Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

Best Hip And Joint Supplement For Pitbulls

By: Justin Palmer
Justin Palmer is a Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist and co-founder of iHeartDogs.com. Inspired by his rescued husky, Splash, he dedicated himself to learning about extending both the length and quality of her life. Splash lived and thrived until 18 years old, and now Justin is on a mission to share what he learned with other dog owners.Read more
| January 2, 2018

Pitbull Arthritis Treatment

#1: For Maximum Efficacy, Choose a Supplement for Your Pit Bull with Multiple Active Ingredients

When most people think of a joint supplement for their pit bull, glucosamine comes to mind. And while glucosamine is the most popular active ingredient, other powerful nutraceuticals include MSM, chondroitin, and turmeric (curcumin). If your supplement contains only one or two of these, you may be missing potential benefits. Different dogs respond to different treatments, so when in doubt, offer a broad spectrum of nutrients.

#2: Always Check The Amount of Active Ingredients

If the quantity of active ingredients (in milligrams) is not made available, the product likely contains low levels that are unlikely to have a therapeutic effect on your pit bull’s joints. As a rule of thumb, your dog should receive 20 mg of glucosamine daily for each pound they weigh. Budget oriented joint supplements (often in the $15-20 a bottle range) often contain levels too low to make any serious impact on your dog’s joint health. In addition, dry dog food manufacturers have begun including trivial amounts of glucosamine in their products in an attempt to woo consumers. Make sure your dog receives enough to matter!

#3: Always Buy Made In USA

While you’d expect that most pet stores would have transitioned to only carrying consumable products that are made in the USA, this is simply not the case. Many budget oriented pet stores, online retailers, and grocery stores still carry inferior supplements made in factories outside the USA with far lower production standards.

#4: Decide If You Want An Arthritis Supplement with or Without Hemp for Your Pit Bull

The last few years has brought about exciting advancements in the use of Hemp for dogs. Several clinical trials have shown Hemp can improve the mobility of arthritic dogs. Some brands have begun to offer their Hip & Joint supplements with Hemp or without Hemp.

#5: Results Will Vary Based on Your Pit Bull’s Age and Condition

Ideally, a joint supplement regimen should begin before signs of pain are present in your pit bull. (ideally around 5 years of age, although large breeds may need earlier) In reality, however, we often don’t consider the need until signs of pain are apparent. If your dog is already showing signs of distress, a joint supplement can still offer substantial relief. However, it may take 1-2 months to show signs of improvement.

#6: Taste and Format Matters

The best joint supplement in the world is worthless if your dog refuses to eat it. The most popular formats of delivery for joint supplements are liquid, tablet chews, and soft chews, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to palatability, soft chews and liquids tend to please the most canine palates. Because a soft chew can contain a wider variety of nutraceuticals (see item #1) it’s our preferred method.

Where Our Research Led Us (Our Preferred Joint & Joint Supplement for Pit Bulls)

Our research in hip & joint supplements for dogs led us to develop & recommend the Happy, Healthy line of canine joint care supplements. An added bonus of this brand is that each purchase goes towards helping provide food for animal shelters in need.

Thank you for reading this guide. Remember to always consult your veterinarian when making changes to your dog’s diet and routine. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No product is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do Pitbulls Need Hip And Joint Supplements?

Sadly, the pitbull breed has several hip and hind leg health issues that can slow them down and cause discomfort. Pitbulls are prone to hip dysplasia and knee issues. Many dogs have hind leg problems as a result of genetics, environmental factors, or a combination of the two. Fortunately, numerous treatment options are available to ensure that your pitbull lives a happy and healthy life. 

Pitbulls are well-known for being muscular and powerful dogs. But their muscles will only remain intact if they are properly nourished. However, most dog food products today lack the nutritional profile required to support a Pitbull’s health. Senior pitbulls especially require more help to cope with arthritis and other painful issues. 

What Supplements Are Good For Pitbulls Arthritis?

Healthy pet supplements can help reduce inflammation and speed up healing. Most veterinarians recommend glucosamine, fish oil, and turmeric supplements for pitbulls with hip and joint problems. Help your pitbull with the iHeartDogs Advanced 8-in-1 Hip and Joint Chews designed to help dogs combat known issues. 

The Advanced 8-in-1 Mobility Chew will get your dog moving again! It is the ideal combination of eight potent, natural ingredients that work together to promote healthier joints, less pain, and increased activity. It’s a natural pain relief ready to reduce inflammation, rebuilds cartilage, and lubricate joints, relieving pain and stiffness in your dog. 

What Can I Give My Pitbull to Help With Joint Pain and Arthritis? 

Certain foods are said to have anti-inflammatory properties by nature. If your veterinarian feels it is safe, you can try adding papaya, alfalfa, celery, or ginger to your dog’s diet. Another ingredient that has gained popularity in recent years is turmeric, which has been shown to have extremely potent anti-inflammatory properties. 

Not all canine joint supplements are the same. Many products contain only one active ingredient — glucosamine. The 8-in-1 canine joint supplement mentioned above contains glucosamine as well as turmeric, green-lipped mussel, MSM, chondroitin, devil’s claw, and other ingredients. It is critical to select a joint health supplement that provides the appropriate therapeutic dosage for your Pitbull’s needs and is made from high-quality ingredients.

