Your dog isn’t slowing down because he’s “just old.” He’s slowing down because his cells are running low on energy.
Dr. Mark Saraiva, DVM
Veterinary consultant to Pawprint · Updated on 10/2026
You have watched it happen one small thing at a time, and “that’s just age” stopped being an answer a while ago. Here are the five signs, what is happening underneath them, and why nothing you have tried has lasted.
These 5 signs show up in almost every aging dog
Whether yours is a he or a she, the signs read the same.
Sleeping most of the dayThe nap that used to be an hour is now the whole afternoon.
Shorter, slower walksHe stops sooner, sniffs longer and turns for home a block early.
Hesitating at the stairs, struggling to get upThe pause before the first step. The push with the front legs.
Slower to meet you at the doorHe used to be there before the key turned. Now he lifts his head and waits for you to come to him.
Less interest in playThe ball sits where it landed, and he seems far away.
If you nodded at two or more of these, you are not imagining it.
WHY IT HAPPENS
When the cells that power him start running low
Muscle, brain and heart cells are packed with mitochondria — tiny power plants that turn food into usable energy [1].
They run on a helper molecule called NAD+, which in people is widely reported to fall with age, though researchers still argue about how universal that is [2].
Here is the part of “old age” that rarely gets explained: the cells behind every step have less energy to spend. Less for getting up. Less for the stairs. Less for the walk, and for meeting you at the door.
Picture a phone that is at 9% by lunchtime. Everything still works. It just costs more to do anything, so it does less. That may be the afternoon he is having.
Mitochondria turn food into energy, and NAD+ is the helper molecule they run on. It is the supply line behind every step.
The good news: this is not a verdict. It is a supply question, and a supply question is something you can act on every single day.
Why nothing you’ve tried has lasted
If you have tried most of what follows and he is still slowing down, that is not on you. You did the caring thing every time. It is simply where each of them works.
Joint chews
They are aimed at the joint. If your vet has named arthritis, keep going with them. They just don’t touch the energy behind the muscle that moves the joint, and the stairs live there too.
Senior food
It changes what goes into the bowl. It does not change how his cells turn that food into usable energy, the energy he spends getting through the day.
Rest, and “it’s just age”
Rest protects him from a tiring day. It does nothing about why the day is tiring, so tomorrow he runs out of steam by early afternoon, just the same.
Vet visits that come back “normal for his age”
Keep going, because they rule out what needs a vet’s care. They just never hand you anything to do on a Tuesday morning, and that is the part that keeps you up at night.
They all work on the symptom. None of them works on the energy his cells run on.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE PAWPRINT PROTOCOL STARTS
Pawprint Protocol is a daily liquid made for exactly that gap: one dropper with NMN, a building block in the NAD+ pathway, plus NAD+, resveratrol and CoQ10.
Mitochondria: it starts at the cell, not at the symptom, with NMN leading the formula.
NAD+: the helper molecule his cells spend on energy is in the dropper too, alongside resveratrol and CoQ10.
Cellular energy: supports the cellular energy his body runs on, every day and not only on the hard days.
Liposomal, so it is built to be absorbed, not just swallowed: more of what’s in the dropper actually reaches the cell. Nothing to chew and nothing to hide. Add the daily dropper dose to the food he already eats (best with wet food or kibble) or give it by mouth. The dose follows his weight, from 1 to 4 droppers a day.
Four actives, one dropper: what each is there to do
1
NMN
The lead active. NMN is a precursor to NAD+, a molecule involved in cellular energy metabolism. It is why Pawprint Protocol starts at the cell and not at the symptom.
2
NAD+
The helper molecule cells spend in everyday jobs like turning food into energy. NAD+ plays a role in the processes cells use to make energy, so it sits in the formula next to its building block.
3
Resveratrol and CoQ10
The supporting cast. Resveratrol has been studied for its role in cellular signaling and antioxidant activity. CoQ10 supports cellular energy for muscles and stamina. Both ride along with NMN in the same dropper.
