Best Herbs And Supplements For Your Dogs Joints

One of the most prevalent issues that dogs are born with or develop over time is some sort of joint problem. These issues can either be a hereditary predisposition meaning your dog is born with a defect of some sort and is called a "developmental" joint problem or they can develop a "degenerative" joint problem that is usually caused by age and over use.

The three most common joint related conditions dogs suffer with are:

• Hip dysplasia which is a developmental conditions where your dogs hip socket are formed incorrectly. When this happens the ball of his thigh bone doesn't fit correctly into the hip socket. Over time the condition becomes more visible and painful for the dog.
• Cruciate ligament disease is when the ligaments of the joints degenerate over time and become weaker and less taut. This is also the ligament that dogs often tear from over extension. It is similar to a humans ACL. When this happens the dogs back leg will go lame after too much exercise or some type of accident.
• Osteoarthritis usually develops from typical wear and tear of the joint. It typically happens secondary to some form of developmental orthopedic disease, like hip dysplasia or cranial cruciate ligament disease.

A handful of symptoms of any joint issues will be similar. It is important to go to your vet to get a diagnosis if you see any of these symptoms start to arise with your dog. These tend to appear gradually over time or if it's from an injury, can appear quickly.

• Difficulty sitting, standing or laying down
• Dog looks slow and stiff when standing up
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Reluctant to run or jump
• Decreased activity or less interested in normal activity
• Limping or holding a limb off the ground
• Joint swelling or stiffness

Supplements and herbs to support your dogs joints:

• Glucosamine is found naturally in joint cartilage which is the tough, cushiony tissue within the joints. When your dog consumes glucosamine, you are helping to replace the specific compound within the joints that help reduce the breakdown of cartilage. Glucosamine also helps reduce inflammation within the joint structure. 
• Chondroitin is also naturally found within the joint structure. It helps give elasticity to your dogs joints by helping them retain water. By supplying your dog chondroitin, you are helping to reduce the natural enzymatic activity that breaks down collagen within the joints.
• MSM can significantly reduce inflammation within the body and helps to inhibit the degeneration of cartilage. This in turn, can help to reduce joint pain that is specifically caused by joint deterioration. Another positive of giving your dog MSM is that it can help speed body and muscle recovery after exercise by reducing muscle damage and stress.
• Omegas, especially omega 3, provide joint lubrication and help build better joint function. These fatty acids also reduce inflammation and help balance out autoimmune responses within the body.
• Collagen makes up all of our and our dogs body tissue. Over time these tissues start to break down. By supplying our dogs with collagen, their bodies are receiving all the necessary nutrients that are needed to build just that, more collagen. Collagen helps to improve mobility within your dogs joints, lubricate the joint structure and strengthen the joints as a whole. By supplying collagen, you care helping to replenish your dogs collagen levels.
• Boswellia supports healthy cartilage as well as works as a pain reliever, especially joint pain. 
• Turmeric is used as an anti-inflammatory to help reduce stiffness, discomfort and and pain.
• Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory that can be used in conjunction with other inflammatory reducers to provide a well rounded, gentle yet effective response to inflammation your dog may be experiencing. This is especially true for arthritis.