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😼 The hidden risk in your dog’s daily routine

Most well-meaning pet parents don’t realize this is happening

Author

Bryan Reisberg
February 05, 2026

Why Modern Dogs Are Over-Supplemented

Why “doing everything right” can quietly do the wrong thing

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a very good dog parent. (And I have a little surprise for you at the end of this newsletter
)

You care about ingredients.
You read labels.
You add toppers, supplements, calming chews, dental chews, training treats.
You’re proactive. Thoughtful. Invested.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth most brands won’t say out loud:

The modern dog isn’t under-supported.
They’re often over-supplemented.

Not because of neglect—but because of good intentions stacking on top of each other.

The New Problem No One’s Talking About: Nutrient Overlap

Ten years ago, most dogs ate one food and maybe a multivitamin.

Today, a “normal” routine might include:

  • A complete diet (kibble, fresh, or raw)

  • A joint chew

  • A calming chew

  • A skin & coat supplement

  • Dental chews

  • Training treats (lots of them)

Individually, many of these products are fine.

Collectively? They often repeat the same active ingredients.

Why This Matters (Especially Long Term)

Dogs metabolize nutrients differently than humans, and excesses don’t always show immediate symptoms.

According to the National Research Council, both deficiencies and excesses of certain nutrients can cause health issues over time—not overnight, but quietly and cumulatively
👉 Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, NRC
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10668/nutrient-requirements-of-dogs-and-cats

Omega-3s are a great example.

They’re widely supported for joint, skin, and inflammatory health—but dose matters. Research shows benefits at appropriate levels, while excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with immune response in some dogs
👉 Bauer, J.E., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/256/12/javma.256.12.1325.xml

More is not always better.
Better is better.

The Irony: The Dogs Most at Risk Are the Most Loved

Over-supplementation doesn’t usually happen in homes that don’t care.

It happens in homes where people:

  • Want to prevent problems before they start

  • Are responding to targeted ads and well-meaning advice

  • Don’t realize how much ingredient duplication is happening

This is especially common in:

  • Senior dogs

  • Dogs with arthritis or allergies

  • Anxious dogs already on calming products

The intention is protection.
The risk is unintentional overload.

So What’s the Smarter Approach?

It’s not about removing care.

It’s about consolidating it.

Veterinary nutrition guidance consistently emphasizes:

  • Meeting needs once, intentionally, rather than repeatedly from multiple sources

  • Using complete, purpose-built formulations instead of stacking similar products
    👉 American College of Veterinary Nutrition
    https://acvn.org/frequently-asked-questions/

That philosophy shaped how we think about everything we make.

Where Treats and Supplements Should Actually Live

Here’s the framework we believe in:

Supplements = Precision

One thoughtfully formulated, once-daily supplement that:

  • Delivers clinically relevant doses

  • Is designed to stand alone

  • Doesn’t assume you’ll “stack” five others on top

This is where serious nutrition belongs.

Treats = Joy (With Intention)

Treats should:

  • Reinforce bonding and training

  • Support health without pretending to replace supplements

  • Avoid turning every bite into a nutrient gamble

They’re part of daily life—not the foundation of it.

The Takeaway

If you’re doing a lot for your dog, you’re not doing it wrong.

You just deserve clarity instead of clutter.

Health shouldn’t require guesswork.
Love shouldn’t require stacking products.
And caring deeply shouldn’t come with unintended consequences.

Sometimes the most responsible thing you can do

is simplify.

This is why we took our time.

We spent two years building supplements and treats not because the category needed more products, but because my dog deserved better ones. Intentionally formulated. Not under-dosed. Not filled with ingredients that sound good but don’t do much.

We wanted fewer things to give—done the right way.

That’s why our Hip & Joint formula was designed to stand on its own, and our treats were made to be genuinely low-calorie and USDA Certified Organic. One does the serious nutritional work. The other keeps the joy of treating without the trade-offs.

Everything was developed with board-certified veterinarians, with the science shared openly—so you can feel confident in what you’re giving your dog.

Today’s Last Laugh:

Once baby, always baby

@katieandtatesfostermates

They’re all just puppies at the end of the day đŸ„č @Westminster Kennel Club #westminsterdogshow