Wellness is about making healthy lifestyle choices daily with the goal of positive physical and mental outcomes today and in the future. As more and more people recognize the importance of a holistic approach to health, we’ve seen the value of the wellness industry increase year after year. Not only that, but this interest in self-care has extended to our furry friends.
As someone who has worked in the wellness industry for nearly a decade, I’ve seen a boom in supplemental products available to pets over recent years. This market growth makes wellness more accessible to the general population; however, the limited policing in the supplement industry makes it easy for unsavory companies to mislead consumers, whether through deceptive claims or adulterated products.
Based on my extensive research and knowledge of the supplement industry, I’ll help you decide if VetSmart Formulas by Pet Wellness Direct are the best supplements for your canine companion’s health needs—and, of course, your wallet.
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Pet Wellness Direct Review
Contents
Product Name: Pet Wellness Direct
Product Description: Pet Wellness Direct is a direct-to-consumer canine-focused supplements company selling all-natural supplements and grooming products under the label VetSmart Formulas.
Summary
Pet Wellness Direct sells human-grade, natural wellness products for pets under its brand, VetSmart Formulas. The company markets itself as a veterinarian-approved line designed to promote optimum wellness for your pet. Its cornerstone mushroom and turmeric immune support product rates highly among consumers; however, the supplement is prohibitively priced at $65 for a month’s supply—even for human supplement standards. With such substantial costs, you should be wary of some of this company’s red flags, such as the use of proprietary blends, structure/function claims, and the lack of third-party certifications for quality, purity, and potency.
Overall Score
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Human-grade ingredients
- Positive customer reviews
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Subscribe for auto-shipping and save 5-15%
Cons
- Expensive
- No third-party product certifications for quality, purity, and potency
- Lack of sourcing transparency
- Use of proprietary blends
- Limited product variety
5 Key Features
- Natural wellness solutions that are free of artificial flavors and dyes
- Offer products for digestion, grooming, immunity, mobility, and oral care
- Developed with help from a veterinary advisory board
- Products are made in FDA-audited facilities that conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
- Company claims products are safe to use with most prescription medications
Pet Wellness Direct Reviews: Supplements & Pricing
Pet Wellness Direct has formulated four products under its VetSmart label. I reached out to Pet Wellness Direct founder and owner Russ Kamalski for further information on product sourcing, preparation, and efficacy, which I will include below.
VetSmart Critical Immune Defense Review
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The company’s flagship product, Critical Immune Defense, is a powder immune support formula containing fungi, milk thistle, vitamins, minerals, and Coenzyme Q10 to optimize your pet’s immune system function.
Standout Ingredients
Mushrooms are one of my favorite immune-supporting ingredients. You can find a wealth of data on mushrooms in relation to their immunomodulatory activity. Immune modulators work by changing your immune system’s response—either through stimulation or suppression—and may help the body fight infections, DNA damage, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Other standout ingredients include:
- Milk thistle: This herb and its primary constituent, silymarin, offer protection to the liver from being damaged by toxins
- Turmeric: The curcumin found in turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Calcium Ascorbate (Vitamin C): An antioxidant that supports tissue growth and repair
Ingredient Analysis
This formula uses a 1,330 mg proprietary blend of turkey tail, reishi, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms. Kamalski says Pet Wellness Direct uses organic mushrooms grown in Canada on sustainable farms using sorghum substrate. The formula uses both the mycelium and the fruiting body of the mushrooms.
Need to familiarize yourself with mushrooms? The mushroom supplement company Host Defense, whose founder Paul Stamets is considered an industry leader, discusses mushroom benefits, substrates, mycelium vs. fruiting bodies, and more on its blog.
I was unfamiliar with white turmeric root extract, so I contacted Kamalski to get the scoop. According to Kamalski, they use a form of patented white curcumin that is odorless, colorless, and 6x more bioavailable than yellow turmeric. Curcumin has notoriously poor absorption in humans and animals, so many trademarked formulations have been created to improve its bioavailability. The idea is that this extract would increase effectiveness while avoiding staining your pet’s fur and avoiding palatability issues.
