Joint problems are common issues for all breeds of dogs. Whether it’s a genetic predisposition or the effect of continuous movement experienced by working dogs or agility dogs, even the strongest, healthiest pets can experience joint stiffness and immobility as they get older. For this reason, more and more dog owners are turning to glucosamine to complement a good diet. While vet-prescribed medication is sometimes necessary, smart-thinking owners are working with their vets to develop more holistic strategies, seeking out the best glucosamine chews for dogs on the market.
What is Glucosamine and How Will it Help My Dog?
Glucosamine is found in the cartilage of all humans and animals. It is a building block for joint cartilage and plays an important part in maintaining water in the cartilage, allowing smooth movement and good mobility of joints. Unfortunately, as joint cartilage wears down through movement, glucosamine production declines, too, which can lead to joint degeneration, pain and reduced mobility.
Glucosamine is a very useful supplement to help improve your dog's mobility. It is well absorbed into problem areas to help slow the progression of joint cartilage deterioration by promoting cartilage cell health and helping maintain a healthy mobile joint. In older dogs, this can be an important part of pain reduction, which can improve the quality of a pet’s life enormously. In younger dogs, glucosamine can provide a foundation that helps maintain healthy, mobile joints, enabling them to live an active pain-free life.
Why Chews?
When looking for ways to supplement your dog's diet with glucosamine, it’s important to consider the easiest method to administer to your dog. As any dog owner knows, tablets, liquids and powders can be difficult to add to a feeding routine, especially with fussy eaters! The path of least resistance should be something that can be fun, tasty and engaging, which is why the most effective and popular supplements are chews.
There are four key things you should think about when choosing a glucosamine chew for your dog:
Safety
This should always come at the top of the list. As more and more dietary supplements for dogs appear in market, be confident that you’re buying products which contain quality, safe ingredients. To be sure, check the ingredients with your vet first, and look for Australian made.
Potency
To ensure the glucosamine supplement you’re giving your dog is effective and actually works to help support their joint health, be sure to review the levels of each key active ingredient for every dose of the product.
The best glucosamine supplements for dogs will have at least 500 mg of glucosamine, often combined with other beneficial ingredients, particularly chondroitin sulphate as it boosts the effectiveness of glucosamine.
Combinations of Ingredients
Whilst glucosamine on its own is beneficial for dog joint health, the best glucosamine chews are now enriched with other key ingredients that also support joint health and mobility. For a comprehensive glucosamine chew for dogs, look for other key ingredients such as:
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Chondroitin Sulphate
- Methylsulfonylmethane (or MSM)
- Vitamin C
- Selenium
How to Choose the Best Glucosamine Chew for Your Dog
Given the above three categories, you can start to build a picture of what the best dog glucosamine chew is for your best friend. Look for a chew with effective levels of key active ingredients, the inclusion of other beneficial vitamins and minerals, as well as good customer reviews, such as our dog joint supplements.
The information in this article was checked by ZamiPet Veterinarian and General Manager Dr Andrew McKay, BVSc, University of Melbourne, 2000. Vet Registration No: V3985
Disclaimer: This information is general advice only. Before starting any treatment or supplement with your pet, please consult your vet first for the best approach to getting your pet back to their best health.
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