2024 is poised for an explosion of consumer and investor interest in the burgeoning canine longevity space. I believe that Arterra, together with two other companies, Loyal and Leap Years, currently represent the three most compelling approaches to extend and enhance canine lifespan.

As a passionate dog lover and advocate for healthier canine aging, I’m first and foremost excited that, for the first time, our space has three quality companies pursuing distinct paths in support of this mission, and that all of us – in my humble opinion – are doing good work.

Last month I addressed in detail how Arterra’s whole-body approach to canine wellness compares and contrasts to Loyal’s pharmaceutical path. Today, I’d like to deep dive into how our products compare to Leap Years’.

Leap Year’s Approach

Leap Year’s products are comprised of just two active ingredients, LY-D2, an NAD+ precursor, and LY-D6, a flavonoid compound that acts as a senolytic agent. Because their ingredients are patented, we don’t have full transparency into exactly what they are, but their patent application gives several clues. Without going down a very deep rabbit hole that I suspect would make most readers’ eyes glaze over, let’s accept their own high-level summary of their two compounds. Their approach is twofold:

• Boost NAD+ levels to increase cellular energy production, which drives a downstream host of benefits in areas such as cognition, energy/vitality, cardiovascular health, and regulating inflammation.
• Support the clearance of senescent (old and dysfunctional) cells via a senolytic flavonoid compound.

These are two powerful strategies that I would expect to produce a range of healthspan-promoting benefits. To Leap Years’ strong credit, they’ve nearly finished validating these benefits with a clinical study due this spring (Arterra’s will follow a few months behind, this fall).

My review, in short, is that they have an excellent product that likely works as advertised. But I also believe that it’s very expensive for what it is, and that Arterra’s products represent not only a superior and more comprehensive approach to healthy canine aging, but also a better value for the money. I’ll explain why.

Arterra’s Approach

As a starting point, I think it’s important to establish that our formulas — similarly to Leap Years — also contain senolytic polyphenols and flavanoids (notably quercetin, resveratrol, trans-pterostilbene, turmeric, and green tea-derived catechins). Further, assuming a dog is consuming a nutritionally complete diet with adequate sources of Vitamin B3 and the amino acid tryptophan, our flavanoids also support the conversion of these precursor molecules into metabolically active NAD+. So in a meaningful way, both Arterra and Leap Years provide overlapping benefits for these two dimensions of aging.

With this said, our approach to healthy aging is much broader and more aggressive than theirs. We believe that the body is an astonishingly complex system, and that modern science has not yet discovered any one or two “silver bullets” capable of supporting healthy aging alone. But what we do have is a pharmacopeia of dozens of well-studied, naturally occurring molecules that individually help chip away at the problem of aging through multiple strategies, vectors, and pathways, and which together produce an entourage effect greater than the sum of their parts. 

To this end, Arterra’s flagship Adult and Senior formulas are comprised of 46 and 63 science-backed ingredients spanning eight functional domains, each supported through multiple pathways. These are:  

• Longevity – Focused on epigenetic activation of the SIRT1 and AMPK pathways, mitochondrial health, reducing formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and senolytic agents to help the body clear senescent cells. Check out our blog posts for deeper dives into these topics.
• Joint Support and Comfort – Supporting the underlying structural health of the joints through high doses of collagen, including bone broth-derived Type II Collagen, by promoting hydration within the joints, reducing inflammation, supporting tendon and ligament strength and recovery, and reducing discomfort from age-related degeneration of cartilage.
• Cognition and Mood – Supporting in parallel the underlying health of the brain by increasing BDNF, NGF, synaptic density, and circulation, while increasing the availability of neurotransmitters involved in positive mood, energy, and motivation.
• Organ Support – Supporting the healthy function of the liver, heart, and vascular system.
• Immune support – A multi-pronged approach to a healthy immune system, with target benefits ranging from relief of occasional seasonal allergies to preventative support for more serious immune-related conditions.
• Gut Health – Formulated first to improve the integrity of the gut and intestinal lining (aka “leaky gut” support – a widespread issue for dogs fed a standard American kibble diet), with additional pre- and pro-biotic support for a healthy microbiome.
• Healthy Stress Response – A potent blend of adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms to help the body cope with environmental and physical stress through increased stamina and recovery, and decreased production of cortisol (a damaging stress hormone when overexpressed).
• Antioxidant Support – To reduce oxidative stress in synergistic harmony with the rest of our formula.
• For a deeper dive into our complete formula, check out the Ingredient Explorer on our product page.

