Joint support is a concern for many pet parents. 

Whether you are trying to prevent future problems or you have an older dog who is not moving quite as well as they used to, there are many things we can do to support them without pharmaceuticals.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) are what are often prescribed by your vet. These include Rimadyl (Carprofen), Metacam, Deramaxx, and Previcox. While they will work to reduce pain, they don’t do anything to strengthen or support your dog’s joints, and they have harmful side effects.  

Everyday support for your pet’s joints

Feeding a species-appropriate diet, such as a raw, fresh, whole-food diet, is the number one thing you can do to support your pet’s joint health. Carbs are high-glycemic-index foods that fuel the production of advanced glycation end (AGE) products. AGEs form when manufacturers process food. When your dog eats processed foods (kibble), AGEs get released into the body and cause inflammation. A fresh, whole-food diet without the inflammatory agents in kibble will help protect your dog’s joints from disease.  

Hip & Joint Supplement

Hip & Joint – Naturally Healthy Joints For Life. The natural approach to joint pain with just four simple but powerful ingredients.

Controlling your dog’s weight is also crucial. If your dog carries extra weight, that can put extra pressure on joints. Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the strain on joints and decrease inflammation caused by fat.

Better muscle mass and muscle function can protect your dog’s joints, so you want to keep up the exercise. If your dog’s in pain, try a few short walks a day rather than one long one. Take your dog swimming for exercise since it relieves stress on the joints.

It’s crucial to avoid over-vaccination or giving unnecessary vaccinations. Research has shown that vaccines can create antibodies that destroy your dog’s collagen, the tissue that keeps joints stable. Collagen comprises over 70% of your dog’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other joint-supporting tissues. When it breaks down, your dog’s joints can’t handle movement, and the muscles and tissues become brittle, leading to inflammation, pain, and, eventually, joint disease. This information is vital for you to make informed decisions about your pet’s health.

Natural alternatives for Joint Support

Joint supplements are popular in the pet space, but did you know that you can provide your pet with glucosamine and chondroitin naturally through their food? Kibble manufacturers add both to their food, but with the ultra-processed nature of kibble, there is nothing left for your dog to use. You can empower yourself by adding the following to your dog’s diet to give them a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin:

• Trachea (either dried or raw)
• Chicken or duck feet 
• Beef or Bison knuckle bones. These are not consumable. Just let your dog chew and gnaw on them for the benefits.  
• Bone Broth (be careful of commercial bone broth as it has a lot of salt and ingredients that can be toxic, like onion. Make your own if you can)
• Green Lipped Mussels. Green-lipped mussels also contain the fatty acids EPA and DHA. These help manage inflammation. We have a green-lipped mussel oil called Safe Sea that can be added to their food, making it super easy to add this superfood to your pet’s diet.
• Eggshell Membrane. This is the thin membrane that’s on the inside of an eggshell. We already recommend adding an egg to your pet’s bowl a few times a week; when you do, peel off the membrane and toss it in the bowl with the egg.
• Turmeric. Everyone has this in their spice cupboard. The key component of turmeric is curcumin, also known as “Cure-cumin” because of its long list of excellent benefits. It decreases inflammation, but it can also relieve pain and stiffness. If you give to your pet, find an organic brand and add it directly to their food, 1/8 – 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight daily.

If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate Green Lipped Mussels, eggshell membrane, and curcumin into your dog’s diet, our Hip and Joint supplement in our store is the perfect solution. It is made from all three of those things, providing comprehensive support for your pet’s joint health. With this supplement, you won’t have to peel the insides of your eggshells or steam mussels, giving you peace of mind and your pet the support they need.

Also in our store is Jump for JOYnt’s. This is an excellent product for acute or ongoing, chronic joint pain.

There are many ways to manage and support your pet’s joints without resorting to dangerous pharmaceuticals or expensive supplements. Let us know if you have any questions about supporting your pet’s joints. We’d love to help you and your pet!