While the foundation of health starts with good nutrition, some pets benefit from supplementation of the diet, especially to address age-related changes. There is expected degeneration that occurs over time in different body systems, but studies have shown certain ingredients can help slow or reverse some of these changes.
How to choose a supplement brand
It’s important to note that for both people and pets, supplements in the United States are only lightly regulated and in most cases are not required to prove that they provide the benefits they claim. In other words, not all supplements are created equally.
A good rule of thumb is to look for supplements that are USP certified, which means that the supplement has been tested by an outside lab to confirm ingredient makeup and potency. For animal supplements, a NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) seal confirms the company complies with external auditing of their manufacturing process to ensure safety and quality standards are in place.
But most of all, look for companies that perform controlled scientific studies in animals to confirm the specific supplement you are considering has been proven to have the desired effect in that species.
Inflammation
New studies are contributing to our greater understanding of the deleterious effects of chronic inflammation in the body. Inflammation can contribute to accelerated aging changes in our brain, gut, heart and joints. To combat this, a supplement that almost all senior pets would benefit from is fish oil. We have many studies demonstrating both the general safety profile and beneficial effects of omega fatty acid supplementation for people and for pets. When looking for a fish oil supplement, choose those that are derived from small marine sources, such as anchovies or sardines, rather than larger fish like salmon. Small fish tend to have less accumulated toxins than larger species. Fish oil is particularly important if you feed a primarily kibble diet, as these tend to be higher in omega-6 fatty acids and benefit from a better adjusted omega 3:6 ratio. Nordic Naturals and Nutramax (Welactin) both make quality veterinary specific fish oil supplements for pets. Avoid flaxseed-based fatty acid supplements, as animals cannot absorb and utilize this form as efficiently as people can.
Cognitive function
A study by the Animal Behavior Clinic at the University of California - Davis demonstrated that 28% of dogs aged 11-12 years and 68% of dogs aged 15-16 years showed one or more signs of cognitive impairment. Cats are similarly affected. Around 28% of cats between 11 and 14 years of age and 50% of cats over 15 develop at least one behavioral problem related to cognitive decline. Cognitive dysfunction is a similar disease process to dementia in people.
Antioxidant supplementation has been found to be helpful in reducing these brain changes, as well as addressing free radical damage in other tissues. Whole food supplementation with “superfoods” such as blueberries are one way to provide antioxidant benefits to older pets. You can add (preferably organic) blueberries on top of your pet’s food up to 3-5 times per week at a dose of approximately one blueberry per pound of body weight. Cranberries and raspberries are also good choices.
For more concentrated antioxidant supplementation to address brain changes specifically, consider Senilife, a supplement that showed improved memory performance in dogs in a controlled study.
Joint health
Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, is one of the most common conditions in aging pets. Glucosamine-chondroitin is the most commonly recommended supplement, but it’s important to look for those that contain glucosamine hydrochloride rather than glucosamine sulfate, as the latter has not been found to enter the joint capsule. Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASUs) have shown to protect cartilage damage in dogs and can also be beneficial for slowing arthritis change. Finally, green lipped mussels have also been found to improve function in arthritis-affected dogs, although the mechanism has not yet been determined.
YuMove makes quality supplements containing green lipped mussel and glucosamine hydrochloride in addition to other ingredients. Dasuquin by Nutramax is also a good choice.
Muscle wasting
Older pets can lose muscle mass for several reasons including inactivity, arthritis, sarcopenia (age-related muscle wasting), and secondary to chronic illnesses such as heart or kidney disease. This leads to weakness and can hasten immobility. Senior pets may benefit from slightly higher levels of protein in their food. For those pets with certain chronic diseases or owners who have special concern about muscle loss, a supplement called Myos has also been shown to help preserve muscle mass in both cats and dogs.
Immune function
Finally, older pets have reduced immune system function, making them more vulnerable to illness with reduced ability to fight infections. Recent research has demonstrated that certain medicinal mushrooms provide immune boosting benefits as well as have some effects on improving microbiome health. The extraction process used to harness the power of these special fungi is important - with hot water extraction obtaining the highest concentration of beneficial compounds. RealMushrooms is a company that uses this process when making their supplements for pets. Consider rotating among the mushrooms to harness the beneficial effects of each, or choose the 5 Defenders formula for a rounded combination of immune-boosters.
At Petspan, we’re on the forefront of longevity interventions for pets. Want to learn more about what options are available to help your pet live a longer and healthier life? Schedule a consultation with one of our Petspan veterinarians.
