Give Your Old Pup a New Treat: Glucosamine for Dogs

Limping, suddenly yelping, and cringing at usually welcomed rubs could be a sign that your older dog is experiencing a well know effect aging in humans: arthritis.

If you’ve noticed that your dog doesn’t have the same spring in his step that he used to, or if he’s been limping off and on, you may want to consider adding a supplement to his diet that people have been using for years: glucosamine and chondroitin.

As always, it’s best to check with your vet if your dog’s pain is severe and acute, but adding a supplement in the form of a chewy treat can make the world of difference to a chronic situation.

How it Works

Glucosamine and chondroitin are components of healthy animal cartilage. With advanced age, the body has trouble replacing and synthesizing the required amount of glucosamine, eventually leading to osteoarthritis. Natural supplements help to restore and regenerate damaged joints in older dogs, while offering the added benefit of an anti-inflammatory.

Although research has yielded mixed results, glucosamine is often recommended as a natural supplement to ease joint pain. And unlike pain medications, there are very few, if any, known side effects.

Chew on This

Glucosamine comes in tablet and liquid form, but he easiest and most efficient way to get you pooch to take his supplement is to use a glucosamine chew treat. The reduction in swelling will increase your pup’s pleasure from one of his favorite parts of the day: treats!

Lifelong Helper

Glucosamine and chondroitin will make your dog feel better as long as he’s taking it. You should start to see improvements in his condition within the first month. However, once you stop the daily doses, the joint pain will probably return.