Glucosamine for Dogs: What Is It & Why It Works

What is comfort worth? Being able to move around without being in pain? Not feeling like stiffness is holding you back from doing what you love? The other night, my dogs and I were leaving the neighborhood dog park. It was unseasonably cold. And I couldn't help but notice my friend's pup walking a little slower and with more tenderness than he used to.

Granted, he's an old dog. Mine still have many years of hiking, swimming, and accompanying me to the farmer's market to look forward to. But I'm aware of the importance of supporting my dogs' health so we can do the active things we love longer. And glucosamine for dogs has been a big part of that for us.

But some people are unsure about it. Is it as beneficial as they say? When should dogs start glucosamine? Should they take a pill? I'm here to answer all of your questions.

What Is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound found in cartilage, the cushiony tissue between joints. And it's also found in abundance in bone marrow, the spongy bone filling that produces the body's blood cells.

This nutrient helps maintain and repair cartilage, keeping your pup’s joints lubricated and mobile.

Similar to collagen, dogs and humans can make their own glucosamine. But as dogs age or experience wear and tear (hello, high-energy fetch sessions!), their natural glucosamine production decreases, making supplementation critical. Cartilage starts to break down and doesn't repair itself as quickly as it once could.

Dogs can benefit from glucosamine at any age. However, it's important to prime the system with collagen and glucosamine to support healthy cartilage as production slows.

What Are the Glucosamine Benefits for Dogs?

Glucosamine can reduce joint pain and stiffness while improving mobility for dogs, cats, and humans.

Research in humans (sorry, there haven't been many dog studies since it can be hard to gauge their pain) shows that glucosamine can reduce pain in those with osteoarthritis. Although some studies have found that glucosamine is no better than taking NSAIDs, dogs can't take NSAIDs. They can't metabolize them.

Besides, even if they could, I'd much rather take an all-natural glucosamine supplement—or give it to my dog—than have to take NSAIDs all the time.

Another study showed that glucosamine supplements may increase joint space. As we age, joint space shrinks, and cartilage wastes away. By thickening the cartilage, it may restore joint space. This could explain the pain reduction. More cushioning.

A less talked about benefit of glucosamine is bladder health. Again, I'll have to refer to human studies because there aren't many good ones on dogs. A study on people with interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition that results in the thinning of the bladder lining, causing inflammation and pain, found that supplementing with glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin significantly reduced pain after around 8 months of taking the supplement.

Dogs and cats also get this condition. In the UK, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin together are well-respected veterinary treatments for dogs and cats with bladder inflammation.

That begs the question. Can you get glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin in one all-natural glucosamine supplement for dogs? As it turns out, you can. And bonus, these supplements have lots of naturally occurring collagen, too!

Cartilage and bone marrow have all these components and are easily digestible for dogs. That's why I call them the best canine joint supplement you can buy.

Signs Your Dog Needs Glucosamine for Dogs

As I mentioned, it works best if you start them early. Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of joint issues, starting glucosamine early can help maintain healthy joints and prevent problems down the line—especially for active or large-breed dogs. Studies show is

But here are some clear signs you need to start them on the best canine joint supplement immediately:

• Difficulty getting up or lying down
• Stiffness after activity
• Reduced enthusiasm for walks or play. Dogs love to play and explore. If your typically active dog shows less interest in walks, fetch, or playtime, joint pain could be holding them back.
• Visible swollen joints. They might look knobby, especially if your dog is underweight.
• Limping or favoring one leg
• Taking stairs two paws at a time or in an otherwise strange pattern. They may also avoid stairs altogether if they can.
• Not wanting to jump up on the bed if they used to
• Pulling away from your touch or flinching

Signs of bladder health issues include:

• Inability to hold it in between walks
• Going in infuriating places, like on the kitchen floor, while you're watching. They're trying to let you know something's wrong. Been there.
• Straining
• Blood in the urine
• Just going a little at a time
• Signs of pain like whining, yelping, or appearing uncomfortable when urinating are common signs of bladder problems.

Please talk to your vet if you see these behaviors. These can also be signs of a kidney stone, which can be life-threatening.

What's the Best Canine Joint Supplement?

I have a couple of ones you'll want to try.

The first one is marrow bones for dogs. They come in several sizes and shapes to meet different dog needs. Dogs love to chew on them, releasing the marrow a little at a time. But a little is all they need. Marrow-filled dog bones can last a really long time through many chewing sessions if you freeze them in between.

And you don't have to throw it out when the marrow's gone. I like to refill them with tasty human foods that dogs like, like peanut butter. I have a whole dog bone refill guide you can download for free.

My terrier Pixie loves the Dynamo Bone. It makes the perfect gift for your dog, and it's got so much nutritious bone marrow inside. You can find the Dynamo Bone for a great price on Amazon.

My lab mix Bruno needs bigger dog bones, I get Champs Meaty Mammoth Bone. I can't go wrong with this oversized bone.

Then, K9 Delights are sort of perfect for smaller dogs and most puppies. You can get a whole pack of these for not a lot of money. And you know your dog deserves it.

My dogs also like trachea tubes. These are mostly cartilage, so they're easier on the digestive system and perfect for dogs struggling with a big dog bone.

You believe dog treats should be healthy. I agree. Each of these are overall healthy treats for dogs with lots of vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats you want in a health-promoting dog treat. From glucosamine benefits for dogs to collagen, these treats have so much for pup parents to love.

Final Thoughts: A Simple Step for Lifelong Comfort

At the end of the day, glucosamine is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure your dog’s joints stay healthy and pain-free. Whether you opt for glucosamine-rich marrow dog bones, healthy treats, trachea tubes, or a mix of each, your pup will thank you for keeping them active, happy, and ready to tackle the next adventure.

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