5 foods for healthy canine joints
According to the RSPCA , canine arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs and affects four out of five older dogs. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints which causes pain, discomfort and stiffness. Cartilage within the joint can change and become damaged, making it less ‘smooth’ and causing the bones to rub together. This creates even more pain.
There are many things that can make arthritis and joint paint more severe for dogs, including obesity, cold weather, hard walking surfaces and food allergens. With inflammation being the main culprit for the development of arthritis and unhealthy joints, it’s important to try to incorporate anti-inflammatory foods in your ageing dog’s diet, to reduce the risk of joint damage and the development of joint diseases such as arthritis.
In this blog post, we take a look at different foods and ingredients that can help to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and keep joints supple and healthy.
Our top 5 natural ingredients for healthy joints in dogs
Turmeric
Turmeric is a herbal anti-inflammatory that is commonly used to naturally treat joint pain and arthritis. Curcumin is the component of turmeric specifically that reduces pain, inflammation and stiffness by blocking inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
The recommended dose of turmeric for dogs is 15mg–20mg per pound of body weight per day, which can be easily added to their raw food.
Ginger
Ginger is another natural remedy for combatting joint inflammation and pain. In fact, it has been shown to have the same anti-inflammatory power as ibuprofen!
The recommended dose of fresh ginger for dogs is no more than one-sixteenth of a teaspoon per pound of body weight per day. Again, this can easily be added to their raw food.
Please note, if your dog has other pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, you should consult your vet before feeding ginger.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s, and their fatty acids EPA and DHA, are found in oily fish such as salmon, and are widely renowned for the joint protection qualities. Omega-3s block many sources of inflammation, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Feeding your dog high-quality salmon, as featured in our Salmon with Turkey formula, and our Tripe, Salmon & Vegetable Meatballs, is a great way to incorporate more omega-3s into their diet and therefore supporting their joint health.
Natural, green-lipped mussel powder
Green-lipped mussels originate from New Zealand and are well-known for their ability to reduce pain, increase movement and improve quality of life for sufferers of osteoarthritis. They are extremely nutrient dense, containing high levels of minerals, essential amino acids, glycoproteins and omega 3 fatty acids.
Nutriment’s Leo & Wolf 4-in-1 Complete Dog Supplement features this wonder-ingredient and is a great supplement to give your dog to keep their joints healthy and alleviate the painful symptoms of arthritis and joint pain.
Fruit & veg
There are many fruits and vegetables that harness incredible anti-inflammatory power. These include spinach and kale (which contain lutein antioxidants), blueberries (which contain anthocyanins antioxidants), pumpkin (which contains beta-carotene), carrots (which contains vitamin A and beta-carotene) and broccoli (which contains sulforaphane antioxidants).*
These superfood fruit and veggies are commonly featured in Nutriment recipes for their anti-inflammatory and joint-friendly properties, or if you want to incorporate more into your pup’s diet check out our Leo & Wolf Fruit, Vegetable and Herb mix.
*(Top tip! To find which recipes contain these ingredients, use the search bar on our website!)
A note on common allergens
It is widely accepted that allergens (be them environmental, medicinal, food or other) create inflammation in the body which can have an effect on the joints. Be sure to exclude common allergens such as grains and artificial additives from your dog’s diet if they are prone to or suffer from joint pain
