Dogs are precious friends to many of us, and like us they are vulnerable to joint issues as they age. Here, we take a look at canine joint health, and then discuss the best supplemental herbs and nutrients to soothe and support your dog’s joints.
Canine Joints and Canine Aging
Dogs tend to spend a lot of time on their feet, and it can catch up to them. During aging, many dogs experience degenerative joint disease, or arthritis. Osteoarthritis is most common. This applies to all dogs, both small and large, though they are susceptible in different ways. Big dogs are more likely to experience arthritis of the hips, while smaller dogs can experience it in just about any joint once they get pretty old.
If a dog’s joints have become arthritic, symptoms are usually triggered by physical activity, and will likely impair a dog’s physical activity for a time after they begin. Canine arthritis is painful, and can come with joint stiffness and swelling. This can produce lethargy, restlessness, frustration, and weak joints in a dog. Canine arthritis is clearly worth treating, and multiple approaches exist. Homeopathic remedies for dogs are commonly recommended.
Supplemental Nutrients for Canine Joints
Glucosamine is one of the most effective substances recommended and given to pets and livestock for the preservation of their joints. It is a naturally occurring compound with chondroprotective (joint-protective) properties. This compound effectively contributes to the repair of your canine’s joint cartilage, the spongy tissue that connects their joints. Glucosamine is especially helpful for repairing articular cartilage. It can be given to dogs with arthritis to help them manage symptoms over time. It’s also recommended for dogs recovering from a major injury such as hip dysplasia or a spinal disc injury.
Chondroitin sulfate is often recommended in tandem with glucosamine. Chondroitin is derived from the cartilage of another animal, such as a pig, and has properties that can also stimulate cartilage repair.
Vitamin C is also joint-healthy for dogs because it contributes to another major joint tissue: collagen. As a result, it is simply helpful for dogs with arthritis or another degenerative joint condition. Vitamin C is also helpful for dogs after a serious joint injury. For these reasons, vitamin C is often combined along with glucosamine and chondroitin for a single canine joint-sustaining supplement.
Herbs for Canine Joints
Plant-derived, homeopathic remedies can effectively help treat an attack of arthritis symptoms experienced by a dog. Certain herbs have properties that can both relieve the physical symptoms or arthritis, and increase a dog’s propensity and ability to be physically active in the aftermath of an arthritis attack.
An herbal tincture for a dog containing all of these helpful herbs (and others) can be very valuable to your dog:
Rhus Toxicodendron is a potent herb with the ability to combat the pain and inflammation of inflamed joints in a dog, and can reduce even severe apparent symptoms such as trembling of the limbs. This herb is very helpful when given to a dog during an attack of arthritis symptoms.
Bryonia is particularly helpful for the inflammation, swelling, and hotness that can occur in a dog’s joints when arthritis symptoms occur. It’s good for slow-onset symptoms.
Phytolacca Decandra is also good for inflammation and hot sensations of a dog’s joints, and with the restlessness a dog could experience after symptoms, too.
Arnica montana is an herb that can be given for acute joint pain in dogs.
A dog’s arthritis can be an albatross on them when symptoms occur. As a loving and conscientious owner, you can reduce your dog’s suffering and preserve their joints with these supplemental herbs and nutrients. It’s always recommended that you talk with your vet before giving one of these to your dog.