Glucosamine provides the building block of cartilage. Glucosamine is necessary for the construction and maintenance of cartilage, helping to synthesize the new and repair the old. It also prevents cartilage degeneration and heals the damage that happens during regular activity or injury. Creatine is an amino acid that supplies energy to the muscle, which helps maintain skeletal muscle health. They work together by interrupting the inflammatory process resulting in increasing the lube of the joints. We aim to protect and promote regeneration of cartilage in the joint. They are classified as a "disease modifying agent" meaning they do not eliminate, but improve living with the disease of osteoarthritis.

You should start dogs on supplements when the issues begin to show up and most dogs can safely be on a joint supplement for the rest of their lives. Once the product has provided support for 6-8 weeks, the dose can often be reduced.

No side effects have been reported with long term use in dogs. Rarely, a dog will vomit or get diarrhea when on high doses of a supplement, but when the dosage is reduced or given with food, the symptoms are usually alleviated.

They have no interactions, but it is always best to check with your veterinarian before putting your dog on any medication or supplements. The goal is to reduce the amount of painkillers and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) used to control the pain.

Yes, supplements containing glucosamine and creatine are often used in cats and appear to work very well in support of joint health.

The biggest difference is dosage. Canine joint supplements are dosed in correct sizes for dogs and are often flavored to make them more palatable to pets.

Perna Canaliculus or New Zealand green-lipped mussel is an edible shellfish that contains helpful levels of glucosamine and glycosaminoglycans. Perna canaliculus also contains eicosatetraenoic acids (ETAs), which are fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory effects and help reduce joint pain.

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic amino acid that supplies energy to the muscle, which helps maintain skeletal muscle health. This helps the muscle work longer to make exercise more effective, making it beneficial for animals that may have muscle atrophy from arthritis. Creatine has been demonstrated to cause modest increases in strength in people with a variety of neuromuscular disorders. One study found that creatine supplements improved cognitive ability in the elderly.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural, organic sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in some primitive plants. MSM is one of the building blocks for creating chondroitin in the animal's cartilage. It helps maintain the integrity of connective tissue, and it also has some anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. MSM is often in combination with glucosamine and/or chondroitin to help treat and prevent osteoarthritis.