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So much of your dog’s quality of life depends on healthy joints. Whether it’s their daily walk, jumping to catch their favorite toy or simply taking a walk to the park, none of it is any fun when stiff, achy joints make it painful or even difficult to move.

What is a pet parent to do?  In the following, we’ll outline some common joint issues, signs to watch for, and the best ways to support your dog.

Table of contents

Joint and mobility issues: What’s ailing your dog? 
What are the signs of hip and joint pain in dogs?
Joint health and mobility supplements: Which active ingredients are best? 
What to look for in high quality dog health supplements
How to help dogs with hip and joint issues
Set your dog up for long-term health

Joint and mobility issues: What’s ailing your dog?

When it comes to the mobility and overall well-being of your dog, healthy joints are critical. A healthy joint structure that features a smooth layer of cartilage gives dogs the freedom of movement to run, play, and jump up on the couch for pets and belly rubs.

Unfortunately, joint issues are common in dogs, as with humans, particularly as they age.

Two of the most prevalent conditions are osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. Both can significantly reduce a dog’s mobility and quality of life.

• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease that leads to the breakdown of cartilage, resulting in inflammation, along with pain and stiffness during movement.
• Hip dysplasia: A genetic disorder that’s common in several large breed dogs, particularly Black Labs, German Shepherds and Great Danes. It begins early in life with the malformation of the hip joint, leading to arthritis and pain later on.

Signs of joint pain doesn’t necessarily mean it’s one of these two conditions. There are certainly others, but your dog’s vet can provide a professional opinion.

What are the signs of hip and joint pain in dogs?

Dogs can take a lot of pain and discomfort without making a fuss. Don’t miss the early signs of mobility issues by staying aware of shifts in their daily routine. Middle age is a good time to start watching for signs of stiffness and aches, but keep in mind that osteoarthritis and other joint conditions can also show up in young dogs as well.

• Reluctance or hesitation to use stairs, or jump unto the couch or bed
• Takes their time to get up from laying down
• Notable decrease in activity, lack of interest in playing, running and going on walks
• Loss of muscle mass, particularly in the thighs
• Avoids using a particular leg or walks with a limp.

Early detection and veterinary diagnoses are both key for effective management of hip and joint issues. Your dog’s vet can provide a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medication, physical therapy along with recommendations to make your best friend feel more comfortable at home.

At the same time, focus on maintaining your pet’s overall long-term health to maintain smooth movement in the joints. Maintaining a healthy weight keeps the excess pressure off. By incorporating joint health supplements into their diet, you can help support healthy joint tissue and their overall well-being.

Joint health and mobility supplements: Which active ingredients are best?

Supplements for dogs have become a popular way for pet parents to enhance their dog’s overall health. As an outcome of that drive to provide the best life for their beloved pets, there is no shortage of options to navigate.

In your search for a joint health supplement with active ingredients that are backed by science, here are three to watch for: MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a compound found in both plant and animal-based foods shown to help inhibit the inflammatory response,

Glucosamine is a natural compound found in human and animal cartilage, and chondroitin is a chemical that helps it resist compression. Clinical research shows that when they’re used in combination, they help reduce pain and improve movement in dogs with osteoarthritis.

That’s why at NutriSource®, we chose these three active ingredients when we created AmpliFull™ Mobility Soft Chews.

Of course, even when you’re armed with the most promising clinical research, it’s important not to think of any supplement as a magic bullet that blocks or reverses your pet’s joint issue. Rather, think of high-quality supplements as an effective supportive measure alongside veterinary treatment and a healthy lifestyle that features plenty of play, exercise and a balanced, nutritious diet.

Look for AmpliFull Mobility Soft Chews: High quality joint health supplements for dogs

Not all supplements are alike. That’s unfortunate, considering the reasons pet parents turn to them, which is to create the best possible life for your pet in a way that aligns with your values.

As you examine dog health supplements that target joint health and mobility, this checklist can help you narrow the field. So you can end up with a brand that you can feel great about giving your dog!

Certification: For any health and safety conscious pet parent, turning to certified brands can provide peace of mind, knowing they come from responsible suppliers who put pet health first. AmpliFull™ Soft Chews by NutriSource® bears National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal because they successfully met their rigorous quality requirements.

Your dog’s breed: If you have a larger breed that’s predisposed to joint and hip issues, consider active ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin found in AmpliFull Mobility Soft Chews. These can support long term cartilage health starting at any age. It also features ethically sourced first milk bovine colostrum, which can lessen joint pain and help with weight management.

Supplement quality: Supplements have plenty of startups, and brands that cater to canines are no exception. Look for brands with a track record in the animal nutrition space. AmpliFull was created and developed by NutriSource, a brand pet parents have entrusted for decades.

What appeals to your dog: Supplements for dogs come in a variety of formats. There are traditional capsules and liquids you can mix with their food. But other formats, like soft chews and gummies, feature aromas and flavors that invite dogs to come in for a chomp. Naturally, you’ll want to choose what appeals most to your dog to set up a fun daily routine.

How to help dogs with hip and joint issues

If your dog is showing signs of having painful, achy joints, the important thing is not to fret. Effective treatments recommended by your vet, coupled with a healthy lifestyle at home can go a long way in providing your dog with many happy days and years ahead.

Aim for a healthy weight: Curbing obesity in your pet can reduce stress on joints.

Maintain activity levels: It’s counterintuitive, but a sedentary lifestyle can make your dog’s arthritis worse. Talk to your vet about ways to gently nudge your dog into staying active, such as swimming or switching your walk routine.

Use a ramp: Providing your dog with a ramp or a set of steps can make their routine more comfortable, whether they want to join you on the couch, or enter and exit a vehicle.

Explore your options: Talk to your vet about whether physical therapy or pain management for your dog’s achy joints might help.

Set up your dog for long-term health

When it comes to your dog’s joint health and mobility, your best bet is a personalized plan from their veterinarian.

Whatever stage of life your dog is at, a veterinarian can provide expert guidance tailored to your dog’s age, breed and size. Supplements are there to provide support for their long-term health. (Just beware of potential side effects and monitor your dog for any adverse reactions.)

When you’re armed with information and support, dogs with joint issues can still enjoy happy, active lives. The key is to be proactive and work with your vet to help your best friend maintain mobility and overall well-being.

Take the first step: Support your dog’s overall health with AmpliFull Soft Chews

Give your dog a boost with AmpliFull Soft Chews by NutriSource. Each formula — Skin & Coat, Calming, Mobility, and Multivitamin — contains ethically-sourced bovine colostrum and is formulated for daily supplemental feeding. Try it in your dog’s routine today.

Try AmpliFull Mobility Soft Chews