Arthritis is the most common cause of pain in dogs. It’s estimated that it affects around four in five dogs over the age of eight, but it isn’t exclusively a veteran dog’s disease. Besides a veterinary treatment plan, there are small things that we can do as owners that may have a big impact on your dog’s wellbeing. They won’t treat his arthritis – only veterinary medicine can do this – but they can make his everyday life more comfortable and go a long way to help maintain healthy joints.
You may want to invest in one of the best orthopaedic dog beds to increase comfort and alleviate pain, specialised dog bed stairs to help him into the boot of the car or up on the sofa, should that be where he’s allowed to kip. Nutrition undoubtedly plays a major part, and while his main feed is important, specialised dog treats for arthritis will provide nutrition that can help maintain healthy joints.
Always consult your vet for advice on pain relief and support. An arthritic dog may benefit from a daily joint supplement for dogs, but even for those little titbits and training snacks, it’s important to ensure you’re giving him nutrients that will alleviate rather than cause the condition to flare up. Always read the instructions carefully, as many of the titbit supplements designed specifically for joint support have a ration, such as one a day, so they aren’t treats to hand out willy-nilly.
Best dog treats for arthritis and joint support
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
YuMove Daily Bites
Active ingredients: ActivEase green-lipped mussel, glucosamine and chondroitin | Size: 60 or 150 chews | RRP: £64.29 for pack of 150 |
This a daily supplement in the form of a tasty bite from the UK’s number one veterinary joint supplement brand. It is clinically proven to work in six weeks, to support joint structure and mobility, soothing stiff joints.
There are different chews for young, adult and senior dogs, and depending on your dog’s size, you can give from one to four bites a day.
The unique active ingredient is ActivEase green lipped mussel which YuMOVE has found contains up to eight times the amount of Omega-3 and is up to 30 times more powerful than other ordinary green-lipped mussel. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin.
Active ingredients: Green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, turmeric and salmon oil | Size: 30 chews (120g) | RRP: £28.69 for 30 chews |
A tasty pork-flavoured chew packed full of active ingredients to support your dog’s mobility. They are designed both to support young dogs’ joint health as well as help senior dogs’ flexibility and strength.
You can treat dogs of all shapes and sizes, starting with half a chew for dogs under 10kg up to two chews for larger dogs. Most dogs absolutely love this flavour, and it does seem to have a impressive effect on mobility, sometimes with “life-changing” results.
Active ingredient: Turmeric | Size: 520g | RRP: £9.95 |
The curcumin in turmeric is heralded as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, however it is not scientifically proven that the amounts in a small treat are large enough to be of any great benefit. However, it is widely used to help reduce swelling and pain, and thereby improve mobility.
These treats are designed for dogs prone to joint disorders, to support hip and joint mobility, and has the added benefits of shiny coats, healthy skin and boosting the immunity. It is formulated for active and working dogs to support mobility.
Dogs love the “paw-lickin” crispy chicken flavour.
Active ingredients: Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel | Size: 90, 180, 270 chews | RRP: £16.99 for 90 |
These chews are formulated to maintain mobility and flexibility, lubricate stiff joints, support bone, ligament and connective tissue health for overall wellbeing. Besides supporting the joints and muscles, these chews provide a natural energy boost from vitamin C and E and black pepper. It gives dogs a real boost, and is suitable to feed from 12 weeks old.
Active ingredient: Glucosamine | Size: 75g | RRP: £7 |
These grain-free venison treats, formulated by canine nutritionist Marie Jones, not only help to support joint health, but the high-quality, natural meat helps maintain healthy teeth, bones and skin. The glucosamine supports joint aches and pains and growth. They contain pure air-dried venison meat, and dogs absolutely love them.
Active ingredient: Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM | Size: 6x 70g | RRP: £13.86 |
These treats come in lots of delicious flavours, such as chicken liver, duck and fish, but the chicken have active ingredients that support healthy cartilage, and joint and connective tissue.
They make for a satisfying treat because they consist of a crispy shell with a cream centre (no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives), like a caramel-filled chocolate for a human! Most dogs find them irresistible, and it’s an added bonus that they are boosting their joint health at the same time.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