Any one of these systems can be a critical point of failure for a dog’s longevity or quality of life, which is why we’ve carefully designed our formula to support all of them in harmony. We’ve further formulated with a philosophical eye toward what I like to call “hardware,” and “software” support, with the former class of ingredients supporting the structures, building blocks, and resilience of a given system, and the latter supporting its metabolic programming via epigenetic modulation, cell metabolism, and other factors.

Together, I believe Arterra’s approach represents the most comprehensive, powerful, and efficacious canine supplement ever brought to market.

Arterra vs. Leap Years

Let’s first bump the two overlapping areas of our formula head-to-head – as a senolytic, and as an NAD+ booster.

Based on the information that can be gleaned from Leap Years’ patent, as a senolytic stack I would expect the performance of our formula to be roughly in line with theirs. In good faith, I would call this measure a tie.

However, as an NAD+ booster, specifically, their product is almost certainly superior, though ours does still provide notable coverage here. So on this one metric, they win.

But I believe strongly that Leap Years’ one likely advantage in NAD+ promotion is vastly offset and surpassed by our multi-pronged approach to whole-body anti-aging. In fact, we looked heavily at this exact question when developing our formula with our veterinary partners. We carefully explored including NAD+ precursors such as NMN, NR, or NADH, but found that the cost of including this one great ingredient was so expensive that we could literally include 20 other very good ones for the same price. When confronted with this tradeoff, I made the mission-driven decision to take this deal and opt for breadth. And given the unparalleled scope of benefit coverage this tradeoff empowered – unmatched by Leap Years or any other competitor – I maintain that it was a good one.

Finally, a fair comparison of our two products must consider price. Both Arterra and Leap Years’ products are expensive relative to legacy pet supplement brands, and necessarily so due to the cost of our premium ingredients.

Leap Years’ pricing ranges from $31/month for small dogs to $117/month for extra-large breeds. This puts their pricing roughly in line with our 46-ingredient Adult Formula (which can also be given to seniors), which starts at $25/month for small dogs and rises to $99 for large breeds.

Given Arterra’s vastly broader range of functional benefits over Leap Years’, and considering the overlapping coverage of broad senolytic support between the two products, as well as Arterra’s (admittedly weaker, but still noteworthy) NAD+ support, I believe our Adult Formula represents a dramatically superior value for the money – one that I strongly expect will drive more powerful and observable improvements in quality of life.

Taking the comparison a step further, Arterra’s more expensive flagship 63-ingredient Senior Formula dials up the volume on everything in our preventative Adult Formula, while adding an additional class of ingredients focused specifically on quality-of-life improvements for older dogs already experiencing the consequences of degenerative aging. These ingredients were selected to help your older dog feel more comfortable in their aging body and mind. I am deeply proud of this product, and believe that — beyond a quality diet —it is today the single most powerful intervention for healthy canine aging available on the market at any price.

Our Senior Formula is, however, quite expensive, ranging from $50/month for small dogs up to $160/month for large breeds. In this regard it is indeed a modst step up in price from Leap Years’ product, but also in breadth and, I believe, efficacy.

Our confidence in the ability of both Arterra formulas to drive obvious results is so strong that we back them with a 100% moneyback guarantee. If you can’t see a positive change in your dog within 30 days, we’ll refund your purchase price without hassle. This is notably a guarantee that Leap Years does not offer. And since our launch three months ago, less than 2% of our customers have taken us up on it, which tells us (and hopefully you too) a lot about the performance of what we’ve created.