As I was not provided the name of this patented extract, and it is not listed in the product’s ingredient list, I could not verify any absorption and bioavailability claims. The Pet Wellness Direct blog post covering the topic of white curcumin links to a study of a patented form of curcumin trademarked as CurQfen®, which offers up to 45 times more absorption than unformulated standard curcumin. However, I’ve seen no proof that this extract is actually being used in the formula.
Price
VetSmart Probiotic Nutrient Enhancer Review
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The VetSmart Probiotic Nutrient Enhancer is a fairly typical probiotic supplement for dogs. For the unfamiliar, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that make up a portion of a microbiome, or the community of microorganisms living in a particular environment. The largest concentration of probiotics is found in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, where they play a crucial role in a pup’s overall health and wellness, including gut function, immunity, dermatological health, and mood support.
Standout Ingredients
When you are purchasing a probiotic, you want to look for the type of probiotics featured in the formula (called strains) and the number of live cultures per capsule, called colony-forming units (CFUs)
VetSmart’s probiotic contains 15 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus acidophilus, a well-studied probiotic species shown to support digestive and immune health. You can learn more about probiotics in our article covering the best probiotic supplement for dogs.
The product’s other active ingredients are:
- Pancreatin 4x USP: This digestive enzyme mixture breaks down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
- Beef liver: VetSmart uses this glandular for flavoring but is also a source of various vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and fatty acids to support the immune system and metabolic function
- Fructo oligosaccharides: A prebiotic fiber that is digested by good bacteria
Ingredient Analysis
It’s great to see that this probiotic supplement contains beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and prebiotic fiber. This combination supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health. The high culture count puts this product at a more “therapeutic” dosage, and you can separate the capsules and sprinkle the powder over food for easy delivery.
Cons? Ideally, I want to see more variety of strains, as research shows different strains offer distinctly unique benefits. The supplement manufacturer Vitaquest provides excellent introductory information about probiotic strains and their benefits.
Price
VetSmart Early Stage Hip + Joint Complex Review
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Unfortunately, joint issues are common in dogs as they age, whether attributed to genetics or regular wear and tear. To mitigate arthritis and other joint issues, you may wish to start your pup on a joint supplement, such as VetSmart Formula’s Early Stage + Joint Complex.
Standout Ingredients
- Glucosamine sulfate (shellfish source): Joint formulas often use glucosamine in combination with chondroitin to help reduce joint pain and rebuild cartilage
- MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): This sulfur offers anti-inflammatory benefits
- Chondroitin sulfate (porcine source): May help prevent cartilage breakdown and stimulate repair
Ingredient Analysis
Holistic medicine often recommends a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM as a remedy for osteoarthritis. The combination supports inflammation reduction and joint repair. The added hyaluronic acid in the formula supports joint lubrication to prevent further damage.
While VetSmart Formulas guarantees results—you can get a full refund if you contact them within 30 days—keep in mind that the benefits from glucosamine and other ingredients may take eight or more weeks to notice. Ideally, your pup will take this formula over an extended period for maximum results.
Price
VetSmart Advanced Hip + Joint Complex With MSM Review
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For those dogs that need additional pain support, Pet Wellness Direct created the VetSmart Formulas Advanced Hip + Joint Complex. The formula features the glucosamine sulfate and MSM that you find in the early-stage formula with additional anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Standout Ingredients
- Green-lipped mussel: New Zealand green-lipped mussels are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy joints, skin, and coat
- Angelica sinensis: Also referred to as “dong quai” or “dong gui” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), research shows that this plant may prevent cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis
- Rehmannia: TCM uses rehmannia to treat conditions believed to be caused by yin deficiency, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain
Ingredient Analysis
Of all of the Pet Wellness Direct Formulas, this is by far the most unique. If you have tried other joint formulas with no positive outcomes, this formula may offer your furry friend a different line of support.
