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 boy Frank had CCL tears in both knees but due to his age he was not a candidate for the surgery, so he got hip and joint supplements, methyl B12 and pain medication which have helped him greatly; he was able to “jog” and play with Hannah.

Hannah is a rescue so I am not sure of her age, we were told she was 2.5 years old in 2021. Last year she started getting some silver highlights so I believe she is older. She plays with Mabel constantly so she is on Astro Pet Products Joint Support Supplement to help keep her hips and joints healthy.

And while Mabel is younger she is on the same joint supplement as Hannah.

Hip and joint supplements can really help our aging dogs and studies have found that giving younger dogs these supplements are beneficial, so let’s go over some supplements, what they do and some products that I suggest. 

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 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 I recommend:

Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM:

• Astro Pet Products Joint Support Supplement

Methyl B12:

• Astro Pet Products Methyl B12 Supplement for Dogs and Cats, 4 oz bottle
• Astro Pet Products Methyl B12 Supplement for Dogs and Cats, 2 oz bottle

Eggshell Membrane:

• NOW Eggshell Membrane 500 mg Veggie Capsules (6 mg per lb given once daily)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

• Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega Capsules
• Grizzly Omega-3 Dog & Cat Supplement
• Harvey’s Health + Shine Omega-3 Fish Oil Formula
• Harvey’s Health + Shine Salmon and Krill Oil

I hope that today’s blog helps you and your pup!

Michelle Matlock

Canine Nutrition Coach

AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator

Co-founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University