Joint Support For Dogs Guide [+ 3 Product Recommendations]

Table of Contents

Big or small, there’s no doubt that we love our pups. In fact, over half (66%) of American households own a pet, with dogs being the most popular companion (65.1 million U.S. households own a dog) followed closely by cats (46.5 million households) and fish (11.1 million households). This doesn’t change much when you look at the Great White North. 60% of Canadian households own at least one dog or cat. That’s a lot of fluffy friends!

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Dogs provide us with unconditional love and companionship, and in return, we do our best to take care of them in the best way possible. Unfortunately, due to breeding and as a result genetics, many dogs experience joint degradation and disease, with common ailments including hip dysplasia, dog arthritis, and general joint aches and pains.

Because of the prevalence of joint issues in dogs (osteoarthritis in dogs is estimated to affect more than 20% of dogs over one year of age), it’s essential that joint support for dogs is provided to help prevent or treat joint issues as your pup ages.

In this article, we discuss when you need to consider joint health supplements for dogs, the importance of providing your dog with joint support as they age, and product recommendations for dog joint support supplements.

When to Consider Joint Support for Dogs

There are a number of considerations to take into account when deciding the best time to incorporate joint health supplements for dogs into your pup’s diet. These considerations surround your dog’s age, breed, genetics, and whether they’re currently experiencing a joint injury or are prone to joint injuries.

Age

A common question that dog owners ask is “When can I start giving my dog joint support supplements?” The answer depends on your dog’s breed, the type of joint supplement you’d like to give your pup, and the recommendation of your veterinarian.

The general consensus is that you should wait until your pup reaches one year old before you start providing joint support for dogs. However, some sources suggest that if you have a dog that’s considered an at-risk breed for joint issues, you can start giving your dog a joint supplement as early as eight weeks.

If you and your veterinarian do decide that the best option is to provide joint support for your dog as early as possible (after they are eating solid food on a regular basis), it’s doubly important that you consider the ingredients of your chosen supplement.

Supplements with fillers and additives can be hard on a puppy’s stomach, so it’s important to choose a supplement with natural ingredients and little to no fillers and additives. TRI-ACTA is a great choice as it contains therapeutic amounts of 100% natural ingredients that naturally occur in your dog’s body, including glucosamine for dogs (HCl and Sulfate–both have unique benefits for your pup) methylsulfonylmethane (MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory) and chondroitin sulfate. These ingredients provide optimal joint support for dogs as they age.

TRI-ACTA for Pets

A proactive approach for developing and younger adult pets to maintain optimal joint health mobility, minimize inflammation and fend off age-related ailments.

Learn More

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Breed

While all dogs are susceptible to joint degradation and disease, there are certain breeds that have a higher risk of developing joint issues. Breeds that are at a higher risk for serious joint issues are outlined in the table below:

Dog Breed	Type of Joint Issue They are Susceptible to
Rottweiler	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia Cruciate ligament tearing Arthritis Osteochondritis dissecans (the cartilage in the joints doesn’t attach to the bones properly)
Golden Retriever	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia (an estimated 19.6% of Golden Retrievers suffer from hip dysplasia)
Labrador Retriever	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia (an estimated 17–21% of Labs suffer from hip dysplasia)
Mastiff	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia Cruciate ligament tearing Other diseases and ailments affecting the hips and elbows Eosinophilic panosteitis (inflammation of the long bones in the legs)
Boxer	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia Patellar luxation Spinal spondylosis (bony spurs on the vertebrae of the spine) Knuckling or bowleggedness in puppies
Italian Corso	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia Dog back legs weak and shaking
German Shepherd	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia (an estimated 19.8% of German Shepherds suffer from hip dysplasia)
Bernese Mountain Dog	Elbow dysplasia Hip dysplasia Cruciate ligament tearing Arthritis
Pomeranians	Luxating patella Stiffness Arthritis
Chihuahua	Osteoarthritis (estimated to affect as much as 20% of the Chihuahua population) Luxating patella
Yorkshire Terrier	Legg-Calve-Perthes (the head of the femur doesn’t get enough blood supply, causing it to degenerate and shrink) Arthritis
French Bulldog	Hip dysplasia Luxating patella Hemivertibra (incomplete spinal bone vertebrae, puppies can be born with this condition)
All dog breeds	Osteoarthritis Cruciate ligament disease

