When one of my dogs started struggling with allergies and digestion issues, the go-to vet solution was always the same: steroids.

Every time he had a flare-up, I walked away with another prescription, but no real answers.

That’s when I decided to look into more natural options. Not because I’m anti-vet (I’m absolutely not), but because I wanted to help him in a way that actually supported his body, not just masked the symptoms.

What I didn’t expect? The deep dive it would take to find natural supplements that are actually… natural.

What I tried first (and why I stopped using it)

In the beginning, I had no idea what to look for. I followed vet recommendations, searched online, and tried to stick to UK-based products because so many natural pet supplements come from the US (why would I order just one item every month all the way from the US…).

But honestly? Most of those early products didn’t help.

And after a while, I started asking why.

Turns out, even the “natural” ones were full of things I wasn’t comfortable giving my dogs, like maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, rice, beef or chicken flavouring, and other cheap fillers. Things I would avoid in my tablets too, if I’d need some.

I even reached out to a few companies I’d been buying from to ask why they use those ingredients. Their response? “These fillers are safe and used in human supplements too.”

Which is sadly true, sure. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s good. Especially not for sensitive dogs.

The brands I trust (right now)

This is an ever-evolving list, because I’m always learning and trying new things. But currently, the brands I feel good about using are:

• Proflax
• Dr. Brady
• Karnlea
• Logans

These are the ones I’ve vetted (pun intended) ingredient by ingredient, and so far they meet my standards. No hidden junk. No mystery flavours. And they’re designed with dogs’ actual biology in mind – not just the human version in a different package.

What I use supplements for

The main issues I’ve been trying to support through supplements are:

• Digestion (especially gut healing and yeast overgrowth)
• Joint and bone health
• Skin and coat
• Anti-inflammatory support

One of my dogs started having leg and joint issues after a few too many play sessions. It’s heartbreaking to watch her wanting to play and run but being in pain while doing it.

I asked my vet if it might be arthritis or something similar, and what I could do to help… but I didn’t really get any clear answers. Just the usual “you could try Metacam, but not long term.”
And yet I know a couple of dogs who are on it long-term, and that breaks my heart.

So I researched some affordable natural options.

But here’s the honest truth: I still haven’t found a supplement that works for her joints.

I might need to explore stronger alternatives like red light therapy, acupuncture, or CBD oil. That’s the next step for us.

The supplements that finally helped my dog’s yeast

After four years of trial and error, I finally found 2 supplements (‘yeast defeat’ and ‘gutregen12’) from Dr. Conor Brady that’s actually helping my dog clear out his yeast – both inside and out. (Anyone who’s dealt with chronic yeast knows how persistent it can be.)

I’m still in the trial phase with it, but the progress is showing that the yeast is slowly taking the back seat. And we are talking 3 weeks in of seeing some small changes.

The lesson here? Chronic conditions take time.

No one told me that healing a damaged gut could take over a year. But that’s exactly what’s happening with my dog. When something has been going on for years, you can’t expect it to disappear overnight.
You need patience. You need consistency. And you need to keep learning as you go.

How I give supplements to my dogs

Everything goes straight into their raw meals, twice a day.

They can’t tolerate yogurt or store-bought treats to hide powders in, so mixing it into their food works best. It’s easy, and they don’t notice a thing.

It’s become part of our daily routine now. Supplements are just another piece of their wellness puzzle.

Final thoughts: Don’t settle for “natural” on the label

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Just because something says “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good.

You have to dig deeper. Read every ingredient. Ask questions. Email companies. Trust your gut. Your dog deserves that.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by the process, just know – I’ve been there. It’s a journey, not a quick fix. And it’s 100% worth it.

Want to hear more stories like this?

I share my journey with natural living (for me and my dogs), raw feeding tips, and what I’m learning as I go.
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Got a question or a supplement you’ve tried and loved (or hated)? I’d love to hear it!