Choosing a canine joint supplement for your fur baby doesn’t sound like too difficult of a task in theory. But when you learn about all the different aspects that you might want to consider before making a purchase, you may find that you are in a game of trial and error for some time. Going into the store informed may help shorten the time it takes for you to find good joint supplements for dogs. Dog arthritis supplements can be confusing and overwhelming to read and understand, so take some of the information below with you when you head to the pet store to purchase one for your dog.
When Should I Begin Giving My Dog Joint Supplements?
First, you need to recognize which dogs need supplements for their joints before you decide when to begin to give them to your dog. For instance, large dogs, by nature, tend to need joint supplements earlier in their life than their smaller counterparts may. Take Great Danes for instance. They are so large and heavy; their joints take a lot of strain to them each day. With large dogs, you are thinking more along the lines of prevention than treatment.
Senior age dogs, just like older humans, will really begin to feel their age catching up with them, especially in their joints. From years of running around the yard and playing fetch, senior dogs of any size will generally need some sort of joint supplement. Whether for support or management of arthritic joints.
Any dog that has had a joint injury or was born with some sort of malformation of their joint would also benefit from receiving joint supplements. With any of these kinds of dogs listed, you will want to talk to their vet before running out and getting them a supplement for their joints. Their vet may even be able to recommend a brand that they know and trust.
What Ingredients Should I Look For?
With the number of ingredients that are generally listed on a bottle of any kind of supportive supplement, it's important to have a good idea of what these ingredients are, and which ones are most beneficial to your dog’s joints.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
These two ingredients are two of the more popular and beneficial ingredients that you will want to make sure are in the supplement that you choose to give to your dog. Glucosamine is a natural ingredient that works with your dog's body to help stimulate the growth of new cartilage.
Chondroitin backs up glucosamine’s work by stopping chemicals that tend to destroy cartilage in the joints of dogs. These two ingredients make a super team that helps promote and protect the health of your dog’s joints.
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for your dog's health for several reasons. In terms of joint health. Omega-3 helps to support the digestion of glucosamine and chondroitin. Omega-3 can be found in many different fish products such as fish oil or salmon oil.
Check out our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. It's rich in Omega-3 and Omega 6 fatty acids from EPA and DHA, and can even help keep your dog's coat shiny. Omega-3 supports your dogs' cardiovascular health additionally.
What to Do Before You Buy
Even though you are now equipped with the information from this article, there are a few more important steps you will need to take before running out the door to the pet store to get joint supplements.
Talk with Your Dog’s Vet
Always discuss new supplements or drastic dietary changes that you want to implement with your dog, with their vet before doing anything. Your dog’s vet may want to warn you about any risks or reasons why you shouldn’t make certain changes. They may even be able to make recommendations for certain brands or products that you could use.
Be Realistic with Your Expectations
These supplements can certainly support your dog’s joints and help alleviate certain distresses or prevent joint breakdown. They cannot, however, cure or completely repair their joints. For instance, if you have a senior dog whose joints just don’t allow for them to run around and play as they used to when they were a puppy, don’t expect a joint supplement to return them to their physical capabilities of their youth. It’s unfortunate because we all would love to be able to turn back the clock for our dog’s physical health
Support Your Dog's Health in Other Ways
While your dog is still young and able, always allow them to take part in as much physical activity as possible. As counter-intuitive as it may sound to want them to run around and use their joints, good overall physical health is good for your dog’s joints. Not to mention, preventing obesity in your dog can certainly help to preserve the health of their joints.
Conclusion
There is no single “best’ joint supplement for dogs, but there are ingredients that they will benefit from far more than others. The quality and potency of these ingredients can vary from one brand to the next, so it is crucial that you consult your dog’s vet about wanting to add a joint supplement to your dog’s diet. Most dogs can benefit from the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin to their diet, and their vet will likely be able to recommend a specific supplement that they believe works the best.
What are the best joint supplements for dogs?
Are joint supplements good for dogs?
What vitamins are good for dog’s joints?
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