German Shepherd Dog Hip and Joint Medicines and Supplements

Warning! - Do NOT give your dog Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen).

The larger breeds, big dogs like Labs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Great Danes and Golden Retrievers, are the most commonly effected by arthritis and joint pain as well as often being genetically predisposed to shoulder, elbow and hip dysplasia. These joint destroyers can incapacitate our best friends unless we take care to take good care of them. While every dog is different and the type and progression of every dog's joint pain is different, there are easy and inexpensive things you can do to help.

Glucosamine truly IS the miracle joint lubricant they say it is! There is no way of telling if your pet will respond to glucosamine, but there is absolutely no harm in trying. Glucosamine, often combined with Chondroitin which you can purchase at GSDsite.com, helps to lubricate the joints, so they move more freely, and without the rubbing, sticking and scraping that leads to scar tissue, spurs and arthritic deterioration. You can get Glucosamine in various formulations from GSDsite.com.

Protect your dog's joints from unnecessary trauma. Great as it feels to see our big, strong friends gleefully jumping in an out of the back of our vehicle, etc., such motions put major stress on their joints and can cause muscle and ligament tears or even hairline fractures. While they may not like it either, it is far better for your furry friend for you to provide a ramp or stairway for them or help lift them in and out gently. This is especially important as they get older ... as well as when they are young and their bones and joints are still developing! Do your best to prevent your energetic puppy from jumping too much or too high and pounding on his newly forming joints and you will go a long way to preventing or delaying joint problems down the road.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Of course, walking him will get you headed in the right direction. But also be conscious of overfeeding and, especially, feeding him human foods. Proper quantities of the foods prepared for dogs are really all they need and are truly best for their long term health and well-being. Human foods add unnecessary calories to their diet and some, such as sweets and dairy, may directly exacerbate arthritis.

Give Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to help with the inflammation of arthritis, a good Omega-3 supplement can benefit dogs with arthritis and related conditions.