4 Benefits of Glucosamine for Dogs With Food Allergies

OK, assuming you didn’t just walk off an alien spaceship into this blog post, you already know what glucosamine for dogs is, and how it can help aging or injured dogs move more comfortably, with less pain.

A very common natural source of glucosamine is the shells of shrimp, crabs, oysters, and other shellfish. (Thanks, shellfish.)

But wait — what if your dog is allergic to shellfish?

Good news! There are still ways to give your sensitive-stomached pup the nutrition they need.

Hypoallergenic glucosamine for dogs is a vegetable-based supplement containing zero animal products, including dairy or shellfish.

Additionally, some hypoallergenic glucosamine products — like Paramount Pet Health’s vegetarian joint formula — are free from common allergens like wheat and soy. Instead, the active ingredient comes from corn. (Thanks, corn.)

This potent formula can:

• Manage osteoarthritis in the long-term
• Prevent osteoarthritis in healthy dogs
• Soothe chronic pain, such as pain caused by hip dysplasia
• Ease gut inflammation, such as inflammation caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Let’s take a look at these benefits one-by-one, so you can make an informed decision about your dog’s health.

Benefit #1: Manage Osteoarthritis in the Long-Term

We recommend the above video by the American Veterinary Medical Association on arthritis management in pets.

First, the bad news: osteoarthritis (OA) has no cure.

And now (quickly, please!) the good news: You may be able to manage your pet’s pain and mobility issues caused by OA. How? By giving your pet supplements that reduce joint pain and help preserve the integrity of joint structures.

Glucosamine can help manage osteoarthritis because:

• It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe nerves and lessen joint pain. These anti-inflammatory effects also lower cartilage loss in animals with OA. This helps prevent or delay the progression of OA.
• Glucosamine affects the production and quality of joint fluids. It can remain in the joints in high amounts (and subsequently exert its effects) for more than 12 hours after ingestion. A regular dose once or twice daily is enough to keep OA under control for many pets.

Scientific and veterinary research also indicates that glucosamine can improve the clinical condition of dogs with OA.

In one study, 16 dogs with OA consumed a glucosamine supplement for 70 days. The researchers followed the manufacturer’s dose recommendations.

And guess what happened?

According to the study, “Dogs treated with [glucosamine supplements] showed statistically significant improvements in scores for pain, weight-bearing and severity of the condition by day 70.”

Thanks to this study, others like it, and the hundreds of customers who rely on glucosamine supplementation to help their dogs manage osteoarthritis, there’s hard proof that glucosamine can lower OA-associated pain — especially when taken daily over the long term.

Benefit #2: Prevent Osteoarthritis in Healthy Dogs

Glucosamine provides protective and preventive care for your pup’s joints.

It plays an essential role in regulating the quality and quantity of joint cartilage and fluid — the loss of which leads to OA.

Some research may show that glucosamine inhibits the harmful enzymes that trigger cartilage loss and facilitate OA. This means that an adequate supply of glucosamine through supplementation may actually keep OA at bay… AKA prevent it!

That’s why it’s a smart idea to get your dog started on glucosamine sooner rather than later, especially if they’re a larger breed or mix more prone to joint issues!

There’s another surprising, yet related reason to start using glucosamine sooner: OA is widespread in dogs of all ages.

One 2020 study of risk factors for canine osteoarthritis reports that:

• The prevalence of canine osteoarthritis in the US is 20% for all dogs aged one year and above.
• The US spends more than $1.32 billion annually to treat diseases that affect the knee region in canines.
• Pet parents or caregivers suffer from the psychological distress of having a chronically ill animal.

Giving your healthy dog a glucosamine supplement can protect them from the debilitating pain of OA. It can also save you from the psychological distress of watching your dog struggle, especially during cold seasons.

Benefit #3: Manage Chronic Pain

At Paramount, we’ve discovered that our shellfish-free glucosamine for dogs can also help manage chronic pain, such as hip dysplasia (HD) and back issues.

One happy customer says:

“Successful treatment for hip dysplasia. Our English bull terrier… is no longer limping and shows no sign of stiffness (or slowing down).” - BobinNC ❘ Verified Buyer

We also have customers reporting success stories with back pains and joint stiffness. Check out this comment from a satisfied pup owner:

“My youngest one was having problems in his back..after 3 bottles he jumps in my car so easily.” - Johnny ❘ Verified Buyer

If it’s worked for other dogs, why not give it to yours?

Benefit #4: Promote Gut Health

Did you know that glucosamine can help promote gut health? This benefit isn’t widely known or studied, because conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are hard to diagnose in dogs.

However, this doesn’t mean dogs don’t suffer (say that five times fast) from IBS or other gut issues. Diarrhea is one of the telltale signs of food allergies or intolerance, and is also a symptom of IBS.

If your pup has recurring gut inflammation, a glucosamine supplement may help, thanks to its soothing anti-inflammatory properties. One study on the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin on gut microbiota indicates that glucosamine may:

• Help prevent the loss of the intestinal mucin (a protective layer that guards the intestines from the corrosive effects of gastrointestinal juices, which can lead to gut ulcers or IBS).
• Improve gut microbiota, leading to better digestion of food and a healthier overall gastrointestinal tract.

Yes, more research targeting dogs is needed to definitively prove these benefits.

But think about this: if science can show that glucosamine offers gut benefits for mice and humans, why wouldn’t dogs get the same benefits?

Choosing the Best Glucosamine for Dogs With Allergies

Now you know the benefits of glucosamine for dogs.

The next step is deciding on the best formula for your pet. To do so, check the product label for specific information, such as:

Allergens

Ask yourself: What is my pup allergic to? Do I need a 100% hypoallergenic joint supplement for dogs?

Check the product for the active and inactive ingredients. You can also check for an allergen statement to make sure your chosen joint formula is 100% safe for your dog.

Nutritional Profile

The best hypoallergenic joint supplement for dogs with food allergies should go the extra mile of providing other nutrients required by a healthy, active dog. Supplements with a comprehensive nutritional profile will give you confidence that your pet’s overall health — including their joints — is taken care of.

The table below shows the nutritional profile of Paramount’s vegetarian glucosamine for dogs:

Dosage

A well-researched, tried, and tested supplement should indicate the recommended dose parameters that will benefit your pooch the most.

Check the table below. It shows the research-based dosage of our vegetarian hip and joint supplement for dogs.

Hurray! Now you’ve got the knowledge you need about the benefits of glucosamine for dogs with food allergies.

AND you have everything you need to make an informed purchase decision for your pup — who, of course, deserves the best glucosamine supplement.

Why not start with our glucosamine for dogs without shellfish? (And don’t forget to share the outcome with us! We’d love to hear your dog’s story.)