4
The delivery: liposomal
A liposomal liquid, built to be absorbed, not just swallowed. It goes on the food he already eats, so there is no pill to push down his throat.
Pawprint Protocol is made in the USA with domestic and imported ingredients and is third-party lab tested. Pawprint’s veterinary consultant is Dr. Mark Saraiva, DVM.
Featured formula expert
Dr. Mark Saraiva, DVM
Veterinary consultant to Pawprint
Made in the USA with domestic and imported ingredients
Third-party lab tested
Every dog is different. If your dog takes medication or has a health concern, ask your own vet before you start.
REAL PROOF
Trusted by 100,000+ customers across Pawprint Lab
Pawprint Lab’s score and reviews live on Trustpilot, where you can read every one of them.
Excellent · 4.5 out of 5134 Pawprint Lab reviews on TrustpilotObserved 13 Oct 2026
56% of surveyed owners (214 of 380) say they have noticed an improvement in their dog.
Of the owners who noticed one, 3 in 4 first noticed it within 3 weeks (189 of 252 responses).
Pawprint customer survey, n=382, Nov 2025 – Sep 2026; owner-reported, not a clinical study.
Separately, about 9 in 10 owners who answered the daily-use question say they give Protocol daily (361 of 382 answers, from 395 responding owners). Owner-reported dosing habit, not a measure of results.
What customers wrote about Pawprint Lab
Trustpilot reviews of Pawprint Lab, published as written. Individual results vary.
Back to himself again
My dog Starfox had to be carried outside to potty and couldn’t even stand up on his own or walk. Now he is back to his adventurous playful self again!
John A Hauer · Oct 3, 2026 · Trustpilot review of Pawprint Lab
Improved Mobility
My dog has been on PawPrint Lab daily supplement for 2-3 weeks now and there is a notable improvement in her mobility. I noticed a difference within a few days. I will be ordering more of this product.
Ruth Alvarez · Jun 22, 2026 · Trustpilot review of Pawprint Lab
I have been using this product for my almost 13 year old mini dachshund and I see a difference in her! She has become more active during the day. She is a super picky eater, I add it to her food in the mornings and she eats with no hesitation. I’m loving what I see so far.
VA · Nov 26, 2025 · Trustpilot review of Pawprint Lab
WHAT TO EXPECT
How the first 90 days can go
A daily routine is not a switch, and Pawprint recommends at least 3 months of consistent use. Here is what to watch for, using the same five signs you counted above.
1
THE FIRST WEEKS
Start at breakfast, then start watching
The dropper goes on the food he already eats, at the same time every day. In Pawprint’s own owner survey, 3 in 4 of the owners who noticed an improvement first noticed it within 3 weeks (189 of 252 responses, from the survey above).
Pawprint customer survey, n=382, Nov 2025 – Sep 2026; owner-reported, not a clinical study.
Is the pause before the first step any shorter?
Does he get up with one push instead of two?
Same time, same meal, every day
2
AROUND DAY 30
A month in: check your notes
Read your notes against the five signs. Is the nap shorter? Does the walk turn for home a block later? Does the ball move?
Keep the routine going
Compare with your notes
Tell your vet what you are giving
3
AROUND DAY 80
Nearly three months in
Pawprint recommends at least 3 months of consistent use, so this is the moment to look at the stairs, the walk and the greeting at the door, and to decide while the 90-day money-back guarantee is still open: email us within 90 days of delivery (website orders).
Try it on your own dog, on your own schedule, and decide while the guarantee is open.
1Order on pawprintlab.com and give it to him daily.
2If it is not right for your dog, email us within 90 days of delivery.
3Get your money back under the 90-day money-back guarantee.
The guarantee applies to orders placed on pawprintlab.com. It is a money-back guarantee, not a promise about results.
The most common questions, answered
What age should I start?
Pawprint Protocol is made for senior dogs, roughly 7 years and older. Breeds and individual dogs age at different speeds, so your own vet is the best judge of when a daily routine makes sense for yours.
