Glucosamine In A Dog’s Diet?

As with people, a good diet for a dog can contribute toward many years of a robust and healthy life. The dog’s diet should include a variety of nutrients which contribute to a healthy coat, good teeth and strong bones and joints. One product that is becoming more popular with pet owners is glucosamine. This product has been used for years by people to improve their joint health and it is now considered an essential supplement for pets.
 
Where does glucosamine come from? The primary source of glucosamine is shellfish. It can come as a separate supplement form or it can be added to dog food or dog treats by the food manufacturer. Either way, the glucosamine is a safe addition to the diet and has no side effects.

How does glucosamine help your pet? The most common problem area for dogs is the hip joint. The problem is called Hip Dysplasia and occurs when the animal’s cartilage wears away and bone to bone contact develops. The dog can also develop arthritis of the knees, elbows and shoulders when cartilage is lost or damaged. Glucosamine for your dog or cat works by helping to produce lubricants and build new cartilage for your dog’s joints. This allows the joints to work effectively for years to come and helps to avoid  pet arthritis. Certain breeds of dogs have a propensity for arthritis and adding glucosamine early on will keep this disease at bay.

What amount of glucosamine is best? Your veterinarian can provide information on the best type of glucosamine and what amount is needed for your particular pet. It is always a good idea to review your dog’s diet during regularly scheduled visits.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 10:10 pm and is filed under Dog arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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