Managing Pet Joint Health For Life

MANAGING PET JOINT HEALTH FOR LIFE

Every year as winter appears we experience a significant increase in customers asking us about supplements for joint health. The colder temperatures and changes in barometric pressure really put a pressure on our pets who are experiencing inflammation due to arthritis.

Owning four large breed dogs over our lives made me reflect on these times as each of them approached their senior years. What would we have done differently? What is available to pet parents today that was not available to us 5 or 10 years ago?

Proactive joint health at an early age has the potential to minimize the impact age and other issues can have on their bodies over time. We all want to provide the best to ensure our dogs and cats live long, healthy, happy lives. When it comes to joint health, our pets stand a much better chance of having healthier joints if we focus on it as early as possible.

Let us have a look at the types of joint issues our pets can face and common signs we should look for. Secondly, I will share some tips you can consider to be as proactive as possible to ensure a long and pain-free life. Finally, I will summarize our more popular and effective joint supplements that we have been recommending to pet parents for some time now.

COMMON JOINT ISSUES

Joint issues tend to fall into two categories:

1. Developmental Join Issues

These tend to be issues present from birth. Usually caused by genetic issues and could manifest early or predispose them for issues in the future i.e., hip dysplasia in large breed dogs or cruciate tears in almost every breed nowadays. There are now recent studies that are proving that traditional desexing of mid-size and large breed dogs can negatively impact joint health.

2. Degenerative Joint Issues

These are caused by repeated use over time. This could be general wear and tear or an injury. The most common is cruciate ligament problems, where tissues degenerate over time and with repeated use until more sever problems and pain develop. Other issues are caused by stress fractures and osteoarthritis.

SIGNS OF JOINT PAIN

• Lethargy
• Limping and stiffness
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Depression
• Frequent slipping
• Licking, chewing, or biting the affected area.
• Muscle loss
• Lack of interest in loved activities
• Sleeping in different areas of the house
• Panting when it is not hot.

PROACTIVE TIPS FOR JOINT HEALTH

1. Feed a species-appropriate diet. Raw meat, organ meat and bone deliver so much protein, amino acids and essential vitamins and minerals all dogs and cats need for healthy joints. Also consider raw milk(calcium), swiss chard/spinach(magnesium), raw eggs with shell (collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin), berries/broccoli/kale (antioxidant rich foods).

2. Offer proper exercise. The body needs to keep the joints moving, strong and mobile. Keep in mind that age, breed size and ability should be kept in mind when deciding the amount and type of exercise to offer. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for the joints and overall mental stimulation. Try to stay away from repetitive and high-impact activities.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. This is most important tip for preventing the onset of potential injury and osteoarthritis. This is relevant for all ages but is particularly important as our pets get older. More weight on the body means more stress on the joints. Exercise and the amount you allow your pet to eat are the two factors that will affect weight management.

4. When you choose to spay/neuter and how desexing is performed can play a role. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that traditional spaying and neutering of dogs, especially large and giant breeds, and at an early age, increases the risk for a wide range of long-term health problems. Two of the problems identified are hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament disease. The research shows that removing the ovaries and gonads hence removing the important hormones they produce is the cause of the health issues identified in the studies. There are now desexing procedures available to pet owners that keep the gonads and ovaries intact allowing continuous production of those important hormones for life. We are hearing more vets are being trained in these less obtrusive procedures.

5. There are other things a pet parent can do to ensure your pet is going to live a comfortable life. In addition to a good, balanced, real-food diet, you can add in certain things to help target joint health for dogs and cats.

• Omega 3’s – Omega 3 fats are best known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
• Medicinal Mushrooms – contain active ingredients that target join health. Turkey Tail mushrooms help reduce pressure on the joints and selling that causes pain. Chaga mushrooms are remarkably high in antioxidants.
• Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM – These are all natural components of cartilage and synovial fluid. They play a role in cartilage synthesis, maintenance and repair and are often used for joint-related pain.
• Collagen - Collagen is found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage. It provides structural support to tissues and plays important roles in cellular processes. Collagen can help in tissue repair, immune response, cellular communication, and tissue maintenance.

WHAT SUPPLEMENT IS BEST?

Our store experience tells us that there is no one best supplement to target joint health. Every pet is different. Every household has a personal preference for how they supplement and how they feed. I decided to provide a summary of our more popular supplements and the form they come in. Click on the product name to go to our shop to find out more.

Tri-Acta H.A. 140g

Active Ingredients – Glucosamine Sulfate, Glucosamine HCL, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Chondroitin Sulfate, Hyaluronic Acid

Form – Powder, mixed directly into food!

Thrive Green Lipped Mussel

Active Ingredients – New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel

Form – Powder, mixed directly in food!

Adored Beast Jump For Joynts XS

Active Ingredients - Homeopathic preparation of Calendula (30C), Ruta Grav (200C), Symphytum (1M), and Arnica (1M)

Form – Tincture, spray or drop directly in mouth (most effective) or on treats.

Duo Senses Pet Hemp Oil 

Active Ingredients – Broad Spectrum hemp extract, MCT oil derived from coconuts. 

Form – Tincture, drop directly in mouth (most effective) or on treats.

Adored Beast Phyto Synergy 15G

Active Ingredient - 100% pure proprietary blend marine phytoplankton.

Form – Powder, mix directly into food!

Pets In The Kitchen Bone Broth

Active Ingredients – Pork Joint Bones, Apple Cider Vinegar, Turmeric, Ginger

Form – Frozen cubes, served on its own or mixed in food.

Here are more thoughts on joint health in our pets.

Gut health and stress can play a role in the prevention and/or healing of joint health in our pets. The mucosal lining of the gut plays a significant role in metabolic processes. If you choose to supplement a good joint supplement, a healthy gut allows the ingredients to be properly synthesized. Stresses can elevate cortisol levels in the body, which leads to weight gain. Keeping stress in check can help keep weight at a healthy level.

Finally, I am a firm believer that our pets need a break from long-term supplementation. Give your pet a break for a month every 6 or 7 months. Maybe try something new and rotate your joint health supplement. We want to minimize a sensitivity from developing and allow the supplements we choose to use to be as effective as possible.

With a little dedication, we can provide those delicate joints with extra love. Doing so will help protect both joint and overall health. Something all pet parents can stand behind.

This information is intended to provide information only. Each animal health situation is unique. This information is not intended for use in diagnosis or treatment of specific health problems or diseases and should never be considered as a substitute for veterinary advice.