Hip and Joint Health
Every dog is different, but every dog ages. I have three dogs that are all pretty different. Peach is an 8 year old Labrador mix that weighs 60 lbs., Tucker is a 9 nine year old American Staffordshire mix that weighs 48 lbs., and Scout is a 6 year old Plott Hound/Pit mix that weighs 85 lbs. They vary in age and size, however they each share a similar lifestyle. To the average dog, my dogs are “working dogs.” There is a lot of movement and activity, which I believe has kept them young, but it also comes with wear and tear.
When Peach was 5 years old, the vet already noticed signs of arthritis in her hips. When Tucker was 7 years old, he damaged a ligament in one of his rear legs. When Scout was not even 1 year old, he had an unknown injury to his rear leg/knee that causes him pain and occasional swelling. As he has gotten older, the knee will swell more often and he is more attentive to that leg. Luckily I go to an amazing holistic vet that offers great recommendations to help them outside of constant pain killers.
With their recommendations and a bit of research I have found 3 important supplements to maintain in my dog’s diet to keep them active and pain free. The three main supplements I ensure my pups’ receive are Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Omega 3’s. Glucosamine is great for pups of any age because it helps the body create more cartilage, but it also helps reduce inflammation. Chondroitin helps the body by keeping cartilage lubricated and can help repair damaged cartilage. This supplement also assists the joints in absorbing impact. If you have dogs that love to play fetch, or play and jump, like mine, then this could be a big help! And finally, Omega 3’s have so many benefits for dogs, but there are three big reasons I use it. Omega 3 fatty acids can decrease inflammation of disease, reduce pain from arthritis, and slow development of certain cancers.
There are many brands of food that contain these nutrients, but also supplements that you could add in with your dog’s current diet. Having a balanced diet is important at any stage of a dog’s life, but particularly as they’re aging, these are important additives! I meet so many dogs each week of all different ages and sizes, but there is a noticeable difference in dogs that are lacking these supplements. You notice their age in how they walk, how they sit or stand, and even their behavior. Dogs can seem grumpy or short-tempered if they are in pain. So let’s help them live life to the fullest, and the longest!