Whether your pet is a ball of energy or more of a couch potato, comfortable joints are key to maintaining your pet’s mobility and lifestyle—after all, even jumping up on the couch takes a healthy range of motion!
Weight control and regular exercise are cornerstone measures for keeping joints healthy, but several nutritional supplements can also greatly improve joint comfort. Although each works through different molecular mechanisms, most joint supplements aim to do the same thing: protect cartilage. Cartilage is important for joint comfort because it is cushioning and stops bones from rubbing against each other when your pet moves, an issue that can lead to stiffness and pain.
There are four main joint supplements that help protect cartilage in your pet’s joints. Take a look at how each of them achieves this:
|
Supplement |
Prevent cartilage breakdown |
Encourage cartilage growth |
Reduce Inflammation |
|
Fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) |
X |
|
X |
|
Glucosamine |
|
X |
|
|
Chondroitin |
X |
|
|
|
Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) |
X |
|
|
Joint supplements are usually complemented by one another, achieving greater success when used together, and are often formulated in combination.
Many diseases can affect joints, but osteoarthritis is one of the most common and occurs from a gradual wearing away of the cartilage in the joint. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis can’t be reversed once it occurs, but all these supplements help slow down its progression. So if you suspect that your pet is developing osteoarthritis, the sooner you can start joint supplements, the longer they can help keep your pet comfortable and spry. As always, alert your veterinarian to any changes in your pet’s health.
