Glucosamine/Chondroiton

[Shanthala Rajagopala]

Hi All,
I have been reading about many people giving supplements to their dogs and I am wondering if I should start mine on Glucosamine/Chondroiton. Berry is on Omega-3 supplement since she came home and now she is 1yr old and about 50lbs. She has always been on premium food - TOTW and now Acana prairie harvest. So, my questions are:
Is it good to supplement her with Glucosamine/Chondroiton?
Is she too young for it?
Or is this given only if I see any problems?
If it is good to start...then any recommendation?
Should I talk to the vet before starting this? The vet we have is good for usual things but I wouldn't consider them having wealth of knowledge...So, thought this is the right place to ask questions as always:-)

[Libby & Bentley]

I personally take this (not my dog) to treat and prevent further arthritis problems. I guess it's necessity depends on her activity level..as well as does she have any known joint issues, or joint issues with her parents, etc?

If it was my dog, I probably wouldn't use it yet..but it never hurts to ask the vet

[Karen & Lucy]

I have been giving Lucy NuVet Plus since the day I brought her home at 10 weeks of age. She takes one/day. It is an all natural suppliment. It is pricey though and I'm sure there are other suppliments out there you could get. I feel strongly on giving your dood a suppliment to their food. It is no different than us humans taking vitamans to help keep us healthy.

[Adina P]

*I* personally don't believe it is necessary to give glucosamine/chondroiton unless it is for treatment of a problem. I wouldn't give it unless I found peer-reviewed research to support giving it as prevention... (not just internet articles but real research studies). Humans don't even need a multivitamin/mineral supplement as a general rule. Some people may benefit from specific supplements based on particular disease states or health needs, but not everything for everyone.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have never given any type of supplement until now. And I just give one to my chihuahua to help support his kidney function. They are hollistic and I read that studies have shown it helps. In your case, I wouldn't worry about giving a supplement at this point.

[Kyoko]

This is same for me too. I only give it to my old Chow, Butter. He is almost 15, and he was in arthritis pain last winter. But since we give him the glucosamine, he seem to be doing better than last year. He has not limped much, and actually seem to enjoy hiking in the park again.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The studies I know about and a review by Consumer Reports & The Berkeley Wellness Letter have shown no benefit from Glucosamine & Chondroiton in people and I'm sure the same is true for dogs. I stopped taking them myself.

[Libby & Bentley]

With glucosamine, there is actually much evidence showing it's benefit in people..but particularly in knee osteoarthritis (mild-moderate) and general osteoarthritis. I know the other uses have not had strong enough research nor evidence to support it's regular use. The US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health have many scholarly reports on it.

[Shanthala Rajagopala]

Thanks all for all the input!!! It is great to see different opinions:-) As of now, we do not see any problems with her and I have not known of any issues with her parents...This was more of a preemptive action on my part. She just turned one this saturday and I am already on the edge thinking how days went by...I cannot believe that we have already spent 10months with her. Thanks to doodlekisses, I have so far gained a wealth of knowledge regarding the dog food and it so far shows in her health - no ear infection, no UTI...nothing so far...touch wood. So, I was just wondering if adding Glucosamine/Chondroiton makes it even more better...then why not? I know atleast for my other dog(shihtzu mix), adding omega-3 has done wonders getting rid of his dry skin problems....

[Adina P]

More is not necessarily better. There are a ton of supplements a person or dog could take...but unless there is a reason or known common deficiency for a certain nutrient there is no reason to supplement.

You mentioned your shihtzu mix's dry skin and how adding omega-3 has helped...I think the difference is HE had a problem to actually treat. However, your pup doesn't have a problem. It probably won't hurt...to add the Gluc/chon but it probably won't help anyone except the supplement maker make more money =)

[Caroline]

We had a sports speaker (chiropracter) talk about supplements in humans, and he recommended glucosamine/chondroitin supplements to aid cartilage repair people 40+. Not sure of the literature for pet use but it may follow the same principle with an age comparison..?

[Stella]

I'm pretty sure that Acana already contains sources of Glucosamine, and possibly Chondroitin. I am a physiotherapist and have heard plently of anecdotal evidence that glucosamine works, but this could also be placebo effect!!