I met a lady today who feeds her 1 year old dog Burns but adds I think she said glucosamine to it for the joints.  Is this a good idea and then what about chondroitin? 
Van

Excellent question Van. I don't use it myself for my Golden Retrievers but was recommended it whilst "in the park" by someone. When I asked how much Glucosamine?  they had had no idea but sweared by it. Hopefully you will get some useful info from the others

I did look at 3 ways of feeding it and for my dogs and worked out the doseage from 3 different 'suppliers':

In tablet form sold through Pets at Home, the recommendation was 1 1/2 tablets that = 300mg per day
Via a food that had glucosamine in it (one of the Large Breed Growth foods) = 700mg per day based on recommeded feed rate
Using NAF's HipRite with a 25ml dosage (dosage for 25Kg+ dog) = 1900mg per day

It was just idle curiosity on my part as my dogs seem in good health and my vet hasn't recommended I supplement their diet. Must find something better to do with my time (which reminds me I will now go and walk the dogs).

I was always told that the powdered Glucosamine was the best type to give, but saying that, if your dog doesn't eat all his/her food, it then leads to whether your dog is getting enough to make a difference.

My eldest GSD is starting to get a little stiff in his back legs, so I'd be interested in which type is best.

I take Glucosamine for my dodgy knees :D  Great stuff, one 750mg tab a day - Running long distances do nothing for the joints :rolleyes:  Got loads of the stuff from an internet site and a great price too - Cant remember the site at the mo though!
Sarah

The amount of glucosamine put in dog foods wouldnt be nearly enough to maintane an arthritic dog :(
I often wonder if adding this and that is just another ploy by the manufacture to sell more food as the majority only add the bare minimum.

I dont think it matters if it's tablet or powder form,maybe the powder sprinkled on top of food is more easily simulated??
I've found a great product made out of pure shark cartilage in the form of a chew,my finicky dogs go crazy for it,s.c also helps to promote good joints among other things. :D  you can check it out at: www.lalandichews.com.au

People on another forum (american) order it for their dogs,i'm not sure how your quarantine works but if you can get them,they are so worth it :)

My Golden will be 15yrs next month and has been on Glucosamine Capsules for the last 3yrs. It has helped her no end.

JMHO

liberty

Both my dogs are on it - the 10 year old was showing signs of stiffness after lots of exercise, and both do agility and flyball so even the 2 year old is on it now. They have Flexi Joints, check out www.healthspan.co.uk. The amount depends on the size of the dog. My collies have 2 tablets a day, I think they are 400gms per tablet. Last night the 10 yr old did an hours agility, then later on ran for an hour with the other dogs while we cleared up. This morning he has played with his brother and showed no signs of stiffness at all. It takes a couple of months to start working, but when it does it's great.

I've even put my mum on it, although I won't be running her up the 'A'-frame!!! :-);-)

Regards, Claire

I just wondered at what age should your dog start on glucosamine?  If they are not showing joint problems is it necessary for them to have it?

Hi Ozzie
I have keyed in the link you posted as I can get the chews sent to my in-laws in Sydney but it does not seem to be working.  Are you sure that is the right link or is there something else I can key in
Thanks
Van

Goat try this link:  www.lalandiichews.com.au  I put one i instead of 2,sorry.

These things really are great.

Ozzi

my reply showed that in some cases the glucosomine levels in food is far higher than some of the so powder / tablet supplenments. In the case I looked at (a large breed growth food), the food contained more than double the amount of Glucosomine miligrammes compared to the tablet.

On an Adult Care food the Glucomine doubled again (close to the hiprite product).

I think it is just as important to check labels on supplements as it is with food. Question how much glucosomine is in the product before buying. In most of the tablets / powders on the market there is a lot more in them than just glucosomine (not necessarily bad things).

ok sorry to throw a spanner in the works here but I went to my dog's vet this morning and asked whether it was necessary to supplement with glucosamine and chondroitin and he said it was not necessary - now I am confused!
Van

Van, it depends entirely on your dog. If your dog is a pet who walks around the park once a day, shows no sign of stiffness and so on, then no it is not necessary. Both my dogs are extremely active, it is not unheard of for them to do an hours flyball, followed by three hours agility! They are out training in obedience and agility almost every weeknight, then go to either an obedience or agility show, sometmes both, at the weekends! They also come out with me on my bike for 6 mile runs on a regular basis. Obviously, their joints are taking more of a hammering than most pet dogs, so the oldest is on it to stop stiffness, although it is just stiffness, not arthritis, and the 2 yr old is on it to help protect him against future stiffness.

The bottom line is, glucosamine doesn't do any harm, so if you think your dog would benefit either now or in the future, there is no reason why you shouldn't give it to them.

HTH, Claire

Robert thanks for letting me know :)
Goat i reckon prevention is better than cure,alot of folk wait till their dogs have arthritis and then start to supplement when the damage has already been done,i've asked my vet about this too and he says it cant hurt,i would rather nip it in the bud befor eit becomes a problem.

ClaireH all the dogs in the world should live at your house or at least have half of your routine :D It just warmed my heart when i read your post,i imagined both your dogs pooped out in front of the fire ,belly full,completely exhausted and contented,this is the way all dogs should end their day! The majority of dogs are lucky to fit in a lifetime,what you fit into a week..

Well done,i say :)

Christine

Hi Christine.

Well on Sunday we did a 4 hour round trip to go to an agility show, so they ran pretty hard that day, then last night we went to agility training, got there at 6, home by 12.10am!! Not heard a peek all day! I just love being with my dogs, and love doing things with them, it doesn't matter what. The bike riding thing came from an urge to go sledding, so I harness them to a bike and we go through the woods! I do get the odd comment though! :D If there was a field trials club in my area I would do that too! Besides, I don't think my dogs are the lucky ones, I think I am - lucky to have them. :-)

Regards, Claire

I have my 4yr old Mastiff on Glucosamine and chondroitin for her OCD and arthritis.
She hasn't had a bad attack since last Xmas. Before the supplement she would be unable to walk on a regular basis especially after strenuous walks. Sometimes she wouldn't be able to walk properly for 3-5 days.
I have already started giving it to my Bullmastiff although he is only 2.5yrs.
I buy it from Holland & Barrett and give her 4 gelcaps a day but she does weigh around 10 stones.( Which is quite lean for a Mastiff).