5 Natural Glucosamine Sources for Dogs
This article shows you 5 Natural Glucosamine Sources for Dogs.
Glucosamine, a natural compound found in cartilage, is crucial for joint health. Just like us, our dogs experience a decline in their natural reserve of glucosamine as they age, leading to potential joint pain and stiffness.
While supplements can help, it’s best to introduce natural glucosamine for dogs through certain foods to keep them happy and comfortable.
In this article, you’ll find 5 natural sources of glucosamine and tips on how to include them in your dog’s diet.
1 Bone broth
Bone broth is one of the healthiest foods where you can get natural glucosamine for dogs. It’s also rich in chondroitin and collagen!
Glucosamine is found in cartilage, and its purpose is to cushion joints so they can absorb movement.
Bone broth is a great way to keep your dog hydrated while providing healthy minerals like zinc and calcium on top of glucosamine. Your dog doesn’t need to have joint problems to eat bone broth! It should be a regular part of their diet.
Ingredients you’ll need to prepare bone broth for dogs:
- chicken feet
- beef marrow bones or beef knuckles
- raw pig feet (ask your local butcher about your options and explain what you’re making!)
- a splash of apple cider vinegar
- fresh carrots
- fresh celery
- green beans or peppers (these are totally optional)
- grated ginger and turmeric
- lots of water
- slow cooker or regular pot
How to prepare bone broth for dogs:
- Add the beef marrow bones, chicken feet, and pig feet to the slow cooker.
- Add water (just enough to cover the bones) and a generous splash of apple cider vinegar (about 1/4 cup). Cook on high heat for 12 hours or on medium to low heat overnight.
- Stir occasionally. Once it’s nearly cooked (between 10–11 hours on high heat or 22 hours overnight), add carrots, celery, a teaspoon of grated ginger, and turmeric.
- Cook for another hour.
- Strain and remove the bones, mash the veggies and add them back to the broth.
- Let it cool down, and serve it to your dog.
- You can freeze the rest of the broth!
The key is to be patient and cook the bone broth on low or medium heat. Cooking it too fast will break down the glucosamine and other nutrients.
You need apple cider vinegar because it helps your bone broth develop a gel-like texture!
Don’t give your dog any cooked bones, as they are very dangerous.
2 Chicken feet
If you’re looking for a quick and easy natural source of glucosamine for dogs, then chicken feet are a perfect option for you!
You can buy dehydrated chicken feet in almost any pet store, and your dog will most likely adore them!
Chicken feet are a really good and affordable source of glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs. They are actually mainly made of cartilage, so you’ll have a great natural source and a chewing treat in one!
In addition to their joint benefits, chicken feet are great for dental health. Their chewy texture helps clean your dog’s teeth and remove plaque as they chew.
You can serve them raw or dehydrated, but always avoid cooked chicken feet, as the bones can become brittle, they can splinter and cause internal injuries or choking.
You can give your dog dehydrated chicken feet or raw ones. If offering raw chicken feet, make sure you have a trusted butcher and know the source and origin of the meat. Never leave your dog unattended when giving them raw chicken feet!
3 Green-lipped mussels
Green-lipped mussels are very popular among vets because they are a unique and convenient natural source of glucosamine for dogs.
You will mostly find them in powdered form as a joint supplement for dogs since green-lipped mussels are grown in New Zealand.
Green-lipped mussels are one of the best natural joint supplements for dogs, working just as well as NSAIDs like carprofen but without the risk of side effects (source).
They contain three of the most essential nutrients for joint health—glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Together, these nutrients reduce inflammation, which is always the first step in preventative health. Then, they improve mobility, lubricate joints, and support joint function.
You can find green-lipped mussels in different forms, including freeze-dried treats, powders, and supplements. The easiest way to include them in your dog’s diet is by sprinkling a small amount of powdered green-lipped mussels onto their food.
Green-lipped mussels made a real difference in how well dogs could move after just a few weeks. If you’re looking for a natural way to support your dog’s joints, this might be a better option than glucosamine alone!
You can find a lot of quality green-lipped mussel supplements online!
4 Beef trachea
Just like chicken feet, beef trachea is a fantastic and convenient snack that works as a natural glucosamine for dogs.
It’s a good chewing treat, and along with providing glucosamine and chondroitin, it works as a dental treat as it will clean your dog’s teeth and naturally scrap away the plaque.
Along with dehydrated beef trachea that you can buy online, you can also buy fresh from your local butcher and use it to make bone broth!
Don’t give your dog cooked beef trachea as it’s not safe!
5 Turkey necks
Turkey necks are a great natural source of glucosamine. They also have calcium and phosphorus, which are important for healthy and strong bones.
Just like beef trachea and chicken feet, they also work as a chewing treat that can reduce plaque buildup.
You can’t give your dogs cooked turkey necks as they are considered unsafe. They can cause choking or internal blockages that can be very dangerous.
But you can give your dog raw or dehydrated turkey necks. If you decide to give raw turkey necks, make sure that you have a trusted butcher and that you keep your dog close while they have it. There’s always a risk of some bones splintering, even though raw turkey necks are pretty flexible and fun to chew.
Another great way to use them is by cooking them in bone broth, which helps extract even more glucosamine and other nutrients while creating a flavorful and nutritious liquid that dogs love.
Which of these treats do you think your dog will love most? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have these ideas handy!
Love, life, and fur forever!
This post showed you 5 Natural Glucosamine Sources for Dogs.
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