Joint Supplements for Dogs (That Really Work)

Wear and tear on joints is just a part of getting older. About 1 in 4 American adults will experience some form of arthritis, and dogs aren’t any different. Adventurous, active dogs may experience joint pain or canine arthritis as they age. While nothing can restore lost or damaged joint tissue, there are supplements your dog can take to support the health of the joint tissue that still exists and possibly reducing some of the discomforts they’re experiencing in worn joints. These supplements generally work over time to ease discomfort versus acting as an instant pain reliever or joint booster. It’s important to give them to your dog every day and start before the problems start to maximize their potential benefits in the long term.

How Do Dog Joint Supplements Work?

The body is always working to achieve perfect homeostasis. Sometimes, it needs a little help. Your dog’s body wants healthy joints. It just needs the right supplements and balanced nutrition to function properly. Over time, the support your dog’s body receives from joint supplements can translate to better-protected joints that function at their best. While there is no cure for joint pain, supplements make the symptoms easier to manage while improving the quality of your dog’s life. When joint tissue is gone or significantly damaged, the body is incapable of regenerating or fully repairing it. Certain supplements can work to promote optimal health of the joint tissue that remains, sometimes inspiring water retention to improve cushioning of the joint or inhibiting the inflammatory response that contributes to joint swelling.

What About Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?

Human anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen) aren’t safe for dogs. You should never give your dog Advil or Aleve. These NSAIDs work by strongly inhibiting the production of an enzyme that causes the inflammatory response, but this enzyme is also necessary for digestive health. If the enzyme is too strongly suppressed, your dog can experience painful ulcers or gastrointestinal damage. If your vet believes that your dog would benefit from anti-inflammatory drugs, your dog will be given a prescription for canine-appropriate NSAIDs in low doses, designed to be used for a very short period of time under supervision.

Talk to Your Vet Before You Supplement

If you believe your dog is suffering from joint pain, your first course of action should be to book a veterinary exam. Your dog may have undiagnosed canine arthritis or another underlying health condition contributing to joint pain. If your dog is overweight, their joints may be experiencing undue stress as a direct result of the excess weight. Your vet will be able to examine and diagnose your dog to properly determine the underlying cause and provide medical intervention if necessary. Most of the time, vets are on board with pet-safe joint supplements for dogs that need them. Mention joint supplements you’re interested in using and get your vet’s feedback before introducing them to your dog’s wellness plan.

Joint Supplements for Dogs

Dogs and humans benefit from the same types of joint supplements. You may already be using some of these supplements for your own well-being — just don’t share the human version with your pets. Joint supplements designed for animals contain different dosages of each supplement and may contain other ingredients more suitable for pets.

Fish Oil for Dogs

Fish oil is loaded with valuable omega fats. The body uses omega fats to promote a whole host of processes. They benefit joint health, brain health, and gastrointestinal health while also promoting healthier skin and a shinier coat. There is a wide array of purposes for which fish oil is an extremely useful supplement for pet wellness. High-quality fish oil supplements for dogs will usually have dosage information on the back of the packaging. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for administering fish oil to your dog. Once-daily served over dog food is the simplest way to get your dog to ingest fish oil. If your dog doesn’t like fish smells or fish-flavored foods, choose an odorless variety of fish oil. Wet dog food will usually disguise the supplement.

MSM Joint Supplements

MSM is an abbreviation of methylsulfonylmethane. Although methylsulfonylmethane sounds like some kind of serious chemical, it’s far more innocuous. MSM naturally occurs in people, plants, and animals. Many humans get MSM through their diet. A salad with tomatoes, leafy greens, and sprouts contains a substantial amount of MSM. Your dog’s diet is a little different. They may not be getting that substantial amount of MSM in anything they eat. When ingested, MSM can inhibit the production of inflammatory enzymes while boosting the production of enzymes necessary to support a healthy immune system. Over time, MSM can contribute to the reduction of overall joint discomfort your dog experiences.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are joint supplements often used together to support joint health. These supplements work by preserving the health of existing joint tissue. They draw water to the joint tissue and help to provide additional cushioning, making it less painful to bend or extend the affected joints. While glucosamine and chondroitin have been proven effective, it’s important to note that the protective benefits of these supplements take about two years to become noticeable. While you can give your dog glucosamine and chondroitin every day, it may be a while before they make a pronounced difference in your pup’s joint health. For this reason, it’s best to use glucosamine and chondroitin as a preventative measure. Their efficacy is limited once significant joint damage has already occurred.

CBD

CBD can help to support overall joint mobility in animals, in addition to supporting regular digestive health and brain health as bonus benefits. CBD works best when used over time, but with regular use, benefits usually become apparent within a few weeks. Supply your dog with two to four milligrams of CBD per ten pounds of body weight every 8 to 12 hours for a continuous stream of benefits. CBD is a multi-beneficial holistic tool to keep in your pet’s wellness toolkit. Its ability to help calm pets makes it invaluable for thunderstorms, firework celebrations, and other environmental stressors where otherwise brave dogs may not be as fearless.

VETCBD Hemp is Made for Your Dog

VETCBD Hemp’s CBD products are made with your dog in mind. Our American-grown, hemp-derived CBD is triple lab tested for purity and safety. We’ve included a shatterproof plastic syringe to make it safer to give your dog CBD tincture. You can give your dog plain CBD oil, hide it in a piece of mashed banana, or incorporate it with your dog’s wet food. Our topical CBD balm can be massaged directly into muscles and joints for soothing support. It also works to promote skin health and target minor skin irritations, like spots of redness where your dog has scratched or nibbled. This balm is made with 200mg of CBD, extra virgin olive oil, and beeswax. You don’t have to worry about your dog licking the area where it’s been applied. The ingredients are completely safe for your pets! Sources: Fish Oil for Dogs | American Kennel Club Methylsulfonylmethane, MSM Oral Dosage Forms | Cleveland Clinic Clinical efficacy and safety over two years use of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: a GAIT report | National Institutes of Health Arthritis | CDC