In the United States, dogs are living longer than ever before due to advancements in veterinary treatment, healthier meals, and generally elevated positions in the household. However, as dogs age, they will inevitably experience mobility issues and joint pain.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association, almost 20% of dogs will experience joint discomfort and mobility issues at some point in their dog lives. Along with the many prescription treatments available, your veterinarian may recommend glucosamine pills for your dog if he or she is suffering from joint discomfort. Don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian if you observe any unusual changes in your dog’s behavior; after all, stress and anxiety can have negative effects on their health.
Before you give glucosamine to your dog, be sure you know what it is and what it isn’t. You could be looking for a solution to alleviate your dog’s joint pain if they are experiencing it. If they were formerly lively and playful, it can be devastating to watch them limp and have trouble getting upstairs. Dogs suffering from joint stiffness and pain have some good news: glucosamine for dogs is a fantastic alternative that is showing encouraging benefits.
What is Glucosamine?
For decades, people have turned to glutamic acid, a naturally occurring molecule, to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, and other forms of joint discomfort. It has only lately been used by vets to alleviate comparable pain in pets.
The body uses glucosamine, which is typically found in joints, to aid in the healing of tissues like cartilage. The body’s ability to repair (i.e., cartilage and joint health decline) and pain levels rise in older dogs because they manufacture less glucosamine.
One of the main causes of your dog’s wobbling gait and severe pain could be osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that develops over time as the cartilage wears down. Dogs can benefit from glucosamine because it thickens joint fluid and supports cartilage, which in turn slows the progression of joint degradation. Even though it won’t reverse conditions like OA or degenerative joint disease, it will make your dog’s mobility much better and let them enjoy life more to the fullest. To learn more about it – read this.
Glucosamine Dosage for Dogs
When giving your dog a supplement, be sure to follow the dosage instructions based on his or her weight. You can find this data on the label of the product.
If you want to know if these products are helping your dog’s condition, you’ll have to wait at least two to three weeks. Although the FDA did not test these dosages, they have been used as an adjuvant in the treatment of chronic pain:
Speculative suggestions
- Doses ranging from 15 to 30 mg/kg/day of chondroitin
- After four to six weeks, every other day take 7.5 to 15 mg/kg if you detect any improvement.
- The health and mobility benefits of giving your dog glucosamine tablets throughout their lives have been well-documented.
- Within a few weeks of discontinuing glucosamine administration, you will observe a rigidity and unwillingness to move in your dog.
- There are variations in concentration and formulae among brands, so it’s best to stick with one supplement at a time until you notice a difference.
Watch this video to learn more:
Do Dog Joint Supplements Help?
To keep joints healthy, even young dogs can take supplements, even if they don’t seem to be experiencing any discomfort or symptoms of arthritis. For dogs with a genetic predisposition to joint problems, this is best administered early on to forestall or postpone the onset of symptoms.
Along with additional pain medications, these nutrients may help dogs who have recently had surgery. Supplements won’t help a joint that your vet has diagnosed as bone-on-bone arthritis in your dog.
But you can still use them to shield less injured joints from further harm and to delay the onset of damage to unaffected joints.
Safety Tips
- Keep in mind that there will be extra calories if you give these supplements with treats. For the proper dosage, you’ll need to feed some of these treats in big quantities.
- Steer clear of shark cartilage supplements. They are just as harmful to marine ecosystems as bovine cartilage and don’t add anything useful.
- If you want to give your dog glucosamine and chondroitin, never give them human brands.
Bottom Line
Inquire about possible adverse effects, your dog’s general health, and the correct dosage with your vet before adding a glucosamine supplement to your dog’s regular food. If your dog is experiencing mobility or joint problems, glucosamine is a safe and effective option.
