Humans and dogs are a lot alike. This is why we get along so well. We are both social animals, and enjoy the company of our fellow man or dog. We both love food, and a good nap when the opportunity presents itself. We both are smart and have unique personalities. So it should be no surprise for us to have joint issues as we age, or due to the genes inherited at birth. This is why we join with the Arthritis Foundation to recognize May as May is National Arthritis Awareness Month.
Dogs and humans are alike in that once arthritis takes hold of our joints, it is painful. While you cannot get rid of this disease, there are things you can do to improve your mobility in both humans and dogs. Read on for key tips on how to improve your joint health for you and your dog!
Another similarity between dogs and humans is our joint health is of utmost importance. For some, it is difficult thanks to the painful joint disease of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are some shocking facts about the impact of arthritis, such as:
- 1 in 4 (approximately 54 million) US adults have arthritis.
- 24 million adults are limited in their activities.
- Almost 300,000 babies, kids, and teens have arthritis or a rheumatic condition.
While the national foundation does not include four-legged friends in the statistics, as the creator of Glyde® Mobility Chews, our expertise is vast in the ability to fight the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. We have found there are some similarly shocking statistics:
- 4 out of 5 dogs will have arthritis by age 8,
- 1 out of 5 dogs will have arthritis by age 1.
The good news is you can do something to help your joint health and that of your dogs!
What can You do to improve your joint health?
Learn more about arthritis
If you know someone that is impacted by the disease, learn how to help. To relieve the symptoms, start by staying active and eating healthy. Once the effects of the disease take hold, it cannot be cured. However, you can treat the symptoms. Learn more about arthritis in dogs. While the signs of arthritis cannot be reversed once they start, there are things you can do to relieve the symptoms. Glyde® Mobility Chews includes the same ingredients what has worked for humans.
Stay active
Physical activity can improve your joint health. Dogs and humans are alike in this. The more you both move, the better your joints will do. According to the CDC, physical activity can decrease pain and improve physical function by about 40%! Still, 1 in 3 adults with arthritis remains inactive due to the pain. If you cannot move as easily due to joint pain, start small with a few minutes walk daily. Work your way up to at least 30 minutes a day. It's good for you — and your dog!
try a joint supplement
The ingredients in joint supplements usually include Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These are proven ingredients and can be found in most joint supplements. When you boost the amount of good stuff in your body, and combine it with activity, you may see some results.
Glyde® Mobility Chews includes the same ingredients as some of the joint supplements you can find for humans. Glyde's difference is the proven levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Plus, the addition of Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) from the shores of New Zealand is the power that helps reduce swelling so joints feel better and can move easier. There are other ingredients out there that can help as well. The key is to do the research and find what works for you.
Resources
Do you know if your dog has arthritis? Here is a quick and easy quiz to get personalized results on your own dog when you answer just a few questions.
Your veterinary clinic is also the best resource for information on arthritis in dogs. Let your veterinarian know the results of your quiz. Or ask if they suspect your dog has arthritis based on what you are seeing at home. Want to know even more?
Here are some articles to read about arthritis in dogs from our blog.
- What is Arthritis in Dogs?
- Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) is the Power Behind Glyde
- What to Look for in Joint Supplements for Dogs
- How to Keep Your Dog Active
- How a Glyde Chew is Born
Make a promise to yourself that you and your dog will be active and get the exercise you need and the diet you should have to avoid arthritis. It’s never too early to start improving your health or that of your dog’s. If you are noticing signs of arthritis in yourself or your dog, be sure to find out more and work to combat these signs of aging for a better life as we all age.
