What Age Should You Start Joint Support for Your Dog? The Ultimate Guide

Hello, Reksi family! 

Do you know that dog owners in the United States spend the most money on joint health supplements and skin supplements? According to the statistics, 31% of the surveyed dog owners said that they used supplements to support the dog’s joint health. 

Even if your dog is completely healthy, and it is sprinting across the house, the joints are “spending” from all the movements. This can also wear down cartilage, ligaments, and, over time, lead to stiffness and difficulty walking. 

If you don’t want to see your dog in pain, you must know what is a myth and what is true regarding joint supplements. So, the biggest myth I know is that supplements are used only when a dog is having a certain issue. The reality is that supplementation can also be used to prevent an issue that your dog is prone to. 

Joint supplements are not only for senior dogs. If you are wondering at what age you should start joint support for your dog, the answer is here. And it is earlier than most people think! 

In this blog, we'll cover:

• Overview of Joint Issues in Dogs
• Facts on Joint Issues in Dogs
• Factors Affecting When to Give Dog Joint Supplements
• Dog Breed
• Lifestyle And Activity Levels
• Diet And Weight
• Age
• Benefits of Giving Your Dog Joint Supplements
• Other Ways to Prevent Joint Issues
• Signs Your Dog May Need Joint Support (at Any Age)
• How to Choose the Right Joint Supplement?
• Product Recommendation
• To Sum Up: What Age Is the Best for Dog Joint Supplements?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• At what age do dogs start having joint issues?
• At what age should I give my dog joint supplements?
• Is there a vet-recommended joint supplement for dogs?
• What are the best joint supplements for dogs?
• Is Glucosamine for dogs good?
• What is the best joint supplement for young dogs?
• When can I start giving my puppy glucosamine?

Overview of Joint Issues in Dogs

The most common joint issues include the following: 

• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative disease that leads to cartilage damage. It causes pain, discomfort, inflammation, and reduced mobility. 
• Hip and elbow dysplasia: As dogs grow, they can develop these joint issues. In these cases, the joints don’t form properly, and this leads to abnormal wear and signs of arthritis. 
• Ligament injuries: Similar injuries happen to humans as well, but the most common in dogs is the injury in the cranial cruciate ligament. 
• Luxating patella: You will often see small breeds like Maltese and Bichons that suffer from this condition. It manifests with the kneecap slipping, which leads to lameness and reduced mobility. 

Facts on Joint Issues in Dogs

The number of dogs having joint issues is concerning, but there are plenty of ways to prevent this. According to a study that included half a million dogs (exactly 455,557), it was found that 16,437 had osteoarthritis. Additionally, 4169 were manually examined, and 69% of the sample were confirmed as cases with osteoarthritis. 

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in veterinary medicine, and it leads to degeneration and reduced mobility. It is a multifactorial disease that can be inherited from the moment of birth or it can develop as dogs age due to exercise, diet, and other factors. 

These issues can develop at any age, but it is mostly considered a disease of aging. And that is why many pet owners wonder what the best time to start joint supplementation is, but more on that later! 

Another concerning fact is that almost 50% of diagnosed dogs are aged between 8 and 13 years. 

Factors Affecting When to Give Dog Joint Supplements

There are several factors that can determine at what age you should start joint supplements for your dog. Understanding when the right time is can be life-changing and can save you from unnecessary vet bills. Let’s take a look at the factors that affect when to start giving dog joint supplements. 

Dog Breed

Some breeds are more predisposed to joint issues than others. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get this breed in your home. This only means you should properly care for your dog. 

This is especially for larger breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Rottweilers, and many others. If the fact that these breeds are prone to joint issues has changed your decision to get this breed, remember that other breeds have other problems they are prone to. No breed can spend its whole life without any disease on its way! 

On the other side are smaller breeds, which are great, but they can easily get a luxating patella in no time. They are also prone to the Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

So, what is the conclusion? No breed is perfect! Some will have a genetic predisposition to joint issues, and some will “run enough” to get a joint issue. 

This means that all breeds, large, medium, or small, can benefit from joint supplements. 

Lifestyle And Activity Levels

Many dogs are too active, and this can additionally put pressure on their joints. Over time, their joints are “spending” too much, and these are the perfect conditions for osteoarthritic issues. Working dogs especially have intense physical activities, and this wears and tears on their joints. 

This doesn’t mean that “couch potato” dogs don’t have any chances of joint issues. This only means that overly active dogs have increased chances of developing joint problems. 

Diet And Weight 

Wise people say, “you are what you eat,” and we couldn’t agree more with this. The same applies to humans and dogs. A well-balanced diet is half the health. Dogs’ nutrition is mainly based on consuming proteins, but they also need plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, healthy fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids), and antioxidants to remain healthy. 

Most commercial dog foods contain the essential nutrients for dogs to stay healthy. However, they often might need additional nutritional support to target specific health issues. Most joint supplements contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and healthy fatty acids that support normal development and health. 

These nutrients can also be present in the dog food that you are buying; however, joint supplements are specifically formulated to give them the optimal amount for proper joint health. 

Another important thing when determining whether your dog needs supplements is weight. A dog with unhealthy weight has an increased risk of developing joint issues. It is mainly because of the extra pressure they put on their joints. 

Age 

Most statistics show that dogs develop joint issues with aging, but this doesn’t mean that your young puppy is not a good candidate for joint supplements. 

