How Do Dog Food Supplements Work?

A dog food supplement is an additional food which isacquired by General Mills in 1950.
given complementary to a dog's existing diet.Spratt's huge success in the prepared dog food
Supplements are given to pets generally for healthmarket introduced many more manufacturers hoping
reasons in the same way that we take supplementsfor similar success and led to the multi-billion pound
for various health concerns or to keep a healthy andmarket we see today. Industrial and process
balanced immune system to help stave off illness.development enabled new forms of packaging and
They differ from 'treats' in that they are formulateddistribution to service the market including tinned dog
to comprise vitamins, minerals and other ingredientsfood which could be shipped all over the world.
designed to enhance the overall well-being of a dogThe availability of ingredients increased significantly
and sometimes to target specific illnesses orafter World War II and so too did the range of
complaints.foods and number of manufacturers. The ease and
There are many brands of supplements available thatconvenience for owners coupled with the scientific
promote different aspects of health and they canadvancements in nutrition saw demand steadily
come in many different forms including tablets,increase for an array of dog foods and dog food
pellets, concentrate powder and liquids (solutions).supplements to meet owners requirements.
Probably the most well-known ailment is arthritis sinceAs scientific developments enabled advancements in
this is common to humans as we age and is alsohuman nutrition, so too have advancements been
common to our dogs. Other common ailmentsmade in nutrition for dogs and complementary dog
supplements are given for include allergies, digestivefood products (supplements). In the last twenty
problems, skin problems, coat problems, weightyears the popularity and range of dog food
problems and dental problems.supplements has increased through the sharing of
The diet for domesticated dogs has changedinformation and as clinical trials revealed many
dramatically from their descendants the grey wolfingredients used to treat human ailments could also
and whilst modern day manufacturers strive toprovide significant benefits for our canine friends.
create a healthy balanced diet for pets manyThere are essentially three types of supplements
veterinarians have recognised that some of theseavailable:
dog foods can be lacking in essential nutrients and(i) 'Pharmaceutical' grade supplements can only be
complementary food may be recommended todispensed with a prescription from a vet (frequently
supplement the diet. This can be for simplepatented products which generally include powerful
maintenance purposes or it could be to treat aconcentrates of ingredients) and should only be given
specific ailment.to a pet if prescribed by their Veterinarian.
The inter-breeding of domestic dogs has also left a(ii) 'Neutraceutical' supplements are available
legacy of known disorders amongst breeds many ofover-the-counter (and on the internet). These are
which can be treated by feeding a supplement tolikely to contain 'active ingredients' which have various
your dog. The most common of these problems areeffects on a dog's health and a formula is normally
osteoarthritis, arthritis and degenerative diseases suchtargeted to assist with a specific illness (ingredients
as hip and elbow dysplasia. Skeletal problems of thisare likely to include natural compounds which cannot
nature are common in older dogs, however can bebe patented by pharmaceutical companies).
seen to affect a large proportion of the domestic(iii) 'Herbal' remedies which contain natural plant and
dog population.flora extracts which may have a history of certain
James Spratt created the first commercial dog foodhealth benefits.
in around 1860. He called it the 'Patented Meat FibrineBarker and Wags LeapDOG Natural Joint Nutrition is a
Dog Cake' and began the first mass production of aneutraceutical maintenance supplement specifically for
prepared dog food. In fact this first commercial dogdogs suffering from or likely to suffer from any form
biscuit was the first dog food supplement given inof joint pain including arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia.
addition to a dog's normal diet (in most cases likely toThe formula includes glucosamine and chondroitin
have been scraps, raw meat, bones and availablealongside other active ingredients, vitamins and
vegetables and fruit). Inspired by the reaction to thisminerals in an easily digestible oat-based pellet form
initial offering James Spratt continued to refine histhat is quickly absorbed into a dog's body. LeapDOG
recipe and develop more complete dog food for allcan be given to all dogs for a healthy more active
kinds of dogs. Spratt's created many formulaslife. Results are often seen within 3 weeks from
targeting different life-stages and went on to sell ataking the supplement.
range of other dog products. Spratt's was eventually