Comprehensive Guide to Holistic Canine Joint Care: A Multifaceted Approach
Maintaining optimal joint health is paramount for dogs of all ages, influencing their mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life. While conventional treatments exist, many dog owners are turning to holistic approaches to support their furry companions’ joint health. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore a wide range of natural strategies and therapies, including nutrition, herbal remedies, physical therapy, environmental modifications, homeopathy, acupuncture, PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) technology, and red light therapy, to promote joint health in dogs holistically.
Understanding Canine Joint Health
Joints serve as vital connections between bones, facilitating movement and flexibility. Over time, wear and tear, injuries, and age-related changes can lead to joint inflammation, stiffness, and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Holistic approaches aim to address these issues by promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and improving overall joint function.
Joint issues like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylitis, hip dysplasia, lameness, and luxating patellas can occur in a high proportion of dogs. Often attributed to age, weight, activity level, and breed, joint issues do not discriminate. Around 1 in 5 dogs over the age of 1 can experience joint problems, with the incidence rising significantly after age 4. Additionally, 1 out of 4 dogs suffers from arthritis. Arthritis isn’t always the result of old age either. One review found that osteoarthritis exists in 20% of dogs over 1 year old and is likely “heavily underestimated.”
Thus, thinking about joint support for your dog can never be done too soon! With so many alternative therapies and supplements on offer, it can be hard to know what protocol is going to work best for you and your dog.
In this article, we will discuss the different multifaceted approaches you can look at for your dog’s joint care. From alternative treatments, and nutritional joint support to choosing the most appropriate joint supplement, we hope to guide you through every facet of joint care to make an informed decision for your dog.
Avoid Over-Vaccination
Research from Purdue University indicates that vaccines can create antibodies that destroy collagen, the tissue that keeps joints stable. Collagen constitutes over 70% of your dog’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other joint-supporting tissues. When collagen breaks down, joint stability decreases, leading to inflammation, pain, and eventual joint disease.
Nutrition for Joint Health
A fresh, balanced and nutritious diet is foundational for supporting joint health in dogs.
Carbohydrates are high-glycemic index foods that contribute to the production of advanced glycation end (AGE) products. These AGEs form during the processing of food, and when your dog consumes processed foods like kibble, they get released into the body, causing inflammation.
A fresh, whole-food diet free of these inflammatory agents can help protect your dog’s joints from disease. Foods rich in antioxidants can also combat oxidative stress, reducing inflammation.
Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fresh oily fish, Green lipped mussell and algae oil, can help reduce inflammation and support joint function. Additionally, feeding a diet high in lean protein provides essential nutrients for cartilage repair and overall joint health.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight can place additional pressure on your dog’s joints, leading to increased strain and inflammation. Keeping your dog’s weight within a healthy range will help to reduce joint stress and help decrease joint inflammation caused by fat. Check out our article on body scoring here to see your dogs ideal body condition score.
Herbal Remedies for Joint Support
Herbal remedies offer a gentle and natural approach to supporting canine joint health. Certain herbs possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties that can help reduce joint inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote healing. Common herbs used for joint support include Turmerichi, ginger, boswellia, and devil’s claw. We’ll be taking a much looking closer at herbs for joint support in an upcoming article!
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Regular exercise and physical therapy are essential for maintaining joint health and mobility in dogs. Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, and gentle stretching exercises help strengthen muscles, improve joint flexibility, and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, targeted physical therapy techniques, such as massage, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, provide pain relief and promote healing in dogs with joint issues.
Environmental Modifications
Creating a supportive environment for your dog contributes to their joint health and comfort. Providing a soft and supportive bed to cushion their joints while resting, using ramps or stairs to help them navigate stairs or furniture, and minimising slippery surfaces in your home are essential steps to prevent falls and injuries.
Holistic Therapies
In addition to conventional approaches, several holistic therapies can support canine joint health:
• Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies aim to stimulate the body’s innate healing mechanisms and restore balance. Remedies such as Rhus tox, Bryonia, and Arnica montana are commonly used to address joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
• Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and relieve pain. It can help improve joint mobility, reduce inflammation, and promote overall well-being.
• PEMF Technology
PEMF therapy utilises electromagnetic fields to promote cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. It can be used as a non-invasive treatment option for dogs with joint issues.
• Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, involves exposing tissues to low-level red or near-infrared light to promote healing and reduce inflammation. It can help alleviate joint pain and stiffness in dogs.
Selecting Joint Supplements
When considering joint supplements, it’s important to address all mechanisms responsible for joint disease and choose ingredients that support these processes. Here are the key factors to consider:
1.Digestion
Ingredients like N Acetyl Glucosamine and Green Lipped Mussel can support gut health and prevent leaky gut syndrome, which is linked to joint inflammation.
•N Acetyl Glucosamine: This form of glucosamine helps heal the gut mucosa, addressing ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and reducing associated inflammation .
•Green Lipped Mussel (GLM): Rich in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) like chondroitin sulfate, which support joint and digestive health .
2.Inflammation
Green Lipped Mussel, Devil’s Claw, Boswellia Serrata, Curcumin, MSM, and Ginger are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
•Green Lipped Mussel: Contains EPA and DHA, fatty acids that reduce inflammation and act as natural COX and LOX inhibitors, similar to NSAIDs .
•Devil’s Claw: Contains iridoid glycosides, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects .
•Boswellia Serrata: Suppresses inflammation by inhibiting lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways .
•Curcumin: Inhibits COX-2 and LOX pathways, providing anti-inflammatory benefits .
•MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): Reduces cytokine production involved in inflammation .
•Ginger: Contains compounds that function like COX-2 inhibitors, helping reduce joint inflammation.
Additionally, consider Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). PEA is a fatty acid amide known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It can help alleviate chronic pain and inflammation in dogs with joint issues.
When choosing a joint supplement, consider the bioavailability of ingredients, avoid unnecessary fillers, and look for products free from dairy, wheat, gluten, and soy. Additionally, ensure the supplement is in its purest form, with minimal processing and no artificial additives.
3.Degradation
Glucosamine HCL, chondroitin, Collagen Type II, and Green Lipped Mussel help support the joint matrix and prevent cartilage degradation.
•Glucosamine HCL and Chondroitin: Serve as building blocks for cartilage, tendons, and ligaments .
•Collagen Type II: Rich in amino acids important for cartilage building and has anti-inflammatory properties .
•Green Lipped Mussel: Provides glycosaminoglycan precursors for joint support .
•Vitamin C: Supports collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection.
4.Oxidation
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and MSM provide antioxidant support to protect against free radical damage.
•Vitamin C and E: Both vitamins act as antioxidants, helping to prevent oxidative stress on joints .
•MSM: Alleviates oxidative stress markers and muscle damage .
•Joint Lubrication: Hyaluronic Acid and Green Lipped Mussel support synovial fluid production for joint lubrication.
•Hyaluronic Acid: Provides lubrication and acts as a cushioning agent within joints .
•Green Lipped Mussel: Supplies polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) necessary for synovial fluid.
When choosing a joint supplement, consider the bioavailability of ingredients, avoid unnecessary fillers, and look for products free from dairy, wheat, gluten, and soy. Additionally, ensure the supplement is in its purest form, with minimal processing and no artificial additives.
Learn more about finding clean supplements by heading to our supplement support article linked here.
The Drawbacks of NSAIDs for Joint Pain
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are commonly prescribed by veterinarians for dogs experiencing joint pain. These medications, including Rimadyl (carprofen), Metacam, loxicom, Deramaxx, and Previcox, are known as COX-2 inhibitors. They work by inhibiting the inflammatory process through the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway.
The COX pathways play crucial roles in various body functions, such as:
Blood vessel constriction and blood clotting
Stomach acid production and mucus lining
Blood flow to the kidneys
Inflammatory response
While NSAIDs control inflammation, they can also cause complications in other parts of the body. Boehringer Ingelheim, the makers of Metacam, state:
"As a class, cyclooxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal (gut), renal (kidney), and hepatic (liver) toxicity. Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug class can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death."
Furthermore, NSAIDs can potentially exacerbate joint pain. Dr. Ross Hauser, a prolotherapy doctor specialising in pain and rehabilitation, highlighted this issue in a paper published in The Journal of Prolotherapy:
"It is clear from the scientific literature that NSAIDs from in vitro and in vivo studies in both animals and humans have a significantly negative effect on cartilage matrix, which causes an acceleration of the deterioration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritic joints. The preponderance of evidence shows that NSAIDs have no beneficial effect on articular cartilage in OA and accelerate the very disease for which they are most often used and prescribed."
In simple terms, the risks associated with NSAIDs often outweigh the benefits, particularly when there are effective natural alternatives available.
What treatments do our team utilise for their own dogs?
Our THCKCS team employs a diverse range of supplements and holistic treatments to support their dogs' joint health. Our founder, Marita, relies on YuMove, which contains green-lipped mussel (GLM), glucosamine, and chondroitin, along with collagen supplements for her dogs.
Our admin, Lynn, combines deer velvet, TPemf technology, cold laser therapy, carefully planned inclined walks, chiropractic care, Dasuquin (a blend of glucosamine, MSM, and boswelia), and Super Snouts joint powder, which includes GLM and chondroitin.
Nicole, our admin for Raw Fed Healthy Cavs, uses a regimen of boswelia, shark cartilage, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Lastly, our home cooking moderator, Lorren, prefers self-foraged rosehips.
For my own dogs, Teddy & Darcy, they are fed raw meaty bones, which provide essential nutrients for maintaining healthy joints and overall skeletal health. They contain glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage repair, collagen that turns into gelatin providing amino acids, and vitamin C crucial for collagen synthesis.
Additionally, they offer natural calcium and phosphorus for bone strength, lysine for tissue repair, and roughage for dental health, which indirectly supports joint health by preventing oral infections.
They also regularly receive egg membrane, fresh oily fish and Riaflex a canine supplement which contains a combination of Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and antioxidants, at exceptional levels.
Each of our team member’s approach reflects a commitment to maintaining their dogs' joint health through a mix of traditional supplements and holistic therapies tailored to our dogs' individual needs.
Consultation with a Holistic Veterinarian
Before implementing any holistic therapies for your dog’s joint health, consult with a holistic veterinarian. They can provide personalized guidance and develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your dog’s individual needs. By combining various holistic approaches, you can address your dog’s joint issues from multiple angles and promote long-term health and vitality.
Conclusion
Taking a multifaceted approach to supporting canine joint health can provide numerous benefits for your furry companion. By incorporating all or some of the different approaches nutrition, herbal remedies, physical therapy, environmental modifications, and holistic therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, PEMF technology, and red light therapy, you can help alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, and improve overall mobility and well-being.
Sometimes it can take some time to find the right combination of beneficial herbs and holistic treatments that is right for your dogs individual needs.
Alternatively, consulting with a holistic veterinarian to develop a comprehensive and individualised treatment plan that addresses your dog’s unique needs and promotes lifelong joint health and vitality may be more beneficial.
jWith a holistic approach, you can help your dog enjoy a happy, active, and pain-free life for years to come.
References
Purdue University study
