The invention provides novel methods for maintaining eye health and ameliorating ophthalmic maladies in canines by administering to the canines an ophthalmic malady ameliorating amount of one or more carotenes. Generally, the carotenes are administered to the canines in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 5000 mg or in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 500 mg per day to ameliorate maladies such as impaired vision, cataracts, cloudy eye, retinal degeneration, eye injury caused by radiation, reducing or preventing a decline of social interaction, promoting overall health and wellness, improving the quality of life, and extending the prime for canines.
