Half of dogs in Dog Aging Project cohort got supplements

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: Half of dogs in the Dog Aging Project cohort were reported to be getting supplements, according to a new American Journal of Veterinary Research analysis of 40,367 enrollment surveys collected from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022. The study found that 52% of dogs received at least one supplement, with omega-3 fatty acids and joint supplements the most common among supplement users. The authors also reported that supplement use was especially common in dogs with orthopedic conditions, and that dog characteristics, more than pet parent characteristics, were associated with differences in use. The work draws on data from the Dog Aging Project, a large U.S. longitudinal community-science research effort that follows companion dogs over time. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the findings reinforce how routine supplement use has become in everyday canine care, especially among senior dogs and dogs with mobility concerns. That matters because these products often enter the history only if clinicians ask directly, and because the regulatory picture remains uneven: animal supplements are not regulated like drugs and are not required to demonstrate safety or efficacy before reaching the market; FDA also says there is no formal “dietary supplement” category for animal products. In the paper and related AVMA podcast discussion, the authors say veterinary teams should spend more time discussing supplement use and efficacy with pet parents, particularly for older dogs. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

What to watch: Expect more follow-up work from the Dog Aging Project on how supplement use tracks with age, disease patterns, and outcomes, as the cohort continues to grow and generate longitudinal data. More broadly, projects that integrate companion-animal, human, and environmental data may help researchers use pet health information for stronger surveillance and more real-world One Health analyses over time. (content.dogagingproject.org)