Glucosamine for Dogs: The Key to a Long, Healthy, and Pain-Free Life
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- Glucosamine: How It Works
- Potential Side Effects of Glucosamine
- Glucosamine Hydrochloride for Arthritis
- The Main Causes of Arthritis
- The Impact of Arthritis
- Glucosamine for Hip Dysplasia
- Why Glucosamine chondroitin is a Suitable Treatment
- Signs You Should Look Out For
- How About CBD?
- Prevention Is Better Than Cure
- Conclusion
As a pet owners, watching your dog age can be quite the experience. You know that your dog ages faster than you, and there will come a time when the young pup you used to play with is now less mobile. Over time, the activities that your dog loved and were a second habit can become a challenge. He/she might develop arthritis and other conditions that cause intense pain in the joint pain. Naturally, you want to make the transition to old age comfortable and smooth for your dog. So, what are the options available to you?
Your first instinct is to take your dog to the veterinarians so that you can find a way to reduce the joint pain your dog is suffering. Some dog owners make the mistake of giving their pet painkillers without consulting the vet. More often than not, painkillers lead to side effects, and those are as unpleasant as the symptoms your dog is displaying.
Glucosamine: How It Works
The word ‘glucosamine’ is a combination of two terms, i.e. glucose and glutamine. The former is a sugar while the latter is an amino acid. The two combine to form a compound, which occurs naturally. This compound is responsible for restoring the cartilage between joints and keeping your dog’s healthy joints pain-free. Therefore, increasing the level of glucosamine in your dog’s system can go a long way towards boosting his/her joint health.
When selecting a glucosamine supplements, make sure you select one that contains chondroitin. This compound can help protect your dog’s joints from damage.
Potential Side Effects of Glucosamine
Continuing from the point above, glucosamine is a natural compound, even when you give it to your dog in glucosamine sulfate & chondroitin sulfate , the dietary supplements. Therefore, the risk of side effects is minimal.
However, there are some adverse reactions that are common in dogs who receive a glucosamine supplement, including
- Insomnia
- Allergies
- Excessive urination
In addition to these side effects, your dog might also feel fatigued at all times. You can notice this if your dog refuses to move around much or spends most of his/her time in one place. As you can see, the side effects that glucosamine can cause are not significant. Despite this, it is important that you keep an eye out for any reactions that your dog shows in response to receiving the glucosamine supplements. Also, you should take your dog to the vet before you administer the many supplements.
Glucosamine Hydrochloride for Arthritis
The main role of dog glucosamine hydrochloride is in preventing and treating osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a common ailment in aging dogs, causing significant pain and joint damage. Early diagnosis is the key to ensuring your dog can receive timely treatment for the condition. You should be aware of the fact that arthritis is a progressive disease. The symptoms and intensity will only worsen with time. Therefore, you have to be aware of the causes, signs, and symptoms of arthritis in dogs. The long-term consequences joint problems, can be severe if you don’t spot the signs early on.
As the disease progresses, it can lead to lameness, reduction in mobility, and even stiffness. Needless to say, your dog's condition will suffer great discomfort if the disease keeps progressing and he or she doesn’t receive the necessary treatment.
The Main Causes of Arthritis
There are several compelling scientific evidence that can cause your dog to develop arthritis over time. These include:
- An injury of the joints
- Infection that affects the joints
- Obesity that places great pressure on the joints
- Deformity, which means the joints don’t develop fully
The Impact of Arthritis
Your dog’s joints are quite similar to yours. However, cartilage covers the part of the bone that rubs against bone, preventing friction and reducing the risk of wear and tear. Moreover, mild anti inflammatory effects, joint fluid , i.e. synovial fluid, covers the cartilage and bone, offering ample lubrication for the joint to function without any discomfort. Arthritis causes both the cartilage and fluid to deplete. Even small movements can lead to considerable stiffness and soreness.
Glucosamine for Hip Dysplasia
In addition to arthritis, glucosamine is a suitable treatment to support healthy cartilage. This ailment affects the hip joint specifically, but the outcome remains the same. Your dog can lose mobility in the hip and suffer intense pain even when performing mundane activities. The dog’s breed can play a role in determining the risk of this condition in your dog. Large dogs are more susceptible to hip dysplasia but that doesn’t mean that dogs of a smaller breed cannot develop it.
Why Glucosamine chondroitin is a Suitable Treatment
Usually, veterinarians prescribed NSAIDs that you can administer to your dog to reduce inflammation and pain relief. You need to focus on the long run, selecting a treatment that treats the root cause of the condition. Also, NSAIDs can lead to a number of major side effects, which can make life even more difficult for you. On the flip side, your dog doesn’t suffer any significant side effects after taking glucosamine chondroitin supplements.
Signs You Should Look Out For
Arthritis is a fairly common disease in most dogs above a certain age. That said, detecting the disease from the outset can be a challenge. You have to be aware of the signs that your dog might display if he or she develops the condition.
The most common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Sleeping more than usual
- No interest in walking or physical activity
- Swelling of the joints
- Sudden weight gain
- Limited mobility
- Developing new movements
- Irritability and mood issues
These signs show that your dog’s arthritis is at an early stage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should schedule a visit to the vet without delay so that you can treat osteoarthritis and repair cartilage before the join cartilage worsens.
Here’s a look at the different options available to you:
Kibble
You can find glucosamine in kibble, which is a convenient way of feeding your dog the joint supplement. Generally, brands add the compound to the kibble they produce for older dogs.
Injectable Glucosamine for Dogs
Injectable glucosamine is a viable option as well. You can simply inject your dog with the joint supplements. Many pet parents note that the injectable form is fast-acting and delivers quick relief. These are veterinary drugs so please do not go down this road until you consult with your veterinarian.
Oral Supplements
Perhaps the most commonly form of veterinary medicine recommended glucosamine for dogs is in chewable form. The best glucosamine supplements for pet parents tend to be chewable tablets. This is different than human glucosamine. The number of chewable tablets you give to your dog depends on their body weight.
Raw Food
A number of raw meats contain glucosamine. Depending on the severity of your dog’s pain and the condition he/she is suffering from, your vet might recommend that you feed your dog raw meat containing glucosamine. Many Pet owners have resorted to this method in the last few years as the clinical benefit of this nutritional change has been very positive and effective.
You can select from a range of meat options that are high in glucosamine, including
- Bone broth
- Chicken feet
- Pig tails and oxtails
- Beef
How About CBD?
Administering CBD oil for dogs or a chewable form can help reduce the pain he or she is suffering from as a result of arthritis. CBD can prove the most suitable means of enhancing your dog’s joint health, while at the same time, reducing pain. In fact, the Hemp Soft Chews for dogs merge numerous ingredients to provide relief from or prevent arthritis.
CBD, as a supplement, is completely safe for your dog. You can rest assured that your dog will not develop any side effects when you administer the soft chews. The fact that CBD is natural and safe means that you can combine the supplement with glucosamine.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
As mentioned above, the main risk factor when it comes to arthritis and hip dysplasia is age. Your dog will continue aging and be at a higher risk of developing the conditions. However, there are certain risk factors that you can manage to reduce the risk of your dog suffering from arthritis.
Conclusion
As a pet parent, you wish to provide your dog with an environment and lifestyle where he/she can enjoy a decent quality of life. However, aging is an irreversible process, and your dog can develop a number of health problems associated with it. Watching out for the symptoms and signs that indicate your dog is suffering from arthritis can help you get an early diagnosis. Initiating the treatment at an initial stage can reduce the pain and discomfort your dog is suffering.
Sources:
CBD May Support Treating Inflammation
