Does your furry friend move stiffly after a nap or have trouble getting up? These could be typical symptoms of osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease in dogs.

Osteoarthritis often begins gradually and progresses throughout a dog's life. If you notice the first signs, you should act immediately, because by this stage, small changes in the joint are often already present and do not resolve. This can lead to severe pain, which is why a visit to the veterinarian is always advisable for an accurate diagnosis.

But don't worry: Many dogs live happily and contentedly with mild arthritis. Through measures such as Dietary adjustment You can slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and help your dog to remain mobile and as pain-free as possible.

A special diet to relieve osteoarthritis is even possible entirely on a vegan basis. You can use a variety of herbal supplements that can have a positive impact on your dog's joint health and counteract inflammatory reactions. And even better: There's no scientific evidence that animal-based dietary products are more effective than plant-based ones for treating osteoarthritis.

Let's take a look at what nature has to offer to prevent osteoarthritis and reduce the resulting symptoms.

Recognizing and interpreting symptoms

Osteoarthritis often develops slowly, and the early signs are frequently overlooked. In addition to lameness, reduced joint mobility and a significant decline in activity may occur as pain restricts movement. This can lead to muscle wasting, which in turn can cause tension and further pain. Advanced osteoarthritis can cause hardening of bones, ligaments, and cartilage, particularly in commonly affected areas such as the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows. However, osteoarthritis can also affect the paws or spine.

Herbal home remedies for the treatment of pain and inflammation

turmeric

Turmeric is a ginger plant native to South Asia and contains the compound curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (Oliveira et al., 2015). A study in which 18 dogs with osteoarthritis received turmeric at a dose of 6.60 mg/kg body weight for 60 days confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin (Scorlon et al., 2016). These results are consistent with those of Colitti et al. (2012).

Salai tree

The Salai tree is a tree from India whose resin is used for medicinal purposes.

Studies showed that Boswellia resin administered to dogs for 6 weeks helped reduce lameness (during exercise or after a long rest), local pain, and stiff gait (Comblain et al., 2016).

Field horsetail

Field horsetail can even be found in our local meadows and has long been considered a medicinal plant. anti-inflammatory The effect was described, for example, by Gründemann et al. (2014).

Please note that you should not simply harvest horsetail from the meadow to feed it to your dog. The horsetail must first be processed and tested for harmlessness by z.B. Contamination with pesticides or other plants that are toxic to dogs should be checked. Therefore, please always purchase a product specifically developed for dogs.

Devil's claw

Devil's claw is a South African plant that contains harpagoside as one of its main biologically active phytochemical compounds.

A number of studies support the effectiveness of harpagoside in Relief of the symptoms of osteoarthritis (see, e.g., Gagnier et al., 2004). A herbal supplement containing devil's claw demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects in a study with dogs (Moreau et al., 2014).

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the dog's body and perform important functions in the organism. The most important plant-based food sources of omega-3 fatty acids are Micro-algae as well as vegetable cooking oils such as linseed oil.

Studies have shown that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids improves the condition of dogs with osteoarthritis (Roush et al., 2010). In a study that examined the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA When comparing omega-3 fatty acids (which can be obtained from algae, see Winwood, 2013) and α-linolenic acid (found in vegetable oils) for their effects on cartilage degradation and joint inflammation, EPA proved to be the most effective omega-3 fatty acid (Hurst et al., 2010). The best plant-based source of EPA is algal oil from the microalga Schizochytrium.

Our VISH OIL Contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. Therefore, it's ideal for dogs with arthritis. We also offer it in our Pioneer Box Senior with our SENIOR wet food at a special price.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is conventionally extracted from shellfish. Recent studies have used microbial fermentation by filamentous fungi or recombinant Escherichia coli as an alternative method for producing glucosamine. This method also showed a significant Improvement of pain of dogs with osteoarthritis when administered glucosamine (Lowe, 2020). MOBILITIES from VEGDOG contain glucosamine and are therefore a healthy and joint-supporting snack for your furry friend.

