It's painful for us as dog parents to watch our dogs struggle with mobility issues and joint pain - especially our sweet seniors who might be experiencing degenerative joint disease or hip dysplasia.

Thankfully there are many things you can do preventively to keep your dog's joints healthy as well as treat hip, joint, and arthritic issues when they arise to avoid procedures like a total hip replacement.

Questions about what to do and how to prevent and treat joint pain are among the most common concerns we hear from pet parents. That's why canine nutritionist/herbalist and Dogly Nutrition Advocate Brittany Evans created this guide with answers and what you can do to support your dog's joints.

What you'll learn

Brittany dedicates this guide to all the dogs (and humans who love them) who are dealing with, have dealt with, or are doing everything to prevent arthritis, stiffness, hip pain, canine hip dysplasia, limping/bunny hopping, or have had FHO (femoral head ostectomy) surgery, and other joint/ligament issues and procedures.

For your dog's wellness at every age, nutrition is your greatest point of personal control with immediate and lifelong impact. Here are the key things every pet parent should know that you can do to help your dog have healthy joints and stay happily active at every age, from young dogs to mature dogs...

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What's the best food for an arthritic or pre-arthritic dog (or any dog, really)?

Plain and simple: whole food nutrition. The cleaner the food, the more real nutrients and fewer inflammation-causing additives and empty carbs fueling your dog's body every day. Chronic inflammation for both dogs and humans leads to pain, stiffness, and joint damage, and become what's often referred to as inflammatory arthritis.

Why whole food protein matters for your dog

As dogs age (again, much like humans) their metabolism begins to slow down and they may add weight from excess carbs and lose muscle mass, making higher levels of protein even more important part in their diet.

For those reasons and many more, clean, whole foods are your best leverage to keep your dog living healthier longer. Even enhancing your dog's kibble with 20% (or more) fresh foods has been proved to make a significant difference in preventing and treating joint and other diseases (cancer, diabetes...).

Pro tip: treats are food too!

Treat calories should be just as full of nutrition as the food in your dog's dish. You'll see Brittany's recommendations for treats dogs love that naturally support your dog's joints and muscles in the full guide here.

7 ways to enhance your dog's food for joint strength

Whether you're feeding your dog a 100% whole food diet or enhancing kibble, Brittany shares seven ways to improve your dog's diet with the goal of joint, bone, and supportive muscle strength in mind. Jump to the guide here to get all the details on the why and how for each recommendation.

1) Feed a fresh food diet

Brittany explains why and includes more on the 20% fresh food option if you're not ready to go 100% fresh just yet.

2) Feed bone broth

Why and how to feed bone broth and a recommendation for a different form with similar benefits.

3) Increase omega 3s

Why and where to find it in foods and recommendations for two healthful omega 3 supplements.

4) Give a quality probiotic

Why and how probiotics work in your dog's body and two recommended options.

5) Feed "Golden Paste"

The full guide includes the recipe for Golden Paste, what turmeric does for your dog (renowned for its anti-inflammatory power to help prevent/treat developing hip dysplasia and other ball and socket/ joint issues and more) and a recommendation for an absorbable liquid turmeric option.

6) Add collagen hip/bone/joint supplements

Why it's never too early to start joint supplements with a younger dog and why and how it's important therapeutically for older dogs and a joint supplement recommendation for each age/life stage.

7) Add grass-fed gelatin powder

Why and how gelatin powder is a good option to support connective tissue and more.

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Never underestimate healthy weight & regular exercise

Almost 60% of dogs in the US are overweight - a major contributor to increasing joint problems and hip dysplasia in dogs as well as diseases in general. It makes sense that the pressure of excess weight on your dog's hip joints and other joints makes it more likely your dog will develop hip dysplasia or stiffness and reduced mobility in the legs, back, and overall.

Your dog's risk for developing joint issues tends to be higher for large breed dogs, giant breed dogs, and breeds/breed mixes that have a genetic predisposition. All these factors make nutrition and healthy weight even more important.

Exercise for joint health - and emotional health!

An exercise routine is the other half of the healthy weight/regular exercise prescription for joint health and whole dog fitness. Movement keeps your dog's joints fluid and well-lubricated. A good, sniffy walk daily also lets your dog revel in being a dog, living joyfully, de-stressing and staying mentally stimulated.

And isn't that the life we all want to give our dogs anyway?

The must-have vitamin to support strong joints

In the full guide you'll learn why vitamin C is essential for your dog, how much your dog needs for extra support for joints and issues like arthritis or hip dysplasia in dogs, and which form of vitamin C is most easily absorbed so it can get to work in your dog's system.

The 5-herb combination to prevent & heal arthritis-like pain

In the full guide, Brittany shares her favorite 5-herb recipe for a combination of herbs that work separately and together to support your dog's joint health and also work therapeutically for dogs already beginning to develop arthritis or other joint issues.

(Also included - advice on consulting your vet for diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs or other clinical signs that might indicate tears, etc. so you'll know exactly what you're dealing with as you plan your course of treatments.)

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Your 5-herb recipe includes the why and how much of each of these powerful healing herbs...

• Alfalfa
• Dandelion root or burdock root
• Parsley root or nettle
• Calendula
• Yarrow

And for more on the invaluable preventive and healer for your dog's joints - turmeric (the key ingredient in the Golden Paste recipe in this guide), check out Brittany's full guide on turmeric here in the Herbs Channel.

Next up in the Joint Support Channel on Dogly

Once you've completed this guide on what you can do with nutrition and herbs to prevent/reduce your dog's joint pain and and maximize wellness, let's continue to the next step-by-step guide on why learning how to massage your dog is important for your dog's health.

Or hop over to the Joint Support Channel if you'd like to ask a question in the Community discussion and start any of the other step-by-step guides.

If you ever need more personalized nutrition and wellness guidance, please reach out!