askHELTIE HELTIEdog® Dog with osteoarthritis: choose silica and an herbal supplement

Dog with osteoarthritis: choose silica and an herbal supplement

Osteoarthritis is unfortunately common in dogs. Osteoarthritis involves cartilage wear, causing the dog to move more stiffly, have difficulty getting started, and sometimes experience pain. As an owner, there are several ways to support your dog. Usually, a combination of measures is the best strategy.

Joints

Silicon

1 November '23 • 2 min reading time

First of all: your dog needs to keep moving. Gentle exercise, not too long but regular, is best. Movement strengthens the muscles, and a good muscular system reduces stress on the joints. In addition, movement stimulates the production of joint fluid. This 'lubricant' helps the joints move more smoothly.

Silica for the joints

The mineral silica is essential for the production of joint fluid, cartilage, and bone. Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and ligaments also need silica for structure. To ensure that wear and tear due to osteoarthritis is as slow as possible and to produce enough joint fluid, this mineral is very important. However, silica is usually low in food and your dog cannot produce it themselves. You must therefore add this mineral. It is very important that your dog's intestines can absorb the silica molecules. This works best when you give a supplement of liquid, hydrolyzed silica. This means that the silica atoms are bound to oxygen atoms in a special way, making it easy for them to pass through the intestinal wall into the blood. Many other forms of silica are not absorbable for dogs. For example, white sand consists largely of silica, but in a form that your dog cannot use!

Herbs for the joints

As mentioned, silica is very important for the formation and healthy maintenance of the joints. In addition, a mixture of herbs can help remove waste products that accumulate in the joints and combat any pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Herbs that are suitable for this purpose include devil's claw, horsetail, black currant, and willow. A combination of extracts from these plants has an acidifying and anti-inflammatory effect on the joints, helping them move more smoothly. Additionally, you can give cloves to relieve pain and suppress inflammation. Cloves contain many powerful cannabinoids that support the nervous system and improve resistance.

Conclusion: do it together!

If your dog has (early-stage) osteoarthritis, it is wise to give him regular light exercise and ensure an adequate intake of silica in the diet. You can combat pain and accumulated waste products with an herbal extract and cannabinoids from the clove plant. This way, moving remains a pleasure for your dog!

Sources

Paul M. Newberne & Robert B. Wilson. Renal Damage Associated with Silicon Compounds in Dogs. 1970. https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.65.4.872

Cefali, E.A., Nolan, J.C., McConnell, W.R. et al. Pharmacokinetic Study of Zeolite A, Sodium Aluminosilicate, Magnesium Silicate, and Aluminum Hydroxide in Dogs. Pharm Res 12, 270–274 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016291228957

Jurkić LM, Cepanec I, Pavelić SK, Pavelić K. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2013;10(1):2. Published 2013 Jan 8. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-10-2.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3546016/

Also interesting:

Joints

Silicon

13 July '23 • 4 minutes reading time

What does the mineral silicon do for dogs?

Silicon is an important mineral for all mammals. But not everyone has heard of silicon. Silicon is essential for the formation of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Silicon is also an important mineral for dogs that should be included in their diet. What is silicon and what exactly does it do?. Silicon ensures that the body itself produces the necessary building blocks for hair, nails, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Silicon is also good for bone formation. Various studies have shown that this mineral stimulates the production of collagen and joint fluid. Silicon is particularly important for young dogs in growth, for dogs with early joint problems, and for dogs that are very active. For dogs of breeds that regularly suffer from joint problems, it may be wise to give silicon preventive...

Others

Sometimes problems in dogs are complex or there are different health issues at play. Especially older dogs often benefit from multiple dog supplements to support their bodies. But can you combine different products?

14 July '23 • 1 minutes reading time

Can you combine different dog supplements together?

Sometimes problems in dogs are complex or there are different health issues at play. Especially older dogs often benefit from multiple dog supplements to support their bodies. But can you combine different products?. Combining supplements is usually possible Generally, it is not a problem to combine different dog supplements. Mixing different brands is usually not a problem either. Try to avoid duplicate ingredients as much as possible to avoid giving too much of certain substances. Also, be selective in what you choose, as you preferably don't want too much sugars (e.g. dextrose, sorbitol) or other fillers in the supplements, as these fillers have more of a negative effect than a positive one. Try to give a...

Salmon oil

You have probably heard of it: healthy unsaturated fatty acids. Not only important for humans, but also for dogs. For example, for heart problems or joint inflammations. When you give omega 3 fatty acids, it is important that the composition of the fatty acids is correct. It's good to know: Fish oil contains the best and most effective healthy fatty acids for your dog.

7 September '23 • 4 minutes reading time

Why fish oil contains the best fatty acids for your dog

You have probably heard of it: healthy unsaturated fatty acids. Not only important for humans, but also for dogs. For example, for heart problems or joint inflammations. When you give omega 3 fatty acids, it is important that the composition of the fatty acids is correct. It's good to know: Fish oil contains the best and most effective healthy fatty acids for your dog.. Fish oil, for example oil from farmed salmon, contains several different omega 3 fatty acids. Vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil also contain omega 3, but they are different types. In fish oil, both EPA and DHA are present and these two substances are both very important for your dog. This has been demonstrated by a series of scientific studies. Heart and vascular diseases You have probably heard that fish is good for heart and vascular diseases. This is not only true for humans, but also for d...