Unlike most health issues in dogs that can lead to severe complications, hip and joint problems are much easier to spot. Because the dog's hips are a significant bone structure, it affects your dog's walking and running abilities.
But with that said, there are still signs to look out for so you don't mistake a hip and joint issue for a minor injury. Let's get into the signs you should look out for and what to do to support your dog's hip and joint health.
Is Your Dog Suffering from a Hip & Joint Problem?
The signs of hip and joint problems can vary from dog to dog, depending on size, weight, and even breed. However, obesity, lack of exercise, and improper nutrition can worsen hip and joint health.
Overall, the most common signs of hip and joint issues in dogs include:
- Decreased activity: When your dog experiences physical pain, they become less active. Your dog may lie down or sleep more often than usual and become less enthusiastic about going out for walks.
- Problems standing up: If your dog has trouble standing up after lying down or sitting, they may be experiencing pain in their hips and joints. Be observant in the mornings to how your dog stands up after sleeping. Although we’re all slow movers first thing in the morning, your dog could be struggling to move or in pain while standing.
- Limping back leg: If your dog is limping in their back leg, this is a sure sign that they could have a hip issue. Look for a noticeable size increase in your dog's shoulders. When your dog limps, this causes the muscles in the shoulder to increase to compensate for the hind end.
- Problems with climbing stairs or jumping: When dogs have hip issues, it negatively affects their hind legs. If your dog shows reluctance to climb stairs or doesn't jump, this could be a sign of pain in their hips. Don't allow your dog's condition to progress because it will cause mobility issues.
- “Bunny hopping” legs: This condition changes your dog's gait, causing them to lift both hind legs simultaneously while walking. It can also occur when your dog runs or walks up and down stairs.
Remember that for the above hip and joint issues, you should seek professional medical help from your vet first. Dog supplements to support hips and joints won't be able to heal your dog from a severe issue.
However, after your dog receives proper medical care and recovers from the health emergency, hip and joint dog supplements can help build back muscle and cartilage, as well as decrease inflammation and pain in your dog's joints.
Other factors behind hip pain include:
- Hip dysplasia: A condition where the hip socket and femur bone do not fit together correctly. This improper fit contributes to constant rubbing and grinding as the dog walks, which becomes very painful.
- Arthritis: Inflammation of the dog’s joints that causes cartilage within the joint to become brittle and weak over time.
Hip dysplasia is also a genetic condition affecting specific dog breeds more than others.
Dog breeds more likely to have hip dysplasia are German Shepherds, Retrievers (Labrador, Golden, Chesapeake Bay, Curly-Coated, Flat-Coated, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling), Rottweilers, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Pugs, and French Bulldogs.
However, it's still possible for any dog to suffer from this condition. So seek medical help if your dog suffers from the common signs above, no matter their breed.
When are Hip and Joint MAX Dog Supplements Needed?
Dogs can receive Hip and Joint MAX dog supplements at any age, but they're most effective when given earlier in your dog's life. For example, if you recently adopted a puppy, as long as they weigh enough to take a supplement, it will help strengthen hip and joint health.
But, if your dog is older, these supplements will help address current hip and joint issues like deteriorating joints. The safe number of supplements you can give your dog daily depends on their weight, so follow the chart above to ensure you dose the safest amount of these effective ingredients.
Hip and Joint MAX is made with an advanced formula of six active ingredients to support joint structure and function. These supplements total over 1000mg of joint support power, making them ideal for improving a dog’s flexibility and joint comfort.
Of these six active ingredients, they include:
- Glucosamine HCl (shrimp and crab): A natural compound found within cartilage harvested from shellfish shells. This ingredient helps treat pain from inflammation, prevents the breakdown and loss of cartilage, and helps fight against hip dysplasia and arthritis in dogs.
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): A natural sulfur-type compound made by ocean kelp. Sulfur is in nearly every cell of the body, particularly within the hair, nails, muscles, bones, joints, and skin.
MSM contains many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help with healing joints, reducing scars, diminishing pain, and helping to rejuvenate cells. It also enhances the structural integrity of connective tissues and fortifies the immune system's natural defense against allergens.
- Perna canaliculus (green-lipped mussel): A nutrient-packed mollusk found off the coast of New Zealand. Green-lipped mussels promote joint health and mobility, reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, improve flexibility in joint cartilage, and provide pain relief from dog arthritis.
- Chondroitin sulfate (porcine): A substance present in pet supplements for treating osteoarthritis. This ingredient helps prevent further deterioration of the joints and promotes joint and cartilage health.
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C): This vitamin is naturally found in the body and provides necessary nutrients to help form muscles, cartilage, and collagen. Vitamin C also works as an antioxidant to protect the body against free radicals, which are molecules that could be harmful to cells and DNA.
- Manganese (Mn Proteinate): An essential mineral that activates the enzymes that are needed to produce collagen, which helps strengthen the soft tissue in cartilage. Without manganese, the body cannot produce enough collagen on its own, so this is a key ingredient to build back those crucial joint tissues.
Hip and Joint MAX supplements give your dog the flexibility and strength they need to get back in the game. With 2x the active ingredients for advanced hip & joint support, your dog will get the vitamins and minerals required to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle.
To help boost the hip and joint health of your growing puppy, adult dog, or senior dog, give them the recommended amount of Hip and Joint MAX supplements daily. With our dog supplements, you’ll see an improvement in your dog’s energy performance and resilience to potential joint issues by building up their strength with our powerful and safe blend of ingredients.
No more of your dog having to stay on the sidelines. Help them get back on their feet and back in the game!