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Home > Pet Pointers > Dog Care Articles > Ease Arthritis Symptoms

Ease Arthritis Symptoms
Cosequin - Joint Health Supplements

Consider Glucosamine, Chondroitin To Ease Cat and Dog Arthritis Symptoms

Less pep and zip? A lack of energy and oomph? Declining activity level?
All of these signs could mean your older pet may be suffering from joint pain and even arthritis. Aging pets will experience all the same joint and bone ailments as their human caretakers. The good news is pet parents can supply some arthritis relief through many of the same treatment options offered to the human population and achieve improved mobility.

A Common Ailment

Arthritis and joint pain afflicts both human and animal species. Though it is very common, it is not well understood, and refers to several diseases. Commonly, it is used to label joint pain or joint disease. While people and animals of any age can suffer from arthritis, it usually occurs more frequently with aging. Its symptoms include joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Pet parents may notice more limping in older dogs and cats as well as the inability to jump on beds, couches, or in cars, difficulty with stairs and steps, and challenges in running or walking.

Similar to humans, treatment for companion dogs and cats follows many of the same lines as human therapy with steroids, NSAIDs (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain prescription medicines), and nutraceuticals (joint supplements). In fact, joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin and more, are gaining wide popularity in pet and human diets as an aid for improved mobility.

Call Your Vet First

Before starting any arthritis or joint mobility treatment plan for your aging pet, always consult with your veterinarian first. A thorough examination can help determine if your pet's mobility problems are arthritic, or something else like structural damage, cartilage tears, calcium deposits, or scar tissue that may require surgery. Pets are often very adept at hiding pain, so ruling out these ailments can be reassuring. If your vet finds no evidence of these issues, improving your furred companion's mobility can be done in several ways.

Working with your veterinarian, chart a course of action designed to ease joint pain and inflammation and increase flexibility. Your vet may suggest a mix of treatments, including steroids, ibuprofen, and even prescription medicines. Adding over-the-counter joint supplements to a dog's existing diet also boosts mobility. Supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, omega fatty acids, vitamin E, selenium, and MSM (methylsufonylmethane) help decrease joint inflammation (at the nerve endings) as well as aid in the body's ability to fix and strengthen bone tissue. These substances will not improve conditions that require surgery, but can make it less painful for a pet to go about his daily living. The benefits for supplements are their ease of administration (taken orally), their availability, and their general cost-saving solution for joint mobility.

Finding an Ideal Treatment

Some joint and arthritis remedies present a balancing act in the treatment plan. Many prescription drugs for pet arthritis will work well, but may be accompanied by side-effects. Nutraceuticals, on the other hand, present little or no side affects, but can take several weeks to show improvement. Extracted from the shells of crab, lobster, and shrimp, glucosamine works to increase the production of joint lubrication (or the shock absorbers) in a pet's body. A naturally-occurring substance, glucosamine also provides many benefits to the entire body from nails to tendons and bone structure, eyes, and even the heart. It improves digestive, respiratory, and urinary function, too.

Chondroitin Sulfate benefits flexibility by aiding in the repair of damaged connective tissue. Research suggests it may protect existing cartilage as well as reduce joint inflammation. Derived from the green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), taking chondroitin orally helps replace the declining production in the body for older cats and dogs.

Other joint-improving substances like omega fatty acids and MSM are often combined with chondroitin and glucosamine to decrease joint/nerve inflammation and increase tissue repair. Mixing the benefits of several joint supplements into one product improves overall flexibility and eliminates pain without side effects.

Joint supplements offer a great remedy for improving your pet's joint pain, but be careful when you choose the products. Not all supplements are created alike. Be sure to pick a reputable company because not all of these products are the same. These supplements are considered dietary and are unregulated. Brand name companies will produce these products under the same rigorous standards used to produce human food so don't be attracted by a price that seems too good to be true.

So, help your pet pick up the pace with more pep and zip. Find out what is the best way to help your aging pet increase its energy and oomph. Help your best-furred companion get back on the trail to an increased activity level.

Try out these proven Cosequin® products that have Glucosamine & Chondroitin to help your dog with arthrtis and joint pain.

Also try Cosequin® for your cat

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