Supplements for Animals? See Why the Dallas Zoo Trusts Human Vitamins (8 min.)

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Cooper Complete vitamins and supplements are shipped to customers all over the United States, but one unique customer is not typical at all. Since 2009, the Dallas Zoo has been using three specific Cooper Complete products to help treat the special needs of a few animals. Kerri Slifka, MS, Dallas Zoo’s Curator of Nutrition, explains how specific supplements, in addition to a nutrient-rich diet, help support the health of a handful of the Dallas Zoo’s beloved creatures.

As the Curator of Nutrition, what is your role at the Dallas Zoo?

As a full-time, on-site nutritionist, I formulate and evaluate the diets for the animals at the Dallas Zoo. I  consider physiological state (pregnancy, growth, lactation, egg laying, etc.), activity level, body condition/weight, medical conditions, social dynamics, information about ‘wild’ diet, the digestive system of the animal and if there are any known nutrient requirements for a specific species or a similar domestic animal. I customize and formulate each species’ diet so that additional nutrient-rich supplementation is not required.

I also oversee the Animal Nutrition Center and its accompanying food budget. The Nutrition staff orders and receives food items, prepares, and delivers diets for more than 2,000 animals (representing 406 species) every day.

Dallas Zoo is also involved beyond our own collection of animals. I serve as Nutrition Advisor to three species survival plans, sit on the steering committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Nutrition Advisory Group and am a member of the Comparative Nutrition Society, which includes individuals from zoos, field researchers, industry, and academia.

Which animals receive supplements, what do they receive, and why?

Ideally, the diet I have formulated will not require additional supplementation. However, a few special needs for egg-laying animals, geriatric animals and those with skin conditions are being met with Cooper Complete supplements.

• Animals that are laying eggs receive Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate before and during egg laying to ensure proper shell thickness and chick health†. Chicks from long-legged bird species may receive additional calcium on a case-by-case basis†.
• Fish-eating animals must be supplemented with vitamin E and Thiamin to counteract losses of these nutrients over time. There are now commercial products that address this specific combination of nutrients.
• All of our primates receive a daily human multivitamin and mineral supplement.
• Some of our geriatric animals receive Cooper Complete Joint Health, as prescribed by our veterinary staff.
• Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 has been used for skin conditions in various animals†. Our veterinary staff also prescribes this.

What benefits have you seen in the animals that take the supplements?

We have seen an improvement in mobility in the great apes that take Cooper Complete Joint Health†. Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 supplement is given for skin conditions, and the conditions appear to resolve themselves while the animals are on the supplement†. Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate ensures our birds lay eggs with good-quality shells and produce chicks with strong bones†.

Why do you choose to purchase Cooper Complete products?

We first heard of Cooper Complete when one of our veterinarians recommended Cooper Complete Joint Health for the treatment of his own joint issue and found it to be very effective†. When we needed a joint supplement for one of our elderly gorillas, we tried what had worked well for our staff! Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate is also more bioavailable than plain calcium carbonate† and is in a form that can be easily administered to our animals.

Do you have any nutrition suggestions for people with pets?

Feed a high-quality, nutritionally balanced product to your pets and make sure they see a veterinarian as needed.

Any other interesting information about zoo animal nutrition that you would like us to share?

There are only 20 zoos in North America that employ full-time nutritionists for their collections. Unlike human nutritionists, this field has only been around for about 35 years, so we are always learning new things!

When most people think about supplements for animals, they tend to think of products they might purchase from their veterinarian that have been formulated specifically for animals. However, many human supplements are also wonderful options for animals and can be effective solutions to conditions that dogs, cats, or pet birds may have.

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Article provided by the Cooper Complete team.

Disclaimer: Cooper Complete products are formulated and labeled for human use. Any use of these supplements with animals, as described in this article, is under the guidance and supervision of veterinary professionals.

 

Cooper Complete July 21, 2025