The Best High-Calorie Supplements For Dogs
If your dog doesn't eat their food or struggles to put on enough weight, they may need a little extra help. Thankfully, there are high-calorie supplements specifically designed to help puppies and adult dogs look and feel their best. Most supplements come as a thick paste that your dog can lick. But there are also liquid and chewy treat versions if you prefer. We've rounded up a few of our favorite high-calorie supplements for dogs to help you pick.
What to Look For
Researching high-calorie supplements for dogs, we found the best ones are flavorful, multipurpose, and easy to dispense. Based on these requirements, our top pick is the Under the Weather Ready Cal supplement. It is conveniently pre-packaged in a syringe with measurement marks, so you always know exactly how much you’ve given your dog. Your pup can eat it straight from the tube, providing them with extra calories when they need them. We also love the Miracle Vet high-calorie chews because it will be hard for your dog to resist the delicious bacon flavor. In addition to providing extra calories, these chews help to improve your dog’s digestive health and increase their appetite. Keep reading to discover your new favorite high-calorie supplements for dogs.
Under the Weather Ready Cal Supplement for Dogs
Just a taste
When your dog needs additional calories in their diet, Under the Weather’s high-calorie supplement will do the trick. The thick gel comes in a syringe, so you can squeeze out the perfect dose for your pup. Following the feeding guidelines and the measurement lines on the tube, it will always be easy to dole out the right amount. Formulated with salmon oil, vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional ingredients, this supplement will help your dog get the energy they need.
Pros:
- Appetizing malt flavor
- You can feed your dog straight from the syringe
- The gel stays fresh inside the tube until you’re ready to dispense it
Cons:
- There is only one flavor option
Tomlyn High-Calorie Nutritional Gel for Dogs
Flavorful feeds
If you struggle to get your pup to eat, we have a feeling they won’t be able to resist this high-calorie gel from Tomlyn. It has a sweet malty flavor and is easy to digest, so they can eat it straight out of the tube. You can give this nutritional gel to sick or underweight dogs or offer it as the ultimate treat when your pup has been active for hours on end. Full of high-quality ingredients that provide calories, minerals, and vitamins, your dog will feel better in no time.
Pros:
- Omega fatty acids help lubricate achy joints
- You can purchase more than one tube at once
- Helps with low blood sugar levels
Cons:
- Not designed for puppies
PetAg Dyne High-Calorie Liquid Nutritional Supplement
Drink it up
Designed to provide extra calories, this liquid supplement from PetAg is safe to feed to dogs of all ages, including weaned puppies. The high-calorie liquid has a vanilla flavor that your pets will love. And you can either mix it with their food or feed it to them directly from a spoon or syringe. It has a gel-like texture that makes it easy to measure out, following the feeding guide on the bottle. Plus, it will give healthy dogs additional energy to survive long and strenuous hikes.
Pros:
- Aids digestion
- Feeding directions are given in teaspoons and fluid ounces
- Less messy feeding process than other options
Cons:
- It doesn’t mix well with water since it contains oil
Miracle Vet Weight Gain Chews for Dogs
Energy boost
Convenient and cost-effective, this bag of 60 high-calorie treats will give your dog the strength to gain weight and recover from minor illnesses. In addition to high-quality fats, these treats contain probiotics to help your pup’s general digestive health. The chewy treats are easy to eat and have a delicious bacon flavor that your dog won’t be able to resist. And, once your dog gets to their healthy weight, you can keep feeding them these chews as an extra special treat.
Pros:
- Each treat contains 50 calories for fast weight gain
- Safe to feed to dogs and cats
- Free from artificial colors and unhealthy fats
Cons:
- These treats aren’t super soft, which could be an issue for dogs with poor dental health
Revival Animal Health DocRoy’s Forti Cal Gel
Watch them grow
When taking care of a large litter of puppies, it is normal for some competition to take place at mealtimes, leading to one or two pups not getting the daily calories they need. Thankfully, this high-calorie nutritional gel can be used on dogs from birth, so you can supplement their meals and help them gain weight at a healthy rate. For very young pups, you can put the gel on your finger or in a syringe to encourage them to lick it up. They’ll love the liver and roast beef flavor this vitamin-packed gel has to offer.
Pros:
- Safe for dogs with food allergies
- Designed for dogs of all ages
- It doesn’t have to be stored in the refrigerator
Cons:
- Not as affordable as other options
How do I know if my dog needs to take a high-calorie supplement?
If you’ve adopted a dog with severe health conditions that have led to weight loss, you should consider supplementing their diet with a high-calorie supplement. Even if they are good eaters, it will take time for them for their bodies to accept more weight and keep it on. Most dogs will consider a high-calorie supplement a treat, so they won’t refuse it when you offer it. If your puppy isn’t putting on weight, you have a picky eater, your highly active dog needs additional daily calories, or your dog has health conditions that require more nutrition to thrive, you may also want to consider giving them a high-calorie supplement.
What is the best way to feed my dog a high-calorie supplement?
In most cases, high-calorie supplements are available in gel form. The thick paste is easy to feed your dog directly from the tube. But you can also add it to their food or put it in a syringe when feeding puppies. If your dog doesn’t respond well to the gel, there are also liquid and chewy treat options that may be more effective.
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