In this blog post I’ll take you through some of the most common ingredients in joint supplements for dogs, which may assist with keeping their joints healthy. We also discuss which ingredients are used in the best dog joint health supplements. Most joint effective dog joint supplements do not have any side effects, so are often safe to use long term. This is compared to drugs which may need regular monitoring.
Speak to your vet before commencing any joint supplements for your dog, as some may not be advised if your dog has certain existing health conditions.
Omega-3 fatty acids
These polyunsaturated fats are the most researched joint supplements, and have been found to be one of the best dog joint health supplements. The two types most commonly found are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They reduce inflammation in joints, hence reducing pain and preventing or slowing down any long-term negative changes in the joints. This in turn could also reduce joint stiffness and limping in dogs suffering from arthritis if used over the long term.
It may take several weeks of daily supplementing to see any benefits, so it is crucial to keep going even if no improvements are seen in the first few days or weeks.
Omega-3 fatty acids are most commonly found in fish oils, with the most readily available being cod liver oil. There is also a high abundance of omega-3s in green-lipped mussels, which have become more popular in recent years. A rule of thumb is to provide your dog with 100mg per kilogram bodyweight of omega-3s (EPA+DHA) per day.
It is important to check the EPA and DHA content of the joint supplements which you are considering purchasing, as a low content would not provide much benefit to your dog. Depending on which country you live in, the supplement industry may not be well regulated. This could result in some joint supplement brands making false claims on the amount of EPA and DPA in their products.
Ask your vet for reputable brand recommendations. I am also a strong believer of checking where the omega-3s are coming from, and if sustainable practices are being used.
Omega-3s also have other health benefits, such as improving skin health for dogs with itchy skin. You can read more about this here .
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate
Both found naturally in the body, glucosamine’s function is to stimulate repair of cartilage in joints. Chondroitin is claimed to prevent cartilage from wearing down.
You’ve probably seen them advertised a lot for human joint health, but how effective are they for dogs? Surprisingly, the evidence for supplementing with these, even for use in humans, is very conflicting for improving joint health.
Some studies have shown glucosamine and chondroitin combinations to help slow down any damage to the joints and help repair. However, other studies have shown them to have no effect at all to improve joint health.
Many dog joint supplement brands have glucosamine and chondroitin as some of the ingredients. I would not suggest buying the supplements if those two are the only ingredients in the supplement, as they may not benefit your dog by themselves. Further research in the future may change my mind on this.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
This sulphur-containing substance is found naturally in plants and animals, but can also be created in a lab, after which it is added to joint supplements. It has been shown to reduce inflammation in joints, which in turn reduces pain.
It also has antioxidant properties, which can help recovery after exercise and reduce muscle soreness, along with reducing damage to cells, including the cartilage in joints.
Many dog joint supplements have started to add MSM to the other ingredients within them.
Turmeric extract
Some extracts of turmeric, such as curcumin, have been used for thousands of years in ancient Indian medicine, but have only recently become popular as invaluable additions to effective dog joint supplements.
Recently studies, mostly in humans, have shown excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which would benefit joints, amongst a range of other health benefits. However, only certain forms such as Turmacin® (Orthoron by Pet Natural Remedies) have been shown to be effective, compared to just adding some turmeric to a meal. This makes the formulation and concentration important considerations when choosing one to help your dog’s joints, as bioavailability is a big factor of efficacy.
Boswellia serrata
A recently upcoming herbal supplement; studies have shown a reduction in pain and inflammation in canine joints if the active ingredient, boswellic acid, is used continuously for a number of weeks. This makes it a useful additional supplement for dogs suffering from chronic joint issues, as it can also help reduce stiffness.
Type 2 collagen
Type 2 collagen makes up the cartilage, ligaments and tendons in and around joints. Some studies have shown it to help joint function if the undenatured version is supplemented to dogs, by helping to maintain healthy cartilage. It has also been shown to reduce joint swelling and pain to a degree. Some dog joint supplement brands may contain it within the products.
Hyaluronic acid
This is the one of the main components of joint fluid and cartilage, so is already naturally present within the body. Studies have shown supplementation of hyaluronic acid can sometimes aid with lubricating joints for better movement. It can also reduce the degradation of cartilage in arthritic dogs.
Some effective dog joint supplements brands may have it within along with some of the other ingredients discussed above, whilst some other brands have it as the main ingredient. It could be a useful addition to help mobility in dogs affected by chronic joint issues such as osteoarthritis.
We’ve now gone through some of the main effective dog joint supplements. Now it’s your turn to check what ingredients are in your dog’s supplements, and if anything needs adding in, speak to your vet on what supplement you can add in or change to.
Note:The advice provided in this blog post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute veterinary advice. If in doubt always seek veterinary advice.