There is no written rule about what age is the best age for supplements. The best age is when you decide and your vet approves. Usually, supplements shouldn’t be given too early. You should wait until your dog switches to solid food, and then you are good to go. 

Wait for a while until your dog adapts to the solid food, and then you can start giving supplements. 

Note: Find a supplement brand that is also formulated for puppies and adults, and carefully read the product label. 

Benefits of Giving Your Dog Joint Supplements

Here are the most common benefits of giving your dog joint supplements: 

• Improved mobility 
• Cartilage health 
• Reduced inflammation and pain 
• Faster recovery from injuries or surgeries 
• Improve overall activity 
• Prevents degenerative joint diseases 
• Reduces the need for prescription pain medications

Did you know? 

Glucosamine is the most common compound in every joint supplement. According to a study, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and healthy fatty acids, and carprofen (a drug) can all have effects in cases of osteoarthritis. 

The management of this disease is not one medicine only, it requires a multi-modal approach, and that is why supplements are so an important part of the treatment process of osteoarthritis. 

Read More: If you want to find out more scientific evidence on glucosamine, check it out here!

Other Ways to Prevent Joint Issues

Besides supplementation, you can incorporate other ways to prevent joint issues, including: 

• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Enough physical exercise 
• Balanced and nutritious diet 
• Regular vet check-ups 

Signs Your Dog May Need Joint Support (at Any Age)

Dogs don’t always show their pain, and sometimes it might be too late before you notice something significant. So, here are the signs that should remind you to include joint supplementation for your dog: 

• Slower walking 
• Stiffness after rest
• Reluctance to jump, play, or climb stairs
• Limping on one leg 
• Using one leg more frequently

The list goes on, and there are plenty of “hidden” signs that your dog might show. 

Read More: Find out the full list of 9 signs your dog may have joint problems that most dog owners miss!

How to Choose the Right Joint Supplement?

Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of joint problems, adding a joint supplement to their diet can make a real difference. This will lead to more benefits than harm, and you can enjoy plenty of years with your healthy furry buddy. 

When choosing a supplement, here are six things that the chosen product has to meet:

• Science-backed formula that supports the effectiveness of each compound
• High-quality but still affordable
• Contains 100% natural ingredients without fillers or additives 
• Make sure it’s tasty enough that your dog actually wants to eat it.
• Made with strict quality control standards
• Understandable label 

Product Recommendation

One product that checks all these 6 points? REKSI Joint Chewies.

These chews are made from natural, high-quality ingredients and are completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. They are suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes.

REKSI Chewies are especially helpful for:

• Older dogs
• Active or athletic dogs
• Dogs with arthritis or chronic joint issues
  

So, what do these chewies include? REKSI chewies include a powerful mix of:

• Glucosamine
• Collagen
• Calcium carbonate
• Hyaluronic acid
• Phosphorus
• Type II collagen
• Green-lipped mussel
• Fish oil
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
  

This formulation helps reduce joint pain, support cartilage health, and keep dogs active. The best thing is that the first benefits of joint supplements can be noticed in 3-4 weeks after starting the supplementation. 

To Sum Up: What Age Is the Best for Dog Joint Supplements?

We haven’t given you exactly what age you should start giving your dog joint supplements, but remember that early prevention is everything. Starting joint supplementation from a young age can reduce mobility issues later in life. 

We don’t want to force you into anything because some dogs cannot start supplementation very early because of picky eating when switching to solid food. 

Every dog is built differently, and that is why we recommend getting personalized advice to avoid health complications! 

We are curious - at what age did you start any kind of supplementation for your dog? Let us know in the comments below! 

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do dogs start having joint issues?

There is no general rule, but there is data that osteoarthritis can affect at least 20% of all dogs over 1 year of age. Another fact is that 50% of diagnosed dogs with joint issues are between 8 and 13 years of age. 

At what age should I give my dog joint supplements?

Start giving joint supplements when your dog starts consuming solid food without problems, or do it in consultation with your vet. 

Is there a vet-recommended joint supplement for dogs?

Yes, there are many vet-recommended joint supplements for dogs, and REKSI Joint chewies are one of them. 

What are the best joint supplements for dogs?

The best joint supplements for dogs are the ones that meet the 6 points of criteria. They have to be scientifically formulated, need to be 100% natural with clear labels, and most importantly, they need to be tasty enough so the dogs will consume them. 

Is Glucosamine for dogs good? 

Yes, glucosamine is a great joint supplement that can lead to faster joint recovery and also prevent many joint-related conditions. 

What is the best joint supplement for young dogs?

This is a sensitive topic because you need to find a product that manufacturers recommend for puppies as well. One of them is REKSI, which is also recommended for puppies. 

When can I start giving my puppy glucosamine?

Almost all puppies are good candidates for glucosamine. Consult with your veterinarian to determine whether your puppy can start taking glucosamine. 

Author

This post was written by Sandra Tashkovska, DVM

Sandra is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with a passion for combining veterinary expertise and writing. She is dedicated to animal welfare and focuses her research work on developing a strategy for dealing with stray dogs. With experience as a veterinary advisor in the pharmaceutical industry, she excels at breaking down complex veterinary topics into simple and practical advice for pet parents. Sandra’s mission is to educate and empower pet owners, making it easier to care for their furry companions.