Standard Process highlights cognitive health as an emerging target for supplements for older dogs, noting that pet owners are increasingly aware of this area of well-being. The brand’s note formulation mirrors that of human brain health supplements, for example, featuring the same functional botanicals and nutrients that people consume for mental clarity, resilience, and behavioral health.
The US-based supplement brand recently launched Canine Cognition Support to build on its Vet Formula line, designed to support clarity, alertness, and healthy aging in dogs.
The synergistic blend contains clinically researched ingredients, including ginkgo biloba, lion’s mane mushroom, ginseng, vitamin B6, and CoQ10, along with Swiss chard and buckwheat grown on Standard Process certified organic farms. Standard Process states that these ingredients are scientifically tested and proven to support healthier aging in dogs.
The company says more veterinarians are looking for science-backed, whole food-based options proven to support cognitive vitality to address the increasingly common canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Nutritional Insights speaks Jody Griffiths, senior Veterinary education specialist at Standard Process, about current consumer awareness around canine brain health, the efficacy of certain performance ingredients for dogs, and what signals of cognitive challenges pet owners should look out for.
What is the current consumer awareness of pet brain health supplements, and which markets are most interested in these claims?
Griffiths: Consumer awareness of pets’ cognitive health is increasing, largely driven by more frequent discussions between veterinarians and pet owners about age-related behavioral changes. Because early cognitive changes can be subtle and not always apparent during clinical visits, veterinarians often rely on pet owners to observe and report these shifts at home – leading to greater engagement and awareness over time.
Although this recognition is growing, educational gaps remain, especially around the biological pathways involved in cognitive health and how nutrition can be used effectively to support them. Animal veterinary professionals play a key role in closing this gap by translating emerging science into practical guidance for both colleagues and pet owners.
Accepting nutrition as a meaningful component of cognitive health support is steadily expanding in the veterinary community. Clinicians are often the first to integrate this perspective, informed by continuing education and research, with consumer awareness typically following as educational efforts reach pet owners. As a result, markets with strong veterinary-led education, proactive care adoption, and premium nutrition engagement tend to be most interested in brain health claims for pets.
What is the Standard Canine Cognition Support formulation of the Process?
Griffiths: Canine Cognition Support was developed using a multi-pathway formulation strategy that reflects the complex biology of age-related cognitive changes. Rather than targeting a single mechanism, the formulation combines botanicals and nutrients that support circulation, cellular energy metabolism, neurotransmitter activity, antioxidant defense, and immune balance – systems collectively involved in maintaining normal cognitive function.
Ginkgo biloba includes its role in supporting healthy cerebral blood flow and antioxidant activity, both of which are important for nutrient delivery and oxidative balance in nervous tissue. Ginseng further supports overall circulatory health, contributing to systemic and neurological vitality.
Supa lion mane provides a complementary mechanism through its support of immune system balance and function. Emerging research shows the importance of neuro-immune interactions in maintaining normal brain health, especially with aging.
At the cellular level, coenzyme Q10 supports mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, important for neurons due to their high energy demands. Alpha GPC supports the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, sleep regulation, and mood.
Together, these materials address several biological pathways associated with cognitive health. Research supporting this mechanism suggests that it helps promote alertness, awareness, and normal behavior in dogs as part of healthy aging.
Is dog cognitive dysfunction a bigger concern for veterinarians and pet owners today?
Griffiths: Canine cognitive dysfunction is receiving greater attention as companion animals live longer and age-related conditions become more common. Advances in veterinary care, nutrition, and preventive medicine have extended lifespan, but longevity also increases the likelihood of cognitive changes that affect behavior, awareness, and quality of life.
Changes such as altered sleep-wake cycles, disorientation, or reduced social interaction may progress slowly and may be difficult to notice, delaying intervention.
Greater awareness and standardization of assessment tools have improved clinicians’ ability to identify cognitive changes earlier in the aging process. This has led to an increase in veterinarians’ interest in proactive monitoring and early supportive strategies rather than waiting for advanced clinical signs.
Adding further momentum, newly established professional guidelines have emerged to support the diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of canine cognitive dysfunction. These guidelines provide a shared clinical reference point that was previously lacking, helping to align the understanding of practitioners and reinforcing the importance of early recognition and intervention for elderly canine patients.
What early signs of cognitive decline should dog owners watch for as their pet ages?
Griffiths: Early cognitive decline in dogs often presents as subtle behavioral changes that may be easy to overlook. Owners may notice reduced interest in playing, decreased engagement with family members, or a general decrease in attentiveness. These shifts may appear gradually and may initially resemble normal aging rather than underlying cognitive changes.
DISHAA – an acronym for Disorientation, Altered Interactions, Disrupted Sleep-Wake Cycle, House Soiling, Altered Activity, and Anxiety – provides a structured way to recognize and track these behaviors over time. Increased anxiety often appears as a secondary effect, reflecting the cumulative impact of changes in these domains.
Small but consistent changes in the DISHAA framework are important indicators. Even mild changes in orientation, social interactions, sleep-wake patterns, home exercise habits, or overall activity levels can signal early cognitive decline.
Early recognition of these signs allows for a timely discussion with the veterinarian and supports earlier intervention strategies aimed at maintaining quality of life as the dog ages.
How do you predict the cognitive health space for pets will evolve in the coming years, including emerging or innovative product formats?
Griffiths: As companion animals continue to live longer, cognitive health is expected to become a more important focus in geriatric veterinary care. Greater longevity leads to more age-related conditions, prompting veterinarians and pet owners alike to prioritize proactive strategies that support brain health and quality of life in senior animals.
As awareness and education expand, the cognitive health category will likely see advances in treatment protocols and product development. Pet owners are increasingly looking for a natural, nutritionally based approach, creating a demand for formulations that align with a philosophy of proactive care and long-term well-being support rather than reactive intervention.
Research advances in human aging and cognitive health are also expected to influence innovation in the pet space. As insights from human neuroscience, nutrition, and healthy aging research are translated into animal health applications, new ingredient combinations and delivery formats may emerge to support better cognitive function in aging pets. Together, these trends suggest a growing, science-driven category built on longevity, education, and cross-disciplinary research.
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