How to pick healthy dog treats?

Dog treats are an excellent form of positive reinforcement and therefore, they are often important in training exercises. How you present treats to your dog is a significant indicator of how it will react and how disciplined it will be. According to dog whisperer, Cesar Millan, a dog’s sense of smell comes first, then sight and lastly hearing. So, this rule must be kept in mind while teaching your dog with the aid of treats.

Good ingredients

The constituents that have more nutritional power are those which have not been refined and separated from the whole. Addition of fibers into wheat flour means that the components have been added separately and not all of them are present. Only wheat would be a much better option. Whole grains are excellent sources of energy and good carbohydrates, fiber, etc. Proteins are always a good option and more so when the kind of protein has been clearly mentioned. Pick treats which list the sources of the ingredients mentioned. All natural treats are probably the best option because natural sources are very balanced and contain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Unsuitable ingredients

It is better to avoid foreign ingredients as they have a greater chance of contamination. The less artificial the ingredient list, the healthier it will be. There are chemicals not present naturally within a dog’s body so they might interfere with the regular processes. They might even be toxic at higher levels or result in bad reactions. Therefore, additives, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors are definitely unsuitable.

There are numerous pet supermarkets online and US pet stores where a variety of dog treats are available in different flavors and packaging. Comparison shopping is an added bonus when you shop online. Another benefit is the presence of ingredients lists, which you can study in the comfort of your own home before you decide on a treat for your dog.  

How is glucosamine beneficial in dog joint supplements?

Glucosamine & its natural occurrence

Glucosamine is an amino glucose with various functions in the animal body. It serves as a precursor for vital reactions leading to important bodily processes. It helps the development of the area surrounding the animal’s joints including ligaments, filaments and the cushioning fluid. It is an integral part of the structure of chitin and other hard carapaces found in the exoskeleton of crustaceans and arthropods like crabs, lobsters, spiders, etc.

Commercial production of glucosamine for supplements

Due to its abundance in nature, shellfish are often used to extract glucosamine commercially via hydrolysis of the hard shells. Laboratory synthesis is also a feasible method for the production of glucosamine for commercial purposes and for research. There are a large number of powerful joint supplements and sprays available at pet supermarkets and online pet stores in USA for dogs to provide relief from arthritic symptoms.

Forms of glucosamine in joint medication

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There are various forms of organic glucosamine molecules prevalent in natural systems and also organic salts, which are commonly used for medical research. Popular types of glucosamine include glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl-glucosamine.

What is the connection between glucosamine & joints?

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The reason glucosamine compounds are widely used is that glucosamine is indispensable to joint functions. In fact, joints are not even developed properly without the interference of the glucosamine moiety. All the muscle fibers, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone structure and bone marrow production is somehow supported by the presence of glucosamine. It is essential for the cushioning synovial fluid surrounding the joint.

Research on effectiveness of glucosamine in dog joint supplements

Glucosamine has been used in drug combinations with other significant compounds such as chondroitin and MSM to evaluate its effectiveness for joint diseases like arthritis. It has been found to be largely successful in inhibiting the deterioration of cartilage in canine arthritis. However, not all the patients reacted similarly and the power seemed to lower with age and severity of the joint damage.

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How does glucosamine work?

It basically performs crucial functions in the initial development and maintenance of all the tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone structure, synovial fluid, etc so it is believed that glucosamine heals the damage thus slowing down the cartilage breakdown. Arthritis involves the wearing down of precious cartilage results in “knocking” of joints resulting in painful friction and stiffness. The pain and stiffness has considerably dropped for a majority of arthritic canines allowing them more freedom of movement and providing the basis for healthier joints.