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Last Updated:
November 15, 2020
Best Dog Skin & Coat Supplement
Skin issues are extremely common for all kinds of dogs. Whether your dog sheds excessively or they are dealing with dry, itchy, and uncomfortable skin, you need a solution that is safe and effective. Small-fish oil is a tried and tested secret weapon for a dog’s coat. Based on effectiveness and price, our pick is Deley Naturals Wild Caught Fish Oil for Dogs.
This is an extremely high-quality fish oil sourced from small fish. You can feel even more confident that this formula will be free of toxins since it is molecularly distilled to remove them. The formula also exceeds standards for purity. The company stands behind their product with a 100% hassle-free refund satisfaction guarantee. The pump does a great job of keeping the formula fresh, but since there are no preservatives it may not stay fresh for very long. Some dogs have negative digestive reactions, although most tolerate it well. Exceeds requirements set by the European Pharmacopoeia Standards and California Proposition 65, human grade oil, and molecularly distilled to remove any toxins or heavy metals
Best Organic
Life Line Pet Nutrition Organic Ocean Kelp Supplement for Skin & Coat
Completely pure supplement containing only dried kelp that is 100% certified organic and grown in Iceland
Very reasonable price for over a pound of supplement
Dried at uniform low temperatures and packaged in the USA
Single-ingredient product can be used with other products to provide even greater benefits without worrying about overdosing
What we Dislike
Product will be exposed to the light and air when it is opened and the bag can be challenging to close, so it may become less effective with use
Some dogs are very averse to the taste of this supplement on food
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Organic dried kelp
Flavors
Form
Ground dried kelp
Size
680 grams
Dosing
Up to 25 lbs: ¼ teaspoon 25 - 50 lbs: ½ teaspoon Over 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon
Our Review
This supplement contains only one pure, organic ingredient that is very likely to have benefits for your dog’s skin and coat. Kelp contains a number of essential minerals and vitamins that are needed for a healthy coat. It has generally been well-tolerated in dogs, although there is no guarantee that your dog will like the taste. This product is slowly dried at low temperatures to keep it as fresh as possible. However, the packaging is less than ideal so it may become less effective as it is exposed to light and air as you use it.
Best Non-Fish Based
Canine Matrix Organic Mushroom Supplement for Dogs
California mushrooms are certified 100% organic and cultured in organic oats
Most dogs do not seem to mind the powder mixed into their food
Goes a long way for the price, from 200 servings for a 25-pound dog to 50 servings for a hundred-pound dog
Pure mushroom product is a wonderful option for people who have tried other kinds of skin and coat relieving treatments and not found a fix
What we Dislike
No independent testing for purity or effectiveness
Unclear whether mushroom benefit skin and coat
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Pleurotus eryngii (King Trumpet) Cordyceps militaris Antrodia camphorata Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Agaricus blazei Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) and Grifola frondosa (Maitake)
Flavors
Form
Dry powder
Size
200 grams
Dosing
½ teaspoon per 25lbs per day *The company recommends double dosing the first 3 weeks of use ideally morning and evening
Our Review
This product contains a pure blend of a number of different types of mushrooms that may have beneficial effects for your dog’s skin and coat. They are USDA-certified organic and processed in a California facility. If you are looking for something different to improve your dog’s skin and coat and possibly even provide some protection against tumors, this may be the choice for you.
There isn’t much information available about how mushrooms affect dogs’ skin and coats or how these specific types of mushrooms may impact your dog. However, if you want to try something new, there is no reason to think this isn’t a safe option.
