Dog health and nutrition is a topic near and dear to the hearts of most pet parents. But many still worry that even the healthiest dog food diets may not provide everything a canine needs to thrive.
In recent years, that concern has contributed to a boom in the dog supplement market. Research shows that up to a third of all dogs in the US take some kind of nutritional supplement, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. And pet parents face a dizzying array of pet supplements to choose from, with brands offering solutions to just about every health concern and nutritional deficit imaginable, from anxiety and allergies to digestive issues.
However, Dandy dog supplements stand out from the competition thanks to the brand’s unique, custom-tailored, subscription-based approach to dog supplements. I was eager to find out if this personalized approach could have a greater impact on dog wellness. So, with the help of my 3-year-old dog, Addy, we put Dandy to the test for two weeks. Here’s what happened!
Save 50% off your first month of Dandy with code TRYOURTREATS
What is Dandy?
Unlike other supplement brands that often take a one-size-fits-all approach to pet health, Dandy tailors its products to your dog’s individual needs. It has a line of 15 different supplements that are scientifically formulated to fill specific gaps in a dog’s diet, offering nutritional support in areas they need most.
The brand was founded by entrepreneur and dog mom, Danielle Sobel, who first started researching dog supplements to help address multiple health issues plaguing her senior rescue dog, Zoe.
When Sobel couldn’t find a supplement solution that catered to her dog’s specific (and varied) needs, she realized that other dog parents were probably in the same boat. So in 2018, she founded Dandy as a way to make customized daily supplements available to all dogs. And that has made it easier for pet parents to take good care of their dogs.
How Dandy Works
Dandy uses a combination of veterinary science and technology to determine the ideal blend of supplements for each individual dog.
First, pet parents fill out a brief quiz on the Dandy website to provide important info about their dog—everything from your dog’s name, breed, sex, weight, and age to health concerns, lifestyle, and wellness goals. The quiz asks how much activity your dog gets daily, if they have any “problem areas,” and if they have any food or environmental allergies, among other things.
Once you’ve filled out the quiz—which only takes a few minutes—Dandy then feeds your answers into a proprietary database and uses a sophisticated algorithm to customize a set of four daily supplements to best benefit each dog’s unique health profile.
However, if you don’t like the recommendations or want to try a different supplement, you’re free to swap out any or all of the recommended supplements and chose your own combo.
Dandy also offers vet-formulated packs that are designed to help with allergies, anxiety, joint care, or wellness care.
Dandy operates on a subscription model so pet parents never have to worry about running out of dog supplements. Once you’ve settled on the perfect daily supplement regimen for your dog, you can choose the subscription plan that works best for you, and Dandy will ship it right to your door.
Choose from plan options spanning one, three, or twelve months, with bigger discounts for longer plan terms. For instance, if I only wanted to order one month of Addy’s supplements, it would cost me $54, but a 12-month plan would cost $37.80 a month. (These prices are lower for smaller breed dogs.)
The first Dandy supplement delivery arrives in a reusable dispenser box, and all the supplements are divided up into convenient daily packets. You can give the supplements to your dog as a treat or mix it in with their food—it’s up to you to figure out what works best for your pup.
Dandy Dog Supplements Line
In total, Dandy offers 15 different supplements, each of which is designed to address certain health concerns, provide preventative care, or promote quality of life for your dog.
For instance, the Pure Heart supplement supports long-term heart health, while the Free & Clear helps with allergies. You’ll also find supplements developed to help with inflammation, digestive issues, stress and anxiety, skin and coat health, metabolism, energy levels, and more.
Every supplement is made with vet-approved natural ingredients that are safe, effective, and sustainable. In the spirit of full transparency, Dandy lists each supplement’s ingredients on their website, so you know exactly what goes into each formula…and into your dog.
Ingredients that do a body good don’t always taste that great. So Dandy’s team of veterinarians and formulators work together to ensure every supplement is supremely palatable and effective. The result is a soft, chewy supplement that tastes like peanut butter, so your dog will think they’re getting a treat, not a health-boosting supplement.
All Dandy supplements are made in the USA without fillers, dyes, or added sugars. They are certified non-GMO and go through rigorous testing, both as raw materials and once they are produced in a facility that’s certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
Putting Dandy Daily Dog Supplements to the Test
After taking the quiz for my dog, Addy, Dandy recommended she take these four daily supplements:
- Happy Belly – Loaded with prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy digestive system.
- Immunity Blend – A blend of Red Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail mushroom extracts to support the immune system, reduce stress, and promote longevity.
- Shine Boost – A twin boost of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from wild Alaskan salmon oil for a shiny coat and healthy joints.
- Supergreens – A blend of spirulina, wheatgrass, and kelp to support daily wellness and a healthy immune response.
Given the thought and science that goes into Dandy’s supplement recommendations, I didn’t feel the need to try out any different options. In fact, since Addy is prone to stomach issues (and was actually taking a daily probiotic supplement before our Dandy trial), I was curious to see if the Happy Belly supplement would be a viable replacement for her.