In summary, I believe that Leap Years has launched an excellent product, but that our Adult Formula is a better and more effective value for the money. And for those wanting to max out what’s possible within the natural pharmacopeia for their older dogs, our Senior Formula offers an even more powerful solution that’s unrivaled on the market at any price.

Our clinical study is underway and won’t be completed until this fall, so until the results are published I’ll have to ask you to take my word on good faith. But I hope that for the interim, I’ve done a thorough and fair job of substantiating why I believe this to be the case.

I respect Leap Years and believe their team is smart, thoughtful, and sincere. I also believe the market for healthy canine aging is in its infancy and poised for explosive growth, and that there’s plenty of room for both brands to thrive commercially while delivering on our missions. And so it’s in the spirit of transparency, consumer education, and healthy competition that I’ve made this comparison between our products.

If anyone in the community believes I’ve been unfair in my analysis, inaccurate in my science, or otherwise missed something important, don’t hesitate to reach me directly at jonathan@arterrapet.com.

Jonathan Willbanks

Founder & CEO

Arterra Pet Science

After nearly two years of behind the scenes work, we launched Arterra last month – the first canine supplement specifically designed to increase canine healthspan. Earlier this week, pharmaceutical startup Loyal announced their plans to begin an FDA trial for a drug designed to increase lifespan in large dogs.

Given the strong overlap between our companies’ missions, my inbox was quickly flooded with inquiries about how our product compares to theirs. So I thought I’d write a post sharing my thoughts on the important similarities and differences between Arterra and Loyal’s approach.

First off, we have a ton of respect for the hard and expensive path Loyal is walking. Navigating FDA approval for a drug specifically intended to treat aging as a disease is important to veterinary medicine, but also has broad historical implications that can’t be overstated. Our hats off to them.  

That said, our product differs significantly from theirs in several ways.

• Loyal’s product is a drug that may be approved and reach the market some years in the future. Ours is a veterinarian-formulated supplement that is available over-the-counter today. 

• Their drug works on a single pathway: it lowers IGF-1, and by extension, lowers growth hormone.

• Our product is in some ways less sexy, but I think also intuitively more sound, with 63 ingredients formulated by leading integrative veterinarians (with extensive clinical experience and a strong research background at Purina) to support the entire body via multiple pathways simultaneously. 

• We holistically support every key system in the body (joints, brain, heart, liver, gut, and immune system) with building blocks, inflammatory modulators, and other functional ingredients – i.e. “hardware support”.
• Simultaneously, we provide “software support” by gently activating several epigenetic pathways involved in the rate of aging, including:

• SIRT-1 (a major focus of Dr. David Sinclair’s work at Harvard) -- via trans-pterostilbene, resveratrol, and quercetin.
• AMPK -- via berberine, gynostemma pentaphylum, and others.

• Additionally, our product includes powerful anti-aging support via: 

• Senolytic agents that increase the body’s ability to clear senescent (old and dysfunctional) cells. 
• Reducing the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), which are especially in high in dogs fed a heat-processed kibble diet. 
• Supporting the health of mitochondria (cellular powerplants) and inducing the growth of new ones via mitochondrial biogenesis. 

• In our Senior formula, we also pair these approaches with support for the acute consequences of degenerative aging – chiefly: joint discomfort, cognitive decline, energy, and mood.

Questions and Musings on Loyal’s Approach

I also have some personal musings on Loyal’s approach, with the important disclaimer that I’m an informed layman, but not a veterinarian:

While there is strong directional data to support increased longevity, decreased cancer risk, and other benefits from lowering IGF-1, tinkering with IGF-1 is a double-edged sword that can have unintended consequences. Most notably – low IGF-1 can inhibit lean muscle mass and cause bodyfat gain.