Liquid formula and pump delivery system does a good job of keeping the formula safe from light and air and fresh until it gets to your dog
Made in FDA registered facilities in the USA that are GMP and NSF certified
What we Dislike
No preservatives of any kind are added and fish oil can be volatile, so despite the packaging it may not stay as fresh as it could
Nozzle may leak and need to be wiped after each use, and it sometimes arrives without a pump
No mercury testing, so unclear whether salmon oil is free of mercury
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Wild Alaskan salmon oil
Flavors
Salmon
Form
Liquid
Size
8 oz 32 oz
Dosing
Up to 12.5 lbs: ½ pump 12.6 - 35 lbs: 1 pump 36 - 50 lbs: 2 pumps 51 - 75 lbs: 3 pumps 76 - 100 lbs: 4 pumps
Our Review
If you don’t want any preservatives or added vitamins in your dog’s fish oil, you will appreciate that this bottle contains only 100% wild-caught Alaskan salmon oil. This oil is delivered in a liquid form with a pump delivery system that is great at keeping the formula from air and light until it gets to your dog. This oil comes at a much more reasonable price than some competition. An 8-oz serving is more likely to stay fresh until you finish the bottle.
Without any preservatives, this formula may not last as long as some other options. The pump tends to be a bit leaky, and many people find that it was not included at all.
Contains a number of beneficial ingredients for your dog's skin including Vitamin E, algae, biotin, flaxseed, and fish oil
Tested annually by a third-party independent lab
Very reasonable price for 120 soft chews
What we Dislike
Treats will be exposed to light and air when you open the container, so they will become less effective over time
Not clear which fish are used, although they are small
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Flaxseed Algae “small fish oil” Vitamin C Vitamin E Biotin Zinc
Flavors
Chicken
Form
Soft chew
Size
120 soft chews
Dosing
Initial (4-6 weeks): Up to 30lbs: 1 chew 31 - 60lbs: 2 chews 61 - 100lbs: 3 chews Over 100lbs: 4 chews Maintenance: Up to 60lbs: 1 chew 61 - 100lbs: 2 chews Over 100lbs: 3 chews
Our Review
If you are looking for an affordable treat that is likely to offer great skin benefits to your dog, this might be the one for you. This formula is not cooked and you can feel some confidence that the formula is as advertised since it is tested by a third-party independent lab. This is a well-rounded recipe for skin health with lots of ingredients known to be effective for improving a dog’s skin and coat.
It isn’t completely clear what kind of small fish are used for these treats. Since they will be exposed to light and air when you open the container, they will become less effective over time.
Bixbi Supplements - Organic Pet Superfood Daily Mushroom Powder Supplement
Full of active ingredients to improve your dog's coat, including a specific blend of organic mushrooms and B vitamins
Made in the USA of USDA organic and NASC certified ingredients
Powdered formula is easy to use and lasts a fairly long time for the price
Contains only active ingredients, so you can feel confident you're not buying any fillers
What we Dislike
Powdered formula will be exposed to the air and light when you use it, which may reduce the life of the product
Some dogs have increased flatulence in taking this product
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Organic Cordyceps Organic Turkey Tail Organic King Trumpet Organic Reishi Organic Beech Vitamins B1 B5 B12 C & E Copper Potassium Riboflavin Niacin
Flavors
Form
Powder
Size
60 grams
Dosing
½ teaspoon per 25 lbs *Can double dose for the first week for better results
Our Review
If you want to try something a little bit different for your dog’s skin and coat, this may be a formula worth considering. It has a blend of mushrooms that may be well-suited to improving your dog’s skin and coat. It also has a wide range of B vitamins. There are no wasted ingredients in this formula, so you can feel good knowing you’re not paying for fillers. The powdered formula will be exposed to light and air, so it may not last as long as it should. You may also find that your dog has increased gas when using it.
Pure blend of three ingredients that are very likely to be helpful for your dog's skin and coat
Reasonable price for smaller amount of the formula that is unlikely to go bad before you use it
Sustainably harvested and made in the USA
Cold processing method that does not require a preservative
What we Dislike
No independent testing, so unclear whether it has the effect it claims to
Some dogs are not happy about eating his product even when it is well-hidden in food
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Organic Kelp Flaxseed and Sunflower seed
Flavors
Form
Powdered formula
Size
8 oz
Dosing
Under 9 lbs: ¼ tsp 9 - 19 lbs: ½ tsp 20 - 49 lbs: 1 tsp 50 - 89 lbs: 2 tsp Over 89 lbs: 3 tsp
Our Review
Here is a simple formula that contains only three ingredients, each of which is very likely to have beneficial effects for your dog’s skin and coat. If you want a way to benefit your dog’s coat without fish or krill oil, this may be a great option. The cold-processing method is more likely to preserve the efficacy of the formula and keep it preserved until your dog eats it. There isn’t any independent testing, so you can’t be sure that this product does what it says it will do, and some dogs do not want to eat it.
