Clean Run Magazine - June 2008 - 49

Being this cautious about what supplements you give your dog can make you think, “Why bother,” but there is an increasing amount of evidence that suggests certain supplements can maintain health and help the body heal. Do They Really Work? By Julie A. Roos, DVM Canine Supplements With interest in dog sports growing, the playing field is getting more competitive. You may hear your agility friends talking about the supplements they give to their dogs and raving about how they have improved their dogs’ athletic performance. You, too, want to maximize your dog’s health and physical prowess. But there are so many supplements on the market, all making claims to enhance canine health and performance, how do you know what is true and what is just aggressive marketing? Canine supplementation is a tough arena to navigate because every answer leads to more questions. The first part of this article aims to clarify some of the issues and educate you on how to evaluate nutraceuticals and dietary supplements for your canine companion. The second half briefly discusses the most common supplements used for canine athletes and whether there is evidence to support their use. My intent is not to debate whether or not you should be using these supplements; rather, my goal is to educate you about which supplements are supported by scientific evidence. COMPANIES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PROVE THE SAFETY OR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS  Toxin or heavy metal contamination may be a problem, since companies are not required to test for ingredient purity. are not required to test their products for consistency, labeling accuracy, or efficacy. about the potential benefits of their products. of high-quality products. If you are using a human product for your dog, ConsumerLabs. com has done a nice job of compiling data on whether products actually contain what is indicated on the label. Specifically, what should you be looking for? Companies should not use testimonials or anecdotal evidence as “proofs” for the efficacy of their products. Look for companies that have research studies to support their claims. Research is expensive and time-consuming, and the companies that have done legitimate research are more likely to have quality ingredients, without contamination. Look for products that have an expiration date and a lot number printed on the packaging. All ingredients  Companies  Companies often make unsupported statements Buyer Beware Nutraceuticals are substances that are designed to support body functions. They have been concentrated or manufactured and are not considered to be food or botanical or herbal medicines. The nutraceutical industry is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other governing body, which presents several concerns for the consumer. So how do you compare products and how do you make selections that are both safe and effective for your dog? One way is to seek out the organizations that have outlined good manufacturing processes (GMP) to which companies can voluntarily adhere. These organizations then allow the use of a GMP seal on the labels of products that follow their guidelines. One of these organizations is the National Animal Supplement Council. Companies that are members of the NASC are a good source for quality products. For a list of companies that belong to NASC, visit www.nasc.cc. Your veterinarian is also a likely source June 08 | Clean Run 49

http://www.nasc.cc

Clean Run Magazine - June 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2008