In general, larger dog breeds tend to suffer more with conditions such as hip dysplasia and dog elbow dysplasia, while torn cruciate ligament dog seems to occur more frequently in Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. Small breeds like Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and Yorkshire terriers have higher odds of developing patellar luxation, which is when the knee cap moves outside of the femoral groove (the part that holds the knee cap in place) when your pup flexes its knee.

Genetics

Many dogs experience joint conditions, and the general belief is that these conditions are more prevalent in pure-bred dogs. This is because many joint issues are inherited health conditions. Responsible breeding practices can help reduce the likelihood of your pup inheriting a serious joint condition, but it’s also important to remember that some dog breeds are susceptible to joint issues simply because of their body structure (Bulldogs, Labradors, and Border Collies are a few examples).

For example, Greyhound polyarthritis is a joint disease that, you guessed it, specifically affects greyhounds. The disease is characterized by thin and turbid (cloudy or murky with suspended matter) synovial fluid that clots upon contact with air, whereas normal synovial fluid is relatively clear and viscous and does not clot when exposed to air. Treatment for this condition involves doing all that you can to reduce inflammation and pain in your Greyhound’s joints, which can be achieved by giving them a joint supplement like TRI-ACTA H.A. The “H.A.” stands for hyaluronic acid, which is an essential ingredient for increasing the viscosity of the synovial fluid in your dog’s joints.

Joint Injury

If your pup has suffered a joint injury in the past or is a breed that is susceptible to joint injuries, it’s a good idea to get them started on dog joint support supplements as soon as possible. Some joint injuries are more likely to recur, especially ones caused either wholly or in part by joint degradation. This is because the joint structures are weakened, and even if they heal, the joint still isn’t the same as it was before.

To help your dog heal faster and more effectively from joint injuries, it’s important to provide them with joint support for dogs. TRI-ACTA H.A. is an effective extra-strength supplement, as aside from containing glucosamine HCl and sulfate like our regular TRI-ACTA (HCI is great for bioavailability and delivering more glucosamine to your dog’s body, while sulfate is an essential building block of your pup’s joints) as well as MSM, it also contains hyaluronic acid. This last ingredient increases the viscosity of the synovial fluid in your pup’s joints, allowing easier movement.

TRI-ACTA H.A. for Pets

Our maximum strength formula is optimally designed to accelerate the formation of cartilage, minimize inflammation, expedite the healing process, and improve joint conditions.

Learn More

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Types of Joint Support for Dogs

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There are a wide variety of different ways that you can provide joint support for dogs. It’s not just about doing one thing like giving your pup supplements, you should also ensure that they get a high-quality, balanced diet, and plenty of exercise.

1. Joint Supplements

One of the easiest and most effective ways to give joint support for dogs is to incorporate joint supplements into their diet. Joint tablets for dogs and chewable joint supplements for dogs are two possible varieties, but tablets can be difficult to administer and chewables often contain fillers and additives. Powdered dog joint supplements, on the other hand, are typically very easy to administer because they can be simply sprinkled onto your dog’s food, and if you go for a supplement like TRI-ACTA that contains no fillers or additives, then you’re ensuring your dog gets the benefit of the supplement without all that other stuff that may cause stomach upset or aggravate allergies.

When choosing a joint health supplement for dogs, it’s important you look for options that contain therapeutic amounts of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM. If you have an older dog or a dog that’s experienced a joint injury, look for a supplement that includes hyaluronic acid as well.

