A dog food supplement is an additional food which is given complementary to a dog's existing diet. Supplements are given to pets generally for health reasons in the same way that we take supplements for various health concerns or to keep a healthy and balanced immune system to help stave off illness. They differ from 'treats' in that they are formulated to comprise vitamins, minerals and other ingredients designed to enhance the overall well-being of a dog and sometimes to target specific illnesses or complaints.

There are many brands of supplements available that promote different aspects of health and they can come in many different forms including tablets, pellets, concentrate powder and liquids (solutions). Probably the most well-known ailment is arthritis since this is common to humans as we age and is also common to our dogs. Other common ailments supplements are given for include allergies, digestive problems, skin problems, coat problems, weight problems and dental problems.

The diet for domesticated dogs has changed dramatically from their descendants the grey wolf and whilst modern day manufacturers strive to create a healthy balanced diet for pets many veterinarians have recognised that some of these dog foods can be lacking in essential nutrients and complementary food may be recommended to supplement the diet. This can be for simple maintenance purposes or it could be to treat a specific ailment.

The inter-breeding of domestic dogs has also left a legacy of known disorders amongst breeds many of which can be treated by feeding a supplement to your dog. The most common of these problems are osteoarthritis, arthritis and degenerative diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Skeletal problems of this nature are common in older dogs, however can be seen to affect a large proportion of the domestic dog population.

James Spratt created the first commercial dog food in around 1860. He called it the 'Patented Meat Fibrine Dog Cake' and began the first mass production of a prepared dog food. In fact this first commercial dog biscuit was the first dog food supplement given in addition to a dog's normal diet (in most cases likely to have been scraps, raw meat, bones and available vegetables and fruit). Inspired by the reaction to this initial offering James Spratt continued to refine his recipe and develop more complete dog food for all kinds of dogs. Spratt's created many formulas targeting different life-stages and went on to sell a range of other dog products. Spratt's was eventually acquired by General Mills in 1950.

Spratt's huge success in the prepared dog food market introduced many more manufacturers hoping for similar success and led to the multi-billion pound market we see today. Industrial and process development enabled new forms of packaging and distribution to service the market including tinned dog food which could be shipped all over the world.

The availability of ingredients increased significantly after World War II and so too did the range of foods and number of manufacturers. The ease and convenience for owners coupled with the scientific advancements in nutrition saw demand steadily increase for an array of dog foods and dog food supplements to meet owners requirements.

As scientific developments enabled advancements in human nutrition, so too have advancements been made in nutrition for dogs and complementary dog food products (supplements). In the last twenty years the popularity and range of dog food supplements has increased through the sharing of information and as clinical trials revealed many ingredients used to treat human ailments could also provide significant benefits for our canine friends.

There are essentially three types of supplements available:

(i) 'Pharmaceutical' grade supplements can only be dispensed with a prescription from a vet (frequently patented products which generally include powerful concentrates of ingredients) and should only be given to a pet if prescribed by their Veterinarian.
(ii) 'Neutraceutical' supplements are available over-the-counter (and on the internet). These are likely to contain 'active ingredients' which have various effects on a dog's health and a formula is normally targeted to assist with a specific illness (ingredients are likely to include natural compounds which cannot be patented by pharmaceutical companies).
(iii) 'Herbal' remedies which contain natural plant and flora extracts which may have a history of certain health benefits.

Barker and Wags LeapDOG Natural Joint Nutrition is a neutraceutical maintenance supplement specifically for dogs suffering from or likely to suffer from any form of joint pain including arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia. The formula includes glucosamine and chondroitin alongside other active ingredients, vitamins and minerals in an easily digestible oat-based pellet form that is quickly absorbed into a dog's body. LeapDOG can be given to all dogs for a healthy more active life. Results are often seen within 3 weeks from taking the supplement.