Why Is Glucosamine So Great For Dogs
The great thing about glucosamine is it forms the building blocks of cartilage the tough, shock-absorbing substance that cushions two bones at the joint. Cartilage erodes over time, meaning as a dog gets older, their bones rub more closely against each other and inflame the joint, commonly leading to osteoarthritis.
Dogs naturally produce less glucosamine as they age, so their body becomes less effective at rebuilding this cartilage, essential for healthy, comfortable movement. Therefore, bolstering a dogs diet with glucosamine-rich foods or a supplement containing glucosamine can give your dogs joints the extra protection they need to stay happy and mobile – particularly when combined with other powerful joint-building ingredients such as chondroitin .
Can Dogs Take Human Glucosamine Chondroitin
Human forms of glucosamine chondroitin are known to contain xylitol and other artificial sweeteners. Human glucosamine and chondroitin joint supplements containing xylitol can be extremely toxic to dogsperhaps even more toxic than chocolate is for dogs.
Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners can cause:
Because of the drastic difference between the average humans body weight and our dogs body weight, their bodies arent able to handle the same amount of these potentially dangerous supplements, additives and sweeteners.
What Are The Symptoms Of Canine Arthritis
Canine arthritis is easy to spot because its symptoms will always manifest physically. The following are some of the symptoms of arthritis you should watch out for. If you notice any of these on your guard dog, you must bring it to the vet for further examination:
- Joint tenderness
- Pain when the joint is touched
- Reduction in muscle mass on the spine and limbs
Take note that there also risk factors for canine arthritis. Poor nutrition will also increase a dogs susceptibility to the condition as well as obesity.
Meanwhile, infections like Lyme Disease may also lead to arthritis if not addressed right away. Repetitive injuries and ligament tears will also add up to a dogs risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Also, you should note that canine arthritis will not go away. Your dogs condition will keep spiraling unless you do something about it. You can start with supplements, diet changes, and other recommendations from the vet.
Below are five of the best picks if youre looking for joint supplements for your aging guard dog.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
We all love to spoil our pets. We get it. The way they’re looking at you with those sad puppy dog eyes, you’d think they’d never had anything tasty in their life. Don’t fall for it! .
The more excess weight a dog carries, the more likely they are to have joint pain and stiffness.
So despite how guilty they make you feel with their pathetic face, know that you’re not doing them any favours by helping them gain weight.
We can still spoil our kids with healthier treats. Some dogs love frozen veggies or all-natural jerky. You may only need to cut the portions down or change to specific feeding times instead of allowing free eating.
Ask your vet about different foods or raw food diets. Remember, always allow a transition period when switching from one diet to another.
When To Start Giving Your Dog Glucosamine
This supplement is most effective when started to be given as a puppy or even before your dog reaches full growth. Glucosamine can help alleviate the pain and inflammation of arthritis but it wont be as effective if it is given to a senior dog who has already fully developed arthritis. For this reason, many dog owners will choose to begin giving their dog joint and inflammation supplements to their dog while they are still young and before they get too old. This decision should be made based on the health of your dog and with the help from your veterinarian. For most dogs, young or old, glucosamine can be a great supplement to help improve their current condition.
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Help Your Dog Get A Grip
Make sure to keep your dogs nails clipped short. Long nails change the mechanics of the foot and can make walking more difficult, or sometimes even painful. Although it may seem intimidating at first, you can learn how to clip a dogs toenails with confidence and ease.
If you notice that your dog is having trouble getting a grip on slippery surfaces, consider trying Dr. Buzbys ToeGrips® dog nail grips. ToeGrips help dogs move with confidence by providing extra traction and improving the brains perception of where the limbs and feet are positioned.
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How Much Glucosamine Should I Give To My Dog
You can give your dog glucosamine every day, but as with all doggy diet changes, the recommended dosage depends on their weight:
- Giant dogs – at least 1,500 mg a day.
- Large dogs – 1,000 mg a day.
- Medium dogs – 500 mg a day.
- Small dogs – 250 to 500 mg per day.
Remember: if your dog is fed glucosamine-rich foods they may not require a supplement that day whereas if your dog is injured or recovering from surgery, its ok to give them a bit more than usual.
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Recovery Of Glucosamine Allergies In Dogs
Once your dog has received treatment, he will begin to feel better. In terms of management, ask your veterinarian if there are other supplements besides glucosamine that you may give your dog for joint health. The veterinarian may also suggest glucosamine in another form that does not contain shellfish, if there is one available.
