Hi,Ive been reading a lot about joint problems lately,,and given my last dog had arthritis really badly in her last few years,its suddenly struck me that maybe my 3 young ones should be on some kind of preventative supplement,given the way they tear about like loonies.I should hate to see another of my dogs suffer like Flyss did.and as one is already three and a half,time is going faster than Id like.Part of the reason I put these on a raw diet was in the hopes that a more natural diet might stave off joint,and other problems.Id be grateful if people would give me their opinions.The only "extras"mine get on a regular basis,along with meat,bones,offal,tinned pilchards,raw eggs and veg,is fish oil capsules 2 or 3 times a week,and a sprinkle of keepers mix,about the same.thankyou!

My sadly departed vet told me once that joint supplements are more effective if they are given before problems arise, he suggested around age 7 for a healthy dog with normal joints.
I don't know if there's any science to back that up, it may just have been his personal opinion.

When our youngest was found to have growth deformities in his front legs, the specialist suggested that they both start glucosamine & chondroitin. As celli has already said, we were told they would be more effective the earlier they started & that was six years ago.

Mine is a slightly different issue but one that I think proves the benefits of supplements for some dogs/conditions.

One of my dogs was diagnosed a couple of months ago with SLO (Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy) - he had too easily lost or loosened entire nails and in quick succession.

I realised that I had probably been managing his condition for some time such that his symptoms only became apparent when I changed a few things in his diet.  I stopped his once a week fish meal as I no longer had a very good source of canned sardines, and I reduced the amount of offal I fed each week when I forgot to order it for two meat deliveries in a row.  More fool me :(

I appreciate that skin and nails aren't the kind of problem you have but this episode has taught me that it's wise to really consider the totality of your dogs diet and ensure you don't miss any key components.  Incidentally the vet suggested an Essential Fatty Acid - Viacutan Plus - which I find to be better than pure fish oil.  You don't need a prescription for it either so it might be worth a look.

thanks everybody,I think i will get some g+c tablets,and i ll have a look at the viacutan,thanks for the link,dogs a babe.Just as an aside,Flyss was on arden grange most of her 15 years which has glucosamine in it,I was told,but it didnt do much good in her case,wish Id known about starting supplements early,back then. thanks again!

My schedule is as follows:

All my dogs regardless of age get salmon oil. That helps with all sorts, but also joints. (Those of mine that can't have salmon oil due to allergies get coconut oil instead).

From 7 years old (or if they have had any joint surgery/issues then before that age), they get a specific glucosamine supplement in addition to the salmon oil regardless of whether they need it or not.

And whenever they have any specific problems, they also get turmeric, devil's claw, B12 or any other herbs/supplements that help with that particular issue.

Flyss was on arden grange most of her 15 years which has glucosamine in it,I was told,but it didnt do much good in her case...

The amount in dog food is most likely not sufficient to make any real difference. I use a human version of glucosamine and give a normal human adult dose to my 20kg dogs. That is more than any dog food would provide.

I use Yumove and Salmon Oil.

Where do you get salmon oil from please?

We use Fishs4dogs salmon oil, you can order from Fish4dogs website but are lots of others too.

eBay

I get human-grade Salmon Oil from Holland and Barrett.  It is best to use capsules because oxygen degrades it, so if you use an open bottle you're not getting max benefit to the dog. 

Salmon Oil has much more DHA in it (the good stuff with anti-inflammatory effects) than generic 'fish oil', although is more expensive for that reason.