Two relevant notes from my own background come to mind: 

• The human bodybuilding community has long used IGF-1 / growth hormone modulation to enhance athletic performance and body composition. A quick Google search will reveal a wide body of clinical and anecdotal data of the perils of overshooting this important signaling molecule in either direction. 
• Raising IGF-1/growth hormone levels is often employed in human functional medicine as an anti-aging mechanism to accelerate healing and recovery. Loyal’s drug is doing the opposite of this. 

My personal concern is that, fundamentally, lowering IGF-1 below natural levels risks restricting a large dog’s body from growing and maintaining the amount of muscle that their skeletal system is designed for. I especially worry about this in large breeds (the target population for Loyal’s drug), who are prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia, since sarcopenia (muscle wasting) is one of the biggest contributors to its progression. 

This doesn’t mean Loyal’s drug won’t work safely and as intended (and I hope it does); validating this is the purpose of FDA trials. In humans at least, there is absolutely a “sweet spot” to IGF-1/Growth Hormone modulation that can be achieved pharmaceutically, and I believe they’re likely onto something important here. But I absolutely want to see the safety data to validate it. Though if the trial fails, I expect it will be due to the aforementioned risks of oversuppressing IGF-1. 

Comparing our approach with theirs, with our collective 63 ingredients I would bet on our formula to consistently increase canine healthspan over their single-mechanism pharmaceutical approach, though I still think there’s an important role for both approaches.

For absolute clarity, my critical questions are constructive in intent, from the perspective of a passionate dog owner and functional medicine/longevity nerd. They are in no way intended to impugn the incredibly difficult and impressive work of the team at Loyal. I don’t personally know them, but from everything I have observed they have my deepest respect and gratitude for simultaneously pushing the boundaries of both veterinary and longevity medicine, and I firmly believe there is an appropriate role for both of our company’s approaches.

Why isn’t Arterra also seeking FDA approval?

Notably, while our ingredients are science-backed and we’re currently enrolling patients for a clinical study focused on both safety and efficacy, most of our ingredients are naturally-derived molecules that cannot be patented.  There is therefore no economic incentive or viable path to conventional FDA trials for our product, which would cost tens of millions of dollars.

And economics aside, our product is designed to provide multiple benefits within the body rather than treat a single condition, making it a poor fit for the nature of FDA trials and the design of US drug approval process. For these reasons, we are unambiguously a supplement, not a drug. And while this comes with some well-intended and generally reasonable regulatory restrictions on our marketing and speech, we are happy to remain that way.

All this said, we know our product works, have seen it firsthand in both clinical practice and through customer feedback, and are in the process of clinically validating it far beyond the standards of the supplement industry.

We’re confident in our product’s efficacy, and back it with a 100% money-back guarantee. If customers don’t see a positive difference in their dog, we’ll refund their money without hassle. Despite the necessarily high cost of our product, fewer than 1.5% of our customers to date have requested a refund, which I think speaks volumes. 

Jonathan Willbanks

Founder & CEO

Just like humans, dogs can suffer cognitive decline, depression, and dementia in their old age. For owners of senior dogs, watching your friend’s mental faculties, energy, and mood start to fade away can be one of the hardest parts of their golden years, and among the most detrimental to their quality of life.  

Fortunately, there are outstanding tools within the natural pharmacopeia that can mitigate cognitive decline – extending healthspan and enhancing quality of life. If your dog is beginning to slow down, showing signs of lethargy, confusion, or less engagement with life than they used to, then this article is especially for you.  

Adult and Senior dogs benefit from different approaches to supporting a healthy brain and mood, and we’ll discuss both of these today. 

Cognitive and Mood Support for Adult Dogs

Supporting brain function in healthy adult dogs is best accomplished through preventative functional ingredients that support the underlying structural health of the brain. 

