It goes without saying that pets are cherished members of the family—so much so that in a recent survey, 56% of pet owners said they would shorten their own life to extend the life of their furry companion. These pet parents are willing to invest in high-quality pet food and supplements to support the longevity of their four-legged friends, but it can be hard for them to determine which products really work and which are just marketing gimmicks. That’s where natural health retailers have a chance to shine with a carefully curated pet product aisle that showcases your expertise and support for mission-driven brands that value quality, trust, and transparency. Retailers have an opportunity to educate their customers. By helping pet parents understand the science of the aging process, they’ll be better equipped to make strategic choices to protect the well-being of their pets and more likely to become loyal customers.
For pet parents who want to lengthen the lives of Fido and Fluffy, I recommend focusing on two key health factors: Limiting mycotoxin exposure and supporting mitochondrial health.
Mycotoxins are chemical by-products of mold and fungi that can grow on grain crops commonly used in kibble formulations, particularly corn, wheat, rice, barley, and oats. These toxins can cause acute and chronic health issues in pets, including liver damage, kidney dysfunction, digestive upset, and immune suppression. Mycotoxins have been found in livestock feed for years, but they’ve only recently started to come into play in pet food, and these compounds pose a bigger risk to our furry friends, because dogs and cats have a limited ability to detoxify mycotoxins on their own.
Mycotoxins develop when grains are harvested or stored under hot or humid conditions, but they can be challenging to detect during processing. That’s one reason that fresh human-grade pet food brands, like The Farmer’s Dog, are growing in popularity. These wet food options carry no risk of mycotoxins, but can be too expensive for some households. Fortunately, a 2019 study evaluating mycotoxins in kibble found no evidence of the harmful toxins in grain-free and wet dog foods. That’s why I advise retailers to stock a wide selection of quality grain-free dry food as well as some human-grade refrigerated options.
For additional mycotoxin management, I recommend the Superfood Dog Food Topper from my company, Carson and Bear. It contains a proprietary yeast from All-Tech that binds to mycotoxins and helps eliminate them from the body, plus includes omega-3s and probiotics for joint and gut support. Some food brands are starting to incorporate this yeast in their kibble as well.
In addition to removing mycotoxins from the diet, I recommend pet parents start supplementing their pets’ diets with ingredients that support the mitochondria, which are cells’ energy engines. Keeping mitochondria running efficiently is key to helping pets maintain youthful vigor and active energy. Some mitochondria-supporting ingredients to look for when stocking your shelves:
NAD+: Branded as Niagen, NAD+ is a co-enzyme that plays a role in cellular energy production, DNA repair and cellular regeneration. Dogs, like humans, produce less NAD+ as they age, so replenishing this critical nutrient with supplements can help promote better energy metabolism and slow the aging process.
CoQ10: Coenzyme Q10 is naturally found in every cell of the body. This compound works to h elp mitochondria convert food into fuel, plus it has powerful antioxidant effects that can help protect cells from wear and tear. Some studies have also shown that CoQ10 can improve heart health in dogs. I recommend looking for the new branded ingredient MitoQ, an enhanced form of CoQ10n shown to cross the mitochondrial membrane and balance CoQ10 levels within cells.
L-carnitine: This essential amino acid helps ferry fatty acids into mitochondria to be converted into energy, plus it promotes normal heart and skeletal muscle function. WF
