Glucosamine is a natural substance that is found in the body of humans and animals. Glucosamine is found in the joints and connective tissues, as well as the synovial fluid surrounding the joints. There are a couple of reasons why Glucosamine levels can diminish. A lack of the substance can be genetically predisposed of in your pup or it can decrease over time. As dogs age, they tend to lose the ability to produce enough Glucosamine on their own. Many large breed dogs are prone to a deficiency as they age. Joint health is a serious issue; no matter what the size of your dog.
For young dogs, you may want to start them on a Glucosamine supplement as a preventative measure. Glucosamine aids in the growth and maintenance of healthy cartilage. This provides fluidity and flexibility in the joints and increases synovial fluid production, which is the lubrication surrounding the joints. This applies for the mature dog as well, who may be experiencing pain and inflammation from arthritis related conditions, such as osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. Glucosamine acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, and may ease the discomfort associated with these conditions.
Preserving healthy cartilage is key to your dog's health. You may want to discuss with your veterinarian the advantages of Glucosamine. When choosing a Glucosamine product, you should look for a high quality liquid formula, which is highly bioavailable (absorbable and digestible) to your dog's bodily systems. You also want to make sure that the Glucosamine supplement is designed using potent formulations, such as Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine HCL. You will want to be patient when administering a Glucosamine product for the first time. You may notice small changes right away, but the average result time is 2-4 weeks. If you are using a high quality liquid Glucosamine, such as Synflex®, you may notice positive changes a little sooner.
