Dog Glucosamine

Look at the many dog food choices on the shelves and you'll see an overwhelming list of ingredients. One that you'll find in some of those foods is glucosamine. But what is dog glucosamine and should you include it in your pet's diet.

First you need to understand what dog glucosamine is and what it does. The supplement has been shown to help keep joints healthy in humans. And now research has shown it can be just as beneficial for your pet, and many people are now using glucosamine for dog arthritis.

But there's no need to wait until your pet starts to show signs of the disease. The whole purpose of the supplement is to keep the joint cartilage in good working order. It is designed to help the body make joint lubricants, which will help keep those joints working easily. Simply adding a dog glucosamine supplement to your pet's diet will keep those joints working as well as designed for many years.

Let's take a look at how this works.

Glucosamine adds lubrication and hydration to the joints which has been shown to slow the onset or even prevent arthritis. Large breeds are typically very likely to have joint problems, so if you pet falls into this category then you should really consider adding it to your pet's diet now.

The supplement itself comes from a couple of different sources. Shellfish is an excellent source, but it is also available through fermenting corn. The fermenting process will create a vegetable based glucosamine. But no matter where it comes from, there's no need to worry about a negative interaction with any medications that might be prescribed for your pet.

Because of this and the many benefits that have already been proven, a lot of high end dog foods have had the supplement added by the manufacturer. Check the label. If it's in there, it will be listed, and there is no need to add additional supplements.

If it's not in there, you have two choices. First and most obvious is that you can change your dog's food. But remember to consult with your vet before making changes to your dog's diet.

Your other choice is to give your pet a glucosamine supplement. Again check with your vet to determine if this is needed and how much should be given.

The supplements come in many different forms. You can give your dog pills, which is often a hassle, or you can give him a treat he'll love that contains the supplement. Either way you'll be protecting his joints and helping to ward off the pain of arthritis.

Vetri-Science Glyco-Flex for Dogs II - 60 Soft Chews

Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint Soft Chew