Glucosamine for Dogs

Many people don’t think about it, but many of the problems that afflict us humans also bother our pets.  Chief among them are joint problems.  Dogs are even more susceptible to joint pain than we are; it’s just that they can’t tell us about it as easily.  so if you notice that your pet is acting sluggish, you might want to consider investing in the arthritis medicine Glucosamine for dogs.

Why do Dogs have Joint Problems?

So, why do dogs have more problems than humans?

Much of it comes down to diet.  While dogs are technically omnivores, capable of digesting various grains and starches, their preferred food is still red meat.  That’s a problem for them.  Red meat is full of uric acid, a substance out bodies produce when we use our muscles.  Uric acid is a key cause for arthritis; eating large quantities of it leads to the deterioration of your joints.  Think of how other acids affect things: your stomach acid breaks down food, battery acid can eat through metal, and citrus can thin your enamel.  Uric acid travels past the stomach through partially digested food and into the dietary tract, where blood transports it to the various organs and joints.

Once the uric acid reaches the bone, it does what acid does: it eats away at it, softening the bone.  This weakening means that the dog can injure their joints more easily.

What is Glucosamine?

 Glucosamine is an amino sugar, which means that it is a sugar with some of the same building blocks as our DNA.  Mammals naturally produce glucosamine, where it is used to create proteins and lipids, necessary things for us to keep living.  It also exists in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and shellfish.  Its importance for joints, however, comes from its use as a structural component in mammalian bones.

Most animals have glusosamine in their bones, whether it is a human or a dog.  The sugar helps prevent the production of substances in our body that damage our joints, like uric acid and proteolytic enzymes that munch on the fabric of our bones.  Glucosamine also stimulates the production of proteoglycans, which can be thought of a bit like a base substance to uric acid’s acid.

What is Arthritis?

 Arthritis is a painful condition where a creature’s joints suffer from wear and tear damage.  Joints affected by arthritis puff up from inflammation, making it harder for blood to flow and irritating nerves.  The puffing can also cause damage to joints by summoning large number of your body’s white blood cells, which, while necessary to fight off infection, tend to devour everything they touch.

Arthritis is an extremely painful condition and can greatly limit mobility. Dog arthritis made all the worse in dogs by the fact that they can’t actively tell you that their joints hurt.

If you suspect that your animal might be suffering from arthritis, take them to your vet.  They should be able to look at the joints and see if they suffer from arthritis related damage.

Why Does Glucosamine Help Arthritis In Dogs?

 Glucosamine for dogs dosage helps combat arthritic damage in several ways, among them by stimulating the production of substances good for your joints and acting as a structural component.  But another key aspect to glucosamine is its anti-inflammatory properties.  Glucosamine is readily absorbed by the body, and can help drastically reduce inflammation once it reaches the inflamed site.

A precursor to Glucosamine is also found in cartilage, which is used to cushion joints, so the ready uptake by the body means that glucosamine can also help keep your cartilage intact.  This is supplemented by glucosamine’s inhibiting of the various acids that devour cartilage.

Is Glucosamine Effective?

Yes!  Industry studies have shown a substantial improvement in inflammation and repair of joint damage.  Further, the OsteoArthritis Research Society International, known as OARSI, recommends glucosamine for moderate arthritis, and the European League Against Rheumatism guidelines give the substance their strongest recommendation.  Glucosamine is a widely accepted veterinarian supplement, and many vets recommend it to their patients.

Is Glucosamine Safe?

 You don’t have to worry about giving your pet glucosamine.  Seeing as how it is produced naturally in the body, there is very rarely any reaction at all to oral administration.  The worst reactions that have occured from glucosamine are rashes, constipation, upset stomachs and diarrhea, all of which were exceedingly mild.  Again, glucosamine is made in your body and is an important part of your bones and cartilage, so any animal that had a reaction to it wouldn’t survive for long.

Glucosamine for Dogs

 Giving glucosamine as a dietary supplement for your dog is a great way to help keep their joints healthy.  It will fight inflammation, spur the production of acid fighting substances, and even help keep the joints together.  and the best part?  It is cheap.

There really isn’t a reason not to try glucosamine for dogs.