Does your furry friend move stiffly after a nap or have difficulty getting up? These can be typical symptoms of osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease in dogs.

Often, osteoarthritis begins insidiously and progresses throughout a dog's life. If you notice the first signs, you should act immediately, because at this point, there are often already small changes in the joint that cannot be reversed. This can lead to severe pain, which is why a visit to the veterinary practice for an accurate diagnosis is always a good idea.

But don't worry: many dogs live happy and satisfied lives with mild osteoarthritis. Through measures such as a dietary adjustment, you can slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and help your dog stay mobile and as pain-free as possible.

A special diet to alleviate osteoarthritis is even possible entirely vegan. You can rely on a range of plant-based nutritional supplements that have a positive influence on your dog's joint health and can counteract inflammatory reactions. And it gets even better: there is no scientific evidence that dietary products of animal origin are more effective for osteoarthritis therapy than plant-based ones.

Let's take a look at what nature has in store for preventing osteoarthritis and reducing the resulting discomfort.

Recognizing and interpreting symptoms

Osteoarthritis often develops slowly and the first signs are frequently overlooked. In addition to lameness, limited joint mobility and a significant decrease in activity can also occur, as pain restricts movement. This can lead to muscle wasting, which in turn can cause tension and further pain. Advanced osteoarthritis can cause hardening of bones, ligaments, and cartilage, especially in commonly affected areas such as the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows. However, osteoarthritis can also occur in the paws or the spine.

Plant-based home remedies for the treatment of pain and inflammation

Turmeric

Turmeric is a member of the ginger family from South Asia and contains the compound curcumin, which has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect (Oliveira et al., 2015). In a study in which 18 dogs with osteoarthritis received turmeric at a dose of 6.60 mg/kg body weight for 60 days, the anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin was confirmed (Sgorlon et al., 2016). These results are consistent with those of Colitti et al. (2012).

Indian Frankincense

Indian frankincense is a tree from India whose resin is used for medicinal purposes.

Studies have shown that Boswellia resin, administered to dogs for 6 weeks, helped to reduce lameness (during movement or after a long rest), local pain, and stiff gait (Comblain et al., 2016).

Horsetail

Horsetail can even be found in our local meadows and has long been considered a medicinal plant. Its anti-inflammatory effect was described, for example, by Gründemann et al. (2014).

Please note that you should not simply harvest horsetail from the meadow to feed to your dog. The horsetail must first be processed and tested for safety, e.g., for contamination with pesticides or other plants toxic to dogs. Therefore, please always obtain a preparation that has been specially developed for dogs.

Devil's Claw

Devil's claw is a South African plant that contains harpagoside as one of its most important biologically active phytochemical compounds.

A variety of studies support the efficacy of harpagoside in alleviating the symptoms of osteoarthritis (see e.g., Gagnier et al., 2004). An herbal-based dietary supplement containing devil's claw demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effect in a study with dogs (Moreau et al., 2014).

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the canine body and perform important functions in the organism. The most important plant-based food sources for omega-3 fatty acids are microalgae as well as plant-based edible oils such as linseed oil.

Studies have shown that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids improves the condition of dogs with osteoarthritis (Roush et al., 2010). In a study comparing the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (which can be obtained from algae, cf. Winwood, 2013) as well as α-linolenic acid (found in vegetable oils) regarding their effect on cartilage degradation and joint inflammation, EPA proved to be the most effective omega-3 fatty acid (Hurst et al., 2010). The best plant-based source for EPA is algae oil from the microalga Schizochytrium.

Our VISH OIL contains many omega-3 fatty acids and thus EPA and DHA. Therefore, it is excellently suited for dogs with osteoarthritis. We also offer it at a discounted price in our Pioneer Box Senior with our SENIOR wet food.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an amino sugar conventionally extracted from shellfish. Recent studies use microbial fermentation by filamentous fungi or recombinant Escherichia coli as an alternative process for producing glucosamine. This method also showed a significant improvement in pain in dogs with osteoarthritis when glucosamine was administered (Lowe, 2020). The MOBILITIES from VEGDOG contain glucosamine and are thus a healthy and joint-supporting snack for your furry friend.

