Dog joint supplements have been proven to be highly effective in maintaining healthy joints. People that have arthritis know only too well that arthritis, and other painful conditions of the joints can be greatly improved with the use of joint supplements.

It stands to reason that your trusty companion will also benefit from the use of dog joint supplements. They come in many forms such as; tablets, capsules, powder,liquid and granules which can be mixed with food, and flavoured chewable tablets.

Dogs love the chewable tablets that can be beef and pork flavoured, and is perceived by the dog to be a treat.

What’s In Them?

The main ingredients in dog joint supplements are Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Glucosamine is necessary for the building of cartilage and is enhanced when used with  chondroitin. Both of these ingredients combine well together to build healthy cartilage, and to repair damaged cartilage due to injury or arthritis.

Dog Joint Supplements

Most of these supplements will contain Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which assists with the uptake of the main ingredients. If your dog is taking dog joint supplements make sure that the recommended dosage is taken for at least 8-10 weeks, and then you can usually reduce the daily dose without any problems.

Most dogs can take this supplement for their entire lives. Glucosamine is a compound that is found naturally in healthy joints. It helps increase hydration of the joint by the extra production of molecules that hold moisture (synovial fluid) in the cartilage. A young and healthy animal can also take dog joint supplements, as a preventative measure against arthritis later in life.  

Research And Development

Dog joint supplements in the form of glucosamine have been studied for over 25 years, and have been proven as  a safe and effective way of reducing and preventing joint pain. Many clinical studies have been carried out over the years and their conclusions suggest that dog joint supplements should be considered as the first recommended treatment for joint pain and prevention.

In these studies Glucosamine and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) were given to different groups of dogs over a period of several months. It was overwhelmingly found that the group given glucosamine had an increase in cartilage (cushioning), and a widening of the gap between the joint bones.

The group that were given NSAIDs only had a reduction in cartilage, and a narrowing of the gaps between joint bones.  Also, this group had a significant percentage of stomach ulcerations and digestive tract problems, which are a common side-effect of long term use of NSAIDs.

Glucosamine as dog joint supplements have been trialled using oral tablets, and in the form of intra-venous and intra-muscular injections. All three methods were found to work well with the dog’s ability to absorb glucosamine. The oral form of dog joint supplements is by far the easiest and safest way of administering the supplement.

One of the best liquid oral forms of Glucosamine I have used is Flexicose.

It obviously avoids the need to immobilize the dog while the injection process is carried out, and avoids the possibility of infection and needle-stick injury.    

Glucosamine Sulphate is the main ingredient in dog joint supplements. It is a structure regrowth drug and can “regrow” or regenerate cartilage. In studies with dogs that have osteo-arthritis, the lesions that are associated with this disease were shown to have reduced by up to 32 % compared to the control group of dogs that did not receive anything.

It is generally agreed that Glucosamine is more effective than Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in certain circumstances. Also, the side effects that are associated with NSAID’s, such as stomach ulceration and gastro-intestinal tract problems are virtually non-existent. Rare side-effects can include vomiting and diarrhoea.

Glucosamine and NSAIDs are both effective in reducing the painful symptoms of arthritic conditions. However, glucosamine does not have the erosive effects of NSAID’s such as Ibuprofen.

Conclusion

With veterinary science increasing its knowledge and understanding of dog joint pain, and with advances in drugs and medications, glucosamine is a safe and extremely effective way of prevention and management. Always consult with your vet before administering any supplements.

Dogs that have Diabetes for instance, should have blood sugar levels taken prior to taking any drug or supplement. Your vet will also recommend brands of dog joint supplements  based on sound research and his/her own experiences. If your much loved pet is overweight, something as simple as modifying his diet and reducing its weight can have immediate benefits, because of less stress on joints.

Dog joint supplements are a safe way to treat, manage, and even prevent your dog’s joint pain.