Best Joint Supplement For Australian Shepherd

Vitamins & Supplements For Dog Arthritis

#1: For Maximum Efficacy, Choose a Supplement for Your Australian Shepherd with Multiple Active Ingredients

When most people think of a joint supplement for their australian shepherd, glucosamine comes to mind. And while glucosamine is the most popular active ingredient, other powerful nutraceuticals include MSM, chondroitin, and turmeric (curcumin). If your supplement contains only one or two of these, you may be missing potential benefits. Different dogs respond to different treatments, so when in doubt, offer a broad spectrum of nutrients.

#2: Always Check The Amount of Active Ingredients

If the quantity of active ingredients (in milligrams) is not made available, the product likely contains low levels that are unlikely to have a therapeutic effect on your australian shepherd’s joints. As a rule of thumb, your dog should receive 20 mg of glucosamine daily for each pound they weigh. Budget oriented joint supplements (often in the $15-20 a bottle range) often contain levels too low to make any serious impact on your dog’s joint health. In addition, dry dog food manufacturers have begun including trivial amounts of glucosamine in their products in an attempt to woo consumers. Make sure your dog receives enough to matter!

#3: Always Buy Made In USA

While you’d expect that most pet stores would have transitioned to only carrying consumable products that are made in the USA, this is simply not the case. Many budget oriented pet stores, online retailers, and grocery stores still carry inferior supplements made in factories outside the USA with far lower production standards.

#4: Decide If You Want An Arthritis Supplement with or Without Hemp for Your Australian Shepherd

The last few years has brought about exciting advancements in the use of Hemp for dogs. Several clinical trials have shown Hemp can improve the mobility of arthritic dogs. Some brands have begun to offer their Hip & Joint supplements with Hemp or without Hemp.

#5: Results Will Vary Based on Your Australian Shepherd’s Age and Condition

Ideally, a joint supplement regimen should begin before signs of pain are present in your australian shepherd. (ideally around 5 years of age, although large breeds may need earlier) In reality, however, we often don’t consider the need until signs of pain are apparent. If your dog is already showing signs of distress, a joint supplement can still offer substantial relief. However, it may take 1-2 months to show signs of improvement.

#6: Taste and Format Matters

The best joint supplement in the world is worthless if your dog refuses to eat it. The most popular formats of delivery for joint supplements are liquid, tablet chews, and soft chews, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to palatability, soft chews and liquids tend to please the most canine palates. Because a soft chew can contain a wider variety of nutraceuticals (see item #1) it’s our preferred method.

Where Our Research Led Us (Our Preferred Joint & Joint Supplement for Australian Shepherds)

Our research in hip & joint supplements for dogs led us to develop & recommend the Happy, Healthy line of canine joint care supplements. An added bonus of this brand is that each purchase goes towards helping provide food for animal shelters in need.

Do Australian Shepherds Need Hip And Joint Supplements?

While dogs can live without supplements for their hips and joints, they do not need to with so many affordable options. Several of the actions you take to treat your dog’s arthritis will also improve his general health and lessen the possibility that he will develop other diseases and illnesses as he ages. In order to keep your dog as healthy and content as possible so that you may both enjoy each other’s company far into your dog’s senior years, a little preventative is well worth it, especially since supplements are so easy to give to your dog!

What Supplements Are Good For Australian Shepherd’s Arthritis?

Several canine joint supplements have different benefits. While some products have multiple active ingredients, many simply have one main ingredient, usually glucosamine. Our 8-in-1 Canine Joint Supplement uses broad-spectrum hemp oil, glucosamine, turmeric, green-lipped mussel, MSM, chondroitin, devil’s claw, and other ingredients. It is crucial to pick a joint health supplement that contains the best ingredients and provides your Australian Shepherd with a supplement formulated for a dog’s specific needs. 

What Can I Give My Australian Shepherd For Joint Pain & Arthritis?

Healthy pet supplements can facilitate faster healing by reducing inflammation. Veterinarians advise glucosamine, fish oil, and turmeric, among other remedies, for Australian Shepherds with hip and joint issues. Turmeric lowers inflammation and strengthens the immune system of the body, as do the other supplements. The dog’s joint’s worn-out cartilage is repaired by glucosamine. Moreover, this amino sugar has anti-inflammatory qualities that help soothe sore joints. Pit shepherds with hip and rear problems can get relief from joint pain by taking fish oil.

Is Cosequin Or Dasuquin Better For A Australian Shepherd?

Both of the branded nutritional joint supplements are produced by Nutramax Laboratories under the trade names Cosequin and Dasuquin. Glucosamine and sodium chondroitin sulfate, two components crucial for joint health, are present in both supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids, however, which are essential for numerous bodily processes, are present only in Cosequin. Dasuquin, on the other hand, has a naturally occurring substance made of soybean and avocado oils called avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). 