The Cognition and Mood component of our Adult Formula accomplishes this through a robust combination of ingredients not found in any other dog supplement:

• Ginko Biloba helps increase circulation in the brain. Without optimal bloodflow, other interventions will be handicapped in efficacy. 
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom in its superior fruiting body form increases Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), and stimulates dendrite growth, protecting the brain and supporting its maintenance and repair processes. 
• Magtein® Magnesium L-Threonate is a novel form of magnesium developed by MIT scientists (including one Nobel Laureate) and licensed under patent for our formula. It uniquely increases magnesium levels in cerebrospinal fluid, and among other mechanisms activates NDMA receptors, which leads to increased synaptic density and improved memory. 
• Blueberry Extract is abundant in the antioxidant polyphenol anthocyanin, which helps safeguard your dog’s brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.
• L-Theanine confers neuroprotective benefits while supporting a positive and calm mood. 
• Active forms of Vitamin B-6 and B-12 are involved in dozens of critical processes in the nervous system and brain, and are precursors to the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and GABA . 

Collectively, these ingredients produce an entourage effect, working together to extend your dog’s cognitive runway, and helping to delay the onset of cognitive decline.  

Cognitive Support for Senior Dogs

For Senior Dogs already showing signs of cognitive decline, our Senior Formula combines higher amounts of the same ingredients in our Adult Formula (above) to support the structural health of the brain, with two additional ingredients designed to increase the availability of neurotransmitters involved in cognition and mood. 

• Alpha-GPC supports cognitive function in animals. Its mechanisms involve increasing the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in the brain, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory, motivation, arousal, and attention.
• Green Oat Straw Extract (Avena Sativa) is a mild, selective MAO-B inhibitor that helps increase the amount of circulating dopamine in your dog’s brain – the neurotransmitter most involved with motivation and reward. This herb has also traditionally been revered as a nervous system tonic, containing nutrients that enhance blood flow to the brain and help boost canine cognition.  

Our product exists to enhance and extend your dog’s quality of life, and we believe a healthy and happy mind is the foundation of this mission. This is why we made cognition and mood support a key focus of our product, and our heaviest area of investment. 

When we began formulating Arterra, we were shocked to find that very few dog supplements on the market even attempt to support cognitive function in dogs. While our 63-ingredient formula supports the entire body, its eight ingredients focused on cognition and mood are represent the most advanced cognitive support formula on the market today. 

Arterra is the most advanced pet supplement ever brought to market. This isn’t marketing hype. It is factually true by an order of magnitude, and we will happily invite side-by-side comparisons with any competitor aiming to challenge this claim. It is also, as a consequence, the most expensive. Rather than try to whistle around this fact, I intend to explain directly why our products are expensive, and to articulate why, despite our price point, we offer the best value and efficacy of anything on the market.

When we set out to launch Arterra, I resolved to create a no-compromises line of supplements that delivered the absolute best that integrative medicine has to offer in a single, all-in-one product. Built on a formula I developed for my own dog (who lived to 16 ½ against a life expectancy of 10 years) and refined with input from leading integrative veterinarians, our dog supplements are the first designed to support whole body preventative wellness while extending healthspan (quality of life) and longevity. In short, we aim to help your dog live a happier, healthier, and longer life, giving you more quality years together.

This requires a breadth, quality, and potency of ingredients that conventional pet supplements don’t come close to offering.

Why Most Pet Supplements Fall Short

Virtually all innovation in pet supplements until now has centered around an approximately $30 retail price point. When accounting for retailer margins, this implies a cost of goods sold (the cost to actually manufacture the product) between $4-8 per unit.

While early brands have delivered beneficial condition-specific products at this price point, economic design constraints have created a market in which incumbent brands are releasing nearly identical products based on variations of the same simple commodity ingredients. There are only so many ways you can combine glucosamine, chondroitin, and hemp oil. So to compete and create the appearance of differentiation, they must rely on “pixie-dusting” of trivial amounts of exotic ingredients that sound good on a label, but aren’t present in amounts significant enough to add efficacy or value to consumers. The result is a stagnant landscape of incumbent brands with no headroom to meaningfully innovate within their current business model, who must instead rely on increasingly audacious marketing claims for their products which aren’t, in substance, much different from their competitors.

