In the early 2000s, Canine Companions participated in a research study with Iams to evaluate the impact of maternal DHA supplementation on graduation rates of puppies. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for neural development in puppies and is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain. It is also important for heart health and vision. Prior to weaning, a puppy receives DHA from the dam through her milk. The results of this study showed that maternal supplementation with enhanced levels of DHA throughout gestation and lactation significantly increased puppy graduation rates, demonstrating that DHA supports neurocognitive development in puppies. Canine Companions ensures all its dams receive adequate amounts of DHA, to provide early support to maximize the trainability of our puppies!
