Best Dog Joint Supplements
Nowadays we can find on the market a wide variety of supplements for dog joints. These products are based on various molecules of chemical or natural origin, such as collagen, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, among others.
These food supplements have evolved and improved in recent years, so they are prescribed by veterinarians for the treatment of various pathologies. That’s why, in this article, we’ll talk about the best joint supplements for dogs.
The most common joint problems in dogs
One of the many reasons why a dog visits the veterinarian is the appearance of joint pathologies. The owner usually notices this problem when his dog starts to limp or, on certain occasions, when he manifests a sharp pain.
Joint problems can appear for several reasons. Some examples:
- Breed. Certain breeds of dogs, such as the German Shepherd, often develop hip dysplasia. In turn, breeds such as golden retriever , rottweiler or doberman , due to their large size and rapid growth, tend to suffer from shoulder or elbow dysplasia.
- Advanced age. As with other mammals, including humans, when dogs reach old age, pathologies related to this stage of life arise. We refer to canine degenerative joint disease (DAD).
- Growth problems. A dog’s growing season is a delicate time, just like in other species. Food deficiencies, hormonal problems or race can cause joint damage.
- Fractures involving a joint.
- Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Due to over-exertion, over-exercise, or even belonging to a small breed, the anterior cruciate ligament can tear. This causes serious joint problems.
- Obesity. In addition to greatly decreasing the pet’s quality of life, obesity causes, among other things, joint overload. This can cause serious problems.
- Arthrosis.
- Arthritis.
Under these circumstances, joint supplements for dogs are of great help in alleviating the joint discomfort these animals can suffer.
What are chondroprotectives or joint supplements for dogs?
Chondroprotectives are substances that help to improve certain pathologies that involve the joints. These problems are usually accompanied by an inflammation of the joint and pain.
These dog joint supplements promote effective joint cartilage nutrition and improve synovial fluid consistency. They are mainly composed of hydrolyzed collagen and glucosamine sulfate. Others are based on chondroitin sulfate.
List of Best Dog Joint Supplements
In recent years, research and development of new supplements for dog joints has evolved remarkably.
Currently, these supplements are of great value in therapies to prevent osteoarticular degeneration processes and in the prevention of joint damage in the case of hereditary predisposition, joint overload, accidents, etc.
These products can be classified according to their base compounds, as they all serve the same purpose:
- Supplements based on hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, crystallized glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and gamma oryzanol. Supplements with this composition seem to be the most indicated because they act at all levels in the joints, hyaline cartilage, ligaments, tendons and synovial fluid.
- Supplements that combine glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. They are the most basic within the universe of chondroprotectors, but there is scientific evidence of their properties.
- Supplements based on chondroitin sulfate and vitamin E. Indicated for post-surgical processes that require immobilization of the joint.
- Supplements based on chelated minerals (Cu, Mn, Se, Zn), organic calcium and substances from egg membranes. These are food supplements that promote bone regeneration.
Natural alternative to chemical supplements
There is an alternative to chemical supplements often used in pets that do not have a genetic predisposition to suffer from these problems and are, in principle, healthy.
This alternative is widely used in dogs that have a diet based on natural foods, such as the BARF diet.
The recipe is known as golden turmeric paste. Its ingredients are:
- 60 g of turmeric
- 250 ml of water
- 70 ml of coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper
Heat the water and turmeric in a pan for seven minutes. Then add the oil and pepper. Allow to cool. It can be kept for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Large breed dogs can take up to a teaspoon of this paste a day. Small breeds, on the other hand, should only take a quarter of a teaspoon.
