Dog Aging Project data show supplements are common in dogs

Supplement use is widespread among dogs in the Dog Aging Project, adding fresh scale to something many clinicians already see in exam rooms: pet parents are routinely reaching for non-prescription products to support mobility, aging, and general wellness. In a peer-reviewed analysis of Dog Aging Project survey data, 46.7% of dogs age 1 year and older were reported to receive at least one daily supplement, and 87.8% of those supplemented dogs were getting a joint support product. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

The study most directly tied to this question examined demographic factors associated with joint supplement use in 26,951 enrolled dogs from Release 1.0 of the Dog Aging Project dataset. Researchers found supplement use tracked with several familiar clinical and lifestyle variables: older age, larger body size, and osteoarthritis diagnosis were all associated with greater use, while certain owner factors, including rural living and feeding non-traditional diets such as home-prepared or freeze-dried food, were also linked with higher odds of joint supplement administration. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

That background matters because the Dog Aging Project is designed as a large, longitudinal, open-science study of aging in companion dogs, with survey data, veterinary records, and biologic sampling intended to support future health and lifespan analyses. In other words, the current findings are descriptive, but the platform could eventually help answer harder questions about whether supplement use correlates with meaningful outcomes over time. The authors themselves note that future follow-up may allow prospective study of osteoarthritis incidence in dogs receiving versus not receiving joint supplements. (content.dogagingproject.org)

The key caveat is that prevalence doesn't equal proof. The same paper points out that glucosamine and chondroitin, two of the most common joint supplement ingredients, have not been shown conclusively to prevent arthritis or reduce pain in dogs or humans. WSAVA pain guidance similarly characterizes the evidence base for many supplements as limited. That disconnect, high real-world use alongside mixed evidence, is likely part of why the topic resonates with clinicians and pet parents alike. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Industry and regulatory context adds another layer. FDA states that the human dietary supplement framework created by DSHEA does not apply to animal products, including pet food, and products marketed for animals may be regulated as food or as drugs depending on their intended claims. In January 2025, FDA warned six sellers of products marketed for seizure control in dogs and cats that the products were unapproved animal drugs, a reminder that claim language matters. Meanwhile, the National Animal Supplement Council positions its Quality Seal as a marker of third-party audited manufacturing and compliance standards, though that seal is not the same as FDA approval. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: In practice, this is a medication-history story as much as a nutrition story. If nearly half of dogs in a large community cohort are getting daily supplements, veterinarians can't assume these products will be volunteered unless they ask directly. Supplement discussions may influence pain management plans, nutritional counseling, adverse event workups, perioperative recommendations, and client expectations about preventive care. The Dog Aging Project data also suggest supplement use may cluster with other feeding choices, including non-traditional diets, which can help clinicians identify where broader counseling may be needed. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

For veterinary teams, the most useful response may be pragmatic: document all supplements, ask what outcome the pet parent is hoping for, explain where evidence is strong versus weak, and recommend products from companies with clearer quality controls and post-market vigilance. That approach respects client behavior without overstating what the science can currently support. (wsava.org)

What to watch: The next meaningful development will be longitudinal Dog Aging Project analyses that move beyond prevalence and demographics to clinical outcomes, especially whether commonly used supplements are associated with differences in osteoarthritis onset, function, cognition, or survival. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)