Keeping your dog away from any shellfish, such as shrimp or crab legs from the dinner table is essential for your dogs health. While you may know that feeding your dog table scraps is not a good decision, it is especially important to keep them away from any shellfish. Rather than supplements, there may be another way to help your dogs joint health. Only your veterinarian can suggest alternate ways to keep your dogs joints healthy as he grows older.
Signs Your Dog May Be Suffering From Joint Pain
Many owners may see their senior dog slowing down and assume its simply a cause of old age. However, while it is true that activity levels often decline as dogs age, joint pain is not necessarily a normal part of the aging process, and it is definitely not something you should ignore.
Some signs that your dog is suffering from arthritis and might benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements include:
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Trouble getting in and out of vehicles
- Limping and/or stiffness
- Reduced interest in activities, play, or walks
- Difficulty lying down or standing up
Keep in mind that all dogs are individuals, and no two puppers will experience similar experiences with a given ailment.
For example, the progression of arthritis may be very rapid in some dogs, leading to serious pain and limited mobility in a matter of months. But other dogs may see the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis worsen over many years.
We bring this up only to once again emphasize the importance of speaking with your vet at the first hint of joint pain, so you can begin a supplementation regimen promptly.
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Why Is Glucosamine Good For Dogs
Glucosamine for dogs is good for them because it improves their joint comfort and helps strengthen their joints and even their bones. Glucosamine has many benefits including such as improving your dogs coat health, helping with digestion, strengthening the cardiovascular system and repairing damaged cells in the body too!
Glucosamine does all this by encouraging collagen production within your pets body which we already mentioned above but we cannot stress enough how important this is to a doggys health. Glucosamine is also a great supplement for senior dogs as it can slow down the degeneration of their joints and improve how they feel overall!
Besides helping with your dogs joint comfort, glucosamine has been known to help strengthen cardiovascular system which helps promote heart health too plus it can even repair damaged cells in your pets body too. This all sounds pretty good right? It gets better because glucosamine for dogs is very safe and effective so you have nothing to worry about when giving this supplement to your furry friend!
Buyers Guide: Choosing The Best Cbd Treats For Dogs With Arthritis
When your dog is aging and suffering from arthritis pain, you want them to get the best care possible. You may want to consider CBD treats as an alternative to traditional medications. CBD is a natural compound that may have many health benefits1, including pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties.
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What Is The Glucosamine Dosage For Dogs
Determining how much glucosamine to give your dog can be tricky. However, the main factor is usually how much the dog weighs. Large dogs will need much more glucosamine than smaller dogs.Its best to ask a veterinarian to make sure youre following the proper glucosamine dosage, but here are a few general guidelines to follow:
- Giant dogs that weigh over 90 pounds should get at least 1,500 mg a day.
- Large dogs that weigh between 45 to 90 pounds should get 1,000 mg a day.
- Medium dogs that weigh between 20 to 45 pounds should get 500 mg a day.
- Small dogs that weigh between 5 to 20 pounds a day should get 250 to 500 mg per day.
There are also several different delivery methods available for glucosamine.
The joint supplement can come as a pill, injection, powder, liquid, capsule or chewable tablet. Choose whichever version your dog likes and tolerates best, as they will all be effective at improving your dogs joint health.
Some dog foods are even starting to include glucosamine, which is a great way to help your dog get a constant stream of it in their body if they dont want to constantly take a chewable tablet or a glucosamine supplement pill.
Note: Since glucosamine supplementations are most likely be derived from certain shellfish, including shrimp, oysters, or crabs, its always good to check the label before administering any nutritional supplement just to make sure you dont give your dog too much or too little.
What Is The Recommended Glucosamine Dosage
The recommended glucosamine dosage for dogs is based on the size of your dog. Glucosamine comes in many forms, including tablets and treats that are flavored with chicken or liver to make them more appetizing for most dogs. You should read the dosage instructions carefully before giving it to your pet as some formulations will require you give a different amount per pound than others do. Most supplements recommend splitting up doses into multiple times throughout the day so they have time to absorb properly but if this isnt feasible then you can try crushing pills and mixing them into their food instead.
Start out slow when giving any supplement until you know how your dog reacts to it so many dog owners will typically start at half of the dosage of what is recommended by manufacturers at first. Then they will review how their dog reacts to the new supplement before upping the dosage to the recommended amount that is one the nutritional label.
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Are There Safe Joint Supplements On The Market
You can safely buy quality glucosamine chondroitin supplements for your dogs health. You just have to be vigilant. There is no question that joint supplements can help dogs suffering from arthritis. However, you need to buy the right supplements. What are the right supplements to buy? As previously mentioned, some products are legally labelled as Made in USA when the products are actually sourced from China. When choosing which supplements to purchase, it is necessary to inquire about the products source before using.
