New! Maintaining Healthy Joints in Pets, an educational video from HPI.

Maintaining Healthy Joints

While some breeds are more likely to develop arthritis, all dogs, even young ones, can develop the condition. Feeding your dog a high quality diet from an early age is important to promote proper growth. A diet too high in fat calories will cause the animal to grow too fast and put excess strain on their joints. A diet loaded with carbohydrates can lead to excessive weight gain and inflammation.

A high protein, moderate fat and low carbohydrate diet is recommended and will help promote wellness in animals.

The following companies produce high quality pet foods which can be purchased at many local pet shops. Visit their websites to purchase online or locate retailers in your area:

• Innova
• California Naturals
• Solid Gold
• Life4K9

Obesity and lack of exercise can increase the likelihood that your companion may be affected with arthritis. Establish a daily exercise schedule to help keep muscles tones and joints properly lubricated.

Ideally, your pet should start receiving joint support supplements in their middle years -- to help nourish and maintain the cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is one of the safest and most widely used ingredient to maintain healthy joints in dogs.

Glucosamine stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and chondroitin sulfate, the essential component of cartilage.

Chondroitin sulfate is another natural substance found in the body and it works to prevent enzymes from degrading the building blocks of joint cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is often used in combination with glucosamine, however, when used alone, glucosamine sulfate helps the body to manufacture its own chondroitin.

Return to Arthritis Overview page.

Other Videos on Arthritis:

Arthritis Overview

Conventional Treatments

Using an Integrative Apporoach

Suggested products for maintaing healthy joints in pets:

ArthriSoothe-Liquid ArthriSoothe-tablets
Arthroplex
Hip Action Treats from Zukes

Related topics:
Aging

Newsletter Article:
Using Glucosamine to Fight Arthritis

To maintain healthy joints in dogs, we recommend these products:

ArthriSoothe by NaturVet

ArthriSoothe-GOLD provides optimal levels of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Green Lipped Mussel, Hyaluronic Acid and MSM. This combination is recommended to help support, maintain, and contribute to rebuilding damaged cartilage and tissue. ArthriSoothe-GOLD is also recommended to help improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness. The antioxidants Ester-C (Vit. C) and Vitamin E help protect against free radicals that cause cellular damage.

ArthriSoothe-Gold comes in liquid and tablets.

To purchase or read more about ArthriSoothe Gold Liquid..

To purchase or read more about ArthriSoothe Gold Tablets...

Arthroplex by Thorne Research

Arthroplex contains glucosamine sulfate to help stimulate the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and chondroitin sulfate, the essential component of cartilage. This formula also includes Vitamin C to enhance collagen production and Boswellia serrata which acts as an anti-inflammatory.

To purchase or read more about Arthroplex...

Hip Action Treats from Zukes

Zuke's Hip Action Treats' unique formula combines a variety of natural nutrients to keep dogs active, mobile and pain free. The cornerstone nutrients, Chondroitin & Glucosamine HCL, have demonstrated great success in naturally conditioning joints and enhancing comfort. Secondary nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and numerous amino acids have been added for their enzymatic benefits and to assist in the transportation of Chondroitin & Glucosamine to aching hips and joints. Vitamin C alone has been extensively used by many dog owners to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with canine hip displasia.

To purchase or read more about Hip Action Treats...