We’ve taken a radically different approach to our formulation. Working with our veterinary partners, we designed the most advanced, potent, and efficacious formula possible, and let that dictate what our price point needed to be. We placed a bet that as long as our product worked and delivered on its promises, there would be pet parents willing to invest in their dogs’ longterm health and quality of life, even at a comparatively higher cost.

Why Arterra is Different

Recognizing the deep bond between pet owners and their pets, Arterra addresses the need for potent, scientifically-formulated solutions that can tangibly improve pet longevity and quality of life. For discerning pet parents, unwilling to compromise on their pet's well-being, Arterra emerges not just as an alternative, but as the premier choice, grounding innovation in real science, not mere marketing differentiation.

We have developed a line of premium nutritional supplements for pets to address the unmet need in the pet supplement market for high-quality products backed by scientific research. Priced at $100-$200 and featuring 63 premium, vet-approved ingredients, our flagship product line consists of two products, our Adult and Senior formulas, which are the most advanced pet supplements ever brought to market by a literal order of magnitude. 

While both formulas address the same functional areas, our Adult formula ($100) is preventative in nature and designed to slow down the clock in healthy adult dogs, while our Senior formula ($200) is regenerative in nature and designed to help turn back the clock in older dogs who are already experiencing symptoms of degenerative aging. Here's how: 

While historic category innovation has focused on single condition-specific formulas (e.g. Hip & Joint, Gut Support, Allergy Support) our Adult and Senior Formulas take an all-in-one approach to deliver whole-body support in an easy, daily scoop that can be added to dogs' food (dogs love our natural bacon flavor!). The foundation of our formulas replaces an entire shelf of condition-specific formulas seen commonly on brick-and-mortar shelves, providing a radical upgrade from incumbent products for universal dog health needs: joint support, immune support, gut health, organ health, and stress support. 

Each of these functional domains outperforms incumbent products in three ways:

• Greater Breadth: Each functional domain of our product (e.g. Hip & Joint, Gut, Stress) is addressed by a multimodal stack of ingredients that supports the relevant biological system through multiple science-backed ingredients, creating an entourage effect that is greater than the sum of its parts. Whereas a popular competitor's Hip & Joint supplement has only three functional ingredients, ours has eleven - to name just one example. 
• Superior Quality and Form: The form of nutraceutical ingredients is critical to their efficacy. Most brands rely on consumer ignorance of this distinction to use the cheapest forms available. For example, the most widely used form of supplemental magnesium has poor bioavailability, and is more effective as an unintended laxative than a nutritional mineral source. The form of magnesium we use was developed by a team of MIT scientists including one Nobel Laureate and is licensed under patent for use in our product to deliver unique cognitive and neurological benefits not present in any other pet supplement. 
• Higher Potency:Beyond breadth and form of ingredients, our formula contains significantly higher doses than competing brands. Many competitors rely on "pixie dusting" trivial amounts of premium ingredients that look good on a label, but are present in doses too small to actually move the needle on health outcomes. Arterra's supplements contain 2-8x the dosage of many ingredients found in competing brands. 

Beyond this broad foundation that aims to replace and outperform most of today's pet supplement retail shelf in a single product, Arterra's flagship formulas are the first to tackle two distinct domains that are net new to the dog supplement landscape: Cognitive & Mood Support, and Epigenetic Anti-Aging. 

• Cognitive & Mood Support: Dogs suffer from the same cognitive decline, dementia, and depression as humans in old age, yet these symptoms have been largely ignored by incumbent brands. Arterra's Adult and Senior formulas feature robust support for both the underlying neurological health of the brain, while boosting the availability of key neurotransmitters involved in positive mood, energy, and motivation. 
• Epigenetic Anti-Aging: Our formula contains an industry-first combination of ingredients designed to favorably enhance expression of several key genetic pathways and related systems that regulate the aging process. Notably, it provides support for Sirtuin and AMPK activation, mitochonondrial health and biogenesis, reduction of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), and contains multiple senolytic agents to help eliminate senescent (old and dysfunctional) cells. The result is a slowing and even partial reversal of the biological clock. 

