7 Best Eye Supplements for Dogs in 2024 – Reviews and Top Picks
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Like humans, dogs can experience a decline in their vision and overall eye health as they age. Fortunately, the use of certain supplements can be beneficial for the long-term preservation and improvement of eyesight.
However, eye supplements for dogs are not necessarily effective in treating acute eye conditions,1 hence the need to check with your veterinarian before purchasing these products.
We created reviews of various dog eye supplements available on the market to guide you in your search. We hope that this list and the buyer’s guide will help you make an informed choice about what’s right for your beloved pup.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Zesty Paws Tear Stain Bites |
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Check Price |
Best Value
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Lexelium Vision Support |
|
Check Price |
Premium Choice
|
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Animal Necessity Ocu-GLO Vision |
|
Check Price |
| Best for Senior Dogs |
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Zesty Paws Advanced Vision Bites |
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Check Price |
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NaturPet Vision Care Pet Supplement |
|
Check Price |
The 7 Best Eye Supplements for Dogs
1. Zesty Paws Tear Stain Bites — Best Overall
| Product form: | Soft chews |
| Top ingredients: | Antioxidant blend, fish oil, carrots |
| Health features: | Eye care, tear stain removal, immune support |
Zesty Paws Tear Stains are yummy bites that are formulated with a blend of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to support your canine companion’s vision, immune system, and normal eye hydration. They are suitable for all life stages and can even help clear up your senior dog’s cloudy eyes. Be patient, though, as the benefits of these chews may take time to kick in. For example, most dog owners noticed a reduction in tear stains after about 3 to 6 weeks of daily use of this product.
With its affordable price, Zesty Paws Bites are the best overall eye supplement for dogs. But be aware that some dogs may not like the smell and taste of these bites.
- Can reduce most tear stains in about 3 to 6 weeks
- Helps with eye, skin, and immune support
- Easy to use and affordable
- May help clear up cloudy eyes in your senior dog
- Some dogs may not like the smell and won’t eat it
2. Lexelium Vision Support — Best Value
| Product form: | Powder |
| Top ingredients: | Siberian ginseng root extract, bilberry extract, green tea extract |
| Health features: | Eye care |
If you are looking for a quality supplement to improve the vision of your best furry friend at a fair price, Lexelium Vision Support should be right up your alley. Made in the U.S.A. from locally sourced ingredients, this best eye supplement for dogs for the money comes in a powder form and is odorless and tasteless, making it easy to mix into your finicky dog’s food. The formula contains vitamins and minerals, as well as lutein, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin, which help prevent oxidative stress and damage to dogs’ eyes and protects their eyesight from UV rays. Even your cat could benefit from it!
However, be sure to monitor your pet for the first few days, as this supplement may cause constipation in some dogs.
- Doesn’t contain preservatives, soy, or artificial flavors
- Odorless and tasteless
- Can be given to both dogs and cats
- Budget friendly
- May cause constipation in some dogs
3. Animal Necessity Ocu-GLO Vision — Premium Choice
| Product form: | Liquid gelcaps |
| Top ingredients: | GLO Rx proprietary blend, vitamins C and E, green tea extract |
| Health features: | Eye care |
Animal Necessity Ocu-GLO Vision is a blend of several ingredients with antioxidant effects to support your pup’s eyesight, such as grape seed extract, vitamins C and E, zinc, and alpha-lipoic acid. It was formulated by a team of certified veterinary ophthalmologists and pharmacists. Importantly, a clinical study has shown that Ocu-GLO might help delay the progression of immature cataracts (cataracts that involve more than 15% and up to 99% of the lens) in older dogs.
Animal Necessity is also a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), and the NASC quality seal on the packaging signifies that the supplier has undergone a full quality audit. In other words, you can trust the safety and quality of these dog supplements.
However, this quality does not come cheap. Additionally, the capsules may be difficult for some dogs to swallow whole, but you must resist the urge to cut them in half! These capsules are filled with a thick, blood-red liquid that will stain everything if released.
- Contains several ingredients (alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, etc.) with antioxidant effects
- Formulated by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists and pharmacists
- May help delay the progression of immature cataracts according to a clinical study
- Has the NASC Quality Seal
- Gelcaps are a bit difficult to swallow for some dogs
- Staining may occur if gelcaps are opened
- Pricey
4. Zesty Paws Advanced Vision Bites — Best for Senior Dogs
| Product form: | Soft chews |
| Top ingredients: | Cod liver oil, vitamins C and E, algae (DHAgold) |
| Health features: | Eye care for senior dogs |
Zesty Paws Vision Bites are chewable supplements specifically designed for senior dogs. These contain no grains, corn, wheat, or soy, which means they can be given to dogs with special dietary needs. Each bite is formulated with antioxidants, lutein, zeaxanthin, and fish oil to support eye health and reduce cataracts in older dogs. Interestingly, some dog owners have noticed that their dogs’ eye cloudiness decreased after prolonged use of these affordable chews (over a year).
However, one of the main downsides seems to be that some dogs aren’t particularly fond of the smell and texture of these chicken bites, though mixing these supplements with their regular food might help.
- Contains lutein and zeaxanthin to support eye function in senior dogs
- Helps reduce eye cloudiness over time
- NASC certified
- Free of grains, corn, wheat, and soy
- Affordable
- Some dogs don’t like the smell and texture
5. NaturPet Vision Care Pet Supplement
| Product form: | Liquid |
| Top ingredients: | Bilberry fruit |
| Health features: | Eye care |
NaturPet Vision Care is a liquid supplement for dogs and cats that contains bilberry. Bilberry fruits are packed with antioxidants that help protect eye cells from free radical damage associated with aging. Therefore, giving this supplement regularly to your dog can help delay the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration. Also, these easy-to-use drops can support and boost the overall health and vitality of your pet’s eyes as they age. However, note that it may take a while before you notice an effect on your dog’s eyes (such as reduced cloudiness).
