• Nature provides many beneficial substances for our four-legged friends.
• They can be important both for achieving immediate wellbeing and for tackling minor and major health problems.
• Let's get to know natural supplements and learn how to make the most of them in the daily diet.

Supplements are a fundamental component of the daily diet. And they matter even more when it comes to feeding our four-legged friends, who can benefit from their introduction to help resolve both minor and major health problems. The importance of supplements grows further when these nutritional elements come from nature and from what the surrounding environment can offer in terms of plants, fruit, produce from the land, and so on. We take stock of the situation with the help of Dr Chiara Dissegna, veterinary surgeon and member of the Nutravet group, which focuses on animal nutrition.

Supplements and nutraceuticals: the difference

You often hear talk of supplements and nutraceuticals. This is especially true when it comes to animal diets. But what is the difference between them? Dietary supplements are intended to correct any nutritional deficiencies and maintain an adequate intake of certain nutrients. They also serve to support specific physiological functions. In the veterinary world, they fall under the category of "complementary feedingstuffs". "Complementary feedingstuffs include, for example, vitamin supplements, but also products based on omega-3s, amino acids, vegetable fibres, probiotics and so on," explains Dr Dissegna.

The term "nutraceutical", on the other hand, combines the words nutrition and pharmaceutical and refers to those nutritional compounds found in food that have numerous beneficial effects on the body. The majority of these molecules belong to the plant world, but many resources also exist in the animal kingdom. In general, nutraceuticals can be taken through "naturally nutraceutical foods" or by means of synthesised products (which therefore fall under the category of complementary feedingstuffs). This makes it possible to have a greater quantity of active ingredient available. "Think about omega-3s: how much fish would we need to give our animals in order to reach the desired level of EPA and DHA? It certainly wouldn't be possible," the expert continues.

Nutraceuticals from nature

For a food to be defined as nutraceutical, however, it must naturally contain the nutrients in the minimum required quantities (for example, polyphenols from olive oil or vitamin C in oranges).

"Since the quantity of nutraceuticals in natural foods is often insufficient for our dogs and cats, these elements can be relied upon to improve and enrich their diets. Most of the molecules that make up nutraceuticals belong to the plant world: fruit and vegetables, as we all know, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants," explains Dr Dissegna.

Among the main nutraceuticals we can mention:

• omega-3s (in particular EPA and DHA). Powerful natural anti-inflammatories, they have numerous beneficial effects, both in the prevention and treatment of various conditions (dermatological problems, cardiovascular disorders, kidney issues, osteoarthritis, joint problems). They are found in fish and krill, but to achieve therapeutic doses it is advisable to purchase them in capsule form derived from purified oil (watch the labels! It is important that they are certified as free from heavy metals);
• vitamin C. Known above all for its antioxidant immune-supporting properties, it is naturally present in citrus fruits, kiwis, apples and other fruits and vegetables. In animals, supplementation with vitamin C-based products is useful in growing puppies and elderly individuals, in stressed subjects and in those with kidney conditions;
• zinc. A multifunctional trace element, it is essential for the wellbeing of our dogs and cats. In nature it is found in meat and fish, legumes, seeds, dried fruit and, in smaller quantities, in dairy products.

Osteoarthritis in dogs and dietary supplementation

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is the most widespread locomotor joint disorder in dogs, affecting up to 20 per cent of adult subjects and increasing with age. Osteoarthritis is associated with inflammation and increased degradation of articular cartilage, with consequent breakdown of the same. Furthermore, in this area there is an increase in pro-inflammatory molecules and in oxidative stress caused by free radicals. It is precisely for this condition that recent studies have highlighted the importance of supplementation in the daily diet of four-legged animals.

The intake of certain substances, such as vitamin E, carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, can reduce the concentrations of inflammatory molecules, as well as alleviating pain and lameness. These molecules, in addition to having an anti-inflammatory function, also act as powerful antioxidants. This is particularly useful in this disease, which is associated with increased oxidative stress and free radicals.

From nature, then, benefits and opportunities for treatment can once again be found, and this applies increasingly to our four-legged friends too.