Got an Older Dog Who's Slowing Down? Try Glucosamine Chondroitin...

My parents' dog is really old and can't play with her frisbee or tennis balls anymore. She could barely get up onto the couch. (She is incredibly spoiled) My mom took her to the vet and the vet recommended some expensive glucosamine and chondroitin pills for her. Those pills work wonders for their dog. She can jump onto her couch again and play for a few minutes at a time. Walks are still hard on her but she is 12 years old and it is a wonder she can go on walks at all.

So we tried these relatively inexpensive Glucosamine/Chondroitin tablets for our older dog (she's almost 10). She limps around and has a hard time getting up. She used to be able to jump several feet off the ground and she got to the point where she could barely get her front paws airborne. We have been giving her these pills for awhile and she has more energy and can even “boing” again! She wants to go on walks and she loves to run around outside and play fetch again.

The tablets are about the size of a nickel but thicker. They're chewable. I have had no problem getting my dog to eat them. They are beef flavored. I really think they make her feel better.

Each chewable tablet has 800 mg of glucosamine hcl shellfish source, 400 mg of methylsulfonylmethane msm, 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate bovine source, 100 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin c), 5 mg of manganese (as mn proteinate), 5 mg of grape seed extract, 2 mg of l-glutathione, and 50 iu of di-alpha tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e). Other inactive ingredients are allspice, Brewers yeast, beef flavor, silicon dioxide, and stearic acid.

According to the directions on the bottle:

For dogs weighing up to 25 pounds, give 1/2 tablet daily for the first 4 - 6 weeks, then drop to 1/2 tablet every other day.
For dogs weighing 25 - 60 pounds, give 1 tablet daily for the first 4 - 6 weeks, then drop to 1/2 - 1 tablet a day.
For dogs weighing 60 - 80 pounds, give 2 tablets daily for the first 4 - 6 weeks, then drop to 1 - 2 tablets a day.
For dogs weighing over 80 pounds, give 3 tablets daily for the first 4 - 6 weeks, then drop to 2 tablets a day.

There is a caution on the bottle that says that safe use in pregnant animals or animals intended for breeding has not been proven.
Consult with your vet before using this product in animals with clotting disorders, being treated with anti-coagulant medications, with diabetes or any metabolic disorder causing hyperglycemia, with a history of urinary tract stones, or with known allergies to shellfish.
If lameness worsens, discontinue use and contact your vet.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.

These tablets are made in the USA.

We’ve been giving these to our dog for over a month now. I just give hers to her in the morning when I take my vitamins. She now waits for me to start opening my vitamin bottles and she comes and sits by my side until I open her bottle. It’s pretty funny. 

I’m just so glad she has more energy and doesn’t seem to be in pain anymore. I’ve been pretty negligent about walking her since Cocoa Puff was born since I just can’t seem to find the time to get out and walk with her! We play around inside, but yeah, we need to get out and go walking! 

So, if your dog seems like they’re getting sluggish or is having trouble getting around, maybe ask your vet about these. They’ve worked for us and they’ve worked for my parents’ dog! 

How old are your pets?