The Importance Of Dog Supplements That Contain Glucosamine And Chondroitin
For animal lovers, nothing is as important as taking care of their pet’s health. At its most basic this includes yearly check-ups, up to date vaccinations, and grooming; but for many of us, there are other things that are absolutely necessary as well. One of these things is dog supplements, namely ones that include ingredients known to support the health of our best friends. Supplement that continues to grow in popularity are those that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, ingredients that are widely known to support joint health in both animals and humans.
Now you may be asking right about now: “Why haven’t I heard of using these products to support my pet’s joint health?” The main reason is that because they are not able to be patented, pet pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to actively develop dog supplements that include them. While they have been in use in Europe for nearly two decades, they are just starting to catch on here in the US. But as more and more pet owners and veterinarians are discovering the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin to animal’s joint health, more and more products containing these ingredients are being developed and prescribed.
The products can be used both to help prevent osteoarthritis in pets, and to treat the symptoms. Many large breed dogs are especially prone to hip trouble, including hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. The use of dog supplements that include glucosamine and chondroitin can help prevent these and other joint problems in both large and small breed dogs and in cats as well. They are also used to support the joint health of us mere humans, and are commonly found in multivitamin form!
Whether you want to use glucosamine and chondroitin for prevention or treatment, it’s important to use the right dosing for your pet. This is done by weight, and you can use the following guidelines for making sure your dog supplements are providing enough glucosamine and chondroitin for the size of your dog.
Less than 25 lbs: 500mg of glucosamine and 400 mg of chondroitin
25 lbs. to 50 lbs: 1000mg of glucosamine and 800 mg of chondroitin
51 lbs. to 75 lbs: 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin
75 lbs. or more: 2000mg of glucosamine and 1600 mg of chondroitin
Of course, it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before starting your pet on any supplements. He or she can help you choose good dog supplements that include the necessary levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as the other vitamins necessary for your dog’s unique health.
Brent Harte is the founder of Vitahound.com. He is a devoted dog owner with 2 golden labs and a mongrel that he saved from a pack of coyotes. Both his family and pets lead a healthy life through a diet based on natural foods supplying the needed nutrients, vitamins and food categories. He is a leading expert in the use of the internet from its inception for creating sites that offer both valuable information and best value in product purchases.
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