Mighty K9 Editorial Standards: How We Source, Check and Correct

Every sales claim is credited to the sales page in the same sentence. You will read "the sales page says" or "the sales FAQ says" before a promise such as less stiffness or results in two to three weeks.

• Brand claims are named as claims, never stated as fact.
• Health and research facts carry a numbered link to their source.
• Rodent studies are called rodent studies, every time.
• If no dog study exists, we write that plainly.
• Claims we cannot support at all are left out rather than repeated.

We print what we can check, with a date, and never a guess.

Yes. Gomightyk9 is an authorized Mighty K9 shop, not the manufacturer, and we earn money when you buy through our order links. We take no payment to praise other products. Read our pages with that in mind, and see who we are.

1. FDA's Regulation of Pet Food. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, 2024.In 1996 FDA decided the dietary supplement law (DSHEA) does not apply to animal products. Pet supplements are regulated as animal food or animal drugs; a product meant to treat or prevent disease is a drug.
2. Reading Labels. Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2024.A guaranteed analysis states minimum crude protein and fat and maximum fiber and moisture. Ingredients are listed by weight, without amounts. Calorie Content is given in kcal per kg as fed.
3. Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food. Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2023.A guarantee for a substance not in the AAFCO nutrient profiles must carry an asterisk: not recognized as an essential nutrient. Calories are stated as metabolizable energy (ME), as fed.
4. Complete and Balanced Pet Food. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, 2024.Treats, snacks and supplements are usually not complete and balanced and are not meant as a sole diet. Seals from other groups do not guarantee nutritional adequacy.
5. The NASC Quality Seal. National Animal Supplement Council, 2024.Companies may show the NASC seal only after an independent facility audit, a quality manual, adverse event reporting and label rules. It reflects company processes, not proof a product works.
6. The prolongation of the lifespan of rats by repeated oral administration of C60 fullerene. Baati T, et al. Biomaterials, 2012.Three groups of 6 rats (18 total) got water, olive oil or C60 in olive oil. Median lifespan was 42 months with C60 vs 26 (olive oil) and 22 (water). The authors called it exploratory.
7. C60 in olive oil causes light-dependent toxicity and does not extend lifespan in mice. Grohn KJ, et al. GeroScience, 2021.C60 did not extend lifespan or healthspan in mice. Oil exposed to bright light for days killed about 25-50% of dosed mice within 14 days. Some products bought online were off their label strength by more than 18%.
8. The effects of fullerene (C60)-enriched olive oil on human health. Ozdemir Y, et al. Hrana i ishrana, 2024.Evidence comes mainly from animal and lab studies. No research on long-term safety in humans was found; large trials and standard doses are needed.
9. A 14-day oral toxicity study of C60 in extra virgin olive oil in rats. Burres AE, et al. EXCLI Journal, 2024.Rats given 3.8 mg/kg a day for 14 days showed no treatment-related harm. The study was funded by a company that sells C60 oil, and it reports no dog or human trials.
10. PubMed search: (fullerene* OR C60) AND (dog* OR canine), clinical trials. National Library of Medicine, searched October 11, 2026, 2026.The filtered search returned no results. We found no published clinical trial of C60 in dogs.
11. Olive oil, salad or cooking (FDC 171413). USDA FoodData Central, 2019.884 kcal per 100 g; 73 g monounsaturated fat, 71.3 g of it oleic acid. 13.5 g per tablespoon, about 0.91 g per mL.
12. Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024.Dietary indiscretion is a common risk factor; Miniature Schnauzers are overrepresented. Signs include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea; a low-fat diet is crucial in treatment.
13. Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024.OA is one of the most common chronic painful conditions in dogs. Weight loss is the main prevention; NSAIDs are the most predictably effective treatment; EPA at 50-100 mg/kg a day improved mobility.
14. Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care. Anderson KL, et al. Scientific Reports, 2018.2.5% of 455,557 UK dogs had diagnosed OA in a year. Higher odds with larger breeds, higher bodyweight and age over eight.
15. Osteoarthritis in Dogs. American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2024.Signs: stiff gait, limping, trouble jumping or rising, less activity. A slender body weight is the most critical part of OA care, with controlled leash walks and rehab.
16. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of enriched therapeutic diets and nutraceuticals in canine and feline osteoarthritis. Barbeau-Gregoire M, et al. Int J Mol Sci, 2022.72 trials (69 in dogs). Omega-3 products eased OA pain, with the largest effect for omega-3 supplements. Chondroitin-glucosamine showed no pain-relieving effect.
17. Purina Life Span Study. Nestle Purina (study published in JAVMA, 2002), 2002.48 Labradors: dogs fed 25% less lived a median 13 years vs 11.2, and showed signs of aging such as impaired gait later. Industry-run study.
18. 2022 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 2022.Veterinary teams assessed 59% of dogs as overweight or obese.
19. Energy Requirement Calculations (2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines). American Animal Hospital Association, 2021.Resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 x body weight in kg to the 0.75 power. Neutered adult dogs need about 1.4-1.6 x RER; inactive or obesity-prone dogs about 1.0-1.2 x RER.
20. Feeding Treats to Your Dog. World Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2024.Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories: about 47 kcal a day for a 10 kg dog, 79 kcal for 20 kg and 108 kcal for 30 kg.
21. Dietary Supplements for Pets: Harmful or Helpful?. Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology, 2017.Supplements need no FDA review of effectiveness, safety or quality before sale; many have poor quality control. Few are studied in pets. Talk to your vet first.
22. Assessing pet supplements. American Veterinary Medical Association, JAVMA News, 2017.Many animal supplements are technically unapproved drugs under FDA enforcement discretion. Many fail quality tests for potency and contaminants.
23. Get the Facts about Pain Relievers for Pets. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, 2024.FDA-approved NSAIDs for dogs are prescription only. Human pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are not safe for dogs; call your vet before giving any.
24. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Pain Management. American Animal Hospital Association, 2023.Owners often mistake chronic pain for normal aging. Senior pain care should be multimodal, start early, and include home changes such as rugs, ramps and supportive beds.
25. Pet Poison Helpline. Pet Poison Helpline, 2026.(855) 764-7661, 24 hours a day. The fee is $89 per incident, follow-up included.
26. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. ASPCA, 2026.(888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A consultation fee may apply.
27. Pancreatitis in Dogs. American Kennel Club, 2024.A high-fat diet is a major cause of pancreatitis; one large helping of fatty food can trigger an attack, and a high-fat meal can trigger a relapse.
28. How to Report a Pet Food Complaint. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024.Report through the Safety Reporting Portal with the product name, lot number, best-by date, where you bought it and your vet's records. Keep the packaging.
29. Health Products Compliance Guidance. Federal Trade Commission, 2022.Health claims need competent and reliable scientific evidence, generally randomized controlled trials. Animal and lab studies or testimonials are not enough on their own.
30. Federal Trade Commission Announces Final Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Testimonials. Federal Trade Commission, 2024.The rule bans fake or AI-generated reviews and testimonials and lets the FTC seek civil penalties.
31. How To Evaluate Online Reviews. Federal Trade Commission, 2024.Consider the source, compare sites, and be wary of bursts of reviews. You cannot reliably spot fakes just by reading them.
32. Consumer Guidelines on the Best Storage Conditions for Olive Oils. International Olive Council, 2020.Light is the main threat to olive oil. Store it in the dark at 13-25 degrees C (about 55-77 degrees F), tightly closed, away from heat, and use it within about 1-3 months of opening.
33. When Less is More: Sensible Use of Supplements. Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology, 2018.Discuss every supplement with your vet. Supplements can interact with each other, with medicines and with the diet.
34. 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Gruen ME, et al. American Animal Hospital Association, 2022.OA is the most common chronic pain in dogs. Best-supported options: NSAIDs, anti-NGF antibodies, weight control, exercise and rehab, and omega-3 fatty acids. Other supplements have no proven pain-relieving effect.