Q: My dog is performing at a high level in agility. I’ve been advised to give her antioxidants to support her athletic performance. Is this a good idea?
A: Strenuous exercise, such as from high-level agility, can lead to oxidative damage of the cells and tissues, and the high-fat diet commonly fed to canine athletes can put them at increased risk. Studies which have looked at the antioxidant properties of fruits and vegetables have shown that exercising dogs may benefit from a diet containing an increased level of antioxidant nutrients to counteract the effect of strenuous exercise. Strawberries and blackberries are excellent sources of antioxidants and are probably the best and most natural way to add antioxidants to the diet.
