
I. What is HMB?
HMB is short for beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate. It is a substance that naturally exists in the body, which is a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine for animals or humans. In terms of physiological functions, HMB plays a key role in muscle protein metabolism. It can promote muscle protein synthesis and help reduce the breakdown of muscle protein. This makes it widely concerned in the field of sports nutrition. For example, for people who engage in strength training or high-intensity exercise, supplementing HMB may help them enhance muscle strength, improve recovery ability after exercise, and promote muscle growth. At the same time, it is also applied in some special nutritional supplements and functional foods to improve physical functions for specific groups.
II. Which Foods are Rich in HMB ?

i. Meats and Fish
1.Beef: Every 100 grams of beef contains approximately 0.2 - 0.4 grams of leucine, which is the precursor substance of HMB. During the human metabolic process, some leucine is converted into HMB. For example, a 150-gram steak will produce a certain amount of HMB after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized by the body.
2.Salmon: Salmon is also a good food source of HMB. It is rich in high-quality protein, and the content of leucine is relatively considerable. Every 100 grams of salmon contains approximately 0.3 - 0.5 grams of leucine. This kind of fish can not only provide the precursor of HMB but also contains fatty acids beneficial to dogs’ health, such as Omega-3 fatty acids.
ii. Dairy Products
1.Eggs: Eggs are a nutritionally comprehensive food. For dogs, the yolk part may contain trace amounts of HMB. At the same time, eggs are also rich in various nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. They are one of the ideal food supplement sources for dogs. For example, boiled eggs can be an occasional nutritional supplement for dogs.
2.Cheese: The leucine content of different types of cheese varies, but generally speaking, it is relatively rich. For example, cheddar cheese contains 0.6 - 0.8 grams of leucine per 100 grams. In the human body, leucine in cheese can be metabolized to produce HMB, providing certain benefits to the human body.
iii. Plant Protein Source Foods
1.Beans: Taking soybeans as an example, about 0.5 - 0.7 grams of leucine are contained in every 100 grams of soybeans. Although the absorption and utilization rate of plant protein is slightly lower than that of animal protein, beans are still an important food source for vegetarians to obtain leucine and then produce HMB. Moreover, beans also contain rich dietary fiber and other nutritional components, which have multiple benefits for human health.
2.Nuts: Nuts such as almonds also contain leucine. There are approximately 0.4 - 0.6 grams of leucine in every 100 grams of almonds. The protein and fat and other nutritional components in nuts can provide energy for the human body. At the same time, leucine in them has the opportunity to be converted into HMB during the metabolic process.
iv. Points for Attention
1.Although beef is good, excessive consumption may lead to obesity or gastrointestinal problems in dogs. For small dogs, the daily intake of beef may be controlled at a few ounces (such as 2 - 3 ounces, approximately 57 - 85 grams). The specific amount should be adjusted according to the dog's weight, age, and activity level.
2.For fish like salmon relatively high in fat, excessive consumption may cause diarrhea in dogs. Generally, it can be fed 1 - 2 times a week. appropriate amount should be given according to the dog's size. For example, small dogs can be fed 1 - 2 ounces (about 28 - 57 grams) each time.
3.Dogs may be allergic to certain foods. For example, some dogs may be lactose intolerant to dairy products or allergic to eggs. When feeding these foods rich in HMB for the first time, carefully observe whether the dog has an allergic reaction. Allergic symptoms may include itchy skin, rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing. If you suspect that the dog is allergic to a certain food, stop feeding that food and consult a vet for diagnosis and advice. For example, if a dog develops a skin rash after eating eggs, an allergy test may be needed to determine if it is allergic to eggs.
4.For meat, cooking is a relatively safe way as it can kill possible parasites and harmful bacteria. Avoid feeding raw meat to dogs because raw meat may contain pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli.
5.For eggs, boiled eggs are a better choice. Try to avoid feeding raw eggs because raw eggs may contain avidin, which can affect the dog's absorption of biotin.
6.At the same time, pay attention to additives in food. For example, when choosing dairy products, avoid those products with a large amount of sugar, spices, or other artificial additives as these ingredients may be unfavorable to the dog's health.
