Supplements for Hips & Joints

We spend our dogs lives making sure that they are happy, healthy and are pain free and when our dogs get older arthritis and hind end weakness can be a problem. Lucy had a hind leg injury from when she was a puppy that only bothered her when she overexerted herself. About a year after she was diagnosed with diabetes she showed signs of hind end weakness. At first I attributed this to the injury she had but the hind end weakness got progressively worse so I decided to start her on a hip and joint supplement. While she improved a bit, it was not enough and I learned about diabetic neuropathy. Dogs and cats both suffer from diabetic neuropathy and studies in human diabetes and methyl B12 have shown nerve path regeneration. So I started Lucy on methyl B12 and the results were amazing; Lucy was running around like she was a puppy again!

My little Chihuahua Bella had arthritis and I decided to add methyl B12 to her supplement regimen as well. A week later she was rolling around on the grass, something she hadn’t done in a couple years!

My big boy Frank has CCL tears in both knees but due to his age he is not a candidate for the surgery, so he gets supplements and pain medication which have all helped him greatly, he actually plays with Hannah again!

Hip and joint supplements can really help our aging dogs, so let’s go over some supplements, what they do and some products that at are diabetic safe.

Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and let’s get to it.

Supplements and what they can do for the hips and joints:

Glucosamine – a chemical in the body that aids in building and repairing the cartilage, ligaments, tendons and fluids between joints. Glucosamine supplements can help with joint pain and stiffness.

Chondroitin Sulfate is a compound that helps form cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate supplements may relieve joint pain and prevent joint pain.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – supports cell structure and the immune system, reverses free radical damage to cells and helps repair connective tissue.

Eggshell Membrane (NEM) – a source of collagen, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. Eggshell membrane supplements may aid in reducing joint pain.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – an essential fatty acid that dogs do not produce but require for brain, heart and reduces inflammation in skin and joints.

Cobalamin (B12) - B12 plays a role in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and the central nervous system. B12 is crucial to the regeneration and formation of myelin sheaths. Myelin sheaths are insulation for nerves. Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves due to higher blood glucose levels. By supplementing with B12 promotes nerve regeneration.

It is recommended to supplement with methyl B12 because it is easier for the body to break down versus cyanocobalamin, a synthetic form of B12.

Here are supplements that are diabetic safe:

Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM:

PetTest Joint Support with Hyaluronic Acid for Dogs & Cats

Nature’s Pure Edge Hip & Joint Powder

Coco & Luna Hip & Joint with Turmeric Chewable Tablets

Nutramax Cosequin Standard Strength Chewable Tablets with Glucosamine and MSM

Nutramax Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets with Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Nutramax Cosequin DS Capsules with Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Eggshell Membrane:

NOW Eggshell Membrane 500 mg Veggie Capsules

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega Capsules

Grizzly Omega-3 Dog & Cat Supplement

Dr. Harvey’s Health + Shine Omega-3 Fish Oil Formula

Dr. Harvey’s Health + Shine Salmon and Krill Oil

Methyl B12:

PetTest Methyl B12 Supplement for Dogs and Cats

I hope that today’s blog helps you and your sweet pup! As always please double check the ingredients and inactive ingredients in any products that you purchase for your dog. Human supplements can have xylitol added and it is extremely toxic for dogs!

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please start a conversation below.

For a printable version of this blog click  here.

Until next week stay comfy, warm and caffeinated!

Michelle Miller-Matlock

AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator

Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University

Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook

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