The solution to keeping your pets safe from toxic chemicals and bacteria, while proactively decreasing the pain associated with arthritis? Only purchase lab grade glucosamine chondroitin made with ingredients sourced in the USA or in other countries with strict regulatory oversight and testing. With the right joint supplements for decreased pain, increased mobility, and decreased joint inflammation, your dogs will be showing more pep in their steps in no time.
Home Modifications For Dogs With Arthritis
Dogs with arthritis have problems navigating specific areas of the house, such as staircases and slippery floors.
Here are a few creative ideas you can try to modify your house:
- Put down area rugs on slippery floors. You can also use runners, rubber mats, or yoga mats. Doing so will help your dog gain traction on slippery floors and other problematic places.
- Use an absorbent mat where you feed your dog. Feeding an arthritic dog on a non-slip mat will protect them against slipping and falling if water is spilled on the floor.
- Install ramps and steps. This modification can help your dog get up and down from the bed, on and off the couch, or in and out of the car. There are many DIY solutions for dog parents who are naturally born handymen.
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Where To Get Glucosamine & Chondroitin For Dogs
Glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs can be found in many canine supplements available on the market. These dog supplements come in a variety of forms, including:
The easiest way to obtain them is simply by clicking on one of the links above. However, you can also find these types of supplements at retail pet stores, online pet pharmacies, and even from some vets.
Just be sure to steer clear of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements designed for people, as human glucosamine and chondroitin supplements often contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs. The actual active ingredients in human glucosamine and chondroitin will often be the same as they are in canine dietary supplements, but it is the inactive ingredients that often lead to trouble.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may be some of the most commonly used treatments for osteoarthritis, but they arent the only non-prescription treatment options available for your dogs ailing joints. You may also want to consider:
- Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, as they can help reduce inflammation and the associated pain.
- Heated dog beds, as they may provide some gentle pain relief for aching joints .
Of course, these arent all mutually exclusive. You may, for example, use a high-quality glucosamine and chondroitin supplement alongside an add-on therapy, such as a heated dog bed to treat canine arthritis.
Is It Safe To Give Cbd To Dogs
The risks and safety profile of using CBD in dogs have not been extensively studied. CBD isnt approved for use by the FDA, and there are no set guidelines for dosing.
However, while there isnt research specific to dogs, there is enough scientific data on the effects of CBD in humans to have an idea of the potential risks and benefits. In general, CBD has few side effects1. Mild ones, like dry mouth, drowsiness, or stomach upset, may appear at the onset of illness but usually disappear after a few days.
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Food Tips For Dogs With Arthritis
When it comes to easing your senior dogs pain from arthritis, the main focus should be to reduce inflammation followed by adjusting lifestyle in a way that conserves quality of life and is most comfortable for the dog. The very first thing you should do for your arthritic dog is to see a holistic veterinarian and determine exactly which type of arthritis is present and which treatment is best for your dog.
Although most dog owners assume that their dog has osteoarthritis, there are actually three different categories that can effect dogs:
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Is It Safe To Use Human Glucosamine For Dogs
Given the fact that the human glucosamine and the dog glucosamine have the same formulation, the human glucosamine can be safely used in canines.
However, it is highly important to have the right dosage for your petand never go over the recommended dose. The dose for a larger dog breedmay coincide with the dose recommended for a human patient, but smallerdogs need less glucosamine. An excess of glucosamine can lead to bone growth abnormalities and even internal damage. The administration of glucosamine supplements may also affect the liver and the kidneys of thepet in the long run.
In any case, if you have the choice, its better to get glucosamine for veterinary use, as certain glucosamine for humans use have various salts that are included in the drug and these may irritate the dog. Be sure to talk it over with your vet first, as unique factors for each dogmay need to be taken into account.
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Are There Supplements That Help To Prevent Arthritis In Dogs
The prescription diets such as Hills, JD, Royal Canin Mobility are all specifically formulated and fortified with omega fatty acids, fish oils, glucosamine and supplements that protect the joints. While there are numerous homeopathic and home remedies out there, there is no
conclusive evidence that ingredients such as turmeric are in fact effective.
What Is Dog Arthritis Exactly
As dogs get older, the cartilage surfaces of their joints begin to thin, and cartilage cells die. When the cells die, they release enzymes that cause inflammation of the joint capsule and release of excessive joint fluid. Extra bony growths can develop. With severe cartilage thinning, the normal joint space narrows and the bone beneath the cartilage deteriorates.
All of these processes set in motion further changes in the normal functioning of the dogâs joint, and an ongoing spiral of pain, lameness, limb disuse/inactivity plus, muscle atrophy sets in.
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