Perks for pets: nutritional supplements for Fluffy and Fido

E: The Environmental Magazine, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Kathleen M. Mangan

There's little question that Americans love their pets dearly. A recent survey by the American Animal Hospital Association reveals that four out of five pet owners consider their pets to be their children. And just as parents try to provide the best nutritional health for their kids, they're turning to dietary supplements to meet the long-term health needs of their animals.

Although pet food is often advertised as a 100 percent complete and balanced diet, certain beneficial vitamins, fats and nutrients are baked out of the food in processing. As consumers become more aware of the limitations of commercial pet food and more educated on the latest nutritional research, they are fueling a burgeoning supplements market.

According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, one-third of all dogs, cats and horses receive daily dietary supplements. The National Animal Supplement Council estimates the market at $1 billion a year. Numerous companies have jumped into the market with new product offerings.

"Natural supplements for pets are becoming mainstream," says Terri Grow, owner of Pet Sage, a holistic pet product catalog and website. She had to search for natural products to include in her first catalog in 1995, but now she has more than 1,000. Natural and holistic products can effectively treat or prevent common ailments, seasonal allergies, emotional issues and chronic disease. They typically help the body repair itself, so achieving benefits may take four to six weeks.

Fewer Side Effects

Consumers and holistic veterinarians often prefer natural pet supplements and products because they typically have fewer side effects than synthetic formulas and prescription medications. Glucosamine, the most popular of all pet supplements, supports strong and healthy joints naturally, whereas studies have shown that most of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories prescribed for arthritis can lead to liver damage. A good choice for joint support is the Glyco-Flex line produced by Vetri-Science Laboratories ($44.99 to $74.99).

The side effects of sedatives and calming drugs like Prozac used for destructive, anxious and fearful pets make animals sleepy or lethargic. A different approach by Farnam Pet Products incorporates soothing pheromones into a spray ($34.99) and a room diffuser ($27.99). The canine version of Comfort Zone mimics the pheromone put off by nursing mother dogs to comfort puppies; the feline version mimics the pheromone put off by cats when they rub their cheeks against people and objects. Studies have shown that the product ends 86 percent of destructive dog behavior and 70 percent of excessive barking, while in cats it reduces or eliminates 95 percent of urine-marking and vertical scratching. The product is scent-free.

In another approach to the same problem, Petstages incorporates buckwheat-filled microwavable warming packets into a stuffed pillow (pictured) to calm newly separated pups ($6.99), a saddle-shaped pad to relieve joint stiffness for senior dogs ($5.99), and a stuffed mat to comfort cats ($7.99).

For allergies, veterinarians often prescribe antihistamines that can make a pet drowsy, or steroids like Prednizone that can cause incontinence in the short-term and liver damage in the long-term. An herbal tonic called Detox Blend ($9.99) by Animals' Apawthecary utilizes burdock, dandelion, milk thistle seed, red clover, alfalfa and licorice to treat allergic reactions and liver toxicity. For allergic reactions to flea bites, Grow says her customers report good results with Dr. Goodpets' Flea Relief ($8.99), a homeopathic.

Supplements Enhance Medications

Nutraceuticals are not necessarily a substitute for prescription drugs since they are often used with conventional medications for a synergistic effect. Complementary use of a natural product can allow a reduced drug dose, which is helpful if the drug has side effects. In cases of chronic disease like cancer, trying both conventional and alternative medicine gives pets more of a fighting chance. CAS Options by Genesis Ltd. supports the animal's immune system with three types of medicinal mushrooms (maitake, reishi and shiitake), Chinese herbs, vitamins and antioxidants. It also activates production of natural killer cells that eliminate viruses and cancer cells, supports heart and kidney function, detoxifies the liver and enhances energy.

Sometimes nutraceuticals are the only treatment option. Conventional medicine has nothing to offer animals suffering from kidney disease, one of the top causes of death among cats and dogs. The kidneys clean urinary toxins, and when they fail, poisonous toxins in the pet's body make it progressively ill until it stops eating and drinking. A new product debuting at the end of the year, Kibow Biotics made by Kibow Biotech, provides naturally occurring probiotics that eat the toxins left behind by malfunctioning kidneys. By eliminating the toxins, the animal can enjoy a better quality of life for a longer period of time.