Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

The Many Benefits Of Glucosamine Chondroitin For Dogs

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As dogs get older, they often struggle with joint pain and osteoarthritis just as we humans do. There is reports to show that glucosamine for dogs, in conjunction with chondroitin has been extremely effective for relieving this pain. Researchers are taking a more in depth look at this remedy and how it can be beneficial to the canines in our lives.

What Glucosamine Chondroitin Is

Glucosamine and chondroitin, when coupled together are a natural joint supplement that can be taken orally for both adults and canines alike. They will help to reduce pain, inflammation and even assist to rebuild the cartilage that has deteriorated with age or was damaged through an injury.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that helps promote and repair cartilage. Chondroitin is a component of cartilage that inhibits the enzymes that break down cartilage. When these two team together, they help inhibit the destructive enzymes that can break down cartilage while at the same time repair damage cartilage.

Studies have been done using placebos versus the glucosamine chondroitin combination and the results have been very favorable. While the exact growth of cartilage remains to be seen, the actual relief to animals been administer with glucosamine chondroitin has been significant. Furthermore, it doesn’t carry the side effects that other methods produce.

Similar to how Vitamin C and other herbal supplements can help provide our bodies the extra effort they need in performing day-to-day bodily functions, the same can probably be said of glucosamine chondroitin for dogs. One of the best all-natural joint supplement is Synflex liquid glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs that really help dogs to reduce joint inflammation, alleviate arthritic pain, rehabilitate cartilage as well as improve mobility.

How It’s Different From Typical Drugs

Glucosamine for dogs has basically confirmed that it can rebuild cartilage and improve mobility without any risks or side effects. The other, more mainstream types of anti-inflammatory medicine will never do this. Taking a dog suffering from joint pain to the vet’s office will normally involve a shot of NSAIDS or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs the likes of Rimadyl, EtoGesic or another one that is only going to help decrease the swelling and the pain however will not repair damaged cartilage. Canines that are on NSAIDS will additionally require regular monitoring to make certain that they aren’t going into liver or kidney failure. Gastrointestinal bleeding is also a common side effect.

Your dog needs help and support as he gets older. Regardless of whether it’s dog hip dysplasia, arthritis, or joint pain, it will certainly cause your canine extreme pain as he tries to get around. Since they can’t tell you that they are experiencing pain, they rely upon you to ultimately make the best decisions for them. Natural cures such as glucosamine chondroitin for dogs are the greatest ways to get them the cure they need without any unsafe side effects.

How to Keep Your Aging Poodle Comfortable

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Once your Poodle advances in years, how can you best care for your aging pet every day? “Give your Poodle whatever she wants to keep happy,” suggests one aging Poodle owner. “She deserves it for being such a loyal and loving companion.”

You can start by giving your Poodle a softer place on which to rest her aching bones and joints. Perhaps in her youth she was content to nap on a hard floor, but in old age a comfy bed is in order. Stiffness from osteoarthritis is made worse by sleeping on cold, damp ground or hard surfaces.

You can purchase a soft bed at a pet-supply store or make one yourself with thick foam rubber (easily found at thrift stores) covered with a machine-washable, snug blanket. Place the bed in a dry, draft-free area of the house. Older dogs are sensitive to the extremes of heat and cold. Additionally, reduce stiffness by drying off your Poodle if she gets wet.

Dry her thoroughly after bathing or an outing in wet weather. Make sure she doesn’t get wet and stay damp.

An arthritic Poodle may find it difficult to bend down to eat and drink from bowls on the floor. Consider buying an eating table (a neck-level table with special cutouts for food and water bowls) for her. This will be more comfortable for the senior Poodle who is hesitant to bend her neck due to the stiffness of arthritis.

While an arthritic Poodle may wish to avoid activity because it’s painful, there’s nothing more beneficial to an older dog than a regular exercise program. Exercise improves muscle tone and strength, keeps joints moving, and keeps weight on target. The veterinarian can prescribe medication to reduce arthritic pain to make exercise possible.

Activity is essential, but you’ll need to protect your arthritic Poodle from injury by modifying exercise and not allowing her to overdo it. Avoid jumping and other activities that wear down the joints more. Lift your olden poodle in and out of the car. Avoid stairs and rough play. Let her choose the pace she wants.

The aging Poodle needs more rest than she did in her younger years. If the Poodle is exercising on a regular basis and wishes to nap more, allow that. Just make sure you have a comfy bed handy.

The older Poodle is a creature of habit. She is not likely to appreciate sudden changes in routine, bed placement, food dishes, and activity. Keep such changes to a minimum, changing only what you must.

If you’re planning a vacation, consider hiring a pet sitter to care for your Poodle at home rather than take her to a boarding kennel. Older dogs don’t tolerate drastic changes in their routine such as being away from home in a boarding kennel no matter how nice the place is. Keeping your old Poodle at home while you’re away in the care of a trusted pet sitter is often your best option.

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