Feeding for joint health – a guide to nutrition and supplements for dogs
Canine nutrition has rapidly evolved in recent times, with products, supplements and home remedies around every corner for dog owners to navigate. With so many aspects of health being examined for our furry friends with regards to their diet – joint health nutrition can escape even the most discerning dog owner’s attention. Here’s a concise guide of what you need to know, to add this powerful tool to your arsenal in fighting the development of arthritis and mobility issues in dogs.
Supplementation
By no means a quick fix, supplements can otherwise be considered one of the easiest and most efficient ways to feed proactively for joint health without making any radical changes to the dog’s existing diet or household routine – and is a great first arthritis intervention step. Many can be added to the dogs’ food, come in palatable treat form, or can be administered orally via syringe. Whilst there are many product choices in this space, scientifically proven ingredients such as Epiitalis® (the active ingredient found exclusively in 4CYTE™) deliver value in more ways than one. The reason being is that Epiitalis® is patented globally to stimulate healthy cartilage cell production whilst suppressing chemicals responsible for poor joint function. This represents a major breakthrough from traditional supplements that may only address simple pain relief and limited symptom management. When making a choice for your pet’s joint health, it makes sense to invest your emotional and financial energy into a proven product for results and peace of mind – and value for money is far more significant when you can be assured that you aren’t spending on ingredients that don’t have a track record of this standard.
Specialty Foods
Most pet owners will notice there are specialty foods to cater to nearly every condition, especially for dogs and cats. From minimizing fur balls to allergens to diabetes management, the pet food manufacturers are constantly striving to bring products to market that address the many health concerns whilst still providing nutritional balance. The bottom line is; this is a crowded space and one that can be wildly difficult to interpret. Well thought out supplementation alongside a diet consisting of raw and quality foods can be tailored to better suit a pet’s needs. Your local veterinarian or dog nutritionist can assist you in developing a feeding program that fits your dog’s health considerations as well as lifestyle factors.
Natural Food Additions
There is significant consensus surrounding certain foods when it comes to dogs suffering from arthritic changes. Fish oil, known for its dense omega-3 fatty acids, has a host of health benefits such as being a skin and coat conditioner. It also is shown to act as an anti-inflammatory and can be fed by breaking open capsules or adding sardines into feeding routines, taking care to ensure calorie balance in the rest of the ration. Coconut oil is also said to lubricate joints as well as fight bacterial, viral or fungal infections that often contribute to joint pain.
Celery is another that contains anti-inflammatory properties, whilst also being high in fiber and low in fat to assist with weight management.
Foods that are high in antioxidants can help to slow down cell damage caused by free radicals, such as Turmeric, Ginger, Blueberries and Alfalfa, however, may be less palatable to the fussier dog.