Best Glucosamine for Older Labrador Retrievers

If only our dogs could live forever….wouldn’t that be divine??  Ever since my dog, Dylan, turned about 10 ~ I started to notice stiffness in his joints.  The biggest example of this was his reduced ability to jump: onto & off beds, in & out of cars, etc.  Even simply getting off the ground at times, seemed difficult.  Cut to: Glucosamine, which has long been known as one of the best osteoarthritis supplements ~ for both humans AND dogs.  In this article, I’ll discuss the best glucosamine for older labrador retrievers, that also contains other antioxidants & inflammation-fighters.

I want Dylan to be happy, healthy, & highly mobile for as long as he lives!

Why Does Glucosamine Work?

• Glucosamine is a natural substance found in both humans & dogs; its purpose is to help form & repair body tissues like cartilage.  As we age, glucosamine production declines. 
• Research has found that providing dogs with glucosamine supplements can help re-build cartilage, which in turn improves joint function. 
• Glucosamine has an anti-inflammatory effect. 
• Glucosamine helps to improve lubrication in your dog’s joints (so does wild salmon oil), & helps restore joint health.  All of this helps improve mobility.
• Using glucosamine is a better option than using NSAID’s as pain relief for dogs, since NSAID’s can have serious side effects (such as liver & kidney damage), & do not address the root cause: joint health.
• Side effects due to glucosamine usage in dogs are very rare.

Glucosamine is a natural substance already found in your dog’s body, mostly within healthy cartilage.  As dogs age, the production of glucosamine slows.  This can lead to joint pain & stiffness.

Best Glucosamine for Older Labrador Retrievers

Dylan turns 11 this month, & just yesterday, he joined a 10-month old puppy on an EIGHT-MILE hike in Bend, Oregon (the very popular Green Lakes Trail)!!!  I’m still shocked as I write this, because four months ago, I couldn’t have even conceived of taking him on an eight-mile hike!!  There’s no way he would’ve made it.  In the spring, after noticing his discomfort getting up & down, I started experimenting with different glucosamine supplements.  Many of them cost $30 for a 30-day supply ~ & frankly, I wasn’t seeing great results. 

Then I found Nootie Advanced Hip & Joint Soft Chews. 

At 250-count, the bottle lasts about four months (if you have a small dog, it will last much longer), & the difference it’s made in his activity level is significant: he’s peppier, isn’t licking his paws as much, & his ability to jump has improved dramatically.  I love this particular formula because it includes turmeric, Coenzyme Q10, & hyaluronic acid ~ which all combat inflammation.  And there’s NO wheat & NO grain, which is ideal as they can also lead to scratching & inflammation.

Dylan & his buddy at a local watering hole in Bend! Four months ago, there’s NO way his hips would have supported the weight of this guy on his back ~ he would’ve been hiding under the table!

How Do You Know if Your Dog Needs Glucosamine?  Signs to look for: Your dog used to jump with no problem, & now they either can’t, don’t want to, or show hesitation; your dog used to love playing with other dogs, but now they’re more cautious or avoid it altogether; your dog seems listless, or constantly licks its paws (which can signal inflammation/arthritis); you have a dog that’s 8 years or older; your dog used to love going for walks & now isn’t as excited to go; your dog is having trouble getting up or down stairs, or simply getting off the ground. 

How Long Before You Saw Results from Using Glucosamine?  This wasn’t an instant fix, & I didn’t see improvement with Dylan for about 4-5 weeks.  You definitely need to use glucosamine daily for several weeks to see results, but the results seem to get better & better as time goes on.  The first thing I noticed was that Dylan wanted to play with his puppy friend, Bear-Bear again ~ he’d been avoiding “rough-housing” for awhile, I think due to the fact that his hips just weren’t as stable.  At about the 2-week mark, I noticed less hesitation in jumping up onto beds (before, his back two legs seemed to drag ~ & he often couldn’t get all the way up without help).  And just yesterday, Dylan literally pranced all the way up the Green Lakes Trail in Bend, Oregon, easily keeping pace with a high-energy puppy…which just seems crazy to me!

Complete Ingredient List for Nootie Glucosamine

Ingredients for Nootie Advanced Hip & Joint Soft Chews. Note: Some dogs may be allergic to Yucca Extract, so if you notice any problems with your dog after taking these supplements, return the formula for one without yucca!

Best Glucosamine for Older Labrador Retrievers