CBD oil

CBD oil is extracted from hemp and contains the active ingredient “cannabidiol” (CBD) in concentrated form, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties A study also demonstrated a positive effect of CBD oil on the joy of movement in osteoarthritis (Gamble Lauri-Jo, 2018). Incidentally, there is no need to worry about an intoxicating effect – the substance in hemp responsible for this, "tetrahydrocannabinol" (THC), is removed during the production of CBD oil.

By the way: In our VEGGIES SKINCARE contains the valuable hemp.

Conclusion on herbal home remedies

As you can see, there are good herbal supplements available to support the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.

But be careful: Herbal products should not be fed indiscriminately. Some should only be given as a course of treatment, while others are suitable for long-term therapy. Interactions with other foods must also be checked.

It's best to seek veterinary advice – now you're well informed about the vegan options.

It's also important to remember that these herbal remedies are only supportive and will not completely eliminate the pain of osteoarthritis, let alone cure it (which is not possible). It is therefore extremely important to initiate additional pain management if necessary and to schedule regular veterinary check-ups.

5 measures to prevent osteoarthritis

• The right diet against obesity
  
  Obesity damages our four-legged friends' joints and can therefore promote osteoarthritis. A rule of thumb is that a pet's ribs should be palpable, although not visible.
• Individual movement on a joint-friendly surface
  
  Soft ground is also easier on the joints than walking on hard asphalt, which promotes joint wear.
• To swim
  
  Swimming supports muscle building without accelerating joint wear. Therefore, swimming is often recommended for dogs already suffering from arthritis to counteract muscle loss.
• Support for stairs, cars or high bed edges
  
  While dogs are capable of jumping into a car or climbing stairs on their own, this isn't always practical beyond a certain height difference. Overloading of the joints can be prevented by installing steps or ramps, for example, which the dog can then use.
• Healthy eating
  
  As already mentioned, nutrition is crucial for supporting joint metabolism. Therefore, the right Dog food for joints be respected

Bibliography

Colitti, M., Gaspardo, B., Della Pria, A., Scaini, C., Stefanon, B., 2012. Transcriptome modification of white blood cells after dietary administration of curcumin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in osteoarthritic affected dogs. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol.147, 136–146

Comblain, F., Serisier, S., Barthelemy, N., Balligand, M., & Henrotin, Y. (2016). Review of dietary supplements for the management of osteoarthritis in dogs in studies from 2004 to 2014. Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 39(1), 1-15.

Gründermann, C., Lengen, K., Sauer, B., Garcia-Kaufer, M., Zehl, M., & Huber, R. (2014). Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) modulates the function of inflammatory immunocompetent cells. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 14(1), 1-10.

Hurst, S., Zainal, Z., Caterson, B., Hughes, C.E., & Harwood, J.L. (2010). Dietary fatty acids and arthritis. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA), 82(4-6), 315-318.

Lowe, R. J. (2020). Evidence for the use of supplements in canine arthritis management. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 35(9-12), 353-357.

Moreau, M., Lussier, B., Pelletier, JP, Martel-Pelletier, J., Bédard, C., Gauvin, D., & Troncy, E. (2014). A medicinal herb-based natural health product improves the condition of a canine natural osteoarthritis model: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Research in veterinary science, 97(3), 574-581.

Oliveira, A.S., Sousa, E., Helena Vasconcelos, M., & Pinto, M. (2015). Curcumin: a natural lead for potential new drug candidates. Current medicinal chemistry, 22(36), 4196-4232.

Roush, JK, Dodd, CE, Fritsch, DA, Allen, TA, Jewell, DE, Schoenherr, WD, … & Hahn, KA (2010). Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1), 59-66.

Sgorlon, S., Stefanon, B., Sandri, M., & Colitti, M. (2016). Nutrigenomic activity of plant derived compounds in health and disease: Results of a dietary intervention study in dogs. Research in veterinary science, 109, 142-148.

Shoba, G., Joy, D., Joseph, T., Majeed, M., Rajendran, R., & Srinivas, PSSR (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta medica, 64, 353-356.

Winwood, RJ (2013).Recent developments in the commercial production of DHA and EPA rich oils from micro-algae. Ocl, 20(6), D604.

Gamble Lauri-Jo, Boesch Jordyn M, Frye Christopher W, Schwark Wayne S, et al. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 165