The table below outlines what these different ingredients do:

Ingredient	Benefit
Glucosamine HCl and Sulfate	Sulfur is an essential component of your pup’s joint tissue. It helps with general joint health and repair. Glucosamine sulfate provides this essential component to your pup’s joints. Glucosamine HCl is a highly bioavailable form of glucosamine, meaning that your pup’s body can absorb it easier, and therefore get the benefits of it faster.
Chondroitin	The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin promotes cartilage repair and helps prevent degradation of the cartilage in your pup’s joints.
MSM	A natural anti-inflammatory, MSM helps to reduce swelling in your pup’s joints, which in turn relieves pain.
Hyaluronic Acid	Increases the viscosity of the synovial fluid in your pup’s joints, facilitating easier and more effective movement with reduced friction.

2. Appropriate Exercise and Physical Activity

Dogs need exercise and playtime to keep them physically fit and healthy. But while it might be tempting to play frisbee with your Mastiff, it’s important to recognize that different types of dogs need different types of exercise.

Large or giant breed dogs are susceptible to joint injuries if they twist or turn in awkward ways due to their body conformation. This means that playing frisbee, ball, or other games where your dog needs to jump and move their body at weird angles to catch the prize are not the best options, as it could result in a trip to the vet. Instead, consider swimming, tug-o-war, and taking your dog on a run in the dog park.

Conversely, smaller dogs like Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas can move easier (although the average frisbee would likely bowl them over!) so games of fetch with appropriately-sized balls and toys are encouraged.

3. High-Quality Diet

We all love the occasional fast food burger as a treat, but it’s not the healthiest option for your daily diet. The same goes for your pup: cheap food with lots of fillers and preservatives will keep them fed, but it’s not the best for their overall health.

To choose high-quality dog food, you should look at more than just the price. Various organizations around the world, including the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), The Pet Food Association of Canada, and FEDIAF in Europe recommend the following when it comes to choosing the right food for your pet:

Nutritional adequacy: Choose the right dog food for your dog’s specific life stage. If they are a puppy, choose a dog food that clearly indicates it’s for puppies (puppies need more calories than adult dogs). Also, look for a statement on nutritional completeness or adequacy, as this will tell you if the food is meant for regular daily consumption or just as an occasional treat.
Ingredients: Pet food ingredients are generally listed from most to least. What you should be looking for in your dog’s food ingredients is meat or poultry protein, which will be listed as meat (flesh and fat), meat byproducts (organs, fatty tissue, and bones), or meal (can be a variety of ingredients like stomach contents, feathers, and more). Basically, the quality of ingredients when it comes to meat goes like this: meat, meat byproducts, and meal. Ideally, you want to choose a dog food that contains as much meat as possible.
Nutrient density: Dogs need more than just meat. They also need calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D to keep their teeth and bones strong. Be sure that the dog food that you’re choosing is nutritionally balanced.

Importance of Joint Health Supplements for Dogs

Providing your pup with joint support is essential, given the prevalence of joint conditions in dogs of all breeds and ages. Most joint supplements are easy to administer, and there are options available, like TRI-ACTA, that have no fillers or additives that may cause issues for your pup. Combined with a high-quality diet and appropriate exercise, you’re giving your pup the best chance of preventing joint issues or living as comfortably as possible with them should they experience joint problems later in life.

Proactive Joint Support for Dogs

One of the most important ways that you can provide effective joint support for dogs is by being proactive. Even if your dog isn’t currently limping around the house or showing signs of joint pain, it’s still a good idea to give them joint supplements now rather than wait until they start showing symptoms.

Like humans, as dogs age, their body doesn’t produce as many of the essential ingredients needed to maintain optimal joint health. If you’re over 30 and you’ve tried to get up from a chair or the couch recently, you probably understand what it’s like to suddenly realize that your joints just aren’t what they used to be!

Your pup is the same way. But if you’re proactive and give them dog joint support supplements, then you’re giving your dog’s body what it needs to keep their joints at optimal health, even as they grow older.