How to Choose the Joint Supplement for Your Dog or Cat

Nothing can be sadder when you are a pet owner to see your pet lag. The playful pounce is turned into a wavering step, the fast run is turned into a stiff trot, and he cannot anymore jump up onto the couch. These signals are frequently indicators of a deterioration of joint health, yet another survivor of the dog and cat aging process, and, in some cases, specific dog breeds or extremely active dogs or cats. Although joint pain is an unavoidable feature that many animals have to experience, a high-quality joint supplement can be an effective solution to getting mobility and removing pain factors, having a comfortable and full active life, which your furry friend will have when moving well into old age.

Nevertheless, the pet supplement market may be confusing, with a dizzying assortment of products and promises. One would need to have a discriminating eye and an understanding to what entails being the right one with a list of key ingredients that make a difference. This article will help you learn all you need to know to make a resolute decision on behalf of your pet.

Why Pet Joint Supplements are Important?

There are a lot of factors working against joint health in pets and it is one of the fastest-growing pathologies in animals, increasing the importance of pet joint supplement and preventative care in animals more than ever.

• Greater Life Expectancy: With improved veterinary treatment and diet, dogs and cats are living longer. This is wonderful though it implies that their joints will be exposed to more wear and tear resulting into increased cases of age related arthritis.

• Genetics: The majority of common breeds, especially of the large-breed dog, are genetically at risk of developing joint related disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia. The early supplement can alleviate the effects of these conditions in the long run when they start taking it at an early age.

• Weight Management: The increasing levels of pet obesity exert tremendous pressure on joins, which increases the rates of cartilage degradation and inflammation. Supplementation offers additional benefits even when diet and exercise is used properly.

• List of pets with active lifestyles: Dogs, including the type of dogs called working, working pets (agility dogs, herding breeds), are very active and very taxing on pet joints. To maintain its best functioning, cartilage and connective tissues should be maintained using supplements to allow repair and regeneration.

Key Ingredients to Look for in a Joint Supplement

The ingredients of a given supplement completely determine the effectiveness of any joint supplement. A good quality product would have a combination of science proven compounds that combine to provide a solution to strengthen joint structure, provide anti-inflammatory effects and relieve pain. These are the most important ingredients that you should look out for:

• Glucosamine: It is probably the most famous supplement ingredient in the joints. Glucosamine is a sugar-based amino which is very important in the creation and remodeling of cartilage. It aids in the creation and/or enhancement of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) also known as the building blocks of cartilage, without which the cushion and foundation needed to keep the joint intact are greatly impaired. Where to find It? Glucosamine Sulfate or Glucosamine Hydrochloride.

• Chondroitin Sulfate: Commonly combined with glucosamine, chondroitin will act to thwart the enzymes that degrade cartilage. It also aids in enhancing cartilage (elasticity) and it serves as a natural shock absorber in the joint. Note that Chondroitin Sulfate should be of high quality, that is, the source of this compound is bovine or shark cartilage.

• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): MSM is a powerful, natural, anti inflammatory compound, a source of organic sulfur, an essential mineral that forms collagen and connective tissue. Supplementing with Methylsulfonylmethane allows reducing the inflammation of joints and loosening them up, which, in turn, makes your pet move more freely.

• EPA and DHA: This is the Omega-3 fatty acids having great anti-inflammatory potential. Fish oil consists of EPA and DHA, which also helps to curb inflammatory response of the body, one of the leading causes of joint pain and arthritis. Seek supplements containing a large percentage of the EPA and DHA.

• Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance of the body that is also a major component of a viscous liquid called a synovial fluid that lubricates the joints, HA is found throughout the body in abundance, especially within the synovial fluid. HA provides improved joint functioning and less friction by acting as a shock absorber and also a lubricant.

• Collagen: Being the most powerful protein of a body, collagen forms supporting cartilage, tendons and ligament structures. A collagen supplement, especially collagen rich in hydrolyzed collagen helps to offer the amino acid content to repair and reconstruct these important tissues. Collagen Type II in particular is beneficial to the joints.

• Turmeric (Curcumin): Turmeric is a natural product with a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant active compound called curcumin. It has the potential to ease pain and swelling due to joint problems. Consider taking complements that contain a form of curcumin which is highly assimilable, and which may be coupled with piperine (black pepper extract) to boost assimilation.

Understanding Quality and Safety

Other than the ingredients, the quality and making of the supplement are the main factor. Supplement can only be as good as its origin and process of production.

• Sourcing and Purity: Find supplements produced using human-grade ingredients. This is also a nice sign that the ingredients are of good quality and contain no contaminants. Purity depends on the source of ingredients, too (e.g., sea-caught fish as the source of Omega-3s, cow cartilage as the source of Chondroitin).

• Third-party Testing: The good brands usually submit their products to be tested in a third party laboratory. This provides confidence of having the ingredients named on the label, and absence of heavy metals, pesticides and other toxic materials in the product. Search for certification/seals on the quality of the products on some organizations.

• Bioavailability: Bioavailability is an aspect that addresses the way the body is able to absorb and utilize an ingredient well. As in the case of hydrolyzed collagen which is easier to absorb by the body of a pet as it is broken into small peptides, compared with non- hydrolyzed collagen.

• Dosage: Dry pet food will always specify dosage requirements on the product label which in most cases is dependent on the weight of the pet. Providing insufficient actions might be useless, whereas provision of excessive actions may even be detrimental.

Introducing a Joint Supplement to Your Pet

With any new supplement you plan to add to your pet, make sure you speak to your veterinarian first. They qualify to give the right diagnosis, eliminate other health problems, provide guidance on what supplement will be most appropriate to your pet depending on their conditions and requirements.

• Be patient: Joint supplements do not act like pain medication they rebuild and support the joint structure. The first detectable changes in the mobility and comfort of your pet may appear anywhere between 4 and 6 weeks, or more. The most important is consistency.

• Select the Right Form: Joint supplements are available in different forms, among them being tasty chews, powders which you can add to their diet, and liquids. Select the form of your pet that is ingestible and convenient to you to administer, regularly.

Conclusion

Selecting the most appropriate joint supplements to use on your dog or cat is a caring move and a wise investment on the overall health of your pets. Choosing to work with a product that has a combination of ingredients that has been scientifically supported such as glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Omega-3s and a high level of quality and purity, you will be able to supply your pet with what they need. Together with a balanced diet and proper exercise as well as a periodic vet visit the proper joint supplement can keep your companion active, comfortable and happy in the years to come.