The Best Dog Hip and Joint Supplement for Your Pup

The older our dogs get, the more care they require to maintain their quality of life. This is because, with age, certain ailments start to show up (such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and cartilage deterioration) that slow down our four-legged friends.

Dog joint supplements provide a lot of benefits that help ease up our dog’s pain and improve their daily living. They do not cure them of the pain, however, instead, dog joint supplements are made to help provide your canine with a healthier and happier life.

There are quite a number of joint supplements on the market these days and it may require a bit of know-how to select the right one for your pet out of all the choices. Below we have compiled a comprehensive guide of the most important factors you need to know about joint supplements before making a purchase.

What Are the Things to Consider When Buying Dog Joint Supplements?

Here are some of the crucial things you should check out before buying a dog joint supplement:

Size

A very important thing you need to consider is the size of the supplement on offer. You should look into each brand’s inclusivity to confirm if they offer the size variation that suits your dog. Although joint and mobility issues are most commonly found in large breeds, small dogs are not immune to developing injuries or arthritis.

Usually, because joint pain is a persistent and debilitating ailment, once you find a supplement that works and eases your dog’s discomfort, you’ll likely be giving it to them regularly. Check for companies that offer small and large bags of treats to accommodate your furry friend’s dosage needs.

Dog Approval

Your canines can sometimes be incredibly picky about their food and treats – this may be even more so if they’re stressed or in pain. For the comfort of your ailing pet, search for a brand that makes flavorful, easy-to-consume treats that can get the pup excited to take his supplements rather than turning up his nose at them.

Ingredients

Most times, we want a supplement that’s tasty enough so our dogs will eat them, but we also want the supplement to be able to aid our dog’s joint pain relief naturally. This is all, dependent on the quality and or type of ingredients used in the manufacture of the supplement.

You can find out a lot about a supplement by reading the label on the bottle, bag, or box. If you are looking for a specific ingredient that will specifically help your dog’s joint problems, then you should check this out before making a purchase.

There are a number of natural ingredients that have been known to increase your dog’s joint mobility and help to alleviate any pain. Some dog medication companies utilize artificial and potentially harmful ingredients, so you really need to watch out because your dog’s well-being is in your hands. Ensure that you look for brands that do not use any preservatives or additives that could be harmful to your pup.

Here are some of the popular and effective dog joint supplement ingredients that you should definitely watch out for; Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Selenium, Hyaluronic acid, Yucca schidigera, Co-enzyme Q10, MSM, Salmon oil, Codfish oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Claw root extract, Spirulina, Turmeric, and Boswellia.

Brand Reputation/Customer Reviews

You can learn a lot about a company from its online customer reviews. It doesn’t matter what a brand claims about their product if the customers say otherwise – this is why it is so important that you hear from real people who have actually tried the product with their pet. Also, popular brands that have years of experience and a great reputation are usually the safer option in most situations.

Multiple dogs

If you are a pet parent to more than one dog, then you’ll need to consider each dog’s individual needs. Do not purchase the same supplements for all your dogs without checking that they are appropriate for each of them. Also, some dogs might require earlier access to supplements compared with others.

What Are the Types of Dog Joint Supplements?

In your search for the perfect dog joint supplement for your canine, you’ll mostly find that there are four main types of joint supplements. The type that is most suitable for your dog will be one that fits you and your dog’s lifestyle.

Liquid supplement

This is the most preferred type of joint supplement, as every active ingredient in the supplement is absorbed into your dog’s intestinal tract. Some manufacturers advise that you mix a liquid supplement with their food. Others may need to be administered by means of a dropper or through a syringe.

Tablet supplements

Tablet supplements are common but not always favored by dog owners because they can be difficult to get your dog to swallow. Experts mostly recommend that you push the tablet to the back of your pet’s mouth to avoid their gag reflex. Tablet supplements also contain binders to compress active ingredients and prevent them from loosening. This affects the number of absorbable ingredients.

Powder supplements

Powder supplements are a great choice for dog parents who don’t like to work with tablets or liquids. They can be mixed with food or dissolved in your pet’s drink.

Dog chew

Some dog food manufacturers create their joint supplements to look like dog chews and treats to encourage your pets to eat them. This is a great way to ensure that they take the supplement, especially if they are very picky.