Glucosamine is an Important Supplement for Your Dog

Glucosamine is a natural building block in cartilage.  The cartilage helps the joints to move smoothly and without pain.  As a dog ages, it does not produce enough of this substance naturally, which is why old dogs are often prone to arthritis.  The cartilage will wear out and eventually there will be bone to bone contact which is painful  Glucosamine helps the dogs to maintain or rebuild cartilage.

Dosage

In general, a dog weighing less than 10 lbs will only need about 300 mg a day.  So if you give pills, you’ll have to break a pill into pieces.  If you use liquid or powder, you won’t have to deal with that.  Dogs that weigh from 11-29 lbs. should have up to 600 mg a day, while dogs that weigh from 30-59 lbs. should have twice this amount.  A dog that weighs from 60-120 lbs. should be given 1800 mg of  glucosamine everyday. 

Glucosamine Types: 

Glucosamine can be purchased as tablets, powder, or liquid.  Some dog foods and treats also contain this medication, but a dog that has moderate to severe arthritis may need more dosage than treats provide.  Many dog owners have found that the liquid form of glucosamine is the easiest to administer.  It does not taste as bad as one would imagine and should be given to a dog directly or mixed in with the dog's food.