Did you know that bone problems in dogs are more common than most people realize? And if you are here, chances are your dog will develop some sort of bone or joint problem. The promising news is that you can control it by giving adequate supplements! So if you want to learn more about this tip, keep reading this article, and don’t forget to share your thoughts and stories in the comment section!
But first, let’s list the common bone problems your dog might have.
COMMON BONE AND JOINT PROBLEMS IN DOGS
Dogs can develop a variety of bone and joint problems. Some of these conditions occur in young dogs, while others appear later in life. Some disorders are genetic, but many are not; they result from trauma or disease processes that affect the joints and bones.
? Arthritis
Arthritis is a common problem in dogs, with many types of arthritis affecting dogs. The most common type of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis, which is characterized by degenerative changes to the joints (especially the hips). Other varieties of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative joint disease (which affects cartilage).
? Myelopathy / Cauda Equina
Myelopathy is a disease that concerns the spinal cord and can be caused by many things. For example, it is possible for a dog to experience myelopathy due to injury or trauma to its spine. Another common cause of myelopathy is an infection in the brain called meningitis, which can spread up through the spinal cord and cause pain and weakness in dogs.
Myelopathy is often characterized by symptoms such as weakness or paralysis in one or more limbs, difficulty walking or moving around normally, loss of balance while standing on all fours (a sign known as ataxia), loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence), difficulty defecating (constipation) and difficulty urinating (urinary retention).
? Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO)
Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO), also known as wobbler syndrome, is a disease that affects large breed dogs. It is caused by problems with the joints in the jaw. CMO can be painful for your dog and can affect its overall quality of life. If you think your dog might have CMO, make an appointment with your veterinarian so they can examine them and decide if they need treatment or not.
? Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder that occurs when the hip joint is malformed or poorly developed. This can cause pain and arthritis, which may result in lameness for your pet. The condition can be treated with surgery, but there’s no way to reverse it once it develops. Hip dysplasia is diagnosed by X-ray imaging of the hips, although some dogs won’t show symptoms until later in life.
? Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD)
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is a disease of the hip joint. It causes damage to the blood supply to the femoral head, which is the ball at the top of your dog’s thigh bone that fits into his pelvis.
LCPD is most common in large breed dogs, especially German Shepherds and Dobermans. It can also affect medium and small breeds. It usually occurs in young male dogs between 5 and 8 months old, though it can arise as early as two to three months or as late as 14 months (on average).
? Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is also a typical illness in dogs. It is not painful but can lead to chronic lameness. In some cases, the elbow joint itself may need to be replaced surgically if the damage becomes severe enough.
Elbow dysplasia affects the elbow joint, which connects the lower arm bone (radius) with the two bones of your dog’s front leg (humerus). This joint is kept together by ligaments and tendons, as well as by muscles around it. When these structures are damaged or weakened because of injury or disease (such as arthritis), it causes instability in this part of your dog’s body.
? Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition that affects the cartilage of a dog’s joint. It most commonly occurs in the elbow but can also occur in other joints as well as the shoulder, knee, or hock. Cartilage is a slippery, rubbery substance found between bones at joints. OCD causes cartilage to become inflamed and weakened, which results in pain and lameness when you pet your dog or walk on uneven surfaces
Your vet will be able to diagnose OCD by performing an X-ray. If you detect a shift in behavior or lameness after your dog has been out running on icy or hard surfaces, it may be worth contacting your vet immediately to get him checked over.
CAN BONE PROBLEMS BE PREVENTED IN DOGS?
Yes, bone problems can be prevented in dogs.
The most important thing you can do to prevent bone problems in your dog is to make sure they are getting enough exercise. Dogs also need plenty of supplements in their diet, especially if they can’t get enough from their usual food.
If you’re giving your dog high-quality foods and supplements, you can restrain him from developing bone-related conditions. Check the next section for the complete list of what your dog needs.
BEST SUPPLEMENTS FOR DOG’S BONE
Your dog’s bones and joints play a very important role in its overall health. That is why it is important that you provide your dog with the nutrients it needs to keep them strong and healthy. There are actually some vitamins that can help your dog maintain strong bones and joints, so here’s a list of some of them:
? Collagen
When it comes to your dog’s bone health, a major component is a collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissue, including bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It also makes up skin and muscles in dogs.
Collagen has several roles in your dog’s body:
- It helps hold cells together.
- It provides structure to your dog’s bones, and those of you who are into anatomy know that the skeleton is what gives your pup his shape!
