Pain and decreased mobility resulting from osteoarthritis often have a negative impact on the affected canine’s quality of life, level of comfort, daily functioning (i.e. standing, walking), exercise tolerance, activity (i.e. playing, climbing stairs), behaviour, urinary and fecal habits, and client-pet companionship. Owners of severely affected dogs may decide to euthanize their pet (Rychel, 2010; Epstein et al., 2015). Canine health and well-being is a multifaceted subject, and joint health plays a significant role within that. Glucosamine and chondroitin are fundamental in maintaining healthy and well-functioning joints in our dogs, and here's why: Both of these supplements can be beneficial for dogs with joint issues, but there’s debate about which one is better. With regular use, chondroitin can help dogs maintain healthy joints and avoid the pain and discomfort associated with joint conditions.

READ NEXT: The best dog flea treatments The best dog joint supplements to buy in 2023 1. JointSure Joint Supplements for Dogs: Best overall dog joint supplement Injury Recovery: If your dog has recently experienced an injury or undergone surgery, especially an injury or surgery related to its joints or joint issues, then chondroitin supplements should be considered to help aid in recovery. Note that some vets and manufacturers recommend that you begin by administering a relatively high dose of these supplements. Then, a few months down the line, you’ll switch to a lower, “maintenance dose,” for the long-term. Lots of dogs seem to lift their leg every minute come walkies, so this can be a tough one to spot - but be aware if your dog is peeing more or is much thirstier than usual. Trouble breathing

Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis’ (National Library of Medicine) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16647870/ To help prevent your dog from experiencing these issues, you might want to consider giving them a supplement containing chondroitin, as it’s known to help provide joint pain relief by supporting their hip and joint health. Chondroitin for dogs, on the other hand, is sourced from marine wildlife and those types of environments. But, scientists and researchers are on the hunt of getting it from other forms as well. Chondroitin is not a consistent substance and it’s usually present in a wide range of forms and how it’s effectiveness is will vary. Supplements With High Levels of Chondroitin For Dogs

Side effects are reported to be rare, as chondroitin is generally considered to be extremely safe for dogs, but it’s important to pay attention to how your dog behaves after beginning supplementation. Not all dogs need chondroitin, and we don’t recommend providing it to puppies, but there are several things that indicate your dog may benefit from chondroitin supplementation, including: Just understand that your dog will likely need to take these supplements every day — even multiple times a day depending on your dog’s size and the dosage form.

Chondroitin supplements for humans may also contain additional ingredients that could be harmful to dogs, so it’s definitely not recommended to use them. Is Chondroitin Better than Glucosamine for Dogs? Do you still have any more questions about Chondroitin for dogs? Below are some of the most popular questions, plus their answers to guide you. The carprofen arm showed significant improvements from baseline with regard to all five parameters at or before 70 days. As an oral supplement, chondroitin sulfate has been shown to be bioavailable to dogs which means their body is able to absorb the supplement well. Overall, chondroitin for dogs has no side effects and is considered to be very safe. So, Does It Work? Treats: Chondroitin treats are typically the most convenient options for getting this important supplement into your dog’s diet. Why? They’re palatable, coming in various flavors dogs love, and they’re easy to administer since they won’t leave a mess. We suggest using treats provided as a reward following good behavior, tying the treat to positive reinforcement so your dog will be excited to take it!

Make notes about how your canine reacts to the glucosamine treatment, making sure to include the dates and dosage amount. This method can help you gauge how well they’re responding to the supplement and if there’s anything you need to make your doctor aware of. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also classified as nutraceuticals.Nutraceuticals are naturally occurring substances that are present in many food products – in fact, nutraceuticals fall into the same class at vitamins. Generally, owners shouldn’t expect to see changes in joint function, a reduction in pain, or any other beneficial effects for at least a few weeks after beginning a glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation regimen. In fact, veterinarians recommend putting your pet on glucosamine and chondroitin for at least three months before evaluating the treatment. However, the amount of glucosamine and chondroitin in dog food may not always be sufficient, especially for dogs already dealing with serious joint issues. The concentrations of these compounds can vary widely from brand to brand, and in many cases, the levels may be lower than those found in standalone supplements. By combining a high-quality supplement like Canine Cush with a healthy diet with natural sources of beneficial compounds, you can give your dog the best chance at optimal health, reduced joint pain, and improved mobility. These compounds will work together to reduce inflammation and prevent further degeneration of the joints.Glucosamine HCl 300 mg, MSM, Type II Collagen, and Ascorbic Acid 400 mg, other quantities not specified. Though rare, there is a risk of side effects with these two ingredients. Keep a lookout for the following symptoms in your dog - it could mean they’re getting too much glucosamine and/or chondroitin, or may be allergic. Vomiting and/or diarrhoea Significant differences in SA and lameness were not found at any time among the study arms that did not receive pre-SI therapy. The supplement is designed to promote healthy joint mobility, sooth joint stiffness and support joint structure. Dogs of any age can take the supplement, but it’s particularly recommended for stiff or senior dogs. Studies indicate that glucosamine can be beneficial for dogs with joint problems, including osteoarthritis. It can help relieve the symptoms of these conditions, such as pain and stiffness, improve joint flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.