askHELTIE HELTIEdog® How to Keep Your Dog’s Joints in Top Shape

How to Keep Your Dog’s Joints in Top Shape

As your dog gets older or if he is very active, various joint problems may arise. This can cause stiffness, slower movement, and difficulty getting up. To keep your dog’s joints in top condition for as long as possible, you need to make sure he gets all the essential building blocks. In addition, waste products must be eliminated properly to prevent damage. Finally, herbs can help fight joint inflammation.

Joints

13 September '25 • 3 min reading time

Active dogs are prone to overuse and wear and tear. Overweight dogs also place extra strain on their joints and bones. In older dogs, cartilage – which cushions the joints – becomes thinner, joint fluid decreases, and wear can occur. When cartilage thins, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. This condition is known as osteoarthritis. Not only osteoarthritis but also arthritis can cause mobility problems in older dogs. Arthritis is characterized by swollen, inflamed joints, often affecting knees, shoulders, and toes.

Building Blocks

All dogs need sufficient nutrients for their joints. Silicon is essential for producing joint fluid, connective tissue, cartilage, and bone. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons also need silicon. This mineral stimulates the body’s own production of glucosamine and chondroitin where it is needed. Young, growing dogs, active dogs, and older dogs with joint problems especially benefit from silicon supplementation.

Removing Waste Products

Dogs that move a lot and heavily stress their joints may accumulate uric acid crystals in their joints. These sharp crystals can cause pain. Herbs such as devil’s claw and horsetail support the removal of these deposits. Nettle helps flush out waste products from the muscles more effectively.

Fighting Inflammation and Pain

If your dog suffers from pain due to osteoarthritis or arthritis, natural anti-inflammatories can be a good choice. Clove contains powerful cannabinoids that support joint health. Devil’s claw is also pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory. Herbs often work best in combination: devil’s claw, willow, horsetail, and nettle work well together against pain, stiffness, and waste buildup. Clove and black cumin have a synergistic effect against joint inflammation in arthritis and pain in osteoarthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil help reduce swelling associated with arthritis.

Conclusion

For your dog’s health, regular movement is important – even in old age and with osteoarthritis. Avoid overloading by maintaining a healthy weight. If your dog experiences pain and stiffness, in addition to clove or black cumin, herbal extracts with devil’s claw, horsetail, boswellia, and turmeric may help. Scientific studies show that these herbs reduce joint problems and help eliminate waste products. A liquid herbal extract can be given over food or directly with a dropper into your dog’s mouth.

Sources

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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/

Kaneez Fatima Shad, Wissam Soubra, Dennis John Cordato. The role of thymoquinone, a major constituent of Nigella sativa, in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases CEPP. 2021. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1440-1681.13553

Khader M, Eckl PM. Thymoquinone: an emerging natural drug with a wide range of medical applications. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2014;17(12):950-957. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387230/

Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(5):337-352. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/

Goyal Sameer N., Prajapati Chaitali P., Gore Prashant R., Patil Chandragouda R., Mahajan Umesh B., Sharma Charu, Talla Sandhya P., Ojha Shreesh K. 2017. Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Development of Thymoquinone: A Multitargeted Molecule of Natural Origin. Frontiers in Pharmacology. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00656/full

Nadia Musco, Giuseppe Vassalotti, Vincenzo Mastellone, Laura Cortese, Giorgia della Rocca, Maria Luce Molinari, Serena Calabrò, Raffaella Tudisco, Monica Isabella Cutrignelli, Pietro Lombardi. Effects of a nutritional supplement in dogs affected by osteoarthritis. 2019. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vms3.182

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

Seaborn C, et al. Effects of germanium and silicon on bone mineralization. Biological Trace Element Res 1994, 42:151-164.

Martin, Keith. (2007). The chemistry of silica and its potential health benefits. The journal of nutrition, health & aging. 11. 94-7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6392416_The_chemistry_of_silica_and_its_potential_health_benefits/citation/download

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