Apr
Supplements
Pet Supplements: Best Picks for Dogs, Cats and Horses
Pet Supplements in South Africa: What Actually Works for Dogs, Cats and Horses
Pet supplements in South Africa have become an essential part of responsible animal care. Whether you own a dog, cat, or horse, targeted supplementation can make a meaningful difference to mobility, digestion, coat health, recovery, and overall quality of life.
This guide covers the most effective supplement categories and the best products available for each species, so you can choose what is right for your animal’s specific needs.
Dog Supplements
Digestive Support
Poor digestion is one of the most commonly overlooked health concerns in dogs. Signs include loose stool, excessive gas, poor coat condition, and recurring digestive upsets.
Protexin Soluble is a broad-spectrum probiotic powder you add to food or water. It restores healthy gut bacteria, improves nutrient absorption, and is particularly valuable after illness, antibiotic treatment, or any period of gut disruption.
Digesteaze 250g combines digestive enzymes with supportive ingredients to help dogs break down and absorb nutrients more efficiently. A good option for dogs with recurring digestive sensitivity or poor stool quality.
Joint Support
Joint problems affect a significant proportion of dogs, especially large breeds and seniors. Starting joint supplementation early, before problems become visible, produces far better long-term outcomes.
GCS Joint Care Advanced Powder XL 250g is a well-established glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM formula for large and extra-large breeds, supporting cartilage health and reducing joint inflammation.
Mobiflex 250g combines glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Boswellia extract to support joint health, flexibility, and cartilage repair. Available in sizes for all dogs.
MobiFlex C is an upgraded formulation with added RevitaCOL® Collagen and GlycOmega™ PLUS Greenshell Mussel extract, offering stronger anti-inflammatory and cartilage repair support. Suitable for dogs, cats, and horses in one convenient product.
GCS Joint Care Advanced Liquid 250ml provides the same GCS joint formula in liquid form — easier to administer for dogs that avoid powders.
Resiflex 60 Tablets is a tablet-based joint supplement for dogs who do better with pill administration.
Skin and Coat Support
A dull, itchy, or flaky coat is often a sign of essential fatty acid deficiency. Omega supplementation can make a notable difference to coat quality and skin health.
Mirra-Cote is a vitamin and essential fatty acid supplement that improves coat shine, reduces shedding, and supports healthy skin in both dogs and cats.
Efazol Plus provides a concentrated source of omega-6 fatty acids from evening primrose oil, particularly effective for dogs with itchy, inflamed, or flaky skin.
Recovery Support Pet supplements
Heptonic 200ml is a liquid nutritional tonic by Kyron that supports dogs recovering from biliary surgery, or other debilitating illnesses. Its high liver extract content makes it highly palatable, and its 45% glucose content provides quickly available energy. It also contains B vitamins, folic acid, iron, and choline to support blood health and liver function. Suitable for dogs and cats.
Nutribound Recuperation 150ml by Virbac is a ready-to-use liquid complementary feed designed to encourage eating and drinking during recovery. It supports dogs and cats recovering from surgery, illness, appetite loss, or fatigue. No artificial preservatives or colouring agents. Can be given alone, mixed with water, or poured over food.
Oral and Gut Health
PetDent Duo Oral Probiotics 30x1g Sachets targets both oral health and digestive health simultaneously. The probiotic formula helps reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth, addressing bad breath at the source, while also supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
Calming and Behavioural Support
Anxiety in dogs can show as destructive behaviour, excessive barking, or distress during thunderstorms and fireworks, a real concern during South Africa’s summer storm season.
Anxitane Medium/Large Dogs 30 Tablets contains L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid that promotes relaxation without sedation. Safe for daily use and well-suited to both situational and chronic anxiety.
Calmeze Plus Tablets for Dogs and Cats combines L-theanine, tryptophan, and B vitamins to reduce stress and support a calm, balanced mood. Suitable for dogs and cats.
Cat Supplements
Joint Support
Cats are subtle about showing pain, and joint stiffness in cats is frequently missed. If your cat is less active, reluctant to jump, or slow to get up, joint support is worth considering.
GCS Joint Care Advanced Cat Gel 50ml is a vet-formulated salmon-flavoured gel specifically designed for cats. It contains Collagen Type II, GLME (green-lipped mussel extract), omega-3, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, and MSM. Simply pump it onto food or directly onto your cat’s paw — they lick it off themselves. After the initial loading phase (3–4 weeks), the dose can be reduced to a maintenance level.
