Hip and Joint Supplements for Dogs: Tips for Every Life Stage

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The right hip and joint supplements for dogs can make a huge difference in comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life, no matter your dog’s age. Lifelong care for your dog’s joints and hips is essential. Think of how much running, jumping, playing, and walking your dog does daily.

As time passes, wear and tear on bones and joints may lead to arthritis, inflammation, and pain with mobility for millions of dogs. Being proactive with joint care means supporting before signs of stiffness or discomfort appear. Today’s modern pet parents rely on preventative care with low-impact exercise, helping dogs maintain a healthy weight, and including products like Greenies Hip & Joint Supplements in everyday living.

Many people think of old age, brittle bones, and the need for additional support when it comes to dog joint supplements. However, joint issues affect dogs of all breeds and ages at any point in their lives. From puppies with growing bones to active adult dogs and seniors managing arthritis, this article will guide you through choosing the right supplements, finding the best products, and supporting your dog’s joint health at every stage of life.

Hip and Joint Supplements for Dogs: Why It Matters At Every Life Stage

Arthritis is a gradual, inflammatory disease that affects most dogs. Although there is no cure for arthritis, Cornell University’s Canine Health Center reports that many dogs benefit from using joint supplements to combat it.

Certain breeds are genetically predisposed to degenerative joint disease, hip, or elbow dysplasia. For example, Golden Retrievers are overrepresented for developing hip dysplasia, where the joint doesn’t fit together correctly, leading to early-onset arthritis.

Smaller breeds, such as Terriers or Cocker Spaniels, may deal with luxating patellae. This is a condition where a dog’s kneecap slips out of its normal position. As a dog mom who’s dealt with this firsthand, I can tell you it’s not fun.

Joint health support is a lifelong commitment for pet parents. It helps strengthen their dog’s cartilage, protects growing joints, and reduces the risk of long-term problems. The longer your dog is mobile, the happier you both will likely be.

Puppy & Young Dog Joint Support

When a newborn puppy enters the world, their growth plates rapidly develop. These plates govern a puppy’s height and size development. Depending on the dog’s size and breed, they typically close between 6 and 18 months of age. Until then, pet parents must supervise puppies to avoid excessive strain on delicate bones and joints.

Talk to your veterinarian about the right puppy food, weight control, and the types and frequency of exercise your puppy needs. Smaller or miniature puppies often start hip and joint supplements around six months old. Larger pups are usually given the green light for joint support at a year old.

Your veterinarian may suggest adding omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet. A high-quality fish oil supplement is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Every joint supplement has its guidelines for proper administration, so follow the instructions with your vet’s advice.

Adult Dog Joint Care

As puppies enter adulthood, lifestyle factors like proper weight, enough exercise, and supplementing with an easy-to-administer supplement come into play. An adult dog’s joint care needs to shift to maintenance and prevention of wear and degeneration.

Subtle signs of arthritis present as your pup ages may be overlooked, such as hesitating to jump into the car, climbing stairs, or tiring more easily after play. Sometimes, these signs are typical, but other times they may indicate cartilage breakdown or some minor inflammation. 

Regular low-impact exercise keeps dogs active and pet parents happy. Things like walks, swimming, or controlled play keep joints moving and muscles strong. At this stage, most dogs benefit from a daily supplement such as Greenies Hip and Joint chicken-flavored chews. Made in the USA and formulated by a team of PhD animal nutritionists, each soft chew provides glucosamine and chondroitin to help promote healthy joints.

Pro Tip: Overweight dogs are more prone to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and increased joint pain. A healthy diet, regular exercise (physical and mental), and a healthy weight enhance your dog’s quality of life.

Senior Dog Mobility & Pain Management

As dogs move into their senior years, which varies by breed and size, it’s common for their mobility speed at which they walk to decline. Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease manifests as pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. As the saying goes, we don’t stop playing because we grow, we grow old because we stop playing. Recognizing arthritis in its earliest stages is key.

During regular, once or twice yearly veterinary exams, your veterinarian may perform a thorough examination, x-rays of joints and hips, and a mobility assessment. In doing so, they can determine the source of your dog’s joint and hip pain and recommend treatment.

Beyond medications and supplements, lifestyle, attitude, and products to make life easier reduce the impact and pressure on aging canine joints. Nowadays, pet parents have access to water and physical therapy, acupuncture, orthopedic beds, and ramps to make life easier for senior dogs.

If your veterinarian recommends supplements or prescription medications, Greenies Pill Pockets make life easier. The last thing you and your senior dog need is stress from trying to administer pills. Greenies Pill Pockets make giving your dog medicine quick, easy, and tasty. Each veterinarian-approved chew is gentle on older teeth. No more spitting pills or hiding them in your dog’s daily meals!

How to Choose the Right Hip and Joint Supplement for Dogs

Choosing the right hip and joint supplement for your dog is an individual choice, not a one-size-fits-all. For example, what works for a senior dog would not be a viable choice for a growing young pup. It is imperative that pet parents understand what to look for in a quality product, how to read the label, and which ingredients matter most to their dog.

Here’s a list of what to look for when selecting a hip and joint supplement for your dog

• NASC Quality Seal: The National Animal Supplement Council label is considered the gold standard of quality and safety standards in pet supplements. Products like Greenies Hip and Joint Supplement carry the NASC seal and are veterinarian-approved.
• Proper Format: Choose a format your dog will likely enjoy and consume. Examples include soft chews, powders, tablets, or liquids.
• Ingredient Label: Choose supplements to support your dog’s hips and joints if the ingredients are clearly listed and free of unnecessary additives or fillers.
• Made in the USA: American-made products are more likely to be labeled and sourced transparently.
• Life Stage: Choose a product for your dog’s life stage, as puppies, adults, and seniors have varying needs.
• Talk to Your Veterinarian: It’s always recommended to talk to your dog’s vet before starting any new supplements.

Some common ingredients in a dog’s joint supplements are Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Each ingredient has its benefits, and what works for one dog may not work for another.

Helping Your Dog Stay Active and Comfortable

Joint supplements are one way pet parents support their dogs’ hips and joints at every stage of life. Although arthritis can occur at any age, it’s commonly seen in middle-aged and senior dogs whose joints wear with time.

Pet parents who take action before problems arise benefit from a happier, healthier dog. Here are Vetstreet’s top tips for helping your dog lead an active, comfortable life:

1. Start hip and joint supplementation early.
2. Maintain a healthy weight to minimize joint strain and pressure.
3. Include regular, low-impact exercises in your dog’s routine.
4. Use ramps, stairs, and orthopedic beds to reduce joint stress.
5. Keep nails trimmed to a healthy length to prevent gait issues.
6. Maintain regular veterinary check-ups to monitor joints.
7. Feed a high-quality, species-appropriate diet.

Whether your dog is a small pup or a golden oldie, keeping them mentally and physically active is essential. Adding a supplement disguised as a treat, such as Greenies Hip and Joint chews, is an easy way to help aging dogs maintain mobility and stay active longer.

The author received compensation from PetSmart for their services in writing this article.