Thank you to our friends at Proflax for this great Blog to help you know what Supplement to use for your dog.

Bone, joint and cartilage problems in dogs are a common concern. Whether young or old, problems can occur due to accident, injury, lifestyle, diet or genetics.

Conventional medicines such as NSAIDs can be helpful for dogs with bone & joint conditions, but these types of drugs can have side effects when used long-term, such as ulcers or kidney/liver disease. Natural remedies should be the first port of call, which include herbs, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, acupuncture, homoeopathy, massage and hydrotherapy. These natural alternatives can not only serve as a treatment for bone problems but also often slow down the progression of bone and joint diseases. Weight loss is also critical for overweight dogs with bone & joint conditions; regular and moderate exercise is recommended.

Older Dogs

Osteoarthritis is the most common bone problem in older dogs. As your dog ages, inflammation develops due to constant wear and tear on the shock-absorbing protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones. The worn cartilage allows the underlying bones to come into contact with one another, causing pain and stiffness. While this is usually thought of as a large breed problem, it occurs in all breeds as they age. Clinical signs include stiffness when moving around and getting up and down, as well as lameness following exercise. Pain can also cause anxiety. Proflax Golden Oldies contains Boswellia that help to support bone & joint health, together with Withania which is an effective muscle relaxant and natural analgesic.

Younger Dogs

Puppies can suffer from growing pains! Dogs grow very quickly and it is critical to reduce the possibility of strain, sprain or overworking the joints as inflammation in the growth plates can cause lameness. Keep exercise proportionate to our dogs age and breed type. Proflax Puppy Power contains Turmeric for your pups growing bones plus Gotu Kola which helps to produce collagen and supports veins and blood vessels.

Injury/Accident

Working dogs, such as those that compete in fly ball, agility or gun sports, can be more prone to injury or accident. Extra support is needed for these types of dogs to keep the whole musculoskeletal system strong. Proflax Bone & Joint contains Boswellia and Turmeric which together provide an optimal level of bone & joint support. Omega Bounce is a fish based oil which also contains Turmeric.

Lifestyle/Diet

Chronic inflammation can arise from feeding low quality diets or repeatedly vaccinating, using medication or applying chemical treatments. All of these can cause arthritis and other inflammatory type conditions. Opt for a protein based balanced diet to include polyunsaturated fats such as flaxseed oil or fish oil which will help to reduce inflammation, lubricate joints and promote better flexibility and growth. Avoid drugs such as antacids (which take calcium from the bones) and excessive vaccinations. Reduce the toxic load by detoxing your dogs system every 3-6 months, depending on your lifestyle choices. Proflax Liver Love can be used to thoroughly cleanse toxins from your dogs body, thus reducing inflammation.

Genetics

Dogs with bone & joint problems such as hip dysplasia can pass on the genes causing this common problem to their puppies. Hip dysplasia is generally found in breeds such as golden retrievers, german shepherds, labradors and rottweilers. Smaller breed dogs such as dachshunds can be prone to luxating patellas. Depending on the age of your dog, opt for either Puppy Power, Bone & Joint or Omega Bounce.

Proflax oil based formulas are suitable for all breeds and puppies over the age of 8 weeks. Do not use if your dog is sensitive to any of the ingredients listed and check with your vet before feeding Proflax if your dog is taking medication.