5 Natural Supplements to Ease Your Dog’s Painful Joints

Arthritis is a common dog disease, and it is not always a result of dog’s old age. Dogs under one year also suffer from joint diseases, and most are a result of developmental and degenerative problems. Developmental diseases include hip or elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, and hypertrophic osteodystrophy.

Degenerative problems present themselves as osteoarthritis, and it gets worse with age if left untreated. Both types of joint diseases are characterized by long-term inflammation, which can cause joint problems in dogs. When inflammation is untreated and lingers in the body for weeks, months, or years; the antibodies formed attack the lining of the joints and destroy them. To effectively deal with your dog’s joint problems, below are three top supplements to consider.

1. Elk antler velvet

Elk antler velvet, also known as EVA, is a nutritional supplement extracted from deer. It is the epidermis that covers the inner surface of the growing cartilage or bone. EVA has been in use for centuries as a supplement to promote general health, and it can help to decrease hip and back pain, aid recovery from a ligament injury, and rebuild regenerative and sore joints. It can also combat osteoarthritis and promote stronger teeth and bones.

The recommended dosage is 15-20 mg per kilogram of the weight of your dog, administered once or twice a day. EVA can lessen arthritis conditions and reduce inflammation.

2. CBD or hemp oil

CBD or cannabidiol oil is a product of marijuana or cannabis. Cannabis is made up of more than 100 compounds, one of them being CBD. CBD is safe. The compound which is responsible for making people feel high, known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), only makes up about 0.3% of the CBD content, which cannot harm your dog. CBD has been known to ease pain and inflammation.

There are various ways you can administer CBD to your dog, including through oil or tincture, CBD-infused dog treats, and rubbing CBD balm on the skin of your dog. The dosages you should administer will depend on the size and weight of your dog. The thumb rule is usually one drop for every 10 pounds of the weight of your dog, which you can increase gradually if your dog shows no adverse effects with increased dosage. You can also consult with your vet about the proper dosage.

3. Bone broth

Bone broth is a supplement that is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue. You can also make bone broth soup at home using beef, pork, fish, lamb, or chicken bones. The resulting product can help ease arthritis in dogs. The supplement contains glucosamine nutrient, which is frequently used to reduce joint pain. It also contains collagen, which provides nourishment to the skeletal system and helps to rebuild bones that are lost due to aging and wear and tear. Bone broth will ease the pain associated with arthritis and prevent it from progressing quickly.

4. Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a compound of amino acid (glutamine) and sugar (glucose). It helps to create molecules which form the cartilage of a dog’s joints. The body produces glucosamine naturally. Older dogs produce less and less of it, making them more vulnerable to joint pains. Glucosamine can help repair damaged tissue and cartilage and replace or boost lost joint fluid to help joints glide painlessly. The compound also promotes healthy joints and cartilage by producing joint lubricants and enabling shock absorption. For commercial purposes, manufacturers extract it from shellfish and fermented grains.

You can find the supplement at your local store or feed your dog with glucosamine-rich foods such as raw bones, shrimp shells, green-lipped mussels, and bone broth.

5. Chondroitin

Glucosamine is usually mixed with chondroitin sulfate to double the power in repairing and protecting cartilage from breaking down. Chondroitin also inhibits destructive enzymes in cartilage and joint fluid, restores joint integrity, and keeps cartilage tissue hydrated. You can find it at any local health food store or from bone broth.

Apart from the use of supplements, there are other ways you can manage your dog’s joint pain. These include:

A. Feeding him on a raw diet

Whole food diets do not contain the inflammatory agents found in processed foods (kibble). Raw foods, therefore, protect your dog’s joints from diseases. You can also add antioxidants like astaxanthin and phytoplankton into your pet’s diet to prevent oxidative stress, which causes inflammation.

B. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight

Exercises tone the muscles and keep the fluid in the joint viscous. Frequent short walks will do. If your dog is overweight, the excess weight can strain the joints and make your dog sick. Ensure you keep his weight right.

Other precautions include minimizing vaccines as they produce antibodies which destroy collagen. You should also avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs may ease your dog’s pain, but they also break down its cartilage, which worsens joint issues.

Author: Bijoy Hembram

All images we got from our follower Bijoy Hembram