III.Why Should Dogs Supplement HMB?

1.Growth and Development Needs
The puppy stage is a crucial time for a dog's growth and development. Tissues such as muscles and bones are growing rapidly. Since dogs produce limited amounts of HMB on their own, it is difficult to meet the large demand for HMB during rapid body growth. For example, in large breed puppies like German Shepherds, their muscle growth rate is fast and they need sufficient HMB to support muscle protein synthesis. If only relying on the HMB produced by themselves, it will lead to poor muscle development due to insufficient quantity, affecting their normal growth. Supplementing HMB can provide additional nutrient for puppies, ensure good muscle development, and lay a solid foundation for a strong physique in adulthood.
2.Exercise and Work Needs
For working dogs and sporty dogs, such as Border Collies used for herding work, they need to run, jump, and chase for long periods every day, which puts huge pressure on the muscles. The HMB produced by themselves is far from meeting the needs of muscle repair and growth. After intense exercise, muscle protein will decompose, and at the same time, a large amount of new muscle protein needs to be synthesized to enhance muscle strength and endurance. The limited production of HMB on their own cannot efficiently reduce muscle protein decomposition and promote sufficient protein synthesis. By supplementing HMB, it can provide timely support for muscles, reduce muscle fatigue and injury after exercise, help them recover physical strength faster, and maintain a good working and exercise state.
3.Health Needs of Senior Dogs
As dogs age, their body functions decline, including the ability to synthesize HMB. Senior dogs are prone to muscle atrophy and decreased strength. The small amount of HMB produced by themselves can no longer prevent the gradual loss of muscles. For example, in senior Labrador Retrievers, their activity ability will significantly decline due to muscle problems. Supplementing HMB can to some extent make up for the deficiency of self-synthesis, help senior dogs maintain muscle mass, enhance muscle strength, and enable them to perform daily activities such as walking and going up and down stairs more comfortably, improving their quality of life and delaying the adverse effects of aging on muscles.
4.Needs for Recovery from Diseases and Injuries
When a dog is injured, such as a fracture or muscle strain, or after surgery, the body needs a large amount of HMB to promote the repair of muscles and tissues. The HMB produced by your puppy itself is like a drop in the bucket in this situation. Taking recovery after a fracture as an example, the muscles around the fracture will atrophy due to long-term fixation and trauma, and a large amount of HMB is needed to promote muscle protein synthesis and accelerate muscle recovery. Supplementing HMB can provide the necessary substances for injured or postoperative dogs to quickly repair muscles, shorten the recovery time, and reduce the occurrence of complications.
IV. How Does HMB Work in Dog’s Body?

i. Absorption Process
1.When dogs take in supplements or food containing HMB, HMB is mainly absorbed in the small intestine. There are specialized transport proteins on the small intestinal mucosa that help HMB enter the bloodstream. These transport proteins are like little guardians that can recognize and actively transport HMB. For example, for oral HMB supplements, they will be decomposed into small molecules in the gastrointestinal tract and then enter the blood through the absorption of the small intestinal villi, just like nutrients entering the body's transportation system through one "absorption channel" after another.
2.The absorption efficiency is affected by multiple factors.
The gastrointestinal health condition of dogs is a key factor. If a dog has gastrointestinal diseases such as enteritis and the small intestinal mucosa is damaged, then the function of transport proteins may be affected, leading to a reduction in the absorption of HMB. In addition, other components in food may also interfere with the absorption of HMB. For example, a large amount of dietary fiber may bind to HMB in some cases, thereby reducing the speed and degree of its absorption.
ii. Transportation Link
1.After entering the bloodstream, HMB is transported to various parts of the body, especially muscle tissue, along with the blood flow. Blood is like a "highway" that quickly transports HMB to where it is needed. In the blood, HMB may bind to some plasma proteins and be transported in this bound form to ensure its stability during transportation and prevent it from being easily decomposed or lost.
