Key Facts About Your Dog’s Joint Health

Why Is Joint Health So Important?

Joints play a central role in your dog’s mobility.
Healthy joints allow for an active and joyful life.
Joint issues can occur at any age, often due to congenital abnormalities or degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis.

Signs of Joint Problems

• Stiff gait after resting

• Limping or lameness

• Avoidance of stairs or jumping

• Decreased interest in play

Tips to Support Your Dog’s Joint Health

Weight Management

• Ensure your dog maintains an ideal body weight

• Excess weight increases stress on the joints

• Your dog’s body condition can be assessed using the Body Condition Score (BCS); an ideal score is 5 out of 9

Adapted Physical Activity

• Duration, frequency, and intensity of exercise should always match your dog’s health status and daily condition

• Regular movement is crucial for cartilage nutrition

Exercises for Stability and Flexibility

• In addition to daily walks, dogs benefit from targeted fitness routines

• Balance training activates the deep muscles, which are essential for joint stability

Cartilage Nutrition

• Cartilage has no blood vessels and is nourished by the joint fluid (synovial fluid)

• Movement causes alternating compression and decompression of cartilage, much like a pump

• This "pumping" action delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cartilage and removes waste products

Nutritional Supplements

• Certain supplements can support joint health

• Goals include preserving cartilage, stimulating its regeneration, inhibiting cartilage-degrading enzymes, and improving joint lubrication

• Useful ingredients may include collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA)