27
Sep
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from joint pain caused by aging, obesity, injuries and different joint disorders. And as much as you’re constantly looking for natural remedies to soothe their pain or you provided your little furry friend with a proper dog bed for maximum comfort, know that this condition can be best managed with joint supplements for dogs.
And since we all want only the best for our lovely canines, we put together a couple of tips to help you choose the best joint supplements for your dog.
Truth be told, not all the hip joint supplements for dogs are equally made. This is why it’s very important to carefully read the label and find out what active ingredients the specific supplement contains. At this point, have in mind that the best supplements for dogs joints will include the following active ingredients:
Glucosamine and chondroitin are structural components of your dog’s cartilage, the tissue that cushions the joints. And as much as these components are naturally produced in your dog’s body, many conditions can actually destroy this tissue. This is why veterinarians recommend hip joint supplements for dogs containing a combination of these two powerful components since they’re the most effective when used together.
In fact, glucosamine works as a natural anti-inflammatory since it regulates the synthesis of collagen in the cartilage tissue. However, there’re a couple of types of glucosamine that are slightly different from each other.
Glucosamine sulphate is the most common type that is packed with sodium chloride. This type has been shown as the most effective for curing joint pain.
Glucosamine hydrochloride is the more concentrated version of glucosamine sulphate that contains less sodium. Therefore, it’s less effective in soothing your dog’s joint pain.
Glucosamine KCL is considered to be of low quality, so it’s recommended not to rely on this type only.
Chondroitin is very powerful in enhancing the elasticity and thickness of the cartilage by reducing the activity of some enzymes and substances that break down the collagen levels in the joints. Except for this, chondroitin has also been shown to stimulate the repair mechanism of the cartilage and help to soothe the pain with its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
MSM (Methyl sulphonyl methane) is a compound that is based on sulphur, and therefore, has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. In other words, MSM doesn’t only act as a natural paint-soothing aid, but it also prevents cartilage erosion and helps in digesting and processing glucosamine and chondroitin more effectively.
Green-lipped mussel is a very nutritional ingredient that contains the most powerful omega 3 fatty acids- eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA). These acids have very powerful anti-inflammatory effects and work great for your dog’s fur and skin too.
Except for that, omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to take care of the cartilage, reduce some early symptoms of arthritis and improve the activity and the performance of dogs with osteoarthritis.
And since green-lipped mussel is also rich in chondroitin, this ingredient is very efficient in soothing inflammation and pain and increasing mobility again.
Hyaluronic acid is also a natural substance found in the connective tissues of your dog’s joints. Increasing the intake of this powerful acid is important for soothing arthritis symptoms and supporting the mobility and the function of your dog’s joints.
As surprising as it seems, turmeric can be one of the most powerful active ingredients in joint and hip supplements for dogs. In some worldwide cultures, this ingredient is so popular that is considered a natural alternative for treating different conditions such as arthritis, inflammations, cysts and even cancer, in both humans and dogs.
This is due to turmeric having the healing power of curcumin, a common active ingredient that has very powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, make sure you don’t overdo with turmeric, since it can lead to side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, iron deficiency and even bladder issues.
We’re sure that you want to choose the best joint support supplements for dogs on the market, and this is why it’s recommended to choose ones that have two or more active ingredients. In other words, supplements that contain more active ingredients are a combination of different powerful ingredients. When mixed together, these ingredients can result in remarkable improvements to your dog’s symptoms, compared to when consumed separately.
Finally, there’s no need to “fight” with your canine to make them ingest these supplements since many brands and manufacturers nowadays make them friendly for your dog’s palate.
One of the most common forms of these supplements is the flavoured chews that are very enticing to dogs. With these chews, not only will the supplement taking process be less fuzzy for both, you and your dog, but it’ll also feel like they’re given a treat when therapy time comes.
However, have in mind that not all dogs will “adore” the smell and the flavour of their chew therapy. And if your canine is part of this group, don’t worry, you can always break them into smaller pieces or grind them into powder and “sneak” them into your dog’s food.
Joint pain in dogs can be a very serious condition, and this is why it should be cured in time. Except for the recommended hip and joint dog supplements, veterinarians also recommend a balanced and nutritious diet and boosting your dog’s activity and playtime. With a little bit of love and care, the joint pain condition in your dog can be successfully managed.
