An effective pet supplement demands care and thought. Guided by global research and clinical trials, our formulas target the cellular and joint health challenges pets face with age — like no other.

Heart Health

Mitochondrial decline is a key factor in heart disease. A 2017 study, “Short-term administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide preserves cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis and prevents heart failure”, found that NMN supported mitochondrial function and helped protect against heart failure in mice. While the work was conducted in rodents, the mechanisms involved — mitochondrial stability and energy production — are highly relevant to canine heart health.

Vascular Function

Vascular aging is linked to stiffness, oxidative stress, and poor circulation. In a 2016 paper published in Aging Cell, “Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation reverses vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress with aging in mice”, NMN was shown to restore vascular elasticity and reduce oxidative stress. A separate 2020 toxicity study also observed lower blood lipid levels, including total cholesterol and triglycerides, in animals supplemented with NMN — both of which contribute to healthier cardiovascular function.

Metabolic Support & Diabetes

Metabolic decline is a hallmark of aging in both humans and pets. A 2012 study, “Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a key NAD⁺ intermediate, treats the pathophysiology of diet- and age-induced diabetes in mice”, reported that NMN improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. These findings suggest NMN could have a role in supporting pets with age- or diet-related glucose regulation challenges.

Cognitive Function & Aging

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are also central to age-related cognitive decline. In a 2017 study, “Nicotinamide mononucleotide inhibits JNK activation to reverse Alzheimer disease”, NMN supplementation improved cognition and reduced amyloid plaque burden in mice. This, combined with evidence from the 2018 review “Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules: The In Vivo Evidence” (Rajman, Chwalek & Sinclair), highlights NMN’s broader role in maintaining NAD⁺ levels and potentially slowing aspects of neurological aging — making it an intriguing candidate for supporting pets with cognitive decline.

• A study feeding GLM-supplemented diet for 45 days to dogs with arthritis showed clinical improvements in signs such as pain, swelling, and crepitus versus baseline.
  
• In a blinded placebo-controlled trial (101 dogs) using a combination of GLM + krill oil extracts (EAB-277) vs NSAIDs/other extracts, GLM combination delivered significant pain relief in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.

• Trials using glucosamine in canine osteoarthritis show measurable improvements in comfort, reduced lameness, especially in mild-to-moderate cases.

• Other studies show slower progression of cartilage damage / symptoms when glucosamine + chondroitin are used as adjuncts to diet / other therapies.

Boswellia serrata is rich in AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid), a compound known to inhibit the 5-LOX enzyme involved in chronic inflammation. In one of the largest veterinary trials, a 2004 study titled “Evaluation of Boswellia Extract in Canine Osteoarthritis” reported that 71% of dogs showed reduced lameness, stiffness, and pain after six weeks of supplementation—demonstrating meaningful, observable improvements in mobility.

Additional research in mammalian models supports these outcomes. Studies show that boswellic acids reduce cartilage-degrading enzymes (MMPs), calm joint inflammation, and improve gait parameters in induced-arthritis models. A 2011 paper in the Journal of Veterinary Science found that dogs supplemented with Boswellia experienced significant improvements in weight-bearing and pain scores, further validating its role in mobility support. Together, these findings underline Boswellia’s capacity to reduce joint discomfort, improve comfort in movement, and support overall joint health in dogs experiencing age- or activity-related stiffness.

Curcumin is notoriously difficult for mammals to absorb, which is why the phytosome form (curcumin bound to phosphatidylcholine) is used in veterinary research: it dramatically increases bioavailability. In a 2020 randomized canine trial, “Evaluation of a Curcumin Phytosome in Dogs with Osteoarthritis”, dogs receiving phytosomal curcumin showed improved mobility scores and reduced pain-related behaviors versus placebo, highlighting its potential as a safe, supportive therapy for joint discomfort.

Mechanistically, curcumin’s effects stem from its ability to modulate inflammatory pathways such as COX-2, NF-κB, and oxidative stress markers. A 2014 mammalian model using curcumin phytosome showed sharp reductions in systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and cartilage-degrading cytokines, demonstrating why the phytosome format is preferred in clinical applications. These pathways—oxidative damage, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and cartilage degradation—are the same ones implicated in canine osteoarthritis, making phytosomal curcumin a relevant adjunct for supporting joint comfort and mobility in aging dogs.

• Studies in dogs post-joint injury or surgery show that HA supplementation supports improved biomarkers of cartilage metabolism and helps recovery.

• Specifically, dogs with knee surgery (cranial cruciate ligament rupture, TTA), oral HA improved biomarkers of osteoarthritis over 10 weeks (increases in HA, decreases in inflammation markers).

• Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been shown to reduce joint pain and improve mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis, particularly when combined with other joint support agents.
• In dogs with osteoarthritis, fish oil improved weight bearing and reduced inflammation per owner assessments and objective gait analysis.
  

** While fish oil’s EPA and DHA are clinically shown to support joint comfort, dogs require meaningful amounts — typically in the grams, not milligrams — to see real benefits. Most pet supplements include only 100–500 mg of fish oil, far below therapeutic levels. For this reason, Pawever Plus does not rely heavily on fish oil in its formula for joint support, and we recommend using a dedicated omega-3 product alongside it for optimal results. The moderate amount we do include is there for its additional heart and brain support which is beneficial for senior pets.

• Animal nutrition research and guideline-reviews consistently show that manganese deficiency impairs cartilage health and slows soft-tissue repair, while balanced manganese intake helps support joint resilience, metabolic function, and antioxidant defense.

• Studies in dogs show that Vitamin E, especially in combination with other antioxidants, helps reduce biomarkers of oxidative stress in aging or joint-stressed animals.
• In general biology and veterinary nutrition literature: vitamin C improves oxidative stress markers in aged animals, helps support immune resilience.
• Diets enriched with vitamins E, C, and β-carotene reduced markers of oxidative damage. Animals fed these diets showed increased antioxidant capacity and less cellular degradation.