“Your dog has arthritis.” This is a common phrase heard among pet parents and something each of us tries to avoid.
But what exactly can we do? Are there breeds that are more prone? Are we supplements? What age do we start? These are the most common mobility-related questions on the minds of pet owners today, and I’m here to help answer them.
Glucosamine and chondroitin have long been staples for canine joint health, especially for older dogs suffering from joint pain and arthritis. They’re not just popular with pet parents—they’re also commonly recommended by dog mobility experts and veterinarians.
What is glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a substance found naturally in the body that helps build and repair damaged cartilage. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and is used to stimulate cartilage production to keep joints flexible. It helps reduce pain in dogs with osteoarthritis and other joint-related issues.[1][3]
What is chondroitin?
Chondroitin is also found naturally in the body’s cartilage, providing the building blocks for the body to build new cartilage. It keeps cartilage healthy by absorbing fluid in the connective tissue, keeping it spongy, elastic, and healthy. Chondroitin also blocks enzymes that break down cartilage, helping to slow the degeneration seen in osteoarthritis.[1][3][6]
Is one better than the other?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are often combined in joint supplements for dogs as they work best in synergy, complementing each other in maintaining and repairing cartilage. From improving stiffness to mobility to reducing pain, these are two important ingredients to include in your dog’s diet to support their overall joint health and help relieve pain.[3][5]
How does my dog benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are particularly beneficial for dogs suffering from joint issues, including hip or elbow dysplasia and arthritis, and those recovering from joint-related surgeries, such as cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) repair. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements provide pain relief and improve canine mobility, but they also help delay age-related joint degeneration while offering anti-inflammatory properties.[2][3]
Do young dogs need joint supplements?
Research has shown that glucosamine and chondroitin are more effective in maintaining and repairing joint health when they are introduced into a dog’s diet earlier in life, when the damage is potentially too severe. Supplementation is especially important in the active, performing, or working dog. Maintaining your dog’s joint health early on will help them live a more active and pain-free life for longer, which is what we all strive for.[4]
What is the right dose?
The correct dosage depends on the dog’s weight, age, and goals and objectives. For example, it can be used as a joint support to treat injuries or address degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis. Standard guidelines suggest a range of 250 mg—1500 mg. I usually suggest following the product instructions printed on the product label for accurate dosage.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are generally considered safe for long-term use without side effects.
The importance of an integrative and holistic approach
While these supplements are important for joint health, the best approach is to take advantage of their synergy other mobility-health supplements and superfoods.
A species-appropriate diet with essential nutrients, omega-3 oils, and probiotics is essential for your dog’s overall health and well-being. Keeping your dog in shape with frequent and age-appropriate exercise is also an important aspect in preventing the early onset of canine arthritis.
Choosing the best glucosamine and chondroitin supplement:
Because of the wide range of dog joint supplements available, you need to look beyond the traditional glucosamine and chondroitin, and combine them with other mobility formula ingredients.
Here’s a list of joint, mobility and injury-centric herbs and superfoods and the research behind them:
Also, the quality, potency, and purity of ingredients vary greatly, so it is very important for dog owners to choose wisely for their dogs.
Be wary of cheap supplements, as they may contain harmful heavy metals and other toxins that can reduce the health benefits of these supplements.
Focus on a formula that contains whole-food, perfectly fermented ingredients that offer the most important benefits, such as perna mussel, turmeric, Boswellia, and more.
The bottom line:
A high quality, fermented mobility supplement provides an excellent foundation to support joint and ligament development in young dogs, but it also helps to relieve pain and inflammation in case of injuries and osteoarthritis.
Additional tips to keep your dog’s joints happy:
- Nutrition: a natural, ideal home raw or cooked food rich in omega-3 fatty acid supplements is also important for good joint health
- Hydration: keeping the body hydrated helps maintain joint lubrication and reduce inflammation
- Regular exercise: regular and age-appropriate physical activity can help maintain joint health significantly. Let young dogs and puppies run and play, but only expose them to strenuous activities and walks when they get older. SStrengthening exercises can play an important role in supporting your dog’s joints
- Regular veterinary examinations and chiropractic or physical therapy are also part of the preventive joint and mobility protocol
Sources
- McCarthy, G., O’Donovan, J., Jones, B., McAllister, H., Seed, M., & Mooney, C. (2007). Randomized double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. The Veterinary Journal174(1), 54-61.
- Jerosch, J. (2011). Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Cartilage Metabolism in OA: Outlook on Other Nutrient Partners Especially Omega-3 Fatty Acids. International Journal of Rheumatology2011, Article 969012.
- Martel-Pelletier, J., Roubille, C., Abram, F., Hochberg, MC, Dorais, M., Delorme, P., Raynauld, J.-P., & Pelletier, J.-P. (2015). First-line analysis of treatment effects on the progression of structural changes in knee osteoarthritis over 24 months: data from the osteoarthritis initiative progression cohort. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases74(3), 547-556.
- Neil, KM, Caron, JP, & Orth, MW (2005). The role of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis in animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association226(7), 1079-1088.
- Dechant, JE, Baxter, GM, Frisbie, DD, Trotter, GW, & McIlwraith, CW (2005). Effects of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate, alone and in combination, on normal and interleukin-1 conditioned equine articular cartilage explant metabolism. Equine Veterinary Journal37(3), 227-231.
- Chan, P.-S., Caron, JP, & Orth, MW (2005). Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on the regulation of gene expression of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in interleukin-1-challenged bovine articular cartilage explants. American Journal of Veterinary Research66(11), 1870.
