortiFlora Powder comes in single-use packets that are easy to use: just mix with food. It’s a dog probiotic favorite among many veterinarians thanks to its widespread availability, reputable veterinary specific company, a long track record of successful use, and ease of administration. Additionally, most dogs really enjoy the taste!

Our vets recommend this option for the dietary management of puppies and adult dogs with diarrhea, as well as general health support. It contains 100 million CFU of a single probiotic, Enterococcus faecium, along with added vitamins and brewer’s yeast. E. faecium is often recommended by veterinarians to help with occasional diarrhea. Introduced in 2006, this product has the time on the market to have multiple published studies supporting its benefit. The cost per dose is around $1.03.

Additionally, this vegan dental chew contains omega supplements. ProDen® PlaqueOff contains no grain, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

This product has 100% natural ingredients—including sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, sea kelp, and alfalfa. In collaboration with its shape, ingredients like sea kelp have been proven to help remove tartar on a pup’s teeth—the enzymes within kelp eat away at the buildup.

Small dogs and puppies need more compact toothbrushes for effective cleaning, and the Virbac® dual-ended toothbrush is a great choice. Tailored to accommodate the evolving dental needs of growing pups, this small dog toothbrush features a compact end for those tiny, developing teeth and a broader end for use as they mature. Its soft bristles provide a gentle, thorough cleaning, making it a good introductory puppy toothbrush. It’s also a VOHC-approved product from a vet-trusted pet oral care brand.

Many of our veterinarians use Simparica® on their own pets. This flea and tick medication is highly effective (perfect for pups who spend their summers hiking and camping) and more cost-effective than other medications on the market.

“This is the most cost-effective, all-inclusive prevention on the market,” says panelist Becca Bermingham, VTM, a veterinary technician with Chewy. “It is my top recommendation and the prevention I use with my own pets.”

It must be given on time and once a month to work effectively against fleas and ticks and doesn’t have to be given to food in order to absorb. Because it’s a chewable, bathing and grooming won’t wash away any of the product, so panelists noted it’s a good option for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.

Simparica’s chewable is liver-flavored, so most dogs think they’re getting a yummy treat and will take it happily. That said, this chew may not be suitable for dogs who have a history of seizures, and your pup must be at least 6 months old to begin this preventative.

Regular Simparica® is perfect for dogs who are already on a heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative. But if you’re also looking for heartworm medication,Simparica® Trio acts as a monthly dewormer, too.

“I personally use Simparica and Simparica Trio for my pets,” says panelist Uyenchi Dao, VTM, Chewy veterinary technician. “It’s easy to administer and provides protection against fleas, ticks, and parasites like mites and lice.”

Vetoquinol® is a brand loved and trusted by our vet panel. This dog ear cleaner helps to keep a dog’s ears dry and includes aloe vera to help calm any irritation in the ear canal. Available in four sizes, you can choose which amount you need on hand depending on frequency used and the size of your pet. It’s a great choice for pups that actively swim or those prone to ear infections (no prescription needed)!

These nail trimmers for dogs are easy to use and are popular among our veterinarians.

These clippers are comfortable for both right-handed and left-handed pet parents and have a non-slip grip. The blades are made of high-quality steel to ensure clean trims each time, as well as being easy to clean and disinfect.

Our veterinarians like that the trimmers are double-bladed and include a safety stop to prevent injuries. Unfortunately, these are not the best dog nail clippers for thick nails, as they may not be strong enough to make clean cuts.

Our vets chose Dasuquin® as the overall best hip and joint supplement for dogs. This has been a favorite among veterinary orthopedic specialists for more than 30 years and is packed with ingredients that can benefit dogs suffering from joint pain.

Each chew contains green tea extract and glucosamine that supports a normal inflammatory response in joints, and methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, which helps maintain connective tissue.

The best shampoo for stinky dogs will help treat underlying conditions that cause odor, such as ringworm, yeast infections, fungal infections, and bacterial infections. This shampoo’s active ingredients (miconazole, chlorhexidine, and trizEDTA®) help treat these conditions and are formulated to fight against dandruff, fungus, and other infections.

It also contains ceramides, which help repair, restore, and moisturize dry skin. Our vets say that it’s safe to use on a pup of almost any age, several times a week, and even daily if needed.

According to one of our vets, this is the best dog shampoo for odor because it treats the underlying conditions and helps restore the normal skin barrier.

The Optixcare® eye cleaning wipes make our list yet again as the best wipes for removing tear stains.

Whether you want the best tear stain remover for white-fur dogs, need a solution for removing tear stains on puppies, or have a pet with lots of tears, these wipes are convenient and safe to use.

We love that the ingredient list is free of harsh chemicals and includes chamomile extract, which can help soothe sensitive skin around the eyes.

According to our vets, these wipes are often kept on hand in their examination rooms because they are safe to use around the sensitive skin around your pup’s eyes.