Like humans, dogs experience decreased mobility and joint strength as they age. Many older dogs suffer from osteoarthritis and/or hip dysplasia. Yet many pet owners are unaware of this because canines have a very high pain tolerance, so they won̵7;t communicate their pain to their owners. Glucosamine, a substance that occurs naturally in the body but decreases with age, can be added to canine diets to ensure joint health in old age.
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Prevents Joint Problems
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Supplementing a dog̵7;s diet with glucosamine from an early age can help prevent problems later on that will result in pain for the dog and costly vet visits for the owner. Glucosamine is found in the cartilage and synovial fluid in the joints of animals. As they age and glucosamine production slows down, joint damage can occur. Glucosamine supplements can help maintain joint health to avoid problems later in dogs̵7; lives by ensuring that dogs have enough of this substance as their bodies̵7; own supplies start to wane.
Treats Joint Problems
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Pet owners may only realize that their dogs are experiencing joint problems when they start limping or having difficulty jumping on couches or into cars. By the time this happens, canines are typically in acute pain and have suffered significant joint damage. While glucosamine supplements may not be able to restore a dog to puppy-like vitality, it can reverse some of the damage and diminish pain.
Many vets recommend a double dosage of glucosamine for dogs experiencing joint pain in the first two to three weeks of treatment, according to The Glucosamine and Osteoarthritis Resource Center. This is thought to result in more rapid healing. According to Vet Info, many dogs experience noticeable improvements within two weeks to a month of starting glucosamine supplements. Unfortunately, glucosamine stops working when a dog stops taking it, notes an article on The Daily Puppy. For this reason, it̵7;s important to understand that glucosamine is not a cure, but rather a treatment that must be continued throughout the life of a dog.
Connective Tissue Health
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While glucosamine is most often used for joint health in dogs, glucosamine is also found in all connective tissue throughout the canine body. For this reason, supplementing a dog̵7;s diet with glucosamine can ensure overall connective tissue health. The same anti-inflammatory properties in glucosamine that work to relieve joint pain have also been found beneficial in helping injured dogs̵7; wounds heal.
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