A dog’s joint plays an essential role in keeping them active. However, as our dogs get fat or older, they can develop the joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the typical form of arthritis that a dog may have. Besides that, a dog may also suffer from arthritis of TMJ. It will even require a different set of treatments to get over it. Meanwhile, let’s see what we can do to strengthen our dog’s joints.
Dog Joint Supplements
Fortunately, there are joint supplements for dogs. A joint supplement can replenish the essential substances necessary to maintain healthy joints for dogs. But before we head over to that part, let us first discuss what kind of joint problems our dogs might experience. Please see them below.
- Developmental issues due to the incorrect formation of joints (e.g., elbow and hip dysplasia)
- Degenerative problems resulting in wearing down of a dog’s ligaments (e.g., osteoarthritis and patella luxation)
On the other hand, a joint supplement can help in rebuilding worn-down joints. As a result, your dog can achieve comfort and regain mobility. As mentioned earlier, osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative disease for dogs. It involves the breakdown of the cartilage. In effect, it will lead to joint pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:
You can identify the development of this arthritis in your dogs through the following symptoms.
- Stiffness, lameness, or limping
- Decreased activity, such as lack of enthusiasm to walk upstairs, run, jump, or play.
- Changes in appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Mood swings and irritability
- Loss of muscle mass in the rear limbs
- Urinating difficulties.
- Sudden accidents inside the house.
Given these symptoms, it would be best to take your dog to a veterinarian. This way, it can receive a complete checkup. It may even require your dog to get additional series of tests.
Benefits of Joint Supplements for Dogs
Generally speaking, providing joint supplements for dogs is a long-term, safe treatment to address hip and joint issues in your dogs. Here are the other benefits your dog can get.
- Reduced inflammation and pain
- Improved function
- A slow progression of joint damage and arthritis
- Maintain healthy joints
- Stimulated joint cartilage
Given these points, allow your dogs to experience a healthy, quality life, especially your senior dogs. For that to happen, provide them with supplements that can support their joint health. We have indicated in the next part what the best dog supplement should include.
Best Ingredients to Look for in a Joint Supplement
When choosing a supplement for dogs, it would be best to look for the following ingredients.
1 Glucosamine
It is a naturally occurring compound inside the body. However, it also naturally available as dog food ingredients. Glucosamine works as follows:
- Alleviates pain and stiffness
- Suppresses inflamed arthritic joint
- Inhibits cartilage degradation
- Boosts damaged cartilage repair
Additionally, glucosamine can serve as an early intervention for predisposed osteoarthritis. Furthermore, glucosamine sulfate can help treat progressive joint damage.
2 Chondroitin
Chondroitin sulfate is another naturally produced compound. But then again, it is also available in sources like fish, pigs, cattle, birds, and sharks. Chondroitin sulfate works as follows:
- Reduces pain
- Improves joint function and mobility
- Reduces arthritis progression
- Rebuild cartilage
Benefits of the Combined Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- They offer complimentary benefits.
- Glucosamine aids promotion of collagen.
- Chondroitin battles the white blood enzymes.
Glucosamine chondroitin is indeed an excellent combination for our dog’s health needs.
3 Green Lipped Mussel (GLM)
This ingredient is native to New Zealand. The extract coming from green lipped mussels contains the following nutrients:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Amino acids
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins and minerals
Furthermore, if you combine GLM with glucosamine and chondroitin, it will work as follows:
- Decrease pain
- Preserve joint function
- Reduced inflammation
4 Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- This ingredient is excellent no matter what age your dog is in. The fatty acids in dog treats and dog foods may not be sufficient for a dog joint requirement. For this reason, it would be best to provide a supplement containing this ingredient. These fatty acids help promote healthy joints, the heart, skin, and kidneys. It also serves as lubrication, which can reduce inflammation.
How to Maintain Joint Health for Your Dogs
Generally speaking, there are ways to maintain the best joint condition for your dogs. If you apply the following, your dog’s health will be in good shape.
Ensure that your dog has a sufficient amount of glucosamine. If not, give your pet some supplements.- Additionally, your pet has to maintain weight requirements according to its built. Various breeds have individual weight requirements.
- Lastly, keep your dogs active. Please support them with enough regular exercise to ensure excellent health conditions and quality of life.
If you are not sure about what to do for your dog’s health, seek help from your veterinarian. It would be best to visit the veterinary clinic to know how to uplift your pet’s immune system. A canine differs in breed, which means different health requirements as well.
Conclusion
Dog treat, soft chews, and another formula can help your pet stay strong and active as long as it contains all the nutrient requirements they need. Even your senior pet has a different condition as well. For this reason, it is best to search for a veterinary clinic that will support your pet’s needs. The veterinarian can even suggest a shop where you can buy food, supplements, and vitamins. A vet will also let you know the proper dosage to ensure the safety of your pet.
Final Thoughts
Supplements are the basic formula to give what’s lacking in your dogs. It can be in powder or something they can chew. Whichever it is, keep your dog’s hip active and robust. Care for their dental health like yours.
