Joint Supplements For Dogs Buyer’s Guide
Having weak joints can have different effects on your pooch. While others would choose to simply lie down, while some dogs get agitated because of the pain. Others act very aggressive and will annoy you with nonstop barks!
This is why, aside from feeding your dog with healthy and nutritious dog foods, you must also consider giving them joint supplements. As they say, prevention is better than a cure. So before the problem can even set in, you should keep your pet’s joints healthy by providing them with the best joint supplements for dogs namely glucosamine and chondroitin.
You might find it unnecessary to administer supplements to your healthy and active dog. But there are many reasons why you should include joint supplements, fish oil supplements or even multivitamin supplements in your dog’s daily diet.
Here are some of the main ones:
Improves Your Dog’s Quality Of Life
As stated above, the severity of the pain that your dog will feel when suffering from hip and joint problems can adversely affect its quality of life. Not only will the dogs be affected physically but their emotional and social wellbeing will also be affected as well.
As a dog owner, you sure know that dogs are social animals. But the excruciating pain in their joints could prevent them from socializing. This is why joint supplements for dogs are very important. These supplements help to alleviate the pain that your beloved pooch feels which improves the overall quality of life.
Other canine accessories that helps with joint conditions include dog wheelchairs, dog ramps and dog lift harnesses.
Relieves Pain
Dogs are like humans. Whenever they feel pain in their body, they get irritated, agitated, grumpy, and aggressive. The pain will also prevent them from playing outside or going for a walk. As you know, it’s important for dogs to exercise.
This is why joint supplements for dogs are vital. These supplements contain anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate the pain and suffering of your beloved pooch. An effective supplement can help to alleviate inflammation in your dog’s joint, which is the main reason behind joint pain.
Encourages Positive Behavior
Dogs are happy creatures. But if they are in pain and can’t exercise well, you cannot expect them to maintain a happy disposition. Don’t be surprised if your pup feels agitated. That’s because suffering from joint pain is no joke.
But if you give your pooch joint supplements, they will be happy and cheerful and will always maintain positive behavior. Thus, training them will be so much easier.
Increases Mobility
Another reason why dogs must be given joint supplements is for their mobility to be significantly enhanced. It’s important that your furry friends get the much-needed exercise. But if they are feeling pain in their joints, you cannot expect them to be active and play around in the pool.
These animals have four legs that they need to move and if their joints are in pain, this can greatly affect their ability to move. You don’t want this to happen to your beloved canine companion, which is why giving them the right joint supplements, is a must.
Improves The Relationship With Your Dog
If you provide your pet’s needs, including joint supplements, your pet will feel the love and protection, which strengthens your relationship. Pet owners know that the loyalty of their dog is precious. In fact, it’s been said that no human being can compare to the dedication, commitment, and loyalty of a dog towards its owner.
Types Of Dog Joint Supplements
The reasons above should be enough to encourage you into giving your dog the best joint supplement. But you should know that there are three main types of dog joint supplements out there and understanding each of them will help you choose the right supplement that can work for your dog.
Tablets
Tablets are among the most popular joint supplements for dogs, but the problem with them is that not all pets are capable of swallowing. Some vets recommend pushing the tablet towards the back of your dog’s throat to bypass the gag reflex. This can be a painful process.
Liquids
The most significant benefit of a liquid supplement is that your dog will be able to absorb every bit of ingredient into its intestinal tract. Some vets recommend mixing the liquid supplement with your dog’s food although it’s also possible to feed the liquid directly to your dog. When feeding your dog with the liquid, you can use a dropper or in some cases, the supplements will come with their syringe.
Dog Chews
Dog chews are perhaps the most popular joint supplements for dogs simply because they are easy to feed. Most dogs find these treats enticing and more palatable compared to the other types of supplements.
Powders
Powders are also an industry standard and they are a great choice for pet owners that don’t want the liquids or tablets. Most of the time, the powder is mixed with the dog’s drink or food, which allows for easy administration.
Most Popular Ingredients For Dog Supplements
Aside from the type of supplements, you also need to consider the ingredients used for the particular supplements that you plan on buying for your pets.
Below are some of the most common ingredients used in making the joint supplements.
MSM
MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane is a popular ingredient in most of the joint supplements for the dogs as it helps minimize the symptoms of inflammation, which is often the main reason for hip and joint problems among dogs. Aside from its excellent anti-inflammatory properties, MSM can neutralize the circulation of free radicals that could further aggravate joint inflammation.
Glucosamine
Most joint supplements contain glucosamine since it can help to keep your dog’s bones healthy and strong. It’s a vital component of cartilage, which is the tissue making up the dogs’ joints. Furthermore, glucosamine is an important ingredient in the development and formulation of healthy cartilage among dogs. Glucosamine also helps in reducing the severity of arthritis and alleviating the pain that comes with this condition.
Without pain in your pooch’s joints, you are able to bring your canine companion out for bicycle rides and even swimming.
CoQ10
The coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 is a type of fat-soluble substance that’s similar to vitamins. This antioxidant is also present in those supplements that can help to improve heart conditions. When supplementing this to your dog, its antioxidant properties can help to possibly minimize the inflammation in your joints.
Hyaluronic Acid
As you know, joints consist of two opposing bones and if the surface between these bones will not be well lubricated, there will be increased friction that could lead to excruciating pain. The hyaluronic acid and synovial fluid are two of the major components of the lubricant that are necessary to prevent the friction between these two bones and provide pain relief.