Our Adult and Senior formulas aim to replace most of our competitors' entire product lines, while also introducing first-to-market support for two completely health new domains -- all in one convenient, daily product. 

We can accomplish this partly by our higher price point, but also through a completely different business model than competing brands. Whereas virtually all incumbents have designed their products for brick-and-mortar retail distribution (at a 50% gross retail margin), we are exclusively direct-to-consumer by design and will stay that way for the foreseeable future; the 50% margin that other brands cede to retailers is fully reinvested into our product quality — giving traditional retailers' share of the value chain back to our customers. The result is a product line that costs between 10-20x as much as our competitors to produce, at a retail price of 3-7x.  

Yes, our supplements cost more up front, but provide substantially more value for each of those dollars.

Dog Size Matters

An important point to highlight regarding our price is that because our serving size is based on your dog’s weight, the monthly cost is highly dependent on the size of your dog. One bottle of our Adult formula costs $99 on subscription. This will last a large breed dog like a Golden Retriever one month - a meaningful investment for most families.  But it will last a medium sized dog like a Beagle or Cocker Spaniel two months (< $50 per month), and a small breed dog like a Chihuahua or Dachshund four months ( < $25 per month). So the smaller your dog, the more accessible Arterra’s price point becomes.

Value over Price

While our product is necessarily expensive, it costs up to 20x as much to produce as conventional pet supplements, while replacing multiple condition-specific products with one, and delivering novel added benefits not available anywhere else.  We define value as benefit relative to price, and by this important measure believe Arterra’s flagship formulas represent the best and most compelling value in pet supplements today.

Jonathan Willbanks

Founder & CEO

As pet owners, we all want to ensure that our furry companions enjoy a happy, active, and comfortable life. While aging-related joint discomfort is common in dogs, there are natural ways to support their joint health and overall well-being. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of various ingredients commonly found in canine joint support supplements. 

Why Joint Health Matters for Dogs

Before diving into the specific ingredients, it's essential to understand why joint health is crucial for our canine friends. Dogs, like humans, rely on their joints for mobility, flexibility, and an active lifestyle. Over time, wear and tear on these joints can lead to reduced joint comfort and mobility. This is where natural joint support ingredients come into play, helping dogs maintain their zest for life.

1. Beef Bone Broth Concentrate

Beef bone broth concentrate is a natural source of collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Collagen provides the structural framework for joints and bones, while glucosamine and chondroitin promote joint lubrication and flexibility. Beef bone broth concentrate is a delicious and easily digestible way to support joint health in dogs.

2. Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen Peptides

Hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides are a bioavailable source of collagen. Collagen is a vital component of connective tissues, making it essential for joint health. By providing dogs with this easily absorbed form of collagen, you can help maintain joint strength and flexibility.

3. Reishi Mushroom (Fruiting Body) and Shiitake Mushroom (Fruiting Body)

Reishi and shiitake mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits. They contain bioactive compounds that may help support a healthy inflammatory response, a common contributor to joint issues. Incorporating these mushrooms into your dog's diet can support overall well-being and joint comfort.

4. Chondroitin Sulfate (Bovine) and Glucosamine Sulfate (Bovine)

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate are well-known joint health supplements. Chondroitin helps maintain joint cartilage, while glucosamine supports joint cushioning and lubrication. These bovine-derived ingredients are often used together to provide comprehensive joint support for dogs.

5.MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring compound that contains sulfur, a crucial element for healthy joints. MSM support a healthy inflammatory response and promotes joint comfort. Integrating MSM into your dog's diet can aid in their overall joint health.

6. Boswellia Serrata Extract

Boswellia serrata extract is derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It is a natural COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit dogs experiencing joint discomfort. By reducing inflammation, this natural extract may contribute to improved joint comfort and mobility

7. Turmeric Extract (Std. 95% Curcumin)

Turmeric extract, standardized to contain at least 95% curcumin, is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin's powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it an excellent choice for supporting joint health in dogs. It can help manage discomfort and enhance overall well-being.