Contains Flaxseed oil, Biotin, and Vitamin E for additional skin benefits
Algae and Kelp are great for joints as well as skin
Cooked without heat to avoid damaging the formula and manufactured in NSF and GMP certified and FDA registered US facilities
Uses a sustainable source of DHA derived from algae that is encapsulated to avoid oxidizing
What we Dislike
Treats will be exposed light and air every time you open them, so they will likely be less effective by the end of the package
Some dogs like it less than others
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Salmon meal and oil Flaxseed oil Kelp Biotin Algae Vitamin E
Flavors
Salmon
Form
Soft chew
Size
90 soft chews
Dosing
Up to 25 lbs: 1 chew 26 - 75 lbs: 2 chews Over 75 lbs: 3 chews
Our Review
This supplement offers a number of beneficial ingredients for your dog in one convenient chewable treat. Salmon meal and oil offer Omega 3s while Flaxseed oil, Biotin, and Vitamin E provide additional skin benefits. Algae and kelp have tremendous benefits for your dog’s joints. , An encapsulated form of algae-derived DHA is very likely to reach your dog at full potency. These treats are cooked without heat and manufactured to high standards. Because the treats are exposed to light and air when you open them, they may become less effective by the end of the package. Not all dogs seem to be a fan of this formula.
The pump bottle makes it easy to add the oil to food and does a good job of keeping oil away from light and air until it gets to your dog
Pure formula with just salmon oil and preservatives
Very reasonable price for a large amount of product
What we Dislike
Some people find the pump to be messy
When using it with small dogs it might lose effectiveness before it is used up
No independent laboratory testing or quality controls
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Salmon oil
Flavors
Salmon
Form
Liquid
Size
32 fl oz
Dosing
Up to 12.5 lbs: ½ pump 12.6 - 25 lbs: 1 pump 26 - 50 lbs: 2 pumps 51 - 75 lbs: 3 pumps 76 - 100 lbs: 4 pumps Over 100 lbs: 6 pumps
Our Review
Here is a reasonably affordable product packaged in a way that makes it likely that the supplement will reach your dog in good shape. The pump bottle makes it easy to add to food while also protecting it from light and air. The company recommends refrigerating after opening to keep the formula even fresher. For the smallest dogs, it might not be as effective by the time you get to the end of the bottle. There isn’t outside laboratory testing or quality controls, but many users seem to be satisfied with it.
Has additional benefits for your dog's skin as well as fish oil, including Biotin and Vitamin E
Cooked without heat
What we Dislike
Smaller fish like sardines and anchovies are a better source of fish oil than pollock
Treats will be exposed to light and air every time you open the container, so they are likely to become less effective quickly
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Pollock oil Zinc Biotin Vitamin C Vitamin E
Flavors
Chicken Hemp & Chicken
Form
Soft chew
Size
90 soft chews
Dosing
Up to 25 lbs: 1 chew 26 - 75 lbs: 2 chews Over 75 lbs: 3 chews
Our Review
This tasty treat is cooked without heat to avoid destroying the potency of the formula. It contains a good count of fatty acids per chew as well as additional benefits for your dog’s skin like Vitamin E and biotin. Because the treats are exposed to the light and air every time you open the container, they may be less likely to last than some other option. Pollock isn’t typically considered an ideal fish to choose for supplementing dogs with fish oil compared to small fish like sardines and mackerel.
