Glucosamine for hunting dogs--learn how it works, signs your dog needs it, health and safety benefits, + more!
Glucosamine is naturally found throughout a healthy dog’s body. The highest levels of glucosamine are found in cartilage, because glucosamine is necessary for your dog to produce glycosaminoglycan, which helps build and repair essential tissues like cartilage. As dogs age, they no longer produce as much glucosamine. This decreases their ability to bounce back and heal.
Cartilage cells are constantly regenerating, but when cartilage is damaged and the body can’t rebuild it, inflammation arises and damaging enzymes are released. This is how the cycle of joint degeneration begins. As it progresses, dogs encounter pain, stiffness of the joints and eventually arthritis sets in.
There’s good news though, you can turn back the clock on this damaging cycle by giving your dog a supplement that contains glucosamine. By adding a glucosamine supplement to your hunting dog’s diet, you can start to reverse damage by supplying your dog with the nutrients necessary to rebuild cartilage and help maintain joint function and activity levels. While glucosamine can’t cure arthritis, it can slow its progression and help your dog achieve a higher quality of life for many years to come.
Health + Safety Benefits of Glucosamine for Dogs
- Glucosamine is highly recommended to reduce joint pain because of its limited potential for adverse side effects.
- Glucosamine prompts your dog’s body to naturally generate new cartilage and connective tissues.
- The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that supplements containing glucosamine offered a “moderate level” of comfort that was comparable to some prescription drugs.
- Naturally reduces pain and discomfort
- The FDA considers glucosamine a dietary supplement, not a drug.
- Glucosamine has been safely used in veterinary practice for over 20 years.
Glucosamine + MSM + Chondroitin
The best glucosamine for hunting dogs should contain chondroitin and MSM. Research shows a substantial improvement in results by pairing glucosamine with these ingredients. Here’s why…
Chondroitin, just like glucosamine, is naturally found in your dog’s cartilage. Cartilage is a tough connective tissue that provides cushioning to bones and joints. Chondroitin is an essential building block to repair damaged cartilage because it helps tissues retain moisture. Researchers have found the positive effects of glucosamine on cartilage are enhanced when paired with chondroitin, as well as MSM.
MSM (methylsulphynolmethane) is a natural Sulphur compound that is believed to help improve joint flexibility while reducing inflammation and pain.
When used in conjunction, these ingredients are believed to stimulate DNA activity to help protect your dog against joint wear and tear.
The Only Glucosamine Supplement Made Just for Hunting Dogs
There’s only one supplement on the market made especially for the rigorous demands placed on hardworking hunting dogs, and that’s Free Range by Alpha Dog. Want to know the best part? You can try it RISK FREE! If you and your dog(s) are not completely satisfied with results, there’s a money-back guarantee.
Give Your Hunting Dog the Power of Free Range
How long does glucosamine for dogs take to start working?
The natural ingredients glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin need time to build up in your dog’s system and go to work repairing damages. That’s why it generally takes several weeks or longer to notice changes or benefits. You may want to start your dog on a higher dosage at first, known as a “loading dose.” Then, reduce to a lower “maintenance dose” after the first few weeks.
Dogs can stay on joint supplements their entire lives. In fact, many owners find the symptoms of joint pain reappear after stopping supplements. That’s because your dog needs a constant supply of ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin to continually rebuild cartilage and protect against damage.
How do you know if your dog needs a glucosamine supplement?
You don’t need to see signs of joint issues for a glucosamine supplement to prove beneficial. In fact, dogs commonly show no sign of pain or stiffness until after joint and cartilage damage builds up. By the time you see the limp, your dog has needed a supplement like Free Range for a long time.
That’s why many veterinarians and dog trainers recommend starting your dog on a glucosamine supplement around 5 to 6-years-old, or even earlier. The active lifestyle of a hunting dog puts increased strain on the body, making glucosamine supplements even more beneficial.
If your dog is already limping, it’s not too late to see beneficial results from using a glucosamine supplement for dogs. Act as soon as possible; the longer dogs go through periods of reduced movement, the stiffer and more uncomfortable joints become.
Other signs your dog could benefit from a glucosamine supplement:
- Predisposition to hip dysplasia or other conformation issues (Find out which dog breeds are more prone to hip dysplasia)
- Repetitive or hard work on a regular basis
- Unusually stiff or tired after a long day of hunting or exercise
- Showing signs of arthritis (Learn the symptoms of arthritis in dogs)
- Recently underwent joint surgery
Can you feed your dog human-grade glucosamine?
The glucosamine that dogs and humans consume generally consists of the same amino sugar, but that doesn’t mean human-grade glucosamine supplements are good for your dog. For one, human supplements may contain additional ingredients that are harmful, and potentially fatal to your dog. Some popular human-grade glucosamine supplements contain things like chocolate or xylitol. Plus, dosages for dogs and humans vary.
Your best bet is to invest in a high-quality glucosamine supplement made especially for dogs. Free Range can help your dog maintain Alpha Status for many more years to come! Learn more here
