Methods and compositions for reducing oxidative stress in an animal

1. A method for the reduction of oxidative stress due to exercise in a dog or cat, comprising administering to the dog or cat an antioxidant composition consisting essentially of an effective amount of astaxanthin and an effective amount of one or more of alpha-tocopherol and an isomer of tocopherol, wherein the astaxanthin and the one or more of alpha-tocopherol and an isomer of tocopherol are regularly administered to the dog or cat beginning about six weeks or more prior to the exercise.

2. A method of treating a dog or cat recovering from oxidative stress due to exercise, comprising administering to the dog or cat an antioxidant composition consisting essentially of an effective amount of astaxanthin and an effective amount of one or more of alpha-tocopherol and an isomer of tocopherol, wherein the astaxanthin and the one or more of alpha-tocopherol and an isomer of tocopherol are regularly administered to the dog or cat beginning about six weeks or more prior to the exercise.

3. A method of treating a dog or cat for oxidative stress due to exercise, consisting essentially of the steps of:

a) regularly administering to the dog or cat an amount of astaxanthin, beginning about six weeks or more prior to the exercise; and

b) regularly administering to the dog or cat an amount of one or more of alpha-tocopherol and an isomer of tocopherol, beginning about six weeks or more prior to the exercise;

wherein the amounts of the astaxanthin and the amounts of the one or more of alpha-tocopherol and an isomer of tocopherol combined together are effective to treat the oxidative stress.