When our Dandy delivery arrived, it came in really cute, well-designed packaging. I especially loved the fact that the box transforms into a supplement treat dispenser. I set the box up next to Addy’s food bowl and immediately opened one of the colorful packets, which contained her four daily supplements.
(As cute as the packaging is, it’s worth noting that the daily packets are made from non-recyclable plastic, which isn’t the most eco-friendly choice.)
One of the first things I noticed is that the supplements I received looked a bit different than the ones on Dandy’s website, which appear quite colorful, with well-defined shapes. For example, Shine Boost is supposed to be orange and flower-shaped. But the Shine Boost supplement I received was more of a brownish blob.
However, products rarely look exactly how they do on the package, especially when they’re edible. And I don’t think Addy was a bit interested in the shape of the supplements. She was much more intrigued by their soft texture and tempting peanut butter aroma and proceeded to eat them very happily right out of my hand.
It did seem like the treats got stuck in her teeth a little, though, as she was smacking her lips for a few minutes after eating them.
I got a two-week supply of supplements for Addy, so I gave them to her every day with her dinner. To measure their effectiveness, I kept an eye on her bathroom habits, itching, and coat appearance, noting any changes. I also stopped giving her the other probiotic supplement, as I wanted to see if the Happy Belly would be enough to solve her digestive woes.
Two weeks is a pretty short testing window. However, I did see some results, although they weren’t dramatic. Addy seemed to be less itchy than our other dog, which definitely surprised me, considering we were dealing with very high levels of pollen. As for her coat, it looked and felt the same after the two weeks. But her coat always looks in pretty good shape to begin with.
Unfortunately, the Happy Belly supplement wasn’t as effective as I hoped for her digestive issues. When I stopped giving Addy her regular probiotic, she began having poor bowel movements, and there was a lot of butt-scooting on the grass. I was hoping the Dandy supplement would be a viable alternative, as the probiotic we give her currently is quite pricey. But, at least in the two-week test period, it didn’t seem like it was a good alternative.
Dandy does caution pet parents that introducing a new supplement can sometimes cause temporary stomach discomfort. So it’s possible that played a part in Addy’s digestive issues. I would definitely talk to a veterinarian before switching from one supplement to another so quickly.
Overall, I like the concept of Dandy, and I think it’s well-priced considering you get four supplements per day for just over $1. I’d be interested in trying some of the other supplements to see if we could get even better results.
Things We Like:
- Conveniently packaged
- Dog-approved taste
- Reasonable pricing
- Free shipping
- Large selection of supplements
- Ability to swap in different supplements
- Pause or cancel anytime
Things to Consider:
- You’re only able to get packages of four supplements—there’s no option to get more or fewer
- The packages are made from non-recyclable plastic
- Only curated reviews are shown on the Dandy website
Dandy Dog Vitamins: What They’re Saying
As mentioned above, Dandy doesn’t display all its user reviews on its website. Instead, there are just a few highlighted ones. (It would be nice to see a larger selection of un-filtered reviews to get a better sense of what real users think of the brand.) Here are a few of the noteworthy notes from pet parents:
- “Penelope has Happy Belly, Shine Boost, Supergreens, and L-Theanine in her pack. L-Theanine is something my vet actually recommended so I was happy to easily work this into her routine with her other supplements. She has the healthiest, shiniest coat and she has stopped having such a sensitive belly.”
- “Louie’s coat is glowing ever since we started using Dandy, and we love the pre-packaged vitamins.”
- “She’s doing great on her supplements. She used to constantly suffer from allergies and would limp because of her joints. She doesn’t have that issue anymore and can get around much better.”
Dandy Personalized Dog Supplements: Our Verdict
Overall, Addy and I were impressed with Dandy. I liked that the supplements were tailored to her needs, and she liked the soft texture and peanut butter taste.
I can’t say we saw major improvements in the two-week period she was taking the supplements, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they weren’t helping her. After all, I take a daily multi-vitamin, and even though I don’t see any physical changes, I know it’s helping my body.
Dandy Dog Supplements: Tips and Advice
It’s always a good idea to talk to your dog’s veterinarian before starting them on a new food or supplement—this is especially important if your dog has any ongoing medical problems or takes any medications. If your dog has gaps in their diet, medical issues, or even behavioral problems, your veterinarian may suggest other treatment options instead of or in conjunction with supplements.
Dandy does note that some dogs may experience stomach problems when they first start taking supplements (common after any change in diet), but any issues should subside after a few days. If the symptoms persist, you should stop giving your dog the supplements and check in with your vet.
If you’re thinking about trying Dandy for a young pup, the company recommends waiting until your puppy is at least six months old before starting them on Dandy dog supplements.
And here’s some good news for multi-dog households. You can take a quiz for each dog in your family and manage them under one account. Plus, you’re eligible for a 10% discount off your total order if you have more than one dog signed up for a Dandy supplement regimen.
Save 50% off your first month of Dandy with code TRYOURTREATS
