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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While dietary supplements are a great way to help combat dog arthritis, they’re not for everyone. In some cases, the arthritis is too advanced for them to be effective, and for some dogs, supplements just don’t seem to work.

Arthritis affects about a quarter of all dogs and about 90% of old dogs. Larger breed canines get more than their fair share of dog arthritis. Essentially dog arthritis is a deterioration of the joints and particularly the cartilage. The condition can have a significant impact on your animal’s quality of life, causing considerable pain and discomfort and limiting mobility. With limited mobility comes a more sedentary lifestyle, with less exercise, which can cause your dog to become obese or develop health problems related to inadequate exercise, thus shortening his life.

Symptoms of arthritis include lameness, difficulty getting up after resting, irritability, and worrying or licking at the joints by your dog.

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