Best Paw Nutrition Pure Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs
Dark pump bottle does a good job of keeping product pure and fresh until it gets to your dog
Advertise that they support rescues
Human-grade pure Alaskan salmon oil
What we Dislike
Without any type of preservative, this salmon oil may not last as long as desired
Salmon oil is not purified for mercury or independently tested, so there is a possibility that it contains mercury although it is human-grade
Sometimes arrives without a pump
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
Flavors
Salmon
Form
Liquid
Size
32 fl oz
Dosing
1 - 10 lbs: ½ pump in the morning 11 - 24 lbs: 1 pump in the morning 25 - 49 lbs: 1 pump in the morning & 1 pump in the evening 50 - 100 lbs: 1 pump in the morning & 2 pumps in the evening Over 100 lbs: 2 pumps in the morning & 2 pumps in the evening
Our Review
This pure Alaskan salmon oil comes at a reasonable price for 32 oz. The company advertises that they support rescues. You can feel some confidence about this salmon oil since it is human grade. The light and air-resistant packaging will keep it fresh even as you use it. However, without any type of preservative, it may not last as long as some other options. While the supplement is human-grade, it is not independently tested or purified from mercury, so it may not be the safest option compared to oil that has been tested or purified or oil from smaller fish.
Under 10 lbs: ½ tablet 1 tablet per 20 lbs of body weight for pets over 10 lbs
Our Review
If you are looking for a very affordable supplement that does something a little bit different for your dog’s skin and coat, this may be the supplement you want to consider. Brewer’s yeast has been a popular ingredient in dog food and treats for a long time because of its potential health benefits and because most dogs love the taste. This formula also contains known beneficial ingredients like B vitamins. Garlic may help to deter pests, reducing irritation to your dog’s skin. A large number of tablets are exposed to light and air as you open the container. There isn’t independent testing and quality control, and it isn’t clear whether all of these ingredients will be beneficial.
Under 15 lbs: 1 chew every other day 15 - 30 lbs: 1 chew daily 31 - 45 lbs: 1 - 2 chews daily 46 - 60 lbs: 2 chews 61 - 75 lbs: 2 - 3 chews Over 75 lbs: 3 - 4 chews
Our Review
This product is a strong source of Omega-3, 6, and 9 from krill oil along with some other great ingredients not often found in dog supplements, such as astaxanthin. Borage oil, primrose oil, and biotin are also great choices for benefiting your dog’s skin and coat. You can feel great about this purchase since the company gives to shelters for every purchase. It isn’t clear that these treats are not cooked with heat, which would render them largely ineffective. They sometimes seem to arrive crumbled, which makes dosing next to impossible.
Vet's Best Healthy Coat Shed & Itch Relief Dog Supplements
Added benefits for the joints, thanks to MSM content
National Animal Supplement Council seal of approval
What we Dislike
Tablets will be exposed to light and air when the container is opened
Not all ingredients proven effective
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Omega 3 fatty acids Quercetin Yellow Dock Root Oregon Grape Root MSM Burdock Root Nettle Leaf Red Clover Blossom
Flavors
Form
Chewable tablet
Size
50 tablets
Dosing
Under 25 lbs:1/2 tablet 25 to 50 lbs: 1 tablets 50 to 75 lbs: 1 1/2 tablets Over 75 lbs:2 tablets *The number of tablets given can be doubled for additional support
Our Review
This formula has many herbs that aren’t typically found in a dog coat and skin supplement. Some of these ingredients may have additional benefits, such as burdock root. Support for joints is provided by MSM. You can feel confident buying a product that carries the National Animal Supplement Council seal of approval. This is a very affordable supplement. The tablets are easy to give to your pet by feeding directly or hiding in food. Many of the ingredients in the supplement have not been well-studied in dogs, so you may question whether they will really be effective or if they are completely safe for your pet. Because the tablets will be exposed to light and air when you open the container, they may not be as effective by the end of the container.
