Glucosamine powder administered in the right dosage can be a very effective cure for arthritis and arhtritic-type conditions in dogs. As your dog grows older, the symptoms of arthritis make his life a lot less enjoyable; glucosamine is said to work miraculously in some cases. Glucosamine rehabilitates the cartilages reducing joint pain, increasing joint mobility and slowing down the progression of arthritis. Glucosamine combinations are considered dietary supplements and can be purchased over the counter, coming with no major precautions. However, discussing with your veterinarian will be necessary in order to establish the dose of glucosamine your dog needs.
When to Give Glucosamine Powder to Your Dog
When dogs grow old, the uric acid (coming mostly from the red meat they enjoy so much) accumulates more and more in their joints, causing pain and stiffness. More rarely, arthritis can be caused by injury or accidents. The symptoms you should watch for are:
- The dog has difficulty standing up or sitting down
- The dog refuses to go for usual exercise
- Sleeping more than usual
- Loss of appetite
- Stiff, difficult gait
- Licking the joints
- Hot, swollen joints
These symptoms may indicate that your dog has arthritis and it is time to consider medication and pain relief. Glucosamine powder could be a solution.
Glucosamine for Dogs with Arthritis
Glucosamine is available in chewable form, as powder-filled capsules or as liquid medication.
Some vets claim that liquid glucosamine is the best form, as it is absorbed faster and in a higher proportion, while others will recommend powder (in capsules) as the best way to make sure the body is getting the right amount. Discuss with your veterinarian before starting giving glucosamine to your arthritic dog.
There are three types of glucosamine on the market: HCl, sulfate and KCl. Most veterinarians prescribe the glucosamine sulfate in 20 milligrams per lb of bodyweight.
The content of the tablets vary from one brand to the other. When choosing a type of glucosamine for your pet, you should also consider the other ingredients.
Combination of Glucosamine with Chondroitin Sulfate for Treatment of Arthritis
Often glucosamine comes in combination with chondroitin sulfate. While glucosamine helps repair the cartilages, chondroitin blocks the enzymes responsible for the destruction of cartilages.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are not considered drugs, even if they have the effect of drugs. They are in the category of nutraceuticals (supplements), so there are no adverse effects and no precautions. At the worst, they can very rarely cause intestinal upset.
Some of the available veterinary formulations are: Restor-A-Flex, Cosequin, CosequinD. There are also a number of generic preparations.
How to Choose Glucosamine Products for Dogs
There are several factors you should take into account before purchasing glucosamine supplements for your dog:
- The amount of pure glucosamine the dog needs
- The type of glucosamine
- The quality and variety of ingredients added
- Price per day (it is more relevant to calculate the price per day, not per capsule, calculating the number of capsules you will need to feed to your dog).