Dogswell Happy Hips

[Lia]

We're getting a puppy in a little more than a week and while looking for treats I found the Dogswell line of treats in a local pet store, which absolutely thrilled me because I've heard nothing but good things about them. Anyways, I was going to buy the Happy hips biscuits or jerky treats because they have glucosamine except that those two say "for adult dogs only" or something similar to that. None of the other kinds say that they are suitable for only adult dogs. Is there some reason that I shouldn't feed these to a puppy? I thought glucosamine was fine for all life stages, but should I actually not be feeding any until our puppy reaches adulthood?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lia, I have never researched the use of glucosamine/chondroitin for puppies. I started using the Happy Hips jerky for Jack when I switched him to a food that doesn't contain the G-C. Many dog foods do contain it, so I'd check that first.
I know that a lot of champion breeders of large breed dogs do recommend glucosamine/chondroitin supplements for puppies, but if the packaging recommends not using it for puppies, I'd be hesitant.
G-C is given primarily to strengthen bones & joints; larger dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia, and the G-C is given to safeguard against that. Smaller breeds can be subject to knee problems. A lot of it depends on the size of your puppy and the health-testing that was done on his parents.
I will try & research this further when I have a chance. For now, I'd recommend trying some other type of healthy treat. Dogswell has others, and so does Nature's Variety and most of the other premium companies. Read labels & use our guidelines for the ingredients that you want to avoid.
Congrats on your new puppy, and kudos for being a prepared doodle mom!

[Lia]

Thanks Karen
I went back to that store yesterday to get a harness for our puppy and while I was there I asked the owner about glucosamine and puppies. In the past she has been very knowledgeable and said that as far as she knew, it isn't bad to give puppies glucosamine chondroitin, but she would still wait until it was a little older.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We have a discussion on this somewhere here in the Food Group; both Lynne and I contacted the company, and received responses that the product is inspected here in the states at Dogswell's facility before packaging. Since it contains only duck or chicken breast, there are no "ingredients" to be concerned about. As far as is reasonably possible, we are comfortable about its safety.
Here's the original discussion:

"I called the company that makes Happy Hips, Dogswell, today, and was told that they guarantee that every one of their products is tested in their TN center BEFORE packaging, and that there is no melamine or other chemicals, etc. They claim the duck used is "cage free, all natural" duck, and that the product has NO: hormones, antibiotics, byproducts, fillers, BHA/BHT, artificial flavors, sugar, salt, corn, wheat, flour or soy. If it is only a matter of dehydrating the duck to make the jerky, it SHOULD be okay."