Nootropics and adaptogen supplements for dogs in lockdown

02 Jul 2020 --- Just like humans, dogs may also experience stress due to COVID-19-induced quarantine restrictions. With some lockdown requirements lifting, dogs may now also experience disruption when faced with the separation of their owners who they’ve grown accustomed to spending every hour with for months. Addressing these concerns, animal health company Birdnip has released new dog supplements packed with human-grade adaptogens, nootropics and plant-based ingredients called “The Full Stack,” which aim to support canine mental health and optimal physical performance.

“As humans, it is easier to self-manage our stress and we are able to easily adapt and find ways to do so. As owners of dogs, we have to be more proactive about recognizing the signs when our furry friends are under stress. Luckily, there are ways for dogs to manage their stress whether it’s exercise or taking natural supplements like the ones we’ve introduced,” Michael Galvez, Founder and CEO of Birdnip, tells NutritionInsight.

Three Six Zero includes lion’s mane, known for relieving oxidative stress due to its free radical scavenging properties. (Credit: Birdnip)As mental health is becoming less of a taboo topic skin, consumer awareness of the importance of mental health for overall wellness is rising. Ingredients that can enhance the human body and mind beyond their standard state, such as adaptogens and nootropics, are in demand. Products with adaptogens for stress relief and nootropics for brain-enhancing are increasingly seen across market categories.

For humans and dogs alike, adaptogens help balance the stress response system, acting as a personalized internal regulator and adapting to the specific mental and physical needs the body requires. When working in tandem with nootropics, adaptogens can provide unmatched cognitive strengthening to allow dogs to approach daily life at their optimal peak.

“Before the advent of kibble-type food, as we know today, dogs were often fed leftovers from human meals. In the same way we would quickly become overweight from a steady diet of heavily processed fast-food, so would our canine companions. Feed our dogs well with a healthy diet, and they too stand to benefit,” Galvez underscores. 

The Full Stack
The four new products join the company’s already existing nootropic supplement Nootrodog and round out the offering to provide naturally derived nootropics and adaptogens:

• Three Six Zero: Antioxidant supplement.

• Swift: Joint supplement.

• Stunner: Skin and coat supplement.

• Feathers: Calming supplement.

The supplements are recommended for once-daily use in meals and include a range of all-natural, plant-based active ingredients, including botanicals, herbs, fruits mushrooms, seeds and collagen. One exception is Birdnip’s joints formula Swift, which includes green-lipped mussel. As the plant-based trend is taking off within the F&B industry, Galvez pinpoints how it has translated into the animal health sector.

“Dogs are omnivores, so they are able to survive off a mix of meat and plant-based diet, but they are capable of securing the nutrients needed to survive from plants. There is still debate though, as to whether going fully plant-based is optimal. As we specialize in dog supplements – which obviously don’t encompass the entire diet – we chose to go in the direction of mostly plant-based ingredients from which we hope to achieve some of the desired effects,” he explains.

The Full Stack supplements are recommended at once daily with meals. (Credit: Birdnip)Naming just one example, the antioxidant supplement Three Six Zero includes lion’s mane, which is known for its use in the treatment of oxidative stress due to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. Meanwhile, spirulina’s anti-inflammatory properties help with protecting cells from injury caused by oxidative stress.

The supplements’ short list of ingredients are technically also safe and effective for human consumption, Galvez highlights, but the key difference lies in The Full Stack’s odor and taste. “As humans, we are generally used to ingesting less than great tasting pills and vitamins in the name of health; we are willing to take some pain for gain. With canines, it’s different in that for the dog to take a supplement like this, it has to first pass the smell taste before anything. We’ve designed these products to smell and taste great, so they’re easy to consume by simply adding to their regular meal.”

Further ensuring the supplements’ safety for canine consumption, Galvez affirms that there is “no known risk to treating dogs with nootropics or adaptogens” and all Birdnip supplements and ingredients are veterinarian-approved. “Of course, as with any diet change or supplement given to your pet, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian.”

By Anni Schleicher