If Your Dog Has Arthritis – Avoid These Ingredients in Dog Foods

Joint and mobility issues for dogs, such as arthritis, and ACL problems, are some of the most common health problems dogs face. Arthritis symptoms in your pooch may range from being subtly noticeable to very debilitating. It is extremely difficult to watch your dog’s health decline. Unfortunately, arthritis in dogs is not curable there are many things you can do to help keep their symptoms on the lower end of the pain spectrum.  Feeding your dog an anti-inflammatory diet is an important part of keeping arthritis symptoms at bay.

There are many great dog food companies out there, many that make claims about being beneficial to your dog’s health. However, it’s hard to know which ones are trustworthy. Some foods branded as beneficial for arthritic dogs still contain fillers and artificial ingredients that actually contribute to the disease. Why? Because it’s cheaper for manufacturers, and customers often want to cut costs. Remember the old adage – You get what you pay for.

Inflammation

Arthritis in dogs causes chronic inflammation in the joints. These swollen joints lead to pain and difficulty moving. The more inflammation in your dog’s joints, the more pain they experience. Therefore it is important to avoid foods that contribute to inflammation.

Dog Foods to Avoid if Your Dog Has Arthritis

• Corn – This vegetable is a main ingredient and filler in many dog foods. It is high in carbohydrates and provides a quick source of energy. However, corn also can lead to inflammation in dogs (humans, too). Feeding your dog corn does not cause an immediate adverse reaction after eating it. It can though gradually increase joint inflammation over time.
• Grains – A grain-free diet may be the way to go if your dog suffers from arthritis. Most commercially processed dog foods contain grains. Rice, wheat, soy, and spelt are all inexpensive filler products in dog food. These grains can cause your dog’s blood sugar levels to increase after meals and therefore increase swelling and inflammation. 
• Fatty Acids – Dogs that eat a commercial diet of processed kibble or canned food will have omega 6-fatty acids in their system. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in inexpensive oils such as corn, soybean, safflower, sunflower, and canola oils. Omega-6 acids are also found in beef and poultry. While they are a normal part of a dog’s diet, they should be minimized for dogs who are suffering from arthritis. This is because they contribute to inflammation. Omega-3s are a healthier fatty acid and found in fish and some vegetable oils.
• Fatty Proteins – When a dog is overweight, it puts much more pressure on those achy joints. This is why fatty proteins need to be kept to a minimum. Try to feed your pet leaner proteins with fewer calories such as turkey, salmon, tuna, lamb, and grass-fed meats. Even when your pet is slightly overweight, this can heavily increase arthritis pain and decrease their quality of life.
• Salts and Sugars – It is best to avoid any processed foods. The more processed a food is, the more sugars and salts it will contain. These additives increase inflammation.

Read food and treat label ingredients carefully. Avoid giving your pet items that contain these ingredients because they only contribute to discomfort.

Dog Food Ingredients to Promote Healthy Joints

• Glucosamine Sulfate Potassium – This is the specific type of glucosamine that is needed for cartilage formation and repair in all mammals. Laboratory tests show that glucosamine sulfate potassium helps protect joint cartilage by limiting breakdown and helping to build up levels of cartilage. Of the various types of glucosamine, only glucosamine sulfate potassium is considered effective for treating arthritic conditions.
• Cetyl Myristoleate (CM8) – Similar to the omega-9 fatty acid found in olive oil, CM8 is a natural esterified fatty acid found in certain mammals, such as cows, whales, beavers, and mice – but not dogs (or humans). It is a strong all-natural anti-inflammatory, as well as a pain reliever and immune system modulator.
• Methylsulfonylmethane (or MSM) – This naturally-occurring, easily-absorbed sulfur that is an essential building block for all cell membranes. It is a cell rejuvenator, antioxidant, and joint healer that is highly effective at relieving pain and inflammation.
• Vitamin C – This essential nutrient is also known as L-ascorbic acid. Unlike some animals, dogs are unable to synthesize Vitamin C, so it needs to be an essential part of our diet. is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. It is involved in many body functions. Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen, absorption of iron, the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.
• Collagen Type II – This is the main component of cartilage in your dog’s body. Type II collagen is what gives cartilage its strength and elasticity, thereby supporting and cushioning joints.

The good news? All of these ingredients can be found in one amazing joint supplement – Flexpet. Our Flexpet supplements are made in the USA with all these all-natural human-grade ingredients. They also contain a digestive enzyme to help your pet process these anti-inflammatory ingredients without upsetting pet stomachs.

At Flexpet, we care about you and your pets. We want to help you keep them as healthy as possible. We have a fantastic and knowledgeable customer care team available to answer any of your questions about our joint supplement products and how they may help your dog or cat. If your dog has joint pain issues, we invite you to try Flexpet today and start your dog on the journey to playing like a pup again. Flexpet is so confident it is the best joint supplement for dogs and cats it comes with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Our Flexpet joint care supplements have excellent reviews on social media. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, or by phone at 1-800-505-0575.

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