By: Alpha Animalia
Date: October 2, 2022
As dog owners, we all love our furry besties! Knowing how to properly keep them safe and healthy is an important job and responsibility. Having healthy joints can be life changing as it prevents limping, stiffness, discomfort and frequent slipping while moving. We want to make sure you know all the best tips and secrets for your dog so here are 5 tips for healthy dog joints (P.S. there may be a bonus)!
1. LOW LEVELS OF EXERCISE FOR A PUPPY
It's great to incorporate exercise into your dog's daily day, but too much isn't good especially for a puppy. Similarly to a human child, puppies' bones and joints need time to mature. Over-exercising your puppy can damage their growth plates and joints. This can lead to conditions such as early stages of onset arthritis and hip dysplasia.
2. SWIMMING OR HYDROTHERAPY
Swimming or hydrotherapy allows your dog's muscles to relax because the warm water is easing the pain in their joints and loosening tight muscles. The water supports their weight so their joints have a break from carrying all of their weight. This allows for an increase in the range or movements in their joints and can increase their ability to exercise.
3. FEED YOUR DOG HIGH-QUALITY FOOD AND TREATS
As they say, you are what you eat, it is important that our dog be made of high-quality products rather than garbage. When your dog consumes products with high-quality ingredients, its body is able to take all of the wonderful nutrients and convert that into energy. Yes, this energy is used to allow them to walk for miles and play for hours, but it also plays an important role in producing crucial cells for the body. These cells are able to support your dog's bodily structure and function. For example, the nutrients your dog consumes are taken and converted into energy, which is then used to make cartilage to further support your dog's joints. The higher quality of food, the more nutrients consumed, the more cells produced to protect your dog's body.
4. NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS AND VITAMINS FOR JOINTS
Natural supplements and vitamins are very helpful in keeping your dog's joints healthy and preventing any type of condition. They help maintain proper joint function while alleviating any pain your dog has before a lot of their joint cartilage wears away. These supplements and vitamins can help older dogs stay comfortable while enduring arthritis or they can help middle-aged/young dogs maintain their joint health.
If you are looking for some good natural supplements and vitamins for your dog's joints, I would recommend looking for vitamins and supplements containing:
Glucosamine (glucosamine HCl and/or glucosamine sulfate)- a natural compound found in cartilage that provides cushioning for the joints
Chondroitin- supports cartilage production by blocking harmful enzymes and helping to absorb fluids into cartilage
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)- reduces inflammation, swelling and pain in joints
Hyaluronic Acid (H.A.)- acts as a lubrication for joints and increases the productions of cartilage and bone tissue
5. MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Not only will maintaining a healthy weight contribute to your dog's life expectancy, but it will dramatically reduce joint pains. Excess weight adds pressure to your dog's bones when they are up against each other. This can cause lifelong pain and discomfort.
6. DAILY EXERCISE
It is important for your dog to have daily exercise for a few reasons. First off, exercise helps naturally lubricate joints which will reduce the amount of friction, pain, and problems your dog experiences. Secondly, the muscles supporting the joints are getting stronger to allow for correct mobility and movement. Lastly, exercise helps to maintain your dog's weight which can prevent unnecessary weight on your dog's joints.
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