Joint Care for Dogs: Your Guide for Adults & Seniors

Health & Fitness for Adult Dogs

Weight control is an important part of your dog’s overall health and well-being. Excess weight puts pressure on your dogs joints, which increases their risk of arthritis, hip dysplasia and a number of other health issues.

On the other hand, keeping your dog at a healthy weight has been proven to reduce the degenerative joint disease process by relieving stress on the joint. Even a small amount of weight loss reduces the risk of your dog developing arthritis, so if they need to lose a few pounds, it’s well worth helping them do it.

Running, walking and playing aren’t just fun ways for you and your dog to stay fit, regular exercise actually tones and supports the muscles around your dog’s joints, keeping them strong and agile. Plus it’s great for their mental health!

Because dogs have a tendency to ignore discomfort (making it tricky to pick up the warning signs), ZIWI recommends regular visits to your vet to make sure your adult dog’s joints are healthy – and consult your vet immediately if you think they’re in pain.

Joint Support for Senior Dogs

As your dog ages, their collagen levels decrease, which can sometimes result in stiff, inflamed and painful joints.

ZIWI understands it can be hard to see your furry friend, who was once fearless and full of energy, now struggle to walk up and down the street – let alone chase the ball they used to be obsessed with.

The good news is that the right nutrition, along with low-impact exercise, can help to alleviate pain and keep your senior dog moving comfortably.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are the two most commonly used nutraceuticals (food that provides health benefits) to alleviate pain associated with arthritis. These nutrients are abundant in New Zealand Green Mussels (a key ingredient in all ZIWI wet and dry food) and have natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) are also found in these mussels and are widely recognized to provide benefits against an array of canine conditions and disorders.

So, if your senior dog has slowed down and you’re looking to make life a little easier for them, make sure you’re feeding them a diet rich in all of these nutrients.

There are lots of supplements out there, and your vet will advise you when or if your dog ever needs some extra support. But as a general rule, a preventative approach to joint care is best! Remember to:

● Feed your dog a high-quality diet with natural sources of glucosamine, chondroitin, Omega-3, calcium, and phosphorus.

● Train, motivate and reward them with natural, high value treats rich in meat and other superfoods.

● Watch their weight – a healthy dog is a happy dog!

A balanced lifestyle with good nutrition, adequate exercise and lots of love will save you time, money and stress down the track.