Have you noticed your dog has started slowly down with age? Maybe it takes them longer to get out of bed or they’re sluggish on walks. Dogs are very active animals that rely heavily on their joint and hip health to run, play, and just have a good stroll around the neighborhood. 

Just like us hoomans, our furry friends can experience a range of different hip and joint problems - everything from hip dysplasia to arthritis. Here’s what you need to know. 

Common hip and joint problems in dogs 

Hip and joint problems such as OCD, arthritis, hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and osteoarthritis are very common in dogs. 

Even if your dog is constantly full of energy, he could experience hip and joint problems. The signs may be subtle at first, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them. Some of the most common symptoms for joint and hip problems in dogs include: 

• Difficulty trying to sit down or stand up
• Struggling to jump into the car
• Limping Favoring a leg
• Lifting a limb in the air
• Swollen joints
• An audible popping or cracking in the hips

If you notice your dog is exhibiting any of this behaviour, we recommend going to see a vet as soon as possible. Hip and joint problems can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. However, some factors, such as poor conformation can make a dog more likely to develop these issues. Large breeds, such as golden retrievers, german shepherds, and labrador retrievers, are prone to arthritis. Overweight dogs and senior dogs are also more likely to develop hip and joint problems. 

Helpful tips for your dog’s stiff & aching hip and joint pain 

Maintain a healthy weight 

Extra weight on your dog can put extra strain on your dog’s already aching joints. Therefore, keep a close eye on your dog’s weight and consult with your veterinarian on whether your dog is within a healthy weight. Avoid processed foods that can cause inflammation to the joints and opt for natural whole grains and fruits instead. 

Keep up the exercise! 

You may think exercise can further aggravate your poor pup’s hip and joint pain. However, eliminating exercise can be harmful to your dog as it will make their body more stiff. Instead, alter your dog’s exercise routine to suit their age and health problems. For example, senior dogs will benefit more from several shorter walks throughout the day rather than long walks which may be rough on already sore joints.

Make adjustments to your home 

A dog with hip and joint problems would require certain changes to their environment to make things a bit easier and comfortable. This may include having raised food and water bowls. This is not recommended for dog breeds that are prone to bloating. However, most dogs find having raised food and water bowls helps reduce strain on the back and neck caused by bending down to reach bowls on the floor. 

Install a ramp 

Jumping down from a bed or out of a van can put a lot of force on your dog’s joints. But with the use of dog stairs and ramps, your dog has a stable and sturdy surface to gradually help them up the stairs. The important thing is to make sure the angle of the ramp is low enough for your dog to get around easily and painlessly! 

Maintain regular paw care 

Regular maintenance of your dog’s nails can greatly improve their mobility and comfort level. If nails are too long, the angles at each joint can begin to slightly change from the paw up towards the spinal column, causing a flattening effect in the foot. This creates stress on the joints, and in turn can cause joint pain and arthritis. 

If you find it difficult trimming your dog’s nails at home, speak with a good groomer or your veterinarian about having it done. 

Hip + Joint Supplements 

One of the best ways to make your four legged friend more comfortable and maintain the spring in their step is to give them a supplement for hip and joint health. 

Pet Drs Hip + Joint supplement  is a 100% natural supplement formulated to help optimise, maintain and support healthy hip and joint mobility and strength. Containing a comprehensive range of ingredients, such as, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Collagen, Hip + Joint will help protect and support healthy hips and joints in dogs and cats of all ages! 

Always read the label. Intended for occasional or supplemental feeding in line with directions or advice from your animal health professional.

Why use Pet Drs Hip + Joint Supplement?

When our pet’s joints start to deteriorate due to age related outcomes or lifestyle factors, so too does their quality of life. This pain and discomfort can have a real effect on your pet’s mood, well-being and overall health.

Pet Drs Hip + Joint supplement  has been carefully researched and developed by a naturopath and veterinarian to optimise, maintain and support healthy hips and joints. Specifically containing Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, Hip + Joint can help relieve discomfort and/or pain as well as doubling as a preventative measure for young dogs predisposed to joint issues. 

Specially formulated with:

Glucosamine: is one of the most popular (& effective) ingredients for relieving joint pain and arthritis. Glucosamine helps to stimulate cartilage growth and thicken fluid around the joints to allow for easy movement and reduce pain. 

Chondroitin: Chondroitin sulphate is also used to maintain synovial fluid around the joints and help aid with joint pain and movement. It is also an important building block for cartilage. Combined with Glucosamine, the two go hand in hand to give extra joint protection and joint structure.

MSM: MSM helps to reduce muscle damage and also helps relieve general stiffness and pain related to aging. It does this by inhibiting inflammatory responses in the body and therefore reducing stress on these areas. 

Collagen: Collagen is a natural ingredient used to help lubricate the connective tissue that supports hips and joints. It is also great to be used as a preventative for dogs approaching their senior years or pups more prone to joint issues. 

Glutamine: is an amino acid used in supplements to help treat and prevent gastrointestinal damage and inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis). There have also been numerous studies to show it may be helpful for conditions such as bowel disease, parvovirus and chemotherapy. 

Vitamin C: Just like humans, Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant to keep us healthy and alive. This is the same for our pets! It helps by removing potentially harmful free radicals in the body and reducing inflammation. 

Omega 3 DHA: Omega 3 is an essential part of your dog's diet! As their body cannot make it naturally, they need to obtain it from their diet. Omega 3 supports an overall healthy lifestyle but most importantly protects and supports joints.

Manganese: this is an important micronutrient that is essential for your pets health as it is responsible for producing energy, carbohydrates and metabolising protein. Most importantly, it plays a role in the health and maintenance of bones and cartilage in joints. 

Specially formulated for:

• Senior pet’s struggling with joint issues
• Breeds predisposed to hip and joint problems
• Overweight pets 
• Highly active dogs, such as farm dogs, sporting dogs or agility and performance dogs
• Can be used as a preventive supplement

Directions:

Administer the daily dose of Hip + Joint over your pet’s food once daily per our guide below. 

Ingredients:

Glucosamine Sulphate, Collagen, MSM, Glutamine, Chondroitin Sulphate, Vitamin C, Omega 3 DHA, Beta Carotene, Manganese, Vitamin D, Bovine Collagen, Natural Beef Flavour, Beetroot, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Kale, Spinach, Turmeric, Blueberry, Spirulina, Ginger, Boswellia Extract, Black Pepper Extract