Just letting an older dog sleep all the time because of joint pain is not a good solution. Just like people, dogs need some activity. Of course, nobody expects a twelve-year-old lab to run around like a three-year old lab, but that might actually be a relief to a dog owner. However, supplements like glucosamine can help give these dogs that joint lubrication they are lacking in order to feel like taking a nice walk or romp around the backyard.
This is already a natural substance that is found in the bodies of both people and dogs. The highest concentration of this substance is found inside of young and healthy joint cartilage. As both humans and canines age, bodies have a hard time producing enough of its own. It is this lack of lubrication that leads to pain and even joint damage. This is similar to the way a lack of lubrication can lead to auto damage.
How Long Does It Take To Work?
In most cases, it only takes a few weeks for this supplement to provide benefits. However, dog owners should not expect it to work like a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory that begins to work within minutes. It takes awhile to get the substance to build up enough in the dog’s body. Typically, these dog supplements are flavored in a way that your dog will like, so it is just like giving an older dog an extra treat.
The other good news about this natural supplement is that it is safe for most dogs to stay on a maintenance dose his whole life. In fact, if the supplement gets discontinued, the pain will probably return in a few weeks even if Rover or Fido improved while taking the supplement.
After a few weeks, owners should notice that their dogs are more playful and tend to be willing to go on walks on their own. Again, these changes will happen gradually over several days or even a few weeks, so they are hard to notice in the beginning. But many pet owners say that they do notice real improvement within three weeks at the most.
A natural substance like glucosamine won’t turn a fourteen-year-old dog into a three-year-old dog. However, by supplying needed joint lubrication, it can help reduce pain and swelling. This means that many older dogs can enjoy a very comfortable middle and old age. It’s always a good idea to at least try glucosamine for dogs to see if it will help.