Joint care for older and very active dogs
❇️Joint supplements are often prescribed for dogs with arthritis, or for those with a high chance of developing it.
❇️Joint supplements are available as tablets, capsules, as a liquid, and in certain dog foods.
❇️Joint supplements are safe to use alongside most other medications.
❇️Joint supplements help some dogs, but not all – speak to your vet for more information.
🟥How do joint supplements work?
Joint supplements are thought to work by:
🔷Natural anti-inflammatory action – to soothe stiff joints.
🔶Keep joint fluid healthy – to ease movement.
🔷Feed cartilage – to keep it strong and smooth.
🔶Joint supplements are useful for some pets but not all – speak to your vet for more information.
Common uses
🟩Arthritis
Joint supplements are thought to slow the progression of arthritis and reduce joint pain. They are safe to use alongside other common arthritis medicines such as anti-inflammatories and pain relief medicines.
🟩Older dogs
Wear and tear throughout life means that joint problems are common in older dogs.
🟩Joint injuries/problems
A joint problem/injury increases the chance of arthritis. Your vet may prescribe joint supplements for your dog if they’ve suffered a joint problem in the past.
🟩Working dogs
Working dogs are at a higher risk of developing arthritis due to the amount of exercise they do. If you own a working dog, your vet may prescribe joint supplements to try to keep their joints healthy.
Side effects
There are no major side effects associated with joint supplements – they can be given very safely over a long period of time.
Ingredients
Joint supplements often have lots of different ingredients, the most common are listed below:
Glucosamine
Chondroitin
Beta Glucans
Green Lipped Mussel
Omega 3
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic acid
Manganese
Turmeric.