8. Tart Cherry Extract

Tart cherry extract is rich in antioxidants and contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation. It has been studied for its potential benefits in managing joint discomfort. Including tart cherry extract in your dog's joint support regimen may contribute to their joint health and comfort.

9. Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid)

Sodium hyaluronate, also known as hyaluronic acid, is a key component of joint fluid and cartilage. It plays a vital role in maintaining joint lubrication and cushioning. By supplementing your dog's diet with hyaluronic acid, you can support their joint mobility and overall joint comfort.

Choosing the Right Joint Support for Your Dog

When selecting a joint support supplement for your dog, it's essential to consider their unique needs and consult with your veterinarian. Factors such as breed, age, and activity level can influence the choice of ingredients and dosage.

Natural ingredients like beef bone broth concentrate, hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides, mushrooms, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, MSM, Boswellia serrata extract, turmeric extract, tart cherry extract, and hyaluronic acid can be valuable additions to your dog's joint health regimen. These ingredients work synergistically to promote joint comfort and mobility, helping your furry friend enjoy a happier and more active life.

All of these are included in Arterra’s Senior Formula, along with 52 other ingredients to support full-body health, mood, and longevity. Most of them are also included in our Adult Formula. No other supplement offers the breadth, quality, and potency of our all-in-one daily formula.

The study of epigenetics has transformed our understanding of aging and longevity in humans and animals alike. Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors and lifestyle choices can affect gene expression and cellular function, without actually changing the underlying DNA sequence. In the case of aging, epigenetic changes can play a significant role in determining how quickly we age and how healthy we remain throughout our lives.

Recent research has shown that epigenetic changes also play a critical role in the aging process of our canine companions. While the rate of aging varies widely between dog breeds, most dogs begin to show signs of aging by the time they reach seven or eight years of age. As with humans, these changes can include a decline in cognitive function, joint health, and immune system function, as well as an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

One of the key pathways involved in the regulation of aging and longevity in both humans and dogs is the sirtuin pathway. Sirtuins are a family of proteins that play a critical role in cellular metabolism, energy regulation, and stress resistance. They work by modifying the expression of genes involved in metabolism, inflammation, and cell survival. There are seven different sirtuin proteins in humans and mammals, each of which has a slightly different function.

Studies have shown that sirtuins play a critical role in regulating lifespan and healthspan in a variety of organisms, including mice, flies, and worms. In dogs, researchers have found that the activity of sirtuins declines with age, which may contribute to the development of age-related diseases. Furthermore, dogs with a genetic mutation that results in increased sirtuin activity have been shown to have longer lifespans and improved health outcomes.

Another key pathway involved in the regulation of aging and longevity in dogs is the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. AMPK is a cellular energy sensor that plays a critical role in regulating cellular metabolism and energy production. When cellular energy levels are low, AMPK is activated, leading to increased energy production and enhanced stress resistance. AMPK activation has been shown to improve health outcomes in a variety of organisms, including mice, worms, and flies.

In dogs, studies have found that AMPK activity declines with age, leading to a decline in energy production and cellular function. However, researchers have also found that AMPK activation can improve health outcomes in aging dogs. In one study, researchers found that supplementing the diets of aging dogs with a compound that activates AMPK led to improvements in muscle function and mobility.

While sirtuins and AMPK are two of the most well-studied pathways involved in the regulation of aging and longevity in dogs, they are by no means the only pathways involved. Researchers are continuing to investigate other pathways and factors involved in the aging process, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and telomere shortening.

So, what can dog owners do to support their pet's aging process? One of the most important things is to provide a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. This can help support the function of sirtuins and other cellular pathways involved in regulating aging and longevity. Additionally, regular exercise is critical for maintaining muscle function, mobility, and cognitive function.

Supplementation with compounds that activate sirtuins or AMPK may also be beneficial for aging dogs. However, it is important to note that not all supplements are created equal, and it is essential to consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist before beginning any supplement regimen.