Did you know that animal trachea can help your ageing dogs arthritis and other joint issues?

After the buzzing years of puppyhood and young adults, your dog settles into his golden years and offers the slow comfort of routine, relaxation, and gentle companionship. But there’s also a flipside to this slowing down – ageing. Your dog will show a reluctance to play, will start to exhibit arthritis and the beginning of other joint-related issues, As your dog ages, the moods and personality could also show a slow decline. Could there be a cure for the age-related issues?

Glucosamine – could it be a cure for joints and mobility?

Glucosamine is one of nature’s wonders and this natural compound is found in the building blocks of cartilage. It is this compound that comes to the aid of dogs suffering from arthritis or bone and joint pain. It does this by cushioning the area the between joints where the cartilage is damaged, thin or missing. This is the good news for your dog. But even better news is that glucosamine is a natural supplement and it can be found in foods that your dog loves. Let’s look at a few natural sources of glucosamine which you can offer to your dog, in their meals or treats daily.

Beef trachea

Beef trachea is like chicken feet and made of cartilage mostly. Its high glucosamine levels, up to 5%, means a 30-gram chunk of beef trachea could easily contain about 1,400mg of glucosamine. A medium-sized arthritic dog is usually recommended about 1,000mg of glucosamine for easing the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis and other bone issues. Offering a beef trachea as a treat gives your dog the required glucosamine levels to counter arthritic pain. Additionally, the trachea is also high in protein and low in fat. So while you are working on improving your dog’s joint health, your dog’s dental health gets a good workout too.

Lamb trachea

These are smaller versions of trachea and are suitable for sensitive dogs that have allergies and food intolerances. These treats contain high amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine, and have been proven successful in ensuring healthy joints in dogs.And of course, these crispy treats are great at cleaning your dog’s teeth while strengthening its jaw muscles.

Are herbal supplements safe?

The market is flooded with supplements but not all of them are up to doggy standards of health. In fact, some companies evenmarket questionable products and those can be dangerous to your dog. Think about it:

• There is no reliable data regarding the correct or safe dosages per animal depending on the severity of the pain and inflammation.
• Several supplements are known to contain too much glucosamine, which can cause toxicity. The side-effects can be dehydration, bloody diarrhoea, lameness, nose bleeds, etc.
• The supplements could also contain unlisted additives that could be fatal for animals.
• Supplements may not contain the same dosage as mentioned on the label.
• Some glucosamine supplements have been known to increase the risk of glaucoma.

Try food-based supplementation instead

Glucosamine is a naturally-occurring chemical in your pet’s body and it is the main driver in building thick protective fluid to cushion the joints and also aid in building strong tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. When offering your dog this compound, go for natural, bioavailable sources of glucosamine instead of supplements. These will be easily absorbed into your pet’s body unlike supplements where the body has to work harder to recognise the compound and find ways to utilise it. If you must give a glucosamine supplement, opt for those that have been created from natural sources. And not those that are synthetically manufactured.

Conclusion

Glucosamine is an important part of your dog's diet, especially as he ages. It could help cushion the cartilage between these joints, offering your dog relief from arthritic pain. Giving glucosamine is easier if your dog is on a raw food diet. But if you are feeding kibble, you may need to find an additional glucosamine boost.