Salmon Oil for Dogs - Omega 3 Fish Oil For Dogs All-Natural
Great supporting ingredients like oats, sweet potato, carrot, and brown rice
Kelp, krill oil, Vitamin E, and flaxseed offer benefits for your dog’s skin, coat, and immunity
Most dogs seem to enjoy eating them as treats
High advertised count of omegas compared to other treats
What we Dislike
Not clear that product is not cooked with heat, which would render the salmon oil significantly less effective
Treats will be exposed to light and air when you access them, which can reduce their effectiveness
Product Details
Key Ingredients
Kelp Salmon oil Krill Vitamin C Vitamin E Flaxseed
Flavors
Salmon
Form
Soft chews
Size
90 soft chews
Dosing
Up to 25 lbs: 1 chew 26 - 75 lbs: 2 chews Over 75 lbs: 3 chews
Our Review
If you want a soft chew treat that there is a good chance your dog will enjoy eating, with added ingredients along with fish oil, this might be a good option for you. It has more active ingredients like kelp, krill, and flaxseed. Even the supporting ingredients are largely very healthy. Most dogs enjoy these treats. It isn’t clear that these treats aren’t cooked with heat, which would render the fish oil largely ineffective. Since they’ll be exposed to light and air, they’ll become less effective the more you open the container.
Best Products
Best Dog Skin & Coat Supplement
Product Name
Best for
Rate
Deley Naturals Wild Caught Fish Oil for Dogs
Best Overall
10
Life Line Pet Nutrition Organic Ocean Kelp Supplement for Skin & Coat
Best Organic
10
Canine Matrix Organic Mushroom Supplement for Dogs
Best Non-Fish Based
9
Zesty Paws Omega Bites Soft Chews
Best Soft Chews
7
Only Natural Pet Brewer's Yeast & Garlic
Best Multi-Tasker
8
Are Dog Skin and Coat Supplements Effective?
Whether your dog is suffering from a skin condition or you just want to give them the best coat possible, you are doubtless wondering whether skin and coat supplements are effective. Dogs suffer from skin and coat issues for a lot of different reasons.
The effectiveness of supplements varies depending on what exactly is causing the problem. You may need to try a few different supplements to find the right one for your dog.
Studies have found that dog skin and coat supplements can be very effective. Here are a few supplements that are likely to have beneficial effects:
Biotin- When hair loss, brittle hair, scaly skin, or dermatitis were treated with biotin it was found that 60% of all cases had symptoms cured. Another 31% noticed an improvement. Some breeds seemed more likely to respond positively to treatment then others. For instance, German Shepherds had higher success rates than Poodles.
Flaxseed and Sunflower Seed- Dogs fed flaxseed and sunflower seed oil had improvements in hair coat and skin after only about two weeks. The positive effect faded when the supplementation was removed. It seems that feeding your dog a diet rich in flaxseed and sunflower seed may have consistent benefits for the skin and coat.
Evening Primrose Oil- Combining fish oil with evening primrose oil may be more effective than using fish oil alone. Studies are not yet conclusive, but this oil is used in many supplements and does not seem to have negative effects.
Fish Oil- The fatty acids in fish oil have beneficial effects for the skin and coat, as well as other health advantages. A high dose of fatty acids is effective even in the management of pruritic skin disease. Krill oil appears to have similar benefits to fish oil and removes concerns about mercury poisoning, but it has not been as significantly studied in dogs as fish oil.
Burdock Root- Burdock root has not been extensively studied in dogs, although it has been investigated n people and other animals. Burdock root may have implications for the wound healing process in dogs, specifically in canine dermal fibroblasts.
Vitamin E- Vitamin E has long been known to have benefits for people’s skin, but it is also beneficial for skin conditions in dogs. Dogs treated with Vitamin E saw improvements in atopic dermatitis. Vitamin E is well tolerated in most dogs, so it’s a good option for any skin supplement.
Mushrooms- Many mushroom species likely have beneficial effects for dogs. Some have even been shown to extend life times in dogs with cancer. Mushrooms appear to work primarily by improving the immune system, which may also result in an improved coat. They are also rich in biotin, which has known coat and skin-improving qualities.
