As our dogs get older, you may notice they start to bump into things or have trouble seeing the ball when you play fetch. Dog eye supplements can help to protect your dog’s eyes and potentially delay some eye issues that may affect your dog as they age.
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Related: Best Eye Wipes For Dogs, Best Liquid Joint Supplements For Your Dog
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
What Are Dog Eye Supplements?
Dog eye supplements are given to your dog to help protect their eyesight and other potential eye conditions that may affect your dog.
They come in various forms including:
- Tablet.
- Powder.
- Capsule.
- Liquid.
- Soft Chew.
No one form is better than the other, it just depends on which one is better for your dog and easier for them to take.
Why Should I Give My Dog Eye Supplements?
There are several reasons why you may opt to give your dog eye supplements. Among them:
- Cataracts. This is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Your dog’s eyes may appear white in color. If left untreated, it may lead to blindness.
- Diabetes. A complication of diabetes in dogs is cataracts, which, as mentioned above, can lead to blindness.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This is an inherited disease that causes the breakdown of your dog’s retina. The retina converts light into signals that are sent from the optic nerve to the brain to help you see images. As the retina breaks down, less and less light can get through. This results in blindness.
- Dry Eye. This is an inflammatory condition that results from not having enough tears produced to lubricate the eyes.
- Macular Degeneration. This is a degeneration of the center of the retina and may lead to vision impairment in your dog.
- Glaucoma. An increase of intraocular pressure that can result in damage to the retina or optic nerve.
What Can I Give My Dog To Help With Their Eyesight?
When looking for eye supplements to give your dog to help their eyesight, there are a few ingredients you may want to look for:
- Antioxidants. According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Nutritional Science, antioxidants have been shown to “increase retinal function” and “delay visual impairment”. According to this study, “Antioxidant supplementation … may be beneficial and effective in the long-term preservation and improvement of various functions of the canine eye”. Antioxidants given in this study included:
- Lutein. This naturally occurs in dogs’ eyes and helps with the absorption of blue light. If not enough blue light is absorbed, this can lead to damage of the retina.
- Zeaxanthin. Helps to absorb blue light that can damage the retina.
- Astaxanthin. Works to prevent free radicals from damaging cells.
- Beta-Carotene. Helps to protect against free radicals and promote eye health.
- Vitamin C. Has shown to decrease the development of cataracts.
- Vitamin E. Helps protect against free radicals and promotes eye health.
The combination of all these antioxidants has shown to promote eye health and decrease the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Bilberry. Native to Europe, bilberries have antioxidant properties and can help protect against free radicals. It has also been suggested that bilberry is good for eye health and helps with symptoms of glaucoma. Bilberries should not be given to your dog if they are on blood thinners, as bilberries are high in Vitamin K and may interfere with your dog’s ability to form blood clots.
- Grape Seed Extract. This is also high in antioxidants. Caution should be taken if your dog is on blood thinners, as Grape Seed Extract may itself thin the blood.
- Marigold Extract. This contains both Lutein and Zeaxanthin as mentioned above.
Does Fish Oil Help With Dog’s Vision?
Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as DHA. In addition to improving circulation, supporting healthy joints, and promoting a healthy coat, Omega-3 has been shown to support eye health and can improve dry eye symptoms in your dog.
Can Dog Eye Supplements Improve Vision?
Eye supplements work best if they are given to your dog before any symptoms begin.
They may help to delay eye conditions that your dog may be prone to due to hereditary factors or age related conditions.
In the beginning stages of certain eye conditions, like cataracts, pet parents have reported noticing an improvement in their dog’s symptoms after starting them on an eye supplement, as mentioned below.
Dog Eye Supplements
These are the top rated eye health supplements for dogs. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Best Overall Dog Eye Supplement
Formulated for senior dogs, Zesty Paws Advanced Vision Bites contain antioxidants, Omega-3, and Bilberry.
Zesty Paws Advanced Vision Bites
- For senior dogs.
- Contains antioxidants and omega-3.
- Includes Letemax 2020, marigold extract with Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which supports eye health.
- Has Cod Liver Oil and DHAgold.
- Contains AstaZine to support capillary health.
- Includes Beta Carotene for visual function.
- Also has Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Bilberry to support eye health.
- Made in the USA with US and globally sourced ingredients.
Pros/Cons:
- Has helped several dogs by reducing blue tint and cloudiness of the eyes.
- Doesn’t upset their stomach.
- Some dogs didn’t like the taste.
Best Soft Chew
This eye supplement contains a blend of 12 antioxidants and also contains Grape Seed Extract and Omega-3.
Ocu-GLO Vision Support Supplement
- Blend of 12 antioxidants.
- Soy free.
- Artificial chicken flavor so dogs with allergies can take it.
- For small and medium sized dogs up to 60 lbs.
- Contains Grape Seed Extract, Lutein, Omega-3, and Astaxanthin for vision support.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Dogs like the flavor of the soft chew over other forms of the supplement.
- Hard for some dogs to chew.
- Expensive.
Best Powder Eye Supplement
This Dr. Mercola supplement has antioxidants and Bilberry in a palatable powder.
Dr. Mercola Eye Support
- Blend of antioxidants for eye support.
- Contains Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin from marigolds, Bilberry, and Lutein.
- Has Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
- Liver flavored.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Helps eye cloudiness diminish.
- Dogs like the taste.
Best Dog Eye Supplement Chewable Tablet
The Nutrition Strength Vision Supplement is a chewable tablet containing antioxidants and Bilberry.
Nutrition Strength Vision Supplement For Dogs
- Contains Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Bilberry for eye support.
- Includes Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
- Chewable tablet.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Helped slow down progression of blindness.
- Some dogs wouldn’t eat it.
- Caused diarrhea in some.
Best Liquid Dog Eye Supplement
If you have a hard time getting your dog to take pills, NaturPet has a liquid Vision Care Supplement. This contains antioxidants and is also beneficial in relieving allergy symptoms in your dog’s eyes.
NaturPet Vision Care Supplement
- Helps allergy related symptoms.
- Protects and soothes irritated eyes.
- Strengthens vision circulation.
- Contains antioxidants.
- Helps prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, and nearsightedness.
- Includes Bilberry Fruit.
- Made in Canada.
Pros/Cons:
- Helped diminish haziness of eyes.
- Easy to administer.
- Improved red eyes.
Best Capsule Dog Eye Supplement
This eye health supplement, which contains antioxidants, Grape Seed Extract, and Omega-3, can be used two ways: as a capsule or if your dog has trouble taking it, it can be opened and the powder inside can be spread onto or mixed into their food.
Ocu-GLO PB Vision Supplement
- Contains antioxidants to support eye health.
- Includes Grape Seed Extract, Lutein, Omega-3, and Astaxanthin to promote eye health.
- Also includes Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Lycopene, Folate, and Coenzyme Q10.
- Can open capsules and sprinkle powder over food.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Helped clear cloudy eyes.
- Most dogs did not like the taste.
- Expensive.
Dog eye supplements can be given to your dog to help delay vision impairments that may occur due to old age or hereditary conditions.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.