It all starts with the jaunty walk that becomes stiff, he no longer capers around you as much as he used to, and he probably gives a deep groan when lying down. As your dog grows old he’s no longer able to move his joints as freely as before and it’s only natural to empathize as you see how much it hurts to move those aching joints. In many ways, dogs suffer from the same kinds of joint issues that we get when we age, and the pain and discomfort they experience isn’t that different.
Common Joint Problems Dogs Can Develop:
Joint supplements for dogs are drugs that are used to treat or manage conditions like arthritis that may interfere with your pup’s joints and compromise his mobility. They can be grouped into three basic categories namely:
- Preventative supplements which are used to keep your dog’s joints strong and healthy to avoid developing joint complications in the future.
- Treatment supplements that do the work of repairing joint damage.
- Nourishing supplements whose function is to support your dog’s body tissues and immune system as well as build healthy joints.
Joint Supplements That Your Vet Is Likely To Recommend To Use For Chronic Joint Complications Include:
- Glucosamine which is a naturally occurring compound that forms in cartilage. It helps fight inflammation, nourishes the cartilage and cushions the joints.
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and is responsible for creating and supporting connective tissues, joints and joint fluid as well as the skin, eyes among other body organs.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, or “fish oil,” have shown encouraging results in reducing inflammation and is considered one of the best arthritis supplements for dogs. When choosing a supplement ensure it contains both EPA and DHA fatty acids.
- Collagen joint supplements for dogs usually come in the form of a salmon fish powder which you can add to your dog’s food. It helps your dog maintain healthy joints, tissues, and skin.
- Turmeric joint supplements for dogs. Turmeric contains a natural chemical known as curcumin which offers many of the same benefits found in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal medication. It’s one of the most preferred natural remedies for treating dogs with stiff joints.
These are just a few of the many supplements available on the market. However, finding the best joint supplement for dogs is not as simple as buying over the counter medicine from a convenience store. The best approach is to consult with your vet to come up with a suitable plan tailored to deal with your pet’s specific issues. Such a program should consider factors like his diet, genetics, and lifestyle.
That’s not to say that some of the supplements don’t work. However, there isn’t that much research that has gone into finding out how effective they are in managing joint complications. Some vets advocate using other methods such as continuous exercise to maintain mobility and even complementary therapies like acupuncture. If your pet is overweight with bad knees, for example, a vet may recommend a healthy diet and weight loss rather than prescribing supplements.
For Pet Owners Who Do Give Their Pets Joint Supplements, Experts Suggest You Do The Following First:
- Consult a vet in advance to see if it is safe.
- Check for a mark of approval on the medicine packaging by an independent lab or regulatory body.
- Keep a record of your pet's behavior, such as the way he walks, both before and after using the supplement to tell if there’s any change.
- Avoid exceeding the recommended doses as too many supplements may lead to side effects like loose stool and excessive gas.
- Be on the lookout for shellfish allergies in case you’re using glucosamine made from seafood.
- If your pet has high blood pressure avoid supplement versions that are in salt form.
- Unless you have a vet’s approval, do not give your pet glucosamine or chondroitin with blood thinners, such as heparin or aspirin. That’s because this can harm some breeds, like Doberman pinschers, which are susceptible to bleeding problems.
