Pet food companies will often times cater their recipes to specific pet life stages. With dog food, for example, it’s not uncommon to find formulas for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors all made by the same company. Usually, there will be some minor changes between the formulas. Senior dog food, for example, may be less calorie dense since senior dogs are not usually as active as their younger counterparts. Senior dog foods will often also contain supplements to help deal with common old dog issues, such as joint pain or cognitive decline.
This post is part of our 2023 April blogging from A to Z Challenge! Join us this month as we go through the alphabet, A to Z, learning more about some of the ingredients that are commonly (or not so commonly, in some cases) found in our dog’s food!
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What is Chondroitin Sulfate?
If you give your dog, or yourself, a joint supplement you may already be familiar with chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate is a chemical that is an integral component of cartilage. Cartilage is the connective tissue that helps to cushion and protect the joints. When cartilage in the joints breaks down, it leads to the painful condition known as arthritis.
Supplemental chondroitin sulfate is usually manufactured from animal sources, such as from cow, pig, shark, bird, or fish cartilage.
Chondroitin Sulfate image by Yikrazuul. Public Domain Image.
Why is Chondroitin Sulfate Added to Dog Food?
Chondroitin sulfate is added to dog food to help support joint health. It is most commonly seen on the ingredients list of food marketed for joint health or towards senior dogs. Supplemental chondroitin sulfate is thought to help improve cartilage and joint health.
Cons of Feeding Chondroitin Sulfate to Dogs:
While chondroitin sulfate is pretty safe when offered to dogs in moderation, there is some contention as to whether or not it actually helps improve issues associated with cartilage degradation. According to VCA Animal Hospitals…
A recent study at the University of Montreal…failed to demonstrate a significant benefit of a chondroitin nutraceutical on gait in 71 dogs with osteoarthritis over 60 days. Clinical experience likewise suggests that some dogs and cats may appreciably benefit from chondroitin administration and others not at all. It is difficult to anticipate which animals are most likely to respond.
Benefits of Feeding Chondroitin Sulfate to Dogs:
Because chondroitin sulfate does seem to be beneficial for some animals, with very little risk that animals will react poorly to it, it doesn’t hurt to try chondroitin sulfate if you have a pet experiencing joint discomfort. In some dogs, chondroitin sulfate does seem to help relieve inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Chondroitin sulfate is safer for dogs than other types of arthritis medication, such as NSAIDs.
So What’s the Verdict on Chondroitin Sulfate? Is it Safe as a Dog Food Ingredient?
I give my own senior dog, Kitsune, joint supplements including chondroitin sulfate. I would not worry about feeding him a dog food that contained chondroitin sulfate as an ingredient. As long as it’s offered in moderation, chondroitin sulfate is a very low risk ingredient for dogs. Arthritis is, sadly, a common ailment in senior dogs. Dogs who do benefit from chondroitin sulfate supplementation may be able to avoid potentially more dangerous drugs for longer.
Comment below! Does your dog’s food contain chondroitin sulfate? Do you give your dog(s) any type of joint supplement?
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