The flip side of supplementation

Something extra

The dictionary defines a supplement as ‘something that completes or enhances something else when added to it’. That would imply that whatever the supplement is added to must have something missing or it would at least be better off with the supplement. The dictionary uses synonyms like ‘extra’ and ‘add-on’ which is the way many have looked at the pet supplement market. Do our pets need something ‘extra’ or do they need an ‘addition’ to give the best performance? And, are supplements only from capsules, tablets and powders?

Definitions

The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines a supplement as ‘a feed used to improve the nutritive balance or performance of the total’. These are to be fed with other feeds or offered free choice by themselves or mixed into a complete feed. 

This wording implies only nutritional improvement of some sort and could imply something is missing that a supplement would help. This definition could imply the total food regime would work better with an additional supplement.

The US FDA defines dietary supplements as products taken by mouth which contain a dietary ingredient. These include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, enzymes and other nutritional components. This definition does not imply much at all except supplements bring nutrient and physiological support.

Business opportunities

Clearly, with these various perspectives, there is no limit of the delivery systems (e.g. food, treats, supplements) for nutritional product add-ins. These can come in many forms (extruded kibble, cans, tablets, capsules, powders, bars, liquids, et cetera). Business opportunities to provide supplementation would exist when the primary food product is missing something or is not well-fortified to adequately meet the target performance.

Beyond, these perspectives, there could be incidences where health conditions mandate the addition of a particular nutritional component not defined as a nutrient. A good example of that is the benefit of supplementing taurine in dogs with an increased risk of cardiomyopathy or the addition of chondroprotective components. Other examples include chondroprotective ingredients, L-Carnitine for weight management, turmeric for pain management, probiotics for digestive support, and plaque disruptors in oral health.

The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) is a rather new organization, but has led an excellent, major impact in providing solid information on both health and nutritional supplements. They define an animal health supplement as ‘a product intended to support maintenance of normal biological structure and function in animals which are not intended for human consumption (dogs, cats, horses)’. These supplements come in ‘dosage form’ and support the health of the animal (e.g. joint, intestinal, probiotic, immunity). Further, they define a nutrition supplement as ‘a product intended to provide nutritional value as a component of a complete and balanced food’. That is, the entire food regime. According to this, supplements come in measured amounts (e.g. vitamins, minerals). 

Processing

In the field of pet nutrition, our processing methods vary with form (canned, soft-moist, meat strips, baked, dry extruded, liquid, et cetera). Each process offers distinct challenges in providing optimal nutrition. Higher levels of taurine are needed in canned foods. Dry extrusion can promote the loss of 30% to 50% of the food’s added vitamins. Several nutritional and health components are made unavailable in processing or are destroyed by heat, acidity, light or moisture. With new discovery of nutritional components that are beneficial, the processing chosen to deliver the supplement or food is critical.

In quick summary, it could be inferred that a supplement is needed when something is missing in a dietary regime. It could also be needed when a food regime is not well-fortified, but it could also impact the health or condition of the pet when a food by itself cannot. 

Unintentional impact

Beyond direct attempts to ‘add-in’ a nutrient or a nutritional component, consumers unknowingly supplement their balanced foods almost daily. 

Adding treats, dental chews or any edible product will impact the balance and delivery of nutrients in the primary food. The same occurs when a consumer mixes foods or switches foods often. The original nutritional target of any brand is now altered by the ‘additions’ as the balance and fortification change. Nutrition supplements (fish oil, herbs, spices, enzymes, et cetera) further impact the ‘complete and balanced’ goal of the food such that the total food regime. None of this is without the ‘hope’ of making the pet better in some way, but it is very often misguided or misdirected.

When we consider treating or rewarding, giving five standard baked treats to my pet Golden Retriever’s diet would raise caloric intake beyond desirable and I would soon have an over-weight dog. But, beyond calories, the addition of more nutrients in these treats imbalances the food’s nutrient targets and reduces the fortification. This is true of all extra ‘edibles’ as they become ‘supplements’. So, the term ‘supplement’ becomes cloudy when we consider that all edible products could bring both nutritional and health impacts as supplements.

Balance

How can any consumer correctly balance their pet’s food regime? How can a consumer correctly use supplements to build a healthy food regime? The quick answer is they cannot. Consumers will balance their own pet’s food, treats, chews, supplements, food scraps, et cetera, about as well as they balance their own food choices. They do not have formulation programmes or nutritional degrees. They will simply hear the product messages and blend them hoping they have done well by their pet.

While many supplemented products bring good additions and support health, there is a risk of an imbalanced food regime leading to a negative health impact. Nutrient and potentially health supplementation comes in every treat, dental chew, rawhide and table scrap. It is not uncommon for a consumer to pour on too much fish oil, add too many chondroitin meat squares or offer too many dental sticks. Products that supplement must also consider their impact on food and advise consumers accordingly. While we try to offer health benefits in one supplement, we may be harming health with too many other additions.