? Glucosamine
Glucosamine is an intrinsically occurring substance found in the fluid around your dog’s joints, and it’s considered an essential building block for healthy cartilage. It helps the body produce more flexible and resilient joint tissues, which reduces pain, stiffness, and inflammation when a dog moves around. Glucosamine also aids in repairing damaged cartilage by helping it to heal more quickly. This can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis while keeping your pup active and happy!
? Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan, meaning that it’s made up of sugars and proteins. This molecule is found in the cartilage and other connective tissues, where it helps to lubricate the joints and help prevent joint pain. Some dog food companies add chondroitin sulfate to their products to help with joint health.
? MSM
A sulfur compound known as methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural source of organic sulfur. Sulfur is an important component of joint cartilage, tendons, and ligaments and helps with the production of connective tissues. MSM also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate pain associated with arthritis. Additionally, it helps maintain healthy skin and coat, promotes muscle recovery after exercise or injury, improves cardiovascular health by stimulating healthy blood flow, and boosts energy levels.
? Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are used to treat dog arthritis. These acids have been shown to help ease symptoms of joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation in dogs who have osteoarthritis.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for skin and coat health. It’s no secret that dogs love peanut butter, and it turns out that’s good news for your pup’s health! Peanut butter contains omega-6 fatty acids that can help prevent the skin from developing excess oils or dryness. In some cases, it could even speed up healing after surgery or injury by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. When it comes to skin health, be sure your dog is getting enough omega-6s in his diet; otherwise, try adding peanut butter!
? Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the water-soluble vitamins, which means that your dog’s body won’t store excess amounts of it. Every day your dog needs to get enough Vitamin C from their diet or supplements in order to maintain good health.
Vitamin C is necessary for the development and repair of tissues in the body and for maintaining the immune system. Large portions of Vitamin C have been shown to have restorative effects on skin health, eye health, and immune function.
In addition to its many additional advantages, Vitamin C has been shown to act as an antioxidant by combating free radicals that can impair cells in your dog’s body (free radicals are normal byproducts of metabolism). This makes them notably useful if you have an elder dog who may be more susceptible to disease because they’ve lived longer than their peers (or maybe just because they’re older).
NATURAL FOOD SOURCES FOR DOG’S BONE HEALTH
I’m sure you’ve heard that dogs with healthy bones live longer and have fewer joint issues. But did you know there are lots of natural food sources for bone health? Here are five foods that can help keep your dog’s bones strong:
? Avocados
Avocados are a good source of vitamins K, C, and B6. They’re also high in monounsaturated fat. These fruits can help reduce inflammation and the risk of heart disease, according to some research. Additionally, avocados are rich in fiber that helps maintain good gut health by keeping your pup regular and healthy.
? Cheese
Cheese is an acceptable source of calcium and protein, as well as several other nutrients. Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth, as well as proper muscle function. Cheese also contains vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and phosphorus. Calcium helps your dog’s body absorb the phosphorus in cheese (or any other dairy product), an essential nutrient supporting bone strength and growth.
Zinc is another mineral found in cheese that helps build healthy bones by helping the body absorb calcium from food sources like dairy products like cheese or yogurt too! Cheese also contains selenium which has been shown to reduce inflammation throughout your dog’s entire body, including his joints!
? Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural source of healthy fats that your dog can easily digest. It’s also rich in lauric acid, which helps boost the immune system and keep your dog’s digestive tract healthy. Coconut oil may also serve as lubrication for your dog’s bones. You can add coconut oil to food or use it as a supplement for your dog’s meals.
? Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and riboflavin. They’re also a good source of protein, selenium, and choline. Egg yolks contain more cholesterol than egg whites, but both parts are beneficial to your dog’s health as long as they don’t consume too much at once.
? Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are good sources of calcium, but they’re not as easily absorbed by the body as the calcium in dairy products. They contain oxalates, which bind to calcium so that your dog can’t use them. The best fruits and vegetables tend to be dark leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and collards. Other choices include broccoli stems (with the leaves removed), bok choy, and Chinese cabbage. If you need to add supplementary fiber to your dog’s diet without counting many calories or much protein, consider substituting fruits for vegetables in his diet every once in a while; an apple a day may help keep the vet away!
FINAL WORDS
We hope that this article has helped you understand how important it is for your dog to get enough vitamins for his or her bone health. There are so many different ways that these nutrients can be found in food, which means you don’t have to fear giving them supplements every day. If you’re still skeptical about what type of diet would be best for your pet’s needs, we recommend contacting your veterinarian or local animal shelter!
If your dog has a loose stool, then you have to give him appropriate dog food. Click here to know what’s best for him!
