Dogs often face muscle weakening and loss as they age, which significantly impacts their mobility and overall quality of life. To address this issue, a team of scientists from Virbac and Emmyon, Inc., led by Dr. Celine Nicolas, created a new dietary supplement containing a natural compound called ursolic acid. This ingredient, derived from fruits and herbs and known for its health benefits in other species, has shown great promise in improving muscle health in dogs. Their findings, published in the journal Animals, could lead to better care options for aging canine companions.

Dr. Nicolas and her colleagues investigated how ursolic acid could help dogs combat muscle loss. After confirming that the supplement was safe and well-tolerated, they tested it in older dogs with signs of muscle weakness. “The aim was to provide a new nutritional approach to support muscle health, especially given the challenges faced by many older dogs,” explained Dr. Nicolas. 

The team found remarkable results. Dogs taking the supplement for two months showed clear improvements in their muscle health. The supplement helped lower the activity of harmful markers in the muscles, which are specific molecules indicating muscle damage or wasting. At the same time, it boosted the levels of markers associated with muscle growth and repair, which are molecules that help rebuild muscle strength. The improvements were also reflected in the dogs’ increased willingness to exercise and better performance in simple obstacle courses.

Dr. Nicolas shared her excitement about the findings: “The supplement with ursolic acid didn’t just improve muscle health at a cellular level; it also made the dogs more active and energetic. These results show its potential to enhance the overall quality of life for aging pets.”

Scientists also noted that ursolic acid could provide dual benefits. By reducing harmful changes and encouraging positive ones in muscle tissues, it slows down muscle loss and helps dogs stay more active. This nutritional solution could be a game-changer for conditions that currently have few effective treatments.

Experts highlighted the study’s rigorous design, which included careful testing and the use of a placebo for comparison. A placebo, often called a “dummy treatment,” is a substance with no active ingredients used to measure the real effect of a product. However, they acknowledged that larger studies involving more diverse groups of dogs are needed to confirm these promising results.

For pet owners, the study offers hope for maintaining their aging dogs’ muscle strength and activity levels. The findings point to a significant step forward in managing age-related health challenges for dogs, giving them a better chance to enjoy their golden years actively and healthily.

Journal Reference

Ebert, S.M., Nicolas, C.S., Schreiber, P., Lopez, J.G., Taylor, A.T., Judge, A.R., Judge, S.M., Rasmussen, B.B., Talley, J.J., Rème, C.A., and Adams, C.M. “Ursolic Acid Induces Beneficial Changes in Skeletal Muscle mRNA Expression and Increases Exercise Participation and Performance in Dogs with Age-Related Muscle Atrophy.” Animals, 2024, 14, 186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020186

About the Author

Dr Nicolas graduated in Veterinary Medicine (2005) and as a PhD (2007) from the University of Nantes (France). She then worked as a research assistant at the University of Bristol (UK) and the University of Nice (France) for 8 years before joining Virbac in 2016 to work as a medical manager.