roundtown98
New member
Hi folks.
We have a 6 year old 38-pound mix, and a 4 month old 34 pound Dutch Shepherd mix that will likely get to be around 60 pounds, which we adopted two weeks ago. For these reasons, we're adding joint care supplements to their diets, per our veterinarian's go-ahead. When asked what we could do for our new pup to avoid joint issues as she grows, our vet said to simply get her on a joint supplement.
What I've been able to dig up about preventing joint issues in large breed dogs tells me that I need to pay attention to the Ca ratio of 1.2 to 1.4:1, which it appears that the brands of puppy food and large breed food I'd be buying are meeting that ratio anyway (Purina Pro Plan and Veterinary Diets, Hill's, Royal Canin, Iam's, Fromm). Our vet did not mention this ratio, nor specific diet for avoiding joint issues in large breeds.
The other thing to look for is to not feed them too much protein and fat, so that they do not grow too quickly. I worry that she may have already grown quite quickly, but I don't have experience with larger breeds. And, for what it's worth, we are weighing by weight in grams according to calculations based on the MER, with consideration of that day's activity levels.
Back to the joint supplement - the vet said any would do. So I went with Purina Pro Plan Joint Care. Then I saw Cosequin Plus on sale at CostCo and looked at the ingredients. They're quite different from the Purina ones, and I recognize that supplements aren't regulated, so it's not a surprise.
According to this study, MSM (an ingredient in many joint care supplements) has been shown to be effective at reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness in humans. This article says that "Limited studies in companion animals have been performed and results are mixed, but there is some anecdotal evidence that MSM works to treat inflammatory and immune diseases."
Is there anything more concrete that could point me to a good product to give my pups?
We have a 6 year old 38-pound mix, and a 4 month old 34 pound Dutch Shepherd mix that will likely get to be around 60 pounds, which we adopted two weeks ago. For these reasons, we're adding joint care supplements to their diets, per our veterinarian's go-ahead. When asked what we could do for our new pup to avoid joint issues as she grows, our vet said to simply get her on a joint supplement.
What I've been able to dig up about preventing joint issues in large breed dogs tells me that I need to pay attention to the Ca ratio of 1.2 to 1.4:1, which it appears that the brands of puppy food and large breed food I'd be buying are meeting that ratio anyway (Purina Pro Plan and Veterinary Diets, Hill's, Royal Canin, Iam's, Fromm). Our vet did not mention this ratio, nor specific diet for avoiding joint issues in large breeds.
The other thing to look for is to not feed them too much protein and fat, so that they do not grow too quickly. I worry that she may have already grown quite quickly, but I don't have experience with larger breeds. And, for what it's worth, we are weighing by weight in grams according to calculations based on the MER, with consideration of that day's activity levels.
Back to the joint supplement - the vet said any would do. So I went with Purina Pro Plan Joint Care. Then I saw Cosequin Plus on sale at CostCo and looked at the ingredients. They're quite different from the Purina ones, and I recognize that supplements aren't regulated, so it's not a surprise.
According to this study, MSM (an ingredient in many joint care supplements) has been shown to be effective at reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness in humans. This article says that "Limited studies in companion animals have been performed and results are mixed, but there is some anecdotal evidence that MSM works to treat inflammatory and immune diseases."
Is there anything more concrete that could point me to a good product to give my pups?