Is Cosequin Or Dasuquin Better For A Pitbull?

Nutramax Laboratories manufactures both brand-name nutritional joint supplements under the brand names Cosequin and Dasuquin. Both supplements contain glucosamine and sodium chondroitin sulfate, two essential ingredients for joint health. However, only Cosequin contains omega-3 fatty acids necessary for many body functions. On the other hand, Dasuquin contains avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) a naturally occurring compound from avocados and soybean oils. The only way to determine which is right for your dog is to test both or to follow your vet’s recommendations. 

What Is The Best Joint Care Supplement For Pitbulls?

CBD oil has grown in popularity over the last five years as a staple treatment for inflammation and pain. CBD oil for dogs works by activating endocannabinoid receptors, which reduces pain and inflammation. iHeartDogs Mobility Hip and joint care offer numerous incredible benefits to dogs suffering from joint pain. These chews are a fantastic natural supplement because they not only include CBD oil but they also give glucosamine and chondroitin. These natural vitamins and CBD oil will reduce pain, inflammation, and joint health.

Is Glucosamine Good For Pitbulls?

Glucosamine, a naturally occurring amino sugar produced by your dog’s body, aids in the formation of molecules that form the cartilage of your pup’s joints. 

As your dog ages, his body produces less glucosamine, and the spongy layer of shock-absorbing cartilage and lubricating synovial fluid degrades. As a result, your dog’s joints may stiffen, and their bones may begin to rub, causing pain and discomfort. 

Glucosamine supplements can stimulate cartilage growth and thicken synovial fluid, which helps keep joints cushioned and lubricated while slowing the progression of arthritis. Large-breed dog foods frequently include joint supplements such as glucosamine. However, your vet will almost certainly recommend a chewable supplement containing veterinarian-grade glucosamine and chondroitin. 

You can also buy supplements containing these ingredients for dogs who are prone to developing arthritis and hip dysplasia in the future. Because joint supplements are safe for long-term use in the majority of patients, they are frequently used as an early intervention and throughout the progression of arthritis. While research is still limited, these supplements may help reduce hip dysplasia symptoms.

How Can I Help My Pitbulls Hips?

There are numerous methods for helping canine hip dysplasia, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. If your dog’s hip dysplasia is not severe, or if surgery is not an option for medical or financial reasons, your veterinarian may recommend a nonsurgical treatment option. Some options include weight loss, reduced exercise, supplements, medications, and physical therapy.

If you can afford special treatments, hydrotherapy can work wonders on a dog’s pain with wonderful results. This therapy entails using an underwater treadmill or swimming pool exercises. The buoyancy of the water relieves pressure on your dog’s joints and allows them to exercise their back leg muscles without pain. The back muscles will regain some mobility as they strengthen. 

Does Turmeric Help Joint Pain In Pitbulls?

Turmeric’s health benefits have been lauded in eastern cultures for thousands of years, and recently, its been found the herb helps both humans and animals. It’s important to know how joint pain works before you can understand the benefits of turmeric. Keep in mind, it’s only one herbal remedy that can assist with joint pain and arthritis.

As your dog ages, there are few options for relieving the pain and swelling caused by bones rubbing against one another. Cartilage is what keeps your dog’s bones from grinding against each other, and when it wears down, your dog will start to feel pain. Because there is no buffer zone between the joints, the sensation is best described as dull throbbing aches. 

Because of the friction caused by a lack of cartilage, your dog’s throbbing and aching are accompanied by an abnormal inflammatory response. An abnormal inflammatory response occurs when the muscle tissue around the bones has to work harder to compensate for the lack of cartilage. This causes lactic acid buildup and, eventually, a chronic non-normal inflammatory response. 

Turmeric root promotes a healthy inflammatory response. The chemical curcumin enters the bloodstream as the body digests and absorbs turmeric root. Curcumin combats the inflammatory effects of lactic acid in the body due to its high pH level and basic properties. As swelling decreases and the abnormal inflammatory response decreases, so does the discomfort and pressure caused by swelling.

What Does Coconut Oil Do For Pitbulls Joints?

For years coconut oils have been touted as a great natural method to combat inflammation. However, newer research suggests coconut oil is inflammatory and can cause a leaky gut. In fact, the ASPCA advises owners not to feed coconut oil to their dogs because it can irritate the gut lining and contain oils that can cause stomach upset, loose stools, and diarrhea. 

Dogs who do not have a sensitive stomachs may benefit from the multiple acids in coconut oil and see benefits with arthritic symptoms. Talk to your vet before making a decision as coconut can be too harsh alone. The fatty acids are beneficial in cognitive function but may not be helpful enough with arthritis and the brain to cope with digestive issues. 

Do Vets Recommend Joint Supplements For Pitbulls?

Larger dogs like pitbulls are susceptible to joint issues, arthritis, and hip pain. For this reason, most vets recommend joint supplements for pitbulls starting from birth. The earlier your dog takes the supplements, the more likely they are to benefit from the preventative nature of most natural remedies. Always talk to your veterinarian before making a health decision for your dog, as they can lead you to the right option for your pet.

Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Pit Bulls (2022)

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog