Last modified on March 24th, 2020 at 12:01 pm
What Is Glucosamine For Dogs Used For?
Dogs
are very active; they love to play a lot and run a lot. When they meet you
after your long hard day at work, they’ll typically rush to you and run to you.
All that excitement coursing through their bodies will typically have an effect as they age. Joint pain and osteoarthritis are common problems in dogs, and you need a good medication to combat it. The good news is, there is an article where you can read more about the things you can do financially when facing pet health problems like this.
Glucosamine for dogs has proven efficacy when it comes
to a dog’s bone-related problem. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound
that can help with the joints and ease the pain that comes with osteoarthritis
in dogs.
Thus, give your dog the necessary pain relief and give them foods infused with glucosamine and watch them recover and get their excitement back since they’ve regained their health and well-being.
What is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine
is a natural cartilage found in a dog’s body. It’s a popular over-the-counter
remedy, but it also occurs naturally in the bodies of dogs. Moreover,
glucosamine is a sugar that promotes the formation of a substance called
glycosaminoglycan. Cartilage depends on this substance, and it’s also the
building block for the growth and repair of bone and cartilage.
Further,
glucosamine helps support the function of joints in dogs as well as other
animals, such as horses and cats. When your dog’s age, glucosamine becomes
particularly important in preserving bone health.
Here
are just some of the ways glucosamine is beneficial for your dogs:
1. Pain
relief
Many
dog owners administer glucosamine to their dogs because it’s very effective in
alleviating pain. There are other medications and over-the-counter drugs, such
as NSAIDS, that can help with pain relief, but these are not guaranteed to be
safe. Glucosamine is a great alternative and may just be what you’re looking
for.
Glucosamine
helps alleviate the pain in these areas as well as other joints that are
affected by the disease. Aside from dogs, humans also depend on glucosamine for
their pain relief.
2. Arthritis
and Osteoarthritis
Arthritis
and osteoarthritis occur when there’s wear and tear in the joints’ cartilage.
This normally happens with age, and it typically happens with older dogs as
well.
Arthritis
in dogs happens in their hip joints. Glucosamine doesn’t just offer pain
relief, but it also gives dogs the chance to heal, reconstruct, and maintain
the cartilage. Also, arthritis and osteoarthritis can be reverted back with the
use of glucosamine.
Glucosamine
is effective with MSM supplements in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis and
osteoarthritis in dogs. Typically, if there’s a good reaction to the
medication, they’ll be able to regain their performance and well-being. There
will also be renewed agility in the dog. Even if you stop treatment, the effect
of the medication will typically last for up to 3 months.
Thus,
glucosamine prevents arthritis and helps maintain cartilage health.
3. Joint
Repair
The
joints are an important part of the body because it helps with mobility. It’s
especially important for dogs who are very active. Glucosamine is very
effective in helping maintain and repair joints. Liquid glucosamine and even
glucosamine medication can alleviate injuries in dogs due to performance shows,
sports, and other play.
Glucosamine
is also good for temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ), which normally happens
in dogs.
Essentially,
glucosamine helps in maintaining the cartilage because it’s a building block.
These supplements work because it’s an anti-inflammatory as well. Further,
glucosamine works as a lubricator, and it’s an effective shock absorber when
there’s stress on the joints. This can help protect the bones underneath.
4. Keeps
Dogs In Peak Condition
Performance
dogs need to have their joints and bones in peak condition. They’re tasked to
do a variety of jobs. Some dogs, for example, are used in hunting, while some
dogs are exhibited in performance shows.
These
dogs should be agile when they walk and run. They should also have good posture
and be able to walk and run confidently. For dogs that are used in sports, this
is especially important.
A
daily dose of glucosamine can help build their bone health so they can be in
optimal performance.
5. Eliminate
The Need For NSAIDs
NSAIDs
(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of drugs that help eliminate
pain. They also help decrease inflammation and blood clots.
NSAIDs
are readily available over the counter, and can also be used to ease the pain
in dogs that are caused by joint pain. However, NSAIDS has very grave side
effects, especially after long term use.
There’s an increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding, heart
attack, and kidney disease.
Glucosamine
is a great alternative to NSAIDs because the side effects of glucosamine are
not that serious and are more manageable. Glucosamine will not typically result
in the destruction of internal organs the way NSAIDS will.
Giving Your Dog The Right Dosage of
Glucosamine
To
get the best effects, it’s important to give your dog the correct dose of
glucosamine. If you see that they’re suffering from joint pain or arthritis
pain, you should administer glucosamine to your dog immediately.
You
should also take note that too much glucosamine may have adverse effects on
your dog. However, administering too little of it may not yield positive
effects. The dosage that you’ll give your dog will depend on their body weight
and size.
You
need to administer 20 mg per pound of your dog’s bodyweight. Larger dogs may
need extra mg, while you may need to adjust the amount for smaller dogs.
Side Effect of Glucosamine on Dogs
Here
are some common side effects of glucosamine:
- Allergies: There are some instances where allergies are found to occur with a pet who takes in glucosamine. Typically, pets who are allergic to glucosamine are also allergic to shellfish.
- Fatigue: Initially, your dog will feel fatigued when they’re getting glucosamine for the first time. This fatigue will pass, but it’ll certainly happen in the initial phase of glucosamine treatment.
- Insomnia: Your dog may have difficulty
sleeping during the first instances of taking in glucosamine. They may be
unable to take naps or may stay up awake all night.
- Thirst: Your dog may seem to be overly thirsty after ingesting
glucosamine. This is usually indicative that they’ve taken a high dose of
glucosamine.
Final Thoughts
You
want your dog to be in the best health possible. Dogs should be able to do
their activities, such as running and playing, with ease. Also, they shouldn’t be
encumbered by joint pain or arthritis.
When
dogs grow older, their health deteriorates. In this case, they may need a dose
of glucosamine to regain their well-being and health.
Give
the best health for your dogs and give them glucosamine, which is effective and
generally safe, and bring back the joy in their lives.