How do I give it, and how much?
Mix it with food (best with wet food or kibble), or give it directly by mouth. Use it daily for best results. The daily dose goes by weight, as below. Need a custom dose? Ask your vet — especially for senior dogs, active dogs, or those with health concerns. How long a bottle lasts depends on your dog’s weight; the product page shows current directions.
Dog weight
Daily dose
Under 22 lb (under 10 kg)
1 dropper a day
22-55 lb (10-25 kg)
2 droppers a day
55-88 lb (25-40 kg)
3 droppers a day
88+ lb (40+ kg)
4 droppers a day
When will I notice a change?
Dogs differ, and a daily routine is not a switch. Pawprint recommends at least 3 months of consistent use, and individual results may vary. Keep a few notes on how he gets up, the stairs and the walk, so you can compare them against the five signs.
Can I give it with my dog’s medication?
Ask your vet first, especially if your dog takes any medication or has a health concern. Your vet knows his history, and Pawprint Protocol is a dietary supplement, not a medicine.
Is it safe for my dog?
Oral NMN has been through a subacute toxicity study that dosed beagles and found it well tolerated [3]. That is a safety study, not a study of Pawprint Protocol, and the NAD+ readings in that paper came from mice, not the beagles. If your dog takes medication or has a health concern, ask your vet first.
What is in it, and how do I get him to eat it?
Four actives: NMN, NAD+, resveratrol and CoQ10, in one liquid. Other ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water, Rice Syrup, Beef and Apple Flavoring. Because it is a liquid, the dose goes straight onto the food he already eats, or you can give it by mouth. If food allergies or sensitivities are a concern, check the ingredient list with your vet first.
Is it a medicine?
No. Pawprint Protocol is a dietary supplement, not a medicine. It is not intended to treat, prevent, or cure any disease. If something about your dog’s health concerns you, call your vet.
What does liposomal mean?
In general, liposomal means the ingredients are carried in liposomes, tiny bubbles made from fats. Pawprint Protocol is a liquid built to be absorbed, not just swallowed, so more of what’s in the dropper actually reaches the cell.
How does Subscribe & Save work, and can I cancel?
Save 25% when you subscribe, with free shipping. The product page shows delivery every 4 weeks. You can pause, update or cancel anytime in your account or by contacting support. Prefer no subscription? There is a one-time option on the same page.
What if it is not right for my dog? And where does it ship from?
Email us within 90 days of delivery and the 90-day money-back guarantee applies to orders placed on pawprintlab.com. Pawprint Protocol ships from a US warehouse, and the product page shows current delivery timing.
Don’t wait for the hard day to start.
The stairs, the walk, the greeting at the door. Begin the daily routine now.
90-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save 25% with free shipping.
References
[1] Chistiakov DA et al. Mitochondrial aging and age-related dysfunction of mitochondria. BioMed Research International, 2014. doi 10.1155/2014/238463. PMID 24818134. Review.
[2] Peluso A et al. Age-Dependent Decline of NAD+: Universal Truth or Confounded Consensus? Nutrients, 2022;14(1):101. doi 10.3390/nu14010101. PMID 35010977. Review.
[3] You Y et al. Subacute Toxicity Study of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide via Oral Administration. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020;11. doi 10.3389/fphar.2020.604404. PMID 33384603. Safety study.
Studies on the individual ingredients, not on Pawprint Protocol, unless marked; results may differ in dogs.
Disclaimer
THIS IS AN ADVERTORIAL AND NOT AN ACTUAL NEWS ARTICLE, BLOG, OR CONSUMER PROTECTION UPDATE
This is an advertisement for Pawprint Lab™ and is intended for informational purposes only. All information provided by Pawprint Lab™ does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a replacement for veterinarian advice. Please consult your veterinarian regarding any change in treatment or supplementation.
Individual results may vary.
Please note that Pawprint Lab™ products are not drugs and are not intended to treat, prevent, or cure any disease.
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