Glucosamine is a supplement that provides dogs with healthier bones and joints. Giving a dogs glucosamine as they get older can help them have less joint pain or arthritis and be able to enjoy running and walking again. Giving a dog glucosamine means giving him a second chance at being a little bit younger. It is important to give your dog a proper amount of glucosamine so that he can be healthy.
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Proper Dosage
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Purchase a dog treat with glucosamine, or a glucosamine supplement. You want to find a treat or pill with 500mgs of glucosamine. If you find a pill that has a different amount of glucosamine, vary the amount that you give your dog to correspond to the required amount.
Weigh Your Dog
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When you give your dog glucosamine, it will be distributed by his bloodstream, so figuring out his weight is important. If your dog weighs less than 25 lbs., one 500mg treat or tablet of glucosamine is enough for him per day. If your dog weighs between 25 lbs. and 50 lbs., two treats or tablets are the right dose. For dogs between 50 and 75 lbs., you will want to give three doses a day, and for dogs that are more than 75 lbs., you will want to give four treats per day.
Watch Behavior
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Each dog may react differently to glucosamine. Watch your dog as you begin to dose him. If the dog is right on a weight line--for example, 24 lbs.--and one 500mg pill or treat does not seem to do the trick, try giving him one and a half, and see if that makes a difference.
Likewise, your big dog might not need as many as four treats or supplements per day. You might choose to start him on one or two, and see if there is a marked difference in his pain level. Just like humans, dog have different levels of pain and are helped by different amounts of drugs.
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