Age is a fickle beast and dogs often begin showing mobility problems as they get older. Dogs are busy creatures and just like us, they experience joint degeneration as they age. As a result, they can experience prolonged pain and immobility. Did you know that joint pain due to arthritis affects 1 in every 5 dogs? These statistics have many dog owners searching for a natural remedy to help get their dog comfortably moving and grooving again.
Chondroitin is a natural, holistic supplement that you can include in your dog’s diet to help repair and build cartilage. It is a supplement that is recommended by both veterinarians and canine nutritionists as a non-surgical option to help relieve joint pain.
Chondroitin is a naturally occurring sugar found as a component of cartilage and provides resistance to compression. In joint supplements, chondroitin sulfate is included to replenish the chondroitin lost over time. The supplement source is usually derived from cow or pig cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate prevents the breakdown of cartilage and can also stimulate repair mechanisms. Additionally, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to alleviate joint pain, swelling and cartilage degradation biomarkers.
It’s no secret to any of us that as we age, our bodies start to slow down and joints become stiff. This is true of senior animals as well. Throughout the aging process, cartilage and connective tissue begins to wear and break down, causing inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints. You may start noticing that your dog isn’t quite as active as they once were. Something that might get fido up and motoring around more are joint supplements.
The main reasons that pet owners seek out chondroitin is because their dog is showing symptoms of pain associated with osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). When paired with glucosamine, chondroitin has shown to be effective at lubricating joints and repairing tissue lining in dogs suffering from degenerative joint diseases.
A few symptoms of dogs who may be experiencing joint pain are:
It’s not just mobility pain and joint diseases that chondroitin is used for however. It is also a great supplement to feed your dog for day-to-day joint maintenance. This is particularly true for dogs that are predisposed to developing hip and joint problems later on in life.
There is a major correlation between certain breeds and joint problems. Check the list of breeds below to see if your dog could benefit from a chondroitin supplement to help with general hip and joint maintenance:
Since chondroitin is a natural supplement, your dog should experience minimal to no side effects when taking chondroitin at the correct dosage. Chondroitin concentration may vary between joint supplements so it is important to follow the feeding instructions provided on the label.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, they may experience a turbulent tummy with the addition of chondroitin to their diet. In extreme cases they may experience vomiting or diarrhea. If this is the case for your dog, simply start by adding a smaller amount to your dog’s food and gradually increase to the recommended dose.
Unlike prescription medications, chondroitin is widely available in most pet stores and can also be purchased for your veterinarians. It is rare that you will find chondroitin as an independent product as it’s most effective when included in a joint supplement. If you find a supplement that you think might work for your dog, simply check the ingredient list on the label to check if chondroitin is used.
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