Older Dogs and Joint Pain
Joint pain affects all dogs as they age.
And, watching your dog age is a bittersweet process.
One day you’re house training Fido, and the next he’s starting to look a little grey around the snout.
Older pups are excellent pets.
They are typically lower energy than younger dogs and are often more behaved.
However, older pups develop health problems.
For example, aging dogs often experience wear and tear on their joints.
How can you tell if your pup’s joints are aging?
Fido may be slower to rise in the morning, have trouble jumping up on the couch, or move a little slower in general.
It can be painful to watch your best friend experience the downsides of aging.
What can you do to help?
A growing number of veterinarians recommend herbal supplements to combat aging pet joints.
But, there are so many supplements from which to choose.
How do you know which herbs are right to alleviate dog joint pain?
We’ve outlined the top three herbs to alleviate dog joint pain below.
Creatine
You may have heard of creatine in a context related to bodybuilders.
What is the connection between bodybuilders and dogs with aging joints?
Muscle mass!
Human and dog muscles contain creatine.
The liver makes creatine, which is made up of amino acids.
Essentially, creatine allows muscles to produce energy.
As pets age, creatine production decreases in the body, resulting in depleted muscle mass and dog joint pain.
Without strong muscles, joints carry a heavier burden.
How Does Creatine Build Muscle in Dogs?
Supplemental creatine helps the body repair and rebuild muscle fibers while resting.
When muscles are strong and healthy, joint function is improved.
Healthy joints allow aging pups to feel young again!
Green Lipped Mussel
Green lipped mussel is a bit of a superfood.
It contains:
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Amino acids
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Enzymes
- Antioxidants
The green-lipped mussel is a mollusk typically from New Zealand.
But why is green-lipped mussel beneficial to alleviate dog joint pain?
Why Should I Give My Dog Green Lipped Mussel?
The green-lipped mussel has a high concentration of mucopolysaccharides.
Mucopolysaccharides have shown anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects in some studies.
Mucopolysaccharides may benefit synovial fluid, which is crucial in aging joints.
In a study by The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, green-lipped mussel showed benefits to alleviate dog joint pain.
The Omega-3s, glucosamine, and chondroitin in green-lipped mussel reduce inflammation, maintain joint cell structure and function, facilitate cartilage repair, and protect against oxidation.
Glucosamine
You may have heard of glucosamine before.
If you suffer from joint pain, you may even take glucosamine yourself!
Glucosamine isn’t just for humans.
The popular substance benefits ailing pets too!
Their joints and our joints function in similar ways.
How Does Glucosamine Work for Dogs?
First, what kind of Glucosamine should I give my dog?
Make sure you are giving your pet a supplement made for dogs.
Many pet supplements combine glucosamine with other beneficial substances such as MSM, creatine and green-lipped mussel.
Although injectable glucosamine is available from your veterinarian, a daily oral supplement is more commonly recommended.
A daily tasty treat is more likely to entice your pup than bi-weekly injections.
Which Supplement Combines All Three Beneficial Herbs?
PET | TAO’s Harmonize Joint Supplement combines each of the herbs listed above, along with several others, to provide your pup with the purest form of relief.
Instead of giving your dog one beneficial herb, Harmonize Joint contains:
- Glucosamine
- MSM
- Creatine
- Green-lipped mussel
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin C
- Alpha Lipoic Acid
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Vitamin E
Each ingredient is more beneficial when combined with other herbs and compounds.
Giving your pet an herbal supplement such as PET | TAO Harmonize Joint, feeding them a healthy diet, and offering gentle exercise are the best ways to improve your dog’s joint health.
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