CBD oil

CBD oil is extracted from hemp and contains the active ingredient "cannabidiol" (CBD) in a concentrated form, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In a study on osteoarthritis, a positive effect on the joy of movement was also demonstrated through CBD oil (Gamble Lauri-Jo, 2018). By the way, there is no need to fear an intoxicating effect – the substance in hemp responsible for this, "tetrahydrocannabinol" (THC), is removed during the production of CBD oil.

By the way: our VEGGIES SKINCARE contains this valuable hemp.

Conclusion on plant-based home remedies

As you can see, there are good plant-based nutritional supplements available to support the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.

But beware: nevertheless, plant-based products should not be fed indiscriminately. Some should only be given as a course of treatment, while others are suitable for long-term therapy. Interactions with other foods must also be checked.

It is best to seek veterinary advice – now you are well-informed about the vegan options.

It is also important to remember that these herbal remedies only have a supportive effect and will not completely eliminate pain in osteoarthritis, let alone cure osteoarthritis (which is not possible). Therefore, it is extremely important to start additional pain therapy if necessary and to schedule regular veterinary check-ups.

5 measures for the prevention of osteoarthritis

1. The right diet to combat obesity
   Obesity is harmful to the joints of our four-legged friends and can thus promote osteoarthritis. A rule of thumb states that a furry friend's ribs should not be visible, but should be palpable.
   
   
2. Individual exercise on joint-friendly surfaces
   Soft ground is also gentler on the joints than a walk on hard asphalt, which promotes joint wear.
   
   
3. Swimming
   Swimming supports muscle building without driving joint wear forward. Therefore, swimming is also often recommended for dogs that already suffer from osteoarthritis to counteract muscle loss.
   
   
4. Support for stairs, cars, or high bed edges
   Although dogs are capable of jumping into a car or climbing stairs on their own, this is not always advisable above a certain height difference. Overloading the joints can be prevented, for example, by installing boarding aids or ramps that the furry friend is then allowed to use.
   
   
5. Healthy nutrition

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Colitti, M., Gaspardo, B., Della Pria, A., Scaini, C., Stefanon, B., 2012. Transcriptome modification of white blood cells after dietary administration of curcumin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in osteoarthritic affected dogs. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 147, 136–146

Comblain, F., Serisier, S., Barthelemy, N., Balligand, M., & Henrotin, Y. (2016). Review of dietary supplements for the management of osteoarthritis in dogs in studies from 2004 to 2014. Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 39(1), 1-15.

Gründemann, C., Lengen, K., Sauer, B., Garcia-Käufer, M., Zehl, M., & Huber, R. (2014). Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) modulates the function of inflammatory immunocompetent cells. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 14(1), 1-10.

Hurst, S., Zainal, Z., Caterson, B., Hughes, C. E., & Harwood, J. L. (2010). Dietary fatty acids and arthritis. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA), 82(4-6), 315-318.

Lowe, R. J. (2020). Evidence for the use of supplements in canine arthritis management. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 35(9-12), 353-357.

Moreau, M., Lussier, B., Pelletier, J. P., Martel-Pelletier, J., Bédard, C., Gauvin, D., & Troncy, E. (2014). A medicinal herb-based natural health product improves the condition of a canine natural osteoarthritis model: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Research in veterinary science, 97(3), 574-581.

Oliveira, A. S., Sousa, E., Helena Vasconcelos, M., & Pinto, M. (2015). Curcumin: a natural lead for potential new drug candidates. Current medicinal chemistry, 22(36), 4196-4232.

Roush, J. K., Dodd, C. E., Fritsch, D. A., Allen, T. A., Jewell, D. E., Schoenherr, W. D., … & Hahn, K. A. (2010). Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1), 59-66.

Sgorlon, S., Stefanon, B., Sandri, M., & Colitti, M. (2016). Nutrigenomic activity of plant derived compounds in health and disease: Results of a dietary intervention study in dog. Research in veterinary science, 109, 142-148.

Shoba, G., Joy, D., Joseph, T., Majeed, M., Rajendran, R., & Srinivas, P. S. S. R. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta medica, 64, 353-356.

Winwood, R. J. (2013). Recent developments in the commercial production of DHA and EPA rich oils from micro-algae. Ocl, 20(6), D604.

Gamble Lauri-Jo, Boesch Jordyn M., Frye Christopher W., Schwark Wayne S., et al. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 165