MobiFlex C is also suitable for cats (dose: ¼ scoop per 10kg daily), making it a convenient option for households with both dogs and cats.
Immune and Respiratory Support Pet supplements
Felisine 60g is an L-Lysine paste for cats, formulated to manage complications caused by Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1), the virus responsible for cat flu (snuffles). Studies have shown that regular L-Lysine supplementation reduces the severity of FHV-1 symptoms. Since up to 97% of cats carry this virus, Felisine is particularly useful for cats prone to recurrent sneezing, runny eyes, or respiratory flare-ups. It is highly palatable, and cats accept it readily. Dose: 1–2g twice daily for adult cats; 1g twice daily for kittens.
Recovery Support
Heptonic 200ml is equally valuable for cats recovering from illness, surgery, or periods of poor appetite. Its liver extract content makes it palatable even for fussy cats. Dose: 5ml daily.
Nutribound Recuperation 150ml by Virbac is available for both dogs and cats and supports the return to normal feeding following illness or surgery. It can be given from the very first hours of recovery and used throughout convalescence.
Skin, Coat, and Calming Pet supplements
Mirra-Cote and Calmeze Plus Tablets are both suitable for cats as well as dogs, covering coat health and stress support, respectively.
Horse Supplements
Joint Support
Horses place enormous strain on their joints, and joint deterioration, particularly in working, competing, or older horses, is a significant concern for South African horse owners.
MobiFlex H is a palatable apple-flavoured powder specifically formulated for horses. It contains glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and GlycOmega™ PLUS Green Lipped Mussel extract — four potent natural anti-inflammatory and cartilage-supporting ingredients. It can be mixed directly into feed (moistened with water to help it stick). Maintenance dose: 2–3 scoops (10–15g) daily; horses over 600kg: 3–4 scoops daily. Dose can be increased two days before strenuous exercise.
MobiFlex C is the collagen-enhanced version of the MobiFlex formula, also suitable for horses. It adds RevitaCOL® Collagen and GlycOmega™ PLUS for enhanced joint regeneration and repair support. Dose: 2–3 scoops (10–15g) daily for horses; 3–4 scoops for horses over 600kg.
GCS Max Joint Care Advanced Equine 1.8kg is the bulk equine version of the GCS joint formula, ideal for consistent long-term supplementation of one or more horses.
What to Look for When Choosing Pet Supplements in South Africa
- Clear active ingredients — a reputable product lists exactly what it contains and at what dose
- Species-specific formulations — products designed for the target species (especially important for cats, who have unique nutritional sensitivities)
- Trusted veterinary brands — look for products from established South African veterinary manufacturers like Kyron and Virbac
- Appropriate dosing by weight — effective supplements give dosing instructions based on your animal’s body weight, not a one-size-fits-all approach
How Long Before You See Results from Pet supplements?
Digestive supplements typically show improvement within a few days to two weeks. Skin and coat supplements take two to four weeks. Joint supplements require four to six weeks of consistent use before significant mobility improvement is seen — patience is important here. Recovery tonics like Heptonic and Nutribound often show an effect within days, as they are designed for acute support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pet Supplements
What is the best joint supplement for dogs in South Africa? GCS Joint Care Advanced Powder XL and MobiFlex C are among the most widely recommended. The best choice depends on your dog’s size and whether they also need collagen support.
Is MobiFlex suitable for cats? Yes. MobiFlex C is formulated for dogs, cats, and horses, making it a versatile option for multi-pet households.
What supplement helps a cat with Feline Herpesvirus or cat flu? Felisine 60g is specifically designed for this. Its L-Lysine content helps manage Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1), which is the underlying cause of most recurring cat flu symptoms.
What is the best recovery supplement for dogs or cats after surgery? Nutribound by Virbac and Heptonic 200ml are both excellent options. Nutribound is ideal for re-establishing eating and drinking from the first hours of recovery. Heptonic provides energy, liver support, and B vitamins for sustained recovery.
Can I give my horse the same joint supplement as my dog? MobiFlex C can be used for both, but horses have dedicated formulas — MobiFlex H and GCS Max Equine — that are better suited to equine dosing requirements.