Astaxanthin- This antioxidant may have a number of beneficial effects for your dog, including improving their immunity, which may improve the skin and coat. This antioxidant can be absorbed from your dog’s diet, so it may be well worth considering when you are choosing a great supplement for skin and coat.
Linoleic Acid- Animals that don’t get enough linoleic acid have poor skin and coats, so increasing the linoleic acid in your dog’s diet may help them to improve skin and coat. It seems to be well tolerated and is a great addition to your pet’s skin-healthy diet.
Brewers yeast- It isn’t entirely clear whether brewer’s yeast is beneficial for your dog’s skin and coat, but it has been given to dogs for many years as a diet additive without any trouble and appears to be well digested in dogs. This may be a good ingredient to help make something more palatable for your dog and may have benefits for digestion and skin and coat directly as well.
B Vitamins- A number of B vitamins including B2, B3, and B6 are important for the quality of your dog’s skin. Deficiency of vitamins can result in a number of different skin problems. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that your dog gets plenty of B vitamins steadily in their diet. This is especially important because these vitamins are water-soluble and can’t be stored in your dog’s body, so they need to continuously be introduced to the diet.
Seaweed, Algae, and Kelp- Various species of seaweed, kelp, and algae can be highly beneficial to your dog. They contain many types of trace minerals and complex phytonutrients including Vitamin E. They also seem to improve thyroid function. Improved thyroid function may improve your dogs’ coat, since a poorly functioning thyroid is often responsible for a poor coat.
Ingredients to be Cautious of:
Not all of the ingredients included in many dog skin and coat supplements have been shown to have beneficial effects for your dogs. Well some of these supplements may not have negative consequences and they may even have benefits, they have not been well-studied enough to know at this time:
Hemp seed oil and other hemp products- Many people find that hemp seed is beneficial for their dogs, but it has not been studied in veterinary medicine, so there is really no way to know whether or not it is effective or even safe for dogs.
Grape seed extract– Grapes are toxic to dogs, but grape seed extract has been found to be safe for dogs. It has even been found to have cardiovascular benefits. However, there is no reason to believe that it is particularly effective for skin and coat health. Be extremely careful that it is grapeseed and not grape that is in the product.
Quercetin– This is a natural component of many fruits and vegetables and acts as an antioxidant. It may be advertised to improve allergies in dogs, but it has not been shown in studies to have this effect.
Castor Oil- Castor oil has laxative properties, so it isn’t generally a good option for your dog’s skin and coat supplement unless they also suffer from constipation. Talk to your vet about using castor oil with your dog, as other laxatives may be safer.
Choosing quality dog skin and coat supplements:
The pet supplement industry is not well-controlled. You have to be careful to do your research and choose supplements that will be effective for your pet. Some skin and coat supplements really do have great benefits, but they must be sourced, packaged, and stored correctly. Here are a few things to look for:
Kept from air- Many Ingredients that are beneficial for your dog’s skin, such as fish oil, lose their effectiveness when they are exposed to the air. Therefore, avoid products that have packaging that allows the supplement to make contact with the air.
Kept from light- Many types of oil go rancid or lose effectiveness when exposed to light, so choose a supplement that is packaged in a way to avoid light exposure.
Uncooked-Heat destroys many of the beneficial elements in supplements. Supplements that have been cooked may be less likely to be effective, especially treats and chews that have been extruded
Bioavailable to your dog- Just because some ingredients may be well-known to be good for human skin, like olive oil, doesn’t mean they’re effective for your dog. Olive oil is so ineffective for dogs that it is used as a placebo in studying more effective oils.
Complete Omegas– Omega fatty acids are important for your dog’s skin and coat health. Omega-6 and Omega-3 must be provided through your dog’s diet and are both essential for healthy skin and coat.
Safe for your dog- Not all sources are created equally. It is wise to know where the ingredients are coming from. Fish oil from larger fish may be more likely to contain mercury, so look for products that test for mercury if they use large fish oil.
Independently tested– There are doubtless some great supplements on the market that aren’t independently tested, but when possible, it is ideal to choose supplements that have been tested for purity, safety, or effectiveness.
