Dog’s Arthritis Supplement Ingredient Guide
The growing number of supplements for dogs is a sign of the growing demand for pet health products. Therefore, dog owners must arm themselves with essential information related to the many different products that are currently flooding the market. With the right knowledge, you can save some money by investing in products that really work, and more importantly, an informed decision about choosing the right health products ensures that the health of your dear furry, four-legged friend is in good shape. safe.
What are supplements?
Supplements, specifically dietary supplements, are preparations designed to supply the body with additional nutrients, minerals, or other substances that contribute to the well-being of the body. Dietary supplements may also be called food or nutritional supplements, or in some cases, nutraceuticals.
Supplements must be made from natural or organic ingredients and most countries classify them as food. As a result, supplements are generally prohibited by law to have therapeutic claims. It is because of this that supplements meet with some controversy. Although they are not allowed to have therapeutic claims, it is not illegal for them to have general claims. Therefore, it is illegal for supplements to state: “This product is an anti-inflammatory”, but they do not break any laws if they state: “This product helps maintain healthy joints.” It is the use of blanket statements that can often mislead consumers. Additionally, the FDA does not test a supplement for effectiveness because it is not classified as a drug, but only verifies its “identity, purity, and composition” based on what is stated on the supplement’s label or package.
What’s most important for dog owners to understand is that some supplements can exaggerate their benefits. For this reason, we recommend that you do some research on the product and always consult your veterinarian. He or she will be happy to recommend tried and tested supplements for your dog.
What should dog owners look for in a supplement for canine arthritis?
There are many supplements on the market that claim they can help relieve natural arthritis pain in dogs. Be very careful when choosing a supplement for your arthritic dog.
If you are a bit limited financially, then you need to find a balance between price and quality. You don’t want to buy a very expensive supplement when there is a cheaper alternative, but at the same time you definitely want to avoid cheap knockoffs that don’t deliver. Therefore, the secret to choosing the right supplement is the ingredients. When looking for a good supplement for dog arthritis, look for these ingredients:
- MSM. The acronym stands for methyl sulfonyl methane. MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in fruits, nuts, vegetables, seafood, meat, and milk. It has been used for more than thirty years in the treatment of pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and hip dysplasia in animals. MSM is believed to make cells more permeable. Therefore, they can absorb more nutrients and expel more toxins. MSM is different from sulfa drugs because MSM is not synthetic.
- Glucosamine This substance is an amino sugar that is a component of cartilage. This is why it is believed to aid in the production of new cartilage. Glucosamine is sold in two forms: glucosamine HCL and glucosamine sulfate. There is a debate over which of the two is better, but studies have shown that the two are equally effective. The only difference is that glucosamine HCL provides more available glucosamine per gram than glucosamine sulfate. The suggested daily dose is 1,500 mg of glucosamine. For glucosamine HCL to provide that amount of glucosamine, you would need 1,500 mg, while for glucosamine sulfate, you would need 1,995 mg. Additionally, glucosamine sulfate is manufactured from glucosamine HCL. The additional process makes glucsamine sulfate more expensive than its HCL counterpart.
- Chondroitin The substance is an important structural component of cartilage, as it provides compressive strength. Additionally, chondroitin is believed to suppress inflammation, inhibit cartilage-destroying agents, and promote new cartilage growth and synovial fluid production. There are two forms of chondroitin. One has a high molecular weight while the other has a low molecular weight. Between the two, studies have shown that the body can better absorb low-molecular-weight chondroitin.
- Green-lipped mussel. A study conducted in New Zealand revealed that arthritic dogs fed dog food containing powdered green-lipped mussel extract regained mobility within six weeks. Although scientists have yet to fully understand why the green-lipped mussel may help in the treatment of canine arthritis, it is believed that the unique combination of fatty acids not found in other marine organisms is what makes it effective against this debilitating disease. . Green-lipped mussels were also revealed to contain glycosaminoglycan, an essential component of cartilage. Additionally, green-lipped mussel extract inhibits fat molecules that are pro-inflammatory.
- HAS KNOWN. The acronym stands for unspeakable avocado and soy. ASU is derived from avocados and soybeans and is an ingredient that helps protect cartilage from further damage. ASU is believed to complement the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Others. Vitamins A, C and E; the mineral selenium; and omega-3 fatty acids are strong antioxidants that help protect cartilage at the cellular level.
What are the best products available on the market that contain these ingredients?
There are many supplements that claim to contain the powerful ingredients mentioned. However, the following products have been tested by many dog owners and have earned the recommendation of many veterinarians: Dasuquin, Cosequin, Glycoflex, and Flexerna.