Bone and Joint Health for Dogs

Dogs have 321 bones in their body, about 100 more than humans. Bones enable movement by working with muscles. When the muscles attached to bones around a joint contract, the bones move and the joint bends.

Joints are cushioned by cartilage, a slippery tissue that works together with joint fluid and bone to act as a shock absorber and permit joint flexibility. Aging, injury and over-activity can break down cartilage.

Joint health issues are more common in large-breed dogs, overweight dogs, working dogs and senior dogs. However, bone and joint health can be affected in dogs of any age or breed.

Common signs of a bone or joint health issue include:

• Reluctance to climb stairs
• Falling behind on walks
• Difficulty getting up in the morning or after a nap
• Personality change

As always, contact your veterinarian and request a wellness exam. Your veterinarian can help determine your options for managing joint health issues. Management for bone and joint health issues include pain relief, exercise, surgery, and/or the use of joint health supplements.

Many veterinarians recommend joint health supplements to help support and maintain healthy joints in dogs. Several ingredients, specifically glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), found in certain joint health supplements have been shown to work together to help protect cartilage structure and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage.

Ask your veterinarian if a joint health supplement can benefit your dog.