16 tips to strengthen dogs' joints [2024] –

To strengthen your dog's joints, certain exercises, home remedies and nutritional supplements can help. Regular swimming, an orthopedic dog bed, increased protein intake and dog ramps can also protect the joints.

Prevention is usually the most effective method for the dog's joint health. Because not all illnesses and problems can be completely cured.

Since dogs instinctively suppress existing pain, it is up to you to be proactive. Below you will learn over 16 tips on how to strengthen your dog's joints.

Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.

#1 Maintain your dog's ideal weight

Joint problems are often genetic. But that doesn't mean that you are completely powerless here. One of the most important factors is the dog's weight.

Because just a few kilos too much on the scales means that the joints are put under above-average strain – especially when jumping.

Basically, the bigger your dog is, the more you should strive for the “ideal weight”. You can find a suitable overview here: Table of all breeds with weight

#2 Load, but don't overload

Basically, the stronger the muscles around the dog's joints, the more the muscles can cushion. You therefore always want to keep your dog fit.

Since joints and muscles are “living” things, they can adapt easily. This also explains why weightlifters have very healthy joints.

However, overexertion, such as long bike rides or special training, can have the opposite effect. You should avoid that. [1]

#3 Make use of glucosamine

Glucosamine is a natural compound made from glucose and glutamine, which, among other things, helps form joint cartilage. It is also available without a prescription.

The effectiveness has already been proven several times in studies. For this reason, glucosamine is often recommended for dogs with arthritis or after joint surgery. [2]

Our recommendation: Joint tablets for dogs from Amazon.

It's not for nothing that these tablets enjoy 4,000 positive reviews, making them the absolute bestseller on Amazon. They also contain, among other things, glucosamine.

#4 Increase protein intake

Any strength athlete will tell you that protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle. For this reason, puppy food usually contains more protein.

However, as dogs age, they increasingly lose their muscles due to less activity, which puts more strain on their joints. More protein can help, however.

Many dog owners have also been able to strengthen their four-legged friend's joints through “biologically species-appropriate raw feeding” (BARF), as it is often very rich in protein.

#5 Provide the right environment

You've probably heard of joggers who only go jogging in the forest or in nature. This is often due to the fact that the soil there is gentler on the joints.

Dogs are no different here. Having fun on the concrete or slab floor is anything but gentle. Grass or natural forest paths are more suitable here.

If you have very severe joint pain, springy rubber mats in the house can also be useful. So similar to what the floor looks like in most gyms. [3]

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#6 Increase the amount you drink

Even just 1% dehydration can cause the dog to experience increased joint pain. The reason for this is simply explained.

Because the synovial fluid “Synovia” consists of 94% water. Drinking too little leads to increased friction in the joints.

Here you will learn 16 tricks on how to encourage your dog to drink. This not only indirectly strengthens the joints, but also supports other body functions.

#7 Go swimming regularly

There is hardly any other form of movement that puts as little pressure on the joints as swimming. For this reason, it is more commonly used for rehabilitation.

Doctors also refer to this as so-called “hydrotherapy”. Or as Dori from Finding Nemo would say: “Just swim, swim, swim.”

Even normal pools are suitable for dogs. Of course, access to a lake or a quiet river would be even better. But this can be difficult depending on where you live.

#8 See a physical therapist

When there is existing joint pain, many dog owners often instinctively start massaging the relevant area. I recommend a physiotherapist for this.

Because if you don't understand exactly how the muscles, ligaments and tendons run, it can cause more damage than it strengthens your four-legged friend's joints.

Studies show that “too much” external help can also be harmful. A study has already found that some vaccinations damage the collagen in the joints. [4]

#9 Harness the power of MSM

MSM is the abbreviation for methylsulfonylmethane. It is organic sulfur. It is primarily used to treat joint wear and joint inflammation.

Theoretically, your dog can also absorb MSM through its natural diet. However, natural foods only contain very small amounts of it. [5]

For this reason, it is usually taken in highly concentrated tablets. The good news? MSM is already contained in the joint capsules above.

#10 Mix fish oil into the food

The omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil have been proven to strengthen dogs' joints. This has already been confirmed several times in studies. [6]

But that's not all. Omega-3 is said to promote dog brain function, keep skin healthy, reduce inflammation and also improve hair quality.

Our recommendation: Salmon oil for dogs from Amazon.

Of all the general dog health supplements, I personally like salmon oil the most. Our dog “Alex” loves the taste of it.

#11 Use dog ramps

For dogs with arthritis, one of the basic rules is to avoid stairs and jumps. The latter in particular puts a lot of strain on the joints.

This is exactly why dog ramps were developed. These can be opened within a few seconds and thus enable movement that is gentle on the joints.

I recommend purchasing a ramp, especially for regular car journeys. You can find some great examples on Amazon for under €50.

#12 Use home remedies

Here is a list of home remedies that have been proven to strengthen the dog's joints:

Turmeric: The active ingredient “curcumin” has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.
Brewer's yeast: Is packed with B vitamins and minerals that benefit the joints.
Vitamin C: Contains potent antioxidants and helps form joint cartilage.
Ginger: Not only fights diseases, but is also said to protect the joints. [10]

Admittedly. Some of these home remedies are very difficult to mix into food naturally. Because most four-legged friends wouldn't eat that voluntarily.

Dietary supplements can be a great option for precisely these purposes. The joint capsules from above also contain ginger and brewer's yeast.

#13 Harness the power of chondroitin

Studies with “Chondroitin” have already demonstrated several positive effects on the joints of humans and dogs. [7]

This also explains why supplements with chondroitin are almost always referred to as “joint capsules”. But it can also lead to interactions with other medications.

For this reason, the consumer advice center warns that you should always consult your veterinarian before taking it.

#14 Don't skip the warm-up

Almost every professional athlete warms up before starting. On the one hand, this stimulates blood circulation so that the dog's muscles can be better supplied.

At the same time, it stimulates the metabolism and makes the ligaments and tendons more elastic. This also strengthens the joints in the short term, which reduces the risk of injury.

The more natural the warm-up, the better. You should avoid suddenly throwing balls from 0 to 100 or a wild rush immediately after getting up.

#15 Orthopedic Dog Bed

Orthopedics is the technical term for the part of medicine that deals with diseases and injuries to the muscles, bones, joints and ligaments.

An orthopedic dog bed is therefore a bed that specifically addresses this type of problem. Its padding prevents pressure points on the joints.

It also allows the spine to remain straight at all times so that it does not sag at night. You can find our recommendations for dog beds here.

#16 Use the green-lipped mussel

The green-lipped mussel is primarily found in New Zealand. It is best known for containing high amounts of natural “glucosamine” and thus protecting the joints.

The special thing about this type of glucosamine is that it is not produced synthetically and can therefore be better absorbed by the body. [8]

This also explains why green-lipped mussel extract is found in higher quantities in the joint capsules above. Alternatively, you could cook the mussels yourself.