Although dog arthritis supplements can improve your dog’s mobility, they can cause diarrhea and/or vomiting, or a sudden onset of scratching. These side effects are often a result of an allergy, which means that something in the supplement may be setting the allergic reaction off.

Allergic reactions only happen when dogs are repeatedly exposed to an allergen (or antigen). And in dog supplements, these are usually the natural ingredients, such as:

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Dog arthritis is one of the leading causes of pet disability. When the condition is left untreated, dog arthritis can cause massive damage to the cartilage within the joints. This results in “bone against bone” contact, which can be very painful for your dog. In the moderate to advanced stage, dog joint supplements that are given orally may not be as effective and veterinarians such as myself often recommend a more potent injectible supplement.

What is Cartilage?

Cartilage is the fibrous-elastic tissue that lines the joints. Ninety five percent of the tissue is composed of the matrix, which is made of collagen (tough fiber) and proteoglycans that contain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to soak up water. These two substances make the cartilage tough but spongy, enabling it to function as a shock absorber.

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Although some would say they are poisonous to dogs, avocados are now being used as an effective natural treatment for dog arthritis.

Avocados are considered dangerous to dogs because they contain a toxin called persin. And even more unfortunately, the variety of avocado most toxic to dogs — the Guatemalan — is the most common variety found in US supermarkets.  Hence the continued veterinary cautiousness about administering anything containing traces of avocado to dogs. Avocados can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation in canines, including vomiting and diarrhea.

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