Since there’s not much information around, I decided to do a review on Ocu-GLO, a popular canine vision supplement.
Like any other pet parent, I also want to spare my dog from dealing with common eye problems such as glaucoma and cataract. These conditions can disrupt the dog’s vision, cause pain, and sometimes even require surgery.
That said, good eyesight can be maintained through diet and supplements, which can also help prevent vision problems caused by old age or diabetes.
However, you must be proactive to catch your dog’s eye problem early on in order to hold it back. Nutrients, no matter how powerful, won’t reverse blindness.
Yet, this supplement is recommended by many vets to manage eye diseases in dogs, and some owners swear by it. So in this Ocu-GLO review, I’ll tell you why it’s considered the best eye support supplement for dogs, and how it compares to other products.
Ocu-GLO Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Grapeseed Extract 95%, Lutein 20%, Omega-3 55% EPA/DHA, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl), Vitamin B-1 (as Thiamine HCI), Vitamin B-3 (as Niacin), Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCI), Folate as Folic Acid), Vitamin B-12 (as Cyanocobalamin), Biotin, Pantothenic Acid (as d-Calcium Pantothenate), Zinc (as Zinc Oxide), Alpha Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), Lycopene from Tomato Extract, Green Tea Extract 40% EGCG
Inactive Ingredients: Beeswax (yellow), carob extract, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, soy lecithin, soybean oil, and titanium dioxide.
Ocu-GLO Side Effects
According to Animal Necessity (the company behind Ocu-GLO):
“There shouldn’t be any negative side effects associated with the Ocu-GLO as long as there’s no allergy to any of the ingredients.
In some, rare cases, pets will experience loose bowels when first beginning the supplement. This is usually due to the omegas in the formulation.
In these cases, it’s recommended to stop for a couple of days until bowels go back to normal, and then proceeding at half the dosage and gradually working back up as long as all seems ok.”
Ocu-GLO Review: What Did We Think?
Ocu-GLO is basically a multivitamin for dogs.
But unlike other multivitamins, this one doesn’t try to claim to work magic. Instead, it states outright that its goal is to support normal and optimal eye health.
Ocu-GLO was developed by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists, which obviously have a lot of experience regarding eye health.
This supplement contains 12 antioxidants in a single dose to support not only your dog’s nutritional needs and overall health, but also his eye and vision health.
These eye-supporting antioxidants may protect dogs at risk for ocular conditions, such as diabetic and aging dogs.
There’s no need for a separate multivitamin or fish oil either, as Ocu-GLO already contain plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and Omega-3.
The reason why antioxidants are so important to your dog’s diet is that as dogs age, their levels of antioxidants drops. This can then expose their eyes to free radical damage caused by stress, diet, sunlight, pollution, and other factors.
Ocu-GLO’s powerful combination of grapeseed extract, lutein, and fatty acids from fish may help prevent eyes complications, as well as control inflammation, and improve night vision.
Be aware that this product is meant to stabilize your dog’s condition and prevent it from deteriorating. It won’t reverse any damage that has already been caused to your dog’s sight.
It’s best for dogs who have diabetes or cataract, as Animal Necessity has proven (through clinical studies) to delay the development of cataracts in diabetic dogs. It’s also a great supplement for dogs before undergoing ocular surgery.
The supplement itself is unflavored, and the recommended way is to administer the gel cap whole, although its large size can sometimes cause issues. In that case, try covering the pill with a teaspoon of wet dog food, or use a pill pocket.
There are amazing stories of owners telling how their dog’s cloudy eyes became noticeably clearer, or how this supplement slowed the progression of cataract in their dogs. For a non-invasive treatment, that’s pretty impressive.
Overall, Ocu-GLO isn’t meant to be a miracle cure, but you should definitely consider a good eye supplement, such as this one, for preventative care. This is just as important if your dog is at risk for vision problems like cataract, and glaucoma.
Like with any other supplement, read the label to learn about dosing and possible side effects.
Pros
- A good multivitamin for dogs
- Developed by veterinarians
- Contains Omega-3
- Natural eye care
- Prevents eye complications
- Slows down cataract
Cons
- Large pills can be difficult to swallow
The Best Foods For Your Dog’s Visual Health
Meet lutein, or as some like to call it—the eye vitamin.
This strong antioxidant, which is related to beta-carotene, is working to promote overall eye health. It’s also used in nearly any eye supplement.
A high concentration of lutein can be found in the retinas, therefore it’s necessary for healthy vision. Plus, this antioxidant protects the eyes from free radicals, which is crucial for aging dogs.
Since dogs can’t produce antioxidants naturally, it’s important to add them to their diet. It’s also known that lutein, combined with vitamins (such as C, E, and A) may help protect the eyes from macular degeneration.
Here are a few lutein-rich foods:
- kale
- spinach
- broccoli
- pumpkin
- egg yolk
- sweet potatoes
- carrots
Note: kale, spinach, and carrots are also great sources of vitamins C, E, and A.
Bottom Line
In my opinion, an eye supplement is a well worth investment for young pups, and a necessary product for aging dogs or any dog showing signs of vision problems.
Ocu-GLO includes a series of antioxidants which are believed to be beneficial for overall eye health, and although it won’t cure eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataract, it might help to delay the progression of these conditions.
It’s also important to keep your dog on a whole, balanced diet as studies show that healthy food choices may lower the risk of developing certain types of cataract.
In case your dog eats kibbles, try adding some lutein-rich foods to his plate, or use them as a treat. Remember, antioxidants play a large role in your dog’s eye care.
You should also try switching your dog’s food to a fish and sweet potato formula as this will boost his Omega-3 intake, and also provide him with more lutein and beta-carotene.
Lastly, make sure your dog’s weight is in check, and switch to diet dog food if needed, as fat gain may lead to serious eye problems associated with obesity.
