subject: Nurturing Your Dog With Glucosamine [print this page] Most people can't help feeling inundated by the amount of choices available for dog food during their visit to the store. And to make matters worse, you can also be plagued with the endless list of ingredients in every brand, which most of us don't even know what they are for. Perhaps some people can recall the word Glucosamine being printed in some of the labels. What is Glucosamine, and why is there a big hype about it in the media?
Maybe you have become aware of how Glucosamine has been proven to have a positive impact on people by watching the six o'clock news. Well, studies show that this amino derivative of glucose can also be a nurturing agent for your dog.
Glucosamine is an amino derivative of glucose that occurs naturally in supportive tissues and plant cell walls. It is considered to be a dietary supplement said to provide for healthy joints and encourage the growth of joint cartilage. This supplement is the key to producing the lubricant liquids the joint needs to work smoothly, like a piston needs oil. Sources of this supplement include shellfish and fermented corn.
By lubricating your dog's joints, he will be able to move easier, and even reduce the chances for arthritis. This is particularly true for larger breeds of dogs, such as German Shepherds and Great Danes. It is easy to notice how these dogs hurt their elbow joints by the amount of weight they put on them. Glucosamine has been tried on dogs suffering from joint failure with surprisingly fast and effective results.
Glucosamine can be administered in a number of ways. Today, many dog food brands offer delicious biscuits for your dog that include this supplement eliminating the need to feed pills to your dog. Including this dietary supplement within your dogs diet is a healthy bonus that can improve his health significantly, not to mention his quality of life. It is also unlikely, and perhaps unheard of, that your dog will suffer from any side effects by consuming Glucosamine.
So next time you find yourself standing in front of the store shelves, invaded by brands, ingredients and supplements, consider Glucosamine as a dietary supplement that can help your dog. This supplement is often found only in the more expensive, better quality dog food. However, it is always best to consult your veterinarian for proper dosage and recommendations for best results.