Keep in mind that this formula contains multiple blood thinners, which may raise the risk of bleeding. Drugs.com advises that you avoid taking omega-3s (like green-lipped mussel) with herbs that affect blood clotting, specifically listing angelica (dong quai).
If your dog takes warfarin, clopidogrel, or any other anticoagulants or antiplatelets, it is imperative that you speak to your veterinarian before giving this supplement to your pet.
Price
Other Products From Pet Wellness Direct
Pet Wellness Direct carries a few other grooming products, specifically two anti-flea products and an oral care spray.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions our readers often ask about Pet Wellness Direct. If you have any others, please ask us in our comments.
Is Pet Wellness Direct Good For Dogs?
At first glance, the Pet Wellness Direct formulas focus on ingredients that may indeed benefit your pup’s health. That said, a supplement is only as good as its quality. Most supplements are not rigorously tested for health outcomes, and ingredient labels may not accurately reflect what’s in the actual supplement. Products may contain contaminants, inaccurately describe dosing, or fail to mention drug interactions.
For example, a 2023 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association that tested 57 botanical supplements found that 89% of the supplements misrepresented what was actually in the bottle. This is why it is so important that you buy a product that is third-party tested for purity and potency. Without proper testing, you could essentially be spending your money on pills that have absolutely no effect. Worse, the supplement might have contaminants that are harmful to your pet. As Pet Wellness Direct could not provide any third-party certifications on its labels and its products have not been clinically tested, we cannot guarantee the quality or efficacy of these products.
Keep in mind that, like all supplements, your pet may experience adverse effects. For example, side effects of chondroitin (found in both VetSmart joint formulas) include gastrointestinal issues like gas and diarrhea.
You should always consult your veterinarian for contraindications before starting a new supplement, especially if they are taking prescription medications.
Do Veterinarians Recommend Pet Wellness Direct?
Pet Wellness Direct formulated its products for veterinarians. Its board of advisors contains multiple practicing vets who recommend these products.
What’s Our Final Verdict?
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While the VetSmart line has a lot of potential, the biggest concern I have is the company’s transparency. The formulas rely heavily on proprietary blends, which allows a company to use however much they want of each ingredient within the blend. So, while the formula may look like it has a lot of a certain ingredient, it may be just a small part of the formula.
The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)—responsible for regulating animal products—has no regulatory mechanism in place for health claims on animal supplements. What does all of this mean?
Manufacturers are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their product before it hits the market. Any regulation of animal supplements is done voluntarily. The most reputable companies will seek out independent third-party testing to ensure purity and potency.
When asked about third-party testing, Kamalski said some of its contract manufacturers are members of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), which requires members to follow council guidelines for quality control, good manufacturing processes, and labeling; however, VetSmart supplements do not list any third-party certifications on its labels. According to Kamalski, the company does its own batch testing for quality control and provides a certificate of analysis with each product.
The brand also makes a lot of health claims about its products. I am always wary of products that make claims about their formulas without clinical research to back them up.
All of this goes to say that the brand may have stellar products and perform testing to the highest standard, but without transparency, the consumer has no way to access this information. You have no idea what you’re really getting when you purchase these products. And that is a huge concern.
What You Need To Know
If Pet Wellness Direct wants a gold star of approval, it needs to:
- Direct consumers to where they can find more information about the supply chain
- Move away from proprietary blends and instead disclose ingredient weight and/or potency
- List any patented extracts on the label so that consumers know the ingredient has been clinically proven effective
- Display recognizable third-party certifications on its labels
Until changes are made to this company’s transparency with its consumers, I would be hesitant to buy these products for my pets.
Pet Wellness Direct Alternatives
If you’re considering alternatives to VetSmart supplements, check out our reviews of other pet supplement options, including our reviews of Pet Honesty, Native Pet, and Finn.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Tara is a writer for Canine Journal, specializing in health and nutrition. She has worked in the wellness industry for nearly a decade, advising pet parents on supplements and nutrition for their furry friends. Tara spends countless hours vetting companies and their products for quality, such as checking ingredient sourcing, product purity, and sustainability.