How to Choose the Best Hip Supplements for Your Dog
As a pup owner, keeping track of your dog's health is of the utmost importance because just like humans, dogs may experience different types of illnesses or conditions that could affect their quality of life.
One of the most common problems seen in dogs is hip dysplasia, which primarily affects older dogs. If your dog is experiencing mobility problems related to hip dysplasia, you’ll certainly want to seek medical attention from a qualified Vet, but you can also help improve their condition by offering them a hip supplement designed specifically for dogs.
This Blog Post will explain what dog hip supplements are, what they contain, how they work, why you should use them, and finally, how to pick the right hip supplement for your four-legged best friend.
Advantages of Hip Supplements for Dogs
The best hip supplement for your dog is the one that provides the most relief from their joint and hip pain. Here’s a list of the benefits you can expect to see once you’ve found one that truly works for your dog:
- Improved hip mobility and function: If your dog shows signs of difficulty using their hind legs and pain when getting up or laying down, it might be due to hip issues. Giving them a high-quality dog hip supplement can help ease that pain while improving their mobility.
- Reduced risks of hip and joint issues in later life: Dog supplements for hips and joints can be given to your dogs from an early age as a part of their diet to reduce the risk of developing hip and joint problems as they grow older.
- Injury prevention: Injuries can happen anytime, especially if your dog is active and loves playtime. Giving them hip supplements can help ensure their hips and joints are strong, healthy, and less prone to injuries that reduce mobility.
- Less pain from hip and elbow dysplasia and arthritis: Dogs diagnosed with hip and elbow dysplasia or arthritis can take hip supplements designed to provide nutrients that help reduce the pain associated with these conditions.
- Reduced inflammation to relieve hip and joint pain: Hip problems cause pain and mobility problems due to inflammation, but high-quality hip supplements will help reduce that inflammation, making it easier for your dog to get around and do the things they love like going for walks and playing.
What are Dog Hip Supplements & How Do They Work?
Hip supplements for dogs provide vitamins, minerals and other ingredients designed to provide extra support for aging dogs, dogs recovering from injuries, and dogs experiencing joint stiffness or arthritis problems.
Good hip supplements offer the ingredients dogs need to reduce pain and inflammation, improving their mobility and allowing them to get around more easily. The best joint and hip supplements include effective ingredients like Glucosamine, Chondroitin, White Willow Bark, and MSM, which help support healthy hips and joints by reducing inflammation and improving flexibility.
What are the Most Efficient Ingredients in Dog Hip Supplements?
The best supplement for dogs' hip health includes ingredients proven to improve hip dysplasia and other joint problems, including:
Glucosamine
One of the most well-known active ingredients primarily used in hip and joint supplements is Glucosamine. It works by protecting the cartilage while supporting new cartilage growth. And unlike some other anti-inflammatory medications, Glucosamine is safe for long-term use.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin sulfate also helps support healthy cartilage in canines by lubricating the joints to help slow down their degeneration. Additionally, Chondroitin also promotes cartilage production.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM is an ingredient with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MSM is reported to help flush out cells, which leads to better joint health and fewer mobility problems. It also allows nutrients and minerals to be absorbed by your dog's body as it flushes out toxins from its cells.
White Willow Bark
White willow bark comes from the white willow tree and is recommended for pets with various disorders that cause pain. White willow bark is reported to help alleviate pain in dogs by reducing inflammation.
How to Pick the Most Effective Dog Hip Supplement
When choosing the best supplement for dogs with hip problems, you should consider the following factors:
Active Ingredients
To ensure that the supplement will really work to improve your dog’s hip health and reduce their joint pain, make sure it includes premium-quality active ingredients, like:
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- White Willow Bark
Different brands use different ingredients in their supplements, but the four listed above are critically important for improving canine hip mobility.
Manufacturing Certifications
Make sure that the supplements you feed your dog are cGMP certified, which means they were produced using Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations created and enforced by the FDA. This helps to ensure that the supplement contains what it claims to contain, doesn’t contain anything else, and that it’s safe to give to your dog.
Easy to Eat & Not Messy
You’ll want to pick a hip supplement that is easy to eat, such as those which come in the form of treats and chews. For senior pups, this is especially important, as they may have missing teeth, mouth pain, or other problems that could make it difficult for them to take supplements in a different format. Soft, chewable supplements are typically the best option, and supplements that taste great make things even easier.
