Glucosamine Dosage for Dogs

Arthritis is one of the most common types of dog illnesses. Usually, aged dogs become victims of arthritis. For the owner, it is a heart-breaking situation to observe his/her beloved pet, limping and moaning due to pain. Young dogs may get affected by arthritis after serious injuries or accidents. Dog owners should be aware of the symptoms and treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

You should monitor following symptoms, in case you find certain changes in the behavior of your dog:

• Difficulty in sitting or standing up
• Loss of appetite
• Unwillingness to go for walks or walking with a stiff gait
• Constant licking of the joints
• Resistance to touch
• Swollen and hot joints

Because of pain in joints, you may find the dog sleeping all day long. Thanks to modern-day researches, we have a variety of arthritis medications for dogs which help relieve the joint pain.

Glucosamine for Dog Arthritis

Aging affects the flexibility of joints due to natural deterioration. Glucosamine works great for dog arthritis. It is available in various forms, for example, chewable glucosamine, glucosamine powder, liquid glucosamine, etc. Glucosamine helps repair and renew the worn and damaged cartilage by providing the matrix that is useful in the process of regeneration.

Various supplements that work great for dog arthritis are available in market. Glucosamine supplement combined with chondroitin sulfate can be the best glucosamine supplement for dogs. It works great for arthritis and hip dysplasia. Glucosamine chondroitin for dogs is available in various flavors. It could be a bacon flavored treat for the pet. No major side effects of these supplements have been yet noticed. Glucosamine promotes the repairing process of the damaged cartilage while chondroitin blocks the flow of enzymes, which destroy the cartilage. Glucosamine, available in a liquid form can be the best glucosamine for dogs, as complete absorption of the ingredients is possible. Liquid glucosamine is easy to feed.

Glucosamine supplement is regarded as a safe nutritional supplement. It helps reduce the pain and slows down the advancement of arthritis. But results are not instant. You should have patience. In any case, medications meant for human beings should not be given to dogs. Before purchasing and feeding dog medicines, you should consult the vet. In case of arthritis, glucosamine dosage for dogs are to be decided by the veterinarian. The vet would inform you about the dosage after checking the age, weight and medical history of your dog. You should religiously follow the instructions of the vet and those given on the labels by the manufacturers.

Glucosamine Dosage for Dogs

The accurate combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, prescribed by the vet, can be a miraculous arthritis medicine for dogs. You can mix it in dog food and can thus easily feed it. The three common types of glucosamine available in the market are glucosamine sulfate, HCl or 2KCl. Make sure to check the ingredients of the product and purchase the superior quality one. You should compare the 'price per day' by calculating the dosage required and the quantity provided by the manufacturer. The 2KCL and NaCl forms of Glucosamine are found in low-cost discount stores but you should never opt for such low quality drugs. Normal glucosamine sulfate dose is 20 mg/lb of body weight or one 500 mg. tablet per 25 pounds of body weight. But the dose may vary according to the severity of the condition. Initially, the dog may be given a larger dose and then the dose might be reduced as the condition improves.

The contents of the tablets may vary according to the brands, but tablets containing Glucosamine Hydrochloride (500 mg.) and Chondroitin Sulfate (400 mg.) would be considered as the best. The tablets are usually fortified with other minerals and vitamins (especially vitamin C). As explained above, dogs weighing less than 25 lbs can be given one tablet of 500 mg. Dogs weighing 25-50 lbs may be given 2 tablets per day; while dogs weighing 51-75 lbs are given 3 tablets per day. For a dog weighing above 75 lbs, four tablets can be prescribed.

Apart from feeding correct glucosamine doses, arranging a soft and comfortable bed, healthy diet, physiotherapy, massage, etc., are considered as part of the treatment for arthritis in dogs. As pets cannot tell what the problem is and how much pain they are experiencing, you should try to collect as much information as possible, for proper dog care. Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from arthritis. So, you should always be careful about your dog's diet and exercises.