 The study examined the effects of a nutritional supplement containing DHA, taurine, carotenoids and vitamins on the body weight and body composition of growing puppies. Puppies in the treatment group showed a trend of reduced fat gain compared with those in the control group, and with a marginally significant difference at 6 months, P equals 0.05. At 3 months, insulin-like growth factor 1 was higher, P equals 0.02, in the treatment group compared with the control group. At 9 months, fasting lipid levels were lower, P less than 0.05, and fat oxidation metabolite III hydroxybutyrate was higher, P less than 0.05, in the treatment group compared with the control group. These results suggest that the nutritional supplement may have an impact on puppy growth and development, potentially through promoting fat metabolism. Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of this supplement on growth and development. This article was offered by Wei Wang, Melissa Brooks, Carrie Gardner, and others.