NaturPet Vision Care is produced in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-certified facility, which means this product consistently meets quality standards.
- Produced in a GMP-certified facility
- Bilberry fruit contains antioxidants that help protect your dog’s eyes from the effects of aging
- Doesn’t contain common allergens like wheat or soy
- Easy to mix with your pup’s food
- May take a while to notice an effect (like less cloudiness) in dog’s eyes
6. Angels’ Eyes Plus Tear Stain Supplement
| Product form: | Soft chews |
| Top ingredients: | Cranberry powder, olive leaf, marshmallow root |
| Health features: | Eye care, tear stain removal |
Angels’ Eyes Plus supplements are designed to remove the tear stains that adorn your dog’s face. These soft chews are made in the U.S.A. with natural ingredients sourced from around the world and can help reduce tear stains from within by promoting an inflammatory response in your dog.
These beef-flavored chews contain a blend of antioxidants, like cranberries and eyebright, to help fight eye inflammation and conjunctivitis. They are easy to swallow, but some dogs hate the taste and smell of these chews. It’s not a miracle product, but it does help get rid of most dark tear stains. However, it can take a few weeks to see results, and this product is also rather expensive.
- Made in the U.S.A. with globally sourced ingredients
- Does not contain wheat, corn, and soy
- Has the NASC Quality Seal
- Does not eliminate the stains completely
- Expensive
- Some dogs hate the smell and taste of these chews
7. NaturVet Tear Stain Vision Supplement
| Product form: | Soft chews |
| Top ingredients: | Cranberry extract, Oregon grape root, vitamin C |
| Health features: | Eye care, tear stain removal |
NaturVet Tear Stain Vision are soft chews manufactured in the U.S.A. in a Food and Drug Administration-audited and GMP-certified facility. You can therefore trust the quality and safety of these bites. Moreover, this formula includes active ingredients like lutein, vitamins C and E, blueberry, and zeaxanthin. It helps support your dog’s immune system and works by lubricating mucous membranes to diminish tear stains. That said, they do not completely eliminate tear stains in some dogs. Also, the size of the bites can be tough for small mouths to chew on, even though the price is enticing.
- May help reduce unsightly tear stains with prolonged use
- Carries the NASC Quality Seal
- Inexpensive
- Does not completely remove tear stains in some dogs
- Big bites that can be hard for little mouths to chew
Things to Consider Before Buying Eye Supplements for Your Dog
Should You Give Your Dog Eye Supplement?
First, before giving eye supplements (or any kind of supplements) to your canine, you should talk with your veterinarian. Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop eye problems, but your vet may prescribe other types of treatments before suggesting supplements. Also, be aware that some supplements may interact with the medications that your pet is taking.
Lastly, know that a balanced diet contributes greatly to the eye health of your four-legged friend and that supplements are not always necessary.
Do Eye Supplements for Dogs Work?
Eye supplements can work in certain situations, but it mostly depends on the underlying cause of the dog’s eye problem.
In general, eye supplements contain specific antioxidants that help support eye health and function. Thus, they can help reduce inflammation, decrease the progression of cataracts, reduce tear stains, and support overall eye health.
However, not all supplements are created equal, and some may not be effective at all. Also, clinical trials are rare in the world of eye supplements for dogs, which means it’s not easy to find accurate information on the efficacy and safety of these products!
That said, a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science showed that antioxidant supplements can be beneficial and effective for the long-term preservation and improvement of various ocular functions in dogs. Even healthy dogs with normal eyes seem to benefit from supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
A study on cataracts in older dogs showed that antioxidant supplementation appears to be beneficial in delaying the progression of immature cataracts. Antioxidants that may delay cataract progression include vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, astaxanthin, grape seed extract, and zinc.
The good news is that these are ingredients found in almost every product reviewed on this list!
What Should You Look For When Buying Eye Supplements for Dogs?
- Ingredients: Check the ingredient list to make sure the supplement contains the antioxidants recommended for good eye health, such as grape seed extract, vitamins C and E, and carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
- Product Form: Whether it’s a liquid, soft chew, or gelcap, it’s best to opt for a product form that your dog will enjoy. In general, chewable bites are appreciated by most dogs, but drops to mix into food are ideal if your pet is finicky.
- Brand Reputation: Ideally, choose a supplement from a reputable brand that has a track record of producing high-quality pet supplements.
- Price: Although price isn’t always an indicator of quality, it’s best to choose a supplement that fits your budget and offers good value for money.
How Do You Know Which Supplements for Dogs Are Safe?
According to the American Animal Hospital Association, there’s a simple answer: Look for the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal.
The yellow NASC seal on a pet supplement informs you that the formula was produced in a facility that has undergone rigorous, independent auditing and meets NASC’s Good Manufacturing Practice Quality Standards. You can check this list to find out if the company that makes the dog supplement that you want to buy is a member.
Conclusion
Zesty Paws Tear Stain Bites is the best overall eye supplement for dogs, while Lexelium Vision Support offers the best value for money. If you can afford it, we recommend trying Ocu-Glo Vision capsules made by Animal Necessity, as their results have been clinically reviewed.
We hope that these reviews will help you navigate the myriad supplements available on the market. Remember, check with your vet before giving your dog any type of supplement!
Featured Image Credit: Bari Attila, Shutterstock
