Dogs can develop various joint problems such as osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, kneecap displacement, and many more. While all of these could be extremely dangerous to your dogs, they can actually be prevented.

With the right diet, exercise, and supplements, your dog may never suffer from any discomfort brought by joint ailments!

Right Diet

Obesity is one of the most common causes of hip dysplasia among dogs. This is why keeping a balanced diet is essential. It is recommended that you feed your dog twice or thrice a day, depending on his size and age, but nothing more. Because they have a natural penchant for eating, it’s your role to look after their diet.

Feeding your dog salmon every once in a while could also be helpful. It’s rich in essential fatty acids such as Omega 3, which can increase the elasticity of cartilages and improve your dog’s overall mobility.

Fruits like papaya and blueberries can be a sweet treat for your dogs and their joints. They contain a rich amount of antioxidants and Vitamin C that can ease joint pain as they reduce the risk of inflammation in the body.

Dogs also need a diet rich in protein to avoid joint problems. The amino acids from protein are needed for tissue repair and muscle development, which is important in maintaining a dog’s ideal body frame. They also have additional health benefits such as improve skin and coat and added energy.

Right Supplements 

Some nutrients needed by your dogs can only be found in food which they are not compatible with. This is why introducing them to the right food supplements is still important.

Hip and joint supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin work the best for joint problems.

Glucosamine is a natural compound that reduces pain in joint problems while also treating it. It lubricates the joints and also increases the elasticity of tendons, ensuring optimal mobility among dogs.

On the other hand, chondroitin increases the endurance level of joints to trauma. This is done by ensuring that cartilages maintain their excellent hydration and elasticity. 

Glucosamine can mostly be found in shellfish, while chondroitin is from red meat. We know that excessive amounts of both can be dangerous to dogs. This is why they’re best consumed through supplements.

Aside from this, giving your dogs a probiotic-rich supplement is highly recommended. Probiotics are good bacteria that maintain proper digestion, but they can only be found on foods like yogurt and kombucha, which are not suited for most dogs.

Probiotic digestive supplements will not only decrease the possibility of obesity but will also make sure that your dog’s body will properly absorb all the essential nutrients in the food.

Right Exercise

A proper diet and a rich amount of nutrients should be balanced with the right exercise.

Letting your dog do a short walk every day will increase the mobility of their joints. You can also try some jumping activities such as frisbee to reduce elbow and hip dysplasia risk.

On the other hand, if your dog already experiences some sort of inflammation, swimming and other water exercises can numb the pain while improving their joints’ function.

Dogs are naturally active animals. This is why it is imperative to all dog owners to ensure that their bodies can do the energetic activities they love.