2.The HMB transported to muscle tissue will further play a role. Dog muscle cells have specialized receptors to receive HMB. These receptors are like "door locks", and only HMB, this "key", can open the door of muscle cells and let HMB enter the cell interior to start its work process inside the cell.
iii. Intracellular Mechanism of Action
1.Once inside muscle cells, HMB mainly acts on the regulatory process of protein synthesis and decomposition. In terms of protein synthesis, HMB can activate some intracellular signaling pathways, such as the mTOR signaling pathway. This signaling pathway is like a "command center". After being activated, it will promote the assembly and activity of ribosomes, thereby accelerating the synthesis of muscle protein. Just like a factory production line is started and accelerated, more muscle protein is produced.
2.In reducing muscle protein decomposition, HMB can inhibit the activity of some proteasomes. Proteasomes are like "garbage disposals" inside cells. Under normal circumstances, they will decompose some aged or damaged muscle proteins. But if this process is too active, it will lead to excessive loss of muscle protein. HMB keeps the decomposition of muscle protein at a reasonable level by inhibiting the activity of proteasomes and maintains muscle mass.
The Best HMB Supplement is Recommended Below

Noora-HMB Soft Chew
Advantages: Noora HMB Soft Chew is a health supplement specifically designed for dogs to support overall muscle retention and function, promoting joint stability and flexibility. It contains β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) and Vitamin D3, which help enhance muscle mass and support healthy mobility.
Appearance/Taste: The product comes in the form of soft chewable tablets with an enticing chicken liver flavor, designed to increase palatability and acceptance by dogs.
Weight: Each chewable tablet weighs 2 grams.
Quantity: Each bottle contains 90 soft chews, with a net weight of 6.35 oz (180 g).
Dog Vitamin:
Calcium β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Monohydrate (myHMB): 333 mg, helps maintain muscle mass and promotes muscle recovery.
Vitamin D3: 150 IU, supports calcium absorption and bone health while aiding muscle function.
Functions: These ingredients work together to help dogs maintain healthy muscles and joints, enhancing their activity levels and overall quality of life. The dosage can be adjusted based on the dog's weight to ensure that each dog receives appropriate nutritional support.
V. Benefits of HMB for Dogs

i. Protector of Muscle Health
Just like humans, muscle health is of crucial importance for dogs. For those active dogs, such as hunting dogs that love running and chasing, or pet dogs participating in high-intensity sports like agility training, their muscles are under great pressure in daily activities. At this time, HMB supplements play an important role.
HMB can effectively reduce the decomposition of muscle protein in dogs. After dogs exercise or as they age, muscle protein will undergo catabolism. Like a loyal guardian, HMB inhibits the activity of enzymes related to muscle protein decomposition, preventing excessive muscle loss in these situations. This is especially crucial for senior dogs. Their muscle mass will gradually decrease with time, and HMB can help maintain muscle quality, enabling senior dogs to still maintain a certain level of activity and reducing the inconvenience caused by muscle atrophy.
At the same time, HMB can also promote the synthesis of muscle protein in dogs. During the recovery period after dogs are injured or after daily exercise, HMB provides strong support for the repair and growth of muscle cells. It can activate the signaling pathway for muscle protein synthesis in dogs, just like injecting growth power into muscle cells, enabling muscles to recover and grow faster and better, so that dogs are still full of vitality when running and playing next time.
ii. A Good Helper for Joint Protection
The joint health of dogs affects their quality of life. Whether it's the patellar dislocation problem that is prone to occur in small breeds or the hip dysplasia and other joint diseases that large breeds often face, HMB can provide certain help.
HMB has the ability to reduce joint inflammation. When a dog's joints become inflamed due to injury or disease, inflammatory factors will rage in the joints, leading to joint pain and swelling and affecting the dog's normal activities. HMB can inhibit the production and release of these inflammatory factors, creating a relatively mild recovery environment for the joints. It is like a gentle doctor, relieving joint pain and swelling, so that dogs no longer suffer when walking and running.
