Because studies suggest, and many veterinarians agree, that nutritional supplements help facilitate proper growth in puppies, maximum health in adult dogs and can contribute to disease prevention in dogs of all ages.
We do get asked whether there is any science behind supplementing our dogs, so I thought I’d post a few findings to support our own personal experience from a scientific point of view.
Selected quotes from published scientific studies:
“The approach of preventative nutrition is to remove nutritional risk factors from an animal’s diet to maintain optimal health and well-being and prevent the onset of disease. Providing an animal with the highest-quality diet is important but will not always accomplish this goal. Studies of nutritional supplements have shown the effectiveness of using well-designed nutritional supplements to overcome subclinical deficiencies and health problems during times of growth, lactation, heavy stress and work (Mauchlin, Sauberlich, 1994).
Nutritional supplementation has also been shown to increase life span. Essential nutrients in levels exceeding the basic requirements may significantly reduce degenerative conditions and increase the healthy life span of animals (Cutler, 1991). Nutritional supplements increase the efficiency of cellular regeneration, enhance the elimination of waste products and toxic substances, and decrease the damaging effect of free radicals (Halliwell, 1994; Sies, Stahl, 1995) all of which have been linked to the aging process.”
Shoen, A. M., & Wynn, S. G. (1998). Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine: Principles and practice. St. Louis, Missouri. Mosby. p.34
“Nutritional Supplements not only enhance recovery from stress, illness, and injury but also help prevent the onset of many degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, gastrointestinal problems and skin disorders.”
Shoen, A. M., & Wynn, S. G. (1998). Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine: Principles and practice. St. Louis, Missouri. Mosby. p.24
“Nutritional supplementation should be used in conjunction with a high-quality basic diet. The use of nutritional products and daily supplements (such as multivitamin/mineral formula) raises the nutrition availability of essential nutrients in the animal’s overall diet. The purpose of incorporating supplements into the diet of work and companion animals is to provide a full spectrum of essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other food factors that may be deficient in the animal because of biochemical individuality or low-quality food.”
Shoen, A. M., & Wynn, S. G. (1998). Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine: Principles and practice. St. Louis, Missouri. Mosby. p.24
