Dog - Health - Joint Care
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Keep Your Dog Active with Essential Joint Care Products
Joint care is an important aspect of health care for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Arthritis is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs. Starting a joint supplement early in predisposed breeds and highly active dogs can help maintain healthy joints. Common ingredients in joint supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin which can help support the cartilage in the joints and protect it, their effects are not always immediate and often require a number of weeks for results to be seen. Senior dogs can benefit from joint supplements as part of a multimodal approach to treatment of arthritis, meaning that several approaches combined yield better results than a single therapy. Other arthritis treatment options include mobility support dog food, medications from the vet if indicated as well as environmental support including orthopaedic beds and ramps. Furthermore, adjunctive therapy like physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can help maintain muscle mass while also minimising joint stress. And it goes without saying that extra weight puts additional strain on your dog’s joints which can predispose or worsen pre-existing joint disease, so maintaining an ideal body weight is a must.
Frequently Asked Questions about Joint Care for Dogs
What are the signs of joint problems in dogs?
Signs will vary based on the individual dog and degree of joint disease or arthritis present. Common signs include limping or lameness (which can worsen with exercise), stiff joints (especially after exercise or rising), reluctance to jump or use the stairs as they usually would, and avoidance of lying or sitting on hard surfaces. Some dogs may also lick their affected joints. It is also worthwhile to note that one in five adult dogs over the age of one have degenerative joint disease (arthritis) and so it’s not just a health condition for our senior dogs.
How do joint supplements help improve my dog’s mobility?
Joint supplements contain ingredients to help reduce inflammation and support the cartilage and tissues in the joint, such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega oils.
Can joint care supplements prevent arthritis in dogs?
They can help to slow down the progression of degenerative joint disease (or arthritis) and if started young can help delay the onset of arthritis.
How do I choose the best joint care product for my dog’s breed and age?
You should consider what form of supplement your dog may enjoy the most such as a chew, powder, liquid, tablet or capsule. The effectiveness of the supplement can be based on the ingredients it contains (at therapeutic concentrations). Other aspects to consider are the palatability of the supplement ,as well as any other health conditions your dog may have (and if you are unsure of the suitability of the supplement consult your veterinarian or reach out to a Pet Circle Vet.). Certain dogs are more prone to joint problems
Are there specific joint supplements for senior dogs?
There are some senior support supplements which have beneficial joint support ingredients along with other suitable benefits for senior dogs.