Joint Supplements for Dogs: How to keep your dog’s joints healthy and mobile

Zac has always loved running up and down stairs. But as he has aged, all Zac can do is gaze at the staircase he once fondly ran up and down on. It is painful to see our beloved pets in pain or unable to perform tasks they once enjoyed with ease. Joint supplements for dogs could help keep joints healthy and maintain their structure. Let us take a look at how these supplements work, how to choose the right one, and what you can do to relieve your dog’s joint pain.

Understanding Your Dog’s Joint Health

Your dog’s joints are the places where two or more bones meet, such as the hip, shoulder, or knee. The bones are held together by fibrous tissue bands called ligaments, and anchored to the muscles by similar tissues called tendons. The ends of the bones are surrounded by cartilage, a tough, flexible tissue that prevents friction and absorbs shock. And finally, these joints are lubricated by a thick liquid called synovial fluid. 

All of these tissues work together to support healthy movement in your dog’s joints. However, if one or more of these tissues are affected by an injury or disease, your dog may experience joint pain and a loss of mobility. Common joint diseases in dogs include:

• Osteoarthritis: This progressive disease causes cartilage degeneration mainly of the weight-bearing joints, leaving the bones to rub together painfully. 
• Hip or elbow dysplasia: This hereditary condition causes abnormal development of one or more joints, leading to excessive wear and tear on the joint. It is further exacerbated by weight gain that puts pressure on the hip joint. Large and giant breed dogs are predisposed to hip dysplasia. 
• Cruciate ligament disease: This degenerative disease affects the cruciate ligament in the dog’s knee, weakening the tissue fibres over time. 

Symptoms of Dog Joint Pain

Many dogs will not show obvious symptoms of joint pain until it becomes severe, but there are subtle signs of dog joint pain you can look out for: 

• Limping 
• Reluctance to exercise or play.
• Difficulty standing, jumping or climbing. 
• Irritability. 
• Flinching or yelping when touching the affected joint. 
• Swelling around the joints. 
• Difficulty in squatting whilst urinating or defecating.

If your dog has a joint injury, these symptoms typically come on quickly. For example, your dog may be having trouble walking all of a sudden. However, if your dog has a chronic or degenerative condition, symptoms might develop gradually and get worse over time. It is important to note that even a seemingly minor joint injury can cause long-term joint problems if not managed properly. So, if your dog is showing any signs of joint pain, it is best to get them checked by your vet to be on the safe side.

Supplements to help keep joints healthy

Ideally, your dog would get all the nutrients they need for healthy joints from a complete and balanced food – that is a food with all the required nutrients in the right amounts and ratios. However, some dogs with mobility issues or those breeds predisposed to hip dyslasia or obese dogs may benefit from some extra support in the form of supplements. Here are some popular feed supplements for joints that may help your canine pal mobility.

• Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or krill oil is known to help control the inflammatory response, keep joints healthy and improve mobility in the joints. 
• Glucosamine helps to stimulate cartilage production and lubricate the joints. Glucosamine declines with age, so senior dogs in particular may benefit from such a supplement.
• Chondroitin keeps the joints healthy by preventing certain enzymes from breaking down cartilage, helping to maintain its strength and structure. It also supports the production of synovial fluid to keep the joints lubricated.
• Chitosan is a compound mainly derived from crustacean shells. It helps dog joint by optimizing chondroitin absorption. It can also bind to fat in the digestive system, so it may help joints indirectly by supporting healthy weight management. 
• Hyaluronic acid is a basic element of the synovial fluid and helps maintains the cartilage structure.
• Green-lipped mussel extract works in a similar way to omega-3 and chondroitin to control inflammation and keep cartilage healthy. 
• Eggshell membrane, an easy-to-find ingredient from egg waste which contains hundreds of elements naturally found in joints like collagen, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and glucosamine.
• Antioxidants like selenomethionine, Epigallocatechin, Astaxanthin and vitamin E can also help in maintaining joint health.
• Plant extracts like Boswellia serrata is also known to keep joints healthy and maintain mobility. 

Selecting the Right Joint Supplements for Dogs

When deciding whether to give your dog a joint supplement, first consider your dog’s age, size, and lifestyle. Older dogs, larger breeds, and those who engage in high-impact physical activity may be at greater risk of mobility issues, and may benefit the most from supportive supplements.

Also, when considering a specific supplement, check whether your dog is already getting this nutrient in their food. This should be considered when calculating the dosage of any additional supplements.

Finally, it is important to consider your dog’s other health needs. Certain supplements will not be suitable for dogs with particular health issues (e.g. allergies), while other supplements may interact poorly with certain medications. Check in with your vet, who can help you to plan a safe and effective supplement regime tailored to your dog’s needs.

How to relieve joint pain in dogs

To relieve dog joint pain and maintain your dog’s mobility and quality of life, your vet may recommend some supportive actions and treatments. These include:

• Therapeutic nutrition. They may advise switching to a specific joint support food that is a complete, balanced, and palatable diet for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis or joint issues. This type of food can result in visible improvements in mobility and help promote muscle mass and recover an ideal body weight, which is key to supporting joint and mobility in dogs. It also typically includes ingredients that help limit the inflammatory and painful process.
• Physical activity. Movement is important for keeping the joints mobile and maintaining a healthy weight, but it is best to avoid high-impact activities. Ask your vet for advice on safe exercise for dogs with joint pain.
• Weight management. Excess weight puts a lot of strain on the joints. If your dog is carrying extra pounds, ask your vet for help devising a healthy weight loss plan and consider using a specific weight loss diet if necessary.
• Physiotherapy. This can help to improve joint function, preserve muscle strength, and reduce dog joint pain.
• Home adaptations. Help your dog perform their day-to-day activities safely and comfortably with ramps, soft flooring, and elevated food and water dishes.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are very effective for dog joint pain relief, but should only be given on the advice of your vet.
• Joint supplements: It can help maintain joint structure and can be added on top of other therapies.

A Better Quality of Life for Your Dog

If your canine friend is suffering from joint pain, consult a vet to develop a personalized treatment plan based on quality nutrition, safe physical activity, and effective treatments. Book an appointment today, and together, you and your vet can help your dog enjoy the quality of life they deserve.

Take a look at our healthy food for dog range.