Osteoarthritis is the most common source of chronic pain in dogs, and arthritis and joint paint are unfortunately exceedingly common in senior dogs. It can be extremely difficult to watch our beloved canine companions slow down and start experiencing pain or discomfort. Fortunately, there are things we can do right at home to help soothe their aching joints. The following methods of natural treatment are completely safe and effective to do yourself right at home!
 | BONE BROTH Warm, healing, and highly nutritious - bone broth is the perfect whole food supplement for senior dogs or dogs with joint problems. It stimulates the appetite, and helps keep your dog hydrated. Bone broth is made using marrow-rich bones, where all of the things that support bone, joint and ligament health are leeched into the broth and made easily digestible. The nutrients in bone broth are highly absorbable. INSTRUCTIONS All you need it a large stock pot of water, enough raw bones (marrow, neck, knuckle, knee cap, femur, etc) to cover the bottom of the pot, a hearty splash of apple cider vinegar and simmer on low heat for 24 - 48 hours! Strain, let it cool, remove the white layer of fat on the top, then offer the rich broth to your dog! DOSAGE is around 1 ounce per 10 pounds of body weight. Feel free to give a little more! |
 | GOLDEN PASTE Make from curcumin found in the spice turmeric, golden paste is a powerful anti-inflammatory remedy that has been used since ancient times. There are also thousands of studies proving the health benefits and effectiveness of turmeric, which you can view here: (1) (2) (3) (4). Golden paste is as effective for anti-inflammatory treatment as some medications! There are tons of health benefits, including prevention and treatment of cancer. INSTRUCTIONS Mix 1/2 cup of ground turmeric with 1 cup of filtered water, and sit on low/medium for around 8-9 minutes. Once thickened and warmed, add 1/4 cup of coconut oil and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper. Stir well, and store in a glass jar in the fridge. DOSAGE is 1/4 of a teaspoon of paste per 10 pounds of body weight. |
 | OMEGA FATTY ACIDS Omega fatty acids (fish oil, krill oil, flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, etc) are proven to reduce inflammation all over the body. Especially when paired with the other methods listed here, OFAs can be an inexpensive and completely safe way to support your dog's joint health. Good for all life stages, and especially beneficial for senior dogs, OFAs also support healthy heart and brain function. The ideal source of OFAs for our dogs are marine oils such as salmon, cod liver and krill. Please remember to pair OFAs with a naturally sourced vitamin E supplement (200 to 400 IUs) as OFAs deplete vit. E in the body. DOSAGE is 150mg of EPA per 10 pounds of body weight. |
 | GREEN LIPPED MUSSELS Packed full of nutrition and easy to digest, green lipped mussels are ideal for supporting healthy joints. The omega fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, zinc, and magnesium and glycosaminoglycans help to promote healthy joint function, reduce inflammation and reduce pain. You can buy them fresh, frozen, or the powdered supplement variety. DOSAGE is 2 fresh or cooked mussels per 30 pounds of body weight. |
 | WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Excessive weight puts more strain and pressure on a dog's joints, which contributes to increased pain. It is vitally important to keep your dog lean and muscular to prevent additional weight induced pain and stress. Being lean and fit will help your dog keep active, move around easier, and be overall healthier. If your dog is suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia or any other joint condition - exercise can be difficult. Swimming, using a water treadmill, short walks on soft surfaces, and other low impact exercises are ideal. Remember to warm your dog up and let them cool down with every work out! |
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