Moreover, HMB has a positive effect on the repair of joint tissues. Articular cartilage undertakes the important mission of buffering pressure in the joint activities of dogs. HMB can promote the metabolism and proliferation of chondrocytes and stimulate chondrocytes to synthesize cartilage matrix components such as collagen and proteoglycan. This is like repairing and strengthening worn articular cartilage, making the joints more durable. For ligaments and tendons, HMB can also enhance their strength and ensure the stability of joints, making the joints of dogs more stable in daily activities and reducing the risk of injury.
iii. Enhancing the Overall Vitality of Dogs
The improvement of the overall vitality of dogs by HMB supplements is all-round. When the muscles and joints of dogs are in good condition, their athletic ability and endurance will naturally be improved. Whether it's a long walk, playing, or participating in various pet sports, dogs can show a better state.
For those dogs with diseases or in the recovery period, HMB is like a key to opening the door to health. It helps dogs recover their physical functions faster and reduce the negative impacts caused by diseases or injuries, enabling dogs to regain their former vitality and energy.
VI. How to Use HMB Supplement Correctly
i. Determine the Appropriate Dose
1.The dose of HMB supplements for dogs varies depending on factors such as the dog's weight, age, health condition, and purpose of use. Generally speaking, for small dogs, it may require 10 - 20 milligrams of HMB per kilogram of body weight per day; medium-sized dogs may need about 20 - 30 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day; and large dogs may need around 30 - 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. For example, a 5-kilogram small dog may need 50 - 100 milligrams of HMB per day.
2.Puppies, being in the growth and development stage, have a relatively high demand for HMB, but also be careful to avoid excessive use. Senior dogs or dogs with diseases such as muscle atrophy may need to appropriately increase the dose under the guidance of a vet to help maintain muscle quality. However, excessive use of HMB may cause some adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, so be sure to carefully determine the dose.
ii. Choose the Appropriate Product Form
1.HMB supplements come in various forms, including powder, capsules, and liquid. Powdered HMB supplements can be conveniently added to a dog's food and are easy to mix evenly. For example, sprinkle an appropriate amount of powder on dog food so that the dog can eat it together during the feeding process. Capsule form is suitable for dogs that can easily swallow larger particles of food, but it may be necessary to open the capsule and add the contents to the food.
2.Liquid HMB supplements are convenient for precise control of the dose, especially for small dogs or in cases where the dose needs to be strictly controlled. Tools such as droppers can be used to accurately drip the liquid supplement into the dog's mouth or add it to the food.
iii. Pay Attention to the Frequency of Use
1.HMB supplements can be used every day, and it is best to give them together when the dog eats. This can reduce gastrointestinal irritation and is beneficial for absorption together with other nutrients in the food. For example, when feeding the dog in the morning and evening, add HMB supplements to the dog food to let the dog develop the habit of regular eating and supplementing with HMB.
2.For some short-term use cases, such as during the recovery stage after a dog is injured or has surgery, according to the veterinarian's advice, it can be used every day during a specific recovery period until the muscles recover well. But if the dog has no special needs, long-term and uninterrupted use of high-dose HMB supplements may also have potential adverse effects, so adjust the frequency of use according to the actual situation.
iv. Combine with Other Nutrients and Exercise
1.HMB supplements are best used in combination with other nutrients. A dog's food should contain sufficient high-quality protein, such as chicken, fish, etc., because protein is the basis for muscle growth and repair. At the same time, it should also contain an appropriate amount of carbohydrates and healthy fats to provide energy support. For example, while supplementing a dog with HMB, ensure that its food contains 20% - 30% high-quality protein.
2.Appropriate exercise is also very important for dogs to exert the role of HMB. For healthy dogs, regular exercise can stimulate the absorption and utilization of HMB by muscles. For example, taking the dog for an appropriate amount of walking, playing every day, or conducting some professional training activities for working dogs can make HMB better promote muscle growth and repair. However, after a dog is injured or has surgery, appropriate rehabilitation exercises should be carried out under the veterinarian's advice to avoid excessive exercise affecting recovery.
v. Consult Veterinarian Advice
1.Before starting to use HMB supplements for dogs, be sure to consult a veterinarian. A veterinarian can determine whether HMB supplements are needed and the appropriate dose, product form, and usage method according to the specific situation of the dog, such as breed, age, health condition. For example, some dogs may themselves have kidney diseases, and excessive HMB may increase the burden on the kidneys. A veterinarian can provide professional advice for this situation to ensure that dogs use HMB supplements safely and effectively.