Going mobile: the best joint supplement for dogs

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A Look at a Dog’s Joints

It’s no secret that dogs put their joints through a lot every day, from romping around during playtime to jumping up on the couch so they can give you kisses. This combination of repetitive motion and active stress can take its toll on their legs, hips, and shoulders. The effects of this toll tend to occur more subtly than you might think.

While your dog may not exhibit joint pain until the latter half of his life, the building blocks for joint diseases are laid down well before they reach senior status. The conditions your pooch can develop are wide ranging, from developmental disorders like hip dysplasia to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

The onset and cause of joint pain vary from breed to breed. However, it`s generally accepted that larger breed dogs are more susceptible to this type of ailment than smaller breeds. This is because the big buddies have more body weight to lug around than their tiny counterparts.

What Are the Signs of Joint Pain?

It’s pretty hard to miss when your dog starts to suffer from joint pain, as the physical clues he’ll give you won’t be too subtle. You may notice your four-legged friend limping, favoring a particular limb, and a reluctance to jump or even move at the early stages of joint pain.

Video: 5 Facts About Joint Supplements for Dogs

When the pain becomes more intense, simple tasks like walking up the stairs or even rising from a sleeping or laying position might be difficult to near-impossible. At this point, he may start vocalizing his discomfort through yelps and whimpers.

Ideally, you’ll want to be proactive with your pooch and take care of the issue before it reaches this latter stage. That’s the underlying mission of joint supplements. They won’t suddenly make your dog the robust athlete he was during his younger days, but they can make it easier for him to do the basics with minimal pain.

Steps You Should Take Before Getting a Joint Supplement

If you feel your dog’s pain is too much for him to handle, you shouldn’t immediately start giving him joint supplements. You should schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian first. Your vet will give your pooch a thorough examination to ensure the cause of his discomfort is joint-related and not something else, like a fracture.

Your vet may also feel your pooch’s pain is bad enough to warrant a prescription anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as Rimadyl – think aspirin for dogs. This prescription doesn’t necessarily take joint supplements off the proverbial table- it is possible for a pooch to be on a joint supplement and an anti-inflammatory at the same time.

What Do You Look for in a Dog Joint Supplement?

One thing you may notice as you start perusing joint supplements for your pooch is that some of what’s available appear to be similar to the joint supplements available for humans. If you take something for your own joints, you may recognize a lot of similar ingredients on the label. If this is the case, don’t think you can split your supplements.

There are a few differences that make sticking to the dog version for your pooch essential. For instance, dog joint supplements contain ascorbic acid, which makes it easier for the ingredients to be absorbed by a dog’s body. Canine joint supplements also tend to be flavored to make them more appealing to ingest.

With that being said, there are some specific ingredients you should look for when you pick up a supplement for your pooch. Glucosamine HCL, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid are all considered joint building blocks that will help restore strength to the affected areas. A supplement should contain at least two of these ingredients.

While these building blocks are the main elements you should look for, they aren’t the only ingredients that make a joint supplement worth considering. Be sure to keep an eye out for things like perna mussel, creatine, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)- substances that have been shown to support joints and even build muscle mass.

You may also want to consider joint supplements that contain various vitamins and minerals that are known to promote good canine health in general. Some of the key elements that fall into this category include Vitamin C, Manganese, Omega-3 fatty acid, and Omega 6 fatty acid. You should also be mindful of herbs like alfalfa and yucca.

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