Antioxidant strategies for age-related oxidative damage in dogs

Muršec, Aljaž (author), Poljšak, Borut (author), Nemec Svete, Alenka (author), Erjavec, Vladimira (author)

This review examines the effects of oxidative stress on the aging process in canines, focusing on the role of antioxidants in the prevention of age-related diseases. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s antioxidant defenses, resulting in damage to cell structures. Dogs, especially older animals, are particularly susceptible to such damage, which contributes to the development of cognitive impairment, chronic disease and a reduced quality of life. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10 and polyphenols play an important role in neutralizing free radicals and mitigating oxidative damage. Various studies confirm that these antioxidants can improve overall health, slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of diseases such as osteoarthritis, cancer and heart disease. The results suggest that an appropriate diet supplemented with antioxidants can significantly contribute to a better quality of life for dogs. However, given that some studies report limited or no effects, additional long-term clinical trials are warranted to validate the reproducibility and degree of presented benefits.

• Language: English
• Keywords: oxidative stress, antioxidants, aging, dogs, cognitive dysfunction
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences; VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 22 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 12, iss. 10, art. 962
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175213
• UDC: 636.09:616
• ISSN on article: 2306-7381
• DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12100962
• COBISS.SI-ID: 252941827
• Publication date in RUL: 20.11.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Veterinary sciences
• Shortened title: Vet. sci.
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2306-7381
• COBISS.SI-ID: 523429657

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P4-0053-2019
• Name: Endokrini, imunski in encimski odzivi pri zdravih in bolnih živalih

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P3-0388-2022
• Name: Mehanizmi varovanja zdravja