Dog Aging Project study finds supplements are common in dogs

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: A new American Journal of Veterinary Research study using Dog Aging Project data found that supplement use is now a mainstream behavior among U.S. pet parents: 20,993 of 40,367 dogs, or 52%, were reported to receive at least one supplement. Among dogs getting supplements, the most common products were omega-3 fatty acids and joint supplements, each used in more than half of supplement-taking dogs. The analysis drew on owner survey responses collected from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022, and concluded that dog characteristics, more than pet parent demographics, were most strongly tied to whether supplements were used. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the takeaway is simple: supplement histories need to be part of routine nutrition and medication conversations. The authors say the sheer frequency of use means clinicians should spend more time discussing supplement efficacy with pet parents, especially for senior dogs. That matters in a market where products sold for animals aren't covered by the human dietary supplement framework under DSHEA; FDA says these products are regulated as animal food or animal drugs depending on intended use, not as a separate supplement category. In practice, that leaves veterinarians in a key position to help pet parents sort evidence, safety, interactions, and product quality. It also fits a broader One Health push toward better companion-animal health surveillance: as AVMA’s Veterinary Vertex recently highlighted, integrating pet health data with human and environmental data could support earlier risk detection and more timely action, and common owner-driven behaviors like supplement use are part of that real-world picture. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

What to watch: Expect follow-up work from the Dog Aging Project to dig deeper into which supplements are being used for specific conditions, whether use changes over time, and how those choices align, or don't, with clinical evidence. More broadly, watch for efforts to connect companion-animal datasets across sectors so routine care choices, disease trends, and environmental exposures can be studied together in a more integrated surveillance model.