Talk to your veterinarian to determine which option will work best for your dog’s needs. Especially for active breeds like the Australian Shepherd, it is hard to prevent wear and stress on your dog’s joints, but you can enhance joint health by using Cosequin for dogs. These vitamins, plus your vet’s recommendations, should help you keep your pet happy, healthy, and active throughout his life, improving your moods. 

Is It Too Late To Give My Australian Shepherd Joint Supplements?

While it’s best to give your shepherd joint supplements from a year old, you can use supplements later in life to reduce pain and discomfort. Although the supplements will no longer act preventatively, they can help to reduce symptoms and ease your beloved pet into old age. 

Does Turmeric Help Joint Pain In Australian Shepherds?

Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family. But, it also has a long and rich history of usage in alternative and herbal treatments. People have used turmeric as a natural treatment in India for conditions like arthritis, mild intestinal problems, inflammation, and pain alleviation. 

Turmeric is advertised as an anti-inflammatory supplement for dogs with medical conditions that cause joint stiffness and pain (such as arthritis). The root of turmeric encourages a beneficial inflammatory response as the compound curcumin enters the blood and releases anti-inflammatory nutrients to the body. The discomfort and pressure brought on by swelling lessen as well as the aberrant inflammatory response.

How Can I Prevent My Australian Shepherd From Getting Arthritis?

You should give your Australian Shepherd a joint supplement to strengthen and protect their joints naturally and safely since many health issues affect their joints. Another essential step to halting or at least slowing the onset of joint deterioration in your dog is to ensure proper nutrition. Remember that dogs with joint pain or arthritis are more likely to gain weight. So you may need to reduce the amount of food you give them.

Consult your veterinarian about switching to a lower-calorie type, regardless of the dog food you choose. Avoid physical activities or workouts that put too much stress on your dog’s joints. Use your senses rather than following your dog’s enthusiasm. They want to rush, and jump may come over them, but perhaps a calm walk would be best.

Do Vets Recommend Joint Supplements For Australian Shepherds?

Australian shepherds, like other medium dogs, are more prone to hip pain, arthritis, and joint problems. Due to this, the majority of veterinarians advise they begin taking supplements from a year old. Your dog is more likely to benefit from the preventative nature of most natural therapies the sooner they start taking the supplements. Always consult your dog’s veterinarian before making a healthy choice, as they can guide you toward the best course of action.

How Can I Help My Australian Shepherds Hips?

As with all things, prevention works better than any other treatment when it comes to hip and arthritis problems for dogs. Start by keeping your dog at an ideal weight through proper nutrition. Add food to your dog’s diet that can naturally reduce inflammation, such as papaya, celery, and ginger. 

Next, keep them active but without overextending your pup’s athletic ability. If your shepherd already has hip discomfort, consider some additional treatments such as acupuncture, physical therapy, laser treatment, and therapeutic massage. Finally, get your dog a supportive orthopedic dog bed made especially for dogs with arthritis for comfortable sleep. 

What Are The Side Effects Of Glucosamine For Australian Shepherds?

Glucosamine may be natural but can still have side effects. However, it’s often considered safe for dogs. While the symptoms of glucosamine overdose in dogs can be rather frightening, it is crucial to be sure you are providing your dog with the proper doses of the supplement. If your dog is allergic or sensitive to glucosamine, negative effects of glucosamine for dogs can include the following: 

Vomiting 

Diarrhea 

Gas 

a paucity of food 

Drowsiness 

Constipation 

Can Glucosamine Cause Liver Damage In Australian Shepherds?

No connection has been found supporting glucosamine as a risk for liver damage in dogs. If your dog has elevated liver levels, another factor, such as a disease, liver failure, or aging, may be to blame. It is best to have your veterinarian do any additional tests required to assist in establishing the reason of the increased readings and the most effective course of treatment. 

It is crucial to remember that because most glucosamine products are made from shellfish, dogs that are allergic to seafood may also be allergic to them. In addition, finding glucosamine supplements without shellfish is difficult. Even yet, a severe allergic reaction to glucosamine is uncommon, and most dogs tolerate it well when given it at safe levels. 

What Dog Foods Are High In Glucosamine?

Get dog food from a dog food store instead of a general merchandise store. Always choose for solutions that are as natural as possible and have the fewest additives and preservatives. Instead, to ensure they receive the right nutrition, look for grain-free diets designed for your particular breed. 

The only natural source of glucosamine comes from shellfish, including shrimp, crabs, lobster, and a few other animal sources. These shells are collected and utilized to create the synthetic glucosamine needed to generate the supplements created in laboratories. Some other sources include green-lipped mussels, beef trachea, chicken feet, and bone broth.

Blue Buffalo and Diamond Naturals are two brands that make fantastic dog foods with glucosamine. Your Australian Shepherd’s vet can also help you to find the right food brand with glucosamine for your dog. Consider supplements if you cannot find a food your dog likes with this ingredient added.