Skip to main content

What kind of joint supplements should you be giving your aging dog?

When our fur babies aren’t as sprightly as they used to be, a canine joint supplement may help. These vitamins use special ingredients that help soothe achy joints and slow down joint aging. Senior dogs in particular will benefit most from a supplement with joint-boosting ingredients like glucosamine and collagen.

Read on to discover which supplements might be best for your pet — but remember to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any type of medication or supplement.

Old back dog lying on grass
Brett Jordan / Unsplash

Chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is at the top of the ingredient list of many canine joint supplement brands. This compound is a crucial part of cartilage assembly and function. It preserves water content and elasticity, making joint action comfortable. If possible, choose a supplement with a label “low-molecular weight chondroitin.” This type is more easily absorbed by the body to extend cartilage cell life and joint fluid availability.

Recommended Videos

Glucosamine hydrochloride

Glucosamine hydrochloride, or simply glucosamine, is also an integral part of cartilage. Moreover, it helps your pet produce more joint fluid, which gets harder and harder to do as they age. Note that larger dogs in particular might need to supplement early on to prevent joint damage and severe arthritis in the future.
Nevertheless, while large dogs are more prone to hip and joint problems due to their size, even smaller breeds can experience arthritis.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

MSM helps cells regenerate and recover from free radicals. When taken as a canine joint supplement, it offers pain relief and calms inflammation.

Turmeric

Choose a turmeric-infused supplement for extra pain relief. Turmeric reduces inflammation, thanks to a compound called curcumin. This ground root also acts as an antioxidant and antibacterial compound, which is helpful if your pet is experiencing other health issues, too.

A multipurpose plant, turmeric is also popular for human consumption to heal everything from stomach irritation to rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately, pets can reap these benefits, too.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Two common omega fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They prevent and reduce inflammation, thus providing some pain relief. Whenever possible, choose fatty acids from wild-caught fish, which are more potent than their farmed counterparts.

You might also choose omega-3 triglycerides sourced from fish or flaxseed oil.

Mussel extract

The scientific name for this supplement is Perna canaliculus, but you’ll often see green-lipped mussels (GLM) on the packaging or list of ingredients. Green-lipped mussels contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA, DHA, and eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA). The latter helps reduce pain and inflammation by blocking compounds that promote these negative side effects.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) and vitamin E

Both HA and vitamin E act as antioxidants that slow down the aging process. HA is a compound found in the human and canine body that lubricates joints. It also acts as a shock pad to prevent bone-to-bone contact. As a supplement, HA supports absorption of other ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD is an effective pain reliever. It reduces inflammation and swelling throughout the body. This all-over inflammation reduction slows down arthritis. Moreover, it reduces negative side effects of arthritis and joint issues like pain and irritability.

This may help your dog get a little more physical exercise painlessly.

Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU)

This substance helps encourage cartilage growth and prevents cartilage deterioration. Additionally, ASU offers pain relief by keeping inflammatory chemicals away and protecting connective tissue. This is especially helpful for dog knees where there is the most damage.

Note that ASU is most effective when combined with key supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein found in skin, joints, teeth, muscles, and bones. For the purposes of canine joint supplements, collagen is essential for healthy cartilage. Common collagen sources are chicken skin and fish. Research shows that collagen supplements help pets with osteoarthritis move better.

It prevents joint decline by blocking chemicals that break down collagen, helping dogs stay active and flexible.

Big white dog being petted
Alexandre Debiève/Unsplash.com

When it comes to our fur babies, we’ll do anything to make sure they’re happy and comfortable. As they age and become less mobile, they might experience arthritis and joint pain. Fortunately, there are many different canine joint supplements you can try to help your pet stay cheerful and playful. Consider a combination of supplements on this list today to protect your dog’s joints.

How long of a walk does my dog need? How to determine your pup’s perfect walk
Creating your dog's ideal walking routine
Two apricot toy poodles walk on leash outdoors

Knowing how long to walk dogs can be difficult, especially if you're just beginning an exercise routine with a new pup. Fortunately, online resources are plentiful, but you won't truly know what works until you begin some trial-and-error walks. With a little patience and a close eye on your dog, though, you'll be able to figure out the duration of your dog's perfect walk.

Read on to discover the best ways to build this important routine. Your dog will thank you for it!
How long to walk dogs?

Read more
Can dogs smell stress? A new study reveals all
The results could have an impact on how we approach dog training
A pit bull under a table with carpet on floor

We'll never stop feeling amazed by how much dogs tune into humans. Because our species have evolved together over the course of thousands of years, we have a unique understanding of our pups and they get us, too. Science has often speculated that our stress might directly impact canines, and now we have receipts. So, can dogs smell stress? A group of researchers in the U.K. set out to get to the bottom of this question.
Can dogs smell stress?

A recent study confirms that dogs respond to human stress, and it can even change their behavior. The researchers recruited 18 dogs (a relatively small sample size) for the experiment and also human subjects. The people were unknown to the dogs and did not interact with them directly. Instead, they used sweat-soaked rags to give the esteemed pup scientists a whiff of stress or unstressed human. When they smelled stress, the dogs were more cautious and pessimistic overall (you can check out the exact details of the experiment in this article).

Read more
The ultimate new dog shopping list: What you’ll actually need
Leashes, kibble, and all the dog essentials to fill your cabinet
Puppy chewing plush toys

So, you're bringing home a new dog. Congratulations! This is a significant milestone for any person, couple, or family, but it can be easy to forget about something important amid all the excitement and chaos. While you're focused on getting your new friend home safe and sound, let us worry about creating the perfect checklist of new dog essentials. All that's left is for you to go shopping.

Be prepared to make a few big purchases as you stock up for your newly adopted dog, but rest assured, you won't always be spending so much money. Even though pet ownership is expensive, you won't go on shopping sprees like this once your four-legged friend is settled in. If you already have a dog at home, you may not even need to buy all these things. Wherever you are in the process of welcoming your new dog, know that you'll never go wrong with these dog essentials.
Leashes, collars, and harnesses

Read more