Made in the USA
The best dog hip supplements are sourced and manufactured in the United States, where ingredient quality and manufacturing processes are strictly monitored and controlled. While supplements sourced and made in the USA may cost slightly more, you can rest assured that they’re also far less likely to cause health problems for your dog.
Critical Ingredients to Avoid in Supplements for Dogs
Not all manufacturers use the same ingredients in their hip supplements, and some may even add unnecessary or unhealthy ingredients like binders and fillers that can make your dog sick. Try to avoid hip supplements that contain any of the following ingredients:
- Cellulose
- Cornstarch
- Lactose
- Sorbitol
- Calcium Phosphate
- Silica
- Alginic Acid
- Lecithin
- Preservatives
- Artificial Coloring
- Honey
- Gum Arabic
- Crospovidone
- Stearic acid
Giving your dog a supplement with ingredients they don’t need could cause minor issues, or much larger problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, digestion problems, allergies, and other more serious conditions.
What are the Most Common Forms of Dog Supplements?
The best hip supplements for dogs will come in a form that’s easy to give and easy for your dog to eat. Here’s a review of the most common forms of supplements:
- Powder: You can add or mix supplement powder to your dog's food, but be careful of getting it in this form, because it’s likely to make a big mess.
- Oil: You can add supplemental oils to their food or squeeze it into their mouths, but this too can create big sticky messes.
- Capsules/Pills: You can hide supplement capsules in your dogs food or administer them orally, but many dogs will simply spit them back out after eating the food around them.
- Treats/Chews: The most efficient and straightforward way to give your dogsupplements is by using a treat or soft chew, which they’ll actually enjoy eating, making supplementation far easier than any of the formats listed above.
Get the Perfect Hip Supplement for Your Dog from Pet&Cuddle
Pet&Cuddle offers only the highest quality dog supplements, including our excellent Dog Hip and Joint Supplement.
Featuring all-natural ingredients sourced and manufactured in the USA, this supplement is cGMP certified and contains all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to improve their hip and joint health.
Composed of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, White Willow Bark and MSM, our hip supplement will help reduce your dog’s joint pain and arthritis symptoms, increase their hip and joint mobility, and reduce inflammation to ensure they can live their best life.
For additional support, we also provide excellent Dog Skin & Coat Supplements, which are perfect for dogs that are experiencing problems like itchy skin, flaky skin, or other skin allergies.
Questions About Hip Supplements for Dogs
Do you have any other questions about hip supplements for dogs? Here are some of the most common questions we’ve received:
Are dog hip supplements safe?
As long as you choose a supplement with the right ingredients, hip supplements will be safe and effective. Make sure to review the ingredients list on any supplement that you’re considering giving to your dog.
Can supplements help my dog's hips?
Choosing the right supplement can help your pup’s hips, especially breeds prone to hip dysplasia. Make sure that the hip supplement you try contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin, two active ingredients known to help with hip and joint pain.
Do vets recommend hip supplements for dogs?
Yes, many veterinarians recommend hip supplements, especially for senior dogs with hip problems. Supplements can reduce the pain and alleviate inflammation in the hips, improving mobility and increasing your dog’s quality of life.
What breeds should take dog hip supplements?
Any dog can take hip supplements, especially those susceptible to hip problems. Some examples of breeds commonly known to have hip problems are German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
At what age can you give supplements for a dog's hips?
You can safely start giving your dog hip supplements once they turn one year old. The older a dog gets, the more likely they are to need supplementation, but giving them earlier can help prevent degeneration and help maintain your dog’s hip health.
Do dogs really need hip supplements?
Yes, some dogs need hip supplements to support their joints and cartilage, which are critical to maintaining the health of their hips. Even if they're not old or limping, supplements can be used to prevent problems from occurring in the future, so they should be considered.
How long does it take for dog hip supplements to work?
Most joint supplements take four to eight weeks before showing their full effects. If your dog is having a serious issue, please make sure to get them to the Vet for a full check-up as soon as possible.
Can a dog overdose on hip supplements?
Signs of an overdose in dogs taking hip supplements are vomiting and diarrhea. This is easy to avoid by simply following the dosage instructions on your supplement. Make sure not to give too much of the supplement and you can easily prevent any adverse effects.
What are the best supplements for dogs with hip problems?
The best dog hip supplement should have active ingredients that target hip and joint health, such as Glucosamine, GLM, MSM, White Willow Bark, and Chondroitin. When combined, these components can help relieve your dog’s pain and inflammation, significantly improving their mobility and quality of life.
